The best of East Africa - Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania extravaganza

East Africa Safari

Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania highlights

Day 1: Entebbe - Kampala, UGANDA
Jambo! Welcome to Africa. Once you have cleared Immigration and Customs, proceed to the Arrivals area and look for your driver holding a sign. You will then be transferred to Kampala, Uganda's capital. The rest of the day is at leisure so you can relax after your flight.

Day 2: Fort Portal (Meals: B,L,D) 2 nights
Leaving Kampala in the morning, we drive west to Fort Portal. This laid-back town lies in the northern foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains in a heartland of lush tea-growing plantations.

Day 3 : Fort Portal (B,L,D)
The Kibale Forest is 766 sq km and largely comprises of rainforest where 60 mammal and 335 bird species reside, as well as many different insects and plants. There are 13 primate species, of which the chimpanzees are a star attraction. Today you will be driven deep into the forest to meet your guides who will escort you through the park to look for these fascinating primates in their natural habitat. Sometimes high up in trees, sometimes on the ground playing around - wherever you find a chimpanzee community - you will be left in awe of their strong family ties and their amazing agility. The rest of the day is free to relax at the hotel or explore the town and surrounds.

Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park (B,L,D)
Our destination today is Queen Elizabeth NP which is especially scenic, with two lakes connected by a channel overlooked by a high peninsula. We arrive after lunch and take an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. It is well worth the trip to see the thousands of hippo, the abundant bird life and busy fishing village. This evening we dine in the lodge's scenic restaurant overlooking the Kazinga.

Day 5: Kigali (B,L)
We leave Queen Elizabeth NP in the morning and drive through to Rwanda, crossing theborder at Gatuna. Once in Rwanda we will drive to the capital city of Kigali. Our hotel has a popular restaurant for you to enjoy this evening
Accommodation: Chez Lando Hotel or similar

Day 6: Ruhengeri (B,L,D) 2 nights
A sobering few hours will be spent at the Genocide Museum in the morning, followed by a visit to the carving and curio markets. In the afternoon we will drive through stunning scenery and steep-terraced farmland to Ruhengeri where we base ourselves for the next two days. Our hotel has a lively rooftop bar and is only 5 minutes walk from the centre of town.

Day 7: Ruhengeri (B,L,D)
Free day. You might like to hike in to The Volcanoes National Park to visit Dian Fossey's gravesite, take a canoe trip down the Mukungwa River through rural Rwanda or visit The Gorilla Museum set up by The Diane Fossey Fund.

Day 8: Kisoro (B,L,D)
A short drive this morning, back into Uganda through the border at Cyanika. Afternoon at leisure to relax, have a look around the town and prepare your gear for the gorilla trek tomorrow.

Day 9: Gorilla Trekking Day (B,L,D) 2 nights
We will be picked up early in the morning and taken to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park entrance. From here we will be split into groups of 8 with a guide and park rangers, then begin our hike in the rain forest to see the magnificent mountain gorillas. Expect to trek between 1 to 5 hours through thick forest with overhanging vines, moss covered trees and
Giant Lobelias that thrive in the tropical climate. Depending on where the gorillas are, you may have to go off the track and climb steeply through thick bush. After all the effort of your climb, you will be overawed when you finally come across a family of gorillas. There are around 900 mountain gorillas left in the world and nothing could be more of a privilege than to spend an hour watching them as they go about their daily routine of feeding, playing, cleaning and resting in their own territory. An unforgettable experience! After the trek we will be transferred to Lake Bunyonyi.

Day 10: Lake Bunyonyi (B,L,D)
The Lake is reputed to be one of the deepest in Africa and is fantastic for swimming in. The surrounding hills are the home of the Bakiga people who are cultivators by tradition. We spend the morning visiting a local school then back to the truck for lunch followed by a leisurely afternoon boat cruise around the islands.

Day 11: Jinja (B,L,D) 2 nights
It is a reasonably long drive through to Jinja where we will spend the next few nights. The luxuriant vegetation covering the river banks and the diversity of bird life attracted by the river fish and insects, complete a stunning vista as you sip a cold drink in the camp bar overlooking the Nile river.

Day 12: Jinja (B,L)
Free day. Mountain Biking, Quad Biking, Horse Riding, Village Walks, Birding and Fishing on the Nile are just some of the optional activities available for you to do here.

Day 13: Kenyan Highlands KENYA (B,L,D)
Today we cross into Kenya where we'll stay up in the Kenyan highlands just outside of Eldoret. Our river camp is a laid-back resort with a pool, shady gardens and a very vibrant bar with unique furnishings.

Day 14: Nakuru (B,L,D) 2 nights
This morning we travel down through the very picturesque Eldama Ravine to Nakuru, located in the Rift Valley. Our accommodation is in self-contained cottages on a working farm with beautiful gardens and excellent facilities. You can spend the afternoon going on a farm walk and/or visit the Kenana knitters project.

Day 15: Lake Nakuru (B,L,D)
Today we enter Lake Nakuru National Park and spend the day game driving. This small park is packed with wildlife. The soda lake has over 400 species of birdlife - an ornithologist's paradise. It is also home to both the black and white rhino, and where some scenes from the movie Out of Africa were filmed.

Day 16: Lake Naivasha (B,L,D)
This afternoon we arrive at Lake Naivasha and take a boat ride on the lake viewing hippos, fish eagles and birdlife before arriving at Elsamere, the former home of the late Joy and George Adamson. Joy became world famous for her pioneering conservation work and relationship with the lioness Elsa, as told in her bestselling book and subsequent film, Born Free. After a video presentation on the life of the Adamson's, enjoy a delicious afternoon tea in the gardens.

Day 17: Masai Mara (B,L,D) 2 nights
Today we drive into the Masai Mara stopping along the way for lunch. As we get closer to the park you will see herds of goats and cows wandering in a cloud of dust through the vast plains dutifully watched by their Maasai owners. We enter the main gate by mid afternoon and drive through to Sekenani Camp, each tent is situated on a raised platform with a bathroom complete with a full-length bathtub.

Day 18: Masai Mara (B,L,D)
We spend the day game driving around the park through vast herds of zebra, wildebeest and antelope. Hopefully we will also spot some of the The Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino). The Masai Mara is quite simply, one of the greatest wildlife attractions in the world and at this time of year (July to Oct) we should see the migration which is spectacular. We
will stop at The Mara river for a short guided walk and see what animals might be around the river at the time. In the afternoon we will visit a Maasai village to meet the locals and learn about some of their age-old customs and the way they live their semi-nomadic lifestyle.

Day 19: Nairobi (B,L) 2 nights
Today we journey through the Rift Valley and up the escarpment where we stop for photo opportunities, before continuing on to Nairobi, Kenya's capital. Tonight you might like to eat in the famous Carnivores Restaurant which is located in the grounds of our hotel.

Day 20: Nairobi (B)
Free day to kick-back, catch up on your washing, emails, shopping etc. There is a good choice of restaurants and bars close-by, plus a modern supermarket where you can stock up on personal supplies. Option to visit the nearby elephant orphanage at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

Day 21: Karatu (B,L,D)
Today we cross into Tanzania via the Namanga border and drive through Arusha and the northern highlands. After climbing the Manyara Escarpment, the vegetation becomes more lush and green, especially around the highlands of Karatu where we overnight. The extinct volcano of Ol Deani has gentle slopes and is a prominent feature of the landscape.

Day 22: Serengeti (B,L,D)
You will be picked up this morning in 4WD vehicles and driven to The Serengeti National Park. It is the largest national park in Tanzania and is famous for its migratory herd of more than 1.5 million wildebeest, along with masses of zebra and of course their predators. This afternoon enjoy a game drive before arriving at our tented camp.

Day 23: Serengeti - Ngorongoro (B,L,D)
Morning game drive before travelling across the plains to Naabi Hill where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon we continue on to Ngorongoro where we overnight on the edge of the crater rim.

Day 24: Ngorongoro Crater - Arusha (B,L)
Ngorongoro Crater is a huge volcanic caldera covering 264 sq km. Measuring over 16 km across and 610 metres deep it is home to many animals including black rhino, hyena, jackal and the densest lion population in the world. This morning we descend into the crater for a game drive then after lunch we will drive back to Arusha where we overnight.

Day 25: Arusha - Marangu (B,D) 2 nights
Today we visit Shanga River House. The Shanga Foundation was set up to provide locals with disabilities the chance to learn a craft and earn a living. You will be impressed with the unique, quality products, handmade from recycled materials. We will have our lunch here at the restaurant. Later this afternoon we arrive in Marangu which is situated on the lower
slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. Our accommodation for the next two nights has magnificent views of the mountain.

Day 26: Marangu (B,L,D)
Today you will learn about the Chagga people - Bantu speaking indigenous Africans and the third largest ethnic group in Tanzania . Enjoy a walk through the village with a local guide, wander through banana and coffee plantations, visit a picturesque waterfall where you are free to have a swim in the refreshing water and finally explore the caves - an elaborate
system of underground tunnels and caves once used to hide the Chagga people and livestock from marauding Maasai.

Day 27: Stone Town, Zanzibar (B)
Today we will take a domestic flight from Kilimanjaro Airport to Zanzibar and transfer to "Town". Little has changed in the last 200 years in Stone Town. It is a place of winding alleys, bustling bazaars, mosques and grand Arab houses whose original owners vied with each other over the extravagance of their dwellings. This one-upmanship is particularly
reflected in the brass-studded, carved, wooden doors - there are more than 500 different examples of this handiwork. The afternoon is free to explore the fascinating labyrinth of narrow streets and alleyways. Later watch the sun sink into the sea over a cocktail before dinner.

Day 28: Spice Tour - Nungwi (B) 3 nights
Fragrant cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper and many other spices brought the Sultans of Oman and the beginnings of the infamous slave trade to Zanzibar. Our half day tour will wow you with the sheer number of spices produced and their incredible value for many ailments. Later this afternoon we drive to Nungwi Beach at the northern end of the island.

Days 29/30: Nungwi, Zanzibar (B)
Two free days to relax and unwind on Nungwi Beach. Diving, fishing and sailing on a Dhow are just some of the optional activities you can do here. At the end of the day there are plenty of bars to enjoy a sunset cocktail and a variety of beachside restaurants to dine in.

Day 31: Stone Town, Zanzibar (B)
Today we head back to Stone Town where you will have free time to do shopping or exploring. Our last night together will be spent over a fine meal and refreshments whilst taking stock of our whole adventure!

Day 32: Departure day (B)
What an amazing journey you have been on! So many memories to take home. You will be transferred to Zanzibar Airport today for your onward flight.

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Join us on:
12th October - 12th November 2025, 32 days - enquire about the shorter 20 day trip if this is too long for you, Cost: USD13,000, single supp USD1900 - What's included?