15-Day Kenya–Uganda–Rwanda Wildlife and Primate Safari

15-Day Kenya–Uganda–Rwanda Wildlife and Primate Safari

15-Day Kenya–Uganda–Rwanda Wildlife and Primate Safari with Wild Planet offers an exceptional opportunity to explore Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda in depth, combining classic savannah wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable primate encounters. This carefully crafted journey begins in Kenya, continues through Uganda’s most celebrated national parks, and concludes in Rwanda, giving you a rare chance to experience East Africa’s most iconic destinations in one seamless adventure.

During this safari, Wild Planet takes you to Kenya’s famous Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, and Lake Nakuru, before crossing into Uganda to explore Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Along the way, you significantly increase your chances of spotting the Big Five while also trekking chimpanzees and endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats.

This once-in-a-lifetime safari allows you to complete a thrilling Kenya–Uganda–Rwanda circuit in just 15 days, offering rich wildlife encounters, diverse ecosystems, and immersive cultural experiences. Wild Planet designed this itinerary for adventurous travelers seeking depth, authenticity, and unforgettable memories across East Africa’s most remarkable landscapes.

Safari Highlights

• Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest
• Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
• Scenic nature walks
• Game drives in multiple national parks
• Boat cruises on Lake Naivasha and the Nile River
• Big Five wildlife viewing
• Cross-border adventure through Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Airport Transfer to Hotel – Nairobi

Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, a Wild Planet safari guide will warmly welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in Nairobi. After check-in, relax and recover from your flight. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.

Accommodation: Park Inn by Radisson (Mid-range) / Ibis Styles Nairobi (Standard)
Meal Plan: Dinner

Day 2: Transfer to Masai Mara National Reserve

After breakfast, meet your Wild Planet guide for a safari briefing before driving toward the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve. The journey takes you through the Great Rift Valley and rolling Kenyan highlands, offering stunning scenery along the way.

Arrive at your lodge or tented camp in time for lunch, then head out for an afternoon game drive. Watch wildlife roam freely across the endless plains before returning to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3–4: Explore Masai Mara National Reserve

Spend two full days exploring the vast Masai Mara on morning and afternoon game drives. Search for lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, hyenas, hippos, rhinos, and numerous antelope species.

Masai Mara ranks among Africa’s most famous wildlife reserves and hosts the Great Wildebeest Migration between July and October, when over a million wildebeest and zebras cross from the Serengeti in search of fresh grazing. Each evening, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Masai Mara to Lake Naivasha

After breakfast, check out and drive to Lake Naivasha. Arrive in time for lunch, then enjoy a relaxed afternoon by the lakeshore. You may choose an optional boat ride to see hippos and water birds or take a guided nature walk on Crescent Island (paid locally).

Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Lake Naivasha to Lake Nakuru National Park

Enjoy breakfast before driving to Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for its rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, and seasonal flamingos. After check-in and lunch, head out for an afternoon game drive to explore the park’s diverse wildlife.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Lake Nakuru to Kampala (Uganda)

After an early breakfast, depart for the Busia border, stopping for lunch in Kisumu City. Complete border formalities and continue into Uganda, driving onward to Kampala for dinner and overnight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast, Wild Planet transfers you to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and most dramatic park. Stop en route at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for an on-foot rhino tracking experience, completing your Big Five encounters.

Continue to the park, spotting wildlife along the way before settling into your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Game Drive and Nile Boat Cruise

Start the day with an early game drive, searching for elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, antelopes, hyenas, and possibly leopards. After lunch, enjoy a boat cruise on the Nile River to the base of Murchison Falls, where the river crashes through a narrow gorge.

Watch hippos, crocodiles, and abundant birdlife, including the rare shoebill stork. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Murchison Falls to Kibale Forest National Park

Drive through Uganda’s lush countryside toward Kibale Forest National Park, enjoying scenic views of tea plantations and the Rift Valley escarpment. Arrive in the late afternoon and relax at the lodge.

Day 11: Chimpanzee Trekking and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a chimpanzee trekking briefing. Track chimpanzees through the forest while spotting other primates such as colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, and L’Hoest’s monkeys.

After lunch, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, enjoying views of the Kazinga Channel. Evening at leisure, dinner, and overnight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Begin the day with a morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains, looking for big cats and grazing antelopes. After lunch, take an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, famous for its high concentration of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and birds.

Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 13: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, drive south to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. The journey offers breathtaking scenery through highland forests and valleys. Check in at the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 14: Gorilla Trekking Experience

After an early breakfast, attend a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers before starting your gorilla trekking adventure. Trek through dense forest for 2–6 hours before encountering a gorilla family.

Spend one unforgettable hour observing these gentle giants. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided community walk around the park. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 15: Bwindi to Kigali – Departure

After breakfast, drive across the border into Rwanda and continue to Kigali. Depending on your flight time, enjoy a short city tour, including the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local markets, and craft centers. After lunch, Wild Planet transfers you to the airport for your departure.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

End of Tour

The 15-Day Kenya–Uganda–Rwanda Wildlife and Primate Safari with Wild Planet delivers an extraordinary journey across East Africa’s most iconic destinations. From vast savannahs and roaring waterfalls to intimate primate encounters and cultural experiences, this safari offers depth, diversity, and unforgettable adventure—perfect for travelers seeking the ultimate African experience.