19 Day Serengeti, Masai Mara & Uganda Small Group Tour
You will be accompanied by various multi-lingual local guides during the tour, who will be responsible for guiding you through the various cities and attractions that you will be visiting. In each new city that you visit, you will likely be introduced to a new local guide who is an expert in that region. Depending on the itinerary chosen and your group size, your local guide may provide commentary in multiple languages.
This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
Experience a superior level of comfort. Our Small Group tours have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Travel with no more than 26 people, allowing for a more personalised and immersive experience. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for the exact group size.
✓ Small group tour up to 12 guests only
✓ Incredible sightseeing including game drives through six national parks, game reserves and conservation areas across Tanzania and Kenya in search of the “Big Five”
✓ Gorilla and chimpanzee trek in Uganda as well as game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel in search of elephants, lions, hippos and more
✓ Game drives in 4x4 vehicles with pop-up photo roof in Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda
✓ 18 nights in selected 3 & 4-star hotels, lodges, chalets and tented camps, all with private en-suite facilities
✓ Breakfast daily, 16 lunches and 16 dinners
✓ Bottled drinking water provided during the tour daily
✓ Emergency Evacuation cover with AMREF flying Doctors
✓ All Internal flights
✓ Airport transfers included on the first and last day of your tour
✓ Fully escorted by expert naturalist guides
✓ All park entrance fees
✈ Needing international airfares to accompany your Inspiring Vacation? You will be able to access our flight portal after securing your package to add international airfares to your booking.
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
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!
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.
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours (200km)
Our itinerary for today takes us to the renowned Amboseli National Park, where we will embark on an exhilarating full day of wildlife observation. This park holds great fame within Kenya and is particularly renowned for its impressive population of majestic elephant bulls, adorned with remarkable tusks. Capture the ultimate safari moment as you witness these magnificent creatures against the breathtaking backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, its snow-capped peak adding a touch of awe-inspiring beauty to the scene.
Today marks your departure from Amboseli National Park as you begin your journey towards Tanzania via the Namanga border of Kenya/Tanzania. Continue onwards to Arusha and then proceed to Tarangire National Park. Named after the river that sustains its diverse wildlife, Tarangire is home to an abundance of elephants, zebra, wildebeest, gazelle, buffalo, eland, waterbuck, lion, giraffe, onyx, and an exceptional variety of bird species. From June to November, the park witnesses a magnificent gathering of wildlife around the river, yet it remains a sanctuary for large game all year round. Embark on a game drive to spot the park's diverse wildlife.
Please note that there will be a change of both guide and vehicle at the border as we enter Tanzania.
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours (300km)
Following breakfast, we set out for a full day of thrilling game drives through Tarangire National Park,. Prepare to be enchanted by the awe-inspiring vistas of the Maasai Steppe and the majestic mountains in the southern horizon, creating a mesmerising backdrop during our visit to Tarangire. This national park is renowned for its remarkable population of elephants and the iconic baobab trees that dot its landscape. It also serves as a pivotal location within an annual migratory cycle, attracting a multitude of wildlife, including up to 3,000 elephants, 25,000 wildebeest, and 30,000 zebras.
Following breakfast, we set off on our adventure to the delightful village of Karatu. Immerse yourself in community activities while delving into the captivating local culture. Roam through the bustling local market, interacting with vendors amidst the lively ambiance. Take a leisurely stroll through the village, taking in the charm of Karatu before winding down for the evening.
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours (100km)
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 incredible wildebeest migration, you will be transferred to your lodge located in either the central or southern parts of the Serengeti National Park.
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours (250km)
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.
Embark on a magical hot air balloon ride across the vast expanse of the Serengeti National Park. As the first rays of sunlight paint the sky with hues of gold and orange, ascend to new heights and witness the Serengeti transform into a breathtaking panorama. From your vantage point above the clouds, observe the untamed beauty of the African savanna, teeming with life.
Start time: 5am
End time: 9am
Inclusions: flight briefing, return transfers, breakfast
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.
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
Luggage restrictions of 15kg per person in a soft sided duffle bag apply for the flight to the Mara today. 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.
For your flight today, any tickets that are required will be provided for you on tour by your tour leader.
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.
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-in to 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 (300km)
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your included 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. The cosy rooms are all equipped with private en-suite, ceiling fan, mosquito nets.
Relax this evening with an included dinner at the hotel.
Special Information:
For your flight today, any tickets that are required will be provided for you on tour by your tour leader.
This morning at approximately 9am, travel by speed boat on Lake Victoria to the beautiful Mabamba Swamp, renowned for its rich birdlife. On arrival at Mabamba transfer to a motorised traditional canoe, the best way to view some of the 300 different bird species found in this wetland paradise. Most notable is the rare Shoebill Stork, which resembles a creature of prehistoric times.
After your tour, return to Entebbe for lunch at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel to relax.
This afternoon at approximately 5pm, enjoy a sundowner cruise on Lake Victoria, one of East Africa's largest freshwater lakes. Watch the sunset while savouring an array of delicious snacks and beverages on board. Witness local fishermen casting nets as you take in the serene views.
After sunset return to your hotel for dinner.
After breakfast meet your guide and head towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. En-route, stopover at the Uganda equator crossing for a requisite snapshot and lunch before continuing to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The oldest and second largest park in Uganda is located at the base of the massive Rwenzori Mountains, covered by savannah plains that provide an abundance of game viewing. Depending on your arrival time and how you will be feeling, you can optionally indulge in a game drive where you can expect to see lazy leopards laying in the sun, abundant gazelle, elephants, lions, buffaloes, hippos and more.
Your accommodation this evening is perched on the edge of the escarpment overlooking the Queen Elizabeth National Park and offers the quintessential safari lodge experience. Stay in a spacious canvas tent under a permanent grass-thatched roof. Each room offers en-suite bathrooms with a spacious tub and, from the private veranda, you can overlook the park and the flat-topped acacia trees where the occasional elephants graze and wander by.
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours (400km)
This morning you’ll enjoy a chimpanzee trekking excursion in either Kalinzu Forest or Kyambura Gorge forest. These tropical forests sit on a huge area of the Rift Valley floor and are a natural habitat of our delightful cousins, the chimpanzees. Other primates that can be encountered include the black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys and grey-cheeked mangabeys.
Return to the lodge for a sumptuous lunch, then take a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel — a natural channel which connects Lake Edward to Lake George. View buffaloes, elephants, waterbucks, crocodiles and the highest concentration of hippos, as well as a variety of colorful species of waterbirds like crested eagles, pelicans and cormorants. As an amazingly diverse collection of the African animal kingdom comes to the waterhole to drink or bathe, this will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your tour.
Enjoy breakfast this morning before we make our way south travelling through the breathtaking evergreen mountain countryside to reach the magnificent swathe of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Check into your lodge and relax before your big day tomorrow.
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours (200km)
Today is the big day! Prepare yourself for an encounter with Bwindi’s gentle giants: the rare mountain gorilla. For most people this is the absolute highlight of their tour in Uganda.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest boasts both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. In fact, it’s the only forest in Africa which can make this claim. It also hosts five other species of primate, 113 species of mammal, over 200 butterflies and 360 birds.
To make the most of this experience, there will be an early start this morning for a briefing at the visitor’s reception centre about the park. Once you’ve been allocated guides, you’ll head into the forest in search of these magnificent animals.
The gorillas you track belong to one of the habituated family group who can tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day. En-route, your guide will point out signs of previous gorilla activity including dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots. Once the gorillas have been located, your group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them.
Trekking gorillas in the dense forest can sometimes be wet, muddy and uncomfortable. The terrain can be challenging; it can be pretty strenuous and often humid. But the sheer thrill in coming across a habituated group of gorillas, dominated by a great male silverback, more than outweighs any difficulty. You need to be prepared and fit enough to walk up to four hours – uphill and downhill.
What to wear:
This morning you will fly back to Entebbe. Upon arrival, day use at a guest house close by the airport 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 back to Nairobi this evening.
Your tour concludes at Nairobi airport, we hope you have enjoyed your trip
Special Information
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.
If booking a connecting flight from Nairobi on this day, all flights must be booked from 9pm onwards. If your flight departs prior to 9pm, we cannot guarantee your connection from Entebbe and recommend booking an additional night accommodation in Nairobi.
Post-Tour Accommodation will be booked in Nairobi
Secure your trip with a $99.00 deposit per person.
Once we receive your deposit, we will send you an invoice with your remaining balance and payment options.
Instalment Schedule:
This is a Land Only package.
This package does not include international airfares. If you would like to add airfares to your booking our flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub. The flight portal will allow you to search for all available airfares to your destination. The function works like most general flight search engines allowing you to select your preferred airline, book different cabin classes (eg. Business class) and view flight durations and transit times to your destination.
The flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub once the following criteria has been met:
Visit our Flight Hub for more information on terms and conditions, amending your flights and information on luggage allowances.
Some of our packages will include airport transfers in either one or both directions when arriving or departing from your destination. To know if transfers are included please view the ‘inclusions’ section of your selected package. If airport transfers are stated, transfers will be included as advised.
If transfers are not included, we also offer the option to book your airport transfers using our online portal. Access to this portal is available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed. Transfers are readily available and do not need to be booked until your final hotel list has been confirmed. Once you have made a transfer booking, please refer to your confirmation email for all transfer details including a local contact number for the transfer company.
If you book pre and/or post-tour accommodation on your own arrangement, and the tour includes transfers, note that these will be forfeited. The transfers are only provided in line with the tour dates and pre and/or post-tour accommodation purchased through Inspiring Vacations when available.
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return. Visas may be required for your destination. For further visa information, click here.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
Active Tour: Trekking in Uganda can be strenuous and involves hiking for several hours through hilly terrain and thick vegetation at altitudes of approximately 2500-3000 metres. This trip is not recommended for people with pre-existing injuries that may effect their ability to walk. Roads in Africa can be dusty and bumpy. If you suffer from severe back problems then you may be uncomfortable travelling by road.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. While tipping is not customary, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many destinations.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, but we can’t guarantee your request will be available at all properties.
Single travellers
When booking this tour, solo travellers will be presented with two options:
1 - Single Supplement
By paying an additional $2,195.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price, you guarantee the privacy of your own room throughout the entire trip.
2- Shared Room with a known friend
If travelling together with a friend, you can opt to share your room with him/her and avoid paying a single supplement.
You and your friend can create a unique booking each. Creating a unique booking, gives each of you the flexibility of making different travel arrangements (such adding extra accommodation, flights, etc), make separate payments and have individual access to our Traveller’s Hub
During the purchase path, you will need to provide your friend’s booking ID (if known) or at a minimum, your friend’s full name.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for this tour to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
Group Size
Minimum of 4 and maximum 12 people
Children
Children must be 16 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
South Africa has implemented regulations for families travelling into or out of the country with children under the age of 18. Minors are required to have an unabridged birth certificate reflecting the particulars of the parents of the child.
Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
All participants must be in good physical condition to fully engage in this journey. For the safety and welfare of yourself and fellow travellers, if you are feeling unwell prior to departure, we advise staying home and contacting us to arrange alternate plans.
Prior to selecting your trip, carefully review the itinerary to assess your ability to comfortably manage our travel style. Please be aware that if, based on evaluation by our leader or local representative, a participant is deemed unable to safely complete the itinerary, we retain the right to exclude them from all or part of the trip without reimbursement.
It is advisable to consult your physician for current medical travel advisories and any required vaccinations before embarking. We recommend carrying a first aid kit and any necessary medications in their original packaging, as they may not be readily available during travel. For those carrying medication, it's essential to check your government's foreign travel guidelines for local restrictions or regulations.
To enhance your journey, we are offering guests a choice of the following optional activities (prices are per person):
Optional tours can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add Optional Tours, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance. If you choose not to select them at this time, you can choose to add them later by logging in to your Account online.
Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 70 days before departure, after which you will be required to purchase them on tour. Please keep in mind that anything purchased on-tour is subject to availability and prices may vary as you will be paying in local currency. We appreciate your understanding.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Pre Tour Accommodation
Post Tour Accommodation - Nairobi including return airport transfers
Please select the number of extra nights required in the 'Additional Nights Accommodation' field when making your purchase. The additional cost for these arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.
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