Kenya, Uganda, & Rwanda 12-Day Safari

Transfer to Lake Nakuru National Park

Upon your morning arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, our representative from Deks Safaris & Tours Ltd. will warmly receive you and brief you about the journey ahead. After refreshing, you’ll embark on a scenic road transfer through the central highlands of Kenya toward Lake Nakuru National Park. This protected area is one of Kenya’s most treasured sanctuaries, often praised for its shallow soda lake, vibrant birdlife, and frequent sightings of endangered species like the white and black rhinos.

The journey from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru is scenic and culturally enriching. As you travel, you’ll pass through the Rift Valley escarpment, offering panoramic views and photographic moments at designated viewpoints. Arriving at your luxury lodge near the park just in time for lunch, you’ll relax before heading out for a late afternoon game drive. Lake Nakuru is an avian paradise—its alkaline waters attracting thousands of flamingos, pelicans, and other water birds. The park is also home to Rothschild giraffes, leopards, and tree-climbing lions.

Important to Know

This first evening in Kenya sets the tone for your Kenya Uganda Rwanda 12-Day Safari —tranquil sunsets, delicious African cuisine, and the sounds of the wild echoing through the night. Return to your lodge for dinner and a comfortable night’s rest, preparing you for the adventures that lie ahead.

• Accommodation: The Midland Hotel
• Meal Plan: Full Board Basis

Transfer to Masai Mara National Reserve

After an early breakfast, enjoy a final morning game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park. Morning hours provide the best chances for wildlife photography, as animals are most active before the heat of the day sets in. You may spot lions lounging beneath acacia trees, buffalo herds grazing, and perhaps a leopard making its way back from a nocturnal hunt.

Following the game drive, begin your overland journey toward the Masai Mara—arguably the crown jewel of Kenyan safaris. As you traverse the rolling hills and vast savannahs of the Great Rift Valley, you’ll encounter traditional Maasai villages, farmlands, and endless views of the African countryside. A picnic lunch will be arranged en route to keep you energized for the rest of the drive.

Upon arrival in the Masai Mara, you’ll check in to your upscale safari camp or lodge, nestled deep in the wilderness for maximum wildlife immersion. The Mara is home to the Big Five—lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino—as well as hundreds of other mammal and bird species. Depending on your arrival time, an evening game drive may be arranged before returning for a freshly prepared dinner beneath the stars.

Important to Know

• Accommodation: Jambo Mara Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Full Board Basis

Game Drives, Maasai Culture & Optional Hot Air Balloon Safari

Today is dedicated to exploring the wonders of the Masai Mara. Start the morning with an optional hot air balloon safari—an unforgettable Kenya Uganda Rwanda 12-Day Safari experience that offers a bird’s-eye view of the Mara plains as the sun rises. After gently touching down, enjoy a champagne bush breakfast and toast to one of the most iconic experiences in Africa.

The rest of the day is filled with game drives led by expert Kenya Uganda Rwanda 12-Day Safari guides who track wildlife with precision and share deep ecological knowledge. You’ll traverse varying terrains from open grasslands to riverine forests, encountering predators in action, elephant herds bathing in rivers, and giraffes gracefully moving through acacia trees. Depending on the time of year, you may witness dramatic river crossings as part of the Great Migration.

In the afternoon, visit a Maasai village to interact with the semi-nomadic community. Learn about their ancient customs, traditional dances, pastoral lifestyle, and unique beadwork. It’s an eye-opening cultural exchange that deepens your connection to the land.

Important to Know

Return to your lodge or tented camp in the evening for a candle-lit dinner and storytelling around the campfire.

• Accommodation: Jambo Mara Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Full Board Basis

Evening Relaxation in Uganda

Bid farewell to Kenya as you board a scheduled air transfer from the Mara to Entebbe International Airport in Uganda. This scenic flight offers aerial views of East Africa’s diverse topography and provides a comfortable, time-saving transition between countries.

Upon arrival in Entebbe, a representative from Deks Safaris & Tours Ltd will receive you and transfer you to a luxury hotel or lakeside lodge for an evening of rest and relaxation. Take a sunset stroll along the shores of Lake Victoria or indulge in a spa session to recharge for the next leg of your Kenya, Uganda, & Rwanda 12-Day Safari journey.

• Accommodation: Airport Guest House
• Included: Domestic flight, airport transfers, dinner, and accommodation

Transfer to Kibale Forest & Afternoon Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary Walk

Enjoy an early breakfast before embarking on a scenic road journey to Kibale Forest National Park in Western Uganda, known as the primate capital of East Africa. The journey spans roughly 5–6 hours and passes through tea plantations, lush rolling hills, and quaint rural towns.

Upon arrival, check into your forest lodge and enjoy lunch with views of the tropical forest canopy. In the afternoon, set out for a guided nature walk in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. This community-run eco-tourism project is a haven for bird lovers, home to species like the Great Blue Turaco, papyrus gonolek, and more. You might also spot red colobus monkeys, otters, and bushbucks.

This day blends scenic beauty with community conservation, offering travelers a gentle introduction to Uganda’s ecological treasures.

• Included: Road transfer, Bigodi Walk, guide, and meals
• Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp

Afternoon Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP

Wake up early for a thrilling morning of chimpanzee tracking in the lush Kibale Forest. After a short briefing at the visitor center, you will be led by expert trackers into the dense forest in search of our closest primate cousins. Kibale is home to over 1,500 chimpanzees, and encountering them in their natural habitat is a deeply moving experience.

Spend up to an hour observing their social behavior, vocalizations, and feeding patterns. Return to the lodge for lunch before proceeding on a 3-hour drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. En route, enjoy scenic views of crater lakes and the Rwenzori Mountains.

Upon arrival, settle into your luxury lodge overlooking the savannah plains or the Kazinga Channel.

• Included: Chimpanzee permit, guide, park fees, meals, and road transfer
• Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp

Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Start the day with a game drive in the Kasenyi Plains, a wildlife-rich sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Expect to see Uganda kob, warthogs, elephants, hyenas, and possibly lions hunting in the early morning hours.

After lunch, embark on a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel — a natural waterway linking Lake Edward and Lake George. The channel is famous for its dense concentration of hippos, Nile crocodiles, buffalo, and aquatic birds including African fish eagles and pelicans. This two-hour cruise provides superb photography opportunities and serene wildlife viewing.

Return to your lodge for dinner and relaxation under the starlit African sky.

• Included: Game drive, boat cruise, park fees, and meals
• Accommodation: Aardvark Safari Lodge

Afternoon Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Your eighth day of Kenya, Uganda, & Rwanda 12-Day Safari begins with a final, captivating morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, this time concentrating on the Kasenyi Plains, known for large prides of lions, Uganda kobs, and often-leopard sightings. The cool dawn provides the best opportunity to witness predators on the move, while birders will delight in spotting martial eagles, grey-crowned cranes, and saddle-billed storks. This is your chance to gather stunning photographs of Uganda’s natural splendor before leaving the savannah terrain behind.

After the game drive, return to your lodge for a hearty brunch before embarking on a scenic afternoon road transfer to the southern reaches of Uganda. Your Kenya, Uganda, & Rwanda 12-Day Safari journey transitions through terraced hills, crater lakes, and traditional homesteads until you arrive in the highland jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest—home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Arrive at your luxury forest lodge nestled on the edge of the jungle for an evening of relaxation.

The fresh mountain air and remote ambiance offer the perfect preparation for the next day’s once-in-a-lifetime adventure. For guests desiring more exclusivity, a luxury fly-in transfer option is available from Kasese Airstrip to Kisoro or Kihihi, cutting down the drive time. Enjoy a gourmet dinner and relax to the sounds of the forest as night falls over Bwindi.

Important to Know

• Included: Game drive, Road Transfer, and meals
• Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge

Go Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Today marks the highlight of your entire Kenya, Uganda, & Rwanda 12-Day Safari —a magical gorilla trekking expedition deep into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Begin the morning with a briefing from Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers who will guide your small group through the misty jungle in search of a habituated gorilla family. The trek can take between 2 to 6 hours depending on the gorillas’ location, but the reward is priceless: an awe-inspiring hour spent observing the gentle giants in their natural habitat. Watch as they feed, groom, and interact, all while under the dense canopy of one of Africa’s oldest rainforests. The experience is emotional, raw, and humbling, offering a rare connection with a species so close to our own. After your trek, return to the lodge for lunch and some rest.

The Batwa Cultural Experience

In the afternoon, embark on a community visit with the indigenous Batwa pygmies—the original forest dwellers. Learn about their ancient way of life, storytelling, hunting techniques, and traditional dances. This enriching cultural interaction helps preserve Batwa heritage while supporting local livelihoods. For those seeking enhanced comfort, a luxury gorilla trekking permit is available, offering exclusive trek options and personalized services. Return to the lodge for a well-deserved evening around the fireplace, where tales of the jungle come to life.

• Included: Mountain Gorilla Trekking, Batwa Cultural Experience, and meals
• Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge

Afternoon Border Crossing to Volcanoes National Park

After several action-packed days, today offers a moment to unwind. Depart Bwindi in the morning for a scenic drive to Lake Bunyonyi, often dubbed “the Switzerland of Africa” for its emerald waters and terraced highlands. Check into a tranquil lakeside lodge where you can spend a half day at leisure—kayaking, swimming, or simply soaking in the panoramic views. Optional boat rides to historical islands like Punishment Island offer fascinating insights into local traditions and folklore. A delicious lakeside lunch rounds off the serene morning.

Cross the border at Cyanika or Katuna

In the afternoon, begin your Kenya, Uganda, & Rwanda 12-Day Safari journey to Rwanda. Cross the border at Cyanika or Katuna, depending on your lodge location, and proceed to the foothills of Volcanoes National Park. The scenery transforms into a stunning blend of volcanic peaks and lush farmland. Check in at a luxury lodge offering breathtaking views of the Virunga Mountains. Enjoy a warm welcome with traditional Rwandan hospitality. Guests opting for fly-in convenience can charter a light aircraft from Kisoro to Kigali and take a private transfer to Volcanoes National Park. Prepare for your golden monkey trek the next day with an early dinner and evening rest amidst the tranquil mountain atmosphere.

• Included: Lake Bunyonyi Adventure, Road Transfer to Volcanoes National Park, and meals
• Accommodation: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge

Golden Monkey Tracking in Volcanoes National Park

Begin your penultimate Kenya, Uganda, & Rwanda 12-Day Safari day with an early breakfast before heading to the park headquarters for a briefing on golden monkey tracking. These rare and endangered primates are endemic to the Virunga region and are known for their energetic movements and striking golden-orange fur. The trek through bamboo forests is relatively easy compared to gorilla trekking and provides superb opportunities for photography and observation. Spend about an hour with these playful creatures as they forage, leap between trees, and interact with each other in a blur of color.

Road Transfer to Kigali City

After the trek, return to the lodge to freshen up and enjoy an early lunch. In the afternoon, embark on a scenic road transfer to Kigali City, Rwanda’s clean and modern capital. The journey takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours and offers breathtaking views of Rwanda’s “land of a thousand hills.” Arrive in Kigali in the late afternoon and check into a five-star city hotel. Depending on your arrival time, optional cultural add-ons include a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial or a local craft market. Dine at one of Kigali’s top restaurants offering a fusion of Rwandan and international cuisine.

• Included: Golden Monkey Tracking, Transfer to Kigali City, and meals
• Accommodation: Hotel Des Mille Collines Rwanda

Afternoon Reserved for a Flight Back Home

On your final day of Kenya, Uganda, & Rwanda 12-Day Safari, savor a relaxed breakfast before embarking on a half-day city tour of Kigali. Highlights include the Kigali Genocide Memorial—an emotional but essential visit to understand Rwanda’s resilience and reconciliation journey. Next, explore the vibrant Kimironko Market, where you can shop for local textiles, crafts, and spices. Depending on your interests, optional visits include the Inema Arts Center, Presidential Palace Museum, or coffee-tasting sessions with local baristas. The city tour is designed to offer both cultural insight and gentle reflection as your East African adventure comes to an end.

After lunch, you will be transferred to Kigali International Airport in time for your outbound flight. For travelers with later departures, optional day-use hotel rooms are available. This concludes your Kenya, Uganda, & Rwanda 12-Day Safari —a journey filled with unforgettable wildlife encounters, cultural experiences, and breathtaking landscapes. Deks Safaris & Tours Ltd thanks you for choosing us to craft this exceptional African safari and welcomes you back for another adventure soon.

• Included: Kigali City Tour, Airport Transfer, Meals
• Accommodation: None

End of Kenya, Uganda, & Rwanda 12-Day Safari