Welcome to Uganda. Upon arrival at Entebbe international Airport, you’ll be met by our local guide from Nungi safaris Uganda at 6am (Please make sure you book an air ticket that will favor this time schedule) and transferred to Lake Mburo National Park. The drive is approximately 4-5hours to Lake Mburo national park, stopping on the way to stand in both the northern and southern hemispheres at the equator line. After entering Lake Mburo national park, you’ll enjoy a safari wildlife game drive on the way to the camp, arriving in the late afternoon. Extensive acacia woodland and five lakes make up Lake Mburo National Park, an area that is home to a stunning array of wildlife. It’s the best place in the country to see eland (the largest species of antelope), as well as zebra, topi, impala and several types of birds that gather around acacia trees. This afternoon you’ll take a boat ride on Lake Mburo. The lakes provide a home for hippos, crocodiles and a variety of water birds – the swampy fringe region provides a hideaway for secretive species such as sitatunga and red, black and yellow papyrus gonalek. Tonight’s simple but comfortable tented camp is located in the center of the park. Placed in varied settings, some rooms are situated in a forest, some with a lake view, and some on rocky outcrops. Animals gathering in the valley will give you fantastic game viewing opportunities, and you can relax and watch wildlife at a waterhole below the pool. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge

Special Information

This trip starts between 6am -7am on Day 1 at Entebbe Airport. If arriving on Day 1, please allow time between your flight landing and the 6am start time.

If you will not arrive comfortably by this time, please contact Nungi safaris Uganda agent to arrange pre trip accommodation (subject to availability). You can then arrange to be picked up at 8am from your nominated hotel on Day 1. 

This morning you’ll enjoy an early breakfast at the lodge in Lake Mburo National Park, leave the national park and continue on to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (approximately 6 hours drive), your base for the next two nights. Your lodge here combines excellent local hospitality with seclusion in this enchanting wilderness area. The forest’s moniker is very apt – this is extremely rugged and dense woodland which dates back over 25,000 years and is one of the most biologically diverse rainforests in the world. If time allows, in the afternoon you’ll take a walk to a beautiful waterfall within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park while on day 2 of your 16 days 15nights best of breathtaking African cultural photo safari tour, wildlife safari journey Experiencing the wilds & cultures of Africa through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania to look out for the wildlife that will surround you – numerous birds, butterflies, and maybe monkeys. Later in the evening return to camp to enjoy a sumptuous dinner & overnight stay. Ihamba residence or similar

After an early breakfast, you will embark on a short morning drive that takes you to the park headquarters, where you’ll be briefed on the gorilla trek by the Uganda Wildlife Authorities. The 330 square kilometre Bwindi Impenetrable Forest was declared a World Heritage site in 1994 because of its incredible biodiversity. This small pocket of primeval forest in the Virunga Mountains protects about half of the world’s remaining 700 mountain gorillas, as well as providing a home for chimpanzees and several species of monkeys. Gorilla trekking is highly controlled with only 24 gorilla trekking permits available each day. Once a trekking group encounter one of the gorilla families, only one hour is granted in the presence of the great apes before trekkers must leave, however reluctantly. Be aware that the trek can be strenuous and may reach altitudes of almost 2,000 meters above sea level. Depending on weather conditions, some of the paths can be slippery and these paths themselves can change depending on the location of the gorillas. Therefore, it is very hard to predict how long you will need to walk for, but a very good level of fitness is recommended for this breathtaking 16 days 15nights best of breathtaking African cultural photo safari tour, wildlife safari journey Experiencing the wilds & cultures of Africa through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. You can usually get very close to the mountain gorillas, and watching their movements is like seeing a mirror image of yourself. Be mesmerized and feel the emotions as you watch them eat, sleep, groom and play – the giant silverback surveying the scene as the smaller one’s laze in the trees or play like children. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch on the trek. At the end of the day the comforts of the hotel beckon, along with a chance to reflect on a truly memorable experience. Dinner & overnight stay at Ihamba residence or similar

On this day of the 16 days 15nights best of breathtaking African cultural photo safari tour, wildlife safari journey Experiencing the wilds & cultures of Africa through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, you will depart from the great forest on what is set to be a substantially long drive to Entebbe, spanning at around 550kms (approx. 8-9 hours). The trip will be broken up along the way by a picnic lunch in mbarara at Agip motel or Igongo cultural center. On arrival in Entebbe, check in to Via via lodge or similar as you prepare for your flight to Nairobi adventures tomorrow. If time allows you, you opt to take a walk in Entebbe town and please arrange with your guide if you need his services to move with you around.

This early morning you will be transferred to Entebbe International Airport for your excluded flight to Nairobi. On arrival in Nairobi, you’ll have a day free to do as you please. Maybe visit the Karen Blixen Museum, the Langata Giraffe Centre, or have a meal at the famous Carnivore Restaurant, where meat lovers can taste a variety of barbecued meat. Meet our Nungi safaris guide today at a welcome meeting at 6pm. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Nairobi

Special Information

As this is a combination trip, your group leader and the composition of your group will change at this location. There will be a group meeting to discuss the next stage of your itinerary and meet your new fellow travelers. Please also make sure you plan for your air tickets from Uganda to Nairobi because it’s not included in the fees of this 16 days 15nights best of breathtaking African cultural photo safari tour, wildlife safari journey Experiencing the wilds & cultures of Africa through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania

On this day of your 16 days 15nights best of breathtaking African cultural photo safari tour, wildlife safari journey Experiencing the wilds & cultures of Africa through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, Depart Nairobi for Elsamere after breakfast and head north, driving along the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley (approximately 4 hours of driving in total). Elsamere is the former home of the writer Joy Adamson, whose 1960 book ‘Born Free’ helped bring wildlife conservation into the mainstream. The house is a veritable museum that dedicated to the works of Joy and George Adamson, with many photos of Elsa, the lioness that started it all. You’ll then embark on a boat trip on Lake Naivasha, the highest of all lakes in the Great Rift Valley and home to many a hippopotamus. Later, enjoy lunch with the lake as a serene backdrop. After lunch, continue to your Lake Nakuru lodge, arriving in the early evening and check in at the lodge.

This morning you will visit Lake Nakuru National Park by 4WD after eating a morning breakfast. Mornings can be cold so it’s important to bring warm clothes. You might see why this great soda lake has been described as the world’s greatest ornithological spectacle; it amazingly turns into a sea of pink on occasion. Flooding in recent years has unfortunately caused a decline in birdlife. The park boasts substantial numbers of other species, including waterbuck, reedbuck and gazelle. Leopards are also to be found here, and the chances of sighting one is significant. Keep your eyes peeled too, for one of Africa’s most endangered creatures, the elusive black rhinoceros (white rhinos are much easier to spot) while on the 16 days 15nights best of breathtaking African cultural photo safari tour, wildlife safari journey Experiencing the wilds & cultures of Africa through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Later in the evening return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

On this day of your 16 days 15nights best of breathtaking African cultural photo safari tour, wildlife safari journey Experiencing the wilds & cultures of Africa through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, you will head southwest to the Masai Mara (approximately 6–7 hours), arguably one of the finest game reserves in Africa. Before you arrive, you’ll first cross the Great Rift Valley, Africa’s immense and spectacular great divide. Pass by the remote region of Loita Hills, home of the traditional Maasai people known for their vibrant red dress and elaborate jewelry. This is one of the key places where the Maasai people still practice their traditional way of life, with little influence from the western world. Make a stop at Tepesua Village, which is known for championing Maasai women’s health and education. You’ll be welcomed by Maasai Warriors by way of traditional song and dance. Meet your Maasai hosts and enjoy a fascinating talk, full of insights into this remarkable and ancient culture. Take a walk to the community village which was founded for widows who had lost their cows due to drought, and can never remarry. The village offers support, safety and economic growth through the ‘Tepesua Widows Income Project’. Here the women are engaged in making handicrafts and sewing eco-friendly handbags, washable sanitary pads, and backpacks to sell to visiting travelers and locals. Learn about village life and be shown around a traditional Maasai home, and their cattle enclosures. We then continue your 16 days 15nights best of breathtaking African cultural photo safari tour, wildlife safari journey Experiencing the wilds & cultures of Africa through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania to ‘The Mara’. After checking into the park, take a short wildlife game drive on the way to camp. Set in what is considered Kenya’s prime wildlife area, Mara Leisure Camp is located along the Talek River, on the northern boundary of the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Facilities at the camp include a swimming pool, gift shop, bar and restaurant. Dinner and overstay at the camp

Explore more of the park by 4WD safari vehicle today with further wildlife game drives in the morning and afternoon. Witness the wonderful procession of wildlife that inhabits the area. Wildebeest, zebra and gazelle are plentiful, and you might even spot predators keeping a casual eye on their movements. Elephants, giraffes and elands are also commonly sighted, along with plenty of bird life. The area is known for its rolling green plains and riverine woodlands, and amongst the many species of game, a black-maned lion, leopard or cheetah might appear, with some luck. As dusk falls, a variety of animals might be visible in the vicinity of your camp also. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp

Today is a free day on your 16 days 15nights best of breathtaking African cultural photo safari tour, wildlife safari journey Experiencing the wilds & cultures of Africa through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. If you wish to continue your exploration of arguably one of the finest game reserves on the continent there are a number of optional activities that you can choose from including half-day or full-day game drives or walking safaris. A morning game drive involves waking at dawn for a light breakfast followed by an early morning game drive, setting off at sunrise and returning to the camp three to four hours later. An afternoon game drive departs around 4 pm and returns after sunset. On returning to the camp, freshen up before joining other guests around the campfire for a pre-dinner drink. An optional balloon ride over the Masai Mara at sunrise is an unforgettable experience while on this 16 days 15nights best of breathtaking African cultural photo safari tour, wildlife safari journey Experiencing the wilds & cultures of Africa through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. If you have pre-booked this activity you will be picked up from camp before dawn and driven to the launch site for a safety briefing with your pilot. You then glide through the dawn, sometimes at tree height, making the most of the amazing photo opportunities. Sometimes you’ll ascend to get an overview of the enormity of the Masai Mara plains and the early-morning movements of the teeming herds. Upon landing you’ll be treated to a bush breakfast before re-joining your group.

Special Information for the 16 days 15nights best of breathtaking African cultural photo safari tour, wildlife safari journey Experiencing the wilds & cultures of Africa through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania

The balloon ride is offered as a pre-booked service which will guarantee you a place. If you would rather wait and try to get a better price by booking this locally on the ground, you are welcome to, but keep in mind that this is a popular activity and places are limited however you can participate in at an extra cost.

Say goodbye to the Mara and travel to Kisii (approximately 5 hours) on day eleven of the 16 days 15nights best of breathtaking African cultural photo safari tour, wildlife safari journey Experiencing the wilds & cultures of Africa through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Once arrived stop for lunch (at your own expense) and visit a local soapstone factory in Kisii. This town is home to the best soapstone carvers on the continent. Their products are quite popular around the world. It’s a favorite stopover for travelers seeking a taste of the exquisite Kisii carvings. Dinner and overnight at Kamel park hotel or similar

On this day of the 16 days 15nights best of breathtaking African cultural photo safari tour, wildlife safari journey Experiencing the wilds & cultures of Africa through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, you will Cross into Tanzania before heading to the Serengeti National Park (approximately 8 hours, not including time spent at the border). These ‘Endless Plains’ span some 14,700 square kilometres, but their main claim to fame is 3 million or so animals. While on the 16 days 15nights best of breathtaking African cultural photo safari tour, wildlife safari journey Experiencing the wilds & cultures of Africa through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, expect to see the Serengeti wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, lion, cheetah, warthog, hyena, hippo and ostrich. You’ll take a wildlife game drive en route to your camp and watch the landscape change within the park from the vast treeless central plains to thick scrub and forest in the north. Linking these areas is the savannah, dotted with acacia trees and magnificent rock outcrops. Pull up in the park and enjoy a refreshing sundowner and some nibbles before carrying on to you camp. The next two nights are spent at a mobile tented camp, our feature stay on this trip. Meru-style tents are a great place to relax at the end of the day and have large beds, table, clothes rack, sink, ‘bucket’ showers and a toilet. The eco-friendly camp has a comfortable lounge area, and a cozy mess tent located in the centre of the camp where meals are served. The campfire is ready every evening for appetizers before dinner. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy a real safari camp experience with modern comforts as you wind up the 16 days 15nights best of breathtaking African cultural photo safari tour, wildlife safari journey Experiencing the wilds & cultures of Africa through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania

Enjoy a full day of wildlife game drives in the truck in the magnificent Serengeti. Pull up in the park and enjoy a refreshing sundowner and some nibbles before returning to camp. Perhaps the ultimate way to go game viewing is on a hot air balloon safari over the great plains of the Serengeti National Park. Hot-air ballooning in East Africa can be an unforgettable experience, an exceptional way to see this part of the world. We strongly recommend booking this extra activity prior to departure for your 16 days 15nights best of breathtaking African cultural photo safari tour, wildlife safari journey Experiencing the wilds & cultures of Africa through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania if you’re interested. Tonight, we have a private dinner under the stars within our permanent tented camp while listening to the sounds of the Serengeti.

Special Information for the 16 days 15nights best of breathtaking African cultural photo safari tour, wildlife safari journey Experiencing the wilds & cultures of Africa through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania

The balloon ride is offered as a pre-booked service which will guarantee you a place. If you would rather wait and try to get a better price by booking this locally on the ground, you are welcome to, but keep in mind that this is a popular activity and places are limited.

After an early morning game drive, it’s time to leave the park and travel through the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area to Karatu (approximately 5 hours). It’s one of Africa’s most beautiful nature reserves and the world’s largest intact caldera. Upon arrival you will check into your accommodation, which is located on the lower slopes outside of the crater. This small and exclusive lodge faces the Oldeani Volcano and is located approximately 15 kilometres from the Ngorongoro Lolduare gate. Dinner and overnight at the lodge

In the morning after breakfast at the lodge, embark on the descent drive to the crater floor. Hopefully you’ll see some, or all, of the ‘big five’ creatures that rule here. Animals within the Ngorongoro Crater are less shy of people and safari vehicles, so it’s easier to see them up close. Views from the rim of the crater are sensational. On the crater floor, grassland blends into swamps, lakes, rivers, woodlands and hills. The Masai are permitted to water their cattle at the permanent lake and can be seen leading their animals in and out of the crater. The most commonly seen animals are the lion, wildebeest, zebra, eland, bushbuck, cheetah, jackal, buffalo, Grant’s gazelle, Thompson’s gazelle and black rhinoceros. The afternoon is yours to spend as you please, perhaps with optional walking activities or a coffee tour while on the 16 days 15nights best of breathtaking African cultural photo safari tour, wildlife safari journey Experiencing the wilds & cultures of Africa through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.  Later dinner and overnight at the farm of dreams lodge or similar

Drive to Arusha (approximately 3 hours) where your 16 days 15nights best of breathtaking African cultural photo safari tour, wildlife safari journey Experiencing the wilds & cultures of Africa through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania East African adventure comes to an end at the finishing point hotel. No meals apart from the breakfast in the morning on this day of the 16 days 15nights best of breathtaking African cultural photo safari tour, wildlife safari journey Experiencing the wilds & cultures of Africa through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania

Alternatively, you can continue on to finish in Nairobi (approximately another 6 hours). Please review the ‘Special Information’ below before booking any flights.

Special Information for the 16 days 15nights best of breathtaking African cultural photo safari tour, wildlife safari journey Experiencing the wilds & cultures of Africa through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania

This 16 days 15nights best of breathtaking African cultural photo safari tour, wildlife safari journey Experiencing the wilds & cultures of Africa through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania ends in Arusha at 1pm on Day 16. Please do not book onward travel arrangements commencing before 3pm.

Alternatively, you can continue with your crew and end the trip in Nairobi at 6pm. Please do not book onward travel arrangements commencing before 10pm. We recommend staying one night in Nairobi and departing the following day. Please let us know for any additional accommodation.

Inclusions in you 16 days 15nights best of breathtaking African cultural photo safari tour, wildlife safari journey Experiencing the wilds & cultures of Africa through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania

Meals

Transport

Accommodation

Included activities in your 16 days 15nights best of breathtaking African cultural photo safari tour, wildlife safari journey Experiencing the wilds & cultures of Africa through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania