Itinerary Details
Kenya & Tanzania: The Safari Experience With Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Nairobi
Day 1: ARRIVE IN ENTEBBEYour Small Group Discovery Tour Begins! Welcome to Entebbe, surrounded by the Ziki Forest near the shores of Lake Victoria. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.
Day 2: ENTEBBE–KIHIHI–BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARKWheels up, Wild on! After breakfast, board your flight to Kihihi, where you’ll be met on arrival and transferred to your lodge near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and your base for gorilla trekking. Following a relaxing lunch at the lodge, set out on a guided nature walk through the lush, exotic gardens overlooking the Munyanga River. Keep your eyes peeled for vibrant birdlife, including the African Green Broadbill, Turacos, and the striking Grey-crowned Crane. It’s the perfect introduction to the remarkable biodiversity of Bwindi. (B,L,D)
Day 3: BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARKSearching for Giants, Finding Magic This morning, gather for an insightful briefing from expert rangers before setting out on your unforgettable gorilla trek. [LF]Accompanied by skilled trackers, you’ll journey through the dense, emerald terrain of the rainforest in search of one of Bwindi’s remarkable gorilla families. The trek can take up to seven hours up steep, often muddy and slippery terrain, depending on where the gorillas have moved, but the reward is extraordinary: once a family is located, you’ll have a full hour to quietly observe them as they eat, groom, and play—an intimate wildlife encounter unlike any other. Tonight, over dinner, relive the day’s adrenaline-charged moments and trade stories from the trail as you offer a heartfelt farewell to your guide and the incredible wilds of Uganda. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK is named for the dense rainforest that cloaks its steep hillsides. Bwindi is a true wilderness stronghold—home to nearly half of the planet’s remaining mountain gorillas. Hidden beneath its canopy are chimpanzees, monkeys, forest elephants, and shy antelope. Bwindi is also a legend in Uganda’s birding world, sheltering 23 of the country’s 24 Albertine Rift endemics, including rare species like the African Green Broadbill and Shelley’s Crimsonwing—both considered bucket list sightings for even the most seasoned birders. It’s a sanctuary where every step feels like a discovery.
Day 4: BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK–KIHIHI–ENTEBBE–NAIROBIFrom Jungle Trails to City Tales This morning, return to Kihihi for your flight to Entebbe, connecting onward to Nairobi. You’ll arrive in Nairobi by mid-afternoon, with the remainder of the day free to relax, explore, or simply unwind at your leisure. (B)
Day 5: NAIROBIConservation Matters Guided sightseeing starts with a game drive in Nairobi National Park. Then visit Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to learn about elephant conservation, including orphaned elephant calves. As part of Globus family of brands Lighthouse Project, your visit contributes to the Trust’s mission. Visit Karen Blixen Museum, dedicated to the Danish baroness and author of Out of Africa – a 1937 autobiographical account (later, an Academy Award winning film) illustrating her experience as a coffee farmer and connections with Kenya. After lunch at the gardens, visit the Giraffe Centre, followed by free time this evening. (B,L)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
TALL ORDERS Operated by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife, the Giraffe Centre in Nairobi is a non-profit organization focused on saving the Rothschild giraffe. During a visit to this remarkable sanctuary, learn about this giraffe sub-species, meet them up close, and feed them. Get closer from the feeding platform, and you may just get a kiss!
Day 6: NAIROBI–OL PEJETA CONSERVANCYTo the Foot of Mount Kenya Drive north out of the city to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the largest rhino sanctuary in East Africa. The conservancy is home to the last two northern white rhinos and over 165 critically endangered black rhinos. After lunch and some time to settle in, embark on a game drive to begin your search for the “Big 5”—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo. End the day with an [LF] exclusive welcome barbeque dinner in the bush. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT A guest favorite, Sweetwaters Serena Camp is in the heart of the conservancy with magnificent views of Mount Kenya. Globus guests are always given tents directly in front of the floodlit waterhole where wildlife comes to drink day and night, improving the opportunity to see fascinating wildlife directly from your private verandah!
LOCAL FAVORITE
A WILD WELCOME Join your traveling companions for a special welcome dinner in the bush overlooking the Ewaso Ng’iro River. Share stories of the day over food and drink and learn what adventures lie ahead.
Day 7: OL PEJETASafari Sensation Rise early for a morning game drive with beautiful Mount Kenya as the backdrop. Beyond the “Big 5,” you may spot cheetah, zebra, gazelle, and more. If you are lucky, you might even spot rare wild dogs. After some down time and lunch, visit the [LF] Sweetwaters Chimp Sanctuary then set out on an afternoon game drive. Dinner at camp concludes your first full day on safari! (B,L,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Learn more about the plight of chimpanzees and the great work being done for their welfare during a visit to Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary. In partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Jane Goodall Institute, the sanctuary offers a long-term home to orphaned and abused chimpanzees—a moving example of wildlife conservation for future generations. For the welfare of the chimps who call the sanctuary home, our small group visits are broken into groups of six, also affording a more personal visit for our guests.
Day 8: OL PEJETA–NYAHURURU FALLS–LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARKNatural Highs Leave Ol Pejeta and journey through the beautiful Kenyan highlands, one of the most fertile agricultural areas in all of Africa. Stop at the dramatic Nyahururu Falls and then on to Lake Nakuru National Park for an afternoon game drive and a chance to see giraffe, impala, flamingo, striped hyena, and a variety of birdlife along the water’s edge. Lake Nakuru National Park is home to the largest euphorbia forest in Africa, an important pollination and food source for bees and black rhinos, yet toxic to many animals. (B,L,D)
Day 9: LAKE NAKURU–MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVEJewel of Kenya This morning, depart for Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya’s most famous game area. “The Mara,” as it is called by locals, is part of the Serengeti ecosystem and boasts a strong permanent population of game. When the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra arrive, typically from August to early November, their population grows by almost 2 million - a bountiful food source for predators such as lion, cheetah, leopard, and hyena. As part of Globus family of brands Lighthouse Project, your visit contributes to Wildlife Conservation Network’s Lion Recovery Fund, aimed at recovering the lion population in Africa. After lunch at your lodge, set out on an afternoon game drive. Each night, enjoy a dinner experience showcasing the fresh, locally grown produce from the onsite garden. (B,L,D)
Day 10: MAASAI MARAMagical Mara Rise early for a morning game drive including an exclusive [LF] bush breakfast. Be sure to watch for elephant, rhino, giraffe, topi, hyena, and much more. Return to the camp and relax prior to your afternoon game drive. (B,L,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
BREAKFAST IN THE BUSH As part of your morning game drive, you’ll be treated to this time-honored safari experience in Africa’s unmatched landscapes, reminiscent of Africa’s early explorers. Sip mimosas as you savor this memorable experience in the wild.
Day 11: MAASAI MARA–AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARKIn the Shadows of “Kili” This morning, choose to join an early morning game drive or opt to rest at the lodge. After breakfast, fly to Amboseli National Park, known for spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro or “Kili” as the locals call it, the highest mountain in Africa. After lunch at the lodge, embark on an afternoon game drive. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SAFARI LODGE Spend leisure time at the lodge exploring the grounds on a guided nature walk or participate in eco-tourism activities by planting an indigenous tree to improve the dry area. Cooking classes, language lessons, massage services, and a free-form pool enrich your experience.
Day 12: AMBOSELIAdventure in Amboseli Morning and afternoon game drives are included today. Amboseli affords you a terrific opportunity to get close to the mighty elephant. You may spot Cape buffalo, zebra, wild dog, and more. Visit a Maasai village to learn more about their way of life and stop for sundowner drinks prior to returning to your lodge for dinner. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
RICH IN CULTURE Neutral tones are encouraged for safari expeditions, but the village visits provide spectacular visions of vibrantly beaded necklaces and red clothing traditional to the Maasai culture, symbolizing strength and courage, as well as serving to ward off predators from afar.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SUNDOWNER DRINKS This evening, as the sun sets with “Kili” as the backdrop, savor a memorable happy hour in the bush! The origin of the tradition dates to British colonialism in Africa in the 18th century and was born out of necessity rather than enjoyment. Containing quinine-infused tonic and gin, colonizers drank it to ward off malaria. As the British Empire expanded into Africa, the popularity of gin and tonic spread with it. Today, Sundowners mark the transition from day to night.
Day 13: AMBOSELI–ARUSHA, TANZANIA–LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARKBorder Duties & Into Tanzania This morning, enter Tanzania at the Namanga border. Enjoy lunch at Arusha’s largest coffee plantation. Witness the colorful culture in the villages and diverse ecosystems en route to your lodge along the rim of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Check in and enjoy leisure time prior to dinner. Consider a visit to a local village for a market experience or a nature walk on the safari lodge property. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Lake Manyara National Park is a breathtaking safari haven, characterized by its expansive soda lake and diverse wildlife, including tree-climbing lions, elephants, and vibrant bird species amidst stunning landscapes of woodlands, forests, and grasslands. From large troops of forest baboons to trumpeting herds of elephants, the lake is also a sanctuary for thirsty buffaloes, warthogs, giraffes, wildebeest, and zebras
Day 14: LAKE MANYARA–KARATU–NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREAFrom Forest Floor to Crater’s Edge Lake Manyara National Park is a small, ecologically diverse park with groundwater forests, grassy plains, and alkaline Lake Manyara itself. The park is also home to the world’s largest concentration of baboon and over 300 migratory birds including flamingoes, long-crested eagles, and grey-headed kingfishers. Watch for the mischievous primates, giraffe, hippo, and more on your morning game drive. After lunch, journey to Karatu where you’ll visit a [LF] local primary school. Continue to your lodge on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater, which is part of the larger Ngorongoro Conservation Area. (B,L,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Today, your small group is invited for a personal visit to a local primary school to meet the children and learn about the educational system in rural Tanzania.
Day 15: NGORONGOROInto Africa’s Eden Descend into the crater for a full-day game drive. Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest unflooded caldera, more than 2,000 feet deep with a floor covering over 102 square miles. Game viewing here is fantastic, as most of the animals stay in this area year-round. This is your best chance to see the rare black rhinoceros, lion, Cape buffalo, hippo, elephants, and a variety of birds during this extraordinary experience. An exclusive [LF] bush lunch will be served in the crater. Tonight, enjoy a traditional Maasai dance performance. (B,L,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Because of the time it takes to descend into and ascend out of the crater, it’s common to eat lunch in the crater. While standard safari fare is typically a cold box lunch, your small group is treated to an exclusive, freshly cooked bush BBQ lunch served under a grove of Acacia trees, while not missing a moment of wildlife viewing time.
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE The Maasai people bring a history of colorful culture tied to this wilderness known as the Cradle of Life. After dinner tonight, enjoy a traditional Maasai dance performance celebrating an ancient culture amid the majestic wildlife who find sanctuary here.
Day 16: NGORONGORO–SERENGETI NATIONAL PARKOn the Endless Plains Drive to Serengeti National Park, Tanzania’s largest and most famous park. The Serengeti covers an area of roughly 5,700 square miles. The name comes from the Maasai word siringit, meaning “endless plains.” Enjoy lunch at your tented camp before an afternoon game drive. You have the chance to see the big cats—lion, leopard, and cheetah—as well as an abundance of other animals, including the Nile crocodile, giraffe, gazelle, and eland. You may even spot a caracal, a rare, beautiful cat with distinctive ears and strong hind legs. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Mbuzi Mawe Serena Camp provides a refined retreat within the spectacular natural landscapes of Serengeti National Park. With just 16 custom-made canvas tents, your small group enjoys all the comforts of home for a restful retreat after a day on safari. Each tent features two queen beds, free Wi-Fi to send your daily photos back home, and a private tented bathroom. Enjoy room service and sip your morning coffee or settle in at day's end on your outside private terrace to take in the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding glades.
Day 17: SERENGETISerengeti Serendipity Continue your exploration during morning and afternoon game drives. Home to the annual Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra, generally between late November and July, the Serengeti attracts visitors from around the world and is great for year-round game viewing. Tonight, join a [LF] farewell dinner in the bush to celebrate your safari adventure. (B,L,D)
Day 18: SERENGETI–ARUSHAA Furry Farewell Embark on one final game drive before flying back to Arusha, where a day room has been reserved at the Mount Meru Hotel for your use. Schedule departing flights after 5 pm. (B)
