The cost of 10-Day Maasai Mara and Bwindi Gorillas Safari

Are you planning a safari that mixes plains, lakes and gorilla trekking? This 10-day journey links Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Park with Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, giving you a real shot at encountering the big five and walking among mountain gorillas. Visitors who travel between July and October catch wildebeest herds crossing the Mara River, while later days take you into thick rainforest for a face-to-face gorilla encounter. Highlights include the Mara’s rolling plains, Lake Naivasha’s calm waters, Nakuru’s birdlife, Queen Elizabeth’s Kazinga Channel and the ancient Bwindi forest where gorillas live. Along the way, you will meet local cultures, see tree-climbing lions in Ishasha and relax at comfortable lodges.

How Much Does this Safari Cost?

This adventure costs $5,495 per person when two people share mid-range accommodation and transport throughout the trip. Group size affects the final price, as more people join your private safari, the per-person cost reduces. Solo travelers pay slightly high rate, while families or groups of friends traveling together often unlock noticeably lower pricing per person.

What Is Included in the Cost?

Your payment unlocks a wide range of services and experiences, organized below by category:

• Transport & Logistics: A customized 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof carries you round-trip from Nairobi through Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, the Maasai Mara, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi. Fuel, highway tolls and driver allowances all are included into the price.
• Accommodation: 9 Nights at mid-range lodges give you comfortable rest between activities
• Gorilla Trekking Permit (Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park)
• Flight from Nairobi to Entebbe
• Meals & Beverages: Full board meals start with lunch on Day 1 and run through lunch on Day 10. Picnic lunch boxes appear on Day 4 for your full-day Maasai Mara game drive.
• A private boat excursion on Lake Naivasha pairs with a guided walking safari at Crescent Island Game Sanctuary, letting you walk among giraffes and zebras without a vehicle between you and them.
• Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel
• Guiding & Game Drives: A certified, English-speaking local guide leads every game drive with fuel allowances and unlimited mileage built into the itinerary.
• Park & Conservation Fees: Government taxes, vehicle entry fees, and daily conservation fees.
• Optional Kigali City Tour: Travelers with extra time before departure can add this tour without any separate planning hassle, since it connects directly with your final day.

What’s Excluded From the Cost?

A few costs fall outside the package price, and travelers should budget for them separately:

• Flights & Visas: International flights from and to your home country, passport fees, and Kenyan electronic travel authorization charges remain your responsibility.
• Optional Hot Air Balloon Safari ($490 per person; includes early morning camp pickup, 1-hour flight, and a champagne bush breakfast).
• Optional Cultural Activities: Maasai cultural village visits and the Batwa Cultural Experience each cost extra $40 per person if you choose to add them.
• Premium Drinks: Alcohol, sodas, and specialty coffee or tea get charged separately unless your specific lodge states otherwise.
• Personal Expenses: Laundry, souvenirs.
• Tips & Gratuities: Drivers, boat captains, and lodge staff appreciate voluntary tips, though these never appear on your invoice.
• Insurance: Personal travel, medical and baggage insurance need separate arrangement before departure.

When Should You Book this Trip?

Gorilla trekking permits sell out months ahead, so booking 3 to 6 months before your travel date gives you the best chance at securing one. Waiting too long risks missing out on your preferred trekking date or in busy seasons, missing  out on gorilla trekking permits altogether. Early booking also gives our team more room to match accommodation and flights to your exact travel window.

Which lodges will you stay in?

While in Kenya

• Avian Court in Lake Naivasha National Park
• Sarova Woodlands near Lake Nakuru National Park
• Sentrim Mara Lodge in the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

While in Uganda

• 2 Friends Beach Hotel in Entebbe
• Buffalo Safari Lodge inside Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Gorilla Leisure Lodge in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

What will you do on each day?

Day 1: Nairobi to Lake Naivasha

You will begin your adventure at 8:00 AM when our driver guide picks you from your lodge in Nairobi. The road will lead you down the dramatic escarpment of the Great Rift Valley, where wide views of rolling hills and scattered villages unfold. The drive feels refreshing as the city noise fades into the calm countryside. By late morning, you will reach Lake Naivasha, where your lodge welcomes you with a warm check-in and a fresh lunch.

In the afternoon, the adventure continues with a tranquil boat excursion across the lake. Pods of hippos rise and sink in the water, while colorful waterfowl skim the surface. The boat glides smoothly until it reaches Crescent Island Game Sanctuary. Here, a guided walk allows you to move among giraffes, zebras, waterbucks and impalas without vehicles around. The silence of nature makes the experience more intimate. As the sun sets, you return to the lodge for dinner and rest, ending the first day with peace and satisfaction.

Day 2: Lake Naivasha to Lake Nakuru National Park

This morning begins with a relaxed breakfast before you depart for Lake Nakuru National Park. The short drive deeper into the Rift Valley reveals more scenic landscapes. By midday, you will arrive at your lodge, check-in and enjoy lunch before preparing for the afternoon adventure.

At 3:30 PM, the game drive will begin along the shores of Lake Nakuru. The lake is famous for its birdlife, with flocks of flamingos painting the water pink. The park also serves as a sanctuary for endangered species. You keep watch for black and white rhinos grazing quietly, Rothschild’s giraffes moving gracefully and leopards hiding in the trees. As evening approaches, you return to the lodge for dinner and overnight rest, surrounded by the sounds of the wild.

Day 3: Lake Nakuru to Maasai Mara National Reserve

This day starts early with breakfast before you set out on a scenic drive across the floor of the Great Rift Valley. The road passes through small towns and rural landscapes, giving you glimpses of daily life in Kenya. The journey builds anticipation as you head toward the Maasai Mara, Kenya’s premier wildlife destination.

By midday, you will arrive at the reserve, check into your camp or lodge, and enjoy lunch. At 3:30 PM, your first game drive in the Maasai Mara begins. The endless rolling plains stretch before you, dotted with wildlife. You will search for the legendary Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. The golden light of evening makes the savanna glow as you return to camp for dinner and stories around the fire.

Day 4: Full Day Game Drive in the Maasai Mara

This day is dedicated entirely to exploring the vast reserve. After breakfast, or with a picnic breakfast packed, you set out early to catch predators while they are still active in the cool morning air. Lions patrol their territory, cheetahs scan the plains and leopards move silently through the grass.

As the morning unfolds, you follow herds of wildebeest, zebras and antelopes. At midday, your guide sets up a picnic lunch under a classic acacia tree or near the Mara River. The break feels special, surrounded by nature yet safe and comfortable. The afternoon brings more exploration of different habitats, from open plains to riverbanks. By evening, you return to the lodge for dinner and relaxation, carrying vivid memories of the day’s encounters.

Day 5: Maasai Mara to Nairobi and Flight to Entebbe

The morning begins with a leisurely breakfast in the heart of the bush. You soak in the final views of the savanna, listening to birds and watching the horizon. After check-out, the drive back to Nairobi begins. The road retraces the Rift Valley landscapes, offering one last look at Kenya’s countryside.

By 2:30 PM, you will arrive in Nairobi and head to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. From here, you board your flight to Entebbe, Uganda. The transition marks the end of the Kenyan chapter and the beginning of a new adventure in Uganda.

Day 6: Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth National Park

The Ugandan driver guide from Iconic Africa Safaris will meet you at your hotel in Entebbe after breakfast. You will be helped with your luggage and be made comfortable in the 4×4 Land Cruiser as you head to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park takes 6 to 7 hours, passing through beautiful landscapes. Along the way, you stop at the equator in Kayabwe for photos and a memorable moment.

By afternoon, you will reach your lodge near the park. The rest of the day is for relaxation, allowing you to recover from the long journey. The lodge offers comfort and views of the surrounding wilderness, preparing you for the adventures ahead.

Day 7: Game Drive and Boat Cruise at Kazinga Channel

This day begins early with breakfast before the 6:30 AM game drive. The cool morning air keeps animals active. You search for elephants, buffaloes, lions and the occasional leopard. Other animals such as kobs, impalas, topis, warthogs and waterbucks also live in this park and will be seen across the savanna. Birds like the African Fish Eagle soar above, adding to the spectacle.

After the drive, you return to the lodge for lunch and rest. At 2:00 PM, the adventure continues with a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. This waterway hosts the largest concentration of hippos in the world. Crocodiles bask on the banks, while elephants and buffaloes come to drink. The boat ride offers close encounters and excellent photography opportunities. By evening, you return to the lodge for dinner and relaxation.

Day 8: Ishasha Sector and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Breakfast prepares you for the 6:30 AM game drive in the Ishasha sector. This area is famous for tree-climbing lions. They rest lazily in the branches of fig trees, watching for preys such as  kobs, impalas, topis, warthogs as they graze in a distance below. This experience is rare and unforgettable.

After the game drive in Ishasha , you continue toward Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The journey takes you deeper into Uganda’s ancient landscapes. By 3:00 PM, you arrive at your lodge near the forest. The evening is for rest, as the next day brings the highlight of the safari—gorilla trekking.

Day 9: Gorilla Trekking and Cultural Experience

This is the day many travelers dream about. You wake up between 5:30 and 6:30 AM, have breakfast, and head to the park headquarters for the 7:30 AM briefing. Groups of 8 trekkers are assigned to gorilla families based on fitness and age. Hiring a local porter is optional but recommended, as they carry bags and assist on steep terrain while benefiting from your support.

At 8:00 AM, the trek begins into Bwindi’s dense forest. Armed rangers guide the way, clearing paths and ensuring safety. The hike can last from 1 to 6 hours depending on the gorilla family’s location. When you finally reach them, silence is required. For 1 precious full hour, you watch the gorillas live naturally-silverbacks guarding, mothers nursing and youngsters playing. The experience feels magical and deeply moving.

Afterward, you will descend to the starting point, receive your Gorilla Trekking Certificate and return to the lodge for lunch. In the evening, you may choose the Batwa Cultural Experience. The Batwa people share traditions, songs and survival skills from their forest heritage. Alternatively, you can stroll through nearby villages and buy handmade crafts as souvenirs.

Day 10: Departure through Kigali

The final day begins with breakfast before departing Bwindi. The drive leads to Kigali, Rwanda because of short 4 hour drive compared to 9 hours drive to Entebbe. If flight time allows, you can enjoy a city tour. Highlights include the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which offers a powerful reflection on history, and visits to art centers like Inema or Niyo. Local markets such as Kimironko provide vibrant shopping experiences.

By afternoon, you reach Kigali International Airport for your departure. Accommodation is not included for this night, but arrangements can be made  at extra fee if you wish to stay longer. The safari ends with lasting memories of Kenya’s plains and Uganda’s forests, a journey filled with wildlife, culture, and adventure.

How Can You Book this Adventure?

Three simple paths lead to booking, and a safari consultant responds within 12 hours or less regardless of which one you pick.

• Email works well for travelers who prefer writing out full details: send your travel dates, group size and any special requests to info@iconicafricasafaris.com
• WhatsApp offers a faster route, reachable at +256767585369 or through the WhatsApp icon on your screen.
• A booking form is available too, with our team following up once you submit it.

Whichever method you choose, consultants walk you through availability, confirm your gorilla permit, and shape the safari around your preferences. Since permits run out months ahead, reaching out early gives you the strongest chance at locking in your preferred trekking date.