Day 1: Arrival in Uganda and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Your 7 day gorilla trekking and Masai Mara safari starts from Entebbe International Airport in Uganda. Our guide from Serengeti Masai Mara Experts will be waiting to receive you. So, this Uganda trip to Bwindi for gorilla trekking is about 10-11 hours long and covers a distance of 520km. Also, there will be stopovers in between, hence the whole 1st day will be dedicated to a road trip. You will have a stop along the equator and at Masaka city, one of the prominent cities in Uganda. So, have a lunch bite at the Coffeehouse & lounge along Masaka road.

You are most likely to arrive in the evening at Bwindi. Therefore, you will directly transfer to the Gorilla Safari Lodge close to Nkuringo gate. Next, check in and freshen up, and have dinner with views of the breathtaking highland terrain. However, if one is not comfortable with the road adventures, they would opt for the air transport from Entebbe to Kisoro. Then, the journey for that Uganda fly-in trip takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Day 2: Gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

In the Early morning, at around 9:30 am, after breakfast, you will head to the trailhead in Bwindi for gorilla trekking. Next, be briefed and organised in groups of 8 by the Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. So, begin tracking gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi with guides into the forest, tracking a specific gorilla family. This trek can range up to 5 hours depending on the gorilla group’s location. However, on the way, you might see numerous endangered species like the L’Hoests’ monkeys and red-tailed monkeys. Also, have an opportunity of bird watching in Bwindi Forests. So, you might spot bird species in Uganda like the African green broadbill and the Rwenzori turaco.

This Uganda gorilla safari could be challenging, most especially in the morning when the forests are foggy. So, the walking trails are not that dry; however,  you will still land on these gorilla families in the forest. A meet-up with the family of the mountain gorillas in Bwindi makes it worth it during the magical 1 hour that you spend with these species.

Observe the behavior of these gorillas in Uganda since the silverbacks (The leaders) are seen inserting dominance. Also, observe the mothers nurture and care for their young ones just as human beings. Lastly, you’ll then trek back to the Gorilla Safari Lodge after the Bwindi gorilla safari. Note that all meals for the day will be served to you at this accommodation facility.

Day 3: Batwa Community Visit and Cultural Experience in Uganda

Breakfast at Gorilla safari lodge in Uganda can be brought to your room, or can be served at the lounge, depending on your preference. After this morning meal, relax at this safari lodge, enjoying the amenities provided.  After lunch, you will be met by your tour guide, who will lead you to the Batwa village near Bwindi. During this cultural encounter, learn about the forest’s original inhabitants and have an understanding of their culture.

The Batwa people are one of the last hunters and gathers tribes in the world. Hence, this day offers you an opportunity to witness part of their daily lifestyles by watching how they hunt. Also, what they use to hunt and their unique skills. All this is made vibrant by their songs and dances that are usually one of the ways they welcome the tourists to show them that the Batwa village is a” home away from home”. Later in the day, you will relax around the camping setting, where you will also have dinner at the Gorilla Safari lodge.

Day 4: Cross the Border from Uganda to Kenya and Transfer to Masai Mara

On this day, you are to cross from Uganda’s hilly terrain down into Kenya’s Great Rift Valley Basin in the Maasai Mara. You can choose to either fly or go on a road trip. However, in this 7 day gorillas and Masai Mara safari itinerary, we are to use road transport. This is because, the aerial perspective is less adventurous compared to the road perspective. So, you’ll be driven into Kenya via Kisumu or Nairobi, then connect to the Masai Mara National Reserve.

Rise up as early as 4:00 am on this day, and embark on your trip to Masai Mara Kenya, which covers 1142km in about 20 hours. Also, have numerous food stops on the way so that you can also rejuvenate. You will arrive at the Mara Interpids Camp late at night. Next, check in and directly go to your room after having your evening meal. Lastly, rest, shade off the jet lag and prepare for your Masai Mara safari game drives the following day.

Day 5: Full day game drive in Masai Mara National Reserve 

In the morning, after having an effective rest, you will have breakfast at your Masai Mara tented Camp. During this day on your 7-day Bwindi gorillas and Masai Mara safari, you will have full-day game drives to track the big 5 and experience the great migration safari in Kenya. Then you will start with a game drive that will run through the whole day with sightings of the big five: lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, and rhinos.

At a point, you will witness the dramatic river crossings of the wildebeests. So, watch the wildebeests as they cross simultaneously through the Mara River, infested with the killer crocodiles. Hence, watching these events brings in intense motion and excitement during your Masai Mara safari. Later, enjoy an afternoon meal under the tranquility of the acacia trees as you take in the views of the nearby mind-blowing geographical landscapes.

The evening game drive in Masai Mara National Reserve will take you towards the Oloolo escarpment. So, you’ll witness the sun set down, and the evening will be made merrier by the wilderness dinner served around dazzling traditional lamp lights.

Day 6: Explore the Mara Ecosystem- Track the wildebeest migration and enjoy wildlife Viewing Experiences

Wake up to a bush meal that is still served in the wilderness, and then you’ll have another day of game drives in Masai Mara. On this day, you are to follow the wildebeest migration patterns in the  Southern areas of the Sand River and Keekorok. Additionally, explore the Mara ecosystem, including the Naibosho Conservancy.

The latter offers a more abundant encounter with wildlife, including zebras, lions, and birds like the African fish eagle. Your guide from Serengeti Masai Mara Experts will serve you a packed meal, and in the evening, you will have another wilderness meal at the Mara Interpids tented Camp.

Day 7: Maasai Cultural Visit and Departure

On this day during your 7 days Maasai Mara and Gorilla Trekking safari, you’ll have a Maasai cultural tour and later departure to Nairobi. By 10:00 am, you will have breakfast followed by a walk to the nearby Maasai village. Experience another cultural immersion, this time in Kenya’s Masai Mara. So, learn about the historical warrior-like nature of the Maasai People. Also, observe their present lifestyle of cattle herding, beading, and fire making. In the late afternoon, you will go back to your hotel and check out.

You will pass through the expansive golden grasslands and be transferred to Nairobi City, then to Wilson International Airport. Hence, this ends your 7 days Masai Mara safari and Bwindi gorilla trek in Uganda and Kenya.