Overview

20 days in the 4 Stars of East Africa Nations, land in Kigali – Rwanda, stay at the lavish sanctuary, a reforestation project with stunning views of the volcanic peaks of Mikeno of Congo, Karisimbi, and Bisoke, each rondavel villa is raised off the ground on a deck. One of the best locations for the mountain gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking.

Next on to a night at Nyungwe National Park known for chimpanzee trekking and the only Canopy walk in East Africa, before you proceed to Lake Bunyonyi for boat cruise and birdwatching, a night stay before your drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for two nights stay, hike to the water falls and experience the Batwa people.

Drive on to Queen Elizabeth National Park stay for two nights as you enjoy chimpanzee trekking, game drive experience of over 95 mammal species, over 600 bird species, and also famous for its big cats, including tree-climbing lions and leopards. Drive back to Kampala via the Equator at Masaka then on to Entebbe for a night at a hotel close to the airport, as you leave Uganda the next morning.

Next, take a flight from Entebbe to Arusha- Tanzania, where you will stay for two nights at a house or lodge near the Arusha National Park, visit the home of the world’s largest population of giraffe.

Whilst on a game drive at occur in the Ngurdoto Crater you have a chance to see the Cape buffalo, largest density of elephants, hippos, zebra in abundance, and the occasional lion and leopard. Walking safaris are with accompanied park ranger.

Lake Manyara National Park, two nights experience in an intimate tree lodge, search for the famous tree-climbing lions, experience nocturnal wildlife in a night game drive, canopy treetop canopy tour and sleepout under the stars.

A safari in Tanzania would not be the same without two nights in Serengeti National Park. This safari takes you to the first exclusively female-run camp in Africa and home to the Great Annual Migration, the most impressive natural events in the world. One of the oldest ecosystems on earth, home to the Big 5.

A scheduled/charter flight from Serengeti to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, the other side of the Great Wildebeest Migration in Kenya. Naibosho Conservancy is one of the best safari destinations in the Mara ecosystem.

Four nights to explore as must of this park as possible, experience a hot air-balloon ride, night game drives, fly camping, photographic safaris and cultural community visit. On your morning in Kenya, fly from Maasai Mara to Wilson, you will be met and transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your out bound flight.

Trip Highlights

The canopy walk in Nyungwe National Park.
Lake Bunyonyi is second deepest lake in Africa.
Arusha National Park walking safari to the top of Tululusia Hill.
Canoe trips often last 2-3 hours in Arusha National Park.
Fly camping experience at Lake Manyara Tree Lodge.
Lake Manyara tree climbing lions.
Night game drives at Lake Manyara.
Visit Mayoka community on a bike ride.
Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is the only permanent lodge in the park of the same name.
Dunia Camp is the first All-female-run Safari Camp.
Volcanoes National Park home of the endangered mountain gorilla and golden monkey trekking.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is the forest in Africa in which the gorillas and chimpanzees successfully co-exist.
Queen Elizabeth National Park most popular park in Uganda and home to the tree climbing lions.
Mweya Peninsula is the most visited attraction within Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Serengeti National Park is home to the Tanzanian side of the Great Migration.
Serengeti National Park is a World Heritage Site teeming with wildlife:
Maasai Mara Naibosho Conservancy one of the highest densities of lions in Africa.
Naibosho Conservancy is the second largest conservancy in the region.

Day 1 :

Arrival – Kigali (Rwanda) – Volcanoes National Park

Met on arrival at Kigali International Airport by our Representative in Rwanda, your driver guide will brief you on the up-coming safari after you check-in at the Wilderness Bisate lodge a 2 hr 49 min (75.8 mi) drive away. Wilderness Bisate has racked up 34 awards and continues to inspire. Six sublime en-suite forest villas, designed as an homage to Rwandan royalty, overlook unforgettable vistas over brooding Bisoke, Karisimbi and Mikeno volcanoes. Meals: Dinner. Overnight at a Hotel in the Bisate Lodge.

Day 2 :

Volcanoes National Park

Early morning breakfast at the lodge with a packed lunch box, report to the park Head Quarters 16min (5.5mi) drive to reach by 07.30am. The trek begins after the briefing where you are divided into small groups of 8, then head out with an armed ranger into the forest of Volcanoes in search of the mountain gorillas. The walk takes about 4-5 hours depending on where you meet the gorillas. Spent an hour with them before returning to the Head Quarters where your driver guide will transfer you back to the lodge for dinner. The park is steep, and as such we recommend our guests to be physically fit. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight at the Bisate Lodge.

Day 3 :

Volcanoes National Park - Nyungwe Forest National Park

After breakfast, check-out with packed lunch for a 5 hr 45min (163mi) drive to southern Rwanda, one of Rwanda’s oldest rainforests in Africa, rich in biodiversity and spectacular beauty. A guided walk into the forest in search of monkeys and birds, visit Kamiranzovu waterfall, hike through the waterfall trail, also known as the Isumo trail and involves a 10.6-kilometer hike lasting about 4-5 hours. The mountainous region teams with wildlife, a small population of chimpanzees as well as 13 species of primates including the L'Hoest's monkey endemic to the Albertine Rift, 96 recorded mammal species and 63 rodent and bats. Later check-in at the One & Only Nyungwe House 34mins (15.2mi) from the park. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight at One & Only Nyungwe House.

Day 4 :

Nyungwe Forest National Park (RW) - Lake Bunyonyi National Park (UG)

Early morning breakfast by 6.00am, check-out with packed lunch boxes for a 5 hr 57min (179mi) drive to the Katuna border post then another 30 mins (15.6mi) to Kabale town before proceeding on a 2hr 28min (62.2mi) drive to Lake Chahafi Resort for check-in. The Resort has nine ensuite standalone cabins ecologically built and named after the birds that are a common sighting around the lake, each has an outdoor verandah space with two chairs. Afternoon by 3pm take a boat cruise on the lake or explore in a traditional dugout canoe through the papyrus ringed lake and water lilies, a habitat of spectacular birds with possible sightings of the African Jacana, pied Kingfisher, Hamerkop, grey crowned crane, otters, crayfish and common moorhen. Whilst birdwatching and sightseeing, you have the chance of catching the beautiful sunset on the lake and Mt Muhabura cannot be missed on clear days. The activity takes you through villages, homesteads and farmlands. Return back to the Resort, freshen-up for dinner and join the other guests around the veranda /campfire watching the stars and listen to the crickets cluttering. Bring your binoculars on this safari. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight at Lake Chahafi Resort.

Day 5 :

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

After breakfast, carry packed lunch from the Resort, depart for Volcanoes Bwindi Safari Lodge with a stop enroute, a 2hr 30min (47.1mi) drive to the Ruhija community cultural walk which takes 2-3 hours depending on your walking pace. This walk is interesting and you will be accompanied by a translator whilst visiting the local Batwa community who traditionally lived in Bwindi Forest. Your hosts will demonstrate their traditional dances, huts, fire making and hunting technique which you will have an opportunity to try. At the end of the walk, you will get a chance to practice you bow and arrow skills by taking a shot as instructed by a Batwa man. After picnic lunch, proceed to Volcanoes Bwindi Safari Lodge another 2 hr 30min (47,1mi) drive for check in late afternoon, freshen-up for dinner and overnight. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight at Volcanoes Bwindi Safari Lodge.

Day 6 :

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Early morning breakfast at the lodge, carry packed lunch as your driver guide transfers you to the park headquarters for briefing by a ranger guide before you start the trek in search of the gorillas. There are two tours, 09:00am and 14:15pm with a limited number of eight per group. The walk can take 3-4 hours and you only have an hour once you have settled on watching a specific family. Return to Headquarters where you driver guide will then transfer you back to the lodge, relax, freshen-up for dinner. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight at Volcanoes Bwindi Safari Lodge.

Day 7 :

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Queen Elizabeth National Park

Early breakfast at the lodge, check-out for a 1 hr 53 min (38.7mi) drive through the Ishasha Sector in the southwest rim of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for the tree climbing lions who use the candelabra trees with big branches to rest, and Uganda Kobs. Be on the lookout for wildlife such as buffalo, elephant, hippo and zebra whilst in this sector. After you early morning and mid-morning game drive, proceed to Kyambura Gorge Lodge, 1 hr 59 min (49.2mi) drive in time to check-in for lunch. The lodge is located on the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park with sweeping views of the rolling savanna, the distant mountains of the moon, and the sunken Kyambura Gorge. Accommodation is in bandas with afro chic theme, with a Spa and swimming pool. Afternoon spend relaxing or go for a late afternoon game drive in the park. Dinner at the lodge. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight in Kyambura Gorge Lodge.

Day 8 :

Queen Elizabeth National Park

An early breakfast at the lodge, depart for on a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains with a chance to see elephants, buffaloes, lions, hyenas, antelopes, the elusive giant forest, lions, hippos, buffaloes, leopard, spotted hyena. Or: chimpanzee trekking which commences early after a briefing at the park headquarters at 8am, the trek lasts between 2-4hrs, and by the afternoon, return to the lodge for lunch, siesta followed by a late afternoon game drive. The primate includes chimps, black and white colobus monkeys, blue, black faced red colobus, red-tailed monkeys and olive baboons. Return to the lodge for lunch, in the afternoon you will take a boat ride of 2 hours on Kazinga Channel. Queen Elizabeth boasts of one of the highest bio-diversity ratings of any game park: - from open savannah to rain forest, dense Papyrus Swamps and crater lakes to the vastness of Lake Edward. Return to the Lodge to freshen-up, for dinner. The channels offer incredible bird watching as several water birds flock the banks. Pelicans, skimmers, fish eagles, kingfishers and more. Optional: lion tracking You can join the lion tracking with a researcher from a lion monitoring program in the park. The lion tracking which is done in car gives you a chance to see these apex predators up close allowing you great photos and getting more information about and their importance to the eco system. Or: Even pair a game drive or boat safari with chimp trekking in the mystical forests of Kyambura Gorge. Meals: Breakfast, lunch. Overnight in Kyambura Gorge Lodge.

Day 9 :

Queen Elizabeth National Park – Kampala / Entebbe

After breakfast, check -out and depart for a drive back to Entebbe, with a stop for lunch at the Equator in Masaka a 4 hr 8 min (152mi) drive. Here you can take photos and buy souvenirs before another 2 hr 46min (76.4mi) drive to Protea by Marriott Entebbe for dinner and overnight. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight in Protea by Marriott Entebbe.

Day 10 :

Entebbe - Arusha National Park

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to Entebbe International Airport a 16 min (1.9mi) drive, for your early morning flight from Entebbe to Arusha – Kilimanjaro International Airport. You will be met on arrival by our representative in Tanzania, your driver guide will then drive your lodge, Amani Safari Lodge is situated in the expansive volcanic land in the foothills of Mount Meru. Check-in for lunch and relax by the pool before your afternoon drive in the beautiful park, known for the nature trails, black-and -white colobus monkeys, hike on Mount Meru, swamps, lakes, waterfalls and guided canoeing or walking safari. Return for dinner at the lodge. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight in Amani Safari Lodge.

Day 11 :

Arusha National Park

An early breakfast at the lodge, and drive to Momela gate, where you will be met by an armed ranger will be waiting to accompany you on a walking safari with a chance to experience an up-close view of wildlife such as buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, black-and-white colobus monkeys, over 400 bird species including the flamingos, hornbills, fish and snake eagles and buzzards. Return to the lodge for lunch, siesta and an afternoon game drive in the park through the savannah, spotted hyenas, waterbucks, bushbucks, warthogs, hippos, leopards may be seen. Other primate species include vervet monkey, blue monkey and baboons. Here you have a chance to do a canoeing boat ride on Momela lakes which is 2 – 2 ½ hours ride. You are driven back to the lodge, freshen-up and dinner. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight in Amani Safari Lodge.

Day 12 :

Arusha - Lake Manyara National Park

After breakfast, check-out as you are picked up from Amani Safari Lodge for a 2 hr 43min (104mi) drive to Lake Manyara Tree lodge, located outside the park which is 19mins (9.6mi) drive away. Arrive in time for lunch followed by a late afternoon game drive, return for dinner and overnight. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight in Lake Manyara Tree Lodge.

Day 13 :

Lake Manyara National Park

After breakfast, depart on a 19min drive to the park for a full day game drive in the park with packed lunch boxes, known for the tree-climbing lions, spotting them requires a keen eye, look out for giraffes, impala, baboons, buffaloes and the blue monkeys. Though seasonal, the shoreline turns pink as millions of flamingoes’ flock here. After an early dinner, leave the lodge at about 20h00 and explore the park for approximately three hours listening to the bush come alive with a cacophony of night sounds. Return to the lodge for overnight. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight in Lake Manyara Tree Lodge.

Day 14 :

Lake Manyara National Park – Ngorongoro Conservation Area - Serengeti National Park

Early breakfast, check-out and depart for a 4 hr 9min (129mi) drive arriving in time for lunch at the Ngorongoro Crater lodge, after lunch, you will be driven to the crater rim, descend 2000ft (670mi) into the crater floor for a tour of the largest intact caldera in the world home to the Big 5 (black manned lions, black rhinos, buffaloes, elephants and leopards). Antelopes, zebras, wildebeest, cheetahs, jackals, elands, hartebeest, waterbucks to mention a few, over 500 bird species have been recorded. Hippos are found in the permanent fresh water pools and the swamps in the crater’s southern area where picnic is allowed. Lake Magadi is one of the crater hippos’ favorite spots to hang out and avoid the sun. A 2 hr 53min (88.9mi) drive to your camp in Serengeti late evening for check-in at Dunia Camp. This is the only camp in Africa run entirely by women and the team is an inspirational example of what women can achieve in a male-dominated industry. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight in Dunia Camp.

Day 15 :

Serengeti National Park

Morning and late afternoon game drives in the Serengeti with lunch break at the lodge followed by afternoon spent at leisure. Serengeti is surrounded by golden savannah. Two times in a year, this area sees millions of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles passing through on their constant migration around the Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara. Three areas of game drives you may explore are Seronera which is the gathering are for lots or wildlife including the predators, the Moru Kopjes is a cluster of old granite boulders favorite of the big cats as a lookout point and might even spot the rare black rhino, and the southern Serengeti plains lush grounds between December and May is the perfect calving location for wildebeest. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight in Dunia Camp.

Day 16 :

Serengeti National Park flight – Maasai Mara National Reserve

*Option of flight from Seronera, 45-minutes’ drive from camp, departs 11am arrives Mara at 16:10pm on scheduled flight, charter flights take a shorter time as the fly direct with no stops in Serengeti. You may choose this morning to go on an early morning game drive, return for breakfast and check-out thereafter with a game drive enroute to the airstrip. You will bid farewell to your driver guide before boarding. Met on arrival at the airstrip in Maasai Mara, Mara Ol Seki, a 45-minute drive from the Naboisho Camp (this camp is closed in April). You will be met by the camp’s driver guide who will then transfer you to the camp with a game driver enroute. The Camp is designed to be as open as possible, taking full advantage of the Mara surroundings. Check-in, fresh-en up for dinner. If you have opted for a private vehicle, you can decide on your schedule during your stay at extra charge. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight at Naibosho Camp.

Day 17 :

Maasai Mara National Reserve

* Option of balloon safari ride one of the mornings of your stay Early wake up call, tea or coffee, followed by breakfast before you depart on the first morning game drive in the Mara. You may choose to start early with a picnic breakfast to take along. Return back to the camp mid-morning, freshen-up before lunch. leisurely lunch, ensued by a siesta, read a book, take a swim or just relax and enjoy the views. Afternoon tea before departing for an afternoon/evening game drive with sundowner, return back in time for drinks and dinner – the perfect chance to unwind after a long day in the bush. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight at Naibosho Camp.

Day 18 :

Maasai Mara National Reserve

After breakfast, depart for a morning game drive, return to the camp for lunch, enjoy siesta thereafter, read a book, take a swim or just relax whilst enjoying the views. Afternoon cup of tea before departing for guided walking safari, a briefing is conducted before on how to react when confronted with big game in close proximity; however, the skill of the walking guides means that these uncomfortable situations rarely arise. The walking safari in the Masai Mara ecosystem not only offers you the chance to stretch your legs, but also the opportunity to focus on some of the smaller ecosystems that are often overlooked from the height of a vehicle. This safari leads you to the set-up fly camp for a night in a remote part of the conservancy. Your dinner will be cooked over a campfire under the stars and the sounds of the bush will lull you to sleep. Fly-camping is at an additional cost. Meals: Breakfast, lunch at Camp. Dinner & Overnight at Fly Camp.

Day 19 :

Maasai Mara National Reserve

You return to the main camp the next morning, after breakfast, a full day game drive, with packed lunch to enjoy your game drive out on the plains. Game drives in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy limits the number of tourists who may enter the area, thereby reducing the crowds of vehicles. Be on the lookout for one of the highest lion densities in the world, an impressive herd of elephants, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra and Kenya’s rare wild dogs. The Naibosho Conservancy is a private 50,000-acre community pastoralist and wildlife conservation area located in the Great Rift Valley, and the night game drives are conducted here to spot nocturnal animals and venture off-road. The vehicles are equipped with special spotlights that give you the thrilling experience of watching predators as they stalk their prey. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight in Naibosho Camp.

Day 20 :

Maasai Mara National Reserve – Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airstrip for your scheduled or charter flight from Mara Ol Seki airstrip a 40 -60mins flight to Nairobi Wilson airport, where you will be met on arrival by our driver and transferred to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport hotel for lunch & day room (subject to your departure flight time). Our driver guide will assist you to the check-in counter and bill you farewell.

Trip Inclusions / Exclusions

Trip Includes

Services of meet and greet by our representatives in Uganda and their driver guide from the International Airport, Entebbe. You will be briefed before your safari begins.
Airport transfers on arrival and departure in Tanzania/Kenya/Uganda as per above itinerary.
Accommodation and meals as per itinerary.
Gorilla permit.
Chimpanzee permit per person as per itinerary
4x4 safari vehicle with a knowledgeable English-speaking driver guide as per itinerary. However, other language speaking drivers are available with prior notice and may incur extra charges.
Dunia Camp game drive vehicles: The open vehicle allows keen amateurs and professional photographers equipped with all the gear to ensure award-winning shots — from beanbags and camera rests to 360° swivel seats. You can read more about the vehicle
Bottled drinking water in the safari vehicle
Park fees and set activities on the itinerary.
Crater and Concession fees
Hot Air- balloon safari fees per person
One way ticket from Serengeti to Maasai Mara per person
One way ticket from Maasai Mara to Wilson Nairobi per person
Government taxes
Amref Flying Doctors cover whilst on this safari aimed at providing quality and affordable Air and Ground Ambulance evacuation services.

Trip Excludes

International flight ticket, Travel documents, Visa’s for Countries to be visited.
Comprehensive Travel Insurance from your insurer back at home.
Specific excursions and services not indicated on the ‘included’ incurs additional charge when booked.
All personal expenses, telephone calls, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks not indicated by lodge/camp as included, laundry charge may be extra in some or our partners properties.
Tips and gratuities for staff and driver/guide at our partner properties.
You may opt for charter/scheduled flight at extra charge- please let us know to quote accordingly.
Any additional items not included on this itinerary.
Subject to your departure flight time, a day room at an airport hotel is available at an extra charge, additional excursions & visits on this itinerary.