The cost of 12-Day Kenya-Uganda Fly-in Safari (Luxury)
This 12-Day Kenya-Uganda Fly-in Safari (Luxury) carries you from the elephant-rich plains of Amboseli National Park to the golden savannahs of the Maasai Mara, then deep into Uganda’s ancient rainforests for an emotionally moving gorilla trekking encounter unlike any other. Along the way, you also discover the rich ecosystems of Queen Elizabeth National Park and the serene highland beauty of Lake Mutanda in southwestern Uganda.
Iconic Africa Safaris designs this premium fly-in itinerary to eliminate long, tiring road transfers and maximize your time in Africa’s most remarkable wilderness areas. Each day delivers a carefully curated blend of thrilling game drives, immersive cultural encounters, scenic flights, and rare wildlife sightings that build an unmatched East African adventure together. Equally, this safari caters to seasoned wildlife enthusiasts and first-time Africa travelers who dream of seeing mountain gorillas, witnessing the Great Migration, and encountering the Big Five in one epic luxury journey.
What is the cost of 12-Day Kenya-Uganda Fly-in Safari at Iconic Africa Safaris?
Planning your dream safari starts with understanding what this remarkable journey costs and what it generously covers across both Kenya and Uganda. The 12-Day Kenya-Uganda Fly-in Safari (Luxury) starts from $7,985 to $8,685 per person for two people sharing luxury accommodation, delivering exceptional value for the depth of experiences included. Travelers who visit between July and October also witness the legendary Great Wildebeest Migration in the Maasai Mara, adding a dramatic and unforgettable layer to an already extraordinary itinerary.
The all-inclusive cost covers the following:
- Cross-country international flight connecting Kenya and Uganda
- Domestic internal flights within Kenya and Uganda: These scenic flights save valuable travel time and deliver you directly to each wilderness destination, eliminating tiring overland journeys between national parks.
- Ground 4×4 Land Cruiser transfers: Iconic Africa Safaris provides comfortable, reliable and well-equipped overland transportation between airstrips, lodges and all activity locations across the entire itinerary.
- Gorilla trekking permit for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park: This permit grants exclusive access to one of Africa’s rarest, most humbling, and most sought-after wildlife experiences anywhere on the continent.
- Game drives in Amboseli, Maasai Mara, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Ishasha Sector: Experienced professional guides lead every drive with deep knowledge of local wildlife behavior, animal movements and unique ecosystem dynamics.
- National park entrance fees for every wildlife area visited: All Savannah park fees cover your entire 12-day journey, so no hidden charges or unexpected costs arise during your luxury safari adventure.
- A hot air balloon safari over the Maasai Mara: You drift silently above Africa’s most iconic savannah at sunrise, capturing breathtaking aerial views of wildlife moving freely across the golden plains below.
- All meals and luxury accommodation throughout the itinerary: The cost covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner at world-class lodges and premium tented camps across all twelve days.
- Cultural experiences including a Maasai village visit and optional Batwa cultural experience: These immersive encounters connect you meaningfully with Kenya’s and Uganda’s most iconic and historically rich indigenous communities.
- A scenic boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park: The cruise delivers spectacular close-up encounters with hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, and rare waterbirds from your comfortable boat.
- Canoeing activities and island visits on Lake Mutanda: These serene water activities offer a peaceful and visually stunning finale to your Uganda wildlife safari chapter before departure.
Detailed Itinerary: Day by Day
Day 1: Iconic Scenic Flight from Nairobi – Amboseli National Park
Begin your luxury safari with an early morning pick-up in Nairobi by an Iconic Africa Safaris representative from your hotel, private residence, or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, followed by a comfortable transfer to Wilson Airport. Then board a scheduled scenic flight, typically departing around 07:30, and enjoy sweeping aerial views over the Great Rift Valley and the snow-capped silhouette of Mount Kilimanjaro as you approach Amboseli.
Upon arrival at Amboseli Airstrip, usually between 08:30 and 09:00, a professional safari guide will welcome you and transfer you to your luxury lodge or tented camp with a short game drive en route. After check-in and a refined lunch, you have time to relax before heading out on an afternoon game drive through Amboseli National Park, celebrated for its large elephant herds, predators, and wide-open vistas. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge or Equivalent.
Meal Plan: Half-Board (Lunch & Dinner).
Day 2: Amboseli Full-Day Safari Experience
On day two, you will enjoy a full-day safari experience in Amboseli National Park, one of Kenya’s most iconic wildlife destinations with Kilimanjaro as a constant backdrop. Because Amboseli’s open plains and seasonal swamps attract a variety of species, your day promises exceptional wildlife viewing and strong photographic opportunities.
During the game drives, you can expect to encounter large herds of elephants, as well as lions, cheetahs, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and several antelope species in their natural environment. Between activities, you may return to the lodge for meals and relaxation, or enjoy bush picnics arranged for your comfort and convenience. This classic African safari day blends dramatic scenery with abundant wildlife, delivering a rich and immersive experience.
Accommodation: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge or Equivalent.
Meal Plan: Full-Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner).
Day 3: Scenic Flight from Amboseli to Maasai Mara
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your lodge before transferring to the Amboseli Airstrip for your scheduled flight to Maasai Mara National Reserve. During this mid-morning flight, you will appreciate a breathtaking aerial safari over diverse landscapes that include the Great Rift Valley, open savannahs and rolling highlands.
Upon landing at the Maasai Mara airstrip, a professional safari guide will greet you and transfer you to your luxury camp or lodge, with a short introductory game drive en route. Once you arrive, you check in, savor a relaxed lunch, and then unwind before your afternoon game drive across the legendary Maasai Mara, home to the Big Five and dense populations of plains game. Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Mara Serena Safari Lodge or Equivalent.
Meal Plan: Full-Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner).
Day 4: Maasai Mara Full-Day Big Five Game Drives
Day four offers a full-day exploration of the Maasai Mara’s renowned savannah plains with your professional guide. Because this is one of Africa’s premier wildlife areas, you expect excellent chances to sight lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and with luck, rhinos, alongside cheetahs, giraffes, zebras and large herds of wildebeest and antelopes.
If you travel between the typical Great Migration months, you will witness dramatic scenes of wildebeest and zebra moving across the plains or crossing rivers, with predators closely observing. A picnic lunch in a scenic, safe location allows you to dine outdoors while still immersed in the surrounding wilderness. After an extended afternoon game drive, you return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Mara Serena Safari Lodge or Equivalent.
Meal Plan: Full-Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner).
Day 5: Hot Air Balloon and Maasai Cultural Visit
On day five, you rise early to enjoy a hot air balloon experience over the Maasai Mara at sunrise, which offers an unforgettable perspective on the plains and wildlife below. After landing, a stylish bush breakfast awaits in a serene location, adding a touch of romance and exclusivity to the morning.
Later, you return to the lodge for some leisure time at the pool, spa, or viewing deck, where you will relax in elegant surroundings. In the afternoon, you visit a Maasai cultural village to gain insights into traditional pastoral life, ancestral customs and vibrant attire, thereby adding cultural depth to your wildlife-focused itinerary. You then retire to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Mara Serena Safari Lodge or Equivalent.
Meal Plan: Full-Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner).
Day 6: Maasai Mara to Entebbe (Uganda) – Cross-Country Flight
After breakfast, your guide transfers you to the Maasai Mara airstrip for your returning scenic flight to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. Once in Nairobi, you connect to your scheduled international flight to Entebbe International Airport in Uganda, with ground assistance arranged to simplify the transition.
Upon arrival in Entebbe, you transfer to an upscale hotel for a night of relaxation as you prepare for your Ugandan safari segment. In the evening, you may enjoy fine dining, a quiet drink, or simply rest in the tranquil surroundings.
Accommodation: Hotel No.5 or Equivalent.
Meal Plan: Full-Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner).
Day 7: Flight to Queen Elizabeth National Park
On this day, you will depart Entebbe International Airport on a domestic flight to Kasese Airfield, which serves Queen Elizabeth National Park. After landing, you transfer to your luxury lodge, check in, and enjoy a leisurely lunch while absorbing the views of the park’s sweeping savannah and distant mountains.
During the afternoon, you may choose to embark on a relaxed game drive to sample the park’s wildlife, or you may prefer to spend the time on your private balcony or by the pool, appreciating the quiet elegance of your surroundings.
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge or Buffalo Safari Lodge (Luxury Cottages).
Meal Plan: Full-Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner).
Day 8: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise
At 6:00 AM, you set out for an exhilarating morning game drive across Queen Elizabeth National Park, actively searching for the Big Four – elephants, buffaloes, lions, and the occasional elusive leopard – alongside warthogs, antelopes and spectacular savannah birds. After returning to your lodge for a relaxed and leisurely lunch, you board a boat at approximately 2:00 PM for a scenic cruise along the Kazinga Channel, the natural waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George in western Uganda. Keep your camera ready as hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, African skimmers, pied kingfishers, and majestic goliath herons gather along the channel’s lush and wildlife-rich banks.
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge or Buffalo Safari Lodge (Luxury Cottages).
Meal Plan: Full-Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner).
Day 9: Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions and Transfer to Bwindi
On day nine, you enjoy an early game drive in the Ishasha Sector, an area famous for its tree-climbing lions that often rest in the branches of large fig trees. As you explore this remote and beautiful sector, you watch for lions scanning the plains for kobs, impalas, topis, warthogs and buffaloes grazing in a distance below.
Following your game drive, you depart by road for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, enjoying a scenic 3 to 4-hour journey through hills and rural communities. You reach your lodge in the afternoon, check in, and rest ahead of the next day’s challenging but deeply rewarding gorilla trekking adventure.
Accommodation: Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge or Lake Mutanda Resort.
Meal Plan: Full-Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner).
Day 10: Gorilla Trekking and Optional Batwa Cultural Experience
This day is the major highlight of your Kenya and Uganda adventure. You will wake up between 05:30 and 06:00 to enjoy a nourishing breakfast before transferring to the park headquarters for the mandatory briefing, usually starting around 07:30. During this briefing, rangers explain trekking procedures, safety guidelines, and gorilla trekking etiquette, ensuring you approach the experience responsibly.
You then set off with experienced guides and trackers into the ancient rainforest, navigating varied terrain until you meet your allocated gorilla family. Once you locate the gorillas, you spend a strictly regulated hour observing and photographing them as they feed, rest, and interact in their natural habitat, which is often a profound and emotional encounter. After the trek, you return to the lodge for a late lunch and relaxation, and in the evening you may opt to join an authentic Batwa cultural experience.
Accommodation: Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge or Lake Mutanda Resort.
Meal Plan: Full-Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner).
Day 11: Lake Mutanda – Canoeing and Leisure Activities
Gliding across the calm, mirror-like waters of Lake Mutanda in a traditional dugout canoe, you slowly take in the peaceful beauty all around you. As you paddle, you admire the snow-capped Virunga volcanoes rising in the distance, creating a dramatic and unforgettable backdrop.
Then island visits add even more charm, with wide views, colorful birdlife, and quiet moments that invite you to reflect on your journey in Uganda’s stunning southwest. After that, swimming in the cool, clear waters brings a refreshing and joyful feeling, which nicely balances the excitement and effort of your two unforgettable days in the forest.
Accommodation: Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge or Lake Mutanda Resort.
Meal Plan: Full-Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner).
Day 12: Flight from Kisoro to Entebbe and Departure
On the final day for your Kenya-Uganda Fly-in Safari , you transfer by road to Kisoro Airfield for your scheduled flight back to Entebbe International Airport. After arrival in Entebbe, you connect to your international departure flight or enjoy an additional night in the city if pre-arranged. Because no standard accommodation is included on this night, guests who prefer a more relaxed departure can request that Iconic Africa Safaris arrange a suitable Entebbe hotel at an extra fee.
Meal Plan: Breakfast.
When to do Kenya-Uganda Fly-in Safari : Great Migration and gorilla trekking
Because this itinerary pairs the Maasai Mara with Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, timing plays a crucial role in shaping the overall experience. In the Maasai Mara, the Great Migration (if interested) usually peaks between July and October, when vast herds of wildebeest and zebra move through the reserve and attempt dramatic river crossings, while predators concentrate around these movements and provide intense game viewing opportunities.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda remains possible throughout the year, though many guests prefer the drier seasons of June to September and December to February, when forest trails are often more manageable and rainfall tends to be lighter. Consequently, if you travel between July and early October, you can often enjoy both the wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara and comfortable trekking conditions in Bwindi, which elevates this 12-day itinerary into a once-in-a-lifetime dual spectacle that is particularly appealing for photographers and wildlife enthusiasts.
Why book this Kenya-Uganda Fly-in Safari with Iconic Africa Safaris
Booking this 12-Day Kenya-Uganda Fly-in Safari (Luxury) with Iconic Africa Safaris ensures that every detail of your journey benefits from experienced planning, regional expertise, and a deep understanding of high-end travel expectations. Because the team has extensive on-the-ground knowledge of Kenya and Uganda, we can match you with lodges and dates that align perfectly with your interests, whether you travel as sole, couple, friends or family.
- Experienced tour consultants: Specialists who design tailor-made itineraries, advise on seasonal variations, coordinate flights, and secure gorilla permits well in advance.
- Professional tour guides and drivers: Highly trained and experienced driver guides who operate comfortable, well-maintained 4×4 Land Cruisers, share expert insights on wildlife and culture and prioritize your safety and comfort.
- Carefully matched lodges: Thoughtful pairing of luxury lodges and tented camps that complement each other in style, location and atmosphere, so the journey feels cohesive yet varied.
