Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Uganda
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you’ll be warmly welcomed by our safari representative who will brief you about your East African adventure. You’ll then be transferred to your hotel in Entebbe to relax after your flight.
If time allows, visit the Entebbe Botanical Gardens or Uganda Wildlife Education Centre.
Accommodation: 2 Friends Beach Hotel / Lake Victoria Serena Hotel
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 2: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and most dramatic park. En route, stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track rhinos on foot. Continue to the park, where you’ll witness the mighty Nile River squeezing through a narrow gorge to create the powerful Murchison Falls.
Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge / Pakuba Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 3: Game Drive and Boat Cruise
Start with an early morning game drive in the northern sector to spot elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, leopards, and antelopes. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on the Nile River to the base of Murchison Falls, with sightings of hippos, crocodiles, and colorful birds. Hike to the top of the falls for a spectacular view.
Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge / Pakuba Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, set off for Kibale Forest National Park, home to over 1,500 chimpanzees and 12 other primate species. The journey offers stunning views of crater lakes and tea plantations. Arrive in Fort Portal town in the evening for relaxation.
Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge / Crater Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Wetland Walk
After breakfast, join the park rangers for chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest. The experience offers close encounters with our closest relatives as they play, feed, and communicate. After lunch, visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for bird watching and a community walk.
Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge / Crater Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 6: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, head to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most popular safari destination. Enjoy the scenic drive through the crater region and arrive in time for an evening game drive through the Kasenyi plains, home to elephants, buffaloes, and lions.
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge / Elephant Plains Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 7: Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Early in the morning, embark on a game drive to spot big cats and other savannah wildlife. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, which links Lake Edward and Lake George. Expect to see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and abundant birdlife.
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge / Elephant Plains Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 8: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest via Ishasha
After breakfast, drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, passing through the Ishasha sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions. Enjoy a picnic lunch and continue to your lodge near the gorilla trekking area.
Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge / Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 9: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing before embarking on the unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure. Trek through thick forests in search of mountain gorillas and spend one magical hour observing them in their natural habitat.
Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge / Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 10: Transfer to Kigali – Rwanda
After breakfast, cross into Rwanda via the Cyanika or Katuna border. Drive through beautiful countryside and terraced hills to Kigali, Rwanda’s capital city. Depending on your arrival time, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial and local craft markets.
Accommodation: Hotel Mille Collines / Kigali Serena Hotel
Meal Plan: Half Board
Day 11: Drive to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Volcanoes National Park, home to Rwanda’s mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. The drive offers views of rolling hills, local farms, and the Virunga volcanoes.
Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel / Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 12: Golden Monkey Tracking and Iby’Iwacu Cultural Visit
After breakfast, go for Golden Monkey Tracking in the park. These playful and rare primates are fascinating to watch as they swing through the bamboo forest. Later, visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village for traditional dance performances and cultural storytelling.
Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel / Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 13: Transfer to Lake Kivu
After breakfast, drive to Lake Kivu, Rwanda’s most beautiful freshwater lake. Relax by the lakeside, take a boat ride, or explore nearby islands.
Accommodation: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel / Paradise Kivu Resort
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 14: Drive to Arusha – Tanzania
After breakfast, transfer to Kigali Airport for a short flight or cross-border transfer to Arusha, Tanzania’s safari hub. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel for relaxation and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Mount Meru Hotel / Arusha Serena Hotel
Meal Plan: Half Board
Day 15: Drive to Tarangire National Park
Depart after breakfast for Tarangire National Park, famous for its giant baobab trees and large elephant herds. Enjoy an afternoon game drive with chances of spotting lions, leopards, zebras, and giraffes.
Accommodation: Tarangire Sopa Lodge / Tarangire Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 16: Transfer to Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, drive to the legendary Serengeti National Park, Tanzania’s most iconic wildlife reserve. The journey takes you through the Ngorongoro highlands, offering scenic views. Enjoy an en-route game drive as you enter the park.
Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge / Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 17: Full-Day Game Drive in Serengeti
Spend the entire day exploring the endless plains of Serengeti. Depending on the season, you may witness the Great Wildebeest Migration, one of the world’s most spectacular wildlife events. Expect to see lions, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, and a variety of antelope species.
Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge / Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 18: Drive to Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast, drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Descend 600 meters into the crater for a full-day game drive. The crater floor is home to the “Big Five,” flamingos, hippos, and other wildlife. Enjoy a picnic lunch near the hippo pool before ascending to your lodge.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge / Rhino Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 19: Transfer to Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara National Park, known for its tree-climbing lions and large flocks of flamingos. Enjoy a game drive along the lake shores and in the acacia woodlands.
Accommodation: Lake Manyara Serena Lodge / Marera Valley Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 20: Cross to Kenya – Transfer to Masai Mara
After breakfast, drive across the border into Kenya, heading toward the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve. Enjoy an evening game drive in the park, famous for its abundant wildlife and dramatic landscapes.
Accommodation: Mara Serena Safari Lodge / Ashnil Mara Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 21: Morning Game Drive – Departure
Begin your last day with a morning game drive in the Masai Mara to spot lions, elephants, cheetahs, and other wildlife one last time. After brunch, transfer to Nairobi for your international flight, marking the end of your 21 Days Best of East Africa Safari.
Safari Includes
All airport transfers
Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
Park entrance fees
Gorilla and chimpanzee tracking permits
English-speaking professional driver/guide
4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
Game drives, boat cruises, and cultural visits
Safari Excludes
International flights
Visas for Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania
Travel insurance
Tips and personal expenses
Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
