20 Days Kenya and Uganda safari
The 20 Days Kenya and Uganda safari is the best way to explore most interesting tourists’ destinations in both Uganda and Kenya. Kenya giving you the wildlife experience blending with Uganda’s primates experience. The 20 days trip features visits to Samburu national reserve which is a home of the famous lioness called Kamunyak famous for adopting Oryx calves. The reserve is located in the northern part of Kenya, 350 kilometres from Nairobi city and its found on the banks of the Ewaso Ng’iro river and on the other side is the Buffalo Springs National reserve. Also features Nakuru national park which is among the top tourist destination in Kenya famous for the flamingos, both lesser and greater that gather at the water shores to feed on the cyanobacteria that live in alkaline water and the park is considered as a UNESCO World heritage site in Africa. Also features Masai Mara national reserve, Africa’s most famous wildlife destination for world’s renowned expectation population of the wild cats like the lions, leopards, cheetahs and elephants. While in Uganda the tour features Uganda’s most visited national park including Kidepo national park – Uganda’s renowned wildlife park for the big cats, Murchison falls national park which is the largest national park, Kibale national park – home to the chimpanzees and other 12 primates, Queen Elizabeth national park – home to the tree climbing lions, Bwindi Impenetrable national park – home to half of the remaining mountain gorillas in the whole world and finally an excursion at the deepest lake in Uganda – Lake Bunyonyi.
Highlight
- Day 1: Pick-up from Airport
- Day 2: Transfer to Samburu national reserve
- Day 3: Full day game drive in Samburu national Reserve
- Day 4: Transfer to Nakuru national park
- Day 5: Game drives and birding – Nakuru national park
- Day 6; Transfer to Masai Mara national reserve
- Day 7: Full day game drives in Masai Mara plains
- Day 8: Transfer to Uganda – Mbale town
- Day 9: Transfer to Kidepo valley national park
- Day 10: Game drive, hot springs and community tour
- Day 11: Transfer to Murchison falls national park.
- Day 12: Morning game drive and boat cruise on the Nile
- Day 13: Transfer to Kibale forest national park
- Day 14: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi nature walk
- Day 15; Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National
- Day 16: Game drives and launch cruise
- Day 17: Transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha sector for climbing lions.
- Day 18: Gorilla trekking experience – Bwindi
- Day 19: Excursion at Lake Bunyonyi
- Day 20: Transfer to Kampala/Entebbe – Departure
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Pick-up from Airport –Hotel
Depending on your arrival at Jomo Kenyatta airport, you will meet with our company representative/driver guide who will then drive you to your hotel in Nairobi capital city of Kenya, proceed to check-in dinner and overnight stay at Hilton Hotel Nairobi
Day 2: Transfer to Samburu national reserve
Wake up to a delicious breakfast; meet your safari guide to embark on your journey to Samburu national reserve located in the northern part of Kenya taking about 5-6 hours’ drive from Nairobi with en-route lunch at any of the towns. Samburu is fiercely beautiful with arid savannah watered Uwaso Nyiro River and it’s also a home to a variety of animals and birdlife common to Kenya’s northern plains including; the Grevy’s Zebra, Oryx, reticulated giraffes, Gerenuk gazelle and greater and lesser Kudu, the big cats like the lions, Cheetah, and the African leopard can also be found, as well as the elephants, buffaloes and hippos. On arrival at the park, proceed to check-in your accommodation, dinner and overnight stay at
Accommodation and meals (Full board basis)
- Samburu Riverside Camo for budget option
- Ashnil Samburu Camp for mid-range option
- Samburu Sopa lodge for luxury option
Day 3: Full day game drive in Samburu national Reserve
Today after breakfast, drive into the reserve for an exclusive game drive with your packed lunch. Drive quite early to be able to find the predators on different game trails to find animals like the lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, giraffes and other plain game few that thrive in the reserve’s grasslands and acacia woodlands. Owaso Nyiro River that flows in the reserve is a home to float of crocodiles, herd of hippos and other animals that come to drink from the river during the hot day. Before night fall, drive back your accommodation where dinner will be served and overnight stay as above
Day 4: Transfer to Nakuru national park
After breakfast, check-out and embark on your next destination that is Nakuru national park home to the flamingo birds. it’s a 5-6 hours’ drive arriving at good time for lunch at your accommodation after check-in. Later after relaxing, connect for an evening game drive to search for some of the animals in the park depending on availability. Later in the evening return to your lodge to relax, enjoy dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation and meals;
- Mailia Saba Camp for budget option
- Ziwa Bush lodge for mid-range option
- Lake Nakuru Lodge for luxury option
Day 5: Game drives and birding in Nakuru national park
Wake up early, have breakfast and connect for an early morning game drive to explore more of the park’s beauty. During this morning game drive, expect to spot different animals like the lions, leopards, hyenas and different antelope species on a lucky day. Return for lunch at your lodge. Later afternoon, drive to Lake Nakuru and enjoy to view large numbers of flamingo birds on the lake shores and other bird species. In addition to the bird life of the park, explore the park’s wildlife spotting animals like the black and white rhinos, buffaloes, giraffes, impalas and zebras. Before night fall, drive back to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay as above.
Day 6; Transfer to Masai Mara national reserve
After breakfast, check-out of the lodge, meet with your safari guide to drive you cross the floor of The Great Rift Valley which is the longest rift valley in the crust of the earth to Masai Mara National Game Reserve via Narok area where we find the Masai people of Kenya. It’s about a 4 to 5 hours’ drive from Lake Nakuru national park to Masai Mara reserve which is the world’s most famous reserve known for having the highest concentration of plains’ game together with their assorted predators. Bisecting the reserve is the Mara River with its populations of Hippos and Crocodiles. Enter the park and connect to your accommodation. Have lunch and refresh before you connect for an exciting evening game drive as you may get lucky to spot the wild cats in the grassland plains. Before night fall, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation and meals (Full board basis)
- Mara Rhino lodge for budget option
- Ashnil Mara Camp for mid-range option
- Mara Serena Safari lodge for luxury option
Day 7: Full day game drive in Masai Mara plains
Wake up quite early for breakfast, and then meet your guide to start with a morning game drive along with your packed lunch box as it will be a whole day in the wild. The Masai Mara plains are full of wildebeest during the migration season of early July to late September. Other animals to be spotted include; Zebras, Impalas, Topi, Giraffes, Thomson’s gazelle are regularly seen, Leopards, Lions, Hyenas, Cheetah, Jackal and Bat-eared foxes. Black Rhino are a little shy and hard to spot but are often seen at a distance if you are lucky. Hippos are abundant in the Mara River as are very large Nile crocodiles, which lay in wait for a meal as the wildebeest cross on their annual quest to find new pastures. On periods without the wildebeest migration, these animals can also be spotted however no guarantee on that. Before night fall, return to your lodge to refresh, have dinner and overnight stay as above
Day 8: Transfer to Uganda – Mbale town
Wake up early, have breakfast, then check-out of the lodge and drive out of the park to connect to Uganda via the closest borders of Uganda and Kenya. Drive via Kisii then connect to Kisumu then to Busia border with several stopovers for stretching and lunch because it about a 8 to 9 hours’ drive to reach Mbale the closest big town and home to Mount Elgon – the fourth highest mountain in East Africa. Upon arrival, check-in the hotel for dinner and overnight stay at Mbale Resort Hotel/Wash and Wills Hotel
Day 9: Transfer to Kidepo valley national park
As early as 6 am, depart from your hotel after breakfast to start your full day drive to Kidepo Valley national park located in the far Northern part of Uganda in the Karamojong sub-region. The drive is scenic with great views of the countryside and its people, you several stops for refreshments and lunch. Upon arrival at the Kidepo Valley national park, proceed to check-in your accommodation for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation and meals (Full board)
- Apoka Rest Camp for budget option
- Kidepo Savannah lodge for mid-range option
- Apoka Safari lodge for Luxury option
Day 10: Morning game drive, hot springs and community tour
After breakfast, meet your guide and connect to the Kidepo valley on a game drive where you will find the rare Ostrich bird, and also the secretary bird can easily be spotted. Animals like the elephants, buffaloes, Giraffes, Zebras, the Cheetahs, lions, leopards can be seen on a very lucky day, elands although these are best spotted in the Narus valley as compared to the Kidepo valley. You will also connect to visit the Kanangorok hot springs before you drive back to the lodge for lunch.
Later afternoon, after relaxing for a while, visit one of the Karamojo communities like the Karenna or Kadepo community for a cultural experience where you will learn more about the Karamojong culture and traditional. Before night fall, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay as above
Day 11: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, enjoy and early morning game drive in the Narus valley before you embark on your journey to Murchison falls national park which is a 7-8 hours’ drive with en-route lunch in Gulu town. Upon arrival at the park, proceed to check-in your accommodation to rest from the drive as you prepare for the next day activities and you wait for dinner and overnight stay
Accommodation and meals;
- Heritage safari lodge for budget option
- Pakuba safari lodge for mid-range option
- Paraa Safari lodge for luxury option
Day 12: Morning game drive and boat cruise on the Nile
After breakfast, embark on a game drive at the delta area where you will find most of the animals. Murchison falls National Park is the only park where you will be able to see most of the animals in the park. This will take about 2-3 hours depending on availability of the animals including Elephants, Rothschild giraffes, Buffaloes, Lions, Hartebeest, Uganda Kobs, Oribis and waterbucks.
Thereafter return to the lodge for lunch and later at 2 pm, you will set off for the boat cruise on the along the Nile which will give you an exciting panoramic view at the bottom of the mighty Murchison falls. Along the cruise, you will encounter crocodiles, hippos, and birds on the river banks like kingfisher, cormorants and bee-eater. You will then connect for the hike up to the falls through Bakers trail and also be able to learn more about the falls and their formation. This hike is a bit difficult so you need to be physically fit to hike through. The top of the falls has the best and close view of the falls. It’s at the top that your driver will meet you and drive back to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay as above.
Day 13: Transfer to Kibale forest national park
After your breakfast, cross with the 7 am ferry to continue to Kibale forest national park located in the western park of Uganda and it’s a 8-9 hours’ drive from Murchison falls national park with en-route lunch in Fort porta town and great views of the country’s landscape and the people. Kibale forest is the home of the habituated chimpanzees and the very best in East Africa. Upon arrival at Kibale, proceed to check-in your accommodation for relaxation dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation and meals (Full board)
- Isunga lodge for budget option
- Chimpanzee Guesthouse for mid-range
- Kyaninga lodge for Luxury option
Day 14: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi nature walk
Depart the lodge quite early after breakfast for the 7 am briefing at the park headquarters Kanyanchu before you set off for the trekking experience guided by the park armed ranger guides. Kibale Forest National Park has a number of forest wildlife, most especially 13 species of primate coupled with chimpanzees. Trekking may take 2 to 5 hours depending on the location of the chimpanzees. On finding the, you will be allowed to spend an hour in their presence before you return. After trekking, you will have lunch and then visit Bigodi wetland where you will experience a lot of bird life and unspoiled nature. Dinner and overnight at your accommodation as above
Day 15; Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
You will have breakfast and later check-out of the lodge to transfer to Queen Elizabeth national which is the second largest national park After Murchison falls national park in Uganda. It’s about 3 hours’ drive from Fort Portal town. Arrive in Queen Elizabeth national park at a good time for lunch. Later afternoon, visit a coffee plantation in Kyambura and also get to taste and pack the organic coffee. Return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight stay
Accommodation and meals (Full board)
- Pumba safari Cottages for budget option
- Parkview Safari lodge for mid-range option
- Kyambura Gorge lodge for luxury option
Day 16: Lion tracking and afternoon launch cruise
After breakfast, drive to the Kasenyi area for a lion experience that will last for about 2 hours. Lion experience is a guaranteed experience for visitors to see the lions in Queen Elizabeth national park given the difficulties met during game drives. This activity is only available in Queen Elizabeth national park, you will also enjoy and en-route game drive for animals like the elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, Uganda Kobs, leopards on a lucky day among others as you drive back for lunch at your lodge. Later in the afternoon, go for a launch cruise along the Kazinga channel where you will spot various water animals like Hippos and crocodiles, the cruise will also enrich you with various water birds. After the boat experience, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay as above
Day 17: Transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha sector for climbing lions
After your morning breakfast, check-out of the lodge and drive southwards to the Ishasha sector – home for the tree climbing lions in Uganda for chances if spotting the lions lying on tree branches, this usually happens when the weather is hot as they seek shed from trees. It is not guaranteed to see them as it happens on rare occasions.
You will have en-route lunch then proceed your way to Bwindi Impenetrable national park – home of the mountain gorillas which about 4-5 hours’ drive to Buhoma sector. Arrive at your lodge late afternoon, check-in refresh as you wait for dinner to be served and rest for the day as you prepare for the next day activity.
Accommodation and meals (Full board)
- Buhoma Community Rest Camp for budget option
- Buhoma Haven lodge for mid-range
- Buhoma lodge for luxury option
Day 18: Gorilla trekking experience – Bwindi
After early morning breakfast, drive to the park headquarters for a briefing about the endangered mountain gorillas from the park warden at 7 am before you start trekking at 8 am along with your trekking gear, drinking water and packed lunch, the driver will drop you off at the starting point to trek the gorillas together with the ranger guides. This activity may take between 1-8 hours searching for the gorillas depending on their movement. However meeting them is so rewarding and you will spend maximally 1 hour with them as you take time studying them and taking pictures and videos
After the gorilla trekking experience, the driver will meet you at the starting point to drive you back to the lodge to relax with great memories of lifetime. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above
Day 19: Excursion at Lake Bunyonyi
Have breakfast before you check-out of the lodge to proceed to Lake Bunyonyi which is about 4 hours’ drive from Bwindi forest of Buhoma sector. The drive is quite scenic with great views of the rolling hills and sights of Virunga Mountains. Upon arrival, check-in and have your lunch. Bunyonyi is the best place to relax after a hectic gorilla trekking experience as the place provides cool relaxation ways like taking a bout trip to some of the incredible islands on this deepest lake in East Africa. Before night fall, return to your lodge for relaxation dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation and meals (Full board basis)
- Bunyonyi overland resort for budget option
- Arcadia Bunyonyi Cottages for Mid-range option
- Bunyonyi BirdNest lodge for luxury option
Day 20: Transfer to Kampala/Entebbe – Departure
On this last day of your 20 days safari, wake up early for breakfast before you embark on your 7-8 hours’ drive to Entebbe airport. It’s a beautiful drive as you will get to enjoy the different nature of the areas you will be passing through. You will stop for lunch in Mbarara town which is about 5 hours’ drive from Kabale town and another stop at the Equator to refresh and experience the equator experiment. You will arrive in Entebbe late afternoon so ensure to book a night flight as you can only make it at the airport after 4 pm depending on the time you leave from Kabale. Your safari guide will drop you off at Entebbe airport for your onward flight. End of tour
