14-Days: From Maasai Mara To Bwindi, Kenya & Uganda Cross-Border Safari
Experience the ultimate 14-day adventure that spans the stunning Maasai Mara in Kenya to the lush Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda. This cross-border tour takes you through diverse ecosystems, where you'll witness the majestic Big Five, encounter fascinating wildlife, and immerse yourself in rich local cultures. Enjoy thrilling activities such as gorilla trekking, game drives, and cultural experiences that will leave you with lasting memories. Our expert guides will ensure you have a safe and enriching journey, making this once-in-a-lifetime adventure an experience you won't want to miss!
Experience East Africa’s iconic landscapes, diverse wildlife, and rich cultures on this 14-day cross-border safari. Journey from Kenya’s famed Maasai Mara plains, across the Great Rift Valley, through Lake Nakuru and Lake Bunyonyi, to Uganda’s dense forests, home to chimpanzees and mountain gorillas. This itinerary blends thrilling wildlife encounters, vibrant communities, scenic drives, and immersive cultural experiences.
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi, Kenya
Activities: Pick-up at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Safari briefing by your guide. Optional Nairobi city tour (depending on arrival time)
Accommodation: Eka Hotel or Tamarind Tree Hotel – modern comfort, close to the airport
What to Expect: Smooth arrival, warm East African hospitality, and time to settle into the journey ahead.
Day 2: Nairobi → Maasai Mara National Reserve
Activities: Early departure via the dramatic Great Rift Valley. Lunch en route in Narok town. Afternoon game drive upon entering the Maasai Mara.
Accommodation: Ashnil Mara Camp / Mara Sopa Lodge – tented luxury with savannah views
What to Expect: Your first close encounters with giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and big cats across the golden plains.
Day 3: Full Day Game Drive – Maasai Mara
Activities: Dawn and dusk game drives in different sectors. Optional Maasai village visit (cultural dance, traditional huts, beadwork). Picnic lunch in the wild
Accommodation: Same as Day 2
What to Expect: Exceptional wildlife viewing – lions on the prowl, herds of elephants, and perhaps a cheetah sprint. Ideal during migration season.
Day 4: Maasai Mara → Lake Nakuru National Park
Activities: Morning drive out of the Mara. Arrive at Lake Nakuru for an afternoon game drive. Visit viewpoints like Baboon Cliff.
Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Lodge / Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge – perched with panoramic lake views
What to Expect: Flamingos, endangered white and black rhinos, tree-climbing lions, and bushy landscapes.
Day 5: Lake Nakuru → Jinja, Uganda (via Busia Border)
Activities: Long scenic cross-border journey into Uganda. Border clearance at Busia (assistance provided). Arrival in Jinja, the Nile's adventure capital
Accommodation: Nile Village Hotel or 2Friends Guesthouse – riverside relaxation
What to Expect: Change in scenery and tempo, from savannahs to riverbanks; perfect for sunset over the Nile.
Day 6: Jinja Adventures – Nile River Exploration
Activities: Choose your thrill: white-water rafting, kayaking, tubing, or quad biking. Visit the Source of the Nile with a boat ride. Explore Jinja’s colonial architecture and craft markets. Optional sunset cruise with drinks
Accommodation: Same as Day 5
What to Expect: High adrenaline or slow exploration, your choice. This is Africa’s adventure playground.
Day 7: Jinja → Kibale National Park (Western Uganda)
Activities: Drive through lush countryside, tea estates, and rural villages. Optional lunch stop at a local farm or café in Fort Portal
Accommodation: Turaco Treetops or Isunga Lodge, forest-side eco-lodges with stunning views
What to Expect: Fresh air, forest surroundings, and primates chattering in the treetops.
Day 8: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest
Activities: Early morning briefing and forest walk to track wild chimpanzees. Observe chimp social behaviour up close. Afternoon community walk in Bigodi Wetlands (local guides, birdlife, traditional healers)
Accommodation: Same as Day 7
What to Expect: A vibrant rainforest filled with sound. Chimps swinging above, monkeys rustling leaves, and welcoming local communities.
Day 9: Kibale → Queen Elizabeth National Park
Activities: Morning crater lake drive – breathtaking caldera views. Arrive in Queen Elizabeth NP; enjoy an afternoon game drive in Kasenyi Plains.
What to Expect: Watch elephants roam beneath the Rwenzori Mountains. Spotted hyenas, antelopes, and even leopards are possible.
Day 10: Kazinga Channel Boat Safari & Game Drive
Activities: Morning game drive in search of lions and hyenas. Afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel – hippos, crocs, elephants at the shoreline.
Accommodation: Same as Day 9
What to Expect: A photographer’s paradise with animals on land and water, and the biggest buffalo herds in Uganda.
Day 11: Ishasha Sector → Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Activities: Drive south through the remote Ishasha sector. Game drive for the famous tree-climbing lions. Arrival in Bwindi in the late afternoon
Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge / Rushaga Gorilla Camp – rustic charm near the trailheads
What to Expect: Cooler temperatures, misty hills, and the feeling that you're approaching something sacred.
Day 12: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Activities: Early start for gorilla trek briefing and group allocation. Hike through thick jungle terrain to find your gorilla family. Spend one magical hour observing these gentle giants. Optional Batwa community experience
Accommodation: Same as Day 11
What to Expect: Emotion, awe, exhaustion, and connection. One of the most unforgettable wildlife experiences in the world.
Day 13: Bwindi → Lake Bunyonyi
Activities: Short scenic drive to Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda’s deepest and prettiest lake. Dugout canoeing, island tours, swimming, and birdwatching. Optional zip-lining or village walk.
What to Expect: Rest and reflect in serene beauty. Lush hills, clear waters, and African jacanas skipping across the reeds.
Day 14: Return to Entebbe via the Equator
Activities: Long return drive to Entebbe. Lunch stop and photo session at the Equator. Drop-off at Entebbe International Airport or optional overnight stay
What to Expect: End of an epic journey, full of memories, stories, and soul-filling moments.
Inclusions:
All airport transfers
Ground transport in a 4x4 safari vehicle with an English-speaking guide
13 nights’ accommodation (mid-range or as per budget)
All park and activity entrance fees (excluding optional ones)