A chimpanzee sits on a leafy branch and looks toward the camera in dappled forest light.

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Uganda Primates and Kenya Plains

Gorilla and chimp trekking in Uganda's forest parks, followed by Masai Mara game drives in Kenya, over twelve days.

Enquire about this trip See the day by day

Duration12 Days / 11 Nights

Group size2 – 6 travellers

Best monthsJune – September, December – February

From$6,980 per person sharing

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The Trip in Short

Uganda and Kenya make an easy pairing on paper – both served well by Entebbe and Nairobi’s international airports – but the trip itself is a genuine study in contrast: dense, wet, primate-rich forest in the west of Uganda, then the wide-open plains of the Mara where the whole appeal is being able to see for miles.

This itinerary runs Uganda’s forest parks first, since gorilla and chimp permits typically anchor the schedule, then flies from Entebbe to Nairobi for the safari half.

Fees and rules in Kenya's national parks are set by the Kenya Wildlife Service.

Highlights

Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest
Queen Elizabeth National Park game drives and Kazinga Channel boat cruise
Flight connection Entebbe to Nairobi
Masai Mara game drives for the Big Five
Optional hot-air balloon safari over the Mara

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Where You Go, Stop by Stop

Day 1–2

Entebbe – Kibale Forest

Day 3–4

Kibale – Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 5–6

Queen Elizabeth – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Day 7

Gorilla trekking

Day 8

Fly Entebbe – Nairobi – Masai Mara

Day 9–11

Masai Mara National Reserve

Day 12

Fly to Nairobi, departure

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Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1–2: Entebbe to Kibale

A road transfer west to Kibale Forest, followed by a morning of chimpanzee trekking through one of Uganda's most reliable forest blocks for sightings.

Day 3–4: Queen Elizabeth National Park

South to Queen Elizabeth for game drives on the Kasenyi plains and a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, dense with hippo and birdlife.

Day 5–6: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

On to Bwindi, arriving in time to settle in before the trek.

Day 7: Gorilla trekking

A full trekking day among Bwindi's mountain gorillas, roughly half the world's remaining population.

Day 8: Fly to the Masai Mara

A flight from Entebbe to Nairobi, connecting on to the Mara the same day or the next morning depending on flight timing.

Day 9–11: Masai Mara

Three full days of game drives across the Mara's open plains, with the option of a sunrise hot-air balloon safari and a Maasai village visit.

Day 12: Departure

A flight back to Nairobi for onward or international connections.

From

$6,980

Enquire about this trip

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What the Price Covers

Included

Uganda gorilla trekking permit ($800)
Chimpanzee trekking permit
Queen Elizabeth and Masai Mara entry fees
Flight Entebbe – Nairobi
All accommodation, 11 nights
All meals as noted in the itinerary
Private transport and driver-guides in both countries

Not included

International flights into Entebbe and out of Nairobi
Uganda and Kenya entry visas
Hot-air balloon safari (optional add-on)
Gratuities
Travel insurance

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Before You Book

Why start in Uganda rather than Kenya?

Gorilla permits are booked well in advance and effectively fix that portion of the schedule, so it makes sense to build the rest of the trip around them rather than the reverse.

How long is the flight between the two countries?

Roughly an hour and a half from Entebbe to Nairobi, plus onward connection time to the Mara.

Do I need two visas?

Yes, though the East Africa Tourist Visa covers Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda together for eligible nationalities, which can simplify this exact combination.

Is twelve days enough for both halves?

Yes – this gives four solid days in Uganda's forest parks and three in the Mara, which is a reasonable minimum for both without feeling rushed.

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Where This Trip Goes

Mount Kenya National Park

Kenya · Mountain

Africa's second-highest peak, climbed through five vegetation zones to Point Lenana without technical mountaineering, with shrinking glaciers near the true summit.

Aberdare National Park

Kenya · Mountain

An isolated volcanic range forming the Rift Valley's eastern wall, with waterfalls, moorland and a key watershed role for central Kenya's rivers.

Lake Mburo National Park

Uganda · National Park

Uganda's smallest and closest-to-Kampala savannah park, and the only one with zebra and impala, plus boat safaris and horseback riding rarely offered elsewhere.

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Uganda Primates and Kenya Plains