This 15-day gorilla trekking and great wildebeest migration safari is a complete East Africa journey that combines primate tracking with classic wildlife viewing. The safari takes you through Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Kenya. You will track mountain gorillas in both Uganda and Rwanda, then follow the great wildebeest migration across the Serengeti ecosystem, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and Maasai Mara National Reserve.
This safari is designed for travelers who want to see the most important wildlife areas in East Africa in one well planned trip. It balances long drives, border crossings, flights, and game viewing in a smooth way.
Gorilla Trekking & Wildebeest Migration Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
- Day 2: Drive to Southwestern Uganda to Bwindi
- Day 3: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 4: Cross to Rwanda and transfer to Volcanoes National Park
- Day 5: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
- Day 6: Transfer to Kigali with city tour
- Day 7: Fly from Kigali to Arusha, Tanzania
- Day 8 to 9: Serengeti National Park game viewing
- Day 10 to 11: Ngorongoro Conservation Area exploration
- Day 12: Cross to Kenya and transfer to Maasai Mara National Reserve
- Day 13 to 14: Maasai Mara National Reserve game drives
- Day 15: End of safari in Nairobi
Detailed Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, a company representative will welcome you. You will be transferred to your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala. This first day is for rest after your flight. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Day 2: Drive to Southwestern Uganda to Bwindi
After breakfast, begin the drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda. This is a full day drive with stops along the way. You will stop at the Equator line for photos and lunch.
Continue through hills and local towns before arriving in Bwindi in the evening. Check in at your lodge, have dinner, and rest.
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to more than half of the world’s mountain gorillas. After an early breakfast, attend a briefing at the park headquarters.
With a ranger guide, you will enter the forest to search for a gorilla family. The trek can take between two and six hours depending on where the gorillas are. Once found, you will spend one hour with them. After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch and a relaxed afternoon.
Day 4: Cross to Rwanda & Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, drive toward the Uganda Rwanda border. After border formalities, continue to Volcanoes National Park.
Arrive at your lodge near the park in the afternoon. The rest of the day is free for rest and preparation for the next gorilla trek.
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park holds the second largest population of mountain gorillas. After breakfast, attend a briefing and then enter the forest with guides.
You will trek another gorilla family and spend one hour observing them. During the walk, there is also a chance to see golden monkeys in the bamboo areas. After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch and rest. Optional village visits can be arranged in the afternoon.
Day 6: Transfer to Kigali & City Tour
After breakfast, drive to Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. Enjoy a guided city tour including the Genocide Memorial Centre, local museums, and craft markets. Kigali is known for being clean and well organized.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Kigali.
Day 7: Fly from Kigali to Arusha, Tanzania
Early in the morning, transfer to Kigali airport for your flight to Tanzania. On arrival at Arusha, your Tanzanian safari guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel.
This day is for rest as you prepare for game drives in Tanzania.
Day 8 to 9: Explore Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, drive to Serengeti National Park. Arrive in the afternoon and go for your first game drive in the central Serengeti.
On the second day, travel toward the northern Serengeti. This area is important during the wildebeest migration season. Large herds of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles move through this region. Predators such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards are also common.
Day 10 to 11: Explore Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Exit Serengeti and drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive on the crater floor.
The crater is home to elephants, lions, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, and the endangered black rhino. After the game drive, ascend to the rim and continue exploring areas around the crater.
Day 12: Cross to Kenya & Transfer to Masai Mara National Reserve
Drive north and cross into Kenya. Continue to Masai Mara National Reserve, part of the greater Serengeti ecosystem.
Arrive at your camp or lodge in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight in the reserve.
Day 13 to 14: Explore Masai Mara National Reserve
Spend two full days on game drives in Masai Mara. This reserve is famous for the Mara River crossings during the wildebeest migration. The crossings are unpredictable, but when they happen, they involve thousands of animals.
You will also see lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and many antelope species. Game drives take place in the morning and afternoon with breaks at the camp.
Day 15: End of Safari
After breakfast, enjoy a final game drive as you exit the Maasai Mara. Your guide will transfer you to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi for your flight home.
This marks the end of your 15-day gorilla trekking and great wildebeest migration safari across East Africa.
