15-Day Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania Safari: Gorillas, Big Five & Great Migration

Imagine beginning your East African adventure deep in the misty forests of Uganda, meeting endangered mountain gorillas face-to-face, before continuing to Kenya for unforgettable Big Five wildlife encounters and finishing in Tanzania amid the spectacular Great Migration. This 15-Day Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania Safari combines three of East Africa’s most iconic destinations into one extraordinary journey.

Designed for travelers who want more than an ordinary African safari, this itinerary brings together Uganda gorilla trekking, Kenya wildlife safaris, Tanzania’s Serengeti, the Big Five and the Great Migration. From the lush landscapes of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to the endless plains of the Serengeti, every day offers a new wildlife and cultural experience.

With Mandrill African Safaris, travelers can enjoy carefully planned East African safari packages with professional guides, comfortable accommodation, reliable transportation and personalized safari experiences.

Safari Highlights

• Mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda
• Explore Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Search for the Big Five in Kenya
• Experience the famous Maasai Mara
• Witness the Great Migration in Tanzania
• Game drives in the Serengeti National Park
• Explore the Ngorongoro Crater
• Experience East Africa’s spectacular landscapes
• Cross three of Africa’s most famous safari countries
• Enjoy professionally guided wildlife experiences

15-Day Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe, Uganda

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where you will be welcomed by a representative from Mandrill African Safaris. Depending on your arrival time, you can relax at your hotel or enjoy a short tour of Entebbe.

Entebbe is located on the shores of Lake Victoria and provides a peaceful introduction to Uganda. If time allows, you may visit the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre or explore the botanical gardens.

Overnight in Entebbe.

Day 2: Entebbe – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, begin your journey toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to a significant population of endangered mountain gorillas.

The journey takes you through changing landscapes, including Uganda’s green countryside, rolling hills and local communities. Depending on the selected route, there may be opportunities to stop for photographs and cultural interactions.

Arrive in Bwindi and check into your lodge.

Overnight in Bwindi.

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

Today is the highlight of your Uganda gorilla safari.

After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for briefing before entering the rainforest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. Gorilla trekking can take several hours depending on where the gorillas are located.

Once you find the gorillas, you will have an unforgettable opportunity to observe them as they feed, rest, play and interact within their natural environment.

The experience offers not only incredible wildlife encounters but also an important lesson about conservation and the protection of mountain gorillas.

Return to your lodge after the trek and relax.

Overnight in Bwindi.

Day 4: Bwindi – Entebbe/Kampala – Nairobi, Kenya

After breakfast, begin your journey back toward Entebbe for your flight to Nairobi, Kenya.

Nairobi is one of Africa’s most important safari gateways. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for relaxation.

Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time to explore parts of Nairobi or simply rest before the next stage of your safari.

Overnight in Nairobi.

Day 5: Nairobi – Maasai Mara National Reserve

After breakfast, depart Nairobi for the legendary Maasai Mara National Reserve.

The journey takes you through the scenic Great Rift Valley, where you can stop at viewpoints for photographs before continuing toward the Mara.

Arrive at your lodge or tented camp, have lunch and later enjoy your first game drive.

The Maasai Mara is famous for its large populations of lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, cheetahs and numerous other wildlife species.

Overnight in Maasai Mara.

Day 6: Full-Day Maasai Mara Big Five Safari

Spend a full day exploring the Maasai Mara on game drives.

The reserve is one of Kenya’s premier wildlife destinations and provides excellent opportunities to search for the African Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhinoceros.

You may also encounter cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas and numerous antelope species.

If your safari takes place during the appropriate migration period, the Mara can also provide spectacular opportunities to witness wildebeest and other migrating animals entering Kenya.

An optional cultural visit to a Maasai community can provide insight into traditional lifestyles, customs and conservation practices.

Overnight in Maasai Mara.

Day 7: Maasai Mara – Nairobi

Enjoy an early morning game drive before breakfast. Morning is an excellent time for wildlife viewing because many animals are active before the heat of the day.

After breakfast, depart the Maasai Mara and return to Nairobi.

Spend the afternoon relaxing or exploring Nairobi, depending on your schedule.

Overnight in Nairobi.

Day 8: Nairobi – Arusha, Tanzania

Today, continue your East African adventure into Tanzania.

Travel to Arusha, one of Tanzania’s principal safari towns and a major gateway to the country’s northern safari circuit.

After arrival, check into your hotel and relax. Your safari team will brief you about the upcoming Serengeti and Ngorongoro experiences.

Overnight in Arusha.

Day 9: Arusha – Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, depart Arusha for Serengeti National Park.

The Serengeti is one of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife destinations, famous for its vast savannahs, predators and annual wildebeest migration.

Depending on your route and timing, you can enjoy wildlife viewing along the way. As you approach the Serengeti, the landscape opens into expansive grasslands where large herds of animals can often be seen.

Continue with an afternoon game drive before heading to your accommodation.

Overnight in the Serengeti.

Day 10: Full-Day Serengeti Great Migration Safari

Today is dedicated to exploring the Serengeti.

The Great Migration is one of the world’s most remarkable wildlife spectacles. Millions of wildebeest, accompanied by large numbers of zebras and other herbivores, move through the Serengeti ecosystem in search of fresh grazing and water.

The exact location of the herds changes throughout the year, so the best migration experience depends on the season and current animal movements.

Your guide will track wildlife activity and select areas offering the best possible opportunities for sightings.

Apart from migration herds, Serengeti offers excellent opportunities to see lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, hippos and many other species.

Overnight in the Serengeti.

Day 11: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Enjoy a morning game drive in the Serengeti before continuing toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

The journey offers additional opportunities to observe wildlife and appreciate the changing scenery.

Arrive near the Ngorongoro Crater and settle into your accommodation.

The Ngorongoro region is renowned for its spectacular volcanic landscape and exceptional concentration of wildlife.

Overnight near Ngorongoro.

Day 12: Ngorongoro Crater Safari – Karatu

After an early breakfast, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full or extended game drive.

The crater provides an extraordinary wildlife setting, with grasslands, forests, wetlands and a soda lake supporting diverse wildlife.

Look out for lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos and numerous bird species. With good fortune, you may also encounter the endangered black rhinoceros.

After exploring the crater, ascend and continue to your accommodation in the Karatu area.

Overnight in Karatu.

Day 13: Karatu – Tarangire National Park – Arusha

After breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park, famous for its large elephant populations, ancient baobab trees and seasonal wildlife concentrations.

Enjoy a game drive through the park while looking for elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, lions and numerous bird species.

Tarangire offers a different atmosphere from the Serengeti, with its distinctive landscapes and impressive baobab-studded scenery.

After the safari, continue to Arusha.

Overnight in Arusha.

Day 14: Arusha – Nairobi/Entebbe

Depending on your international flight schedule, today you will travel from Arusha toward your onward destination.

For travelers continuing through Kenya, arrangements can be made for onward travel to Nairobi. Alternatively, flights can be organized according to your international departure plans.

This provides a flexible final day for the three-country East African safari.

Overnight according to your travel arrangements.

Day 15: Departure

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Your 15-Day Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania Safari comes to an end, leaving you with memories of mountain gorillas, African savannahs, the Big Five, Maasai culture, the Serengeti and the extraordinary Great Migration.

Why Combine Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania?

A multi-country East African safari allows travelers to experience three destinations with very different strengths.

Uganda provides the opportunity for an intimate mountain gorilla trekking experience in the ancient forests of Bwindi.

Kenya is famous for its exceptional wildlife viewing, the Maasai Mara, cultural experiences and spectacular savannah landscapes.

Tanzania completes the adventure with the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and opportunities to experience the Great Migration.

Combining the three countries therefore creates a diverse itinerary rather than concentrating on a single type of wildlife experience.

Best Time for This Uganda Kenya Tanzania Safari

The best time depends on what you want to experience.

For gorilla trekking in Uganda, the activity can be undertaken throughout the year. Drier periods can make trekking conditions more manageable, although rainfall is possible at any time in the rainforest.

For the Maasai Mara and Serengeti, wildlife viewing is generally excellent throughout much of the year. Travelers specifically interested in the Great Migration should plan according to the seasonal movement of the herds.

Because migration patterns depend on rainfall, grazing conditions and animal movements, there is no single guaranteed date or location for witnessing every stage of the migration.

Mandrill African Safaris can help you choose travel dates based on your preferred wildlife experiences.

Gorilla Trekking and the Great Migration: A Perfect Combination

Few African journeys combine two experiences as dramatically as gorilla trekking and the Great Migration.

In Uganda, you leave the vehicle behind and walk through dense rainforest in search of a gorilla family. The experience is intimate, quiet and deeply connected to the forest.

In Tanzania and Kenya, the environment changes completely. Vast savannahs stretch toward the horizon while herds of wildebeest and zebras move across the plains, followed by predators such as lions, cheetahs and hyenas.

This contrast makes a Uganda Kenya Tanzania safari particularly rewarding for travelers seeking a comprehensive East African wildlife adventure.

What Makes This Safari Special?

This itinerary is ideal for travelers who want:

• Gorilla trekking in Uganda
• Big Five safari in Kenya
• Great Migration safari in Tanzania
• Serengeti wildlife experiences
• Ngorongoro Crater exploration
• Maasai cultural experiences
• Scenic landscapes across East Africa
• A professionally organized multi-country safari
• A combination of primates, predators and large mammals

Rather than choosing between gorillas and traditional savannah wildlife, this journey allows you to experience both.

Safari Inclusions

Depending on the final package selected, the safari can include:

• Airport transfers
• Private safari transportation
• Professional English-speaking safari guide
• Gorilla trekking permit
• Accommodation
• Meals as specified in the itinerary
• Game drives
• Park and conservation fees
• Bottled drinking water during safari
• Selected cultural experiences
• Cross-border and domestic travel arrangements where applicable

Safari Exclusions

The following may be excluded unless specifically requested:

• International flights
• Visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Personal shopping
• Alcoholic and premium drinks
• Laundry services
• Tips and gratuities
• Optional activities
• Personal expenses
• Additional accommodation outside the itinerary

Book Your 15-Day East African Safari with Mandrill African Safaris

A 15-Day Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania Safari is an exceptional way to discover the diversity of East Africa. From the intimate encounter with mountain gorillas in Bwindi to the Big Five of the Maasai Mara and the dramatic wildlife landscapes of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, this safari delivers a remarkable combination of adventure, wildlife and culture.

Mandrill African Safaris specializes in tailor-made East African safari experiences and can customize this itinerary according to your preferred accommodation level, travel dates, budget, gorilla trekking sector, wildlife interests and migration season.

Whether you are planning a first African safari, a wildlife photography adventure, a honeymoon or a once-in-a-lifetime family journey, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania offer an extraordinary combination of experiences.

Contact Mandrill African Safaris today to customize and book your 15-day East African safari.

Mandrill African Safaris
Rwamugyenyi Business Center
P.O. Box 185357, Kampala, Uganda
Tel: +256 783 521691 / +256 700104217
Email: info@mandrillafricasafaris.com
Website: mandrillafricasafaris.com