Overview
Set out on a 20-day East African expedition crafted for wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers, and cultural travelers. This cross-border Tanzania safari holiday, combined with Uganda and Kenya tours, presents a rich mosaic of Africa’s most treasured destinations and wildlife habitats. Throughout this trip, expert local guides and skilled drivers will accompany you, offering insights and ensuring seamless logistics. By the end of your East Africa vacation, you’ll leave with stories to tell for years to come.
From birdwatching at Mabamba swamp and witnessing the powerful Murchison Falls, to gorilla trekking in Bwindi and exploring the iconic Serengeti during the wildebeest migration — this safari in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda promises a rewarding exploration. You’ll traverse Ngorongoro’s vast caldera, marvel at Lake Nakuru’s flamingos, and unwind on the palm-fringed shores of Zanzibar.
Expect a mix of wildlife tours, cultural stops, local cuisine, photography, and the warm hospitality of East Africa. The trip kicks off in Uganda and wraps up on the spice island of Zanzibar.
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe & Birdwatching at Mabamba Wetlands
Once you land at Entebbe International Airport, our friendly driver-guide will meet you and offer a briefing about your upcoming safari. After an early lunch, you’ll head to Lake Victoria — the third-largest freshwater lake globally — where a canoe ride into Mabamba swamp awaits. This is a birding hotspot famous for sightings of the elusive shoebill, Angola swallow, Madagascar bee-eater, and African jacana.
Enjoy the lake breeze, snap photos, and return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 2: Travel to Murchison Falls National Park with Rhino Tracking
After breakfast, set off on a scenic 6 to 7-hour drive to Uganda’s oldest wildlife park — Murchison Falls. Along the way, you’ll pause at Ziwa Rhino Reserve for a one-hour guided walk to see southern white rhinos in their natural habitat. After lunch in Masindi, you’ll continue to your lodge near or inside the park for a restful evening.
Day 3: Wildlife Safari & Boat Tour to the Bottom of the Falls
Your morning begins with a game drive across the northern sector of Murchison Falls. With the rising sun as your backdrop, search for zebras, lions, leopards, giraffes, buffaloes, warthogs, and cheetahs. The area also supports a variety of birds such as Egyptian turacos, crested cranes, and guinea fowls, all amid unique flora like Borassus palms and acacia species.
After lunch, board a boat to the base of the mighty falls. Watch the Nile River squeeze through a 7-meter-wide gorge before crashing below. Keep your eyes out for hippos and Nile crocodiles lazing by the riverbanks. Return to the lodge in the evening.
Day 4: Drive to Kibale Forest via Top of the Falls
Start your day with a visit to the top of Murchison Falls where you’ll feel the spray and watch rainbows form. Then proceed to Kibale Forest National Park, famous for its primate diversity. This 8 to 9-hour journey takes you through rolling hills, local farms, and picturesque villages, with stops for lunch and local shopping. Arrive at your lodge in time for dinner.
Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking & Cultural Visit to Isunga Village
Enjoy breakfast before heading into the forest for chimpanzee tracking. This trek through Kibale offers a chance to see not only chimpanzees but other monkeys like red-tailed monkeys, vervets, and colobus monkeys. After spending time with the chimps, return for lunch and rest.
In the afternoon, visit the Isunga cultural community for traditional dances, stories, and panoramic views during the “Top of the World” tour. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, drive southwards to Bwindi, a dense mountain forest home to nearly half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. This tranquil journey includes a stop for lunch and scenic views, with a late arrival at your lodge.
Day 7: Gorilla Trekking & Visit to the Batwa Community
Early morning, proceed to the park headquarters for briefing and group allocation. Your guide will lead you through thick undergrowth in search of mountain gorillas. The trek can take between 1 to 6 hours, depending on where the gorillas are.
After your hour with the gorillas, return for lunch and optional rest. Later, visit the Batwa pygmies for a cultural exchange. This indigenous group is known for their short stature and rich oral traditions.
Day 8: Fly to Nairobi, Kenya
Drive to Entebbe with a photo stop at the equator for a water-flow demonstration and lunch. Then catch your flight to Nairobi. A company representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 9: Nairobi City Tour & Transfer to Lake Nakuru
Take a morning tour through Kenya’s capital before heading toward Lake Nakuru National Park. This 5 to 6-hour drive offers views of the Great Rift Valley. After lunch en route, you’ll settle into your lodge by the park.
Day 10: Lake Nakuru Safari & Birdwatching
Explore Lake Nakuru’s vibrant ecosystems during a full-day game drive. Search for giraffes, oribis, buffaloes, wildebeests, lions, and elephants. In the afternoon, visit the lake’s shoreline, where flamingoes, pelicans, kingfishers, and other bird species abound.
Return to the lodge as the sun sets.
Day 11: Drive to Masai Mara National Reserve
After breakfast, travel to Masai Mara, Kenya’s most iconic reserve. Along the way, stop at viewpoints and trading centers for sightseeing and lunch. Arrive at the lodge in time to relax before dinner.
Day 12: Wildlife Safari in Masai Mara
Enjoy a full day on safari through open savannahs, searching for animals like cheetahs, warthogs, zebras, elephants, lions, and elands. Visit the Mara River, home to hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of birdlife. Return to the lodge for dinner and rest.
Day 13: Transfer to Serengeti National Park – Tanzania
After breakfast, journey south through the Isebania border into Tanzania. Clear immigration, enjoy lunch, and head into Serengeti National Park for an evening game drive before settling into your lodge.
Day 14: Morning Game Viewing & Visit to Maasai Village
Spend the morning on safari in the Serengeti, known for large populations of predators and herbivores. Keep an eye out for rhinos, hyenas, flamingoes, and more. In the afternoon, engage with the local Maasai people — known for their bold traditions, bright attire, and communal lifestyle.
Day 15: Nature Walk & Drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Start with a guided nature walk through the park’s open areas, observing flora and small wildlife. Then transfer to Ngorongoro, arriving in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Day 16: Wildlife Viewing & Caldera Rim Hike
Begin your day with a drive across Ngorongoro’s floor, home to the famed “Big Five” and thousands of grazing antelope species. After a picnic lunch, trek up to the crater rim, enjoying panoramic views, bird sightings, and photo ops before returning to the lodge.
Day 17: Fly to Zanzibar & Explore Stone Town
Catch a morning flight to Zanzibar and meet your guide at the airport. Begin your city tour of Stone Town — a UNESCO site rich in Swahili culture and historical landmarks such as the House of Wonders and the former slave market.
Day 18: Jozani Forest & Spice Tour
In the morning, head to Jozani Forest to observe the red colobus monkeys found only in Zanzibar. Then visit local spice plantations to see, smell, and taste Zanzibar’s famed spices like cloves, cinnamon, and turmeric.
Day 19: White Sand Beach Leisure Day
Spend your full day enjoying Zanzibar’s coastal bliss. Lounge on the beach, swim in the turquoise waters, go fishing, or simply enjoy seafood by the ocean.
Day 20: Departure
Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy breakfast and relax before being transferred to the airport for your flight home or onward destination. Thank you for choosing our East Africa safari.
