The Mara at migration time
A stay at Angama Mara or Mara Plains Camp on the Oloololo Escarpment, with champagne sundowners as the plains turn gold and herds cross the Mara in season.
The Maasai Mara at its finest, a cross-border flight to Uganda, and six nights on a private rainforested Nile island
See Pricing & Inclusions ↓OverviewA cross-border masterpiece combining the finest highlights of both Kenya and Uganda. This itinerary drops guests directly into Kenya's legendary Maasai Mara for an intensive 4-day big-game safari before flying across the border to Uganda to explore the historic channels of the River Nile. Guests experience private fly-in safaris tracking the Big Five, a sunrise hot-air balloon over the Mara River, and the ultimate relaxation on a private rainforested island in the middle of the Nile at Lemala Wildwaters Lodge. The journey concludes back in Nairobi at the JW Marriott — five-star modern opulence before international departure.
Angama Mara or Mara Plains Camp on the Oloololo Escarpment — champagne sundowner watching the Mara plains turn gold
Migration season: over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles crossing the Mara plains and Mara River
Hot-air balloon over the Mara River at dawn — hippos, crocodiles, and elephants seen from above in golden morning light
Gourmet bush breakfast in the open savannah after the balloon lands — celebrating the crossing of the two great countries
Lemala Wildwaters Lodge: suites suspended over the roaring Kalagala Rapids on a private Ugandan rainforest island
Kalagala Falls private speed boat: the historic Source of the Nile and rare shoebill stork sightings
Full-day open-air river spa on the suite deck with the thundering Nile rapids as the soundtrack
JW Marriott Nairobi final night: five-star city sanctuary with a celebratory farewell dinner before international departure

Maasai Mara: Africa's finest big-game savannah with the highest big-cat density and the greatest migration on Earth
Hot-air balloon over the Mara River at dawn — the most celebrated aerial safari experience in all of Africa
Lemala Wildwaters: suites suspended over the Nile rapids — the most unique lodge experience in East Africa
Two countries in one seamless journey — Kenya and Uganda — connected by a regional flight with no complexity
JW Marriott Nairobi final night: a five-star city sanctuary providing a perfect transition before international departure
Kalagala Falls private speed boat: the Source of the Nile and the thundering falls explored at water level
Nairobi · Maasai Mara · Entebbe · Jinja · Kangulumira Island · Nairobi
VIP tarmac handling at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. private guide transfer to a high-end city estate. Early arrivals: Karen Blixen Museum — the historic home of the author of "Out of Africa" in lush gardens with Ngong Hills views — and the Giraffe Centre, a sanctuary for the endangered Rothschild's giraffe where you feed these magnificent creatures at eye level. Welcome dinner at the estate.
Private charter from Wilson Airport west over the Great Rift Valley directly to a private Maasai Mara airstrip. Spectacular aerial views of the Rift Valley escarpments and volcanic lakes. Check-in at ultra-exclusive Angama Mara or Mara Plains Camp perched on the edge of the Oloololo Escarpment with panoramic Mara plains views. Late afternoon private game drive tracking big cats. Chilled champagne and canapés from a private safari bar on the Oloololo Escarpment edge as the vast Mara plains turn gold.
Full-day tracking safari across the Maasai Mara. Unhurried off-road tracking of massive lion prides, leopards, and cheetahs patrolling open grasslands. During migration season (July–October): the extraordinary spectacle of over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles crossing the plains and Mara River. Elegant multi-course bonfire dinner served in a traditional open-air reed boma lit by hundreds of lanterns with a roaring central fire pit.
Rising before dawn for a hot-air balloon over the Mara River — hippos and crocodiles below, herds of elephants and zebras crossing the golden plains. After landing: traditional champagne toast and gourmet bush breakfast in the open savannah. Afternoon: private charter back to Nairobi then short regional connector across the border to Entebbe, Uganda. Transfer to Hotel No.5 for a relaxing evening.
Luxury 4x4 Land Cruiser for a comfortable 2.5-hour drive through the lush Mabira Rainforest to Jinja. First glimpses of the mighty Nile River. Speed boat transfer across the rapids to check into Lemala Wildwaters Lodge on a private rainforested island. Canvas-and-thatch suites built on wooden decks suspended right over roaring Kalagala Rapids. Gourmet dinner at the lodge.
Exhilarating private speed boat navigating the thundering Kalagala Falls and the historic Source of the Nile discovered by John Hanning Speke in 1858. Spotting hippos, crocodiles, and the rare shoebill stork. The history and geography of the river explained by your guide. Gourmet dinner at the lodge.
A full dedicated day of private wellness and massage on your private wooden deck suspended over the rushing waters of the Nile. Traditional African oils and techniques customised by your private therapist. The absolute tranquillity of the island with no distraction other than the thundering rapids and forest calls. Gourmet dinner on your private deck.
Relaxed afternoon birdwatching from your private plunge pool overlooking the river rapids. The day culminates in a dramatic island bonfire dinner around a stone fire pit on the main pool deck with an exclusive live performance of local folk instruments. Dining under the stars surrounded by the sounds of the Nile.
A carefully curated dignified cultural day with community elders of the indigenous Busoga heritage — the 500-year history of the Busoga Kingdom and its deep connection to the Nile. Traditional bark-cloth clothing fabrication: a UNESCO-recognised craft. Local organic agriculture. Private performance of historic folk xylophone music and oral storytelling. Farewell multi-course dinner paired with vintage wines.
Relaxed breakfast watching the river rapids. Road transfer to Entebbe Airport. Short regional flight back to Nairobi. private guide to the JW Marriott Hotel Nairobi — five-star modern opulence in the heart of the city. Relaxed afternoon exploring premium hotel amenities. High-end spa session. Final celebratory multi-course dinner at the fine-dining restaurant.
Final luxury breakfast at the JW Marriott. Private guided tour of Nairobi — Karen Blixen Museum, Giraffe Centre, high-end art galleries — if missed on Day 1. Opportunity to purchase high-end African art and crafts at a local gallery. Transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your evening international flight home.
We are here for that. Every Finders & Keepers Safaris itinerary is a starting point, not a fixed departure — the pace, the lodges, the length, the dates and the party travelling can all be reshaped around you. Tell us what you would change and a specialist will rebuild the journey and price it honestly, before you commit to anything.
Tailor This Journey →




The Mara’s Migration plains and the source of the Nile in one journey, finishing in a suite suspended over the Kalagala Rapids.
A stay at Angama Mara or Mara Plains Camp on the Oloololo Escarpment, with champagne sundowners as the plains turn gold and herds cross the Mara in season.
A dawn balloon over the Mara River with hippos, crocodiles and elephants below, followed by a gourmet breakfast in the open savannah.
Lemala Wildwaters Lodge’s suites hang over the Kalagala Rapids on a private rainforest island, with a private speedboat to the historic source of the Nile and rare shoebill storks.
Hold 2027 for half the usual deposit
Confirm any 2027 departure with a 15% deposit instead of the usual 30%, booked before 31 December 2026.
30% off the single supplement
Travelling on your own? We cut the single traveller supplement by 30% across selected 2027 departures.
Bring three, the fourth travels free
Book four guests on a 2027 group departure and the fourth guest’s safari cost is on us.
The same unforgettable journey, priced by season.
Reserve today with a low early deposit to lock in your 2027 dates and pricing.
Spread the rest across convenient instalments, at a pace that suits you.
Final balance due one month before departure — nothing more to pay once you fly.
Varies by camp, activity and national park
Duffel, safari hat, vest and hooded jumper
Gorilla permits must be secured months in advance
Gorilla trekking permits are strictly limited and often sell out 4–6 months ahead, especially in July–September and December–February. Trekking involves genuine physical exertion over uneven, sometimes steep rainforest terrain.
e-Visa required in advance, from $50
Private, tailor-made departures on your dates, or join a small group