Kenya, Uganda · Wildlife

5-Day Gorilla Tracking and Masai Mara Safari from Entebbe

5 Days Round trip from Entebbe Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Track mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
02 Enjoy game drives in the Masai Mara Reserve
03 Pass through the Equator line that divides the Earth into two halves
04 Witness wildebeest river crossings, crocodiles, and big cats in the Mara

Sign up for this wildlife tour to see mountain gorillas as you track them in their home, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Enjoy several game drive sessions in the Masai Mara Reserve to spot a wide variety of birdlife and wildlife, and capture picturesque sights while passing through the Equator line. With gorilla trekking in Uganda and a flight connection to Kenya for safari experiences in the Masai Mara, this journey combines two of East Africa's most memorable wildlife encounters.

Coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is a humbling and emotional experience.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Entebbe, Nairobi, Masai Mara, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kisoro

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Entebbe to Bwindi National Park

You are expected to have an early morning landing or to arrive a day before your safari starts.
Upon arrival, you will meet our driver-guide, who will transfer you to Bwindi National Park. It is a long journey, but worth it. Expect a stopover at the Equator line for photography and en-route lunch.

Accommodation: Gorilla Mist Camp

Meal: full board

Day 02

Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi

Today, you will start early and track one of the habituated gorilla groups that can tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period each day. The time taken to track the gorillas can be as little as half an hour or as much as 8 hours. Your trek will be an exciting journey along forested slopes, entwined vines, bushes, and bamboo before you eventually reach the gorillas' current location. Your guide will point out signs of previous gorilla activity, including dung, nests, and chewed bamboo shoots.
Once the gorillas have been located, you will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. Coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is a humbling and emotional experience. This is a fantastic and privileged opportunity to get up close and personal with Uganda's own 'Gorillas in the Mist'.
Later, you will return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Gorilla Mist Camp

Meal: full board

Day 03

Bwindi to Masai Mara via Entebbe

We set off from your lodge in Bwindi for Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip, where you catch your flight to Entebbe and then onward to Maasai Mara in Kenya.
Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative and take a short game drive on the way to the camp.
This evening, enjoy another game drive in the reserve.

Accommodation: Zebra Plains Camp

Meal: full board

Day 04

Full-Day Game Drive in Masai Mara

After breakfast, head towards the reserve for a full-day game drive in search of photographic sightings, while witnessing the wildebeest river crossings, the escapades of crocodiles feeding, and big cats hunting.
We shall have a chance to enjoy our picnic lunch under a shading acacia tree with beautiful views of the Masai Mara plains.

Accommodation: Zebra Plains Camp

Meal: full board

Day 05

Masai Mara to Nairobi

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Nairobi with a stopover at the Rift Valley escarpment to take photographs, then proceed to Nairobi for lunch en route.
After lunch, you will be dropped off at the airport, marking the end of your tour.

Where this trip takes you

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Masai Mara, Equator line, Great Rift Valley

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Entebbe 5 cities · 5 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Park fees (for non-residents)
All activities (unless labelled as optional)
All accommodation (unless listed as upgrade)
A professional driver-guide
All transportation (unless labelled as optional)
All taxes/VAT
Round-trip airport transfer
Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinking water (on all days)
Domestic flight from Uganda to Kenya

What's Not Included

International flights (from/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (tipping guideline: US$10.00 per person per day)
Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Any government-imposed increase in taxes and/or park fees
Some meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
Personal items such as visas and medical insurance

What to bring

Hiking boots - One of the most important items to include in your gorilla trekking gear is hiking boots. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Volcanoes National Park involves trekking and hiking in search of the endangered mountain gorillas. Because of the nature of the forest, plus the altitude and terrain, you need lightweight hiking boots for this activity. Hiking boots are a must when deciding what to pack for your gorilla trekking adventure in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park.
Garden gloves - You will need gloves to protect your hands during your gorilla trek. As you move through the forest, remember that it can get slippery, and you may need to hold onto something for support. If you happen to touch itching plants, trees, or while climbing, you may be harmed. These gloves will therefore protect you from germs and other things that may scratch your hands. Consider including garden gloves in your gorilla trekking packing list.
Rain jacket - Consider including a rain jacket or poncho in your gorilla trekking packing list, as it is very important gorilla trekking gear. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a tropical rainforest, and as such, rain falls throughout the year. You never know when it is going to rain, so you need a rain jacket in order to be protected. Many clients prefer travelling in the drier months of June, July, August, and the beginning of September, and try to avoid the rainy seasons of March, April, and May, but being a tropical rainforest, it can rain at any time. When deciding what to pack for your gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Volcanoes National Park, a rain jacket or poncho should be included.
Long-sleeved shirts/blouse - You are required to have long-sleeved trousers, shirts, or blouses for your gorilla trekking. Please ensure that you tuck your trousers into your hiking boots to avoid insects such as safari ants entering your trousers. Jeans and khaki trousers can do this better.
Energy-giving snacks - Gorilla trekking can take from 30 minutes to eight or so hours, and that is why a certain level of fitness is required. In addition, we advise that you carry some energy-giving snacks as supplements. Before departing from your lodge, you need to carry your packed lunch and lots of drinking water, as you never know when you will return. Energy-giving foods can be bought in Uganda or Rwanda, so ask your guide to take you to a nearby supermarket if needed.
Cameras and extra batteries - Photography is an important component of your safari, so make sure that you have your camera ready, charge your batteries well, and, if necessary, carry extra batteries, as you will want to take as many photographs as possible during the one hour you will have with the gorillas. Please make sure that you switch off your flash while taking gorilla photographs.
Hat and sunglasses - If it is hot, please carry a hat to protect you from the strong sun rays. You may also need to carry some sunglasses. These are optional extras.
Pair of binoculars - Don't forget that you are on safari and may want clear views of everything. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to over 350 birds, chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus monkeys, among other primates, forest elephants, and buffaloes, so during your trek in search of the rare mountain gorillas, you may have a chance to spot some of the above.

Know before you go

Only 8 people are allowed to track a gorilla group per day, and you are advised to book this safari in time so that the gorilla trekking permits are secured.

Logistics