The 7 days Bwindi & Masai Mara Safari makes it possible for visitors on East African expeditions to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and possibility of encountering the big five animals (Cape buffaloes, Black rhinos, leopards, elephants and lions) as well as other breathtaking game species.
Within just 7 days, you will experience the whole of Africa on only two destinations and even witness the exciting wildebeest migration in Serengeti National Park. This package has been incredibly designed to cater for the needs of all visitors.
Day 1: Arrival into Uganda and hotel drop-off
The first day of our 7 days Bwindi & Masai Mara Safari is for arriving into Uganda, where you will receive a warm welcome from the country’s beauty and safari driver. This is followed by introductions, briefing and finally receive your itinerary as well as receipts. Drop-off at the Hotel to allow you freshen-up and enjoy your meals.
Day 2: Road trip to the renowned Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After a wonderful Breakfast at the Hotel in Entebbe/Kampala, leave for south-western Uganda, where Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is based. The journey is long (8-9 hours) thus be prepared to sit for long hours but will be rewarded with phenomenal views and stopovers along the way. One of the most outstanding stopovers is at the Equator crossing at Kayabwe for photography, snacks, coffee and to stretch your legs.
After the thrilling equator experience, continue with the scenic drive to south-western Uganda while enjoying views of Ankole pastoral lands characterized by hills marked by savannah vegetation. You will see some of the beautiful Ankole long-horned cattle and make another stop at Igongo Cultural Center for a hot and delicious traditional lunch buffet. From this point you will be driven non-stop until Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and arrive before nightfall.
Day 3: Trekking mountain gorillas in the misty jungles of Bwindi and Batwa cultural experience
Mornings in Bwindi are always cold and a hot cup of tea/coffee will do wonders in warming and raising your spirit for the adventurous trek for mountain gorillas. After breakfast, attend the 30-45 minutes’ briefing session (attendance is a must because it’s part of the trekking process) before entering into the Gorilla haven. More than 400 mountain gorillas and over 20 habituated families call this Park home.
Gorilla treks in Bwindi forest are thrilling with trekkers walking through heavily forested, misty and hilly landscapes without clear trails. Walking for 1-5 hours ushers you to the allocated gorilla family and you will watch them feed, play, rest and exhibit other interesting tactics for one hour. Since gorilla treks are unpredictable, trekkers always carry packed Lunch which you will enjoy before returning back to the Lodge.
Relax for the rest of the afternoon and in the evening prepare to experience the unique culture of Batwa pygmies. These people used to live in the forest before it was gazetted into a National Park and not live around the Forest. You will visit them to learn about their life when they lived in the forest, be entertained in their cultural dances and even buy some souvenirs.
Day 4: Drive back to Entebbe / Kampala
Have breakfast before embarking on the 8-9 hours’ journey to Entebbe / Kampala. The journey is quite exciting with breathtaking views of the countryside characterized by lush farmlands, rural homesteads, vast tea/banana/coffee plantations and busy roadside markets. Lunch will be at Agip Motel (in Mbarara City) and later continue to Entebbe for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Fly to Nairobi and drive to Masai Mara National Reserve
Breakfast at the hotel in Entebbe and transfer to the Airport to catch a flight to Jomo Kenyatta Airport. Your Safari guide will welcome and pick you up from the Airport for a 5 hours’ drive to Masai Mara National Reserve. Some of the en-route views to look-out for are the magnificent Great Rift Valley, the steep escarpment wall and valley floor which you will have to pass through to the Masai Mar National Reserve.
Your journey also involves traversing the spectacular Mount Longonot as well as the Loita Hills before being ushered to the Reserve. Being the endowed Protected Area that it is, you are welcomed by numerous game species while connecting to your lodge or Tented Camp.
Day 6: Exclusive Masai Mara Game drives
After breakfast, leave your Lodge/Tented Camp for the wilderness where you will undertake a game drive. Explore Masai Mara National Reserve’s diverse ecosystems/landscapes ranging from the savannah grasslands, rolling hills, woodland to Rivers.
This park is haven to numerous African game species, majority of which can be explored during the game drive and some of them are the black-manned lions, serval cats, Topis, Bush elephants, cheetahs, Topis, Impalas, black rhinos, stripped and spotted hyenas, the Masai giraffes, the leopards, jackals, Kobs, Hippos and many others. Enjoy a picnic Lunch and continue with the game drive that will end before nightfall, then retire to your Lodge or Camp.
Day 7: Half day Game Drive and drive back to Nairobi City
After breakfast, undertake a short game drive to see some of the animals you might have missed during the previous game drive. Enjoy Lunch and return back to Nairobi City. This marks the end of this 7 days Bwindi & Masai Mara Safari.
