This Queen Elizabeth – Bwindi – Amboseli – Lake Nakuru – Masai Mara Safari offers a rare and powerful blend of Uganda’s ancient rainforests and Kenya’s iconic savannahs, combining primate encounters, big game safaris, dramatic landscapes, and outstanding birdlife. It is designed for travelers seeking depth, diversity, and authentic East African wildlife experiences.

Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda is one of the most biologically diverse protected areas in Africa. Its mosaic of savannah, wetlands, crater lakes, and woodland supports an impressive variety of wildlife. The park is best known for the tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha sector, a rare behavior where lions rest on fig trees to escape heat and insects. Large populations of elephants, buffalo, Uganda kob, waterbuck, warthogs, hyenas, and leopards roam the plains, while the Kazinga Channel hosts some of the highest concentrations of hippos and Nile crocodiles in Africa. With over 600 bird species, Queen Elizabeth is also a premier destination for birdwatching.

Nearby, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers a completely different but equally unforgettable experience. This ancient rainforest is a global conservation treasure and home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking through dense jungle vegetation provides an intimate and emotional wildlife encounter unmatched anywhere else. Bwindi also shelters chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, forest elephants, and more than 350 bird species, making it a biodiversity hotspot. The mist-covered forest, steep valleys, and rich ecosystems create a powerful contrast to the open plains of the savannah.

In Kenya, Amboseli National Park is famous for its vast elephant herds and dramatic views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. The park’s open grasslands, seasonal lakes, and permanent swamps sustain wildlife throughout the year. Amboseli is one of the best places in Africa to observe elephants at close range, alongside lions, cheetahs, buffalo, zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, and a wide variety of bird species. The iconic backdrop of Kilimanjaro makes Amboseli a favorite destination for wildlife photographers and nature lovers.

Lake Nakuru National Park, located within the Great Rift Valley, is celebrated for its rich birdlife and strong conservation success. The alkaline lake once hosted enormous flocks of flamingos, and while numbers vary seasonally, the park remains one of the best places in East Africa to spot black and white rhinos. Rothschild’s giraffes, lions, leopards, buffalo, and antelope thrive within its compact yet diverse ecosystems, which include wooded hills, grasslands, waterfalls, and lakeshore habitats. Lake Nakuru is ideal for both wildlife viewing and scenic landscapes.

The journey concludes at the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya’s most famous safari destination. Renowned worldwide for the Great Wildebeest Migration, the Mara hosts vast herds of wildebeest and zebras crossing crocodile-filled rivers in one of nature’s greatest spectacles. Beyond the migration, the reserve offers exceptional year-round game viewing, with healthy populations of the Big Five and an abundance of cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, hippos, and over 450 bird species. Its endless golden plains and predator-rich ecosystems epitomize the classic African safari.

Together, these five destinations create a comprehensive East African safari experience, seamlessly blending primate trekking, big game viewing, dramatic scenery, and unmatched biodiversity. This safari is ideal for travelers seeking adventure, conservation-focused tourism, and unforgettable encounters with Africa’s most iconic wildlife.

A leopard dragging its prey into an acacia tree in Lake Nakuru National Park, a rare and sought-after sight for wildlife photographers and safari guests.

A cheetah in a high-speed hunt across the golden Mara savannah, illustrating the predator-rich ecosystem of Kenya’s premier game reserve.

Includes/Excludes

Cost Includes

Accommodation as specified in the itinerary, ranging from lodges to tented camps.
AMREF Flying Doctors emergency evacuation and travel insurance coverage in East Africa.
All meals as outlined in the itinerary, typically breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a mix of local and international cuisine.
Transportation in fully equipped game-viewing safari vehicles with pop-up roofs for easy wildlife viewing and photography.
Guaranteed window seats for every passenger.
Experienced English-speaking driver-guides with in-depth knowledge of African wildlife, flora, fauna, and local culture.
Safari vehicles equipped with two-way radios, first-aid kits, ice chests, and fire extinguishers.
Bottled mineral water provided during game drives.
Park entrance fees and guided game drives as per the itinerary.
All government taxes, levies, and fees.
Pick-up and drop-off transfers included.
Compulsory tipping for driver/guide (minimum USD 5 per tourist per day).

Cost Excludes

International airfare and departure taxes.
Personal communications (phone calls, emails, faxes, etc.).
Optional tips and gratuities for driver/guides beyond the minimum requirement.
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (except bottled water on game drives).
Laundry services and between-meal snacks.
Optional activities:
Hot air balloon safari in Masai Mara (USD 475 per person)
Masai village visits (USD 15–20)
Night game drives (USD 150 per person)
Personal items such as rain jackets, gloves, and other gear.

Accomodation
Safari lodges, tented camps, or luxury lodges (as per package chosen)
Departure City
Kampala ,Uganda/Nairobi,Kenya
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included (buffet style with local and western dishes)
Guide
English-speaking professional guide
Transportation
4x4 safari vehicles with pop-up roof for easy wildlife viewing and photography
Payment Method
VISA, MasterCard, PayPal, Pesapal, Direct Bank Transfer, American Express, M-PESA
Best Season
June – October, December – March

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

Overview

Experience the ultimate East African adventure combining Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, and Masai Mara. Enjoy thrilling game drives, mountain gorilla trekking, iconic landscapes, Big Five sightings, rich birdlife, and authentic safari moments across Uganda and Kenya’s most celebrated wildlife destinations.

Highlights

Queen Elizabeth National Park – Classic savannah game drives, tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha sector, and exceptional biodiversity.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Once-in-a-lifetime mountain gorilla trekking in ancient rainforest.
Amboseli National Park – Large elephant herds with dramatic views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Lake Nakuru National Park – Flamingo spectacles, white and black rhinoceros, and rich birdlife.
Masai Mara National Reserve – Big Five sightings and vast open plains, with potential Great Migration encounters.
Diverse Landscapes – From rainforests and rift valley lakes to volcanic craters and endless savannahs.
Expert-Guided Game Drives – Professional English-speaking safari guides for enhanced wildlife viewing.
Cross-Border East African Safari – Seamless journey through Uganda and Kenya’s top wildlife destinations.

Day 01 :

Arrival Entebbe Airport – Kampala

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our professional guide and transferred to your hotel in Kampala. Enjoy a relaxed evening to recover from your flight and prepare for the safari adventure ahead. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Day 02 :

Kampala – Queen Elizabeth National Park

After an early breakfast, our guide will pick you up from your hotel at 7:30 am for the scenic drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Fort Portal. En route, enjoy the rolling countryside and breathtaking views of the Rwenzori Mountain foothills, with a lunch stop in Kasese. In the afternoon, proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park and later enjoy a memorable two-hour boat cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel. This cruise offers excellent wildlife viewing, including hippos, buffaloes, elephants, Uganda kobs, warthogs, and an impressive variety of birdlife. Dinner and overnight at a lodge or hotel.

Day 03 :

Queen Elizabeth National Park – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Start your day with a morning coffee followed by an early game drive along Kasenyi Plains and Queen’s Mile, where you can spot elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, warthogs, lions, Uganda kobs, and a rich variety of bird species. Afterward, drive through the scenic Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions along the western rift valley escarpment. If time permits, enjoy a short game drive in Ishasha to try spotting these unique lions before continuing to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Dinner and overnight at a lodge or hotel.

Day 04 :

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Gorilla Trekking Adventure

Start your day with a hearty breakfast before heading for one of the most unforgettable wildlife experiences on the planet – Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. At 8:00 am, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) staff provide a briefing on the day’s trek. Ensure you are fully prepared with essentials such as a rain jacket, drinking water, snacks, jungle boots, and your packed lunch.

Your experienced guide will lead your group through the lush, dense jungle in search of the elusive Mountain Gorillas, a rare and shy primate species. The trek can last anywhere from 2 to 6 hours depending on the gorillas’ location, but every step through this emerald forest is an awe-inspiring adventure and a photographer’s dream. Witnessing these magnificent primates in their natural habitat is truly one of the world’s top wildlife experiences, offering close encounters with families of gorillas as they play, eat, and interact.

After your trek, immerse yourself in the local culture with the Buhoma Village Walk. This guided tour provides a fascinating insight into the lives of the communities surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Learn how local families live, farm, and preserve their traditions while directly supporting the local economy. The walk begins at Buhoma Community Rest Camp and is both educational and rewarding, showcasing the resourcefulness and warmth of the local people.

Return to your lodge or hotel in the afternoon to relax, reflect on your gorilla encounter, and enjoy a well-deserved dinner. This day combines thrilling wildlife adventure with authentic cultural immersion, making it an essential highlight of any East Africa safari.

Day 05 :

Bwindi – Kampala/Entebbe – Nairobi

After an early breakfast in Bwindi, begin your scenic drive back to Kampala, stopping along the way to explore the rich heritage at Igongo Cultural Village in Mbarara. Here, the fascinating traditions of the Ankole and Bahima people come alive, offering visitors a chance to experience cultural performances, traditional crafts, and storytelling that bridge the past with the present.

En route, pause at the Uganda Equator for a fun and educational photo opportunity, where you can stand on the line that divides the northern and southern hemispheres. Enjoy a delicious lunch along the way before reaching Entebbe for your evening flight to Nairobi. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in Nairobi for an overnight stay, resting comfortably after a journey filled with wildlife encounters, cultural discoveries, and stunning East African landscapes.

This day seamlessly combines cultural immersion, scenic travel, and convenient connections, making it the perfect conclusion to your Ugandan adventure before returning to Kenya.

Day 06 :

Nairobi – Amboseli National Park

After pickup from your hotel or Nairobi airport, embark on a scenic drive to Amboseli National Park, traveling along the Nairobi–Mombasa highway through the heart of Maasai country. Nestled at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli is renowned for its stunning landscapes and incredible wildlife, making it one of Kenya’s most iconic safari destinations.

The park features five distinct habitats: open plains, swathes of yellow-barked acacia woodland, rocky lava-strewn thorn-bush country, swamps and marshes, and the imposing western massif of Ol Doinyo Orok, rising over 2,760 meters and largely unexplored. Amboseli is particularly famous for its elephants, often seen against the dramatic backdrop of Kilimanjaro, and is also home to lions, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, buffalo, and countless bird species.

Upon arrival, enjoy an afternoon game drive, capturing breathtaking wildlife encounters and scenic views. Your full-board accommodation ensures a comfortable stay at your camp or lodge, allowing you to unwind while surrounded by the park’s natural beauty. Dinner and overnight are included.

Day 07 :

Amboseli – Lake Nakuru National Park

Wake up early to witness the spectacular sunrise over Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest peak, majestically visible from your camp. After a hearty breakfast, embark on a morning game drive in Amboseli National Park, capturing the park’s iconic wildlife against the stunning backdrop of Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped peaks.

Afterward, depart for Lake Nakuru National Park, descending into the heart of the Great Rift Valley. Renowned for its vibrant birdlife, including the iconic flamingos, as well as black and white rhinos, lions, giraffes, zebras, and diverse antelope species, Lake Nakuru offers a spectacular safari experience. Arrive in the evening at your camp or lodge, relax, and enjoy dinner and overnight accommodation amidst the serene natural surroundings.

Day 08 :

Lake Nakuru – Masai Mara Game Reserve

Start your day with an early breakfast before exploring Lake Nakuru National Park, a sanctuary renowned for its over 350 bird species, including greater and lesser flamingos, marabou storks, plovers, white pelicans, and egrets. The park is also home to the iconic black and white rhinos, Rothschild giraffes, lions, zebras, antelopes, and buffalo, offering a perfect blend of birdlife and big game.

After this incredible morning, depart for Masai Mara Game Reserve, arriving in time for an evening game drive. The Mara is famed for its abundant wildlife: Masai giraffes, elephants, lions, cheetahs, leopards, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, topis, impalas, spotted hyenas, baboons, warthogs, and jackals. Witnessing the annual wildebeest migration between July and October is a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle, where millions of herbivores traverse the Mara in search of lush grazing lands, closely followed by predators in a dramatic display of nature.

Return to your camp or lodge for dinner and overnight, surrounded by the untamed beauty of the Mara plains.

Day 09 :

Full Day in Masai Mara

Begin the day with breakfast, then set out with lunch boxes for a full day exploring the Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya’s premier wildlife sanctuary. The Mara spans 1,672 sq. km and is home to over 450 recorded species, including both resident wildlife and seasonal migrants.

The plains of the Mara teem with immense herds of elephants, lions, buffalo, zebras, topis, and Thompson’s gazelles. Occasionally, you may spot a rhino or elusive leopard, while the Mara River hosts playful hippos and basking crocodiles. The annual wildebeest migration, occurring July through October, adds a spectacular natural drama as millions move north following the rains.

The park’s fertile, gently rolling landscape offers breathtaking safari views and countless photo opportunities. For a unique perspective, you can opt for a hot air balloon ride, drifting silently above the plains to witness wildlife from above—a truly unforgettable experience.

After a day filled with wildlife encounters, return to your lodge or camp, with the option to visit a traditional Masai village to see cultural dances, homesteads, and interact with local communities. Dinner and overnight at your accommodation.

Day 10 :

Masai Mara – Nairobi

Start the day with an early morning game drive before returning to your lodge or camp for a hearty breakfast. After breakfast, depart from the Masai Mara, traveling via Narok town where a lunch stop breaks the journey. Continue your scenic drive through Kenya’s landscapes, arriving in Nairobi by evening, where you will be dropped off at your hotel or the airport.

This final stretch allows for reflection on the unforgettable wildlife encounters, from the vast herds of elephants and zebras to the thrilling spectacle of lions and cheetahs. The journey also offers picturesque views of the Great Rift Valley and the surrounding countryside, marking a fitting end to your memorable safari adventure.