This Kenya and Uganda safari blends two countries into one seamless adventure. In Kenya, game drives take us across Lake Nakuru and the rolling savannahs of the Masai Mara, where lions, elephants and wildebeest set the rhythm of the land. Crossing into Uganda, the journey slows as we pause in Mbale and brew our own coffee on the slopes of Mount Elgon.
From there, we step into Pian Upe and the caves of Napadet, meeting Karamojong communities who share their traditions and resilience. Kidepo Valley then unfolds as one of Africa’s most cinematic landscapes, its wide horizons alive with buffalo, giraffes and birds of prey.
The journey closes with contrasts: the rock outcrops of Soroti, the calm waters at the Source of the Nile in Jinja, and the vibrant crafts market of Kampala. Thoughtfully paced and full of character, this is a Kenya and Uganda Safari that connects wildlife, culture and landscapes into one unforgettable story.
12 Days / 11 Nights
Nairobi - Kampala / Entebbe
Guesthouses, bandas & midrange lodges
Private vehicle with driver-guide
Year-Round
Private tour
Flexible: Individual or small group
On request (depends on group size & lodge choices)
Nairobi → Lake Nakuru → Masai Mara National Reserve → Kisumu → Busia → Mbale → Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve → Moroto → Nakapelimoru → Kidepo Valley NP → Soroti → Jinja → Kampala / Entebbe
We pick you up from your hotel or the airport in Nairobi and set start our Kenya and Uganda Safari. We drive north towards Lake Nakuru, a journey of about three hours. After lunch we take a boat trip on the lake, which is known for its large populations of flamingos and pelicans. White rhino and buffalo are often seen on the shores, and the water is rich with hippos. The lake lies within the Great Rift Valley, surrounded by escarpments that offer stunning views. By evening we return to our hotel for dinner and rest.
Overnight in Nairobi
This morning we set out for a game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for its rhinos and acacia woodlands. After lunch we begin our journey to the Masai Mara National Reserve, about a four-hour drive. On the way into the reserve we may already see wildlife along the tracks – giraffes, zebras and antelope are common here. By the time we reach our camp, the Mara landscape stretches wide before us. Dinner is served under the African sky.
Overnight at Crocodile Camp Masai Mara
We spend the day in the Masai Mara, one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations. Morning and afternoon game drives give us the best chances of seeing lions, elephants, cheetahs and herds of wildebeest. The Mara is also home to more than 450 bird species, from secretary birds to colourful rollers. Between drives we return to camp for lunch and a short rest. Evening brings stories around the fire, with the calls of hyenas in the distance.
Overnight at Crocodile Camp Masai Mara
After a final morning game drive in the Masai Mara we visit a local Masaai village. Warriors and elders explain their traditions and show us the structure of their homesteads. Later we continue our drive west towards Kisumu, a city on the shores of Lake Victoria. The five-hour drive brings us into a new landscape, with a view on the vast waters of Africa’s largest lake waiting at the end of the road.
Overnight at Mamba Village Kisumu
Today we take a slower start after three full days of early morning drives. After breakfast we cross the Busia border into Uganda. On the way we stop in Maseno, which lies directly on the equator, and enjoy a coffee break. By afternoon we reach Mbale, a lively town at the foot of Mount Elgon.
Overnight at Salem Uganda Guesthouse
In the morning we meet a coffee farmer who guides us through the process from plant to cup. We learn how the beans are grown, harvested and roasted, and even try making our own cup of coffee. After lunch in Mbale we drive north into Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. At the UWA campsite we prepare for the night, surrounded by the sounds of the bush.
Overnight at UWA Bandas
We rise early for a game drive in Pian Upe. This vast reserve is home to hartebeest, oribi, ostrich and sometimes cheetah. With a packed breakfast we continue on to Napadet Cave, also called Elephant Cave, with wide views across the landscape. Later we stop at a local village to meet the Karamojong community and hear about their culture and traditions. By evening we arrive in Moroto, set at the foot of Mount Moroto.
Overnight at Mount Moroto Hotel
This morning we visit Nakapelimoru, the largest traditional Karamojong village in Karamoja. Elders explain the customs of this pastoralist community and show us their way of life. From here we continue towards Kidepo Valley National Park. In the afternoon we take a game drive across its wide savannahs, where lions and buffalo roam.
Overnight at Savanna Lodge
We wake early for a game drive in Kidepo, one of Uganda’s most remote and rewarding parks. The Narus Valley is rich with elephants, giraffes and sometimes even cheetah. After lunch at the lodge we head out again for another drive, following the tracks as the sun lowers across the plains. We return at dusk for dinner and a night under the stars.
Overnight at Savanna Lodge
The morning is relaxed at the lodge. For those who wish, another game drive can be arranged before departure. After lunch we begin our long drive south towards Soroti, a journey of about six hours. Soroti lies in eastern Uganda, marked by its granite rock outcrops that rise sharply from the plains. By evening we reach our hotel for dinner.
Overnight at Hursey Resort
Today we drive towards Jinja, a journey of about three hours. After lunch we visit the Source of the Nile, travelling by boat to see where the river begins its long journey north. Local potters Paul and Ibrahim demonstrate how they shape clay into pots and invite us to try it ourselves. Later we return to Jinja and settle at our camp with a view over the Nile.
Overnight at River Explorers Camp
On our final day we drive to Kampala. We visit the Crafts Market, a lively centre filled with stalls of woodcarvings, textiles and jewellery. From here we drive to Entebbe for your flight, or to a hotel if you are staying longer. After twelve days together, we say farewell with memories of Kenya and Uganda that will last long after the journey ends.
Overnight at airport or hotel drop-off
Airport transfers in Nairobi and Entebbe
All accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
Transport in 4×4 safari vehicle with experienced guide
Park entrance fees and game drives as per itinerary
Boat trip on Lake Nakuru and the Nile in Jinja
Coffee tour in Mbale
Visit to Masai and Karamojong villages
International flights
Uganda and Kenya entry visas
Meals and drinks not mentioned
Personal expenses and tips
Optional extra game drives and activities (available on request)
Travel insurance
This Kenya and Uganda safari combines two nations into one journey, linking Kenya’s legendary Masai Mara with Uganda’s remote Kidepo Valley. In Kenya, Lake Nakuru’s rhinos and the Mara’s rolling savannahs provide iconic wildlife moments. Crossing the border into Uganda, the pace shifts towards untamed landscapes rarely visited by travellers. Kidepo, framed by rugged mountains and vast plains, is often described as East Africa’s hidden gem (see Uganda Wildlife Authority) – a place where wilderness still feels raw and authentic.
Meeting local communities is central to this Kenya and Uganda Safari. In Kenya we visit a local Masai village, where elders share traditions that have guided their people for centuries. Later, in Uganda’s Karamoja region, the Karamojong welcome us into Nakapelimoru, the largest traditional village in East Africa. These encounters are not staged performances but genuine exchanges – a chance to listen, learn and connect. For us, they add depth to the landscapes, reminding us that safari is as much about people as it is about wildlife.
Few safaris reveal such variety in scenery. At Lake Nakuru flamingos gather on the Rift Valley’s soda waters, while the Masai Mara opens into endless grasslands. Crossing west, we pause at Lake Victoria in Kisumu before reaching Uganda’s fertile slopes of Mount Elgon. Here coffee thrives in volcanic soil and families share their crop with pride. The trail continues through rocky outcrops near Soroti, each stop adding another layer of East Africa’s character. This diversity of environments makes the journey both scenic and surprising at every turn.
The journey ends where Africa’s longest river begins. The Source of the Nile in Jinja, highlighted by the Jinja District, is more than a geographical marker – it is a place of history, symbolism and natural power. For centuries it has inspired explorers, traders and storytellers, and today we stand at the same point watching the water set off on its 6,600-kilometre journey north. Visiting the Nile after days on the savannah brings the trip full circle, showing how landscapes, wildlife and people are all bound together by water. It is a fitting close to a safari that connects two countries into one story.