East Africa Safari: Entangle with nature as you explore Africa’s top safari destinations in 35 days. Relax, explore, meet new people; learn the African culture, travel safe, enjoy variety of African foods, admire African weather, and familiarize with the countries that form the East African block. On this safari, you have an opportunity do game drives, city tours, boat cruises, Gorilla trekking, cultural encounters, canoe rides, chimpanzee trekking, birding and lion trekking.
The trip starts from Kigali Rwanda, then to Akagera national park, Volcanoes national park, Nyungwe national park, Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega national parks in D.R. Congo; Lake Bunyonyi, Queen Elizabeth, Semiliki, and Murchison fall national parks in Uganda; Amboseli, Masai Mara and Dian Beach experience in Kenya; Arusha, Serengeti national park and Ngorongoro crater in Tanzania.
East Africa Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Explore Kigali city
- Day 2: Kigali city to Akagera national park
- Day 3: Game drive and boat cruise
- Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes national park
- Day 5: Golden monkey trekking and Musanze cave exploration
- Day 6: Volcanoes national park to Virunga national park
- Day 7: Mountain Gorilla trekking in Virunga national park
- Day 8: Virunga National park to Nyungwe national park
- Day 9: Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk
- Day 10: Transfer to Kahuzi-Biega national park
- Day 11: Eastern lowland gorilla trekking
- Day 12: A night in Kigali
- Day 13: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
- Day 14 & 15: Leisure at Lake Bunyonyi
- Day 16: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National park
- Day 17: Game drive and boat cruise at Kazinga channel
- Day 18: Experiential lion tracking
- Day 19: Queen Elizabeth to Semliki National Park
- Day 20: Sunrise bird watching and nature walk
- Day 21: Transfer to Murchison Falls national park
- Day 22: Game drive and boat cruise
- Day 23: Drive to Entebbe and fly to Nairobi Kenya
- Day 24: Nairobi to Amboseli National Park
- Day 25: Full day game drive in Amboseli
- Day 26: Amboseli to Masai Mara
- Day 27: full day game drive
- Day 28: Fly from Masai Mara to Diani beach
- Day 29: Relax at Dian beach – full day
- Day 30: Fly from Diani beach to Tanzania
- Day 31: Game drive and Masai Village Tour
- Day 32: Sunrise game drive and Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater
- Day 33: Full day game drive
- Day 34: Transfer to Arusha national park
- Day 35: Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Explore Kigali city
Arrive safely at Kigali International Airport, our company representative will meet and greet you. Starting with a briefing session and then a drive to the hotel for check-in. one of the two choices will be made by you! Remaining at the hotel to have a rest or taking a drive around Kigali City. Kigali City is one of the cleanest cities in the world.
It possesses a composure of modernity and traditional beauty. You will visit the Genocide memorial site, local markets, souvenir shops and museum. Lunch will be served around town, in a day that ends within the first hours of the night with dinner and overnight. Note that experiencing the beauty of Night life in Rwanda is a bonus.
Day 2: Kigali city to Akagera national park
Wake-up excited about what the day has to offer, and then get to the breakfast table for a tasty bite. Thereafter, check-out of the lodge a rewarding 3-4 hour drive, with the breathtaking views of the rolling hills, vegetation and more. The journey takes roughly 2-3 hours, and there you will be at the lodge for check-in. Settle at the place as you relax, and wait for dinner, and a peaceful nap.
Day 3: Game drive and boat cruise
After breakfast, you will head for a 3-4 hours’ game drive in the open savannah grassland of Akagera national park. Akagera national park is the only savannah park in Rwanda, and in a lucky day, your check-list with the Big 5 Africa cats can be ticked off. These among others are; the lions, the leopards, Rhinos, elephants, and the cape Buffaloes. Birds, the stunning landscape, and more are for viewing, before you return to the lodge for Lunch.
After Lunch, you will go explore the Twin Lakes, for a canoe ride, spot fishing and interaction with the local natives of the place. The day ends at sunset with dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes national park
Have a relaxed sunrise breakfast meal at the lodge, and then check-out for a 4-5 hours’ scenic drive to Volcanoes National park (Rwanda’s premier destination). There will be an enroute stopover for lunch, and late arrival at the lodge for check-in, refreshment, dinner and overnight stay
Day 5: Golden monkey trekking and Musanze cave exploration
Wakeup very early in the morning, and have breakfast. At 07:00 hrs; you should be at the park headquarters for a pretrekking briefing. Golden monkeys are some of the most beautiful primate species in the world. These cheerful monkeys demand for real attention if you will capture great photos, and identify distinctive features on them. Trekking is done on foot, and it takes approximately 1 – 4 hours, plus an extra hour for studying them.
Afterwards, you will return to the lodge for lunch and in the evening, have an optional exploration at Musanze caves. A real dark world experience for about an hour. Dinner and overnight brings the day to an end.
Day 6: Volcanoes national park to Virunga national park
Wake-up very early in the morning and enjoy mouthwatering breakfast at the lodge. Thereafter, you will depart Volcanoes national park for Virunga national park located in eastern democratic republic of Congo. You will have stop over at Goma grand Barrier (Congo – Rwanda boarder post) for document verification and another stopover for lunch in Goma city. Get to your lodge in the evening for dinner and rest.
Day 7: Mountain Gorilla trekking in Virunga national park
This is one of the most remarkable adventures in your life. Standing next to the world’s most powerful primate. One silver back is reportedly stronger than 10 able bodied men. Gorilla trekking takes about 1-6 hours, and an extra hour for watching and taking photos.
Before getting to the jungle, you will have breakfast and be guided on the trekking dos and don’ts, what to do in the presence of the Gorillas, and more about the relation between man and the Gorillas. Mountain Gorillas living here can only be got in the African continent. After the trekking session, you will enjoy Lunch in the forest, and then return to the lodge for a rest, followed by dinner then a peaceful nap.
Day 8: Virunga National park to Nyungwe national park
Kick-start your day with a cup of coffee. Thereafter checkout of the lodge for transfer southwards to Nyungwe national park, the primate wild. You will enjoy stunning views of rolling hills, busy towns, and dotted homesteads in the country side. Stop at any perfect place for lunch and some cultural insights. Arrival at your lodge in Nyungwe will be in the evening, when you will check-in for refreshment, dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk
Leave bed very early and greet the intestines with an African cup of coffee. With the energy got, off you pick packed Lunch and head to the park headquarters for pre-trek briefing. The session lasts for about 30 minutes, and thereafter, ranger guides will lead the way into the jungle, where over 13 unique primates call home.
Before or after seeing the chimpanzees, you might come across the white and black Columbus monkeys; vervet monkeys, the olive baboons, grey-checked monkeys and more. It is fascinating to see the nests the primates spend nights in, identify the different plant species, the birds and the forest mammals. Upon finding them, an extra hour is given to you to take photos and study your cousins in their natural habitat.
Lunch break comes next, and then the evening time spent exploring the magically suspended canopy in the middle of the forest. You get to admire the breathtaking landscape, homesteads, plantations and the forest itself. End the day at the lodge with dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Transfer to Kahuzi-Biega national park
Wake-up ignited for breakfast. Thereafter check-out of the lodge for a Transfer to Kahuzi-Biega National park. The road trip lasts for about 4-5 hours, through the busy towns and with the view of the breathtaking mountains, undulating hills, and lush vegetation.
Have lunch enroute, and then a lazy evening upon arriving and check-in in at the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 11: Eastern lowland gorilla trekking
A day to differentiate between a mountain Gorilla and Lowland Gorillas. First there will be an energizing breakfast at the lodge, and thereafter, transfer to the park headquarters for pre-trek briefing which lasts for about 30 minutes, with ranger guides explaining the trekking dos and don’ts.
Trekking is done on foot, and takes about 1-6 hours, while identifying flora, different primates and birds. Gorillas possess about 98% human-like DNA and so as you spend an hour with them, take time to observe similarity in their behavior and body. Lunch will be in the forest.
Exhausted and tired, yet with great memories, you will return to the lodge for refreshment, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 12: A night in Kigali
After a tasty cup of coffee, you will checkout of the lodge and drive back to Kigali city; spending about 7-8 hours on the road, with an enroute stopover for lunch and the craft centers. You will get to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Day 13: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, checkout of the lodge and get behind the steering wheel for a 7-8 hours’ drive to Lake Bunyonyi; traversing the rolling hills, buzzing towns, and the lush vegetation. Your documents will be verified at the Rwanda – Uganda boarder post. Lunch will then follow, and a sunset drive to your lodge on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi where you will spend the next two days. Dinner and overnight marks the end of this day.
Day 14 & 15: Leisure at Lake Bunyonyi
Each of these two days starts with a delicious breakfast meal at the lodge, and thereafter, activities around one of the deepest freshwater lakes in the continent of Africa. Lake Bunyonyi is magical, surrounded by over 29 historical islands, and lots of trees. Over 350 bird species call home, and you will keep encountering them. You will visit the Punishment Island, do bird watching, community visits, plantation tours and canoe rides. The day ends with dinner and a nap.
Day 16: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National park
At daybreak, you will enjoy a lip-smacking breakfast meal at lodge, and then depart for the Medley of Wonders “Queen Elizabeth National park”. During the journey, you will enjoy stunning views of the landscape, plantation and more. There will be lunch enroute and late arrival at the lodge for dinner and a peaceful night stay.
Day 17: Game drive and boat cruise at Kazinga channel
Wakeup very early in the morning at 06:00 hours, the first animal must have been seen. The drive lasts for about 3-4 hours, with the view of the stunning landscape, plantations, primates, birds, reptiles and the more. As the hunters get to the wild, the hunted start their day. This morning hours offer perfect opportunity of encountering a hunt, grazers starting with fresh pasture and more. You will look-out for lions, leopards, cape Buffaloes, African elephants, warthogs, Uganda Kobs, Oribis, and hyenas.
After, you will return to the lodge for lunch and then the afternoon is spent at Kazinga channel, having a boat cruise for 2-3 hours. You get to enjoy the calmness of the lake breeze, sight of the aquatic animals such as the hippos and the crocodiles and more. End your day at the lodge with dinner and overnight.
Day 18: Experiential lion tracking
Get the day started with a lip-smacking breakfast meal at the lodge, and then off you go for a full day lion tracking; with lunch in the wild. Lion tracking is one sure way you will encounter the lions; one of the most fierce animals in the world. The research will help you know about the lions; how they mark their territories, life span, feeds, and more. The day ends with dinner and peaceful nap.
Day 19: Queen Elizabeth to Semliki National Park
Have a relaxed breakfast meal at the lodge, and then check-out for a Transfer to the true birders haven in Uganda – Semuliki national park. A 2-3 hours’ drive will see you arrive safely in Fort portal city; for Crater Lake tours, and top of the world hike with a local guide. Call off your day with dinner and overnight.
Day 20: Sunrise bird watching and nature walk
Early in the morning, you will have an early breakfast meal at the lodge, and then hit the road on a 1-2 hours’ drive to Semliki National Park. On arrival, you will be briefed and then start a walk to the forest with over 450 bird species making it 10% of Uganda’s total bird species. Congo serpent, red thighed sparrow hawk, Guinea-Congo forest biome, Kori-bustard, white crested hornbill, piping hornbill and Shoe-bill stock.
You will also find more at the beautiful Sempaya hot springs, where you will take time on photography. At sunset, drive back to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 21: Transfer to Murchison Falls national park
Wake-up for a mouthwatering breakfast meal at the lodge and thereafter transfer to Murchison falls national park with the world’s most powerful waterfall. The journey takes 7-8 hours, with views of the plantations, busy towns, and the dotted homesteads. You will have Lunch enroute, and late arrival at the lodge for Lunch. Dinner and overnight end the day with dinner and overnight.
Day 22: Game drive and boat cruise
At day break, you will depart for game drive at the vast northern part of the park. There you have a chance of spotting among others; giraffes, cape Buffaloes, African elephants, several antelope species, waterbucks, warthogs and hippos.
Game drive will last for 3-4 hours, followed by bush breakfast. Afterwards, lunch break and boat cruise to bottom of the falls, for about 2-3 hours, taking photos, enjoying the cool water breeze and watching the distant animals like elephants.
Take home the stunning views of the Nile crocodiles, hippos, aquatic birds, and the powerful sound of the Murchison falls squeezing through the 7mtr gorge to the Nile. The day ends with dinner and overnight.
Day 23: Drive to Entebbe and fly to Nairobi Kenya
A bright day starts with coffee. Then a good day is described by a lovely drive to one of the most vibrant cities in the world – Kampala. Here you will have lunch, and then proceed to Entebbe International Airport for an outbound flight to Nairobi.
Our company driver / guide, will meet and brief you at the airport, and then transfer to your hotel for dinner and night stay.
Day 24: Nairobi to Amboseli National Park
Wakeup for breakfast and thereafter, check-out for a transfer to Amboseli National Park. It takes about 6-7 hours to drive to Amboseli national park, with a stopover enroute for lunch. A striking sunset, over the beautiful views of snowcapped Mountain Kilimanjaro will welcome you to the home of giant elephants. You will drive to the lodge for refreshment, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 25: Full day game drive in Amboseli
After breakfast, you will take to the wild for a morning game drive, and afternoon guided nature walk by the backdrop of the vast Kilimanjaro mountains; Africa’s tallest stand-alone mountains. In additions to elephants that are dominant here, you stand chances of encountering many other residents roaming freely, notably; warthogs, cheetahs, waterbucks, buffaloes, Topis and leopards. You will end this day with dinner and overnight.
Day 26: Amboseli to Masai Mara
Greet your intestines with a heavy cup of coffee today. Thereafter, checkout of the lodge for a transfer to Masai Mara reserve, having an enroute stopover for lunch in Nairobi, and stunning views of the Great Rift Valley. Another stop over will be in Narok for craft and souvenir shopping, then evening arrival at your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 27: full day game drive
In today’s program; breakfast is first thing, followed by the morning game drive which will last for approximately 3-4 hours. There is a lot to pay attention to in the wild. These include; the stunning landscape, botany, birds, primates and animals such as wildebeests, Jackson hartebeests, zebras, giraffes, warthogs, lions, leopards, and elands. Looking after your check-list will need time and focus. Hours will be spent, at sun rise and sunset, then eventually the day ends with dinner and a peaceful nap.
Day 28: Fly from Masai Mara to Diani beach
You will depart Masai Mara national park after breakfast, for Diani beach at the shores of the massive Indian Ocean. Enjoy stunning views from high above in the skies, views of the lush vegetation, and scattered homesteads. You will arrive at your lodge overlooking the beach for lunch, and then enjoy the rest of the evening relaxing and admiring cool sea breeze. Dinner is the last meal of the day, and a peaceful nap.
Day 29: Relax at Dian beach – full day
Greet your intestines with hefty breakfast at the lodge, and thereafter spend the best of the day chilling at the still waters of Diani white sand beach. There are different activities you can engage in; notably snorkeling, sport fishing, swim with dolphins, speed boat cruises, and swimming. Get the best of the sea foods such as fish, and enjoy as much as the lips can allow. Dinner and overnight marks the end of the day.
Day 30: Fly from Diani beach to Tanzania
Today, you will wake-up, have breakfast, and checkout of the lodge for a flight to Tanzania. There will be flight to Arusha or Kilimanjaro international airport, and upon landing, our company driver guide will meet and greet you, thereafter transfer to Serengeti National Park. Arrive at the lodge after lunch stopover, and check-in for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 31: Game drive and Masai Village Tour
First thing this day is waking up to a tasty breakfast meal at the lodge. Thereafter, you will go for a 3-4 hour wildlife viewing with hopes of encountering the lions hunting, elephants, Buffaloes, cheetah, zebras, wildebeest, warthogs, giraffes, hyenas, and more grazing; the ostrich, flamingoes, and several other vultures. Nobody has an appointment with these residents but absolute Luck.
Next after Lunch will be appreciating other tribes and the people of Africa. Rural life is special, and you’re evening with the Masai village encounters. Enjoy the thrilling cultural dance, village walk and stories. At sunset, you will retire to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 32: Sunrise game drive and Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater
Second day game drive will be done very early in the morning; approximately about 6:00am, with hopes of encountering the hard to find animals yet the most desired. Among those include lions, leopards, hippos, hyenas and Topis. These love taking advantage of the darkness and return to their hideouts very early in the morning thus why your first search offers a great chance. After game drive, you will return to the lodge for breakfast.
Checkout of the lodge for a Transfer to Ngorongoro crater, with an enroute stopover for Lunch and at Olduvai Gorge to study the history of Humanity. Arrive at the lodge, refresh, and close the activities with dinner and overnight.
Day 33: Full day game drive
After breakfast, you will go for a 3-4 hours’ game drive around the vast Ngorongoro crater; encountering the prey and predators in their territories. The ranger guides will help you identify the lions, leopards, Rhinos, cheetahs, zebras, hippos and buffaloes on a lucky day.
There are also several bird species, Reptiles, primates and unique plant species among others to explore in this open wilderness. After the experience, you will return to the lodge for lunch and some refreshments and thereafter, spend the evening exploring crater summit, taking photos and interacting with Big cats. End this day at the lodge with dinner followed by night stay.
Day 34: Transfer to Arusha national park
Start your morning with delicious breakfast at the lodge. Thereafter, check-out for a drive to Arusha. A unique pattern of plantations and weather to be encountered during the transfer. Arrive at your lodge in afternoon hours; check-in and enjoy a peaceful rest. The next hours will be for relaxing at the beautiful gardens of the hotel while waiting for dinner and eventually a peaceful night stay.
Day 35: Departure
First thing is having a mouthwatering breakfast at the lodge. Depending on the time of your flight, you will spend about 4-5 hours exploring the city of Arusha; one of Tanzania’s busiest towns. After lunch, you will check-out of the lodge and transfer to Arusha airport or Kilimanjaro international airport to catch your departure flight.
End of safari
