Gorillas & Plains Safari

We leave Nairobi this morning, crossing the green highlands and passing small towns and homesteads before descending into the famed Masai Mara. In the afternoon we join a game drive on the open plains in open safari vehicles – keeping watch for elephants, lions, giraffes and other wildlife in the golden light.

We devote the day to game drives across the Masai Mara – ranging over open grasslands and riverine corridors in search of the Big Five, cheetah, zebra and a wealth of birdlife.

Leaving the Mara, we drive north through the Rift Valley towards Lake Nakuru, passing rolling hills and patchwork farmland. As we near this compact park rich in wildlife, the scene opens to the lake and its wooded shores, where we join a game drive – looking for flamingos, pelicans, rhino, buffalo and other plains game along the water’s edge and in the surrounding bush.

We travel from Lake Nakuru across western Kenya and into Uganda, crossing the border as the countryside turns lush and undulating. We pause at the Equator for photos and a short explanation of this geographic marker, then continue to the town of Jinja on the Nile.

We depart Jinja, pass through Kampala and continue north–west towards Masindi and the Murchison Falls region. On arrival we settle into our accommodation in the Masindi area. You then have time at leisure to relax and prepare for tomorrow’s activities in and around Murchison Falls National Park.

We join specialist guides for a chimpanzee trek in Budongo Forest – walking beneath towering mahoganies, listening for calls and watching family groups move through the trees. We then explore parts of Murchison Falls National Park on a game drive, looking for elephants, buffalo, antelope and predators on the savannah and in the woodland by the Nile. We round off with a boat cruise on the Nile – gliding past hippos, crocodiles and riverbank wildlife and taking in views of the thunderous falls from the water.

We leave Masindi and travel south–west through rural Uganda towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, arriving in the Lake Kikorongo area by the park boundary with views over open plains and rolling hills. You settle into your camp or lodge overlooking the lake, unwind with the tranquil vistas and listen for birdsong and distant calls drifting in from the park.

We journey south from Lake Kikorongo towards Lake Bunyonyi – winding through hills and farmland and crossing the Equator once more. We pause to mark your second crossing in Uganda with photos as the scenery shifts between regions. On reaching Lake Bunyonyi, we meet in the evening for a briefing on the gorilla trek – covering procedures, what to expect in the forest and how your visit supports conservation.

We leave Lake Bunyonyi in smaller vehicles for the gorilla trek trailhead, travelling through mountain scenery and local villages to the park briefing point. With experienced rangers we hike into the forest in search of endangered mountain gorillas – climbing through steep, lush terrain until we locate a family group and spend unforgettable time observing them at close range. We then return by vehicle to Lake Bunyonyi to relax at our lakeside base. After the trek, you have free time at the lake – you can swim, kayak or simply rest and enjoy the birdlife and tranquil views.

After trekking, you have a free day at Lake Bunyonyi – you can swim, kayak or unwind and take in the birdlife and the lake’s calm scenery.

We leave Lake Bunyonyi and drive towards Lake Mburo National Park – heading north–east through the Ankole region’s rolling hills and small farming communities. On arrival we settle into our lodge or camp near the park. You can relax and enjoy the quiet surroundings – listen for birds and watch for wildlife that may wander close.

We depart the Lake Mburo area and drive across central Uganda towards Jinja – passing bustling towns and open rural landscapes before meeting the Nile once more. On arrival you have free time in this adventure hub – you can relax at camp or opt for river or land activities during your stay.

We continue our time in Jinja with a day at leisure by the Nile. You can unwind at camp or choose from river– or land–based activities to suit your energy levels.

We leave Jinja and cross back into Kenya via the Busia or Malaba border, then continue to the highland city of Eldoret – known for its cool climate and athletic pedigree. We arrive at our camp or lodge near Eldoret and settle in. You can unwind after the journey, and we share dinner before an evening at leisure in the highlands.

We drive south–east from Eldoret along the Rift Valley to Nairobi, passing towns and farmland before reaching the capital in the afternoon. Our Gorillas & Plains tour concludes here as we bid farewell to fellow travellers. You can arrange onward travel or choose to spend an extra night in the city.