15-Day Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania Safari with Gorillas, Chimpanzees and the Big Five

Experience the best of East Africa on this 15-Day Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania Safari with Arcadia Safaris. This remarkable multi-country African safari combines mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park, and unforgettable wildlife encounters in Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Lake Nakuru National Park, as well as Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Along the way, discover Uganda’s beautiful countryside, explore Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Lake Bunyonyi and experience the diverse landscapes that make East Africa one of Africa’s most rewarding safari destinations.

Your adventure continues across Kenya and Tanzania, where guided game drives offer opportunities to encounter lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, rhinos, giraffes, zebras and numerous other wildlife species. Explore the vast savannahs of Maasai Mara, search for the Great Wildebeest Migration when seasonal conditions allow, and discover the extraordinary wildlife of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. With private 4×4 safari transportation, experienced English-speaking driver-guides, carefully selected accommodation options and memorable cultural encounters, this 15-day East Africa safari offers an exciting combination of primate experiences, classic African wildlife viewing and scenic exploration across three countries.

Safari Highlights:

Pickup from Entebbe International Airport

Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest National Park

Bigodi Swamp Walk in Kibale Forest National Park

Tree Climbing Lions in Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park

Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Batwa Cultural Trail in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Lake Bunyonyi Exploration with canoe riding

Local flight from Entebbe Uganda to Nairobi Kenya

Game Drives in Lake Nakuru National Park

Game Drives in Maasai Mara National Reserve

Transfer from Kenya to Tanzania via Isebania Border

Game Drives in Serengeti National Park

Crater Game Drive in Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for Departure

A Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe Airport and Transfer to Kibale National Park

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, your Arcadia Safaris driver-guide will welcome you to Uganda, famously known as the Pearl of Africa, and brief you about your 15-day Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania safari. Begin the scenic drive towards Kibale Forest National Park in western Uganda, passing through rural communities, traditional homesteads, green plantations and beautiful countryside landscapes. Stop for lunch in or around Fort Portal, Uganda’s tourism city, before continuing through the picturesque crater-lake region towards your accommodation.

Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon or evening, depending on your arrival time and road conditions, and settle into the peaceful surroundings of Kibale Forest. Known for its rich primate diversity and exceptional chimpanzee tracking opportunities, Kibale Forest National Park is one of Uganda’s most rewarding destinations for forest wildlife experiences. Enjoy dinner and relaxation at your lodge as you prepare for the following day’s chimpanzee trekking adventure and Bigodi Wetland nature walk.

Destination: Kibale Forest National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Swamp Nature Walk

After an early breakfast, head to the Kibale Forest National Park headquarters for a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) rangers before beginning your guided chimpanzee tracking experience. Accompanied by experienced guides, venture into the tropical rainforest in search of wild chimpanzees, listening for their calls and observing signs of their movements through the forest. Once you locate a chimpanzee community, watch these fascinating primates feed, groom, play and interact in their natural habitat. Kibale is also home to several other primate species, including red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys and grey-cheeked mangabeys.

Return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation before visiting Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary in the afternoon for a guided nature walk. This community-managed wetland is an excellent destination for birdwatching, forest primate encounters and learning about local conservation initiatives. Look out for the great blue turaco and other wetland and forest birds, alongside monkeys and other wildlife inhabiting the surrounding vegetation. After exploring the wetland trails and discovering the community’s role in protecting this important ecosystem, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Destination: Kibale Forest National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha

After breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin the journey towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to endangered mountain gorillas and one of Uganda’s most remarkable tropical rainforests. Travel through western Uganda’s scenic countryside towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, entering the famous Ishasha sector in the southern part of the park. Enjoy a game drive through this wildlife-rich region as your guide helps you search for the celebrated tree-climbing lions, which sometimes rest on the branches of large fig trees. You may also encounter Uganda kob, topis, buffaloes, elephants and other savannah wildlife, depending on the conditions.

After the Ishasha wildlife experience and lunch arrangements, continue towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, enjoying views of rolling hills, cultivated farmland and forested landscapes along the way. Arrive at your lodge, check in and relax in preparation for the following day’s mountain gorilla trekking adventure. Your guide will explain the trekking arrangements, appropriate clothing, forest conditions and responsible gorilla-viewing guidelines to help you prepare for one of the most memorable wildlife experiences on your Uganda safari.

Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking, Batwa Cultural Experience and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

After an early breakfast, travel to the designated park headquarters in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. Accompanied by experienced guides and trackers, enter the dense rainforest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. The trek may take several hours depending on the gorillas’ location, terrain and weather conditions. Once you find the gorillas, spend the permitted viewing time observing their behaviour, social interactions and family life in their natural habitat while following the rangers’ instructions and maintaining the required distance. 15 Day Uganda – Kenya and Tanzania family safari

After the trek, return to the starting point and transfer to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. Depending on your trekking schedule and available time, enjoy a Batwa cultural experience to learn about the community’s traditions, music, dance and historical relationship with the forest. Later, drive to Lake Bunyonyi, a beautiful highland lake surrounded by terraced hills and dotted with numerous islands. Arrive at your accommodation and enjoy the peaceful lakeside setting, providing a relaxing end to your gorilla trekking and cultural discovery day in southwestern Uganda.

Destination: Lake Bunyonyi
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 5: Lake Bunyonyi Exploration and Flight to Nairobi, Kenya

After breakfast, enjoy the beautiful scenery of Lake Bunyonyi, one of Uganda’s most picturesque lakes. Depending on your interests, available time and departure arrangements, you may choose an optional activity such as a canoe ride, boat excursion, guided community walk or birdwatching. These experiences offer opportunities to appreciate the lake’s islands, surrounding hills and local culture. Optional activities may attract additional charges, and the schedule will depend on your confirmed flight arrangements. Private 15 Day Uganda – Kenya and Tanzania safari

After your morning activities, transfer towards Entebbe International Airport for your scheduled flight to Nairobi, Kenya. The drive from Lake Bunyonyi to Entebbe is long, so an early departure and suitable flight timing are essential; an alternative overnight arrangement may be necessary if the flight schedule does not allow a comfortable same-day transfer. Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, meet your Kenya safari representative and transfer to your hotel. Settle in and enjoy the evening in Nairobi as you prepare for your upcoming Lake Nakuru and Maasai Mara wildlife safari.

Destination: Entebbe Airport to Fly to Nairobi
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 6: Nairobi City Tour and Transfer to Lake Nakuru National Park

After breakfast, enjoy a short Nairobi city tour to discover selected landmarks and experience the atmosphere of Kenya’s capital. Depending on your available time, your guide may arrange stops at notable city attractions before you leave Nairobi for Lake Nakuru National Park. Travel northwest through the Great Rift Valley, enjoying views of the escarpment and surrounding landscapes along the way. Stop for lunch en route or at your lodge, depending on the day’s schedule and road conditions.

Continue to Lake Nakuru National Park, one of Kenya’s renowned wildlife destinations, famous for its rhino conservation programme, diverse birdlife and scenic lake surroundings. The park supports both black and white rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, waterbucks and other wildlife. Flamingos and other waterbirds may be present in varying numbers depending on lake conditions and food availability. Arrive at your lodge, check in and relax before dinner, or enjoy a short afternoon game drive if time permits, preparing for the following morning’s wildlife viewing in Lake Nakuru National Park.

Destination: Lake Nakuru National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 7: Morning Game Drive in Lake Nakuru and Transfer to Maasai Mara National Reserve

Rise early for breakfast before heading into Lake Nakuru National Park for a morning game drive. Explore the park’s grasslands, woodlands and lake surroundings as your guide helps you search for black and white rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, waterbucks and other wildlife. Lake Nakuru is also an excellent birdwatching destination, with a variety of species inhabiting the lake, wetlands and surrounding vegetation. After your wildlife drive, leave the park and begin the journey towards Maasai Mara National Reserve, passing through the spectacular Great Rift Valley and Kenya’s rural landscapes. Cheap 15 Day Uganda – Kenya and Tanzania safari

Arrive at your lodge in Maasai Mara in time for lunch, depending on the road conditions and transfer schedule. If time permits, enjoy an afternoon game drive across the reserve’s expansive savannah plains in search of lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes and other wildlife. Maasai Mara is one of Africa’s most celebrated safari destinations, offering outstanding opportunities for wildlife photography and classic Big Five game viewing. Return to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay, ready for two full days of exploration in this remarkable Kenyan wildlife reserve.

Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Days 8 and 9: Full-Day Game Drives in Maasai Mara National Reserve

Spend two full days exploring Maasai Mara National Reserve, one of the best-known destinations for a Kenya wildlife safari. Begin each morning with an early game drive when predators and other wildlife may be active across the open grasslands. With your experienced driver-guide, search for lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, topis, elands and numerous antelope species. The reserve’s expansive plains and varied habitats offer excellent opportunities to observe wildlife, photograph African landscapes and learn about the behaviour of animals in their natural environment.

Depending on wildlife movements and your preferred schedule, enjoy a picnic lunch in an approved area of the reserve before continuing your afternoon game drive. You may explore areas around the Mara River, an important part of the Great Wildebeest Migration ecosystem, where seasonal wildlife movements can create memorable viewing opportunities. The timing and location of the migration vary each year, and river crossings cannot be guaranteed, but Maasai Mara offers rewarding wildlife encounters throughout the year. Return to your lodge or tented camp each evening for dinner and relaxation after an exciting day on safari.

Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 10: Transfer from Maasai Mara to Serengeti National Park via Isebania Border

After breakfast, depart Maasai Mara National Reserve and travel towards the Isebania border crossing between Kenya and Tanzania. Complete the required immigration and customs procedures before meeting your Tanzania safari driver-guide according to the confirmed cross-border arrangements. Continue towards Serengeti National Park, a world-renowned wildlife destination celebrated for its vast savannahs, abundant predators, large herds of herbivores and the spectacular Great Wildebeest Migration.

The journey from Maasai Mara to your Serengeti accommodation can take a substantial part of the day, depending on border formalities, road conditions and the location of your lodge or tented camp. If time and arrival arrangements permit, enjoy some wildlife viewing as you enter the Serengeti ecosystem; otherwise, proceed directly to your accommodation. Check in, relax and enjoy dinner while preparing for the following days of game drives in Tanzania’s iconic Serengeti National Park, one of the highlights of this three-country East African safari.

Destination: Serengeti National Park Tanzania
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Days 11 and 12: Game Drives in Seronera, Central Serengeti

Spend two days exploring Serengeti National Park, one of Africa’s most famous destinations for wildlife viewing and big-cat encounters. After breakfast, head out with your experienced driver-guide to explore the wildlife-rich Seronera region of central Serengeti, where permanent water sources and diverse habitats attract animals throughout the year. Search for lions resting in the grass, leopards around riverine vegetation, cheetahs across open plains and other predators moving through their natural territories. You may also encounter elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, hyenas, zebras, wildebeest and numerous antelope species. Affordable 15 Day Uganda – Kenya and Tanzania safari

Continue your morning and afternoon game drives through the Serengeti’s spectacular landscapes, with opportunities for wildlife photography and observation throughout the day. Depending on the season and the route, your guide may help you locate sections of the Great Wildebeest Migration, when large herds of wildebeest and zebras move through the ecosystem in search of fresh grazing and water. The location of the herds changes with rainfall and seasonal conditions, so sightings depend on the time of year. Enjoy a picnic lunch during your wildlife excursions or return to your lodge according to the day’s arrangements, followed by dinner and an overnight stay in Serengeti National Park.

Destination: Serengeti National Park Tanzania
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 13: Full Day Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive

After breakfast, depart for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, one of Tanzania’s most remarkable natural destinations and a major highlight of an East African wildlife safari. Travel through the changing landscapes of northern Tanzania towards the famous Ngorongoro Crater, a vast volcanic caldera supporting a remarkable concentration of wildlife. Descend into the crater with your guide for a game drive across its grasslands, wetlands and other habitats, where you may encounter lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos and several antelope species.

Continue exploring the crater floor in search of wildlife, including the endangered black rhino, although sightings are never guaranteed. The Ngorongoro Crater offers excellent opportunities to observe different animal species within a relatively compact landscape, making it one of Tanzania’s most rewarding wildlife-viewing destinations. Enjoy a picnic lunch during the excursion before returning towards your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay. The day combines spectacular scenery with memorable wildlife encounters in one of Africa’s most celebrated conservation areas.

Destination: Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 14: Full Day Ngorongoro Highlands Exploration

After breakfast, enjoy an exploration of the Ngorongoro Highlands, a scenic region of Tanzania known for its volcanic landscapes, rolling hills and distinctive natural environment. Depending on the confirmed arrangements, you may participate in a guided walking experience along an approved route, accompanied by an authorized local guide or ranger. The activity offers an opportunity to appreciate the highland scenery, observe local vegetation and learn about the area’s ecological importance and relationship with the surrounding communities. Best 15 Day Uganda – Kenya and Tanzania safari

After the morning excursion, enjoy a picnic lunch or return to your accommodation according to the activity schedule. Spend the afternoon appreciating the landscapes around the Ngorongoro Conservation Area or relaxing at your lodge, depending on the arrangements. The Ngorongoro Highlands provide a scenic contrast to the wildlife-rich plains of the Serengeti and the crater floor, adding another dimension to your Tanzania safari. Return to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay before the final day of your 15-day Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania safari.

Destination: Ngorongoro Crater Highlands
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 15: Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for Departure

After breakfast, check out of your accommodation and begin the transfer towards the airport for your departure from Tanzania. Depending on your flight schedule and the location of your lodge, your driver-guide will arrange a suitable departure time and route. Enjoy the final views of northern Tanzania’s countryside as you travel towards the airport, bringing your remarkable East African safari through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania to a close.

If your flight departs later in the day, the morning may allow time to relax or enjoy a brief stop, subject to the transfer schedule and distance involved. Your driver-guide will ensure that you reach Kilimanjaro International Airport in good time for check-in and departure formalities. As you leave East Africa, take home lasting memories of mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest, wildlife viewing in Maasai Mara and Serengeti, and the spectacular landscapes of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Destination: Kilimanjaro International Airport
Accommodation Option: No (End of tour)

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

SAFARI COST: From $6,100 Per Person

PRICE INCLUDES

• Round Trip Airport Transfers (pick-up and drop-off)
• Private Transportation in 4×4 Safari Cars
• Meals Specified on a Full Board basis
• Accommodation with Ensuite Facilities
• Applicable Park Entrance and Activities Fees
• Fly from Entebbe to Kenya Nairobi
• Border Crossing Fees
• English Speaking Professional Driver-Guide
• Chimpanzee Tracking Permit Fees
• Gorilla Trekking Permit Fees
• All Hotel and Lodge Pickups and Drop-off
• All Applicable Taxes
• Bottled drinking water and Fruits while on safari
• Activities as stipulated in the Itinerary (except those stated as “optional”)

PRICE EXCLUDES

• Activities not mentioned in the Itinerary
• International Flight Fares (unless requested)
• Country Entry Visa
• Personal Travel Insurance
• Telephone Charges
• Laundry Services
• Bar bills and all Alcoholic drinks
• Souvenirs, Gifts and Tips
• Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
• All related medical tests and vaccinations

We appreciate you choosing us. Let’s explore the wild together!