The 18 days East Africa Safari is an interesting package that allows adventure seekers to explore the East Africa region’s top tourist destinations. This long safari takes visitors to Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Rwanda’s Volcanoes and Nyungwe Forest National Parks and finally in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable, Queen Elizabeth and Kibale Forest National Parks before departing the country via Entebbe International Airport
Visiting Tanzania and Kenya to witness the Great Migration and encounter of the big five animals as well as Rwanda and Uganda for Chimpanzee treks and Gorilla Trekking tours will make your East Africa safari memorable.
Day 1: Arrive at Kenya via Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Meeting with your safari driver at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and later continue to your booked Hotel in Nairobi City. Your time of arrival will determine whether you just relax at the hotel as you prepare for your adventurous safari or get a chance to explore the City’s top historical, cultural Sites and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
Day 2: Pick-up from Nairobi Hotel for a transfer to Masai Mara National Reserve
Your adventure begins with an early morning pick-up from the Hotel in Nairobi City, short briefing on the safari and continue to Masai Mara National Reserve. Your journey involves traversing through the Great Rift Valley floor known for its breathtaking views and via Narok Town before getting to your final destination.
The journey lasts about 5 hours and you will arrive in the afternoon for a cold shower and hot meal before undertaking an evening game drive through the sweeping Mara plains. A lovely dinner and relaxing overnight awaits you at your booked place of stay.
Day 3: Whole day Masai Mara game drive
On this day you will get a chance to explore the plethora of animals that call the Masai Mara plains home with a break between game drives for Lunch. During the game drive, be prepared to see the big five animals (Rhinos, buffaloes, elephants, lions and leopards) in addition to Hippos and crocodiles inhabiting the Mara and Talek Rivers.
Also expect rich views of the bat-eared foxes, impalas, wildebeests, spotted and striped hyenas, serval cats, black-backed jackals, cheetahs, common warthogs, Defassa waterbucks, Topis, hartebeests, common elands, aardvarks and many others. The cheetahs and lions are particularly seen within the savannah plains between Esoit Siria Escarpment and Mara River hence making this area a wonderful game viewing area.
Game drives to the Mara River also increase chances of witnessing the Great Migration-one of the Earth’s most thrilling wildlife migrations. Take breaks between the game drives to stretch your legs and enjoy Lunch. End your evening with more views of nocturnal wildlife species before retiring to your booked Tented Camp or Safari Lodge.
Day 4: Half day game drive and afternoon visit to Masai village
This is another day of unforgettable game viewing within Masai Mara National Reserve and is followed by an afternoon tour of the nearby Masai communities. The Masai are found in both Kenya and Tanzania, rewarding visitors with an insight into their unique way of life-centered around traditional animal rearing (cattle, sheep and goats) and little impact of modernity.
You can choose to spend a night within their Boma (homestead) or return to your Tented Camp or Safari Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: Continue to Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park
Leave Masai Mara National Reserve for Serengeti National Park after a lovely bush breakfast. Border crossing at Isebania to Tanzania’s most popular Tourist destination via Ndabaka with an en-route picnic Lunch. Game viewing begins immediately you get to Serengeti and you will appreciate that some places on Earth are more endowed and blessed beyond description.
You will be treated to scenes of Cape buffaloes, lions, Topis, leopards, cheetahs the Great migration involving wildebeests, gazelles and zebras, not forgetting numerous bird species.
Day 6: Full day game viewing experience in the popular Serengeti National Park
A whole day of game viewing awaits you in Serengeti National Park but first, you will have a hefty breakfast and make sure to carry a Lunch box. Be sure to see the big five animals, Rothschild giraffes, common warthogs, Defassa waterbucks, bushbucks, impalas, zebras, gazelles, hartebeests, cheetahs and many other animals in large numbers. By the time you end the day, you will be satisfied with views of animals but still thirsty for more.
Day 7: Continue to Ngorongoro Conservation Area via the Olduvai Gorge
Enjoy breakfast before setting off for Ngorongoro Conservation Area via the Olduvai Gorge, a popular archeological site linked to the origin and existence of Homo sapiens. You will have a picnic Lunch and drive to the Ngorongoro Crater, a large Caldera teeming with rich wildlife that include spotted hyenas, Cape buffaloes, Black rhinos, impalas, prides of lions, the isolated leopards, cheetahs, zebras, wildebeests, black-backed jackals, gazelles and common warthogs roaming on the plains of the Crater floor.
You will also come across a wide range of colorful bird species on the Crater floor. Sumptuous dinner and overnight stay will be within one of the Tented Camps or Safari Lodges overlooking the Caldera or sweeping plains.
Day 8: Tours of Hadzabe and Datoga around Lake Eyasi
At the extreme southwest of Ngorongoro Crater and south of Serengeti National Park within the Crater Highlands of Tanzania is the spectacular Lake Eyasi, a seasonal shallow Lake. This endorheic Salt Lake is strategically sitted on the Great Rift Valley floor on the base of the Serengeti Plateau and is home to the Hadzabe people with one of the most exciting cultures and ways of life. Return to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area for dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Drive to Arusha Town via Lake Manyara National Park
Breakfast at the Lodge and continue to Arusha Town, via Lake Manyara National Park, one of the country’s smallest yet beautiful Parks. This northern-circuit Park boasts of over 10 ecosystems that include among others the savannah plains, wetland/marshlands, Lake, lush forest and woodlands that offer shelter to wide range of animals and birds that include the rare tree-climbing lions, Ostriches, the beautiful pink flamingos, Cape buffaloes and impalas among others. After this amazingly rewarding game drive, continue to Arusha Town for overnight stay.
Day 10: Flight to Rwanda
Breakfast at the Hotel in Arusha Town and transfer to Rwanda by flight. Check-in (with the help of the guide) at a nice Hotel for relaxation, Lunch and later City excursion. This City excursion lasts 3-4 hours and involves exploring the history and interesting culture of Rwandans through visits to the Museum, Genocide Memorial Site, Craft markets and souvenirs centers. Overnight and dinner based in Kigali City.
Day 11: Proceed to Nyungwe Forest National Park – south-western Rwanda. Canopy walk in the afternoon
Continue to your first Rwanda destination-Nyungwe Forest National Park, set within the south-western side of Rwanda. This Park is home to over 13 species of primates that include the endangered Chimpanzees that are the highlight of your visit to this Park.
However, your search for chimpanzees will also introduce you to the L’Hoest’s monkeys, owl-faced monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and vervet monkeys as well as the black and white colobus monkeys. En-route destinations such as the Nyanza Royal Palace and the Ethnographic Museum in Butare will also be included on the journey, without leaving out lunch.
On arrival at Nyungwe Forest National Park, venture into the canopy walk through a suspension bridge over a narrow gorge and dense forest with views of primates, birds, waterfalls and butterflies.
Day 12: Drive to Volcanoes National Park, at extreme north-western part of the country
Transfer to Volcanoes National Park after breakfast for a thrilling Golden monkey tracking adventure. You will be at the booked Safari lodge in the afternoon for late lunch and later relaxation.
Day 13: The adventurous Golden Monkey Trek and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Park
Start your adventure in the jungles of Volcanoes National Park with breakfast at your Lodge and briefing at Kinigi Park Headquarters. Start the search for golden monkeys at 8:00am and this lasts 1-3 hours and time spent with them is strictly one hour.
After this thrilling trek for golden monkeys, get back to your lodge for a hot lunch and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Use the Cyanika border to cross the Rwanda-Uganda border to Bwindi’s southern sectors for your gorilla trek.
Day 14: Trek the endangered Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi forest
Start this exciting and memorable day with breakfast at your Lodge and continue to the Park Headquarters for briefing. Briefing is done by Park Officials and involves taking intending trekkers through the guidelines to be followed when trekking or being in the presence of the mountain gorillas.
Start the search for mountain gorillas at 8:00am but also expect other residents of the park such as the elephants, birds and other primates. Enjoy a late Lunch at the Lodge or picnic Lunch within the Park and in the evening opt to relax at the Lodge or head for a community walk.
Day 15: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, the medley of wonders!
Have a sumptuous breakfast at your Bwindi Lodge, then begin your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park via the popular sector of Ishasha. You will make a stop at this sector to see the tree climbing lions and continue to the northern sector, where most of the activities will be based. Have Lunch on arrival and proceed for a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel where you will spot numerous wildlife species such as Hippos, Nile crocodiles, Cape buffaloes, elephants and Uganda Kobs in addition to plethora of bird species. Return to your Lodge before nightfall to freshen-up, have dinner and overnight.
Day 16: Morning game drive and travel to Kibale Forest National Park
Enjoy a delicious breakfast and engage in an early morning game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park before embarking on a journey to Kibale Forest National Park. You will have a brief stop at the Town of Fort Portal for Lunch, continue with your journey and arrive Kibale Forest National Park in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Day 17: Chimpanzee trekking adventure in Kibale Forest National Park
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park is a fulfilling adventure and begins with breakfast at the Lodge. The activity involves walking in the jungles of Kibale, across streams, valleys and hills while sighting the black and white colobus monkeys, elephants, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, bushbucks, Sitatunga, birds and butterflies that call this Park home.
With the help of experienced Park ranger locate the chimpanzees from afar and prepare your cameras to capture them playing, resting or foraging. After watching and picture moments with the chimpanzees, return to the Lodge for Lunch.
Undertake guided tours through Bigodi wetland Sanctuary to explore some of the wide array of birds and primates in addition to exploring the different projects established from this community-based project.
Day 18: Transfer to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport
This day makes the end of this fascinating East African safari and begins with breakfast at the Lodge. Connect to the Airport, especially if your flight is in the evening and if not scheduled for this day, check-in at a hotel.
