Luxury Gorillas and Masai Mara safari

Entebbe is the jump-off point for most Uganda safari holidays, as it is home to the country’s only international airport.

It’s also the hub for light-aircraft flights to all the main attractions, such as Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kibale National Park.

Most stays in Entebbe will be short and sweet, providing a place of rest and recharge after a long international journey, ahead of an early flight out the following morning. However, for those willing to stay longer, its location on the northern shore of Lake Victoria provides a charming setting for a buzzing town

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of the most magical and evocative safari locations on the planet.

Its name alone conjures up images of mist-covered rainforest, home to the legendary mountain gorillas.

Once at risk of extinction, the gorilla population of Bwindi is now thriving, thanks to tireless conservation efforts and the benefits of international tourism. Today, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to more than 50% of the world’s wild mountain gorillas.

Beyond the gorillas, Bwindi is also home to some stunning hiking trails, phenomenal community co-operatives, and colourful birdlife. In short, no Uganda safari holiday would be complete without some time spent here.

Within easy reach of Nairobi, and the Serengeti just over the border, the Masai Mara has plenty to offer a Kenya family safari.

The landscape typifies East African savannah: 1,100 square miles of endless plains under vaulted skies, thorn trees, winding rivers, dense forests, kopjes and undulations skirted by rivers, and the magnificent Oloololo Escarpment to the west.

There’s wildlife around every corner, up every tree and in every thicket: journeys of giraffe, crashes of rhino, dazzles of zebra, prides of lion, pods of hippo… and the ideal environment for cheetah in full sprint. Famous for the Great Migration and the Big Five, the very fortunate might glimpse roan antelope and bat-eared foxes too.

Staying within the reserve buys you quickest access to migration river crossings and beautiful ballooning — but the surrounding private conservancies boast far fewer vehicles and an enticing range of activities like walking, night game drives, horse riding… wherever you choose, you’re in for a bucket list family safari.

A rich slice of city life in Nairobi could be the cherry on top of your wildlife adventure.

No.5 Boutique Hotel is a lovely, modern property, ideally located close to the international airport.

Entebbe is the start and end point for most Uganda safari holidays; No.5 Boutique Hotel provides the perfect sanctuary to catch breath and ease tired legs.

The property is built around a lawned courtyard, complete with an appealing swimming pool for cooling off in the day. The service is excellent and the friendly staff will make you feel right at home.

Accommodation is provided in a choice of luxury rooms and two-storey apartments. All have air-conditioning and comfortable furnishings. The apartments have the added benefit of a balcony and an open plan living room and kitchenette.

Buhoma Lodge is perfectly located for gorilla trekking, and with impeccable hospitality to match, it may just be our favourite property in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Ten large, sustainably-built cottages are elevated along the forest hillside, each crafted from local materials. The design is contemporary yet incredibly homely; you’ll feel at home from the moment you arrive.

The lodge is only one of two in Buhoma to be located inside the national park and the location is a stone’s throw from the gorilla trekking departure point. Don’t be surprised to see monkeys and birds frequenting the surrounding lush gardens and, if you’re lucky, you may even see a gorilla or two pass through.

Cottar’s 1920s Camp has been run by the same family for generations and is one of the leading luxury safari camps in Kenya. Housed on a private conservancy, you’ll have all the benefits of a Masai Mara safari, but without the crowds.

This is one of the very best camps in Kenya for families, for so many reasons, but the main one being the very real affinity and love that all the staff have for children.

Everything can be adapted for them, when they need it, and as parents this is the key to a memorable and successful safari. The guides in particular work on their emotional intelligence so as to build the very best relationships they can with your family while they look after you all.

The open-plan family tents here are huge, billowing and very comfortable, and designed in a 1920s safari style, but if something more modern and with a permanent feel is for you, then the enormous Cottars Bush Villa will deliver.

This is without doubt one of our favourite hotels in Kenya – elegant in an understated way, Hemingways Nairobi delivers it all, all of the time.

Perfect for a night between safaris, or on arrival and departure, it also lends itself to a longer stay if Nairobi is to be explored.

From Hemingways Nairobi, guests can easily access Nairobi National Park, as well as the shopping districts of Karen and the David Sheldrick elephant orphanage. The proximity to Nairobi Wilson Airport also makes transfers for domestic flights for safari destinations very convenient.

Most visits to Entebbe will involve little more than a welcome meal and perhaps some time by the pool in one of its charming hotels. However, there is much more to enjoy for those who would like to spend a little more time in the city.

Recently, modern shopping malls have been built offering a variety of retail choices. There’s also a scenic golf course to enjoy. The botanical gardens provide an attractive respite in the city centre.

The proximity to Lake Victoria also means that visitors can head out on the lake and enjoy observing the birdlife and wildlife to be found there.

Mountain gorillas are only found in two locations in Africa, one of which is Bwindi, where 50% of their number are found.

A day of gorilla trekking involves walking through pristine rainforest, followed by an hour spent in the company of a gorilla family. You’ll be amazed at how they interact; their social hierarchy, and how they tend their young. This hour will be one to live on in the memory forever.

Great migration safaris in the Masai Mara offer one of the world’s most spectacular wildlife experiences.

Every year, over a million wildebeest, along with zebras and gazelles, journey across the Mara in search of fresh grazing, creating thrilling river crossings and predator encounters.

Game drives during from April to November provide incredible opportunities to witness these dramatic scenes, including lions, cheetahs, and crocodiles lying in wait. The sheer scale and intensity of the Great Migration make it a bucket-list safari adventure for families.

Cultural immersion in Nairobi offers a vibrant exploration of Kenya’s rich heritage.

Visitors can delve into the city’s diverse culture by visiting attractions like the Nairobi National Museum, which showcases the country’s history, art, and archaeology.

A visit to the Maasai Market allows you to interact with local artisans and purchase traditional crafts. For a deeper experience, tours to nearby communities provide insight into Kenya’s tribal traditions, including Maasai and Kikuyu customs.

Nairobi blends urban energy with authentic cultural encounters, making it an enriching destination.