14-Day Ultimate Kenya-Uganda Safari

Embark on an unforgettable journey through East Africa with this 14-day Kenya–Uganda safari, a perfect blend of savannah wildlife, dramatic landscapes, and primate encounters. This safari showcases Kenya’s world-famous national parks like Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli, combined with Uganda’s primate experiences, including chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest and mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Along the way, travelers will witness Africa’s iconic Big Five, experience tree-climbing lions, encounter endangered primates, and enjoy cultural interactions with Maasai and Batwa communities.

This 14-Day Ultimate Kenya-Uganda Safari is designed for adventure seekers and wildlife enthusiasts who want to maximize East Africa’s diverse ecosystems in a 14-day period. Travel is facilitated by a combination of road transfers and flights between Kenya and Uganda to ensure comfort and efficiency. Each day balances game drives, trekking adventures, scenic transfers, and cultural experiences, with accommodations ranging from lodges to luxury tented camps in prime wildlife locations.

 

Detailed 14-Day Ultimate Kenya-Uganda Safari

This 14-Day Ultimate Kenya-Uganda Safari provides a comprehensive exploration of East Africa’s most iconic landscapes and wildlife. In Kenya, the Masai Mara is the highlight, offering unparalleled game drives for lions, leopards, elephants, cheetahs, and buffalos, as well as seasonal opportunities to witness the Great Migration. Lake Nakuru offers flamingo-studded shores and rhino sightings, while Amboseli provides stunning vistas of Mount Kilimanjaro and large elephant herds.

Crossing into Uganda, the safari shifts from open savannahs to lush rainforests. Murchison Falls National Park presents both wildlife and river scenery, with powerful waterfalls along the Nile. Kibale Forest is a primate lover’s paradise, featuring chimpanzee trekking and immersive walks through tropical wetlands. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers the ultimate wildlife highlight: mountain gorilla trekking, an awe-inspiring encounter with one of Earth’s most endangered species.

This 14-Day Ultimate Kenya–Uganda Safari also includes cultural experiences, including visits to Maasai villages in Kenya and the Batwa pygmy communities in Uganda. Scenic drives across rolling hills, volcanic landscapes, and fertile farmlands ensure that the journey is as memorable as the destinations. With expert guides, 4×4 transport, and all-inclusive accommodations, travelers enjoy a seamless, enriching safari experience.

 

Detailed 14-Day Ultimate Kenya-Uganda Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi and Transfer to Masai Mara

Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you are greeted by your professional safari guide, who assists with luggage and provides a brief overview of your 14-Day Ultimate Kenya–Uganda Safari adventure. The journey begins with a road transfer or optional domestic flight to Masai Mara National Reserve, the crown jewel of Kenyan wildlife. The drive offers glimpses of rural Kenyan life, fertile farmlands, and scattered acacia trees that define the savannah landscape.

After checking into your lodge or camp, you embark on your first afternoon game drive. The Mara’s open plains provide excellent opportunities to spot the Big Five: lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinos. You may also encounter cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeest herds grazing in the golden grasslands. Your 14-Day Ultimate Kenya-Uganda Safari guide shares insights into animal behavior, predator-prey dynamics, and the ecological importance of the Mara ecosystem.

The evening offers spectacular sunset views over the savannah, with birds like the lilac-breasted roller adding vivid splashes of color to the horizon. Dinner at the lodge is a blend of local and international cuisine, and as night falls, the sounds of the African bush—hyenas, distant lions, and night birds provide an authentic wildlife soundtrack. This first day sets the stage for an exhilarating safari experience, combining game drives with the tranquility of the African wilderness.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 2: Full-Day Masai Mara Safari

Today begins at dawn, with a hot breakfast before embarking on a full-day safari adventure in the Masai Mara. Early mornings are ideal for predator activity, making it a perfect time to observe lions returning from nocturnal hunts or cheetahs tracking prey across the plains. The Mara’s ecosystem supports abundant herbivores, and sightings of elephants, giraffes, hartebeests, and impalas are common.

During the day, enjoy multiple game drive stops, including picnic lunches in the bush, while your 14-Day Ultimate Kenya-Uganda Safari guide shares fascinating details about the Mara’s flora, fauna, and the Great Migration if visiting between July and October. The Mara River, flowing through the reserve, provides chances to witness crocodiles and hippos in their natural habitat.

Optional experiences include a hot air balloon safari at sunrise, offering panoramic views over the Mara plains, allowing photographers to capture dramatic shots of wildlife and sweeping landscapes. The landing is celebrated with a traditional champagne breakfast in the bush a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

In the afternoon, visit a local Maasai village, where you learn about the community’s traditions, crafts, and warrior culture. Interaction with the Maasai people offers an enriching cultural perspective alongside the wildlife encounters. Return to the lodge for dinner, reflecting on a day of extraordinary wildlife observation, cultural immersion, and unforgettable African scenery.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 3: Morning Masai Mara Game Drive and Transfer to Lake Nakuru

Rise early for a morning game drive, catching the Mara’s wildlife in the soft glow of dawn. Predators are often active, while herbivores graze peacefully. Your 14-Day Ultimate Kenya-Uganda Safari guide focuses on spotting elusive species like leopards in trees or lions resting in the tall grasses. After the morning drive and brunch, depart the Mara for Lake Nakuru National Park, located in Kenya’s Rift Valley.

Lake Nakuru is world-famous for its pink flamingo populations, which cluster along the alkaline lake shores, creating a breathtaking spectacle. Other wildlife includes black and white rhinos, waterbucks, baboons, and elands. Upon arrival, check into your lodge and embark on an afternoon game drive around the lake and park, observing rhinos grazing against the backdrop of forested escarpments.

Birdwatchers will enjoy spotting pelicans, cormorants, African fish eagles, and the rare African spoonbill. The area is also known for Rothschild giraffes and leopard sightings. The lodge offers panoramic views of the lake and surrounding parklands, creating a serene environment for relaxation and evening reflection after a full day of wildlife exploration.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 4: Lake Nakuru to Amboseli National Park

After breakfast, depart Lake Nakuru for Amboseli National Park, located at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. The drive passes through the Rift Valley, showcasing dramatic landscapes and local communities. Upon arrival, settle into your lodge or camp, many of which offer views of the snow-capped Kilimanjaro peak.

Enjoy an afternoon game drive, with Amboseli renowned for its large elephant herds. The park’s open savannah, swamps, and acacia woodlands create diverse habitats, hosting lions, cheetahs, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, and numerous antelope species. Bird enthusiasts will appreciate sightings of pelicans, crowned cranes, and African starlings.

Sunset over Kilimanjaro provides an iconic African panorama, perfect for photography and evening reflection. Dinner at the lodge includes a combination of local flavors and international cuisine. Amboseli’s location allows for early morning wildlife encounters, setting up the next day’s full-day game drive.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 5: Full-Day Amboseli National Park Safari

After an early breakfast, you embark on a full-day exploration of Amboseli National Park, one of Kenya’s most iconic wildlife destinations. At the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, the park provides a stunning backdrop for wildlife photography. Amboseli is famed for its large herds of elephants, often captured in the golden morning light against the snow-capped Kilimanjaro.

The park’s diverse ecosystems, including open savannahs, wetlands, and acacia woodlands, create habitats for lions, cheetahs, African buffalo, zebras, and giraffes. Birdlife is equally impressive, with species such as pelicans, ostriches, African fish eagles, and flamingos inhabiting the marshes and lake edges. Your professional 14-Day Ultimate Kenya-Uganda Safari guide leads multiple game drives throughout the day, stopping for bush breakfasts or lunches at scenic viewpoints overlooking the savannah.

Amboseli offers not only wildlife but also cultural encounters. Midday, visit a local Maasai village, where you learn about traditional Maasai customs, dress, and warrior practices. The community interaction provides insight into the coexistence of local people and wildlife, offering context to conservation efforts in the region.

As the day draws to a close, enjoy sunset over Kilimanjaro, with golden rays illuminating the acacia trees and grazing wildlife. Return to your lodge or camp for dinner, reflecting on the majesty of Amboseli and preparing for the next stage of your safari. The combination of abundant wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and cultural immersion makes Amboseli a highlight of this 14-Day Ultimate Kenya-Uganda Safari journey.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 6: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda

After an early breakfast, depart Amboseli and transfer to Nairobi’s airport for a flight to Entebbe, Uganda. Upon arrival, you are met by your Ugandan guide and begin the road transfer to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and most diverse wildlife sanctuary. The drive through lush landscapes, rolling hills, and small towns provides a sense of Uganda’s rich agricultural and cultural diversity.

Murchison Falls is famous for its dramatic waterfall where the Nile River squeezes through a narrow gorge before plunging 43 meters below. On arrival, settle into your lodge or safari camp before embarking on an afternoon game drive. The park hosts elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, buffalo, Uganda kob, hartebeests, and numerous antelope species.

Your 14-Day Ultimate Kenya-Uganda Safari guide explains the unique ecology of the savannah and riverine habitats. The contrast between the open plains and the lush riparian zones supports diverse wildlife. Sunset over the Nile creates a golden reflection across the park, perfect for photography and quiet contemplation. Dinner at the lodge completes your first day in Uganda, setting the stage for a full day of adventure exploring Murchison Falls’ wildlife and river wonders.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 7: Full-Day Murchison Falls Game Drive and Boat Cruise

Begin early with a morning game drive, when predators are most active and herbivores roam freely across the savannah. Spot elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, buffalo, waterbucks, and Uganda kob. Game drives provide excellent photographic opportunities and educational commentary from your 14-Day Ultimate Kenya-Uganda Safari guide on animal behavior and the ecosystem.

After lunch, embark on a boat cruise along the Nile River to the base of Murchison Falls. Along the riverbanks, hippos, crocodiles, and numerous bird species, including kingfishers and African fish eagles, can be seen. The Nile winds through papyrus swamps and cliffs, offering dramatic scenery before reaching the thundering falls themselves. You may take a short hike to view the falls from above, capturing stunning panoramic views and feeling the mist from the plunging waters.

Murchison Falls combines adventure with natural beauty, and the day allows ample time to witness the diversity of Uganda’s wildlife while experiencing the power of the Nile. Return to your lodge for dinner and evening relaxation, with reflections on the park’s impressive biodiversity.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 8: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, depart Murchison Falls and enjoy a scenic drive south to Kibale Forest National Park, home to the highest concentration of primates in East Africa. The journey passes through rolling hills, farmland, and rural villages, offering glimpses of local life. Upon arrival, check into your lodge and relax before a gentle nature walk in the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary, a prime site for birdwatching and seeing smaller primates, such as red-tailed monkeys and vervets.

Kibale is world-famous for chimpanzee trekking, which will take place the following morning. Today, your 14-Day Ultimate Kenya-Uganda Safari guide introduces you to the forest ecosystem, the importance of conservation, and the behavior of the primates. Afternoon exploration allows you to observe bird species, forest flora, and perhaps encounters with colobus monkeys. Evening at the lodge provides a peaceful setting to enjoy the sounds of the forest and prepare for the next day’s trekking adventure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 9: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest

Rise early for an exciting chimpanzee trekking experience in Kibale Forest National Park. After a briefing by park rangers, you begin the trek through tropical rainforest trails. Guided by experienced rangers, you move quietly through the forest, following the sounds of the chimps’ calls. Witnessing chimpanzees in their natural habitat is an awe-inspiring experience, observing their social interactions, feeding behaviors, and acrobatics in the trees.

The trek lasts several hours, depending on the location of the chimpanzee groups, and includes opportunities to photograph these intelligent primates. Midday, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, consider a guided walk through the Bigodi Wetlands, where birdwatchers can spot kingfishers, hornbills, and endemic species. Dinner at the lodge concludes a day of immersive primate encounters and forest exploration.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 10: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, depart Kibale and drive southwest to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, renowned for its endangered mountain gorillas. The 14-Day Ultimate Kenya-Uganda Safari passes through scenic landscapes, terraced hills, banana plantations, and small villages, offering insight into rural Ugandan life. Upon arrival, check into your lodge or luxury tented camp and enjoy a relaxing afternoon, perhaps visiting a nearby Batwa community to learn about the traditions of the forest-dwelling people.

Bwindi’s misty forest offers dramatic scenery, with thick vegetation, bamboo groves, and steep slopes. Dinner at the lodge prepares you for the early morning gorilla trek, ensuring you are well-rested for one of the safari’s most anticipated experiences.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 11: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

An early breakfast starts the day, followed by a gorilla trekking briefing with experienced rangers. Bwindi’s forest trails are challenging, with varying terrain, but the reward is extraordinary. Trekking through lush forest and bamboo groves, your group searches for gorilla families using the rangers’ knowledge.

Upon locating a gorilla group, spend up to one hour observing these magnificent animals. Witness silverbacks asserting leadership, playful juveniles swinging through the forest, and mothers caring for infants. Photography is encouraged, capturing the powerful yet gentle presence of these rare primates.

After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a cultural visit to the Batwa community, learning about their history, traditional dances, and crafts. Dinner concludes a day filled with unforgettable wildlife encounters and cultural experiences, making Bwindi the pinnacle of Uganda’s primate adventure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 12: Lake Bunyonyi Relaxation and Optional Activities

After the intensity of gorilla trekking, enjoy a relaxing day at Lake Bunyonyi, often called “the Switzerland of Africa” due to its scenic, terraced hills and calm waters. Spend the morning exploring the lake via canoe rides, observing abundant birdlife, or visiting local islands with small villages.

Optional activities include nature walks along the lake’s perimeter, community visits, or simply relaxing at your lodge enjoying panoramic views. This day provides a serene contrast to the intense trekking and game drives of previous days, offering reflection, photography, and leisure in one of Uganda’s most picturesque locations. Dinner is served lakeside, marking the penultimate night of your 14-Day Ultimate Kenya-Uganda Safari with the serene ambiance of Bunyonyi’s waters and hills.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 13: Transfer to Entebbe

After breakfast, depart Lake Bunyonyi and enjoy a scenic drive back to Entebbe, passing through lush agricultural areas and small towns. Upon arrival, check into a hotel near Entebbe International Airport or relax at the lodge depending on your flight schedule.

Optional afternoon activities include a visit to the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, a sanctuary for rescued animals, or a tour of local markets. Reflect on the past 14-Day Ultimate Kenya-Uganda Safari, scenic landscapes, and cultural experiences. Dinner at the hotel concludes your last evening in Uganda.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 14: Departure from Entebbe

After breakfast, transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight home. Depending on your flight schedule, there may be time for last-minute shopping or a brief city tour. Your safari guide ensures all logistics are handled smoothly, providing a seamless end to this unforgettable Kenya-Uganda adventure, leaving memories of wildlife, culture, and landscapes that will last a lifetime.

Meals: Breakfast

 

14-Day Ultimate Kenya-Uganda Safari Inclusions and Exclusions

Safari Inclusions

  • Airport transfers and all ground transportation in 4×4 safari vehicles
  • Accommodation as specified (lodges and luxury tented camps)
  • All meals as listed (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
  • Park entrance fees and gorilla/chimpanzee trekking permits
  • English-speaking professional safari guide
  • Bottled drinking water during drives
  • Cultural visits (Maasai and Batwa communities)
  • Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel and optional Nile excursions

 

Safari Exclusions

  • International flights to/from Nairobi or Entebbe
  • Optional activities not listed (hot air balloon rides, spa, etc.)
  • Travel and medical insurance
  • Visas for Kenya and Uganda
  • Personal expenses, gratuities, and souvenirs