16 Day Serengeti & Masai Mara with Gorilla Trek

Welcome to Kenya! On your arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) you will be met by a local representative in the arrivals hall and transferred to your hotel for relaxation and overnight in preparation of your exciting adventure ahead! Special Information: Arrival airport transfers are included as part of your package. You will be met upon arrival at the airport by a representative who will escort you through immigration, and be transferred to your hotel. If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed. Please note: if you are arriving early and have made your own arrangements prior to your tour commencing, airport transfers will not be included. However, if you are purchasing pre-nights accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, airport transfers will still be provided to the starting hotel. Please be advised that luggage restrictions limited to 15kg per person in a soft-sided bag applies for the flight from Serengeti to the Masai Mara on Day 10. If travelling with luggage that does not abide by these restrictions, we recommend taking an extra soft sided bag and packing essentials required for this trip. Excess luggage can be stored free of charge at your Nairobi hotel and collected on return to the hotel on Day 12.

After breakfast, meet your local Kenyan guide for a tour briefing before we depart for Amboseli National Park, a 3.5 hour drive away and your home for the next two nights. Dominated by the magnificent presence of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain at 5,895 metres, Amboseli is one of Kenya's oldest and most famed parks. Although not as large as Masai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli is known for its great herds of elephants, cheetah, and unique terrain dotted with emerald-green swamps. This afternoon, enjoy a game drive where your guide will introduce you to the park, the swamps and say hello to its inhabitants before we return back to the lodge for an included dinner. Inspiring Highlights Amboseli National Park game drive Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Enjoy a full day of exploration in Amboseli National Park, featuring both morning and afternoon game drives. In the early hours, take in the breathtaking view of Mount Kilimanjaro rising above the clouds—a truly iconic African landscape. Amboseli's diverse terrain ranges from the ancient, dry lakebed of Lake Amboseli to sweeping savannahs and lush swamps. The park is home to an abundance of wildlife, including antelopes, spotted hyenas, jackals, warthogs, olive baboons, and vervet monkeys. With some luck, you may also encounter predators such as lions, leopards, or cheetahs. Inspiring Highlights Amboseli National Park game drives

Today, you depart Amboseli National Park and begin your journey toward Tanzania, crossing the border at Namanga. From there, travel onward to Arusha before continuing to Tarangire National Park. Named for the life-sustaining Tarangire River, this remarkable park is renowned for its large elephant population and diverse array of wildlife, including zebra, wildebeest, gazelle, buffalo, eland, waterbuck, lion, giraffe, oryx, and a rich variety of birdlife. Between June and November, the river draws impressive concentrations of animals, though the park offers exceptional game viewing year-round. This afternoon, set out on a game drive to discover the park's abundant wildlife. Inspiring Highlights Tarangire National Park game drive Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours. Please note that there will be a change of both guide and vehicle at the border as we enter Tanzania.

After an early breakfast, embark on a full day of game drives in Tarangire National Park, renowned for its dramatic landscapes and exceptional wildlife. As you explore, take in sweeping views of the Maasai Steppe and the distant southern mountains—an unforgettable backdrop to your safari experience. Tarangire is famed for its dense elephant population and striking baobab trees scattered across the terrain. As a key part of the region's annual migration, the park draws an impressive concentration of wildlife, including up to 3,000 elephants, 25,000 wildebeest, and 30,000 zebras. Inspiring Highlights Tarangire National Park game drives

After breakfast, journey onward to the charming village of Karatu, nestled in the lush highlands of northern Tanzania. Immerse yourself in the local culture through engaging community experiences and gain insight into daily life in this welcoming region. Explore the vibrant local market, where you can interact with friendly vendors and soak up the lively atmosphere. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the village, taking in its authentic charm before settling in for a relaxing evening. Inspiring Highlights Karatu community activities Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

Today, we begin our day with an early departure to embark on a thrilling game drive in the iconic Ngorongoro Crater, renowned worldwide for its extraordinary wildlife encounters. For many, this awe-inspiring natural wonder stands as the pinnacle of their safari experience. The crater boasts the entire 'Big 5' group of animals, including a small population of the critically endangered black rhino. The diverse range of wildlife and the breathtaking scenery make this an unforgettable adventure. After enjoying a delightful picnic lunch amidst the beauty of the crater, we proceed towards the Serengeti. we traverse the breathtaking central Plains, which epitomise the iconic landscapes the park is famous for. Picture endless, undulating grass savannahs punctuated by rugged outcrops that provide secluded havens for wildlife. Depending on the time of the year and to maximise the opportunity of witnessing the incredible wildebeest migration, you will be transferred to your lodge located in either the central or southern parts of the Serengeti National Park. Inspiring Highlights Ngorongoro Crater game drive Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

The legendary Serengeti is our playground today with a full day game drive through the vast rolling plain, whose sparse vegetation allows for some of the best wildlife viewing in the world. The Serengeti is best known for the largest annual animal migration in the world of over 1.5 million blue wildebeest and 250,000 zebra along with smaller herds of Thomson's gazelle (the complete migration route is around 800 km), but throughout the year, the Serengeti is excellent for lion (the park is also home to the largest lion population in Africa), leopard and cheetah, elephant, giraffe, hyena, hippo, and rhino spotting, and many varieties of antelopes and birds. Inspiring Highlights Serengeti National Park game drive

Get ready for another thrilling day of adventure as we continue our exploration of the magnificent Serengeti National Park. Equipped with lunch boxes to keep us energised, we embark on captivating game drives throughout the afternoon. As we traverse the vast and boundless plains, our eyes are treated to a spectacle of wildlife sightings, reaffirming the well-deserved fame of this extraordinary national park. Marvel at the diverse array of animals that roam these lands, and immerse yourself in the sheer beauty of the Serengeti. As the sun begins its descent, we make our way back to the lodge, filled with unforgettable memories and stories to share. Rest and rejuvenate overnight, ready to embrace the wonders that await us on the next leg of our journey. Inspiring Highlights Serengeti National Park game drive

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airstrip for your onward flight to the Masai Mara National Reserve, where we'll experience the magic of this incredible wilderness for the next two days. We'll have the opportunity to spot the ‘Big Five': lion, rhino, buffalo, leopard, and elephant, and we may get to witness the wildebeest migration from Serengeti Park into Masai Mara. Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours. Your included flight allows one 15kg soft-sided duffle bag per person. Your internal flight for this day is arranged by our local partner. Specific flight details will be provided by your Tour Leader upon arrival and cannot be provided in advance. Your journey will include two flights, with a change at the Tanzania-Kenya border crossing at Isebania. The border crossing will be conducted by a short shuttle bus transfer. Please keep your passport handy. Note, there will be a change of guide when you return to Kenya.

Today, we embark on an exhilarating full-day adventure immersed in the renowned Masai Mara National Park. This iconic wildlife sanctuary offers an abundance of diverse habitats that serve as a haven for a wide array of game species. Prepare to be captivated as we seek to encounter magnificent creatures such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs in their natural habitat. The sweeping landscapes of the Masai Mara are also home to an impressive range of wildlife, including zebras, wildebeest (gnu), giraffes, buffalos, jackals, topis, gazelles, impalas, and elephants. As we navigate the park's lush plains and traverse its meandering rivers, we are likely to encounter a multitude of hippopotamuses and crocodiles, adding to the wildlife spectacle. Keep your eyes trained on the skies as well, for the birdlife in this area is incredibly abundant, offering opportunities to spot a wide variety of avian species. Inspiring Highlights Masai Mara National Park game drive

After breakfast, we'll begin the journey back to Nairobi, with opportunities to stop to take in the views of the Rift Valley and enjoy an included lunch. Arrive in Nairobi in the afternoon, where you will check into the hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon at your own leisure as you relive your safari highlights. Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.

After breakfast, you'll have a transfer for your flight to Entebbe in Uganda. Welcome to Uganda! Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your guesthouse, set in a quiet residential neighbourhood with beautiful gardens. Later this afternoon, embark on a sundowner cruise on Lake Victoria accompanied by drinks & snacks on board. You'll be treated to sunset on the largest fresh water lake in East Africa. View the sun over the horizon and watch the fishermen cast their nets as you enjoy the snacks and drinks provided on board. This is a perfect way to begin your journey through Uganda. After sunset return to your hotel for dinner. Inspiring Highlights Sundowner cruise on Lake Victoria Special Information On your departure from Nairobi you will say goodbye to your tour guide, and your group will be met by a local guide in Entebbe, who will meet and greet you, and transfer you to your hotel Flight time will be approximately 1.5 hours

After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to your domestic flight into the remote mountainous regions of southern Uganda and check into your lodge for the next two nights. After settling in, we will visit the Ride 4 a Woman Project, a transformative organisation dedicated to supporting local women. This empowering initiative offers women the opportunity to learn valuable skills like pedal sewing, basket weaving, dancing, traditional cooking, singing, and drumming. Not only do these activities help the women gain independence and build livelihoods, but they also enable their children to receive an education. You will have the chance to join the women in one of these enriching activities, and explore the vibrant craft shop on-site, where beautifully handcrafted items tell the story of resilience and creativity. We then head back to the lodge and relax where we recommend an early night in-order to be ready for your big day tomorrow. Inspiring Highlights Visit Ride 4 a Woman Project (in the event this activity is not available for your departure an alternative cultural program will be offered) Special InformationLuggage restrictions of 15kg per person in a soft sided duffle bag apply for the flight to the Bwindi today. For your flight today, any tickets that are required will be provided for you on tour by your tour leader.

Begin the day with an early transfer to the park's visitor reception centre for a detailed briefing about the day's activities and gorilla tracking protocols. Today marks one of the most memorable experiences of your Ugandan journey—an encounter with the rare and majestic mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Following guide allocation, set off on foot into the dense forest in search of a habituated gorilla family. Bwindi is unique as the only forest in Africa that is home to both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, and it also supports an impressive array of biodiversity including five other primate species, 113 mammal species, more than 200 butterfly species, and over 360 species of birds. As you trek through the forest, your guide will interpret signs of gorilla activity such as dung, nests, and feeding trails. Once your group locates the gorillas, you will be allowed to spend a strictly regulated one hour in their presence—an extraordinary wildlife encounter and a true highlight of any trip to Uganda. Inspiring Highlights Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Special InformationGorilla trekking through dense forest terrain can be physically demanding, with conditions that are often wet, muddy, and humid. The trek may involve navigating steep and uneven paths, requiring a moderate level of fitness and the ability to walk for up to four hours, both uphill and downhill. Despite the challenges, the extraordinary experience of encountering a habituated gorilla family—led by a majestic silverback—makes the journey an unforgettable and rewarding adventure. What to wear: Boots – Essential. A good quality pair of hiking boots with good sturdy rubber soles with grip. Gloves – During the trek you might be grabbing trees, branches and vines, and your hands can get a bit scratched. Pack a tough old pair of gardening gloves.A light rain jacket – Bwindi is a tropical rainforest, and there's a good chance of rain almost year-round. Pack a light-weight poncho or rain jacket that you can roll up in your bag and bring out if necessary. Long pants and shirts – It's best not to expose too much skin during the jungle trek, and remember to tuck your trousers into your socks (to avoid ants) and no bright colours. Face masks are required when encountering the gorillas

This morning you will fly back to Entebbe. Upon arrival, day use at a guesthouse has been booked to allow you to freshen up and make the most of your last day in Entebbe. After checking into your guesthouse, you may choose to explore the craft shops for some final souvenir shopping or simply relax before your included private transfer takes you to the airport from where you'll catch your departure flight. Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience. Special Information Departure transfers are included as part of your package. You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport to meet your flight. Luggage restrictions of 15kg per person in a soft sided suitcase apply for your flight from Bwindi to Entebbe For your flight today, any tickets that are required will be provided for you on tour by your tour leader. Please ensure your flight out of Entebbe departs after 3pm. If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.