What is like to combine Uganda and Kenya safari
August 28, 2025
What is like to combine Uganda and Kenya safari
A combination of Uganda and Kenya safari gives you a variety of options of destinations to choose from however due to time factor, choosing your most desired activities helps in tailoring the right itinerary.
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In Kenya’s primary safari activity is watching the seasonal great wildebeest migration and Uganda’s foremost safari activity is gorilla safaris. Note that you need to know the necessary travel documents that people from your country need to have before crossing from any country.
Although it is possible to get into either countries by road, the journey is very far lasting almost an entire day or more. Air transport is the main means to cross from Uganda into Kenya and vice versa then connect to the various safari destinations. Uganda and Kenya share a border and are within the East African communities.
Guidelines To Planning A Uganda And Kenya Safari
Choose when to do the Uganda and Kenya safari but all require advance planning. Note that gorilla safaris in Uganda require having a gorilla permit which sell out fast. Take note of the season when you plan to travel for a safari to Africa specifically Uganda or Kenya that is the dry or wet season.
Select the safari activities interested in while on Uganda safari and Kenya safari
Seek help from a professional and experienced tour company like Encounter Africa safaris who have been in operation for over 10 years.
Provide the necessary details of the content of the Kenya and Uganda safari you would wish to take so that a customized itinerary can be tailored for you to soot your needs and with your time on holiday.
Note that for Uganda safari activities including gorilla safaris, chimpanzee safaris, golden monkey safaris, you need to possess a permit for either as the only confirmation to attend. Age limit for these Uganda safari adventures is 12 years and beyond.
Book the necessary safari logistics to support both Kenya and Uganda safaris that is accommodations, transport, driver guides and more. This is to avoid having to panic at the last minute especially in the peak season when they sell out.
What activities to do on Uganda safari
Gorilla safari in Uganda
The choice of taking gorillas safaris in Uganda takes you to see some of the highly endangered primates in the world with about 1000 mountain gorillas left according to the most recent census. Gorilla safaris are the primate safari activities in Uganda but one must have a permit to attend this activity.
There are two choices gorilla trekking where maximum one hour is allowed with the mountain gorillas or gorilla habituation experience where maximum four hours with semi-habituated mountain gorillas are allowed. Gorilla safaris happen once a day starting with early morning briefing.
Two gorilla safari destinations are found in Uganda that is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park.
Game Drives in Uganda
Uganda game parks offer some of the amazing wild game spectacles but these destinations are distributed throughout the country. Some of the Uganda game safari destinations include Murchison Falls National park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park and Kidepo Valley National park.
Some of the animals in Uganda National parks include lions, leopards, cheetahs, aardwolf, hartebeests, waterbucks, bush bucks, Rothschild giraffes, zebras, hyenas, buffaloes and more. Not all the animals mentioned are found in every single game park so you need to specify which animal you best want to see so that advise of the possible Uganda game parks you are likely to find it can be given.
Chimpanzee Safari In Uganda
In Uganda, chimpanzee trekking and chimpanzee habituation experience are available. Chimpanzee trekking, tourists are allowed one hour with a fully habituated chimpanzee troop. Chimpanzee habituation Experience maximum four tourists accompany a team of ranger guides to have four hours with semi-habituated chimpanzee community.
All participants taking chimpanzee safaris in Uganda must have a permit issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority or the organization taking care of the chimpanzee safari destination. Two chimpanzee safari sessiona happen per day that is morning and afternoon.
Some of the chimpanzee safari destinations in Uganda include Kibale National Park, Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park, Kaniyo Pabidi in Murchison falls national Park, Budongo forest, Kalinzu forest, Ngamba chimpanzee rescue sanctuary and more.
Water activities in Uganda
Even though Uganda has no coastline, the waterbodies in the country make up for this as there are so many activities done on the waters in the country. White water rafting on River Nile rapids, boat cruise, Uganda launch trips, sports fishing for anglers and more.
Advance preparations need to be made to enjoy these Uganda safaris.
A number of safari destinations are situated with in and around water bodies in Uganda where you can wind and unwind especially away from the noise of the city. Some of these destinations include Ssese Island in lake Victoria, Lake Bunyonyi, Bulago Island in lake Victioria, Beach destinations and more.
Mountain Climbing in Uganda
Uganda has several highlands where you can do hiking with Rwenzori ranges being on the top list. Other mountaineering Uganda safari destinations include Mountain Muhavura, Sabyinyo and Gahinga are open for excursion mountaineering adventures.
One needs to have some level of fitness to enjoy this mountain climbing adventure and in company of a ranger guide from Uganda Wildlife Authority
Rich cultural experience in Uganda
Uganda is a multicultural destination with people speaking different languages and no universal local language. The cultural institutions in Uganda play a major role in getting people who believe in them to stay connected.
Some of the cultural institution in Uganda include Buganda Kingdom with the title Kabaka given to their king, Bunyoro and Tooro kingdoms have Omukama as the title of their king, Busoga Kingdom have Kyabazinga, Rwenzururu have Omusinga and more.
A taste of the local cuisines from different tribes makes you feel at home and the varied tastes show how diverse the Uganda is.
Each of the cultural institutions has different beliefs and any visitor is expected to adhere in order to be welcomed and get more information about them.
Birding In Uganda
Uganda is any birder’s haven with more than 1000 bird species recorded as residents of the country. The varied vegetation zones provide comfortable home for several birds to survive. Ornithologists have so much to add to the list of birds they can find in Uganda during birding safari.
Some of the birds in Uganda include, shoebill stork, Rwenzori Turaco, Handsome Francolin, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, saddle billed stork, pelicans, Egyptian geese and more.
Some Uganda birding destinations include Mabamba swamp, lake Mburo National park, Mabira forest, Botanical Gardens, Lake Bunyonyi, Queen Elizabeth National park and more. Birding in Uganda is never a disappointment so you get to see a wide range of birds. Get in touch with us.
Kenya safari Activities
Game Safaris in Kenya
The great wildebeest migration a world natural phenomena that attracts millions of animals to move from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania into Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya is worth attending. Even though this is a season event, it is an opportunity to see multitudes of both carnivores and herbivores in one area. Other than Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya has other game parks.
Some of the game parks in Kenya include Amboseli National Park, Meru National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, Samburu National Park, Shimba hills National Reserve, Kisite Marine National Park, Tsavo West and East National Park and more.
During the Kenya game drives you may see lions, cheetahs, rhino, Reticulated giraffes, zebras, elands, wildebeests, impalas, kudus, cape buffaloes and more. Not all these animals are found in each of these Kenya National Parks.
Water activities in Kenya
Kenya has opportunities available for tourists to take part in water activities because of its rich coastline with the Indian Ocean. While at the Kenyan coast tourist can engage in beach activities scuba diving, kayaking, snorkeling, cruise shipping, destination functions and more.
The Kisite Marine National Park is rich with coral reefs with stunning colors. There are chances of watching aquatic inhabitants including dolphins, bonitos, frigate Mackerel, freshwater porpoises and more.
Cultural Activities in Kenya
Even though Kiswahili is the main local language used by people in Kenya, the country has people from different cultures. You get to meet some of the notable communities in Kenya to know how they carry on with their daily life.
Kenya’s most visited cultural community area the Masai who are very conservative with their life even with interference of modernity. Masai are cattle keepers who have taken on this since time immemorial. While in the Masai community, you may participate in milking, try on Masai cultural attire, try their meals, participate in bead making and more.
Birding in Kenya
The bird list of Kenya is over 1000 species recorded a number that is unmatched in Africa. During the birding safari in Kenya, you may find a number of residents birds in various destinations in the country.
Some of the birds in Kenya include lesser flamingos in Lake Nakuru, saddle billed stork, pelicans and more.
Some of the Kenya birding destinations include Masai Mara National reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park, Tsavo east And West National park, Amboseli national Park and more
Mountain Climbing in Kenya
Mountaineering in Kenya can be arranged on various highlands including Mountain Kenya, Mountain Meru and more. Tourists need to arrange this in advance so that all necessary arrangements can be done in advance. You need to bear some level of fitness to be able to do mountaineering during Kenya safari.
When is the best time to plan the Uganda and Kenya Safari
The dry season is most preferred when planning the Kenya and Uganda safaris because most of the activities are done from the outdoors. In general, both Uganda and Kenya experience generally two seasons that is the dry and wet.
For game safaris in Uganda and Kenya, the grass is lower in the dry season allowing better visibility of the animals even from a far. During the search for the primates in the rain forests of Uganda, the environment has generally less humidity which favors faster movements.
This dry season in Uganda or Kenya is normally the peak tourism season in both countries so advance reservation is required. The peak tourism season in Uganda and Kenya is normally June to October and December to Early February.
The wet season must not be ignored when planning a Kenya and Uganda safari that is March to May and October to November. The environment in most safari destinations in Kenya and Uganda normally has a beautiful green shade in the wet season that is appealing to most adventure lovers.
Chances of finding new born animals are more open in the wet season when plenty of food is available for the additional population.
How to get to Kenya and Uganda
Air transport
From Kenya to Uganda the main means to get to either countries is by air transport but you need to clear necessary travel documents to cross in case it is necessary. The Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or Nairobi International airport are open for international flights in Kenya. Entebbe International Airport is so far the only international airport in Uganda.
Road transport
The drive from Kampala to Kenyan destinations can be arranged but this may take some time and exhausting too. One travels by public transport especially by bus or take private vehicle. Do not expect a smooth drive because the roads in Africa are not well kept. In case you are on self-drive, ensure to know the rules of road transport for both Kenya and Uganda.
Do not forget to carry your international driving license with other necessary documents. Expect a delay at the border because of the long ques at immigration.
What To Pack For A Safari In Kenya And Uganda
- Safari boots
- Insect repellant
- Garden gloves
- Backpack
- Snacks or energy bites
- Extra fully charged batteries
- Long sleeved shirt and convertible trousers in colors like beige, Khaki, tan but try avoid camouflage because these are regarded as arm attire.
- Drinking Water bottle
- Extra clothes
- Warmers including a sweater, fleece or poncho
- binoculars
- Flip flops
- A pair of stockings
- A torch
- Safari hat
- Wildlife guiding book
- Some hard cash
- Toiletries
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