8-Day Luxury Safari Overview: Amboseli, Masai Mara & Bwindi
This safari combines the iconic savannahs of Kenya with the lush rainforests of Uganda, offering a diverse East African wildlife experience. Over 8 days, you will explore Amboseli National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, enjoying game drives, cultural encounters, and the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to track endangered mountain gorillas.
Highlights
Amboseli National Park (Kenya): Famous for massive elephant herds and stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Ideal for photography and witnessing iconic African landscapes.
Masai Mara National Reserve (Kenya): Home of the Big Five, seasonal Great Migration, and dramatic predator-prey interactions on the Mara River. Optional hot air balloon safaris provide aerial perspectives.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Uganda): Dense rainforest and habitat of the endangered mountain gorillas. Trekking here offers intimate wildlife encounters and lush scenery.
Cultural Experiences: Visits to Maasai villages in Kenya and Batwa communities in Uganda allow insights into local traditions, crafts, and lifestyle.
Luxury Accommodations: Enjoy exclusive lodges and tented camps, combining comfort with immersive natural surroundings.
8-Day Luxury Safari: Amboseli, Masai Mara & Bwindi
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi – Transfer to Amboseli National Park
Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be welcomed by your safari guide and briefed on the week ahead. From Nairobi, embark on a scenic 4–5 hour drive to Amboseli National Park, passing through rolling savannahs and small rural towns. En route, stop briefly for photos or refreshments, capturing the essence of the Kenyan countryside. Upon arrival at your lodge, check in and enjoy a gourmet lunch while taking in views of the park and the distant Mount Kilimanjaro. In the late afternoon, embark on your first game drive, encountering elephants, giraffes, zebras, and a variety of birds. As the sun dips behind Kilimanjaro, enjoy a classic African sundowner before returning to your lodge. Conclude your day with a fine dinner and overnight in luxury surroundings.
Luxury Lodge : Kibo Safari Camp
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Full Day Game Drives in Amboseli National Park
Wake early for coffee or tea before heading out on a sunrise game drive, when wildlife is most active. Traverse Amboseli’s expansive plains in search of elephants, lions, cheetahs, and buffaloes, while photographing the park’s stunning landscapes. Mid-morning, return to the lodge for a leisurely breakfast and some downtime. In the afternoon, visit Observation Hill, offering panoramic views of Amboseli and Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped peaks. Enjoy lunch at the lodge before visiting a Maasai village, learning about their traditions, crafts, and way of life. Return to the lodge in time for a late afternoon siesta, followed by a sundowner on the veranda. Dinner is served under the stars in this tranquil luxury setting.
Luxury Lodge: Kibo Safari Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Amboseli – Fly to Masai Mara National Reserve
After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your flight to Masai Mara, connecting via Nairobi. Enjoy aerial views of the Rift Valley and savannahs below. Upon arrival, your guide will escort you to your luxury tented camp or lodge. Check in and enjoy lunch overlooking the Mara plains. In the afternoon, embark on your first Masai Mara game drive, spotting lions, cheetahs, elephants, and antelopes. Experience the iconic African sundowner on the savannah, as the golden light highlights the rolling grasslands. Return to your lodge for a gourmet dinner and overnight stay, enjoying the comforts of luxury in the heart of the wilderness.
Luxury Lodge: Mara Simba Lodge / Angama Mara
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Full Day Safari in Masai Mara National Reserve
Begin the day with an early breakfast before venturing out for a full-day safari across the Mara. Explore riverine forests, open grasslands, and the Mara River to encounter the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos. During July–October, witness the Great Migration, as wildebeest and zebras cross the Mara River amidst dramatic predator action. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush surrounded by wildlife and panoramic landscapes. In the afternoon, visit a local Maasai village to learn about their traditions and handicrafts. Optional hot air balloon safaris at sunrise provide a spectacular aerial perspective of the Mara. Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay in luxurious comfort.
Luxury Lodge: Angama Mara / Mara Simba Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Masai Mara – Fly to Kigali, Rwanda
Begin the day with breakfast at your lodge, followed by an optional early morning game drive in the Masai Mara. Spot lions, cheetahs, elephants, and other wildlife as the savannah comes alive in the morning light. After the game drive, transfer to the airstrip for your scheduled flight to Kigali, Rwanda, usually connecting via Nairobi. Arrive in Kigali and meet your Rwandan guide for a brief orientation and transfer to your luxury hotel. Take some time to relax and freshen up after your flight. In the late afternoon, explore Kigali city highlights, including the peaceful Kigali Genocide Memorial or local craft markets. Enjoy a gourmet dinner at your hotel, reflecting on your experiences in Kenya as you prepare for the upcoming adventure into Uganda’s Bwindi Forest. Overnight at a luxury Kigali hotel.
Luxury Lodge: Kigali Serena Hotel / Hôtel des Mille Collines
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Kigali – Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
After an early breakfast at your Kigali hotel, depart for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in southwestern Uganda. The drive takes approximately 6–8 hours, passing through Rwanda’s lush rolling hills, tea and coffee plantations, and scenic countryside dotted with traditional villages. Cross the Rwanda-Uganda border, completing immigration formalities, and continue through Uganda’s verdant landscapes toward the edge of Bwindi. Stop along the way for refreshments, photos, and a picnic lunch while enjoying the views of the Virunga volcanoes and the rolling highlands. Upon arrival at your lodge bordering the forest, check in and take some time to relax in luxurious surroundings. In the afternoon, attend a gorilla trekking briefing at the lodge or nearby headquarters to prepare for the next day’s adventure. Enjoy a gourmet dinner and overnight in comfort, listening to the sounds of the rainforest.
Luxury Lodge: Bwindi Lodge / Mahogany Springs / Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Wake early for a hearty breakfast at your lodge before transferring to Bwindi National Park headquarters for the gorilla trekking briefing. You will be assigned a gorilla family and set off on a trek through the lush, dense rainforest, navigating trails that can be steep and muddy. Along the way, admire the forest’s unique flora, listen to the calls of rare birds, and spot other primates, such as monkeys or duikers. Upon locating your gorilla family, spend one unforgettable hour observing their social behavior, interactions, and playful activities, while taking photographs. After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch and a well-deserved rest. In the afternoon, you may choose to enjoy a short guided nature walk or visit a nearby Batwa community to learn about traditional forest life. Dinner is served at the lodge, and overnight is spent in luxurious comfort.
🛏️ Luxury Lodge: Bwindi Lodge / Mahogany Springs / Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
🍴 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Bwindi – Return to Kigali & Departure
Begin your final day with breakfast overlooking the rainforest canopy. Depart Bwindi for the return drive to Kigali, Rwanda, enjoying scenic views of Uganda’s rolling hills and rural landscapes along the way. Cross back into Rwanda at the border, completing immigration formalities. Stop en route for refreshments or lunch if timing allows. Upon arrival in Kigali, transfer directly to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight home, reflecting on the incredible wildlife encounters, dramatic landscapes, and rich cultural experiences of your safari. This marks the conclusion of your 8-day luxury adventure across Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.
🍴 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (time permitting)
Inclusive (What’s Covered)
Airport meet and transfers in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.
Domestic flights: Amboseli → Masai Mara, Masai Mara → Kigali.
Cross-border transfers Rwanda → Uganda (Bwindi).
Accommodation in luxury lodges/camps (full board: breakfast, lunch, dinner).
All game drives and gorilla trekking permits (1-hour gorilla encounter).
Cultural visits: Maasai villages (Kenya) & Batwa community (Uganda).
Professional English-speaking safari guides and park rangers.
Bottled water in safari vehicles.
Government park fees and taxes.
Airport transfers and luggage handling at lodges.
Exclusive (Not Covered)
International flights to Nairobi and from Kigali.
Visa fees for Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda (if required).
Travel insurance (mandatory for gorilla trekking).
Optional activities: hot air balloon safari in Masai Mara, spa treatments, private guided walks.
Personal expenses: tips, souvenirs, laundry, alcoholic beverages.
Meals or drinks not specified in the itinerary.
Excess baggage fees on domestic flights.