All Budget Gorilla Safaris > Kenya Masai Mara Safari with Double Gorilla Trekking & Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda

Kenya Masai Mara Safari with Double Gorilla Trekking & Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda

Safari Overview: Big Five Meets Primate Adventure.

A Kenya Masai Mara safari combined with double gorilla trekking in Bwindi and chimpanzee trekking in Kibale is among East Africa’s most sought-after wildlife adventures. This unique multi-country safari offers travelers a seamless mix of iconic savannah experiences in Kenya and intimate rainforest encounters in Uganda.

The Masai Mara portion provides classic Big Five game drives across vast plains, with chances to witness the dramatic Great Migration (July–October).

In Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park hosts two separate gorilla trekking days, allowing visitors to experience different gorilla families in their natural rainforest habitat.

Meanwhile, Kibale Forest offers immersive chimpanzee trekking, adding a complementary primate experience to the journey.

This safari is highly flexible, with entry via Entebbe (Uganda) or Kigali (Rwanda), and domestic flights connecting Uganda and Kenya for time efficiency.

Experienced tour operators handle permits, flights, lodges, and 4×4 transfers, ensuring a smooth and unforgettable adventure.

Key Components of the Safari

Masai Mara National Reserve – Kenya

  • Big Five Game Drives: Daily morning and evening drives to spot lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffaloes.

  • Great Migration (Seasonal): See wildebeest and zebra herds cross Mara River during July–October.

  • Maasai Cultural Visits: Engage with Maasai communities to learn about traditional dances and lifestyle.

  • Optional Hot Air Balloon Safari: Sunrise balloon rides for breathtaking aerial views of wildlife and plains.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Uganda

Double Gorilla Trekking

  • Spend two separate days trekking to different gorilla families, each trek lasting about 1–5 hours depending on location.

  • Observe gorilla behavior, including feeding, play, and interactions with infants.

  • Walk through dense rainforest, bamboo forests, and montane vegetation zones.

  • Optional community visits post-trek to local villages and cultural centers.

Permits: Required for each gorilla trek; limited availability, so book months in advance.

Kibale Forest National Park – Uganda

Chimpanzee Trekking

  • Track chimpanzee troops under guidance from expert forest rangers.

  • Spend several hours observing social behaviors, grooming, and feeding patterns.

  • Optional activities: birdwatching, butterfly spotting, and short forest nature walks.

  • Learn about ongoing conservation programs protecting primates and their habitats.

Sample 7-Day Multi-Country Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport (Uganda) or Kigali International Airport (Rwanda). Meet your guide and begin the scenic drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, enjoying panoramic views of rolling hills, terraced farmland, and local communities. Check in at your lodge and relax for the evening.

Overnight: Lodge in Bwindi
Meals: Dinner

Day 2: First Gorilla Trek – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After an early breakfast, enjoy a briefing with park rangers before heading into the forest for your first gorilla trek. Track a habituated gorilla family, spending up to one hour observing their natural behaviors, capturing photographs, and learning from the rangers about gorilla social structures and conservation.

Return to the lodge for lunch and optional afternoon nature walks or village visits.

Overnight: Bwindi lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Second Gorilla Trek – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Embark on your second gorilla trekking adventure, visiting a different gorilla family. Experience new perspectives on gorilla behavior and interactions in a different forest zone.

Return to your lodge to relax, share experiences, and enjoy local Ugandan cuisine.

Optional evening activity: Cultural visit to a nearby Batwa village to learn about indigenous forest traditions.

Overnight: Bwindi lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest – Chimpanzee Trekking Preparation

Drive from Bwindi to Kibale Forest National Park, home to Uganda’s largest concentration of primates. Check in at your lodge and attend a briefing for the next day’s Chimpanzee Trekking Experience (CHE). Evening at leisure, with opportunities for birdwatching or forest walks.

Overnight: Kibale lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking – Kibale Forest National Park

After an early breakfast, trek through the forest with rangers to locate chimpanzee troops. Spend several hours observing their behavior, feeding habits, and social interactions.

Optional afternoon activity: Bigodi Wetland Walk to explore swamp biodiversity, birdlife, and community initiatives.

Overnight: Kibale lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Travel to Kenya – Masai Mara Safari

After breakfast, drive or fly to Nairobi, Kenya, then connect to Masai Mara National Reserve. Enjoy your first afternoon game drive, spotting lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, and other wildlife. Check in at your Mara lodge or luxury tented camp and relax for the evening.

Overnight: Masai Mara lodge/camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Masai Mara – Morning Game Drive & Departure

Spend the morning on a final game drive, maximizing your wildlife sightings. Optionally, enjoy a hot air balloon safari at sunrise for aerial perspectives of the savannah and wildlife.

Afterward, transfer to Nairobi for your international departure or continue your East African adventure with optional extensions.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Safari Inclusions

  • Gorilla trekking permits for two separate gorilla families in Bwindi

  • Chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale Forest

  • Park entrance fees for Masai Mara, Bwindi, and Kibale

  • Domestic flights (optional: Nairobi–Entebbe/Kigali–Nairobi)

  • 4×4 safari vehicles with experienced guides

  • Accommodation as per itinerary (lodges/tented camps)

  • Meals as specified (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

  • Professional English-speaking safari and primate guides

Safari Exclusions

  • International flights to Nairobi or from Entebbe/Kigali

  • Visa fees for Uganda, Kenya, or Rwanda

  • Travel insurance

  • Personal expenses, tips, and optional activities

  • Drinks, souvenirs, or meals not included in the itinerary

Best Time to Travel

Key Considerations for Booking

  1. Permits

  2. Double gorilla trekking requires two permits, each limited in availability, so book 6–12 months in advance.

  3. Transport:

  4. Fly-in safaris save time, while road transfers offer scenic views and cost savings.

  5. Tour Operators:

  6. Use reputable East African safari operators like All Budget Gorilla Safaris Ltd, Encounter Africa Safaris, or Nkuringo Safaris for complex multi-country logistics.

  7. Fitness Level

  8. Moderate physical fitness required for trekking in forests; participants under 15 years are not permitted for gorilla or chimpanzee treks.

  9. Flexibility

  10. The itinerary can start in Entebbe, Kigali, or Nairobi depending on your flights and schedule.

FAQs

Q1: How long are the gorilla trekking excursions?
Each trek lasts approximately 1–5 hours, depending on gorilla locations in the forest.

Q2: What is the minimum age for trekking?
Participants must be 15 years or older for both gorilla and chimpanzee trekking.

Q3: Can I start the safari in Kigali instead of Entebbe?
Yes, Kigali provides quicker road access to Bwindi and is ideal for regional flight connections.

Q4: How many people are allowed per gorilla trek?
A maximum of 8 trekkers per gorilla family ensures minimal disturbance to the animals.

Q5: Are the permits refundable?
Permits are non-refundable if canceled close to the trek date, so advanced booking and insurance are recommended.

Why Choose All Budget Gorilla Safaris Ltd?

  • Specialists in multi-country Kenya-Uganda safari packages

  • Guaranteed permits for double gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking

  • Flexible itineraries for budget or luxury travelers

  • Experienced guides for both savannah and rainforest environments

  • Ethical wildlife viewing practices supporting conservation and community initiatives

Booking Your Safari

A Kenya Masai Mara safari combined with double gorilla trekking in Bwindi and chimpanzee trekking in Kibale offers an unparalleled East African adventure.

From witnessing the Big Five in the Mara, trekking with two gorilla families, to observing chimpanzees in Kibale, this multi-country itinerary blends savannah thrills with forest primate encounters.

Contact All Budget Gorilla Safaris Ltd to book permits, organize domestic flights, and customize your itinerary to your schedule and budget.

Related Journeys of Interest to Uganda and Rwanda.

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