East Africa is undoubtedly a destination that fulfills every traveler’s dreams. It is an extraordinary region with a diversity of wildlife attractions and experiences, from wilderness areas to wildlife viewing, freshwater bodies, lush forests, powerful waterfalls, and unique cultures. The 18-day safari is a comprehensive African tour taking you to 5 top destinations in East Africa: Uganda, Congo, Tanzania, Kenya, and Rwanda.
This extensive expedition encompasses a range of experiences from mountain gorillas and the Big Five game viewing to bushwalks, wildebeest migration, and cultural encounters. Key destinations during this 18-day East African safari include Masai Mara National Reserve, Virunga National Park, Kibale National Park, Serengeti National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Volcanoes National Park.
Day 1: Pick-up at Entebbe Airport, Uganda
Meet and greet an experienced Uganda driver guide at Entebbe Airport (EBB) and receive a briefing about your 18-day safari in East Africa. Transfer to your respective hotels for overnight stay or engage in activities around Entebbe if you arrive early. Options include visiting Uganda Wildlife Education Center/Zoo, Lake Victoria and its beaches, Botanical Gardens, and the reptile village.
Day 2: Travel to Murchison Falls National Park
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel in Entebbe before departing for Murchison Falls National Park. Access Uganda’s largest park via the Kampala-Luweero-Gulu route, with a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakitoma Town for a 2-hour rhino tracking experience. Look out for other wildlife like Uganda Kobs, Defassa waterbucks, and oribis. Enjoy lunch at Amuka Lodge or a hotel in Masindi before continuing the scenic drive to Murchison Falls NP in northwestern Uganda.
Day 3: Guided Game Drive and Launch Trip (Murchison Falls National Park)
Experience a full day at the sweeping savannas of Murchison Falls NP with a morning guided game drive and an afternoon boat cruise on the Victoria Nile. The game drive offers chances to see elephants, buffaloes, lions, giraffes, various antelope species, and birds. After the 2-3 hour game drive, enjoy a leisurely lunch followed by the 2-3 hour boat tour along the Victoria Nile, spotting hippos, crocodiles, water birds, and other wildlife along the riverbanks.
Day 4: Drive Southwards to Kibale National Park, the Primate Capital of the World
After a sumptuous breakfast, leave Murchison Falls NP for Kibale Forest Park in western Uganda. This scenic journey takes you via Hoima to Fort Portal, offering breathtaking views of the Albertine Rift Valley and local homesteads. Enjoy lunch at a restaurant in Fort Portal with views of the Rwenzori Mountain ranges, then proceed to check into your lodge near Kibale Forest.
Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP
Begin the day with chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest starting with a briefing at Kanyanchu Visitor Center. Spot diverse bird species and primates, including the park’s 1,500 chimpanzees. The trek begins at 8:00 am, guided by park rangers for 2-4 hours, including 1 hour spent observing chimpanzees up close. After lunch and relaxation, proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s second largest park. Enjoy scenic views of western Uganda, featuring spectacular Crater Lakes and vast banana farms.
Day 6: Game Drive and Boat Cruise
Embark on a morning game drive through Kasenyi Plains, the northern game viewing sector of Queen Elizabeth NP, for 2-4 hours. Encounter diverse wildlife such as lions, buffaloes, spotted hyenas, warthogs, waterbucks, elephants, Uganda kobs, and birds. After lunch, enjoy a 2-3 hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, known for its hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife. Return to the lodge for relaxation.
Day 7: Track Climbing Lions in Ishasha & Drive to Bwindi
Depart for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park after breakfast, with a short game drive in Ishasha sector known for its tree-climbing lions, topis, and shoebill watching. Enjoy a bush lunch en route and continue to Savanna Resort Hotel before checking into lodges in Bwindi.
Day 8: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
After breakfast, attend a briefing at 7:00 am at Bwindi Park offices on conduct during mountain gorilla tracking. Trekking starts at 8:00 am, lasting 2-6 hours including 1 hour observing a gorilla family up close. Return to the lodge, relax, and later experience the Batwa cultural encounter.
Day 9: Bwindi to Virunga National Park, D.R. Congo
Cross the border from Uganda to D.R. Congo to visit Virunga National Park. Relax at your lodge in Virunga, an extensive protected area spanning 7,800 sq km, home to about 200 mammal species, 700 bird species, and other unique creatures.
Day 10: Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park
Visit one of Virunga’s 8 habituated mountain gorilla families, starting with a briefing at Bukima at 8:00 am. Trekking lasts 2-6 hours, with 1 hour for a close encounter with mountain gorillas. Optionally visit Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage Center near Mikeno.
Day 11: Virunga National Park to Volcanoes NP in Rwanda
Drive from Virunga National Park to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, checking into your lodge for relaxation before the next day’s activities. Volcanoes NP, Rwanda’s oldest park founded in 1925, covers about 160 sq km and is home to golden monkeys and mountain gorillas.
Day 12: Gorilla Trekking/Golden Monkey Tracking
Embark on gorilla trekking or golden monkey tracking with a briefing at Kinigi offices. Visit one of 12 habituated gorilla families to observe their behaviors. Enjoy lunch in the bush or return to the lodge before an evening cultural walk to Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village.
Day 13: Drive to Kigali Airport. Fly to Tanzania
Early departure from Volcanoes NP to Kigali Airport for a flight to Arusha, Tanzania. Settle in Arusha town at a comfortable lodge or hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 14: Drive to Serengeti National Park, Northern Tanzania
Early departure from Arusha to Serengeti NP, known for wildebeest migration. Lunch en route and check-in at the lodge with game viewing during the scenic drive.
Day 15: Serengeti NP – Full Day
Explore the vast Serengeti NP, home to the Big Five and witness wildebeest migration (July to October).
Day 16: Cross to Masai Mara, Kenya
Travel from Serengeti to Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya via Isebania border for another remarkable game viewing experience.
Day 17: Full Day in Masai Mara Reserve, Kenya
Full day activities include a game drive and wildebeest migration experience in Masai Mara Reserve, an extensive reserve covering 1,510 sq km with diverse mammals and birds.
Day 18: Masai Mara to Nairobi, Departure
After an early breakfast, check out of your lodge in Masai Mara and drive to Nairobi city for drop-off at a hotel or airport, concluding your 18-day East African safari.
