6-Day Masai Mara and Bwindi Fly-in Safari: From the Great Migration to the Mountain Gorillas
6-Day Masai Mara and Bwindi Fly-in Safari. Embark on an unforgettable East African adventure that seamlessly combines Kenya’s legendary Masai Mara with Uganda’s pristine Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. This exclusive six-day flying safari offers the ultimate wildlife experience, taking you from the vast savannahs teeming with the Big Five to the misty mountain forests where endangered mountain gorillas roam. With convenient internal flights connecting these iconic destinations, you’ll maximize your time experiencing Africa’s most spectacular wildlife encounters while minimizing travel fatigue. Treks take place in Rushaga, Nkuringo, Buhoma, or Ruhija, depending on permit availability.
Summarized Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi – Flight to Masai Mara
- Day 2: Full-Day Safari in Masai Mara National Reserve
- Day 3: Masai Mara to Entebbe via Nairobi
- Day 4: Flight to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
- Day 6: Return to Entebbe and Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi – Flight to Masai Mara
Your African adventure begins at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where our guide transfers you to Wilson Airport for a scenic flight over the Great Rift Valley to the Masai Mara. Landing among grazing wildlife, your game drive begins immediately, navigating golden grasslands toward your lodge. The afternoon drive reveals the Mara’s incredible biodiversity—wildebeest herds, zebras, giraffes, and thrilling predators. As sunset paints the savannah in brilliant oranges and reds, settle into your accommodation where comfort meets wilderness.
Accommodation: Masai Mara Safari Lodge / Tented Camp
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Full-Day Safari in Masai Mara National Reserve
Wake up before sunrise to see lions, leopards, and cheetahs hunting in beautiful morning light. This is the best time for photography. After your game drive, you’ll enjoy breakfast in the bush under an acacia tree. Then, you’ll head back to your lodge to relax during the hot midday hours.
In the afternoon, another game drive takes you to the Mara River. Here, you can see hippos and crocodiles. If you’re lucky, you might witness the amazing Great Migration river crossing. During your drives, you’ll also spot elephants, buffalo, and antelope roaming the plains. Additionally, the area is home to over 450 bird species.
For a special experience, consider a hot air balloon ride at dawn. You’ll float peacefully over the savannah as the sun rises. Afterwards, you’ll land for a champagne breakfast in the wild. It’s an unforgettable way to see the landscape from above.
Accommodation: Masai Mara Safari Lodge / Tented Camp
Meal plan: Full board
Day 3: Masai Mara to Entebbe via Nairobi
Your final Mara morning features one last game drive to spot missed species or revisit favorites. After breakfast, fly to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, then connect to Entebbe, Uganda—the “Pearl of Africa.” Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport on Lake Victoria’s shores, Africa’s largest lake, transfer to your comfortable lakeside hotel. Spend the evening at leisure, relaxing in the tranquil setting while reflecting on your Kenyan safari experiences before tomorrow’s new adventure begins.
Accommodation: 2Friends Hotel(Entebbe)
Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 4: Flight to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your scenic flight over Uganda’s terraced hillsides and crater lakes to southwestern Uganda. Upon landing at Kihihi or Kisoro, journey through rural villages to the ancient Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site sheltering half the world’s mountain gorillas. Settle into your forest-edge lodge and enjoy the afternoon at leisure, or join an optional community walk to meet residents and discover their traditional culture.
Accommodation: Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi-Rushaga Sector
Today brings the safari’s pinnacle: gorilla trekking. After breakfast and a ranger briefing at park headquarters, you’ll venture into dense forest in groups of eight with expert trackers. The trek, lasting one to six hours through steep, thick vegetation, leads to an unforgettable encounter. Spending one precious hour observing these magnificent creatures as they feed, play, and interact reveals remarkably human-like behaviors. Watching a silverback or mother with her infant creates a profound, life-changing connection you’ll treasure forever. Returning to your lodge, the afternoon offers time to relax or participate in optional activities such as a Batwa cultural experience or forest walk.
Accommodation: Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Return to Entebbe and Departure
After breakfast and a final appreciation of the forest atmosphere, you’ll transfer to the airstrip for your domestic flight back to Entebbe. Upon arrival, depending on your international flight schedule, you may have access to a day room or proceed directly to the airport for your onward journey home, carrying memories of an extraordinary East African safari that spanned two countries and two of the continent’s most iconic wildlife experiences.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
End of the Tour
Cost Includes
- Airport/final day transfers
- 4×4 safari vehicle & professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Fuel for the entire trip
- Accommodation & meals as per itinerary
- All park entrance fees
- Drinking water in a vehicle
- Gorilla permit (USD 800 per person)
Cost Excludes
- Pre & post-tour accommodation
- International flights
- East African Visa (USD 100)
- Tips, drinks, laundry, and personal items
Things To Consider
Gorilla Permits
Gorilla permits are the main component of your safari cost.
- Non-residents: USD 800
- Foreign residents: USD 700
- Rest of Africa: USD 500
- East African citizens: UGX 300,000
Each permit includes park entry, ranger guides, and your hour with the gorillas.
Best time to visit
The dry seasons (June–September and December–February) offer the best road and trail conditions, though rain can occur at any time in the tropical rainforests.
What to pack
For a safari combining the Masai Mara and gorilla trekking, you will need a combination of light safari wear and waterproof hiking gear.
Gorilla trekking gear
- Waterproof hiking boots
- Waterproof jacket or poncho
- Long-sleeved shirt and trousers
- Gardening gloves
- Gaiters
- Daypack
Masai Mara gear
- Light, breathable clothing
- Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
- Warm jacket or fleece
- Comfortable shoes
- General items
- Insect repellent
- Camera with extra batteries
- Binoculars
- Reusable water bottle
