Kenya, Uganda, & Rwanda 12-Day Safari

Your Kenya, Uganda, & Rwanda 12-Day Safari adventure begins with a warm welcome upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. After a brief meet-and-greet by your personal safari guide from Deks Safaris & Tours Ltd, you will be briefed about the journey ahead before embarking on a scenic road transfer to the Masai Mara National Reserve. The drive, which takes approximately 5–6 hours, is an immersive introduction to Kenya’s breathtaking countryside, passing by the Great Rift Valley escarpments and bustling roadside villages.

Upon arrival at your luxury safari lodge or tented camp nestled deep within the Mara, enjoy a hearty lunch followed by an afternoon game drive. The Masai Mara is teeming with life — expect to encounter prides of lions, herds of elephants, graceful giraffes, and perhaps even elusive leopards preparing for a sunset hunt. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and relaxation.

• Included: Airport meet-and-greet, road transfer, park fees, and meals
• Excluded: International flights, visas, travel insurance
• Accommodation: Ashnil Mara Camp

Prepare for a full day of exhilarating game drives in the Masai Mara National Reserve. After an early breakfast, head out into the wilderness for a sunrise game drive. This is the best time to witness the park’s predators returning from their nocturnal hunts and herbivores grazing under golden light. During the dry months (July to October), this region becomes the stage for the Great Migration — a breathtaking spectacle involving over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles crossing the Mara River in search of greener pastures.

Your expert Kenya, Uganda, & Rwanda 12-Day Safari guide will lead you to strategic viewpoints where crocodiles lie in wait and lions prowl the plains. Capture this once-in-a-lifetime experience through your lens, or simply sit back and appreciate the raw beauty of nature. Break for a bush lunch in the heart of the reserve, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the wild.

Return in the late afternoon to your lodge, where you can unwind with sundowners and storytelling around the campfire.

• Included: All-day game drives, park fees, bush lunch, and guiding services
• Included: Cultural visit, game drives, meals

Accommodation: Ashnil Mara Camp

Rise early for an optional hot air balloon ride over the Masai Mara plains — an unforgettable Kenya, Uganda, & Rwanda 12-Day Safari experience that offers a bird’s eye view of the morning drama on the savannah. Touch down to a lavish bush breakfast before heading off on another game drive.

Later in the day, visit a traditional Maasai village to learn about the customs, attire, and daily life of the iconic Maasai people. Participate in traditional dances, take photos, and support local artisans by purchasing handmade jewelry and crafts. This cultural interaction provides an enriching perspective on the human heritage of the land.

Conclude the day with a final game drive through the Mara’s diverse ecosystems, hoping to spot any missed members of the Big Five. After dinner, gather by the campfire and reflect on the unforgettable moments shared in Kenya’s wild heart.

• Included: Cultural visit, game drives, meals
• Accommodation: Ashnil Mara Camp
• Optional: Hot air balloon ride (pre-booking required)

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: Best Western Garden Hotel Entebbe
• Included: Domestic flight, airport transfers, dinner, and accommodation

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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