18 DAYS EAST AFRICAN SAFARI.
Overview.
The 18 days East Africa Safari is a long trans-border adventure safari covering beautiful tourist sites in four amazing East African Countries – Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania, while expecting at lost 90% of everything Africa offers.
With unmatched wildlife experiences such as the Wildebeest migration, gorilla trekking, City tours, Game drives in outstanding savannah Parks, breathtaking boat cruises, golden monkey tracking, Cultural tours, birding expeditions, chimpanzee trekking and guided nature walks, this safari is nothing less than magical. It starts in Uganda (at Entebbe International Airport and ends in Kenya (Nairobi).
Detailed safari.
Day 1: Arrival in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa and transfer to a Hotel/Motel in Kampala.
Welcome to the beautiful Uganda, dubbed the Pearl of Africa. Pick-up from the Airport by our Company representative and drive to the Capital, about 45 kilometers/45-60 minutes’ drive from the Airport.
If time allows, undertake a short tour of the bustling and lively City of Kampala with cultural and historical sites such as Kasubi Royal Tombs, Uganda National Museums as well as Craft Markets to be explored. Return to the booked Hotel for dinner, relaxation and overnight stay as you prepare for the official start of the safari.
Day 2: 5-6 hours’ drive from Kampala to Murchison falls National Park.
On this day, leave the City for Murchison falls National Park via Luwero, Nakasongola with en-route visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary after approximately 3 hours’ drive. Spend about two hours here tracking the country’s only wild Rhino population alongside bushbucks, Defassa waterbucks, Oribis, Uganda Kobs, common elands and several bird species.
Have Lunch at Amuka Lodge or Kabalega Diners then connect to Murchison falls National Park, the country’s prime and largest National Park in north-western Uganda. Delicious dinner and comfortable overnight stay at the Lodge.
Day 3: Early morning game drive in the park’s savannah plains and launch cruise to the bottom of the water falls.
Get up early for a morning game drive through the Park’s spectacular savannah plains with unmatched opportunities of encountering early risers and nocturnal wildlife species such as leopards, spotted hyenas, jackals, lions and many others before returning to their hideouts. This Park is also home to Rothschild giraffes, warthogs, Uganda Kobs, buffaloes, Oribis, elephants, Defassa waterbucks, Jackson’s hartebeests, common elands and olive baboons that are likely to be encountered during the game drive. Birders are not left out because this drive offers views of secretary birds, Grey-crowned cranes, shoebill storks and many others.
Return to the lodge for lunch and in the afternoon lead for a 2-3 hours’ boat cruise along the calm Victoria Nile where a cocktail of birds and wildlife are found. Bird species such as shoebill storks, pied kingfishers and saddle-billed storks in addition to Nile crocodiles and Hippos can be seen during the Launch cruise. Either stop with photography at the bottom of the falls or proceed for the hike to the top of the falls. Back to the Paraa jetty for the return to your Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Drive to the lush tropical rainforest of Kibale Forest National Park, western Uganda.
Leave the magnificent Murchison falls National Park after an early breakfast and head southwards to the verdant Kibale Forest National Park. Pass through the stunning western Uganda landscapes with mind-blowing views of the Albertine Escarpments, green sugarcane and tea plantations, the pristine countryside and rural homesteads until reaching Kibale Forest National Park in the evening for dinner and overnight. En-route Lunch at Hoima or Fort Portal Town.
Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking through Kibale Forest and afternoon guided walk through Bigodi wetland.
On Day 5 have breakfast at the Lodge and embark on guided trek through the jungles to search for the endangered chimpanzees. This trek is after a short briefing at Kanyanchu Visitor Center and look-out for other resident primates such as grey-cheeked mangabeys, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys and L’Hoests monkeys not forgetting birds, butterflies and tree species. Trekking involves use of well-maintained trails and moderately flat terrain for over 1-3 hours until the allocated chimpanzee community is encountered and your clock for one hour will start ticking.
Picnic lunch or hot meal at the Lodge and explore the Bigodi wetland Sanctuary, part of the extensive Magombe Wetlands for a variety of wetland bird species as well as several primate species not seen in Kibale Forest National Park. Get into the safari vehicle for a retreat to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Road transfer to the stunning Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Breakfast and leave Kibale Forest National Park at leisure for Queen Elizabeth National Park, a journey lasting about 2-3 hours. This Park is nestled at the backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains and is haven to a variety of wildlife totaling to over 95 species and birds totaling to over 600 species. Traverse the quiet Towns of Fort Portal and Kasese and arrive in the evening for dinner and overnight stay at the booked Lodge.
Day 7: Game viewing experience and Launch cruise along the Kazinga Channel.
Early breakfast followed by an adventurous game viewing adventure where the highest wildlife encounter with ever be experienced, with sights and sounds of elephants, buffaloes, spotted hyenas, leopards, Uganda Kobs, bushbucks, lions, Hippos, Topis and many others, not forgetting plethora of unique bird species.
The afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel comes with wonderful birding opportunities and wildlife encounters to include monitor lizards, Nile crocodiles, Hippos, Uganda Kobs, shoebill storks and grey-crowned cranes among others. After the hectic day, retire to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Road trip to the lush Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, in south-western Uganda.
After a well-deserving bush breakfast, exit Queen Elizabeth National Park through a game drive towards the southern sector (Ishasha), lasting between 4-6 hours depending on the sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park you are visiting. Bwindi is made up of 4 sectors (Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo and Buhoma) and is popular for gorilla treks, birding adventures, biking and many other wonderfully mind-boggling activities. Arrival in the evening and check-in at a Lodge for relaxation, overnight stay and dinner.
Day 9: Gorilla trek and Batwa Community Visit.
Up early and breakfast at the Lodge while admiring the Tropical sunrise, the wide tropical rainforest and towering Virunga Mountains. Transfer to the Park Headquarters for 30-45 minutes’ briefing session where information on the entire gorilla experience, expectations and guidelines of trekking will be provided before being allocated to any of the 10 habituated gorilla families and assigned a guide. Hire a porter to help in carrying your backpack and together start the trek through the forest in search of mountain gorillas.
The entire gorilla trekking experience lasts between 2 and 6 hours, depending on the movement of the allocated gorilla family on the particular trekking day and this time is also inclusive of the one hour in their presence. Descend to the trailhead for a drive to the Lodge for relaxation and Lunch. In the evening explore the riveting culture of the nearby Batwa communities for entertainment, an insight to the unique lifestyle and so much more. Get back to the Lodge for refreshments, relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Cross border from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.
After an early morning breakfast, leave south-western Uganda and cross-over to North-western border of Rwanda, via Cyanika/Kisoro border into Rwanda’s most popular tourist destination. Volcanoes National Park in north-western Rwanda is popular for sheltering 35% of the World’s total endangered Mountain gorillas and arrive in the afternoon for Lunch, dinner, overnight stay and relaxation.
Day 11: Exhilarating Golden monkey tracking adventure and visit to the Gorilla Guardian Village.
Sumptuous breakfast and continue to Volcanoes National Park Headquarters for briefing on the golden monkey tracking adventure. Enter the jungles, hike through the Bamboo forest on the lower slopes of the Virunga Mountains to meet the frisky golden monkeys after 1-2 hours of trekking. Meet resident primates such as vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys and black and white colobus monkeys as well as birds while trekking and get back to the Lodge for Lunch.
In the evening opt to unwind at the Lodge or undertake a walk through the Gorilla Guardian Village (also known as Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village) for engrossing cultural dances, lessons on traditional beer brewing and many others. Get back to the Lodge for rest and dinner.
Day 12: Dian Fossey Hike and visit the Twin Lakes.
Have breakfast at the booked place of stay and immediately head out for the hike to Dian Fossey gravesite. You will see the site where the Gorilla heroin, Dian Fossey was laid to rest after being assassinated by poachers for advocating and fighting for the mountain gorillas. The day will begin with breakfast and briefing at Kinigi Park Headquarters then the actual hike to Karisoke Research Center where she and laid to rest besides her favorite young gorilla (Digit). Pay your respects and descend back to the Lodge for Lunch.
In the afternoon drive to the shores of the Twin lakes where you will begin the boat ride through the serene waters of these Lakes, on the foothills and backdrop of Gahinga and Muhabura Mountains. A sunset boat cruise will not only relax your nerves but also introduce you to the unique bird species.
Day 13: Musanze Caves exploration and drive to Kigali International Airport for outbound Flight to Arusha, Tanzania.
Head for a relaxing tour through the Musanze Caves after an amazing breakfast and check-out of the Lodge to be introduced to the historical significance of the Site. Proceed for a drive to Kigali International Airport for an outbound Flight to Arusha Airport in northern Tanzania. Dinner, relaxation and overnight stay at a Hotel/Motel in Arusha Town.
Day 14: Drive from Arusha Airport to Serengeti National Park.
An irresistible sunrise of Arusha is a perfect wake-up call, then have breakfast before starting the road trip from Arusha Town to Serengeti National Park, between the Mara and Simiyu regions within Northern Tanzania and takes about 350 kilometers/5-6 hours’ drive.
Make sure to leave Arusha with packed lunch for the en-route meal and arrive at the lodge on time for short relaxation and preparation for the sunset game drive. This is the best way to enjoy the beauty of this vast Tanzanian National Park, filled with variety of wildlife and bird species.
As dark sets in, you will be encountering the nocturnal life especially serval cats, aardwolf, bat-eared fox, cheetahs, crested porcupine, lions, jackals, striped hyenas, Mongoose, African golden wolf, leopards aardvark, hyraxes, otters, and bat-eared fox among others in addition to the elephants, buffaloes and wildebeests. Get back to the wilderness Lodge for dinner and slumber.
Day 15: Full day Serengeti National Park game drive.
A typical Serengeti game drive starts with hefty breakfast and with packed lunch start out on the most memorable drive through vast savannah and woodland landscapes. Look out for the big mammals such as elephants, Rhinos, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes as well as lions, cheetahs and leopards.
If your safari is within the months of July to September, you will get the golden opportunity of witnessing the wildebeest migration as large herds of wildebeests, zebras and gazelles migrate from the unfenced borders of Serengeti to Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve.
The Park guide will find a nice spot to enjoy your packed Lunch and continue exploring the beauty of Serengeti National Park. In the evening visit the Masai people of Ololosokwan Village within the Eastern boundary of the National Park. Retreat to the Lodge for a hot meal, slumber and relaxation.
Day 16: Transfer from Serengeti National Park to Masai Mara National Reserve.
In the morning exit Serengeti National Park through a game drive and drive towards southern Kenya, to Masai Mara National Reserve. Cross-over via the Isebania border and arrive Kenya’s most famous and wildlife-filled destination for game drive.
Check-in at one of the most stupendous wilderness lodge for lunch and in the evening head for another dose of evening game drive through the sweeping savannah plains and hill slopes.
Day 17: Full day Masai Mara Exploration.
Arise for breakfast and prepare for another unforgettable dose of wildlife encounter, within Masai Mara National Reserve. Your first Masai Mara exploration activity is hot air balloon safari to the 360-degree views of the Park’s savannah, woodland, rugged terrain, Mara River. The most magical and photogenic moments are watching big cats pouncing on unaware antelopes.
Enjoy your bush Lunch and head for a game drive to introduce you to another moment of wildlife viewing. After this epic day of wildlife encounter, get back to the Lodge for relaxation, dinner and slumber in a memory-filled night.
Day 18: Leave Masai Mara National Reserve for Nairobi City.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and check-out of the Wilderness Lodge in Masai Mara National Park, to start the 6 hours’ transfer to Nairobi City. Be dropped at the Hotel in the City or transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your outbound flight.
End of your 18 days East Africa Safari.

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