9-Day Ultimate Gorilla Trekking & Serengeti-Masai Mara Safari

This 9-day safari takes you to East Africa’s most famous national parks. You will see some of Africa’s most admired wildlife, including gorillas, golden monkeys, and the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos.

The wildlife and gorilla trekking trip also gives you a chance to meet two of East Africa’s most fascinating communities: the Batwa pygmies of Uganda and the Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzania.

9-Day Gorilla Trekking, Serengeti & Masai Mara Safari Highlights

• Visit three famous safari countries: Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania
• Trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Spend one full hour watching gorillas in their forest home
• Trek golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
• Visit the Batwa community and learn about their forest lifestyle
• Visit the Gorilla Guardians Village and enjoy traditional dances and food
• Fly to Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve for classic game viewing
• See Africa’s Big Five animals including lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinos
• Watch wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, and gazelles in open plains
• Cross into Tanzania and explore Serengeti National Park
• Enjoy morning and full-day game drives in the Serengeti and Masai Mara
• Visit a Maasai village and learn about their traditions and culture
• Stay in luxury lodges in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania
• End your 9-day safari with a scenic drive to Arusha for your flight home

Brief 9-Day Gorilla Trekking, Serengeti & Masai Mara Safari Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Uganda and Hotel Transfer
• Day 2: Fly to Bwindi and Visit the Batwa Community
• Day 3: Gorilla Trekking and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
• Day 4: Golden Monkey Trekking and Gorilla Guardians Village Visit
• Day 5: Fly to Masai Mara
• Day 6: Full-Day Game Drive in Maasai Mara
• Day 7: Travel to Serengeti National Park
• Day 8: Morning Game Drive and Visit the Maasai People
• Day 9: Departure

Detailed 9-Day Gorilla Trekking, Serengeti & Masai Mara Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Uganda and Hotel Transfer

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by your driver-guide, who will brief you about your safari and transfer you to your hotel. Check in, have dinner, and rest for the night.

Day 2: Fly to Bwindi and Visit the Batwa Community

After breakfast, transfer to Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip for your flight to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This flight saves you from the long nine-hour drive by road.

On arrival, transfer to your lodge for refreshments and lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Batwa community, the original forest dwellers of Bwindi. Learn about their traditional hunting and gathering lifestyle, enjoy cultural performances, and taste local food before returning to your luxury Uganda lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing by the local rangers. You will be placed into groups of eight people, which is the maximum number allowed to trek a single gorilla family each day.

Trekking involves walking through thick forest trails while using tree branches for support. When you find the gorillas, spend one unforgettable hour observing them as they feed, play, and care for their young. You can take photos as long as your camera has no flash.

After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch, then check out and drive to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. You will arrive in the evening for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Golden Monkey Trekking and Gorilla Guardians Village Visit

After breakfast, go to the park headquarters for a briefing on golden monkey trekking. Then enter the forest to track these playful and colorful primates as they leap between the trees.

In the afternoon, after lunch, visit the Gorilla Guardians Village to learn about Rwanda’s culture. The center represents the three Rwandan ethnic groups; the Twa, Hutu, and Tutsi. Enjoy traditional dances and taste local dishes before returning to your Rwanda luxury lodge.

Day 5: Fly to Maasai Mara

After breakfast, drive to Kigali for your flight to Nairobi, Kenya. On arrival, have lunch in the city before driving to the Maasai Mara National Reserve. You will arrive in the evening for dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Full-Day Game Drive in Maasai Mara

After an early breakfast, set out for a full-day game drive in the Maasai Mara. The reserve is famous for its rich wildlife, and you will likely see the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos.

You may also encounter cheetahs, giraffes, wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, and many other species. Enjoy your picnic lunch in the wild and continue exploring until evening before returning to the lodge for dinner and rest.

Day 7: Travel to Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, cross into Tanzania through the Isebania border and continue to Serengeti National Park. Along the way, enjoy beautiful views of Lake Victoria and make photo stops at scenic spots.

Arrive in the evening, check in at your lodge, have dinner, and stay overnight.

Day 8: Morning Game Drive and Visit the Maasai People

Wake up early for a morning game drive in Serengeti National Park. Spot the Big Five and other wildlife, including large herds of wildebeests and zebras during their migration.

After the game drive, return to the lodge for lunch and some rest. In the afternoon, visit a Maasai village to experience their culture. Meet the locals, enjoy traditional dances, and taste local food. It will be a memorable evening filled with stories and cultural experiences.

Day 9: Departure

After breakfast, your driver will transfer you to Arusha for your international flight home. This marks the end of your 9-day Gorilla Trekking and Serengeti-Masai Mara Safari.

If you would like to extend your trip or add more destinations to your itinerary, simply reach out to us through our contact page using the button below.