Tag: wildebeest migration

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What to Do in Masai Mara National Park- Kenya

8 Days Luxury East Africa Safari Experience

What to Do in Masai Mara National Park

What to Do in Masai Mara
Lions in Masai Mara Plains

The jewel in the crown of Kenyan safari, Masai Mara National Reserve is a bucket-list travel destination renowned for its iconic wildlife (the Big Cats, elephants, giraffes, zebras and the famous Mara River Crossings of the Great Migration from July to September), there is a wide range of activities to do in this iconic Kenya safari destination.

The Mara is an incredible Kenya safari destination, named after the local Maasai People who have lived in the area for centuries. The reserve is worldly famous for its high concentrations of lions, leopards and cheetahs, making it a rewarding destination for wildlife spotting. Masai Mara is also famous for the Great Migration, every year between July and October, thousands of wildebeests together with zebras and Thomson’s gazelles cross to and from the Serengeti and you can witness them on game drives and hot air balloon safari experiences.

Masai Mara National Reserve offers a number of exhilarating safari experiences tailored to offer you the best on your African safari, as listed and detailed below.

Game Drives in Masai Mara National Reserve

Game drives are the most popular safari experience to do in Masai Mara, the morning and afternoon game drive are a cherry on the cake in Masai Mara, and all – day game drives are common especially during the Great Migration. Usually there is a bush breakfast under a shady acacia tree or a mobile sundowner bar to complete the experience too.

Due to the abundance of wildlife and spectacular landscapes, game drives in Masai Mara National Reserve are one of the most unforgettable experiences to do. Visitors can expect to encounter large number of animals year round, with big herds of buffaloes, elephants and other plains game drive. It is also common to see predator interaction.

What to Do in Masai Mara
Game Drives in Masai Mara

Night Game Drives in Masai Conservancies

Under the silence of the night, set out from your lodge in a safari vehicle to spy on the wildlife as the Masai Mara comes alive with a whole new cast of creatures – nocturnal wildlife. The night time of Masai Mara belongs to predators, lions and leopards slink between the trees, sniffing out hidden plains game, and hyenas howl in excitement as they look for leftovers. In the quiet of the evening, scan the brush for a pair of glowing eyes, then try and figure out if they belong to aardvark, bush baby or even the shy civet. Your guides knows where to get the best sightings and won’t let any rustle go unnoticed.

Spot Wildlife on a Guided Walk in Masai Mara

Leave your safari vehicle and step out onto the wide open grasslands in the early morning dew or the afternoon sunshine to experience Masai Mara National Reserve up-close. Your ranger guide will take you to areas that cannot be accessed by safari vehicles, from the ground up, there is something to see including spotted hyenas racking across your path, the martial eagle whose cry echoes across the skies and watch several safari icons like giraffes, elephants and wildebeests wandering around, although from far away.

Go on hot air balloon safari in Masai Mara

As the sun rises, hop to aboard on a hot air balloon and watch breathtaking views appear in technicolor as dawn breaks over the Masai Mara. The early morning winds will guide your balloon as you enjoy the pure magic of a safari from the air.

As you glide, Masai Mara’s most iconic wildlife species unveil themselves to you, watching snoozing prides of lion among the acacias, elephants marching across the plains and hippos basking in the river. If you are on a Masai Mara Safari between August and November, you may even see the Great Wildebeest Migration spilling over the savannah. When you land, toast the experience with a glass of champagne and enjoy a hearty breakfast in the bush before returning to the lodge.

What to Do in Masai Mara
Wildebeest Migration in Masai Mara National Reserve

Witness the famous Great Migration in Maasai Mara

Dubbed one of the greatest wildlife shows on earth, the Great Migration also known as Annual Wildebeest Migration becomes an even more thrilling sight as the tsunami of stomping wildebeest run the terrifying gauntlet of crossing the Mara River from Tanzania’s Serengeti to enter Masai Mara Plains.

From August the wildebeests together with zebras and gazelles begin to gather along the river banks ready to cross from the Serengeti into the Masai Mara. As they build up the courage to face the crocodile – laden waters the big cats – cheetahs, lions and leopards stalk in hot pursuit. Maasai Mara National Reserve hosts the largest concentration of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles as they make their annual pilgrimage, before returning to Tanzania in November.

No words can describe the sheer adrenaline of watching this spectacle and your guide will know where to find the best vantage point on a game drive to remember.

What to Do in Masai Mara
Maasai Men

Meet the Maasai and learn about their culture

Your Masai Mara Safari is never complete without meeting the Maasai people – the true keepers of Kenya. The Maasai are one of the famous tribes in Kenya, often seen dressed in traditional red shukas and ornate beadwork with a spear in hand, meeting the warriors of the centuries – old Maasai tribe is an honor. Visit a local Manyatta, where you will hear the stories and legends that have been passed down for generations, listen to traditional songs around the fire and see the endless landscape through new eyes.

When to Go for a Masai Mara Safari

Masai Mara National Reserve is a year round destination, however the best time to visit for a safari is from June – October. These months fall in the dry season coinciding with the peak season, characterized by high numbers of visitors and arrival of the Great Wildebeest Migration.

How to Get to Masai Mara For a Safari

Masai Mara National Reserve is located 270 kilometers northwest of Nairobi – the capital of Kenya, from here you can choose either to fly to use road to get to the reserve. Flying is probably the easiest way to get to Masai Mara National Reserve, there are many airstrips handling domestic flights to reserve.

By Road – it is a journey of approximately 4-5 hours through the Great Rift Valley and the Narok Village.

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Masai Mara National Park Hot Air Balloon Safari

Masai Mara Balloon Safari

Masai Mara National Park Hot Air Balloon Safari

Ride over Masai Mara National Reserve on an unforgettable hot air balloon, offering a unique vantage point to witness Africa’s iconic wildlife and landscapes. This Masai Mara safari begins before dawn at the launch site, so expect to be picked up from your safari lodge. As the balloon flight prepares for lift-off, you will join other visitors for safety briefing while the burners ignite and illuminate the early morning darkness and gently ascend for a breathtaking hot air balloon ride over the vast plains of the Masai Mara.

Silently float above the plains, rivers and forests, enjoy panoramic views of wildlife from a unique aerial vantage point. Masai Mara Balloon Safari offers a serene, once-in-a lifetime perspective on the beauty of Masai Mara National Reserve.

Masai Mara Balloon Safari
Hot air balloon above Masai Mara Plains

After approximately an hour, your balloon safari in Masai Mara National Reserve concludes with a traditional celebration – the champagne breakfast: in the time-honored tradition of balloon flights the world over, toast your return to earth with sparkling wine and enjoy a delicious breakfast that is set up and served at a very special spot under acacia trees. This thrilling experience ends with a game drive back to your camp.

What to Expect on Your Masai Mara Balloon Safari

A Masai Mara balloon safaris offers a once in a lifetime perspective of the vast African wilderness. As the sun begins to rise of the golden savannah, you will gently ascend in a hot air balloon, floating silently above the golden plains of the most famous reserve in Kenya. This early morning experience provides a breathtaking aerial view of wildebeest herds, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, and even the big cats, often before they have moved into the cover of thicker bush, from the scotching sunlight.

The flight lasts around one hour, gliding with the breeze above meandering rivers, acacia – dotted landscapes, and during the Great Wildebeest Migration season, the dramatic movement of wildebeest cross the Mara. The silence and serenity of the balloon allow for incredible wildlife photography and an unmatched appreciation of the scale of the Masai Mara ecosystem.

After landing, the climax of the experience is the delicious traditional bush breakfast with sparkling wine/Prosecco, served at al fresco in the heart of the Mara Triangle adding a luxurious touch to your Masai Mara sunrise safari.

Whether it is your first safari or a return visit to Kenya, a Masai Mara Balloon Safari delivers awe, elegance, and an entirely new angle on Africa’s most famous wildlife spectacle.

Masai Mara Balloon Safari

Take Off at Dawn Over the Savannah

Your Masai Mara Balloon Safari begins before sunrise, as you are driven to the launch site under a canopy of stars. As dawn breaks, the hot air balloon inflates and you gently rise above the sleeping golden savannah, just as the landscape is bathed in soft golden light. This early hour is when wildlife is most active, and from your elevated vantage point, you will spot elephants, lions, giraffes and during migration season, vast herds of wildebeests together with zebras and gazelles beginning their day. The tranquility of floating silently over the plains offers a striking contrast to the rugged adventure of a traditional game drive. The panoramic views of the Mara River, winding tracks and open grasslands are breathtaking, especially during the Annual Wildebeest Migration when the savannah teems with life.

Taking off at dawn not only ensures magical lighting for photography, but also sets the tone for an extraordinary day on safari in Masai Mara – one of the most celebrated wilderness areas in Kenya.

Spectacular Views of Wildlife and Landscapes

A balloon safari over the Masai Mara plains delivers awe-inspiring views of both wildlife and the vast savannah landscape of East Africa. From your elevated position, elephants wandering through the bush, giraffes browsing treetops and lions stalking prey across the plains, all without disturbing their natural behavior.

The sweeping aerial perspective showcases the Mara’s diverse terrain, rolling grasslands, acacia woodlands, winding rivers, and distant escarpments that frame the horizon. During the Great Wildebeest Migration, you may see thousands of animals spread across the savannah, a truly humbling sight that few have got to experience.

The bird’s eye view allows for unique photographic opportunities and a deeper appreciation of the Mara ecosystem that supports one of the highest densities of wildlife in Africa. Whether you are a seasoned safari goer or a first-time visitor, the visual drama of a Masai Mara balloon safari ride is an unforgettable highlight of any Kenya Safari.

Masai Mara Balloon Safari
After landing you are treated to a champgne bush breakfast

The Traditional Champagne Bush Breakfast at Landing

After the unforgettable balloon safari over the Masai Mara, your experience continues with a luxurious bush breakfast served in the heart of the wilderness. As you balloon gently touches down, you will be met by a beautifully set table under the open sky – complete with linen, fresh Kenyan coffee, chilled bubbly, and a freshly prepared breakfast.

This serene setting allows you to relax, reflect, and recount the highlights of your flight while surrounded by the sights and sounds of the African bush. It is a moment of clam indulgence that contrasts beautifully with the thrill of your sunrise safari adventure.

Dining al fresco in the wild, with panoramic views and wildlife in the distance, is an iconic part of the hot air balloon safari in Kenya. The traditional champagne bush breakfast adds a touch of elegance and exclusivity to the Masai Mara balloon safari, making the experience not only a highlight of your Masai Mara safari, but a memory you will cherish for life.

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Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration

Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration

Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration

Embark on an unforgettable wildlife journey to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration in Masai Mara National Reserve – Kenya’s renowned reserve and one of the most famous wildlife destinations in the world.

The Great Wildebeest Migration is one of the world’s most dramatic natural spectacles and between July and October, witness the ae-inspiring Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration, as over 1.5 million wildebeests, alongside vast herds of zebras and gazelles, journey from Tanzania’s Serengeti to Kenya’s Masai Mara.

Across the open plains of the Mara, endless of columns of wildlife stretch to the horizon, they come the feed on the notorious grass. Their presence attracts predators like lion, cheetah, leopards and hyenas. Above vultures and eagles circle, sensing the feast below.

The crossing of the Mara River (Mara River Crossing) is a key highlight of the Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration. Wildebeests plunge into swirling waters where crocodiles lie in wait, creating unforgettable scenes of bravery and survival.

Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration
Wildebeest Migration in Masai Mara National Reserve

What is the Great Wildebeest Migration?

The Great Wildebeest Migration is one of the most spectacular wildlife events on earth, often referred to as the “Greatest Wildlife Show on Earth.” Every year, over 1.5 million wildebeests, accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebras, gazelles, and other herbivores, embark on a circular journey across the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya. This annual migration is driven by the search for fresh grazing and water, making it a continual movement dictated by the rains.

The migration involves dramatic river crossings, particularly at the Mara River, where the animals plunge into crocodile-infested waters, closely watched by predators such as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas. This thrilling and often perilous journey is a must-see for anyone seeking a true African safari experience in Masai Mara.

Why the Masai Mara Is the Best Place to See the Migration

Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve is widely regarded as the best place to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration, thanks to its unparalleled density of wildlife, open savannah landscapes, and iconic river crossings. One of the most dramatic highlights of the migration is the Mara River crossings, where thousands of animals brave strong currents and lurking crocodiles.

Game drives in Masai Mara during this time offer front-row seats to this heart-stopping spectacle, along with frequent sightings of predators like lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas in action.

Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration
Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration

When to visit Kenya for the Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration

The best time to witness the wildebeest migration in Kenya’s Masai Mara is typically from July to October, when herds cross into the Mara from the Serengeti in Tanzania. This is the peak of the Great Migration safari season, offering a front-row seat to some of the most thrilling wildlife encounters on earth.

July to August: The Arrival & First Crossings

In July, the migration begins to arrive in the Masai Mara. By August, thousands of wildebeests gather on the banks of the Mara River, staging for the famous river crossings, intense, chaotic events where herds plunge into the crocodile-infested waters. The period is ideal for witness high – stakes drama and predator action on daily Masai Mara game drives.

September to October: Grazing & Predator Encounters

By September, the herds spread out across the Mara’s lush grasslands. Wildlife viewing is exceptional, with predators closely trailing the herds. During this time, game drives in Masai Mara offer excellent opportunities for photography and immersive wildlife experiences.

While nature is entirely unpredictable, planning your Kenya migration adventure between July and October gives you the best chance to witness this awe-insipring natural event.

Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration
Governor’s Il Mara Camp

Where are the Best Places to Stay a Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration?

Accommodations in Masai Mara to stay to witness the Wildebeest Migration is divided into two categories that is permanent lodges and mobile camps. Each of these has different advantages, but choosing one depends on what is important to you as discussed below.

Bathrooms

Mobile Camps
  • En suite tents with flush toilets
  • Usually bucket showers
  • Basins may use jug water
  • There may not be running water
Permanent Camps
  • En suite with hot-and-cold running water
  • Plumbed showers
  • Flush toilets
  • Maybe bathtubs
  • Maybe outdoor showers

Wi-Fi

Mobile Camps
  • Not always

Permanent Lodges

  • Usually

Power/Electricity

Mobile Camps

  • Solar
  • Generator

Permanent Lodges

  • Solar
  • Generator

In-room Charging

Mobile Camps

  • Generally communal charging point

Permanent Lodges

  • Usually

Tips on Choosing Migration Safari Accommodation

  • Book your accommodation in Masai Mara as soon as you know you want to go, do not procrastinate as lodges and camps are small and fill up very quickly
  • The river crossing season is the most popular, so start planning at least a year in advance
  • If you wat inter-connecting tents or family suites, book as early as possible as there are limited numbers of these available
  • If you are traveling with young children, consider fenced accommodation, babysitting services and your own private game drive vehicle.
  • If you have mobility challenges, ask for rooms as close to the mess areas as possible to avoid long walks, often on soft sand.
  • If you are on a budget, choose good-value accommodation so that you have extra time on safari. This increases your chances of seeing births, kills or crossings.

Our Recommended Accommodations in Masai Mara.

  • Olonana Lodge
  • Encounter Mara
  • Governor’s Mara Camp
  • andBeyond Bateleur Camp
  • Rekero Camp
  • Saruni Basecamp Masai Mara
  • Great Plains Mara Plains Camp

 

 

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A Typical Day on Safari in East Africa and What to Expect

10 Days Bwindi and Masai Mara Safari

A Typical Day on Safari in East Africa and What to Expect

Each day on a safari in East Africa is a magical experience, whether you are exploring the savannah on foot or in a 4×4 safari vehicle in search of the Big 5, soaring above the sky in a hot-air balloon to witness the large columns of the Great Wildebeest Migration, or hiking through the thick rainforests of Rwanda or Uganda on a gorilla trek. Every single day is steeped in the promise of a unique experience and cherished memories.

Imagine walking up to the musical calls of a multitude of birds and the sight of a radiant sunrise painting the vast plains in hues of orange and pink. This enchanting start of an average day on safari in East Africa, a day that promises unparalleled wildlife experience and memories to last a lifetime.

A Typical Day on Safari in East Africa and What to Expect
Giraffes in Serengeti National Park

Dawn: the Early Riser’s Reward

For those who believe in the saying that the early bird catches the worm, a safari in East Africa offers the best kind of validation. Daybreak is when the magic starts. Wrapped in the gentle chill of an African morning, guest head out on a game drive.

The early expedition provides the opportunity to see the nocturnal creatures retiring from their night’s hunting and the rest of the wildlife rousing to begin their day before the humidity starts to rise.

For photographers, this time of day offers a soft light to bring a magical quality of the landscape.

Mid-Morning: Game Viewing and Bush Brunches

A few hours of exploring the savannahs and observing wildlife by mid-morning, it is time to enjoy a sumptuous bush breakfast. Often this comprises fresh fruits, pastries, a variety of tasty treats, and of course, a steaming cup of aromatic East African coffee. The experience of dining in the middle of bush, with perhaps an inquisitive giraffe or baboon looking on from a distance is both surreal and delightful.

With full tummies, you will enjoy a leisurely game drive back to the camp.

A Typical Day on Safari in East Africa and What to Expect
Elephant drinking water at a swimming pool

Afternoon: Siesta and Leisure

The African sun can be intense around the middle of the day. Much like human observers, animals prefer to seek out the cool of the shade where they rest during these hours.

Enjoy a tranquil lunch, after which you can use this time for a siesta in your room or relax with a book in a shady spot. Some of the lodges and camps offer a swimming pool where you can cool off with a dip.

Late Afternoon: Magic Hour

As the shadows grow longer, the savannah plains come alive once more. The wildlife is more active again, making a late afternoon game drive a most rewarding experience. Predators like lion, cheetah, and leopards become more active as they prepare for their evening hunt.

As the sun sets, your guide will select a scenic spot where you will hop out of the game drive vehicle and enjoy a refreshing sundowner drink and some nibbles in the bush. There is simply no better way to close out the day’s wildlife viewing

A Typical Day on Safari in East Africa and What to Expect
Campfire at the Lodge

Evening: Campfire Stores and Stargazing

After a day of exploring and enjoying the day’s adventures, you will have time to freshen up after your day’s adventures before you sit down for a sumptuous dinner. A safari tradition is to gather around the campfire also known as the Bush TV, sharing tales of the day’s sightings and adventures and often chatting well into the night.

Also, nighttime reveals another treasure, the African sky, dotted with more stars than you can imagine. Few places remain where you can see starts in all their glory, like East Africa, far from the light pollution of cities.

The ever-changing theatre

The beauty of an East Africa safari is that no two days are really the same. While this describes the average day, you can explore Africa’s wilderness in various ways; on a hot air balloon safaris, guided walking safari or even a cultural experience.

For a completely exclusive East Africa safari experience where each day on safari is 100% customized to your needs and preference, get in touch with our safari consultants who are well knowledgeable and experience about East Africa and its destinations to curate a perfect safari itinerary for you

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Solio Game Reserve

Solio Game Reserve

Solio Game Reserve

A safe haven to rhinos, the Solio Game Reserve is a privately-owned wildlife conservancy in the Greater Laikipia Region, located between Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Mountains. The reserve plays a major part in the protection and breeding of black rhinos recognized as one of the most successful in Kenya.

Solio Game Reserve has an area of 17,500 acre reserve comprising of acacia forest, traversed by a river center to the conservancy. The reserve is a sanctuary to approximately 200 rhinos as well as other several wildlife species including lions, cheetahs, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras and warthogs among others. Solio also offers some of the best leopard viewing in Kenya and is an ideal place for bird watching.

Solio Game Reserve
Rhinos in Solio Ranch

The Solio Game Reserve also known as Solio Ranch used to be a working cattle ranch, however in 1973 part of it was turned into a wildlife sanctuary resulting in to rhinos and wildlife coming back to the area. Today, it is a 49,000 acre ranch with 19,000 acres of wildlife sanctuary for black and white rhinos. The rhinos here live in harmoniously with other animals, such as buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, elands, antelopes, waterbucks and warthogs.

Solio Game Reserve is one of the best places for spotting rhinos in Kenya. The reserve is an ideal stop on a northern safari and the main attraction is the chance to see both black and white rhinos. This small reserve is also home to lions, leopards, cheetahs, various antelope species and a wide variety of birdlife. Additionally, visitors have the option to explore the reserve on foot by mountain bike or on horseback.

Climate in Solio Game Reserve

Generally Kenya has a cold season from June to November with average temperatures of 20°C during the day. Nights can be cold during this season, so it is a good idea to carry a sweater. Mid-October to November is the short rainy season, with temperatures rising up to 30°C during the day from December to April.

April and May receives showers again as it is the long rainy season. Normally it doesn’t rain throughout the day as one see sunny mornings with rain clouds building up towards the afternoons and evenings.

Wildlife in Solio Game Reserve

The rhinos are the start attractions in the Solio Game Reserve, however the reserve is home to a variety of wildlife including lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas, as well as elands, oryx, impalas, waterbuck, warthogs, buffaloes, zebras and giraffes.

Birdlife in Solio Game Reserve

Solio Game Reserve is listed among the best birding destinations in Kenya, home to over 300 bird species thriving in diverse ecosystem, ranging from acacia woodland to wetlands. These birds include vultures, eagles, buzzards, sunbirds, weavers, hornbills, crowned cranes, secretary birds, kori bustards, and the striking Martial Eagle among others.

Solio Wildlife Game Experience

Visitors find that sightings of up to 40 rhinos on one game drive at a time are not uncommon here. This wildlife experience here is intense and exclusive with just the one luxury lodge with five cottages in the middle of it all.

Enjoy exploring this exclusive wildlife reserve by jumping on a horse, bike or even in a helicopter – an ultimate luxury experience.

Solio Game Reserve
Horseback riding in Solio Game Reserve

Activities to Do in Solio Game Reserve

Visit the Solio Rhino Orphanage

The Solio Rhino Orphanage is a rescue and rehabilitation centre for abandoned baby rhinos found in Solio Game Reserve. Here a team of dedicated keepers care for baby rhinos, nursing them back to strength and health with the ultimate aim of releasing them back into the wild. From time to time, the orphanage also cares for other abandoned baby animals found on the reserve, including impalas, eland and zebras. Each orphan at this orphanage has a unique story and guests have the opportunity to learn about their backgrounds, recovery journeys and the long-term conservation efforts that support their reintegration into the wild.

Game Drives

Game drives in Solio Game Reserve allow visitors to enjoy peaceful mornings, afternoons and evening game viewing in one of Kenya’s least busy private game reserves. The reserve is home to abundant wildlife, making for easy and plentiful sightings, meaning there is no need to rush out first thing, unless you want to.

Game drives allow you the opportunity to spend time with the prolific numbers of black and white rhino and spot four out of the Big Five – there are no elephants at Solio Game Reserve as they have been purposely fenced out to preserve the vegetation for the endangered black rhino. Other wildlife species to lookout for include elands, reticulated giraffes, elands, waterbucks, lions, leopards and many other species.

Walking Safaris

Explore the African bush of Solio Game Reserve on foot offering a completely different and deeply immersive safari experience. In Solio Game Reserve the walking safari take place on Solio Ranch, just outside the core fenced rhino sanctuary in a safe and wildlife – rich area of the conservancy.

On this experience you are accompanied by one of expert walking guides, you will set off to discover the smaller details of the wilderness that are sometimes missed on game drives. Learn to identify animal tracks and signs such as paw prints, dung middens, feeding marks and scent trails. As you stroll through the reserve’s scenic landscape, your guide will introduce you to local plants and trees, some of which have traditional medicinal uses still known and used by local communities.

Horse riding

Horse riding in Solio Game Reserve offers unique and peaceful way to explore the reserve’s landscape and wildlife. Whether you are a complete beginner or an advanced rider, Solio Lodge’s team will tailor the experience to suit your ability and comfort level. For seasoned/confident riders, there are wide – open plains just beyond the core rhino sanctuary. Perfect for exhilarating canters. For visitors interested in a gentler pace, scenic walking rides offer a relaxed way to take in the natural surroundings.

Best Time to visit Solio Game Reserve

Due to Kenya’s tropical climate, wildlife viewing at Solio Game Reserve is excellent year round. However, the best times to visit are during the dry seasons, from June to October and from January to mid- March.

The main dry season which is from June to October offers the best wildlife viewing. However, note that it is a high season with a number of visitors in Kenya being high than usual.

Temperature wise, the afternoon temperatures reach 25°C (77°F), while temperatures fall rapidly at dusk.

The shorts arrive from November to December, this season also offers good wildlife viewing with slightly lower prices.

Mid-March to March are long rainy season, marking the low season in Kenya and it can rail daily making the routes to the reserve impassable.

Where to Stay in Solio Game Reserve

There are only two safari lodges in Solio that is

  • Rhino Watch Safari Lodge
  • Solio Lodge
Getting to Solio Game Reserve

Solio Game Reserve is located 175 kilometers north of Nairobi between Aberdare National Park and Mount Kenya National Park, and can be accessed by road and air.

By road, it is a journey of 4.5 drive from Nairobi – the capital of Kenya and by air, domestic and charter flights from Wilson Airport are available. Flight time is 45 minutes.

Solio Game Reserve is an ideal stop during a northern Kenya safari providing a secluded experience.

 

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10 Days Tanzania and Kenya Safari

10 Days Tanzania and Kenya Safari

10 Days Tanzania and Kenya Safari

This 10 Days Tanzania and Kenya Safari is perfect for visitors dreaming of visit Tanzania and Kenya on a single East Africa safari itinerary. On this tour you will visit Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, Lake Manyara National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. Your journey continues to Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve and Lake Nakuru National Park.

10 Days Tanzania and Kenya Safari
Lions in Masai Mara Plains

Highlights of 10 Days Tanzania and Kenya Safari

Day 1: Pick up, Tarangire National Park Game Drive

Day 2: Lake Manyara national park Game Drive, Guided Walking Safari

Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater Drive and Maasai Bomas

Day 4: Drive to Serengeti, Game Drive

Day 5: Full Day Serengeti Game Drive

Day 6: Transfer to Masai Mara National Reserve

Day 7&8: Full day game drive in Maasai Mara

Day 9: Drive to Lake Nakuru national park, Game Drive

Day 10: Departure

Detailed Itinerary of 10 Days Tanzania and Kenya Safari

Day 1: Pick up, Tarangire National Park Game Drive

Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, meet our company representative – your driver guide and transfer to Tarangire National Park – a beautiful park with an impressive landscape dotted with baobab trees and famous for its large herds of elephants.

On arrival in the park you will embark on a game drive on which you will see several animals including large herds of elephants, buffalos, giraffes, lions, warthogs, zebras and several species among others. Enjoy a picnic lunch and continue exploring the park till evening. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Heritage Manyara Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner.

Day 2: Lake Manyara national park Game Drive, Guided Walking Safari

Enjoy breakfast served at the lodge and with your packed lunch boxes, proceed into the wilderness of Tarangire for a morning game drive. Enjoy sighting of several wildlife species including elephants, leopards, buffaloes and several bird species recorded to be over 400 bird species.

After picnic lunch and short relax, exit the park and drive to Lake Manyara National Park where you will engage in a guided walking safari, exploring the park and enjoy close encounter with nature and wildlife. Proceed to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Tloma Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

10 Days Tanzania and Kenya Safari
Ngorongoro Crater – Tanzania

 

Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater Drive and Maasai Bomas

Enjoy an early breakfast as you prepare for a drive to Ngorongoro Crater, descend 600 meters into the crater for a game drive. Lookout for several wildlife species including elephants, lions, buffaloes, hippos, wildebeests, hyenas, dik-dik, antelopes and warthogs among others.

You will also visit Lake Magadi at the corner of Ngorongoro Crater where you will see flocks of flamingoes along the shores of this alkaline lake. After your game drive, return to your lodge for relaxation as you wait for dinner and overnight stay as above.

Accommodation: As above

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Drive to Serengeti, Game Drive

Enjoy breakfast and drive to Serengeti National Park arriving in the afternoon, after a picnic lunch you will go for a game drive searching for different wildlife species such as the Big 5 – lion, leopards, cape buffaloes, gazelles and several bird species. After the experience, drive to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Central Serengeti Tanzania Bush Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Full Day Serengeti Game Drive

After breakfast at the lodge, head out for a full day game drive in Serengeti National Park with your packed lunch boxes. The day is dedicated to explore the savannahs of the Serengeti and enjoy sightings of several wildlife species including lions, leopards, elands, wildebeests, gazelles, giraffes, cheetahs, hippos among others.

Enjoy picnic lunch along one of the picnic sites and continue exploring the park till evening, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation:  As Above

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

10 Days Tanzania and Kenya Safari
Serengeti Wildebeest

Day 6: Transfer to Masai Mara National Reserve

Enjoy breakfast at the lodge, proceed to drive to Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya via Isebania border where you will meet with your Kenya guide. Proceed to Masai Mara with en-route lunch, arrive in the evening, and check in at your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Mara Sopa Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7&8: Full day game drive in Maasai Mara

Spend these two days exploring Maasai Mara National Reserve on morning and afternoon game drives giving you opportunities to watch many animals such as lions, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, wildebeest, zebras and many more. Enjoy picnic lunch and proceed for another game drive. Dinner and overnight stay as above.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9: Drive to Lake Nakuru national park, Game Drive

Enjoy breakfast at your lodge in Masai Mara, check out of the lodge and journey to Lake Nakuru National Park across the rift valley escarpment as you enjoy the beautiful scenery around you. Arrive in time for lunch served at your lodge, in the afternoon you will go for a game drive during you will see several wildlife species such as giraffes, rhinos, gazelles, buffaloes, reedbucks, elands, impalas among others.

Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

10 Days Tanzania and Kenya Safari .
Pink Flamingoes on Lake Nakuru

 

Day 10: Departure

Today is your last day in the wilderness of Lake Nakuru National Park, you will have your breakfast, check out of your lodge and transfer back to Nairobi where you will be dropped off at the airport for your onward flight.

End of 10 Days Tanzania and Kenya Safari
Price Includes:
  • Airport Pick up and drop off as per itinerary
  • Safari vehicle and fuel, safari land cruiser in Kenya and Tanzania
  • Full time English speaking Guide/Driver.
  • All accommodation as indicated in the itinerary
  • All national park fees
  • All meals on the safari
  • All game viewing activities specified
  • Price quoted per person sharing
  • Kenya and Tanzania VAT on tourism activities and park fees
  • Concession and crater fees
  • Drinking water in the safari vehicle
Price excludes
  • Flights, visas and related costs.
  • Personal expenses like beverages, laundry, telephone calls, etc.
  • Optional excursions and activities not listed in the itinerary
  • Tips and gratuities
  • anything else not included in the itinerary

 

 

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Why Go On A Masai Mara Safari?

Why Go On A Masai Mara Safari?

Why Go On A Masai Mara Safari?

Located in Kenya’s southwest, Masai Mara National Reserve is the highlight of any safari to Kenya. The reserve spans 1,510 square kilometers of open plains, vachellia-dotted hills and the winding Mara River. It is home to more than two million wildebeest, zebra, gazelles during the Great Migration, and a year-round congregation of predators and prey.

Why Go On A Masai Mara Safari?
Wildlife in Masai Mara
A Masai Mara Safari is must have while on a Kenya Safari and here is why

  1. Fantastic, Year- Round Game Viewing

Game viewing in the Masai Mara is the most prominent experience to do and is excellent all year round thanks to its varied landscapes, wide open spaces, temperate climate and diverse array of wildlife species. The reserve’s endless savannah plains are home to safari heavyweights like elephants, lions, leopards, cape buffaloes, and rhinos.

Also you will enjoy incredible sightings of popular wildlife species like giraffes, hyenas, zebras, elands and gazelles. Sightings of rhinos are scare, but these endangered animals can be spotted in the Mara Triangle if you are lucky.

Masai Mara National Reserve is renowned for delivering exceptional big cat sightings – lions, leopards and cheetahs.

Cheetahs particularly are well adapted to the region’s flat plains, which makes the Mara one of the best places to see these nimble predators. Often, they seek vantage points on fallen trees, termite mounds, and even game drive vehicle. Cheetah sighting is a highlight of any Masai Mara safari to watch these world’s fastest land mammal chase down its prey.

The resident wildlife, temperate climate, diverse landscape and wide-open spaces make Masai Mara National Reserve a terrific year-round destination.

  1. Witness The Great Wildebeest Migration

From mid-July to November, Masai Mara National Reserve hosts one of nature’s greatest spectacles – the Great Migration. The sheer number of wildebeests arriving in the area is staggering, the herds are so big they can be observed from space.

The Great Wildebeest Migration is an annual migration – a dramatic mass movement of almost two million wildebeests, zebras and gazelles in a seasonal annual cycle drive by rainfall. To reach the fresh plains of Masai Mara from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, the wildebeests must make dramatic river crossings, facing enormous crocodiles that lie in wait.

Why Go On A Masai Mara Safari?
Wildebeest Migration in Masai Mara
Tips on witnessing the Great Wildebeest Migration in Masai Mara
  • Stay at accommodation with easy access to river crossing points
  • Get a bird’s eye view of the migration herds on a hot-air balloon safari
  • Staying in a private conservancy to escape the crowds and enjoy activities not permitted in the national reserve like going-off road, night game drives and nature walks.

During the high season (June to October), availability of well-located safari camps is limited. If you want front-row seats to the Wildebeest Migration in Masai Mara, you should book your Masai Mara Safari at least a year in advance.

  1. Experience a Hot – Air Balloon Safari

While on your Kenya Masai Mara Safari, combine the thrilling land-based game viewing in 44 safari vehicles with Maasai – guided nature walks and the hot-air balloon experience. On this Masai Mara Safari Experience you get a bird’s eye view of the Mara’s breathtaking landscape and even spot wildlife including large herds of wildebeests, watch the colorful sunrise painting the boundless plains a blend of red and orange.

Why Go On A Masai Mara Safari?
Balloon Flight in Masai Mara

The best flight paths follow the course of the Mara River, allowing you to peek down into the forests, float past vultures’ nests and observe the early-morning routines of boisterous hippos. After touching down onto the plains, you will be treated with a delicious bush breakfast with champagne.

Hot air balloon safari in Masai Mara is the perfect safari experience for a honeymoon or anniversary.

  1. Meet The Maasai People

The Maasai were the dominating tribe at the beginning of 20th Century, they are one of the very few tribes who have retained most of their traditions, lifestyle and customs. The nomadic and pastoralist Maasai people are a Nilotic ethnic group inhabiting selected but large parts of northern, central and southern Kenya and across the border in northern Tanzania as well.

The Maasai people are better known ethnic people in East Africa due to their traditional origins from areas surrounding Masai Mara National Reserve and Amboseli National Park near the Tanzania border. Although cattle ownership is still a central aspect of their culture, increased safari tourism has led many Maasai to become expert safari guides and camp managers.

Why Go On A Masai Mara Safari?
Maasai People’s high jumping dances

A Masai Mara Safari offers you plenty of opportunities to interact with Maasai guides and camp stuff, plus get a chance to visit local villages for a glimpse of their culture, lifestyle and traditions.

  1. Stay in a Private Conservancy

Masai Mara National Reserve is surrounded by a number of private conservancies that have quietly transformed conservation, supported community livelihoods, and improved the quality of game viewing in the region. These conservancies play a vital role in protecting wildlife while offering guests a more exclusive, flexible and immerse safari experience.

A conservancy is a very specific type of land and wildlife conservation area. Landowners enter into contracts with safari operators in return for monetary compensation and other assistance. This could include anything from educational and healthcare programmes that livestock and grazing management.

During the safari high season (about June to October), Masai Mara National Reserve gets crowded which is why were recommend staying in one of the neighboring private conservancies.  While staying in a private conservancy you get to enjoy the following

  • Enjoy superb, crowd-free game viewing
  • Have easy access to the national reserve for wildebeest migration scenes
  • Go off-road game viewing, night drives and guided nature walks which are not permitted in the national reserve
  • Contribute directly to local communities and conservation.
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Best Time for a Masai Mara Safari

This 10 Days Bwindi and Masai Mara Safari combined game safaris in Africa’s most iconic reserve – the Masai Mara and awe-inspiring encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This East Africa Safari adventure commences in Nairobi City of Kenya, explore the c

Best Time for a Masai Mara Safari

The main reason ten thousands of travelers visit Masai Mara National Reserve is to witness the world-famous Great Wildebeest Migration, so the best time to visit for a Masai Mara Safari is from about August to November. Due to the varying rainfall patterns, the exact timing varies year to year. In some years, the rains might be early and the herds will arrive and depart sooner, while other times the late rains mean the wildebeest arrive later and you will still find stragglers.

Best Time for a Masai Mara Safari
Sunset in Masai Mara

However, thanks to the reserve’s abundant resident wildlife and temperate climate, the Masai Mara is widely regarded as a fantastic year-round safari destination. Its wide and open plains mean there is virtually always something to see regardless of the time of year you visit.

Masai Mara Safari: High Season Vs Low Season

High / Peak Season Low / Green Season
About June to October About November to March
Highest rates Lowest rates
Need to book well in advance No need to book too far in advance
Cool and dry weather Hot and occasionally wet weather
Not many baby animals around Lots of baby animals around
Not many migrant birds to see Fantastic time for birdwatching
Most crowded Least crowded
Great photography conditions Greenest, most scenic landscapes with the best light of the year for photography

 

Travel Tip: Masai Mara National Reserve is also great between January and the end of March. Usually the weather is mild and dry, and most of the safari crowds are absent.

Month By Month Guide for Traveling to Masai Mara

Visiting Masai Mara from January to March

January is one of the warmest months of the year in Masai Mara National Reserve, this month is not as rainy as December, with an average of 15 days of rainfall throughout the month, and if it does rain it is usually just a short – burst shower in the afternoon. If you are a birding enthusiast, this is the best time to visit the Masai Mara as the migratory bird species from North Africa and Europe can be spotted frequenty in the Mara. January is also a calving (birthing season) and it is a time when new life is abundant.

In February – thousands of baby animals are born a day, and the birthing season carries on through until March. This is when to visit the Masai Mara. This is perfect time to visit Masai Mara National Reserve to avoid the crowds and to witness Africa’s bi cats stalking plains game. Also, it is a fantastic time for photographers because you will often have massive tracts of land and sightings all to yourself especially in the private conservancies of Masai Mara.

 Visiting Masai Mara During April and May

 

April is a low season month in Masai Mara with more rainfall than any other time of the year. It is lightly cooler than March but is still warm. This is the period of the long rains and some of the Masai Mara lodges and camp may close over this period to attend to general maintenance and refurbs, and to give their staff along and well- deserved break.

Slightly, there is less rainfall during May but it is still one of the wettest times of the year in the Masai Mara. This period does mark the start of some slightly cooler months in Kenya usually lasting until September. Dirt roads turn to sticky mud, river floods their banks, and the almost persistent drizzle never really allows for a sunny gap. However, predicting rain is the most inexact of sciences and you may find that one year May is washed out, while the next is dry.

Visiting Masai Mara from June to August

 

June marks the end of the long rains and the start of the busy season in Masai Mara. It is a much drier month, and the days are far cooler than any other time of the year. The vegetation is still lush and dense from all the rainfall and even though the animals can sometimes be hard to spot, it is still considered one of the best times to visit for a Masai Mara Safari.

In July – the wildebeest herd may start to arrive in the Mara after their journey from the Serengeti. The daytime conditions are very pleasant with warm weather, but it can get cold in the evenings and on early morning game drives. July is the driest month of the year which keeps the wildlife within reach of their watering holes. This is the best time for a Big 5 Safari in the Masai Mara, but it is one of the busiest months of the year. The prices go up and sightings can become crowded in the national reserve.

August – Is another dry month of the year in the Masai Mara but it experiences same cooler temperatures as July, especially at night. August is a popular month to witness the daily wildlife spectacle of the Great Migration as well as the famous Mara River Crossings. But these crossings cannot be predicted  as sometimes the herds stay put for weeks, other times they could cross four times a day.

Best Time for a Masai Mara Safari
Elephants in Masai Mara

Visiting Masai Mara During September and October

It is slightly warmer in the Masai Mara in September than in August with high daytime temperatures and cold nights. Still, it is the dry season which makes for exceptional game viewing and it is still a great month to see the Great Migration in full swing.

During October, things begin to heat up and it is one of the hottest months of year and the wildebeests are still in and around the Mara.

Visiting Masai Mara During November and December

The short summer rains in November trigger the last leg of the Great Wildebeest Migration, when the wildebeest move south to Serengeti Ndutu Plains for calving. The only downside can be the rain, but the thundershowers are usually short afternoon bursts followed by clear skies.

At the start of the month, December is less busy than during the peak season months, but it can get busy over the festive season period.

 

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What to Pack for Gorilla Trekking

What to Pack for Gorilla Trekking

What to Pack for Gorilla Trekking

What to Pack for Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla Safari

Meeting the endangered mountain gorillas in their nature habitat is a life-changing experience, involving a trek through the emerald forests to find the gorilla’s nests with a help a guide and armed rangers.

Gorilla trekking experience is unpredictable as every excursion group creates its own path, you could hike up and down the uneven terrain, cross river, walk through muddy trails, and even climb over fallen giant tree stamps, and it can go for hours (approximately 2-4 hours or more).

To enjoy your gorilla trekking you have to pack the right items.

Essential things you must pack for gorilla trekking in Africa

  1. Masks and hand sanitizer

A breathable facemask is a must-have item for every trek, mountain gorillas most of our genetic make-up, meaning they could catch any contagious diseases carried by humans, especially respiratory diseases. The reverse is true, we also can catch infectious diseases from these great apes, and to minimize this, the specialists advise all trekkers to wear a facemask ad stay at least 10 meters away from the gorillas.

What to Pack for Gorilla Trekking

However, you won’t have to wear the facemask while hiking through the jungle, only during our time with the gorillas. So pack a pair (or more) of facemasks, preferably eco-friendly ones.

  1. A decent light waterproof jacket

In gorilla habitats, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda receive rain at any time of the day. So pack a lightweight rain jacket into your backpack and avoid the discomfort of dampness. There is nothing uncomfortable than hiking in the jungle in wet underwear.

  1. A pair of trousers, a long sleeved shirt (t-shirt), and longer socks

You want to stay protected and cover as much skin as possible during your gorilla trek. The jungle can be so unkind to your body.

While in the rainforest of East Africa, prepare to look like a Mongol soldier because your guide will insist you tuck your trousers into your socks to avoid red and climbing up your things. Also, the long sleeve shirt will keep the bugs and thorny branches away from your skin. Please make sure they are light and won’t collect heat inside.

Avoid the camouflage army like coloring or decoration as they are reserved for the rangers or military, and it is illegal to wear camouflage in Uganda and Rwanda. Pack some kaki, green or light colors that won’t excite the animals and blend you in with the natural world.

  1. A pair of hiking gloves

The guides will do as much as they can to clear a path, but you are inevitably going to get your hands dirty and, in doing so, will want to avoid the prickles on your hands. Hiking or outdoor gloves will come in handy when you have to clear your path and grip a branch to avoid sleeping on steep slopes. Also, they keep you from leaving dangerous organisms on the things you touch during your trek.

What to Pack for Gorilla Trekking
Hiking Gloves

  1. A lightweight pair of waterproof hiking boots

You will not be able to trek mountain gorillas in just your long tucked trousers, socks and canvas shoes. The jungle floor is a dump, and there are no designated hiking trails, so you will have to put your best foot forward.

Also, your best foot will be hiking – soled, waterproof, and with a decent ankle support pair of jungle boots. Find a travel store near you and find what comfortably fits you before you pack for your gorilla trekking adventure.

  1. Insect Repellent

Now that you have all your clothing in order, you need something to keep the nasty bugs away. Remember that you will be staying and hiking in tropical rainforest, a metropolis of all kinds of bug species.

Not just like any tropical jungle, the Africa jungle with the highest species of animals, bugs, and all kinds of creepy crawlies on the continent. The bug spray will help you avoid unnecessary itching from most bugs.

In what to pack for gorilla trekking, include a bug spray on your packing list for gorilla trekking in Africa. One-two punch of Deet on exposed skin and permethrin on clothing is the outdoors enthusiast’s best bet to knock out the annoyance and risk of blood-feeding pestilence.

Even in the evenings at the campfire or lounge, douse yourself in insect repellent when you have less covering and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience scratch fee.

  1. Energy – giving snacks

Pack energy giving snacks to keep you energized on your hike in the untamed woods of Uganda and Rwanda. No one is sure how long you will spend in the wilderness before the trackers spot the gorillas. You might want to carry something to snack on when you feel your energy is getting depleted.

Gorilla trekking lodges are excellent bases for gorilla trekking experience, usually they pack you something for lunch or snacking, which put in your backpack, and the guides typically allow short snacking breaks.

Still, you can carry something familiar like an energy bar and at least a liter of drinking water. Remember that it is illegal to litter the packs, so through your gabage back in your bag.

  1. Biodegradable tissue or toilet

There are no bathrooms in the forest, and nature may call anytime, so pack biodegradable tissue to save you from the embarrassment of using leaves and keeping the forest natural.

  1. Waterproof backpack and extra batteries

You will be carrying your camera equipment to record these once-in-a-lifetime memories for your people back home. Then you will not want them getting wet.

Pack a ziplock waterproof bag or a waterproof backpack to protect your equipment from rainwater or forest mist. You backpack will keep your phone, snacks, travel documents, and several other things you can throw in to keep your hands free.

Also, pack extra batteries for your camera and a spare flash drive or memory card. This place is full of too many beautiful memories to store.

What to Pack for Gorilla Trekking
Hiking Pole

  1. Trekking Poles or hiking staff

Trekking poles for gorilla trekking are sold as a pair and used in tandem to enhance your stability and reduce your knees’ force while hiking and backpacking. Most are adjustable in length and some include internal springs that absorb shock to reduce impact further.

On the other hand, hiking staff, sometimes called a walking pole is provide by the lodge and most effective when used on relatively flat terrain and with little or no load on your back. Hiking staffs are adjustable, and some include a shock – absorbing feature.

On a steep downhill, the trekking poles can provide good anchor points to balance against as you hike down. Likewise, if you get to a steep upslope, you can use sticks to dig in and pull yourself up.

If you want to make your hike more of a full-body workout, there is no denying that moving your arms back and forth will help you expand a little more energy. Also, it is nice to get in a rhythm with hiking sticks.

In conclusion: When packing for gorilla trekking, remember to pack light and right to avoid luggage safety stress during international and domestic flights.

 

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Best Places to Visit in Uganda

Best Places to Visit in Uganda

Best Places to Visit in Uganda

Discover Uganda’s remarkable destinations, from the verdant misty forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to the vast plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park.

Often called the “Pearl of Africa”, Uganda offers experiences that few destinations in the world can match. From tracking mountain gorillas in the misty forests of Bwindi and Mgahinga to cruising along the Nile River.

Best Places to Visit in Uganda
Sunset in Queen Elizabeth National Park

With over ten national parks, each offering unique wildlife encounters, we have put together the best places to visit in Uganda.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Home to the largest population of mountain gorillas in the world, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, situated in southwestern corner of Uganda, the lush mountainous forest protects over 400 mountain gorillas.

Most travelers visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to track these magnificent apes, which involves an adventurous hike on hilly tracks through the misty tropical rainforest. Along the trek, there are over 120 mammals to spot, including forest duikers, rare I’Hoest monkeys, olive baboons, bushbucks, black and white colobus monkeys, forest elephants (seldom seen) and over 220 species of butterfly and 350 bird species.

Travel Tip: Gorilla tracking can be physically demanding, the hike to reach your allocated gorilla group can take anything from just an hour to an entire day (the average hiking time is between three and seven hours).

Kyambura Gorge                                                                    

Often called the “Valley of Apes” Kyambura Gorge is a lush forested canyon offering a unique opportunity to track chimpanzees and explore a distinct ecosystem with Queen Elizabeth National Park.

This sunken rainforest is home to chimpanzees and a diversity of colorful bird species, the gorge’s unique location also provides incredible viewpoints for photographers and nature lovers. Besides the chimpanzees, other primates to lookout for in Kyambura Gorge include black and white colobus monkeys and red-tailed monkeys.

Best Places to Visit in Uganda
Elephants in Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park

Named after the most powerful waterfall in the world – Murchison Falls National Park is only one of the most stunning places to visit in Uganda, but also the largest national park, where the Nile River explodes through a narrow gorge, create an awe-inspiring view.

On a Uganda safari to Murchison Falls National Park, you travel through palm – dotted hills, swamps, riverine woodlands, and forests to see an array of wildlife including four of the Big Five.

The Murchison Falls is a must visit spot in Murchison Falls National Park, on your visit you will be stunned by the intensity of this waterfall – the large volumes of water that tumble down measure about 300 cubic metres feet per second. The immense pressure of the water fall causes the surrounding area to tremble. Hike to the top of the falls (it takes only about 45 minutes) to get a better view of the falls and the surrounding national park.

Murchison Falls National Park offers the opportunity to spot lions, elephants, buffaloes and leopards while on a Uganda safari. Near the waters, schools of hippos and Nile crocodiles reign, while herds of Rothschild giraffe and a variety of antelope species capture your attention on the plains.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

The most popular safari destination in Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park is renowned for its diverse habitats, including savannahs, forests, and swamps, supporting a wide variety of wildlife. The park boasts such as high biodiversity setting Queen Elizabeth National Park apart from other Uganda national parks.

Covering 1,978 square kilometers, Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the largest parks in Uganda hosting over 96 mammal species including four of the Big Five. Wildlife in the park include healthy numbers of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, lions, leopards, chimpanzees, giant forest hogs, antelopes, and spotted hyenas.

Queen Elizabeth National Park offers several safari experience to do on a Uganda safari including classic game drives, visit the crater lakes, do a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel, chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge, go on a guide nature walk in Maramagambo Forest and guided nature walks.

Kidepo Valley National Park

Nestled in the remote corners of northeastern Uganda lies Kidepo Valley National Park protecting untouched wilderness, often dubbed as Africa’s hidden Eden. The park is a sanctuary for a diverse array of wildlife and a haven for nature enthusiasts seeking an authentic Uganda safari experience.

Kidepo Valley National Park is located in the northeastern region of Uganda, is a hidden treasure waiting for you to explore on a Uganda safari. At a size of 1,442 square kilometers, Kidepo is the third largest national park in Uganda and home to over 77 mammal species. The park offer great opportunities for game viewing with incredible sightings of 20 species of predators, including lions, leopards and spotted hyenas among others.

In addition to wildlife, Kidepo Valley National Park is a birder’s haven with over 500 species of birds including the common Ostrich, secretary bird, northern carmine bee-eater, little green bee-eater, Abyssinian scimitar bill, and many more colorful species.

Best Places to Visit in Uganda
Beautiful rolling hills of Western Uganda

Western Uganda

Dominated by green rolling hills and mesmerizing crater lakes, western Uganda has a wealth of biodiversity waiting for you to explore.

On your Uganda safari visit you will feel your excitement rising for the adventure you are about to undertake in this natural haven, the region is home to several national parks and offers incredible primate trekking opportunities, making one of the best places to visit in Uganda.

Must-Visit Areas in Western Uganda

On your visit you will awestruck by the incredible diversity of wildlife, colorful birds and stunning landscapes and natural attractions.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park – The Mountains of the Moon

Encompassing the third highest peak in Africa, the Rwenzori Mountains National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site enchanting visitors with its snow-capped peaks and stunning scenery. The Rwenzori Mountains provide thrilling landscapes for hikes and mountaineering trips.

A Uganda adventure to Rwenzori Mountain National Park takes you past glaciers, waterfalls, clear blue lakes, and a variety of vegetation.

Kibale National Park – Haven for Chimpanzee Trekking

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park – a Primate Capital of the world is a highlight of a Uganda safari tour. During this primate experience, you will hike through the rainforest of the national park – an incredible adventure on which you will find a habituated chimpanzee family.

Spend about an hour observing these intelligent primates, gaining an insight into their complex social structures. Kibale Forest is also home to almost 400 species of birds, making it an amazing environment for birding in Uganda.

Lake Bunyonyi – The deepest lake in Uganda

Lake Bunyonyi is a beautiful lake surrounded by terraced hills, and is perfect for relaxation and water-based activities like canoeing and swimming. The lake is an ideal stop during gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, as it neighbors the parks.

Some of the thrilling experiences to keep you busy on your visit to Lake Bunyonyi include birding, hiking, canoeing, swimming and mountain biking.