10 Day Gorilla Forest to Mara Plains
Three nights in the Masai Mara, then fly to Uganda for a gorilla trek at Bwindi and the Batwa.
Go beyond the expected.
Ten days from Nairobi to Entebbe: the Giraffe Centre and a bush flight to the Masai Mara, three nights of game drives, walks and a Maasai village visit, then flights via Kisumu to Entebbe, Mabamba shoebill, a flight to Kisoro, a gorilla trek at Nkuringo and a Batwa cultural day.
- Bush flight to the Masai Mara and three nights in camp
- Game drives, night drive and guided walking safari
- Maasai village visit
- Shoebill boat trip in Mabamba Swamp
- Gorilla trek at Nkuringo, Bwindi
- Batwa cultural experience
What's included
Included
- Airport transfers
- 4x4 safari vehicle with English-speaking driver-guide
- Domestic flights as listed
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Gorilla permit, park and conservation fees
- AMREF medical evacuation insurance
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic beverages
Confirm current park fees, permit availability, accommodation and pricing before booking, since these can change with season and demand. Access to remote areas should be confirmed before travel.
Day by day
Day 1 Nairobi and the Giraffe Centre
Nairobi
Airport pickup and transfer to a Nairobi hotel, with a visit to the Giraffe Centre to meet the giraffes and learn about its conservation work.
Day 2 Bush flight to the Masai Mara
Nairobi and Masai Mara National Reserve
Transfer to Wilson Airport and fly to the Masai Mara, with afternoon and evening game drives.
Day 3 Masai Mara
Masai Mara National Reserve
Twice-daily game drives and a night drive, plus a guided walking safari to read tracks and plants.
Day 4 Masai Mara: second day
Masai Mara National Reserve
Game drives and a visit to a Maasai village for a cultural exchange. Family programmes such as fire-making and archery can be included for children.
Day 5 Masai Mara: third day
Masai Mara National Reserve
A last day of game drives and walks in the Mara.
Day 6 Mara to Entebbe and the shoebill
Masai Mara National Reserve, Kisumu, Entebbe and Mabamba Swamp
A bush flight to Kisumu and a connecting flight to Entebbe, then a boat trip into Mabamba Swamp to look for shoebills.
Day 7 Fly to Kisoro and Bwindi
Entebbe, Kisoro, Lake Mutanda and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
A scenic flight to Kisoro, a walk along the Mutanda trail through mountain villages, a canoe across Lake Mutanda and a short drive to the lodge at Nkuringo.
Day 8 Mountain gorilla trek
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After the briefing, trek into the forest and spend one hour with a gorilla family. Evening campfire with local songs and a massage.
Day 9 Batwa cultural experience
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Walk to Buniga Pocket Forest and follow a guided trail to a Batwa village to learn about their history and hunting and gathering skills, watch traditional dances and try bow-and-arrow shooting and fire-making.
Day 10 Return to Entebbe
Kisoro and Entebbe
Drive to Kisoro airport and fly to Entebbe for your onward flight.
Travel Guide
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Ready to plan this Safari?
Start with the places and experiences that matter to you. We will shape the Safari around them.
Plan This Safari →Need to know?
Questions about 10 Day Gorilla Forest to Mara Plains
Can I combine a Kenya safari with the coast?
Yes. Pairing a Maasai Mara or Amboseli safari with a few days on the Kenyan coast (Diani, Watamu or Lamu) is a well-established combination, giving a wildlife-then-beach structure to the safari.
Do I need a visa to visit Kenya?
Most nationalities need an eTA (electronic travel authorisation) for Kenya, applied for online before travel. Requirements vary by nationality, so confirm current guidance for your passport ahead of your safari.
Do I need a visa to visit Uganda?
Most nationalities need a visa for Uganda, commonly available as an e-visa applied for online before travel. Requirements vary by nationality, so check the current official guidance for your passport well ahead of your safari.
How many days do I need for a Kenya safari?
A focused Maasai Mara safari can work in 3–4 days, while combining the Mara with Amboseli, another park or the coast generally calls for 7–10 days. We shape the length around what you want to include.
How many days do I need in Uganda?
A focused gorilla trekking safari can work in as few as 4–5 days, but 8–12 days lets you combine gorilla trekking with chimpanzee tracking, a savannah park such as Queen Elizabeth or Murchison Falls, and some rest time. We shape the exact length around what you want to include.
How many national parks does Kenya have?
Kenya protects its wildlife across more than sixty national parks and reserves, an unusually extensive network for a single country: from the Maasai Mara and Amboseli in the south to Samburu and the arid northern reserves, each holding a somewhat different range of species.
How many national parks does Uganda have?
Uganda protects its landscapes and wildlife across ten national parks, ranging from the rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (home to mountain gorillas) to the savanna of Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls, Uganda’s largest park.
How much does a gorilla trekking permit cost in Uganda?
Uganda gorilla trekking permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and priced separately from your safari cost. Permit prices and availability change periodically, so we confirm the current official rate and secure your permit as part of planning your safari: book several months ahead where possible, since permits for popular dates sell out.