13-Day East Africa Safari: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda

After an evening in Nairobi spent treating yourself to the cityscape spoils, you will be thrilled to continue your adventures today in the staggering bush of Masai Mara National Reserve. Home to an incredible collection of game as well as some iconic African landscapes, Masai Mara’s extensive reserve offers safari lovers endless encounters with the indigenous wildlife in postcard-perfect natural environments. You will transfer to Masai Mara by car, allowing you to absorb the sensational Kenyan scenery en route and arrive at an endearing lodge tucked away in the bushveld, where you will admire your untouched surroundings.

Masai Mara boasts one of the seven natural wonders of the world, a phenomenal spectacle known as the Great Migration. During the event, millions of wildebeest and other grazers cross the parched plains to greener pastures while predators attempt to stray them off their course. If you are not fortunate enough to witness the spectacle, then you will bask in the pleasures of Masai Mara on long safari drives through its rich environments. From wandering cheetahs to lounging leopards and plodding elephants to swimming hippos, there will be no shortage of jaw-dropping encounters during your Masai Mara game cruises.

Today, you will savor breakfast with views of Masai Mara before you meet your private transfer and cross the border to Northern Tanzania. You will arrive on the sweeping savannas of the Serengeti as you enter Tanzania and retreat to a lodge pinned beneath the shady acacia trees. The vast plains of the Serengeti also comprise Maasai heritage lands and offer visitors a chance to wallow in the wondrous wildlife-riddled regions of untamed Africa. You will spend your afternoon witnessing animals wandering the landscapes at the foot of your door and catching the sunrise from your secluded patio.

You will meet a knowledgeable ranger and tracker early in the morning before the sun has risen over the Serengeti. Your sunrise safari will begin as you exit camp and continue across the plains to capture the region’s nocturnal activity. Your ranger will pan the bushveld with a spotlight with the hope of illuminating the region’s impressive display of nocturnal creatures, such as hungry predators on the search for unassuming prey and rare critters scuttling through the greenery. You will complete your riveting safari day with an afternoon drive before sunset and enjoy cocktails overlooking the Serengeti.

The Serengeti is teeming with wildlife and among its tapestry of indigenous creatures is the Big Five. Today, you will spend your final moments in Tanzania crossing sweeping pastures to quiet waterholes with elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, leopards, and lions in your sights. After capturing enchanting photography of the iconic wildlife collection, you will continue in search of other distinct encounters, including the Little Five. By the end of your safari adventures across the Serengeti, you will hope to have stumbled upon all these phenomenal creatures and more.

After breakfast, you will transfer out of the Serengeti National Park and head for a local airstrip, where you will board a plane bound for the tranquil lakeside Ugandan town of Entebbe. Hemmed in the banks of Lake Victoria, this endearing destination showcases Uganda’s sparkling lakeside beauty and offers visitors an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the country’s rich heritage. After arriving and transferring to your accommodation, you may wander the streets freely and discover what makes Entebbe tick. From colorful markets to significant landmarks, there will be so much to immerse yourself in this afternoon.

You will start your journey to the emerald jungles of Uganda after breakfast this morning, with a gorgeous lodge nestled beneath the forested canopy of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest providing refuge for the following few nights. Upon arrival, you may choose to appreciate the beauty circling your accommodation and luxuriate in the amenities at your lodge or head for the Batwa community to admire traditional Ugandan culture through live song and dance performances. The locals will be thrilled to showcase their unique customs while you hear stories about their heritage.

You will prepare yourself for an exhilarating forest adventure today accompanied by experienced rangers and trackers with an exceptional ability to track the wildlife wandering Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. You will trek along dusty paths weaving through the viridian forest in search of the great gorillas residing in its overgrown landscape. The massive primates are friendly and tame, with your rangers having a close relationship with the protected beasts. You will spend your afternoon capturing remarkable photography with the gorillas and learning more about them and their history in this sacred reserve.

You will admire the staggering vistas of the Rwenzori Mountains for most of your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Largely covered by golden savannas, dense forests, sparkling lakes, and fertile wetlands, Queen Elizabeth National Park boasts diverse ecosystems teeming with wildlife you will discover during an afternoon game drive through the reserve. You will also capture images of vibrant birdlife soaring across the lakes as you admire the spectacular views. In the evening, you will catch the sunset over Africa from the comfort of your private patio.

After breakfast, you will relish a day of adventure in the Ugandan wilderness, beginning with a cruise across the Kazinga Channel. This peaceful glide across the waterway will allow you to witness the gorgeous riverside scenery as well as the birds and elephants that gather around its refreshing streams. In the afternoon, you will continue to the Kasonga community, where you will meet the spirited locals and learn about their culture through their cuisine and traditional customs. Later on, you will arrive at the Kibale Forest National Park for your remaining nights in Africa.

The Kibale Forest is home to an assortment of wildlife species, dazzling birdlife, and flourishing flora you will be delighted to encounter as you breeze through the national park on safari drives and a unique chimpanzee trekking experience. From the rare L’Hoest’s monkey, the black-and-white colobus, blue monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkey, to much more, you will adore the moments spent amongst these furry creatures. As you watch them wander the forest, you will hear them chatter from the branches and swing down to the forest floor.

You will wake up to the songs of the forest, a melodic mix of chirping birds, rattling crickets, and squawking monkeys. Stepping out onto your patio, you will be treated to the spectacular scenery and may catch a glimpse of the wildlife providing your morning soundtrack. You will pack your belongings and tuck into an exquisite breakfast against this gorgeous backdrop before you meet your private transfer and head for Entebbe, where you will catch your plane home. You will leave Uganda and depart the African continent with a wealth of fantastic safari memories.