15-Day Rwanda Uganda Kenya Gorillas and Wildlife Safari

Arrive in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, where your driver-guide welcomes you and transfers you to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a relaxed introduction to the city, known for its green hills, organised streets and vibrant urban atmosphere. If time allows, you may visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial with a respectful guided visit, subject to opening hours and your preferences.

Use the rest of the day to settle in, review the gorilla trekking arrangements and prepare your clothing and equipment for the coming days. Your guide will explain the journey into southwestern Uganda, the importance of following park guidelines and what to expect during a gorilla trek. Enjoy dinner and a good night's rest before the early start ahead.

Meals: Depending on arrival time and hotel plan.

Transport: Kigali airport to hotel — approximately 10–30 km, around 20–60 minutes depending on traffic and hotel location.

Depart Kigali early and travel towards southwestern Uganda and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The route passes through Rwanda’s rolling hills before reaching the Uganda border and the volcanic landscapes of the Virunga region. This transfer must be arranged to allow enough time for immigration, travel to the park and the required trekking briefing. The itinerary should only schedule a same-day trek if the confirmed permit, arrival time and park arrangements make it practical.

After the briefing, join authorised park guides and trackers for a guided trek through montane forest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. The duration depends on the gorillas’ location and can range from a relatively short walk to several hours of hiking. Once the group is located, visitors are generally allowed a strictly regulated period with the gorillas under park rules. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Transport: Kigali to the Mgahinga area — approximately 100–130 km, often around 3–4.5 hours by road, plus border formalities and trekking time. The exact route and same-day trek feasibility must be confirmed.

After breakfast, travel from the Mgahinga area towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The journey passes through the highlands of southwestern Uganda, with terraced farmland, green valleys and forested hills along the way. Your guide will coordinate the transfer with the gorilla trekking sector assigned for your Bwindi permit, since accommodation and road routing depend on the specific sector.

Join your second guided mountain gorilla trek, subject to a separately confirmed permit. Bwindi’s dense forest, steep slopes and varied terrain offer a different trekking experience from Mgahinga. Spend your allocated viewing time observing the gorilla family while following the park’s rules and maintaining the required distance. Return to your lodge for dinner and rest after two consecutive days of potentially strenuous hiking.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Transport: Mgahinga area to Bwindi — approximately 60–120 km, often around 2–4 hours by road, depending on the allocated sector and lodge location, plus trekking time.

Enjoy breakfast at your lodge before travelling towards Lake Bunyonyi, a scenic lake surrounded by steep green hills and small islands. After the two gorilla trekking experiences, this is an opportunity to slow down and enjoy the quieter side of Uganda. The road journey passes through rural communities and cultivated hillsides, offering a glimpse of everyday life in the southwestern highlands.

Arrive at Lake Bunyonyi and check in at your lodge before enjoying lunch and a relaxed afternoon. Optional activities may include a boat excursion with a local guide, birdwatching or simply enjoying views of the lake from the shore. After the physical demands of gorilla trekking, keep the afternoon flexible and restful. Dinner and overnight are at your lakeside accommodation.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Transport: Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi — approximately 60–100 km, around 2–3.5 hours by road, depending on the Bwindi sector and lodge.

After breakfast, depart Lake Bunyonyi and travel north towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. The route passes through southwestern Uganda’s hills and rural communities before opening into the savannah and crater-lake landscapes of the park. Arrive around lunchtime or early afternoon, depending on your lodge location and road conditions.

If time permits, enjoy an afternoon game drive in search of elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, warthogs and other wildlife. The park’s varied habitats support an impressive range of species, while the Kazinga Channel is particularly known for hippos, waterbirds and animals gathering near the water. If the transfer takes longer than expected, prioritise settling in and save the main wildlife activity for the following morning. Dinner and overnight are at your lodge.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Transport: Lake Bunyonyi to Queen Elizabeth National Park — approximately 200–280 km, around 4.5–6.5 hours by road, depending on the park sector and accommodation.

Enjoy breakfast before travelling towards Kibale National Park, one of Uganda’s best-known destinations for chimpanzee tracking. The route takes you through scenic countryside, crater-lake landscapes and agricultural areas around the foothills of the Rwenzori region. After arriving at your lodge, enjoy lunch and receive an introduction to the forest ecosystem and the following day’s chimpanzee experience.

Depending on your arrival time, you may relax at the lodge or enjoy a short guided nature activity in an appropriate nearby area. Your guide will explain the permit arrangements, trekking conditions and forest etiquette, including the importance of following ranger instructions and maintaining respectful distances from primates. Enjoy dinner and overnight near Kibale, ready for an early start.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Transport: Queen Elizabeth National Park to Kibale — approximately 100–160 km, around 2.5–4 hours by road, depending on the starting point and lodge.

After an early breakfast, proceed to the designated tracking centre for a briefing by park staff. Join a guided forest trek to search for a habituated chimpanzee community. The experience takes you through tropical forest rich in birds, butterflies, monkeys and other forest life. Trekking duration varies according to the chimpanzees’ movements, and the terrain may be muddy, uneven or steep.

Once the chimpanzees are located, follow the ranger’s instructions and observe their behaviour during the permitted viewing period. You may see them feeding, grooming, calling or moving through the canopy, although sightings and visibility depend on conditions. After the trek, return for lunch and enjoy a relaxed afternoon. If desired and time allows, arrange a separate guided nature activity or simply rest before the journey to Murchison Falls National Park.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Transport: Local transfers to and from the tracking centre; trekking time varies, often taking several hours.

After breakfast, depart Kibale and travel north towards Murchison Falls National Park. This is a substantial road journey through Uganda’s countryside, with agricultural areas, trading centres and changing landscapes along the way. Plan for rest stops and a lunch break, as the drive can take much of the day depending on the route and the location of your lodge.

Arrive at your accommodation and settle in. If you reach the park early enough and the lodge location permits, a short evening game drive may be possible, but it should not be guaranteed after a long transfer. Murchison Falls is known for its savannah wildlife and the Nile’s powerful passage through a narrow gorge. Enjoy dinner and prepare for a full day of exploration.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Transport: Kibale to Murchison Falls National Park — approximately 300–380 km, around 6–8 hours by road, depending on the route and lodge location.

Start with an early game drive across the park’s northern savannah, where you may encounter elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, Uganda kob, hartebeest and, with luck, lions or leopards. Your guide will help you interpret tracks, animal behaviour and the relationships between the park’s grazing animals and predators. Morning light often provides excellent conditions for wildlife photography.

Later, enjoy a boat excursion on the Nile towards the base of Murchison Falls, subject to operating conditions and your selected activity. The riverbanks can offer opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles and a variety of birds. You may also visit an approved viewpoint near the falls, depending on your schedule and park arrangements. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Transport: Game drives and park transfers; boat excursion on the Nile if included and operating.

After breakfast, depart Murchison Falls and travel east towards the Sipi Falls area on the slopes of Mount Elgon. The route crosses central and eastern Uganda, passing through towns, agricultural areas and changing landscapes. This is a long transfer day, so an early departure and planned rest stops are important. Your lodge should be selected to make the following morning’s departure towards Kenya practical.

Arrive in the Sipi area and enjoy the scenery around the waterfalls, subject to your arrival time. Sipi Falls is known for its series of cascades, green cliffs and views across the surrounding countryside. If you arrive early enough, consider a short guided viewpoint visit; a full waterfall hike may be better scheduled for the morning if daylight and conditions are limited. Enjoy dinner and overnight near Sipi Falls.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Transport: Murchison Falls area to Sipi Falls — approximately 300–380 km, often around 6–8 hours or more by road, depending on the route, stops and accommodation.

If your schedule allows, enjoy an early visit to Sipi Falls before breakfast or departure. A guided walk can provide views of the waterfalls and surrounding highlands, but the activity should be kept short enough to accommodate the cross-border drive. Afterwards, travel towards the Uganda–Kenya border, using the confirmed crossing and route arranged by your safari operator. Allow time for immigration procedures, vehicle coordination and rest stops.

Continue into Kenya and proceed towards Lake Nakuru National Park. This is another long transfer day, and arrival may be late depending on border formalities and road conditions. If there is sufficient daylight and the park schedule permits, a brief game drive may be possible; otherwise, settle in at your lodge and enjoy dinner. The main Lake Nakuru wildlife experience is best planned around confirmed park entry times and the following morning’s departure schedule.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Transport: Sipi Falls to Lake Nakuru — a long cross-border journey, often around 8–11 hours or more, depending on the border crossing, road conditions and accommodation location.

After breakfast, depart Lake Nakuru and travel towards the Masai Mara. The route crosses the Great Rift Valley and rural highlands before reaching the rolling grasslands of the Mara ecosystem. The journey may take much of the morning, so plan the departure and lunch arrangements according to the location of your booked camp.

After arriving and checking in, enjoy an afternoon game drive if time permits. The Masai Mara is known for its big cats, elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes and large herds of plains game. Your guide will select a suitable route based on recent sightings and the season. Return to your lodge or tented camp for dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Transport: Lake Nakuru to the Masai Mara — approximately 220–300 km, around 5–7 hours by road, depending on the route and camp.

Set out early for a full day of wildlife viewing across the Masai Mara’s open plains and riverine habitats. Your guide will look for recent predator sightings and herds of grazing animals, with opportunities to observe lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes and other species. The early hours can be rewarding for wildlife photography, particularly when the light is soft and animals are active.

Continue with a picnic lunch in the reserve or return to your lodge for lunch before an afternoon game drive. Depending on the time of year, you may encounter wildebeest and zebras associated with the Great Migration, although their location varies seasonally and river crossings cannot be guaranteed. Return to camp for dinner and enjoy your final evening in the Mara.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Transport: Game drives within the Masai Mara — variable distance according to wildlife sightings and the selected route.

After breakfast, leave the Masai Mara and travel towards Nairobi. The drive crosses rural landscapes and the Great Rift Valley before reaching Kenya’s capital. Because the journey can take several hours and Nairobi traffic is unpredictable, the timing of any city activities should be planned around your arrival time and accommodation location.

After checking in or storing your luggage, enjoy a selected Nairobi city experience if time permits. Options may include the Nairobi National Museum, the Karen Blixen Museum or a guided visit to a local market, depending on opening hours, interests and traffic. If you want to visit Nairobi National Park, allow sufficient time and confirm the operating schedule separately. Enjoy dinner at your hotel or a selected restaurant and prepare for departure the following day.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch; dinner depending on the selected arrangement.

Transport: Masai Mara to Nairobi — approximately 250–300 km, around 5–7 hours by road, depending on the camp location and traffic.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, depending on your flight time. If your departure is later in the day, you may have time for a relaxed morning, but avoid scheduling a distant excursion that could put your flight at risk. Your driver will coordinate pickup based on the airline’s check-in guidance, the terminal and current traffic conditions.

Transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward flight. Your 15-day journey concludes after an extraordinary variety of experiences, from mountain gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking to waterfalls, lakes, savannah game drives and the wildlife of the Masai Mara.

Meals: Breakfast; other meals depending on the departure schedule.

Transport: Nairobi hotel to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport — approximately 15–30 km, often around 30–90 minutes or more depending on traffic and hotel location.