Arrival at Nairobi Airport – Welcome to Kenya

Your 15-Day Grand East African Safari Adventure begins with your arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. Upon landing, our professional guide will warmly welcome you to Kenya, a country famous as the birthplace of the safari tradition. Nairobi is not only Kenya’s bustling capital but also one of the few cities in the world where wildlife roams at the edge of skyscrapers.

After the airport formalities, you’ll be transferred to your hotel Radisson Blu Nairobi, a contemporary retreat offering both elegance and comfort. Here, you can unwind from your international flight and prepare for the adventure that awaits. Depending on your arrival time, you may relax at the rooftop pool, enjoy panoramic views of Nairobi’s skyline, or sip Kenyan coffee while the city hums beneath you.

In the evening, your guide will brief you about the safari, sharing details about the route, national parks, and the incredible experiences ahead. Dinner is served at the hotel restaurant, offering a fusion of international and Kenyan flavors. For those interested, a short city drive may introduce you to Nairobi’s energy its vibrant neighborhoods, open-air markets, and colonial-era landmarks.

Day one is a soft landing: a chance to rest, gather your energy, and begin absorbing the atmosphere of Africa. With anticipation in the air, you will drift to sleep knowing tomorrow leads you to your first safari destination—Lake Nakuru National Park.

• Accommodation: Radisson Blu Nairobi
• Meal Plan: Dinner & Breakfast

Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park – Flamingos & Safari Beginnings

After a hearty breakfast, your 15-Day Grand East African Safari Adventure journey begins with a scenic road transfer to Lake Nakuru National Park, often described as a jewel of the Great Rift Valley. The drive takes you through rolling highland farms, bustling roadside markets, and dramatic escarpments that plunge into the valley below.

By mid-morning, you arrive at Lake Nakuru National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its shimmering alkaline lake. The park was once home to millions of flamingos that painted the waters pink, and while numbers fluctuate due to ecological changes, you will still witness spectacular birdlife, with over 450 bird species recorded here.

After check-in at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge, you enjoy lunch overlooking the park’s sweeping plains. The afternoon brings your first game drive, an exciting initiation into Kenya’s wildlife world. Lake Nakuru is a sanctuary for the endangered black and white rhinos, and spotting these prehistoric giants grazing calmly on the grasslands is a powerful moment. The park also shelters Rothschild’s giraffes, zebras, buffalos, waterbucks, and tree-climbing lions that sometimes lounge in acacia branches.

The highlight remains the birdlife. Pelicans skim the water, African fish eagles patrol from above, and cormorants gather in vast flocks. Along the lake’s edge, you may also spot troops of baboons and warthogs trotting across the savannah.

As evening falls, you return to your lodge for dinner. From your terrace, you may catch a golden Rift Valley sunset an unforgettable canvas of red and orange mirrored on Lake Nakuru’s waters.

• Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinking Water

Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara National Reserve – Into the Wild Plains

The morning begins with an early game drive in Lake Nakuru, maximizing your chances of seeing predators at their most active. Lions may still be on the prowl, while hyenas finish the night’s feast. The cool morning light also enhances your photography, capturing dramatic scenes across the Rift Valley.

After breakfast, your 15-Day Grand East African Safari Adventure caravan sets out towards the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve, arguably the most famous wildlife destination in Africa. The drive itself is a fascinating cultural and scenic experience. You pass through Maasai land, where tall warriors in bright red shukas herd cattle across open plains, their lifestyle largely unchanged for centuries. Along the way, you’ll stop at viewpoints that showcase endless savannah stretching beyond the horizon.

Arriving at the Jambo Mara Safari Lodge in the afternoon, you are greeted with warm hospitality and views that stretch across acacia-dotted landscapes. After a refreshing lunch, you embark on your first game drive in the Masai Mara. This is the land of the “Big Cats” lions, cheetahs, and leopards thrive here alongside large elephant herds, towering giraffes, and massive buffalo.

Depending on the season, you may encounter the Great Migration, where over 1.5 million wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles cross from Tanzania’s Serengeti into the Mara, braving predators and crocodile-infested rivers. Even outside migration months, the Mara teems with wildlife, offering some of the best year-round game viewing in the world.

As the sun sinks low, painting the horizon with orange and purple hues, you return to your lodge for dinner and rest, preparing for two full days in this wildlife paradise.

• Accommodation: Jambo Mara Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinking Water

Full-Day Adventure in Masai Mara – Game Drives, Culture & Nature Walks

The Masai Mara deserves unhurried exploration, and today is dedicated to a full-day safari adventure in one of Africa’s most celebrated ecosystems. After an early breakfast, you set off for a sunrise game drive, when the savannah is alive with activity. The cool morning air often reveals predators on the move lions returning from a hunt, cheetahs scanning the plains for gazelles, or leopards slinking back into the shade of acacia trees. With your camera ready, you capture the drama of wildlife in golden light.

As the morning unfolds, herds of elephants move gracefully across the open grasslands, while giraffes nibble at thorny treetops. The Mara’s richness lies not only in its abundance of game but also in its sense of wilderness stretching as far as the eye can see, dotted only by lone trees and the silhouettes of grazing herds.

Midday offers a cultural interlude with a visit to a traditional Maasai manyatta (village). Here, the proud Maasai share their traditions, from the beadwork worn by women to the jumping dances of warriors. Listening to their stories of co-existence with wildlife adds depth to your 15-Day Grand East African Safari Adventure experience, revealing a perspective that blends nature and culture.

Returning to the reserve, the afternoon is spent on another game drive or guided nature walk around the lodge area. The Mara never fails to surprise perhaps you’ll encounter a hyena clan squabbling over a carcass or watch vultures circling overhead in anticipation of a predator’s kill.

The day concludes with a breathtaking sunset over the endless plains. Back at Jambo Mara Safari Lodge, dinner awaits, followed by stories exchanged around the fireplace, echoing with the sounds of crickets and distant roars of lions.

• Accommodation: Jambo Mara Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinking Water

Another Day in the Mara – The Great Wildebeest Migration & Big Cat Encounters

The second full day in the Masai Mara National Reserve allows you to dive deeper into its extraordinary wilderness. With packed lunches carried along, you embark on a full-day game drive across different sections of the reserve, exploring its varied habitats and maximizing your chances of witnessing nature’s greatest spectacles.

If traveling during July to October, you may witness the Great Wildebeest Migration in action. Over 1.5 million wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles surge into the Mara from Tanzania’s Serengeti, driven by ancient survival instincts. Watching them gather at the Mara River, you hold your breath as thousands plunge into crocodile-infested waters, while predators lurk on the banks, ready to strike. The thundering hooves and desperate splashes create one of the most dramatic natural events on earth a raw display of life and death that defines the circle of the wild.

Even outside the migration season, the Mara remains a wildlife paradise. You may find a coalition of cheetahs stalking Thomson’s gazelles, elephants trumpeting as they protect their calves, or hippos wallowing lazily in the rivers. The sheer density of wildlife makes every game drive a feast of encounters.

In between sightings, you enjoy a picnic under the shade of acacia trees, surrounded by the sounds of the wild. Your 15-Day Grand East African Safari Adventure guide interprets tracks on the ground, bird calls in the trees, and the delicate balance that sustains this ecosystem.

As the sun begins to set, the Mara gives one last magical gift silhouetted giraffes crossing the horizon, zebras grazing peacefully, and golden light washing over the land. Returning to your lodge, you savor a final dinner in the Mara, grateful for the unforgettable memories forged here.

• Accommodation: Jambo Mara Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinking Water

Masai Mara to Nairobi – Flight to Entebbe, Gateway to Uganda

Today marks the transition from Kenya’s savannah kingdom to Uganda’s rainforests and rivers, bridging two very different but equally enchanting safari experiences. After breakfast at the lodge, you enjoy a leisurely morning drive back towards Nairobi, passing once more through the rolling landscapes of Maasai country. Along the way, there are opportunities to pause for last glimpses of the Rift Valley, its escarpments stretching dramatically into the horizon.

Upon arrival in Nairobi, you transfer to the airport for your scheduled flight to Entebbe, Uganda. The change in scenery is immediate as your plane descends over Lake Victoria, the largest tropical lake in the world and the lifeline of East Africa. The glittering waters and emerald islands set the stage for Uganda’s lush natural beauty.

At Entebbe International Airport, a representative from Winton Africa Safaris warmly welcomes you to the “Pearl of Africa.” A short transfer takes you to the historic Lake Victoria Hotel, one of Uganda’s oldest and most charming properties. Here, colonial architecture blends with modern comfort, and the gardens brim with exotic flowers and birdlife a gentle introduction to the country’s renowned biodiversity.

The afternoon is yours to relax. You may lounge by the pool, stroll through Entebbe’s botanical gardens where monkeys leap through century-old trees, or simply rest in preparation for the adventures ahead. Dinner at the hotel combines international cuisine with local Ugandan delicacies, offering the perfect close to a day of transition.

Tomorrow, the 15-Day Grand East African Safari Adventure continues with a journey into Murchison Falls National Park, home of the world’s most powerful waterfall and abundant wildlife.

• Accommodation: Lake Victoria Hotel
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinking Water

Journey to Murchison Falls – Rhino Tracking, Waterfall Hike & Game Drive

After breakfast at the Lake Victoria Hotel, your 15-Day Grand East African Safari Adventure heads north into the wild heart of Uganda. The road winds through fertile agricultural plains, dotted with roadside markets where locals sell colorful fruits and vegetables. The anticipation builds as the landscape slowly transforms into the savannahs and woodlands of Murchison Falls National Park, one of Uganda’s oldest and most diverse conservation areas.

Your first adventure is a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a remarkable conservation project aimed at restoring Uganda’s rhino population. With the guidance of expert rangers, you’ll embark on a foot safari tracking these majestic, endangered creatures. Observing their massive frames grazing serenely on the open plains, you can’t help but marvel at their prehistoric presence. Photographers will delight in capturing close encounters while learning about the sanctuary’s ongoing conservation efforts.

Afterwards, you continue to Murchison Falls, where the Nile River forces its way through a narrow gorge before plunging 43 meters into a thundering pool, creating one of Africa’s most dramatic natural spectacles. A guided hike to the top of the falls allows you to feel the mist on your face, hear the roar of the cascading water, and witness a rainbow forming over the frothing rapids. From this vantage point, the surrounding savannah stretches endlessly, dotted with elephants, giraffes, and buffalo that wander near the riverbanks.

In the late afternoon, you take your first game drive inside the park, encountering Uganda kobs, waterbucks, lions, and baboons amid the acacia-dotted plains. Sunset casts the Murchison landscape in a golden hue, a perfect backdrop for wildlife photography. By evening, you check into Pakuba Safari Lodge, a luxurious yet intimate retreat overlooking the Nile, where dinner awaits amidst views of the park’s vibrant wildlife.

• Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinking Water

Murchison Falls – Game Drives and Nile Boat Cruise

Rise early for a morning game drive through Murchison Falls’ vast plains, where elephants roam in herds, giraffes nibble at acacia treetops, and lions patrol the grasslands. Bird enthusiasts are in paradise, spotting species such as the grey crowned crane, African fish eagle, and the rare shoebill stork. Every moment offers a new wildlife encounter, with guides explaining tracks, calls, and the intricate balance that sustains this ecosystem.

After a mid-morning breakfast, embark on a boat cruise along the Nile River, gliding towards the base of the falls. Hippos wallow in pods, crocodiles sun themselves on sandbanks, and elephants may come down to drink along the shore. The thunderous falls provide a dramatic backdrop, while the calm waters upstream contrast with the chaos of the plunge below. Photography opportunities abound, especially with the afternoon sun casting rainbows across the spray.

For those seeking a unique cultural experience, the evening offers an optional campfire with goat roasting and local beers, providing a taste of Ugandan tradition. Sunset over the Nile and the surrounding savannah signals the end of another exhilarating day. Return to Pakuba Safari Lodge for dinner, recounting the day’s encounters and marveling at the abundance of Uganda’s wildlife.

• Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinking Water

Transfer to Kibale Forest – Bigodi Swamp Walk & Primates

After breakfast, your 15-Day Grand East African Safari Adventure journey turns southwest towards Kibale Forest National Park, Uganda’s primate capital. The drive meanders through lush farmlands, tea plantations, and small villages where children wave as you pass. By midday, you arrive at Turaco Treetops Lodge, an eco-lodge set amidst the forest canopy, providing the perfect base for your primate adventures.

In the afternoon, head to the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided walk through its intricate network of papyrus swamps, streams, and forest patches. This community-run conservation area supports local livelihoods while offering rich biodiversity. You’ll encounter troops of red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, and a multitude of bird species, including kingfishers and hornbills. The guided walk provides insight into traditional herbal medicine, forest ecology, and the importance of community conservation initiatives. Photographers can capture stunning close-ups of birds and primates, while the tranquility of the wetland offers a perfect contrast to the excitement of earlier savannah drives.

Evening arrives with the soothing sounds of the forest, as you enjoy dinner at the lodge, reflecting on the diversity of Uganda’s wildlife from the vast plains of Murchison to the lush, primate-rich rainforests of Kibale.

• Accommodation: Turaco Treetops Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinking Water

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

This morning, rise early for chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest, guided by highly experienced rangers. Trekking through the dense jungle, you will hear the forest come alive with calls, hoots, and rustling leaves as chimpanzees communicate and move through the canopy. Eventually, you encounter a group of these intelligent primates, observing their grooming rituals, playful antics, and intricate social behavior. The one-hour encounter offers an intimate and moving glimpse into the lives of our closest animal relatives.

Following the trek, enjoy a picnic lunch before departing for Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most diverse wildlife reserve. Along the way, scenic views of crater lakes, rolling hills, and local villages create a memorable journey. By late afternoon, check into Elephant Hub Lodge, positioned perfectly to explore the park’s abundant game.

Before sunset, you enjoy a short evening game drive, spotting elephants, hippos, Uganda kobs, and possibly lions or leopards in the Kasenyi plains. The fading light adds drama to the landscape, enhancing the colors of acacia trees and savannah grasses. Dinner at the lodge completes the day, with the sounds of the African night surrounding you as you prepare for the next phase of your 15-Day Grand East African Safari Adventure.

• Accommodation: Elephant Hub Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinking Water

Adventure in Queen Elizabeth National Park – Game Drives and Nature Walks

As the sun rises over Queen Elizabeth National Park, the park awakens with a symphony of wildlife sounds the calls of baboons, the trumpeting of distant elephants, and the rhythmic footfalls of grazing Uganda kobs. Today offers a full immersion into the park’s remarkable biodiversity. After breakfast, your safari begins with a morning game drive across the expansive Kasenyi plains. These open grasslands are prime territory for lions, cheetahs, and hyenas, as well as large herds of buffalo and gazelles. Your 15-Day Grand East African Safari Adventure guide interprets animal behaviors, points out tracks in the sand, and shares fascinating stories about the intricate predator-prey relationships that define this ecosystem.

By late morning, you head toward the Ishasha sector, famous for its rare tree-climbing lions. Witnessing these majestic predators lounging in fig trees is a sight unlike anywhere else in Africa, a moment that epitomizes the uniqueness of Uganda’s wilderness. Midday offers a chance to rest and enjoy lunch at the lodge, while soaking in views over the savannah that stretch to the horizon.

In the afternoon, choose between a guided nature walk or boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which links Lake Edward and Lake George. Hippos wallow in the water while crocodiles bask on the banks, and countless bird species fish eagles, kingfishers, herons fill the skies. The Kazinga Channel is a sanctuary for wildlife photographers, offering close encounters and dramatic photo opportunities.

As the day draws to a close, you return to Elephant Hub Lodge for dinner, sharing stories of the day’s sightings and marveling at the diversity of landscapes from grasslands to wetlands, from lions to hippos. Tonight, the sounds of the African night lull you to sleep, ready for the journey south to Bwindi.

• Accommodation: Elephant Hub Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinking Water

Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Batwa Cultural Experience

After breakfast, your 15-Day Grand East African Safari Adventure takes you deep into southwestern Uganda toward Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. The drive itself is spectacular, winding through terraced hills, lush banana plantations, and misty valleys that seem untouched by time. Villages along the route offer glimpses into local life, where farmers tend to coffee and tea plantations, and children wave excited greetings to passing vehicles.

Arriving at Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, a forest-front retreat that combines comfort with immersion in the surrounding greenery, you settle in before embarking on a Batwa cultural encounter. The Batwa, or pygmy people, are one of Africa’s oldest indigenous communities and were historically forest dwellers. During the afternoon visit, you witness traditional songs, dances, and storytelling that reflect their deep connection to the forest. Learn about their skills in herbal medicine, hunting, and survival techniques a rare opportunity to engage with a culture intricately linked to the forest you will explore tomorrow.

Evening arrives with dinner at the lodge. From the terrace, you can enjoy the forest’s nocturnal sounds the calls of insects, frogs, and distant primates providing a sense of the jungle’s vibrant life. Tonight, anticipation builds for the once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking adventure, a journey that few humans experience.

• Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinking Water

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi & Drive to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

The day begins before dawn, with a briefing for your gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Forest rangers provide guidance on how to approach the gorillas respectfully, emphasizing the rules for safety and conservation. The trek can last several hours, traversing dense jungle, steep hills, and muddy trails. The effort is intense, but anticipation and excitement propel you forward.

Then, you encounter a family of mountain gorillas, perhaps sitting quietly, foraging, or playfully interacting. Observing their expressions, gentle gestures, and social interactions is an awe-inspiring, humbling experience. For one precious hour, you are allowed to remain in their presence, capturing memories both mentally and on camera, while understanding the fragile existence of these endangered giants.

After trekking, enjoy a light lunch before departing Uganda and crossing the border into Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. The drive takes you through fertile Rwandan hills, with terraced farms, banana groves, and distant volcanic peaks creating a dramatic backdrop. Check in at Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, where comfort and scenic beauty merge, providing a restful environment after a physically demanding but unforgettable day. Dinner at the lodge completes the experience, as you reflect on the extraordinary connection with one of nature’s most intelligent and majestic creatures.

• Accommodation: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinking Water

Golden Monkey Tracking & Transfer to Kigali City

This morning offers another unforgettable wildlife encounter: golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park. These small, playful primates inhabit bamboo forests, moving in agile troops. The trek is moderately challenging, but the reward is immense watching golden monkeys leap gracefully from branch to branch, interacting with one another, and observing their lively social behaviors. Photographers find the bamboo forest a stunning setting for vibrant and dynamic wildlife shots.

Afterward, return to the lodge for lunch, then embark on a scenic drive to Kigali, Rwanda’s thriving capital. En route, rolling green hills and distant volcanoes provide an ever-changing landscape, reflecting the country’s resilience and natural beauty. Upon arrival, check in at Chez Lando Hotel, a stylish urban retreat offering comfort and convenience in the heart of Kigali.

Evening is at leisure, with dinner served in the hotel restaurant. For those interested, Kigali’s vibrant neighborhoods and evening lights can be explored briefly, providing a glimpse of urban Rwanda before the final day of your 15-Day Grand East African Safari Adventure.

• Accommodation: Chez Lando Hotel
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinking Water

Half-Day Kigali City Tour & Departure

On the final day, enjoy a half-day Kigali City Tour, exploring the cultural and historical highlights of Rwanda’s capital. Visit the Genocide Memorial, a deeply moving site that honors those who lost their lives in 1994 and provides insight into the country’s journey of reconciliation. Wander through local markets, art galleries, and craft shops, where handmade items reflect Rwandan creativity and culture.

Lunch is served at a local restaurant before you are transferred to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight. As you look back over the past fifteen days Kenya’s savannahs, Uganda’s forests, Rwanda’s volcanic highlands you carry with you not only memories of wildlife encounters but also experiences of local culture, breathtaking landscapes, and profound moments with some of the world’s rarest creatures.

Your 15-Day Grand East African Safari Adventure with Winton Africa Safaris concludes, leaving an indelible mark on your heart and soul, and a treasure trove of stories and photographs to share for years to come.

• Accommodation: None (Departure)
• Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch