“This 12-day East African trip offers a luxury journey through Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.
You will have the opportunity to view the big five in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, track the golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and trek the endangered gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.
The trip also includes a chance to track the chimpanzees in the world’s primate capital, Kibale National Park.
One thing you won’t miss is spotting the tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Detailed 12-Day East African Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi and Hotel Transfer
Upon your arrival at the Nairobi airport, our experienced driver guide and company representative will welcome you.
They will provide a brief overview of the trip before transferring you to your hotel in Nairobi.
Depending on your arrival time, you can explore Nairobi at your own pace, with an evening arrival at the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 2: Transfer to Masai Mara and Evening Game Drive
After an early breakfast, embark on a journey to Masai Mara National Reserve, Africa’s renowned destination where travelers have witnessed the big five and the great wildebeest migration.
The journey offers spectacular views of the vast savanna grasslands stretching to the horizon.
Arrival will be in the afternoon for check-in at the lodge and lunch.
Later, you will enjoy an evening game drive in Masai Mara, an activity that will introduce you to numerous wildlife species, including lions, buffaloes, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, giraffes, and many more.
Return to the lodge in the late evening for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 3: Morning Game Drive and Maasai Community
Start your day with a delicious breakfast and head out for a morning game drive to catch sight of the early risers.
This game drive provides sightings of the big game, including lions, leopards, rhinos, buffaloes, and elephants.
You will also encounter numerous other wildlife species, with over 300 mammal species residing in this area.
On a lucky day, you might witness the great wildebeest migration, where millions of wildebeests move in search of pasture and water.
In the afternoon, after lunch, visit the Maasai community for a cultural experience with one of Africa’s most well-known tribes.
The Maasai people are known for their kindness and hospitality.
Enjoy cultural performances and sample local cuisines.
In the late evening, return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 4: Fly to Kigali and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
On this day, you will fly to Kigali International Airport in Rwanda.
Upon arrival at the airport, you will transfer to Volcanoes National Park, a primary habitat for mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in Rwanda.
The journey offers stunning views of Rwanda’s thousand hills and the Virunga ranges. Arrival will be in the evening for check-in at the lodge, followed by dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 5: Golden Monkey Tracking & visit Gorilla Guardians Village
Begin your day with an early breakfast and head to the park headquarters for a briefing on golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park by a local ranger guide, who will provide guidelines for the forest.
Then, enter the forest to search for the impressive primates.
Upon encountering them, you will witness their lively behavior, unmistakably identifying them as golden monkeys.
Spend an hour observing their daily activities.
In the afternoon, after lunch, visit the Gorilla Guardians Village to engage in cultural interactions with the people of Rwanda.
The village showcases all three ethnic groups of the country: the Tutsi, Hutu, and Twa. Enjoy cultural performances and local cuisine.
Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Early in the morning, after breakfast, travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a prime habitat for mountain gorillas in Africa.
Over three-quarters of the mountain gorilla population call this park home.
The journey provides breathtaking views of the Virunga ranges.
Day 7: Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Community
After breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing and then embark on your trek to encounter the endangered giants of the jungle, the mountain gorillas.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is home to over 700 mountain gorillas, offering a 90% chance for tourists to encounter these magnificent creatures.
The trek through the dense forest in search of gorillas is a rewarding experience when you finally meet these great apes.
Spend an hour with them and see the world from their perspective.
In the afternoon, after a delightful lunch and some relaxation, visit the community to interact with the Batwa forest people.
They were the first inhabitants of Bwindi forest before it was designated as a national park.
Here, you will enjoy cultural performances, taste local cuisine, and learn how the Batwa used to hunt and gather fruits in the forest.
After this enriching experience, return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay.
Day 8: Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha Sector
Wake up to a delicious breakfast and start your journey to Queen Elizabeth, Uganda’s most popular national park.
Pass through the Ishasha sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions.
You will track these lions to observe them resting in the tree branches of fig trees.
Enjoy lunch en route and arrive at the lodge in the evening for check-in, dinner, and an overnight stay.
Day 9: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Ride on Kazinga Channel
After an early breakfast, embark on a morning game drive through the park to spot a wide range of wildlife species, including elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, warthogs, hyenas, leopards, lions, waterbucks, oribis, topis, and many others.
Get up close and personal with some of the world’s most beautiful wildlife species in the jungle.
The game drive also offers stunning views of numerous craters and crater lakes nestled in the valleys of the hills.
In the afternoon, after a delicious lunch, relax with a boat ride on the Kazinga Channel, possibly the world’s longest channel connecting Lake Edward and Lake George.
This boat ride provides striking views of the highest concentration of hippos in Africa, numerous crocodiles, and various seabird species.
Day 10: Drive to Kibale Forest National Park
In the morning, after breakfast, transfer to Kibale Forest National Park, known as the primate capital of the world.
More than 13 primate species inhabit this park, totaling over 1000 primates in Kibale Forest.
The journey takes approximately 4 – 6 hours to the park via Fort Portal town, once known as the cleanest town in East Africa.
Day 11: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Community
After a delicious breakfast, visit the park headquarters for a briefing on chimpanzee tracking, including guidelines and recommendations.
Then, embark on your trek to find our close relatives in the jungle.
The trek’s duration is unpredictable, ranging from a full day to just one hour, but the experience is always amazing.
Follow the chimps at a challenging pace and spot other primates, bird species, butterflies, and more.
In the afternoon, visit the Bigodi community for a nature walk to experience the local way of life.
Interact with the local people, purchase handcrafted souvenirs to take back home, and see the world through the eyes of the local residents.
Day 12: Departure
After breakfast, start your journey back to Kampala, either to a hotel of your choice or to the airport for your departure flight.
