10-Day Kenya Uganda Safari Itinerary

Into the Wild Heart of Kenya

Your 10-Day Kenya Uganda safari adventure begins the moment you touch down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi during the morning hours. Upon arrival, a warm welcome awaits you from our professional representative at Deks Safaris & Tours. After a brief orientation and safari briefing, you will embark on a scenic drive or luxury fly-in transfer (available upon request) to the world-renowned Masai Mara National Reserve. This journey will take you across the Great Rift Valley, offering panoramic views of the escarpments, rolling hills, and patchwork farmlands that define Kenya’s heartland.

As you enter the Masai Mara, a sense of awe immediately sets in. Known for its abundant wildlife, vast golden savannahs, and the annual Great Migration, this reserve is one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations. Your luxury accommodation awaits in a premium safari lodge or tented camp that blends seamlessly into the natural environment, offering comfort, gourmet cuisine, and unobstructed views of the landscape. After check-in and a sumptuous lunch, enjoy your first game drive in the Masai Mara – an unforgettable opportunity to spot elephants, lions, leopards, buffalos, giraffes, and more in their natural habitat.

Important to Know

As the sun sets over the savannah, you’ll return to camp for a relaxing dinner and evening by the campfire, immersed in the sounds of the African wilderness. It’s a perfect start to an incredible 10-Day Kenya Uganda Safari journey ahead.

• Accommodation: Jambo Mara Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Drinking Water

The Great Migration and Maasai Culture

Today is dedicated to a full-day exploration of the Masai Mara National Reserve, one of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife arenas. The reserve is particularly famous for the Great Migration, an awe-inspiring natural spectacle where millions of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles traverse the plains in search of greener pastures. Witnessing this phenomenon, especially during river crossings, is a dramatic experience filled with tension, survival, and the raw beauty of nature.

Your day starts with a sunrise game drive when wildlife is most active. Spot prides of lions on the hunt, cheetahs sprinting through the grass, and hyenas lurking in the shadows. The morning also provides great chances to see rhinos and elephants grazing peacefully. After a bush breakfast or return to your lodge for a full breakfast, you’ll head out again with your experienced 10-Day Kenya Uganda Safari guide to deeper parts of the reserve.

An optional hot air balloon safari can be arranged for a bird’s-eye view of the reserve, offering a surreal, panoramic perspective of the animals and terrain below. In the afternoon, visit a traditional Maasai village to learn about the vibrant culture, customs, and daily life of the indigenous Maasai people. Participate in their dances, listen to ancient stories, and discover the deep connection between the Maasai and the wildlife surrounding them.

Important to Know

Return to camp in the evening, enriched by the day’s thrilling experiences and the vibrant cultural exchange.

• Accommodation: Jambo Mara Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Drinking Water

Transfer to Lake Nakuru National Park and Afternoon Game Drive

After an early breakfast, bid farewell to the Masai Mara as you embark on a scenic drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Kenya’s most picturesque parks. The drive offers splendid views of the Great Rift Valley and rural Kenya, with opportunities to stop for photos at scenic viewpoints and roadside markets. For guests who prefer more comfort, a luxury charter flight from Masai Mara to Nakuru can be arranged.

Lake Nakuru is famous for its alkaline lake that attracts thousands of flamingos, turning the shores into a shimmering pink hue. Apart from flamingos, the park is a sanctuary for over 450 bird species and endangered animals such as the Rothschild’s giraffe and both black and white rhinos. Upon arrival, you’ll check into your luxury lodge set near the lake, with stunning views and exceptional hospitality.

In the afternoon, head out on a game drive through the park’s diverse ecosystems – from savannah grasslands to acacia woodlands and rocky escarpments. Keep your camera ready for leopards lounging in the trees, waterbucks grazing by the lake, and baboons playing along the roads. The game drive concludes with a sundowner experience overlooking the lake, a perfect way to end your day.

Important to Know

• Accommodation: Ziwa Bush Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Drinking Water

Morning Game Drive in Lake Nakuru and Transfer to Lake Naivasha

Start your day with an early morning game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park. The park comes alive at dawn, offering excellent sightings of both predators and prey as they begin their daily rituals. The early hours are perfect for photography, with soft golden light casting a magical glow over the lake and surrounding landscapes. This morning excursion enhances your chances of spotting elusive leopards, rhinos, and the rare colobus monkey.

Following the game drive, enjoy a hearty breakfast back at the lodge before departing for Lake Naivasha National Park. The drive is leisurely and scenic, passing through beautiful Rift Valley escarpments and lush farmlands. Upon arrival, check in at your elegant lakeside lodge or luxury tented camp. After a delicious lunch, you’ll embark on a relaxed afternoon boat safari on Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake famed for its rich birdlife and large population of hippos.

Important to Know

Glide across the tranquil waters as you watch African fish eagles dive for prey, herons and cormorants resting in trees, and kingfishers darting above the reeds. You may also spot giraffes and zebras grazing on the shores of Crescent Island, which can be visited on a guided walking safari for close wildlife encounters. Your evening is spent at the lodge, soaking in the peaceful ambiance and enjoying a gourmet dinner by the lake.

• Accommodation: Elsamere Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Drinking Water

Morning Game Drive in Naivasha and Flight to Uganda

After an early breakfast, set off for a morning game drive or a walking safari at Crescent Island, known for its accessible wildlife and panoramic views. This serene sanctuary offers a unique opportunity to walk among zebras, giraffes, impalas, and waterbucks, all in a predator-free environment. It’s a gentle yet immersive way to connect with nature before your transfer to Nairobi.

Upon arrival in Nairobi, you’ll be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your scheduled flight to Uganda. The flight offers stunning aerial views of East Africa’s landscapes – from Kenya’s open savannahs to Uganda’s lush greenery and crater lakes. Upon landing at Entebbe International Airport, our Deks Safaris & Tours representative will welcome you and transfer you to your luxury hotel in Entebbe.

Spend the evening relaxing and preparing for your next leg of the adventure. Your hotel, located on the shores of Lake Victoria, offers a tranquil retreat with high-end amenities, gourmet dining, and warm Ugandan hospitality. Tomorrow marks the beginning of your 10-Day Kenya Uganda Safari journey into the primate capital of the world.

Important to Know

• Accommodation: Airport Guest House
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Drinking Water

Shoebill Tracking in Mabamba Swamp and Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

The 10-Day Kenya Uganda Safari adventure resumes early in the morning with a transfer to Mabamba Swamp, a renowned birding paradise on the shores of Lake Victoria. This expansive wetland is one of the best places in Africa to spot the elusive and prehistoric-looking Shoebill Stork. Accompanied by an expert birding guide, you’ll glide through the papyrus channels in a traditional wooden canoe, scanning the reeds for flashes of movement and the distinct silhouette of the shoebill. Alongside this rare sighting, birdwatchers will delight in spotting papyrus gonoleks, malachite kingfishers, African jacanas, and swamp flycatchers, among more than 260 recorded species.

Road Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

Following the birding expedition, you will embark on a scenic road transfer to Kibale Forest National Park, the primate capital of East Africa. The journey winds through lush countryside, rolling tea plantations, and quaint Ugandan towns, offering a visual insight into the rural Ugandan lifestyle. Upon arrival in Kibale, you’ll check into your luxury lodge nestled at the edge of the forest. This is a place where the calls of red-tailed monkeys and hooting chimpanzees echo through the trees. Enjoy the peaceful ambiance and prepare for the following day’s exhilarating chimpanzee tracking experience. Dinner is served at the lodge’s terrace overlooking the forest canopy, where you can unwind and recount the day’s remarkable encounters. This day provides a seamless blend of wetland birding, cultural scenery, and primate territory, making it a highlight for nature lovers and photographers.

• Accommodation: Bweza Kibale Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Drinking Water

Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Swamp Walk

After an early breakfast, the day begins with a briefing at the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre before entering the forest for your chimpanzee tracking adventure. Kibale Forest is home to over 1,500 chimpanzees, making it one of the best locations for this incredible encounter. With the help of an experienced ranger 10-Day Kenya Uganda Safari guide, you’ll venture deep into the dense rainforest, listening for the distinctive pant-hoots and rustling that signal a troop’s movement. Once located, spend up to one hour observing these intelligent primates as they feed, groom, and play. This close interaction is both humbling and awe-inspiring, offering unmatched photographic opportunities and an understanding of the behavioral complexities of our closest wild relatives.

Nature Walk in Bigodi Swamp

In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-managed eco-tourism site that is a haven for biodiversity. This guided nature walk offers the chance to spot more than 200 bird species, including the great blue turaco, as well as mammals such as red colobus monkeys, bushbucks, and sitatungas. The sanctuary is also rich in medicinal plants and butterflies, providing an educational and sensory-rich experience. Community guides, trained in conservation and storytelling, will lead the walk, sharing insights into the area’s ecological and cultural significance.

After a fulfilling day in the forest and wetland, return to your lodge for an evening of relaxation by the fireplace or veranda. Chimpanzee tracking and the Bigodi Swamp Walk offer an intimate connection with Uganda’s wild side, underpinned by responsible tourism that directly supports local communities and conservation efforts.

• Accommodation: Bweza Kibale Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Drinking Water

Bridging Nature and Culture

Today’s 10-Day Kenya Uganda Safari journey takes you southward through breathtaking landscapes as you transfer from Kibale Forest to the misty highlands of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The scenic drive reveals Uganda’s patchwork of terraced hills, banana plantations, crater lakes, and traditional homesteads, providing a moving canvas of the country’s natural and cultural richness. En route, your guide will offer interpretive insights into the geography, culture, and biodiversity of the western region, making the drive an educational and immersive experience in itself.

Upon arrival in the Rushaga Sector of Bwindi, check in to your luxurious forest lodge that seamlessly blends modern comfort with eco-conscious design. After settling in, you will participate in an authentic Batwa cultural encounter. The Batwa, often referred to as the “keepers of the forest,” are indigenous pygmy people who once lived in harmony with the forest’s wildlife before the creation of the national park. This cultural visit offers an opportunity to witness traditional dances, songs, and storytelling, as well as to learn about their ancient hunting and herbal medicine practices.

Arrival at Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge

This afternoon experience is more than just a cultural demonstration—it is a poignant reminder of the complex relationship between conservation and indigenous rights. It underscores the importance of sustainable tourism practices that respect both biodiversity and cultural heritage. The Batwa encounter leaves visitors with a deepened appreciation of Uganda’s diverse human and ecological tapestry.

• Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Haven’s Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Drinking Water

Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest 

This is the pinnacle of your 10-Day Kenya Uganda Safari —the unforgettable experience of tracking the endangered mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. After an early breakfast, you’ll head to the park headquarters for a detailed briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. Gorilla families in the Rushaga Sector are well habituated, and the trek to find them can range from 30 minutes to several hours depending on their location.

Your guided hike through the forest is an adventure in itself, traversing steep ridges, tangled vines, and mossy undergrowth while surrounded by birdsong and the distant calls of primates. Once your assigned gorilla family is located, you will spend a magical hour in their presence. Watch silverbacks maintain order, infants play under their mothers’ watchful eyes, and juveniles mimic human curiosity. This intimate moment offers rare insight into the behaviors, emotions, and familial bonds of these majestic creatures.

What Happens when you meet with the gorillas?

Only eight people are allowed to visit each gorilla group daily, ensuring minimal disturbance and a deeply personal experience. Your 10-Day Kenya Uganda Safari guides will interpret the complex dynamics of the group and help you make the most of every minute. After returning from the trek, enjoy a well-earned rest at the lodge. Relax on your private veranda or book a soothing massage to rejuvenate your body and spirit. Gorilla trekking is both a physical challenge and a spiritual privilege, leaving most travelers profoundly moved by the encounter.

• Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Haven’s Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Drinking Water

Through Uganda’s Highlands to Lake Victoria

After breakfast, begin the scenic drive back to Entebbe, marking the final stretch of your cross-border 10-Day Kenya Uganda Safari journey. The drive, though long, is anything but monotonous. You’ll pass rolling hills dotted with traditional huts, fertile farmlands, roadside markets, and panoramic views of the Kigezi Highlands, often dubbed the “Switzerland of Africa.” There will be stops en route for lunch and photography, allowing you to stretch, take in the last glimpses of Uganda’s countryside, and interact with friendly locals.

For those who prefer a faster and more luxurious return, a fly-in option is available from Kisoro or Kihihi Airstrip to Entebbe International Airport. This option not only reduces travel time but also allows for aerial views of Uganda’s diverse landscapes, from thick rainforests to glistening crater lakes.

Once in Entebbe, you can enjoy a quiet lakeside dinner or explore the craft markets for souvenirs before catching your international flight. Depending on your schedule, a dayroom can be arranged at a luxury guesthouse or hotel. This return leg encapsulates the journey’s thematic arc—from wild exploration to reflective return—ensuring your 10-Day Kenya Uganda Safari ends on a tranquil and satisfying note.

• Accommodation: Airport Guest House (Optional)
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Drinking Water

Optional: Day 11: Departure – Farewell to the Pearl of Africa

This final day is designed for comfort and convenience. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time to enjoy breakfast at your hotel, stroll along the shores of Lake Victoria, or visit the nearby Entebbe Botanical Gardens for one last taste of East Africa’s floral and avian wonders. Airport transfer is arranged based on your departure time, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free conclusion to your safari.

Your 10-Day Kenya Uganda safari with Deks Safaris & Tours has taken you through the heart of East Africa—from the dramatic savannahs of Masai Mara to the mystical jungles of Bwindi. You’ve walked with lions, flown over wildebeest herds, met mountain gorillas face-to-face, and immersed yourself in the vibrant cultures that call this region home. It is more than a journey; it is a collection of profound moments that stay with you for a lifetime.