6 days · KenyaKenya · Laikipia
Laikipia & Beyond — The Black Leopard Safari
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A grand tour of East Africa, privately your own
Two coasts, three great ecosystems and the rarest wildlife encounters in Africa — woven into a single, seamless month of private travel.
This is the journey of a lifetime, unhurried and complete. It opens gently on Kenya's Indian Ocean coast — barefoot days on the shores of Kilifi and Watamu, coral reefs and warm turquoise water — before the safari begins in earnest beneath the snows of Kilimanjaro in Amboseli.
From there you cross into Uganda for the heart of the adventure: chimpanzee habituation in the Kibale forest, the wildlife-rich Kazinga Channel of Queen Elizabeth, a tranquil pause at Lake Mburo, and the two encounters travellers dream of a lifetime — mountain gorillas in Bwindi and golden monkeys with the Batwa people in Mgahinga. Returning to Kenya, you go in search of Laikipia's near-mythical black leopard among the rhinos of Ol Pejeta, tour the emerald tea highlands of Tigoni, and close with days of complete privacy in an ocean-front villa on the Vipingo shore. Every mile is private, privately guided and tailored entirely to you.
Kilifi & Watamu coast
Amboseli & Kilimanjaro
Gorillas, chimps & golden monkeys
Black leopard of Laikipia
Vipingo ocean villa finale
The moments that define this journey
Mountain gorillas in Bwindi
Trek deep into the Impenetrable Forest for an hour in the presence of a wild gorilla family — one of the most moving wildlife encounters on earth.
Chimpanzees & the black leopard
The immersive Chimpanzee Habituation Experience in Kibale, and days of patient tracking in Laikipia — Africa's best chance of the elusive black leopard.
Amboseli beneath Kilimanjaro
Game drives across the plains with Africa's highest peak on the horizon, and a guided walking safari led by a professional guide.
Golden monkeys & the Batwa
Golden monkey tracking in the volcanic forest of Mgahinga, paired with an immersive Batwa cultural experience among the forest's first people.
Two coasts to bookend it all
Barefoot beginnings on the Kilifi and Watamu shore, and a private ocean-front villa on the Vipingo coast — golf, reefs and complete privacy — to close.
Seamless & entirely private
Private guides and vehicles, scheduled and charter flights between regions, and a dedicated specialist orchestrating every transfer across two countries.
Your journey, stage by stage
Thirty-one nights across Kenya and Uganda, arranged in fourteen distinctive stages — from the Indian Ocean to the rainforest and back to the sea. Full board on safari, with every flight and transfer handled for you.
Kenya · The Coast & Amboseli
1
Kilifi Coast
The journey opens on the shores of Kilifi Creek. Settle into the serene rhythms of the Kenyan coast at your private beachfront base — swimming, exploring and unwinding as the trip finds its pace.
2
Watamu Marine Reserve
A boutique beachfront retreat on the shores of Watamu Marine Reserve — sun-drenched mornings, ocean-front dining and unhurried afternoons in one of Kenya's most refined coastal settings.
3
Amboseli National Park — the safari begins
The safari begins in Amboseli, with stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Morning and afternoon game drives across the plains, and a two-hour guided walking safari led by a professional guide.
4
Nairobi city stay
An elegant overnight in Nairobi, perfectly positioned for an early-morning flight to Entebbe and the beginning of the Uganda chapter.
Uganda · Rainforests & Primates
5
Kibale National Park — chimpanzees
A private charter from Entebbe and a scenic drive bring you to an exclusive retreat on the edge of Kibale, with the Bigodi Wetland Walk on arrival. The next day is given to the immersive Chimpanzee Habituation Experience and chimpanzee trekking, before the journey onward.
6
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Settle on the banks of the Kazinga Channel. An afternoon game drive and a sunset boat safari, then an early-morning drive in search of elephant, lion, buffalo and leopard, with a second cruise revealing hippo, crocodile and abundant birdlife.
7
Lake Mburo National Park
A gentle interlude between Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi. Relaxed game drives and a tranquil boat safari reveal zebra, impala, buffalo and birdlife across rolling acacia country, with optional guided bush walks.
8
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest — gorilla trekking
An intimate forest retreat on the edge of Bwindi, and an early-morning gorilla trek deep into the forest for time with a wild mountain-gorilla family. After trekking, transfer onward to Mgahinga.
9
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Birdwatching and photography amid volcanic forest, early-morning golden monkey tracking with the Mgahinga troop, and an immersive Batwa cultural experience — before the departure flight to Entebbe.
Kenya · Laikipia & The Coast Finale
10
Nairobi — a restful pause
A brief Nairobi interlude on return from Uganda — a restful overnight before preparing for the Laikipia adventure.
11
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Fly to Kamok Airstrip and transfer to an intimate tented camp within Ol Pejeta. Game drives, sundowners and night drives, picnic breakfasts, bush walks and mountain biking across the conservancy — home to the world's most protected rhinos.
12
Laikipia Wilderness — the black leopard
A scenic transfer brings you to an exclusive private conservancy — one of the few places in Africa where sightings of the elusive black leopard are possible. Morning and afternoon game drives reveal the plains before a final flight to Nairobi.
13
Tigoni tea highlands
A relaxed stay rounds out the journey near Nairobi. The final day begins with a scenic tour of the Tigoni tea highlands — a walk through the emerald rows and an unhurried tasting in the cool highland air.
14
Vipingo Coast — a private finale
A serene coastal finale. Settle into an exclusive private villa on the Vipingo shoreline — championship golf on the doorstep, ocean breezes and unhurried days to round off the journey in complete privacy before departure. Asante & kwaheri.
Glimpses of the journey
What's included & what's not
Included
- 31 nights' accommodation across the Kenya coast, Amboseli, Nairobi, five Uganda parks, Laikipia, the tea highlands and Vipingo
- Full board while on safari, with meals at all camps and lodges
- Inter-region flights — Nairobi–Entebbe, the Entebbe–Kibale private charter, and Kenya fly-in transfers to Laikipia
- All game drives, boat safaris, walking safaris and guided activities in the itinerary
- Gorilla, chimpanzee and golden monkey permits; the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience and Batwa cultural experience
- Black-leopard tracking in Laikipia and a private Tigoni tea-estate tour
- Private guiding, expert trackers and all park, reserve and conservancy fees
- Airport meet-and-greet in both countries and a dedicated tsiglobal trip specialist throughout
Not included
- International flights to and from East Africa
- Kenya and Uganda visas / travel authorisations and any entry fees
- Travel and medical insurance (required)
- Meals and drinks during city, coast and villa stays except where noted
- Premium drinks, spa, golf green fees and personal expenses
- Gratuities for guides, trackers, drivers and camp staff
- Optional add-ons (second gorilla permit, hot-air balloon, private photographic guide)
Pricing is confirmed on enquiry and varies with season, camp availability, permit costs and group size. Share your dates and party and we'll prepare a tailored quote. A single-supplement applies to solo travellers.
Who this journey is made for
An expansive, once-in-a-lifetime journey for travellers who have the time to do East Africa properly — and want depth, rarity and comfort in equal measure.
Bucket-list travellers marking a milestone — a landmark birthday, anniversary or retirement
Primate and big-cat enthusiasts chasing gorillas, chimps, golden monkeys and the black leopard in one trip
Multi-generational families and small private groups travelling together
Honeymooners and couples wanting beach, bush and rainforest in one seamless plan
Experienced safari-goers who want two countries and three ecosystems, not one park
Travellers who value privacy and seamless logistics over fixed group departures
Before you set out
Absolutely. This full journey runs about a month, but it's a template rather than a fixed departure. We can shorten it — a Uganda-and-Laikipia focus, or coast-and-safari only — or extend it with the Maasai Mara, Rwanda or Zanzibar. Tell us your time-frame and priorities and we'll shape it around you.
Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking involve hiking on forest trails that can be steep and muddy, from one to several hours. A reasonable level of fitness helps, but treks are graded and porters are available, and we match you to a suitable gorilla group where possible. Golden monkey tracking and the Batwa experience are gentler.
Permits are strictly limited and in high demand, so early booking is essential — we secure them the moment your dates are confirmed. The black leopard, by contrast, is wild and never guaranteed; Laikipia simply offers the best chance in Africa, and the wider game-viewing is exceptional regardless.
The itinerary shown runs across August, an excellent window with drier trekking conditions and superb game-viewing. The journey can be arranged year-round; your specialist will advise the best dates for gorilla availability, weather and your own schedule.
