9 Days Wildlife & Gorilla Safari
The 9 Days Wildlife & Gorilla Safari takes you into the heart of East Africa to witness its natural wonders, wildlife, beauty, and cultural treasures. The 9 Days Wildlife & Gorilla Safari allows you to combine some of the best safari activities in Kenya and Uganda on a single visit to Africa. You’ll trek the endangered mountain gorillas, witness the African Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant), and witnessing the wildebeest migration unfold in Masai Mara. This 9 Days Wildlife & Gorilla Safari takes you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve.
If you are interested in wildlife viewing, this package allows you to explore Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, witness the African Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant), giraffes, hyenas, zebras, hippos, and several other wildlife and bird species.
You’ll also have a rare opportunity to witness the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Detailed 9 Days Wildlife & Gorilla Safari itinerary
Day 01: Arrive in Kenya & Transfer to the hotel in Nairobi
Upon arrival at Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you’ll be welcomed and transferred to a hotel in Nairobi. You’ll spend the night in Nairobi.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Nairobi.
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2: Travel to Lake Nakuru National Park & enjoy game drive adventures
Wake and enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Following breakfast, check out and drive to Lake Nakuru National Park. Lake Nakuru National Park will be your first wildlife viewing destination on this 9 Days Wildlife & Gorilla Safari. You’ll arrive in time for lunch and check in at your booked safari lodge for lunch and a short rest.
After lunch, you’ll go on your first game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park, popular for its millions of flamingos that flock the alkaline lake shores painting it pink and different wildlife species that call this place home. During the game drive, you’ll encounter lions, buffalos, zebras, wildebeest, hyenas, and gazelles among others. Later return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3: Sunrise game drive & transfer to Masai Mara National Reserve
After breakfast at the lodge, go for a sunrise game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park. Visit different sections of the park that you might have missed on the previous game drive. After the game drive, return to the lodge to refresh. Have lunch at the lodge and later check out.
Drive to Masai Mara National Reserve, arriving in the afternoon. The Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the best places in the world to visit for wildlife viewing, known for its healthy population of wildlife species including the African Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant), hyenas, giraffes, zebras, and the gazelles among others. Enjoy a late afternoon game drive before driving to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4: Full day exploring Masai Mara National Reserve
After breakfast in the morning, leave the lodge with your packed lunch boxes for a full-day game viewing safari in Masai Mara National Reserve. You will explore the Mara plains for opportunities to witness different wildlife species. You’ll see the African Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephants), giraffes, hyenas, cheetahs, and wildebeests among others.
Visit different wildlife hotspots in the reserve for more wildlife viewing opportunities. At lunchtime, take a break and enjoy a picnic lunch at a safe and scenic spot. After lunch, continue with your safari in the park. Later return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 05: Transfer to Nairobi, fly to Uganda, & connect to Kihihi Airstrip
Wake up and have breakfast before transferring to Nairobi. transfer to the airstrip and fly to Nairobi where you will connect to your flight to Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport. From Entebbe, you will take another flight to Kihihi Airstrip in Kisoro. Transfer from Kisoro to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Check in at the lodge and relax as you get ready for your mountain gorilla trekking adventure the next day.
Meals: Dinner
Day 6: Mountain Gorilla Trek Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After an early morning breakfast at your lodge, head to the park headquarters. Join other visitors for a gorilla trekking briefing where you will receive all the important information about gorilla trekking, including the dos and don’ts. After the briefing session, you will be assigned a gorilla family to track.
It is time to enter the jungle to search for the endangered gorillas in their natural habitat. Although the trek can be quite challenging, you are sure to finally find the gorillas in their natural habitat and this will make you forget the effort you went through to reach them. After finding the gorillas, you will spend about one full hour excited and watching them, with many chances to take photos and videos for memories.
After trekking, return to the park headquarters and then go back to your lodge for relaxation. If you wish, you can go for a community visit or cultural tour to learn how the locals live and enjoy cultural performances.
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 7: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park.
Enjoy an early morning breakfast and transfer to Kibale Forest National Park for your next primate tracking experience. Arrive at Kibale National Park in the late afternoon and proceed to your booked safari lodge. Check in at the lodge and enjoy lunch and relaxation.
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 8: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi swamp
After an early morning breakfast, go to the park headquarters where you will join other trekkers. You will be guided on the dos and don’ts of chimpanzee tracking, including trekking and safety guidelines to follow while in the forest. Later begin the chimpanzee trekking experience in the forest, following the lead of armed ranger guides. After a long trek in the forest, you will finally meet the chimpanzees and enjoy up to one hour watching them. There are many chances to take photos and videos of these primates in the wild.
After the trek, return to the park headquarters where you will meet your guide who will transfer you back to your lodge for a refreshing meal and relaxation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 9: Transfer back to Entebbe and connect with your departure flight.
After an early morning breakfast, drive back to Entebbe, arriving in the late afternoon in time to check in for your flight back home.
End of 9 Days Wildlife & Gorilla Safari