Explore iconic attractions in East Africa on this 18-day special safari package. Visit 4 spectacular destinations in East Africa- Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania. The extensive cross-border wildlife expedition takes you to remarkable tourist destinations such as Kibale, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda), Serengeti in Tanzania, Maasai Mara Reserve (Kenya), and Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda).
The key highlights of this African holiday include city tours, observing wildebeest migration in 2 countries- Kenya & Tanzania; guided game drives to see the big game in splendid savannas, launch or boat cruise, and chimpanzee and gorilla trekking.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up at EBB
A warm welcome to Uganda upon landing at Entebbe Airport and you will set off to enjoy a relaxed evening in a hotel in Entebbe. Early arrivals will include a visit to Uganda Wildlife Education Center, Reptile village, and other sites, then proceed to your classic lodge to stay for the night.
Day 2: Scenic drive from Entebbe to Murchison Falls with rhino trekking en route
Set off for Murchison Falls N. Park 6-7 hours along the Kampala-Gulu highway and have a chance to visit rhinos in the wild at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. This rhino sanctuary lies in Nakitoma, Nakasongola district. It is an area that is also rich in other wildlife that you will see besides rhinos and include warthogs, oribis, bushbucks, waterbucks, elands, kobs, birds like shoebill storks, etc.
Have a lunch break at Amuka Lodge/Kabalega Diners then proceed to the top of the falls for photography. Murchison Falls NP is a rich wildlife destination with a record of 76 mammal species, 451 species of birds, and butterflies.
Day 3: Go explore the spectacular Murchison Falls Park
The full-day expedition in the spectacular Murchison Falls National Park takes you on a guided game drive and boat cruise. A game drive introduces you to the park’s savanna game tracks to enjoy the sight of varied animals; Rothschild giraffes, Jackson’s hartebeest, oribis, kudus, klipspringers, cape buffaloes, jackals, spotted hyenas, bush elephants, birds, and warthogs.
The boat cruise starting at the Paraa Jetty begins at 2:00 pm after you have had lunch and relaxation. The 2-3 hours Victoria Nile launch cruise sightings include hippos, birds, and crocodiles, and the common birds range from giant & pied kingfishers, to pink-backed pelicans, African fish eagles, etc.
Day 4: Scenic drive from Murchison to Kibale with rift valley escarpment view
Get up early to enjoy breakfast and after, proceed to Kibale N/P, 7-8 hours’ drive and your road trip comes with a view of the rift valley escarpment. Lunch will be served upon arrival in Fort Portal city where you will connect to the accommodation for a night stay.
Day 5: Tour Kibale –primate capital of the world
Having enjoyed a delicious breakfast, proceed to the Kanyanchu tourism center to meet other trekkers and park officials for a briefing about guidelines for chimpanzee trekking. This primate trek takes from 2-5 hours and includes one hour of close interaction and photography. Don’t miss spotting other primates such as the red-tailed monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, pottos, and bush babies.
Return and get a treat to a tasty meal at the lodge. In the afternoon, get an unforgettable Bigodi swamp walk, about 2 hours, and a diversity of primates await you to encounter plus birds, especially the Great blue turacos.
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP with a scenic view of the Crater Lakes
Drive from Kibale National Park in Kabarole district to Queen Elizabeth NP via Kasese and as you drive, there are many Crater Lakes and vast banana plantations to view. You will be spotting some wildlife as you connect to lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: Explore & experience Queen Elizabeth NP wildlife
Go enjoy an ultimate game drive to see Queen Elizabeth National Park’s diverse animal species. Using our comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle, you will see the cape buffaloes, bushbucks, lions, elephants, spotted hyenas, kobs, and on a lucky day, leopards.
After having lunch, you will have another 2-3 hours spent but this time along the Kazinga channel. You will be viewing aquatic animals (hippos, crocodiles, birds) and other wildlife along the banks.
Day 8: Go explore Ishasha & drive to the lush Bwindi
The Ishasha area of the Southern Queen Elizabeth NP offers remarkable sightings of the tree climbing lions. Enjoy a short Ishasha game drive and a picnic lunch, then continue to Bwindi your primate trekking spot.
Day 9: Mountain gorilla adventure through Bwindi Forest
Get to Bwindi National Park head offices at 7:00 am to be briefed on rules before setting foot into the forest to see gorillas. An actual trek through Bwindi starts at 8:00 am and it will run for 2-6 hours inclusive of one hour for you to observe the daily behaviors of gorillas and take pictures. When you get back to the lodge, have some time to relax and in the evening, visit the Batwa for incredible cultural entertainment, learning, and interaction.
Day 10: Cross-border tour to Volcanoes NP
You will be transferred from Bwindi on a spectacular drive via Kabale to the Katuna border where you will proceed to Volcanoes NP. Volcanoes National Park is another special location that offers refuge to endangered mountain gorillas. It is here where you will find 12 habituated families and also Dian Fossey tomb site.
Day 11-12: Adventure through Volcanoes NP to see gorillas or golden monkeys
Another session of exceptional primate adventure will be enjoyed in Volcanoes NP and that is gorilla trekking or you can go to track golden monkeys on the 12th day. The two primate adventures start with a briefing at Kinigi offices and at 8:00 am, the park guide takes you through your primate expedition. Evening activity includes visiting the Iby’Iwacu village for a cultural encounter and exploring Rwanda’s unique cultures and traditions.
Day 13: Catch up with your flight to Arusha
Leave Ruhengeri for Kigali, arrive early and you will be dropped off at the airport –KGL. Depart Kigali for Arusha airport in Tanzania; meet the driver for transfer to a hotel to enjoy dinner and a night stay.
Day 14: Safari to Serengeti NP
Get up early morning and you will meet the driver who will be taking you to explore the Serengeti National Park located in the Northern Tanzania tourist circuit. It will be a 6-hour drive and not miss the breathtaking rift valley views. Lunch be enjoyed on arrival and you will set off for a short game drive or just relax at the lodge. Serengeti is vast and guarantees you countless animal sightings from buffaloes, elephants, warthogs, cheetahs, impalas, gazelles, dik-dik, hyraxes, lions, Kudus, leopards, hartebeest, Masai giraffes, and birds.
Day 15: Serengeti NP sweeping plains on a game drive & wildebeest migration
Enjoy a hot cup of tea/coffee and you will leave the camp/lodge for a long day game drive accompanied by observing wildebeest migration. The big five will be spotted and other wildlife plus wildebeest migration. It will be a long in Serengeti and we advise that you leave with a packed lunch.
Day 16: Tour to Kenya’s Maasai Mara Reserve
Today, you will have another border crossing and you will leave Serengeti for Masai Mara National Reserve, one of East Africa’s extensive reserves. This is home to not only the big 5 but also the world’s spectacles. Connect to Kenya via the Isebania border crossing and you will check in at the lodge or camp in the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Day 17: Masai Mara for big game & wildebeest Migration
A memorable day in Masai Mara National Reserve includes a game drive to see the big 5 and wildebeests. Large herds of cape buffaloes, elephants, lions, antelopes, zebras, and giraffes will be spotted and powerful wildebeest migration will be enjoyed at the Mara River. Lunch will be enjoyed in the bush and you continue to the Mara River to observe the river crossing if time allows, you will be visiting the Maasai people in their communities adjacent to the reserve.
Day 18: Nairobi city & departure
Have your property packed in a 4×4 safari car and set off for Nairobi city. Drop off at the airport or hotel and this marks the end of 18 days of extensive safari in East Africa.
End of safari
