Overview
This 9 days Uganda safari and Masai Mara extension will lead you to most beautiful and visited places in Uganda and Kenya at large. Most popular National parks will be visited such as Queen Elizabeth National Park well known for the rare tree climbing lions, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park then finally Kibale forest National Park also known as the primate capital of the world. Various wildlife which includes elephants, wildebeest, lions, leopards, cheetahs, schools of hippos, crocodiles, warthogs and many more are to be spotted.
You will also interact with the Masai people during this safari, do boat ride experience, trekking of primates, crater lakes exploration and other activities. Expect to meet different people who are hospitable mostly in Uganda which will make your safari more colorful and enjoyable.
Detailed tour plan
Day 1. Transfer to Bwindi NP from Kampala/Entebbe
You will be picked up from the agreed location in Entebbe by the safari driver guide who will brief you about the safari then later proceed with the journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Have a stopover at the Uganda Equator in Kayabwe found in Mpigi District for stunning views, taking photos and also buying some souvenirs to take home. Continue with the journey and check in with the booked lodge in Bwindi.
Day 2. Gorilla trekking and head to Queen Elizabeth NP via Ishasha sector (tree climbing lions)
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a home of over 400 Gorilla with twelve habituated Gorilla families for trekking. You will drive to the park offices for briefing from the ranger guide who will allocate you to the Gorilla group. Remember, a group of eight people is recognized for trekking one Gorilla family and a distance of seven to ten meters is maintained. Having a chance to trek any group you will follow these apes for one hour taking photos and learning their social behaviors. Retreat to the Park offices to meet your safari driver guide and head back to the lodge for lunch.
Check out with the lodge in the afternoon and head to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha sector which is located in the southern parts of the park. As soon as you start entering the Park you will be welcomed by a number of wildlife including the rare tree climbing lions during their leisure time just resting up in the trees. Continue to check in with the booked lodge.
Day 3. Game drive and boat cruise
Arise early morning from your warm bed and head for a game drive when it is still early in the morning with some darkness to spot some nocturnals. Drive back to the lodge for breakfast then after, retreat to the Park for the last session. Hope to meet wonders during this drive such as lions sleeping in the midst of the road, under the safari cars when packed or even climbing up on them, elephants feeding alongside the road, large herds of buffaloes and many others.
Drive heading to Kazinga channel in the afternoon after your delicious meal for boat excursions where you eye-catch a lot of wildlife such as schools of hippos, crocodiles, different bird species, water plants, islands and so on. Later drive back to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4. Transfer to Kibale forest National park, crater lakes exploration
After breakfast check out from Queen Elizabeth National Park and head to Kibale forest National Park for different activities. It will take you about two to three hours’ drive to get there and check in with the booked lodge for lunch.
Drive to Isunga cultural community tours for crater lakes exploration where you will visit three lakes and reach a point where you will view all of the in a straight line. Return to the lodge after the experience for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5. Chimpanzees tracking and transfer to Kampala
Arise early morning, as possible for your breakfast then later meet your safari driver guide and set out to the Park offices to meet the ranger guide for briefing about the field. He/she will allocate you to the chimpanzees group in their wild and you will spend one hour while in presence with them learning their social behaviors, taking photos, and many others. Retreat to the starting point at the Park offices to meet your safari driver guide to drive back to the lodge for lunch.
Thereafter, embark on the long journey to Kampala Entebbe airport. You will have a stopover in Mubende town to buy roasted bananas (Gonja) and some fruits then after proceed with the journey to Kampala. Due to time you will be dropped at the hotel for dinner and overnight stay as you plan for a flight to Nairobi next day.
Day 6. Drive to Entebbe airport and fly to Masai Mara
Wake up early morning, have your well prepared breakfast then after meet your safari driver guide who will drop you at the airport that is Entebbe international airport and immediately fly to Masai Mara reserve, where you will be warmly welcomed by the Kenyan safari guide and continue with an evening game drive around Masai Mara and later check in at the booked lodge.
Day 7-8. Game drives and Masai Community Tours.
Always wake up early morning for these two days, enjoy your breakfast then later head for the experience. On day 7 you will set out with your packed lunch and have a full day game drive while in the Savannah plains of Masai Mara National reserve. Enjoy your picnic lunch as you spot animals from a distance such as elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, Zebras, wildebeest and many others. After drive back to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
For the next day you will also have amazing experiences like the Masai community tours where you will walk in the Masai village and have a chance to interact with the local peace, be entertained by the Masai music dance and drama, prepare and taste their local dish with them as well as hearing stories from the elders. By your wish, buy some of the items to support the Masai people such as earrings, necklaces, Masai Sukas and many others. Later drive back to the hotel.
Day 9. Head back to Nairobi. Fly back home.
Day 9 will probably bring your safari to an end therefore, after having your breakfast set off with your safari driver guide and head back to Nairobi. You can have a city tour around Nairobi before your departure and visit the craft shop also to buy souvenirs. Be dropped at the airport and fly back home.