14 Days of East African Majesty: A Journey through Uganda and Kenya’s Wild Heart
Explore Gorillas, Savannahs, Great Lakes, and Mount Kilimanjaro – with Where to Stay Each Night
From the misty jungles of Uganda to the golden plains of Kenya, this two-week adventure lets you encounter Africa in its purest form. It’s a journey of contrasts—deep rainforests to open savannas, quiet lakes to roaring lion calls, and quiet villages to thundering elephant herds. With thoughtfully selected accommodation and a smooth itinerary, it’s the perfect way to witness East Africa’s greatest natural and cultural treasures.
Day 1: Welcome to Uganda – Arrival in Entebbe and Overnight in Kampala
Activity:
Your journey begins with a warm Ugandan welcome at Entebbe International Airport. Meet your guide and transfer to Kampala. After a short briefing, take time to rest and get excited for the days ahead. Depending on arrival time, enjoy an optional stroll near Lake Victoria or dine at a local Ugandan restaurant.
Where to Stay:
Latitude 0 Degrees – A stylish and contemporary boutique hotel nestled in the green hills of Kampala. It blends luxury with African art, and its rooftop views are perfect for your first night in East Africa.
Day 2: Into the Wild – Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Activity:
Embark on a scenic drive southwest to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Along the way, stop at the iconic Equator Line for unforgettable photo moments and a delicious lunch break. Continue through banana plantations and rolling terraced hills into the misty forested highlands.
Where to Stay:
Rushaga Gorilla Camp – Tucked along the edges of Bwindi, this eco-lodge offers en-suite bandas with forest views. It’s the perfect setting to breathe in the stillness of the jungle before your gorilla trek.
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking – The Ultimate Wildlife Encounter
Activity:
Today is the pinnacle of your Ugandan experience—tracking mountain gorillas in the heart of Bwindi. The trek can be challenging, but the reward is humbling. Standing face-to-face with a silverback and his family, deep in the forest, is something that will change you forever.
Where to Stay:
Rushaga Gorilla Camp – Return to your cozy lodge and spend the evening around the campfire, sharing stories with fellow travelers under the stars.
Day 4: Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park – From Forest to Savannah
Activity:
Leave the rainforest behind and descend into the savannas of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enjoy incredible roadside views, with chances to spot tree-climbing lions along the way. Arrive at the lodge for an evening of relaxation and birdsong.
Where to Stay:
Enganzi Game Lodge – Perched on a hill overlooking the park, this lodge offers wide balconies and comfortable cottages with sweeping views of the plains and the Rwenzori Mountains.
Day 5: Safari and River Adventure – Game Drive and Kazinga Boat Safari
Activity:
Start with a morning game drive across Kasenyi plains, home to elephants, leopards, warthogs, and large herds of Uganda kob. In the afternoon, embark on a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel, famed for its dense population of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and water birds. It’s one of Uganda’s best water-based wildlife experiences.
Where to Stay:
Enganzi Game Lodge – Rest again in this serene hilltop retreat, listening to the distant calls of hyenas and bush babies as the sun sets over the savanna.
Day 6: Cross to Kenya – Travel to Entebbe, Fly to Nairobi
Activity:
After breakfast, travel back to Entebbe and catch your afternoon flight to Nairobi, Kenya. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for an evening at leisure. You’ve now entered the land of the Maasai and the Big Cats.
Where to Stay:
Tamarind Tree Hotel – Located between Wilson Airport and Nairobi National Park, this modern hotel offers comfort, delicious cuisine, and proximity to major attractions in Nairobi.
Day 7: Enter the Masai Mara – Afternoon Game Drive
Activity:
Drive out of Nairobi and into the fabled Masai Mara, arguably Africa’s most iconic safari destination. After checking into your lodge, head out for your first game drive. The golden light of the Mara in the evening reveals giraffes, zebras, and the early stirrings of nocturnal life.
Where to Stay:
Basecamp Masai Mara – Eco-luxury tents on the edge of the Talek River and near a Maasai community. It’s a place of beauty, cultural depth, and stunning stargazing.
Day 8: Full-Day Safari in the Masai Mara – The Lion’s Kingdom
Activity:
Spend the day exploring the vast plains of the Masai Mara. Follow herds of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles. Track lions, watch for cheetahs on the hunt, and keep an eye out for elusive leopards. With a packed picnic lunch, you’ll go deep into the park, perhaps reaching the Mara River—famous for dramatic Great Migration crossings.
Where to Stay:
Basecamp Masai Mara – After a thrilling day, return to your camp for a quiet evening around the campfire with the sounds of the wild all around you.
Day 9: Lake Naivasha – From Grasslands to Freshwater Shores
Activity:
Depart the Mara and head to Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake that’s a paradise for birds and hippos. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat ride across the lake, gliding past pods of hippos, kingfishers, and African fish eagles.
Where to Stay:
Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort – Set in beautiful gardens, with rooms surrounded by acacia trees. It’s not uncommon to see giraffes or waterbucks roaming the grounds.
Day 10: Journey to Amboseli – Into the Shadow of Kilimanjaro
Activity:
Continue south to Amboseli National Park, famed for its postcard-perfect views of Mount Kilimanjaro and its large elephant herds. After arriving and settling in, enjoy a sunset game drive with the snowcapped peak in the background.
Where to Stay:
Kibo Safari Camp – A charming tented camp with uninterrupted views of Kilimanjaro. Spacious tents, an open-air restaurant, and a campfire every night make this a memorable bush experience.
Day 11: Safari in Amboseli – The Elephant Sanctuary
Activity:
Spend the day exploring Amboseli’s iconic plains. Visit observation hill for panoramic views, track elephants along dry lake beds, and learn about Kenya’s conservation efforts to protect its elephant populations. The swamp areas attract an array of birdlife and provide beautiful contrast to the dry plains.
Where to Stay:
Kibo Safari Camp – Return for a peaceful evening at the camp, often with elephants drinking nearby under the setting sun.
Day 12: Back to Nairobi – Culture and Conservation
Activity:
Travel back to Nairobi with the option to visit the Giraffe Centre or the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to see baby elephants rescued and rehabilitated. These visits provide insight into Kenya’s strong conservation ethic.
Where to Stay:
Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport – A convenient and comfortable stay, perfect for those with flights the next day. Relax on the rooftop pool deck as planes descend into the Nairobi skyline.
Day 13: Leisure Day in Nairobi – Explore the City or Rest
Activity:
Spend your day at leisure. You may choose to visit the Nairobi National Museum, shop for local crafts at the Maasai Market, or relax at your hotel. This buffer day ensures you wind down before departure, with time to repack, reflect, or explore.
Where to Stay:
Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport – Enjoy your final evening in East Africa with elegant dining, a spa treatment, or some downtime at the bar.
Day 14: Farewell to Africa – Departure from Nairobi Airport
Activity:
After breakfast, depending on your flight time, transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your flight home. Say goodbye to East Africa with a heart full of memories—of gorilla eyes in the mist, lions roaring across the Mara, and elephants wandering beneath Kilimanjaro.
