Your journey to experiencing a Classic BIG 5 Safari with Gorillas Included Begins with you booking this popular 7 Days Bwindi & Masai Mara Holiday Package. This tour visits Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park rumored to be one of the top 5 Pristine Places to visit on an African Safari. Bwindi is home to more than half of the remaining mountain gorillas in the world.
Bwindi is arguably the best place to see gorillas in Africa. check out our blog: Why Bwindi is Considered the best Place to trek Gorillas in Africa.
Our 7 Days Fly in Safari to Bwindi & Masai Mara finishes in the Masai Mara – arguably Africa’s most iconic safari destination popular for its year-round abundant wildlife, and the annual spectacle of the Great Migration. Cultural interactions with the Masai are yet another highlight this tour.
7 Days Fly in Safari to Bwindi & Masai Mara
Brief Itinerary:
- Day 01: Fly into Uganda O/N in Entebbe.
- Day 02: Fly to Bwindi Forest O/N Bwindi.
- Day 03: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest.
- Day 04: Fly to Entebbe & connect to Masai Mara.
- Day 05: Explore the Masai Mara Game Reserve.
- Day 06: Morning Drive & Masai cultural encounter.
- Day 07: Fly to Nairobi & Connect with Flight Home.
Detailed Itinerary for the 7 Days Fly in Safari to Bwindi & Masai Mara.
Day 01: Arrive at Entebbe International Airport.
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport where you will be met by a representative of Realm Africa Safaris™ who will then transfer you to your accommodation in Entebbe. The drive between the airport and your hotel is hardly 15 minutes.
Accommodation Options in Entebbe:
- Hotel No.5 (Upmarket)
- Karibu Guesthouse. (Boutique – Midrange)
- AirportLink Guesthouse. (Budget)
Meals Included: Breakfast.
Day 02: Fly to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Today you’ll start your day quite early to allow for sufficient time for you to have breakfast at your hotel in Entebbe before departing for Entebbe International Airport for your 6:30 am Flight to Bwindi. The flight typically lasts about 1 – 2 hours where you’ll meet a Realm Africa Safaris guide to transfer you by road to your accommodation in Bwindi.
Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your lodge with options of things to see & do in and around your lodge.
Journey times:
- ±2 Hours Flying from Entebbe to Bwindi.
- ±80 minutes scenic road transfer to your lodge.
Day 03: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest National Park
Breakfast; thereafter confirm that you have all the basics; a lunch box (to be provided by the Lodge), raincoat, good hiking boots, waterproof pants + long-sleeved shirt, a pair of strong garden gloves, repellent, a waterproof daypack to carry all your valuables.
Your guide will thereafter transfer you to the briefing point and also help you out through the registration process. After the briefing by a Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger, you will embark on your long-awaited Gorilla trekking experience. Return to the lodge and relax.
See Accommodation Options for this tour. | Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at the lodge (BLD).
Day 04: Fly back to Entebbe
Breakfast; and today marks the end of the Uganda chapter of your 7 Days Fly-in Safari to Bwindi & Masai Mara, You’ll be transferred to the nearby airstrip and fly to Entebbe to connect with your flight to the Masai Mara reserve in Kenya. Keep your camera handy for photo opportunities while in transit.
Journey time(s):
- Road transfer to the airport – ± 80 minutes
- Flight from Bwindi airport to Entebbe – ±2 hours.
See Accommodation options for this tour. |Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch.
Day 05 – 07: Explore the Masai Mara Game Reserve
You’ll spend the next three days enjoying one of the most legendary wildlife destinations in the world. This classic Masai Mara safari offers a host of attractions, as the reserve is home to an excellent year-round concentration of game. The reserve is a photographer’s and naturalist’s paradise, with abundant elephant, buffalo, giraffe, lion, and cheetah, alongside a profusion of game. Leopards are frequently encountered, endangered black rhinos hide in the dense thickets, and large rafts of hippos and enormous crocodiles are to be found in the Mara River. Enjoy adventures such as twice-daily game drives, spot-lit night drives, guided nature walks, and bush dining under a forever-canopy of twinkling stars. Intriguing and interpretive Maasai community excursions are fascinating outings, Hot air ballooning is a highly recommended activity that is available at an additional cost.
End of Service – 7 Days Fly-in Safari to Bwindi & Masai Mara
How does selecting accommodation in Bwindi for this tour work?
Bwindi has four (04) designated Gorilla Trekking locations; Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo Sectors. The choice of where (which Sector) you’ll stay is highly affected by the availability of gorilla Permits for that particular sector at the time of booking your 7 Days Fly in Safari to Bwindi & Masai Mara. Please work with us for the best recommendations on where/which sector to stay at while on your holiday with us. Making the wrong choice of accommodation might ruin your entire Holiday …… we are here to help.
SECTOR BY SECTOR: Where to Stay during your Safari to Bwindi Imperatable Forest National Park
Accommodation Options in Buhoma Sector:
- Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp. (Luxury)
- Buhoma Lodge or Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge. (Upmarket)
- Engagi Lodge (Midrange)
- Ride for A woman Guesthouse (Great Value Budget)
- Buhoma Community Rest Camp (Budget)
Accommodation Options in Nkuringo Sector:
- Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge. (Luxury)
- Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge. (Upper Midrange)
- Bwindi Backpackers Lodge (Budget)
Accommodation Options in Rushaga Sector:
- Four gorillas Lodge ( Upmarket)
- Ichumbi Lodge ( Midrange)
- Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge (Budget)
Accommodation Options in Ruhija Sector:
- Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge | Bakiga Lodge | Trekkers Tavern | Gorilla Mist Camp (Midrange)
- Broadbill Forest camp (budget)
How does selecting accommodation in Masai Mara for this tour work?
Bwindi has four (04) designated Gorilla Trekking locations; Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo Sectors. The choice of where (which Sector) you’ll stay is highly affected by the availability of gorilla Permits for that particular sector at the time of booking your 7 Days Fly in Safari to Bwindi & Masai Mara. Please work with us for the best recommendations on where/which sector to stay at while on your holiday with us. Making the wrong choice of accommodation might ruin your entire Holiday …… we are here to help.
Where to Stay during your Safari to the Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya
By motorized Canoe (The Popular – Lazy Style of Getting to see the shoebill Stork)
While using this mode of transport, you’ll be picked up at your hotel by car and transferred to the landing site in the Nakiwogo trading center where you will meet up with your local boat captain/guide who will immediately get you started on your trip to find the shoebill on Lake Victoria. Look out for other bird sightings en route.
By Mountain Bike (Fair fitness levels required)
The Mountain bike experience allows our clients to enjoy the experience of cycling on Ugandan roads as they ride through the local communities.
A common Swahili phrase”MZUNGU“- to mean white person will be the word of the day as the locals especially kids call out on you at the top of their voices just to smile and say bye to you.
No. of Persons By canoe By Mountain Bike
1 $90 $110
2 $65pp $80pp
3 $50pp 70pp
4 $45pp $65pp
5 $40pp $55pp
6 $35pp $50pp
Abbreviations Used:
pp - per person.
Includes & Excludes as mentioned below:
What is included in this tour:
- Shoebill tracking conservation fees payable to the swamp local authorities at Mabamba.
- Canoe Hire/ Mountain bike hire with a helmet.
- A full-time English-speaking Ugandan local guide.
What is not included in this tour:
- Visa Fees ($50) in Uganda
- Any government imposed increments on park fees/taxes.
- Accommodation.
- International flights (from/to your home country).
- Tips (tipping guideline US$10 per person).
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance… etc.)
Consider adding some of the following suggestions to your 1 Day Shoebill tracking excursion On Lake Victoria
ADD a Visit to the Entebbe Botanical gardens
The Botanical gardens in Entebbe are worth a visit. This can be easily added to your Shoebill tracking excursion tour in Entebbe
Learn more about: Entebbe Botanical gardens.
ADD a Visit to the Craft Market In Entebbe
Go shopping for Souvenirs & gifts to take back to your friends and/or family. The crafts Market in Entebbe will offer you a varied range of African fabrics, artworks and so much more to choose from.
Learn More about the Best Place to buy African Crafts in Entebbe
