Day 1 – Arrival in Entebbe & Visit Mabamba Swamp for Shoebill Viewing 

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by a private safari guide and transferred to your booked hotel around Entebbe Town. After a short rest at the hotel, you can go for a shoebill safari at the Mabamba wetland area, one of the most popular destinations for birding in Uganda. At Mabamba, you’ll board a canoe and sail through the waters of Lake Victoria with your guide as you search for this prehistoric bird. You’ll also see different other bird species in the region. The Shoebill Stork is one of Uganda’s most iconic and fascinating birds, famous for its enormous shoe-shaped bill, tall stature, and prehistoric appearance.

Despite its intimidating look, the Shoebill is a remarkably patient hunter, often standing completely still for long periods before striking at fish, lungfish, frogs, and other prey. Its calm, almost statue-like behavior makes encountering one in the wild a truly unforgettable experience.

After the shoebill safari, return to the hotel for dinner and a relaxing stay.

Note: We recommend booking flights that will arrive in Uganda in the early morning so that you can have enough time to relax before starting your adventure. Any flight that arrives between 4:00 am and 8:00 am is recommended.

Overnight: Papyrus Guest House

Meal plan: Bed & Breakfast

Day 2 – Entebbe – Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast, you begin your journey northwards towards Murchison Falls National Park. En route, you’ll visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided rhino-tracking experience on foot. This allows you to observe southern white rhinos at relatively close range while learning about Uganda’s rhino conservation programme. You’ll also have a lot of opportunities to film and photograph these majestic mammals in the wild. Rhinos are one of the Big Five Animals in Africa, a must-see during your stay in Uganda. Lunch will be enjoyed at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. After lunch, continue towards Murchison Falls National Park. You’ll visit the Top of the Falls for an opportunity to witness the large River Nile squeezing through a narrow gorge before plunging down with a thunderous roar. After you visit the top of the Falls, continue with a drive to your booked safari lodge. Check in for dinner and an overnight stay at the lodge.

Overnight: Pakuba Safari Lodge

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3 – Early Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Boat Cruise to the Bottom of the Falls 

On this day, you’ll wake up and have breakfast by 6:30 am. After breakfast, go for a morning game drive in the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park, one of Uganda’s best areas to spot savannah wildlife species. During the game drive, you will search for elephants, Rothschild’s giraffes, buffaloes, Uganda kob, hartebeest, waterbuck, hippos and, with luck, lions and leopards. You’ll also encounter different birdlife. After the game drive, return to the lodge for a short rest and a refreshing meal.

In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on the Victoria Nile towards the base of Murchison Falls. The riverbanks offer excellent opportunities for viewing hippos, crocodiles, elephants and numerous waterbirds. After your adventure, return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Overnight: Pakuba Safari Lodge

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 – Murchison Falls – Rwenzori Mountains

After breakfast, you begin your journey southwest towards Kasese. The scenery changes dramatically as you travel from the northern savannahs towards the rolling hills and highlands of south-western Uganda. Lunch will be enjoyed enroute. Arrive in the late afternoon and check in at the lodge.

Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.

Overnight: Sandhost Hotel Kasese

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5 – Rwenzori Mountains – Hiking Adventure

Today you’ll enjoy your Rwenzori hiking adventure. After an early breakfast, you’ll head towards the Rwenzori Mountains and begin a guided hike through the beautiful foothill environment. The Rwenzori landscape is dramatically different from the savannah parks visited earlier in the trip, with lush vegetation, mountain streams, forested slopes, and spectacular views.

Since you mentioned that you are keen hikers, we can select a route that provides a substantial and physically rewarding day hike without requiring an overnight stay in the mountains, subject to trail conditions, park regulations and your preferred difficulty level.

After the hike, return to Kasese for a well-earned rest.

Overnight: Sandhost Hotel Kasese

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6 – Kasese – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, you’ll leave Kasese and continue towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The journey takes us through some of south-western Uganda’s most beautiful scenery. You’ll arrive at Bwindi in the afternoon/evening, allowing you to relax and prepare for the following day’s gorilla trekking experience.

Overnight: Four Gorillas Lodge

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7 –  Mountain Gorilla Trekking at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 

Today is the highlight of your Ugandan adventure. After breakfast, you will report to the Uganda Wildlife Authority briefing point before entering Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with experienced trackers and park rangers. The trek can take several hours depending on the location of the gorilla family on the day. Once the gorillas are located, you will have a memorable encounter observing them in their natural habitat.

After the trek, return to your lodge to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Overnight: Four Gorillas Lodge

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8 – Transfer from Bwindi to Lake Mburo National Park

After breakfast, we drive towards Lake Mburo National Park. The journey takes us through the beautiful landscapes of south-western Uganda, with opportunities to stop for photographs and local experiences along the way. Arrive at Lake Mburo in the afternoon and enjoy an introductory game drive. Lake Mburo is particularly interesting for zebras, impalas, eland, topi, giraffes, buffaloes and numerous bird species.

Overnight: Mpogo Safari Lodge

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9 – Nature Walk in Lake Mburo and transfer back to Entebbe for a connecting flight to Nairobi, Kenya

After breakfast, go for a guided nature walk in the park for opportunities to walk amongst wildlife. This will give you lasting memories of Uganda before you proceed with your journey to Kenya. After the Nature walk, drive back towards Entebbe. You’ll make a stop at the Equator for photographs and continue to Entebbe for your flight to Nairobi, Kenya.

Upon arrival in Nairobi, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Overnight: Best West Hotel

Meal plan: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 10 – Travel to Maasai Mara National Reserve

After breakfast, depart Nairobi for the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve. The Mara is the Kenyan part of the greater Serengeti ecosystem and is particularly rewarding for travellers interested in predators and big cats. After arriving, enjoy an afternoon game drive. The focus will be on finding lions, cheetahs and, with luck, leopards, while also enjoying the Mara’s elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest and other wildlife.

Overnight: Sopa Lodge

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11 – Full-Day Wildlife Safari in Maasai Mara National Reserve

Today you’ll have a full day in the Maasai Mara. You will set out early with a packed breakfast or enjoy breakfast at the lodge before heading out for extended game viewing.

Because of your particular interest in cheetahs, we will ask your guide to prioritize areas where recent sightings have been reported. You will also keep an eye out for lions, leopards, and other predators. The exact wildlife sightings will, of course, depend on the animals’ movements on the day.

Overnight: Sopa Lodge

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 12 –Final Game Drive in Maasai Mara – Nairobi

Enjoy an early morning game drive in the Maasai Mara before breakfast. After breakfast, begin the journey back to Nairobi, arriving later in the afternoon.

From Nairobi, you can then continue with your onward journey to the Seychelles for your beach holiday. Or we can arrange accommodation in Nairobi, then you fly to the Seychelles the next day.

Overnight: Best West Hotel

Meal plan: Breakfast & Lunch