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18 Days Kenya Rwanda Uganda Safari
DESCRIPTION
Eighteen days moving west across three countries, from the open plains of Kenya to the misty volcanoes of Rwanda and finally into the forests of Uganda. This safari opens with the legendary Maasai Mara, crosses into Rwanda for mountain gorilla trekking and golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park, and finishes in Uganda with a second gorilla trek in Bwindi, tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest before departure from Entebbe. It’s a journey that takes you from Africa’s most iconic savannah straight into the Albertine Rift’s forests, ending where Pick and Transfer Safaris calls home.
Tour Highlights
- Big cats, elephants, and the Mara River in the legendary Maasai Mara, Kenya
- A Maasai cultural visit to a local village
- A flight from Nairobi to Kigali to begin the Rwanda leg
- Mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park
- Golden monkey tracking and a visit to the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village
- The Kigali Genocide Memorial and a guided city tour of Kigali
- A second gorilla trek in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- A Batwa cultural experience with Bwindi’s indigenous forest people
- The tree-climbing lions and Kazinga Channel boat cruise, Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest, the Primate Capital of the World
TRAVEL PLAN
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi
Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where your driver-guide meets you and transfers you to your hotel for dinner and overnight. Overnight: Nairobi
Day 2: Transfer to Maasai Mara National Reserve
A full day exploring the reserve, with morning and afternoon game drives in search of lion, elephant, leopard, and — depending on the season — the wildebeest migration crossing the Mara River. Overnight: Maasai Mara
Day 3: Full Day Game Drives in the Maasai Mara
Drive back to Nairobi for a flight to Kigali, Rwanda. On arrival, your Rwandan driver-guide meets you and transfers you to your hotel. Overnight: Kigali
Day 4: Maasai Cultural Visit & Second Day in the Mara
An early departure for the drive to the Maasai Mara, descending into the Great Rift Valley with stops at scenic viewpoints along the way. Arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive as your first taste of the Mara’s open plains. The reserve is managed by county authorities in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya’s national conservation body. Overnight: Maasai Mara
Day 5: Transfer to Nairobi & Flight to Kigali
After breakfast, transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your 18 Days Kenya Rwanda Uganda Safari.
Day 6: Transfer to Musanze
An early departure for the drive to the Maasai Mara, descending into the Great Rift Valley with stops at scenic viewpoints along the way. Arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive as your first taste of the Mara’s open plains. The reserve is managed by county authorities in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya’s national conservation body. Overnight: Maasai Mara
Day 7: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
An early departure for the drive to the Maasai Mara, descending into the Great Rift Valley with stops at scenic viewpoints along the way. Arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive as your first taste of the Mara’s open plains. The reserve is managed by county authorities in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya’s national conservation body. Overnight: Maasai Mara
Day 8: Golden Monkey Tracking & Iby'iwacu Cultural Village
An early departure for the drive to the Maasai Mara, descending into the Great Rift Valley with stops at scenic viewpoints along the way. Arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive as your first taste of the Mara’s open plains. The reserve is managed by county authorities in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya’s national conservation body. Overnight: Maasai Mara
Day 9: Transfer to Kigali & City Tour
An early departure for the drive to the Maasai Mara, descending into the Great Rift Valley with stops at scenic viewpoints along the way. Arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive as your first taste of the Mara’s open plains. The reserve is managed by county authorities in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya’s national conservation body. Overnight: Maasai Mara
Day 10: Cross into Uganda & Transfer Toward Bwindi
An early departure for the drive to the Maasai Mara, descending into the Great Rift Valley with stops at scenic viewpoints along the way. Arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive as your first taste of the Mara’s open plains. The reserve is managed by county authorities in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya’s national conservation body. Overnight: Maasai Mara
Day 11: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
An early departure for the drive to the Maasai Mara, descending into the Great Rift Valley with stops at scenic viewpoints along the way. Arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive as your first taste of the Mara’s open plains. The reserve is managed by county authorities in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya’s national conservation body. Overnight: Maasai Mara
Day 12: Batwa Cultural Experience & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth via Ishasha
An early departure for the drive to the Maasai Mara, descending into the Great Rift Valley with stops at scenic viewpoints along the way. Arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive as your first taste of the Mara’s open plains. The reserve is managed by county authorities in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya’s national conservation body. Overnight: Maasai Mara
Day 13: Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
An early departure for the drive to the Maasai Mara, descending into the Great Rift Valley with stops at scenic viewpoints along the way. Arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive as your first taste of the Mara’s open plains. The reserve is managed by county authorities in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya’s national conservation body. Overnight: Maasai Mara
Day 14: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
An early departure for the drive to the Maasai Mara, descending into the Great Rift Valley with stops at scenic viewpoints along the way. Arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive as your first taste of the Mara’s open plains. The reserve is managed by county authorities in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya’s national conservation body. Overnight: Maasai Mara
Day 15: Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Wetland Walk
An early departure for the drive to the Maasai Mara, descending into the Great Rift Valley with stops at scenic viewpoints along the way. Arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive as your first taste of the Mara’s open plains. The reserve is managed by county authorities in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya’s national conservation body. Overnight: Maasai Mara
Day 16: Transfer to Entebbe
An early departure for the drive to the Maasai Mara, descending into the Great Rift Valley with stops at scenic viewpoints along the way. Arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive as your first taste of the Mara’s open plains. The reserve is managed by county authorities in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya’s national conservation body. Overnight: Maasai Mara
Day 17: Free Day in Entebbe
An early departure for the drive to the Maasai Mara, descending into the Great Rift Valley with stops at scenic viewpoints along the way. Arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive as your first taste of the Mara’s open plains. The reserve is managed by county authorities in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya’s national conservation body. Overnight: Maasai Mara
Day 18: Departure
An early departure for the drive to the Maasai Mara, descending into the Great Rift Valley with stops at scenic viewpoints along the way. Arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive as your first taste of the Mara’s open plains. The reserve is managed by county authorities in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya’s national conservation body. Overnight: Maasai Mara
COST INCLUSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
What’s Included
- All ground transport in a safari vehicle with English-speaking driver-guide throughout Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda
- One flight from Nairobi to Kigali
- Accommodation on a full-board basis for 17 nights
- Park entrance fees for all listed activities
- One gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda and one in Uganda
- Golden monkey tracking permit
- Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
- Bottled drinking water while on the road
- Airport transfers in Nairobi, Kigali, and Entebbe
What’s Not Included
- International flights into Nairobi and out of Entebbe
- Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda visas / East Africa Tourist Visa
- Tips for guides and lodge staff
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks not listed
- Travel insurance
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary (e.g. hot air balloon safari over the Mara)
Accommodation Options
This itinerary can be arranged at Budget, Mid-Range, or Luxury level throughout, with lodges and camps adjusted accordingly at each stop — the Maasai Mara, Musanze, Kigali, Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth, and Kibale. See our Gorilla Safaris and Wildlife Safaris collections for a sense of how our other itineraries are priced, and let us know your preferred style when enquiring.
A Note on Permits, Borders, and Visas
Gorilla permits in both Rwanda and Uganda are limited and sell out months in advance, particularly during the June–September and December–February peak seasons; because this itinerary includes two separate gorilla treks, we recommend booking at least 3–6 months ahead. Permit systems are managed by the Rwanda Development Board and the Uganda Wildlife Authority respectively, while Kenya’s parks fall under the Kenya Wildlife Service. Travelers should confirm current visa requirements for all three countries, and check whether the East Africa Tourist Visa applies to their nationality and route.
Explore More of Our Collection
If you’d like a shorter or differently structured version of this route, see our 15 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari and 10 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari, or browse all our safaris and destinations for other combinations.
Ready to Book?
Every safari we run is tailored to your dates, budget, and travel style. Contact our team to check gorilla permit availability and get a full quote for this 18 Days Kenya Rwanda Uganda Safari, or learn more about us.