7 Days Kenya Uganda and Rwanda Safari

Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you’ll be met and transferred to Masai Mara, where your adventure unfolds with the promise of thrilling encounters, untainted wilderness and breathtaking landscapes. Your base is Sanctuary Mara Retreat Camp, also known as Sanctuary Olonana, a contemporary luxury lodge set along a private stretch of the Mara River, surrounded by Kenya’s most iconic wildlife.

On arrival, immerse yourself in the raw beauty of the Mara, where the rhythm of the African wilderness sets the stage for an unforgettable experience. You can embark on an evening game drive or simply enjoy the convenience of your luxury lodge as you soak up the tranquility of the surroundings in the heart of the savannah.

The largely open expanse is ideal for prime wildlife viewing without disruptions, and steps are being taken to ensure the ‘Big Five’ roam the park in greater numbers over the course of time.

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll embark on a morning game drive in the savannah plains to look out for rhinos, lions, zebras, giraffes, topis, impalas, and elephants. Wildlife viewing is excellent during the golden hours when they are most active.  

In the afternoon, enjoy a leisurely boat cruise on Lake Ihema, offering incredible views of numerous birds on the waterfront including the African open-billed stork, giant kingfisher, gray-crowned crane, Senegal lapwings, and Papyrus gonolek. You’ll then return for dinner and an overnight stay.

Today, you’ll swap the untamed wilderness of Masai Mara for the enchanting landscapes of Uganda. Wake up early to a delightful breakfast, enjoy a final morning game drive, and transfer to Nairobi to catch your connecting flight to Entebbe International Airport.

Upon arrival, spend the night at 2Friends Beach Hotel, an intimate boutique hotel nestled along the picturesque shores of Lake Victoria, offering convenient access to Kampala. Relax after your short flight, knowing that you are heading to the mystic jungles of Bwindi the next day.

After a sumptuous breakfast, you’ll embark on a scenic road trip to the mystical realms of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda. The journey transitions from flat central farmlands and the Equator crossing into the dramatic Kigezi landscapes featuring steep, emerald-green terraced hills, deep valleys, and mist-veiled ridges and finally into the lush forests marking your arrival at the park.

Rushaga Gorilla Lodge is your base for an unforgettable encounter with mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. This luxury cottage allows you to enjoy the comforts of home in a private, thoughtful space while soaking up the stunning natural setting of this ancient, mist-shrouded rainforest.

Your long-awaited day is here. The anticipation intensifies for the extraordinary encounter with endangered mountain gorillas, setting the stage for an unforgettable chapter in your East African adventure. Your butler will ensure you are up by 7:00 am. Enjoy a quick breakfast with a packed lunch, the right trekking gear, drinking water, and a walking stick, then embark on a life-transforming gorilla trekking experience.

After a mandatory briefing at 7:30 am at the visitor’s centre, you’ll be led into the heart of Bwindi Forest, immersing yourself in the primal rhythms of the jungle as you track these gentle giants through dense foliage and mist-shrouded pathways. Each step brings you closer to encountering one of the world’s critically endangered species. After finding them, you’ll spend one hour in their presence watching them play, nap, groom and munch.

In the afternoon, you’ll journey deeper into the cultural mosaic of the region with a visit to the fascinating Batwa people, where time-honored traditions come to life in a captivating celebration of song, dance, and storytelling.

Day 6 unfolds a symphony of discovery and cultural immersion. After a quick breakfast, you’ll take a scenic 4-hour road transfer via the Cyanika or Katuna border to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, where an enchanting encounter with the elusive golden monkeys awaits you. Traverse the mist-laden slopes and verdant valleys of the Virunga Mountains, guided by the melodic calls of these rare primates for an intimate encounter as they flit through the canopy above. Enjoy every moment amidst the tranquil beauty of the forest and the intricate web of life that flourishes in this biodiverse sanctuary.

After this ethereal experience, visit the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, where the legacy of this famous primatologist continues to inspire efforts to protect these majestic creatures in their natural environment. Conclude the day with an intimate cultural experience by venturing into the heart of the Iby’Ichwu Cultural Village, where time-honored rituals and traditions come to life in a vibrant celebration of Rwandan heritage.

Today marks the end of your 7 Days Kenya Uganda and Rwanda Safari. After a sumptuous breakfast, you’ll transfer to Kigali to explore the vibrant cityscape, bustling markets, leafy boulevards, and thriving communities for a compelling finale. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Museum to pay homage to the indomitable spirit of Rwanda, and finally bid farewell to the land of a thousand hills with a heart full of memories and a profound appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit, forever touched by the beauty and complexity of East Africa’s landscapes and cultures.