A Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda gorilla safari combines the great plains of East Africa to the mountain forests of Uganda. In two or three weeks you can see lions in the Masai Mara, wildebeest in the Serengeti, elephants in Ngorongoro and complete with a trek to mountain gorillas in Bwindi. This guide explains how best travelers can plan a Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda gorilla safari. How the borders and flights work, how many days you need and what it costs to cover these three countries.
Why combine three countries
Each of the three countries offers something different. Kenya has the Masai Mara, Amboseli with open plains and Maasai culture. Tanzania has the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire with the largest herds plus some of the best big cat viewing. Uganda has the mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and mighty Murchison Falls on the Nile. Together they give a full picture of East Africa.
The combination also spreads the effort. Game drives are easy on the body and the trek creates a worthy challenge, so a route that moves from plains to forest places the demanding day when you are warmed up. Our guide to combining Rwanda and Uganda gorillas covers the two-country version.
A sample route
A typical fourteen day route can start in Nairobi. Spend three nights in the Masai Mara then cross to Tanzania by air or road for three nights in the Serengeti. Add a night at Ngorongoro then fly from Arusha or Kilimanjaro straight to Entebbe and on to Bwindi for two nights. End with a night near Entebbe before you fly home.
A seventeen day version adds Amboseli or Tarangire, a boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth or chimpanzee tracking in Kibale. A twelve day version drops one park and keeps the gorillas. We build the route with at least two nights in each stop, so that you rest between the long days.
Borders, flights and visas
Flights make the route workable. Nairobi, Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam and Entebbe are all linked with small planes connecting the parks. Road crossings are possible at Namanga and Isebania though they take time. We use flights where they save a day and a vehicle where the road is part of the trip.
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are all in the East African Community but visas are not identical. Kenya uses an electronic travel authorization, Tanzania uses an e-visa and Uganda uses an e-visa or the East Africa tourist visa which covers Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. Check the rules before you go. Our guide to Uganda visa requirements explains the Uganda part.
How many days do you need
Twelve days is the minimum for three countries and it is tight. Fourteen days is comfortable with two nights in each park and a rest day. Seventeen to twenty-one days allows a slow thorough route with more parks and a chance to see the migration in season. Southern Tanzania is available on the longest trips.
Distances are large, so a shorter trip should keep to fewer parks. It is better to see three places well than six in a hurry. We explain the real travel times before you decide.
What it costs
Cost depends entirely on the tier, the season and the flights. The park fees in Kenya and Tanzania are high in peak months and a gorilla permit in Uganda is a major item. Domestic flights add to the total while a private vehicle costs more than a shared one. We quote everything in US dollars with no VAT and show what is included.
Mid-range lodges give a comfortable trip at a fair price while luxury camps add privacy and fine dining. Budget trips are possible in Uganda and with camping in Tanzania, though flights and fees make three countries costly. Our guide to a mid-range safari in East Africa explains the middle tier.
Choosing the tier for three countries
Because three countries add flights, fees and long days, the tier you choose changes the feel of the trip. Mid-range lodges and camps give comfort, good food and a trained guide at a fair price. Luxury camps add private decks, spa tents and small numbers which suits couples and special occasions. Both tiers work well and a mix is common: luxury in the Mara and mid-range elsewhere or vise versa.
Ask us for a quote in one tier, and a second to compare. We show the difference in lodges, vehicles and flights so you can decide where your money is worth spending. Many guests choose to spend more on the Serengeti and Bwindi which are the highlights and revise elsewhere.
Practical tips for a three-country gorilla safari
Booking the gorilla permit first is a better decision since it limits your dates and then the lodges in the Mara and Serengeti which sell out in the migration months. Pack for three climates: light clothes and a hat for the plains, warm layers for Ngorongoro and waterproofs and boots for the forest. Soft bags suit small planes which have baggage limits.
Take insurance that covers cancellation and medical evacuation and check yellow fever and malaria advice with your doctor. Leave a buffer day before your flight home, since permits and flights can shift. A good route has few rushed days.
We start with your dates and the permits then choose lodges, guides and in land flights to suit you. We explain what is fixed and what can change and the rest of the team looks after the trip from the first message to the last transfer. Gorilla permits are non-refundable, so we confirm dates and health first. Browse our Kenya safaris, or tell us your plans on the Plan My Safari page.
The Great Migration in Kenya: When the Mara Comes Alive
8-Day Tanzania Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari
7-Day Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari
Frequently asked questions
Can I see Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in one trip?
Yes. A fourteen day route can cover the Masai Mara, the Serengeti and Bwindi for gorillas, with flights between countries. Seventeen to twenty-one days adds more parks. We plan at least two nights in each stop, so the trip stays restful.
How many days do I need for three countries?
Twelve days is the minimum, and fourteen is comfortable. Seventeen to twenty-one days allows a slow route with extra parks and a rest day. Distances are large, so we suggest fewer parks on a short trip and explain the real travel times.
How do I travel between the countries?
Mostly by air. Nairobi, Arusha, Kilimanjaro and Entebbe are linked by scheduled and charter flights, and small planes serve the parks. Road crossings exist but are slow. We use flights to save days and a vehicle where the road is part of the trip.
What visas do I need?
Kenya uses an electronic travel authorisation, Tanzania uses an e-visa and Uganda offers an e-visa. The East Africa tourist visa covers Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda but not Tanzania. Rules change, so check current requirements. We send a briefing with the links.
When is the best time to go?
June to October is dry and has the migration in the Mara and northern Serengeti. January to February is good for calving in the south. Gorilla trekking is possible all year, though trails are drier from June to September and December to February.
