The eighteen days are perfectly sufficient to experience the best of East Africa.
The trip takes you to Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve for the big five, followed by a visit to Serengeti National Park in Tanzania for the great wildebeest migration, encounters with golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park, and an opportunity to see the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Detailed 18-Day Grand East African Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi and Hotel Transfer
Upon arrival at Nairobi International Airport, you will be greeted by our experienced travel guide, who will transfer you to a hotel in Kenya’s capital for dinner and overnight, preparing for the exciting days ahead.
Day 2: Travel to Masai Mara and Maasai Community
In the morning, you will journey to Masai Mara National Reserve, a renowned African destination known for its extensive savanna grasslands, home to the big five and the great wildebeest migration.
After reaching in the afternoon, you’ll enjoy lunch and in the evening, visit a Maasai community, renowned for their kindness and hospitality.
Experience traditional performances and savor local delicacies.
Day 3: Full Day Game Drive
Early in the morning, set out for a full day game drive in Masai Mara.
This popular African destination boasts expansive savanna grasslands inhabited by the big five and over 100 wildlife species.
You will arrive in the afternoon for lunch.
In the evening, visit the Maasai people again for a cultural encounter featuring traditional performances and local cuisine.
Return to the lodge late in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Travel to Serengeti National Park
Today, you will cross into Tanzania via the Isebania border.
The journey offers spectacular views of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest freshwater body.
Serengeti National Park, ranked as one of the ten natural wonders of the world, welcomes you with its expansive savanna grasslands inhabited by the big five and the great wildebeest migration.
Upon reaching the lodge in the evening, enjoy dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Full Day Game Drive
This day is dedicated to a full day game drive through Serengeti’s brown savanna grasslands.
You will have the opportunity to see the big five, including lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffaloes.
Other wildlife species like giraffes, zebras, gazelles, and more will also be spotted.
Lunch will be in the wild, and in the afternoon, you’ll head towards the migration trail to witness the great migration of wildebeests, one of the world’s largest wildlife migrations where millions of animals move in columns in search of pasture and water.
Day 6: Travel to Arusha and Fly to Kigali
Begin your day with an early breakfast and travel to Arusha for your flight to Kigali, Rwanda.
Upon arrival, our driver guide will pick you up and transfer you to a hotel in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, where you will spend the night.
Day 7: Travel to Akagera National Park
This day marks the transition from Kigali to Akagera National Park.
The journey to Rwanda’s only savanna park takes about 6 hours.
You’ll drive at your own pace with en-route lunch.
Arrival at the lodge in the park will be in the evening, allowing you to check in, have dinner, and rest for the night.
Day 8: Morning Game Drive and Boat Ride on Lake Ihema
Enjoy an early breakfast and embark on a morning game drive in Akagera National Park.
This park offers outstanding game drive experiences in Rwanda, with the chance to spot the big five, including lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffaloes.
You’ll also encounter other wildlife species like giraffes, waterbucks, warthogs, topis, and more.
In the afternoon after lunch, take a boat ride on Lake Ihema, Rwanda’s second-largest lake.
On the shallow ends of the lake, you’ll spot numerous hippos, crocodiles, seabirds, and animals that come to the shores for drinking water.
Return to the lodge in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Day 9: Travel to Volcanoes National Park
In the morning, after breakfast, begin your journey to Volcanoes National Park, the prime home for mountain gorillas in Rwanda.
It’s the only park in Rwanda where tourists can trek both gorillas and golden monkeys.
The journey offers amazing views of the Virunga volcanic chain.
Arrival will be in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 10: Golden Monkey Tracking and Gorilla Guardians Village Visit
At 8 a.m. after breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing on the golden monkey tracking experience.
You’ll venture into the forest to track these stunning golden monkeys, witnessing the gold meeting the silver in their high forest canopies as they swing from one tree branch to another.
The experience is truly exceptional.
After lunch, visit the famous Gorilla Guardians Village, where all three ethnic groups of Rwanda come together in one place.
Engage in traditional dances and savor local cuisine unless you choose not to.
Day 11: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Have breakfast and start your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Experience the cross-border adventure in Africa as you drive to Bwindi, Africa’s prime home for mountain gorillas, with over 700 mountain gorillas residing in this forest.
The drive will proceed at your pace, with various stopovers for photos at interesting places.
You will reach the lodge in the late afternoon, allowing you to relax, have dinner, and spend the night.
Day 12: Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Community Walk
After an early breakfast, your driver guide will pick you up and drive you to the park headquarters for a briefing at 8 a.m. before embarking on your gorilla trekking adventure.
You’ll hike through the forest, navigating slippery trails with the assistance of a walking stick and tree branches.
Upon meeting the gorillas, you’ll spend a magical hour with them, observing their daily lives and capturing countless photos (flash photography is not allowed).
After the trekking, return to the lodge for a hot lunch, relax, and in the afternoon, explore the Batwa community.
Interact with the native inhabitants who were forced out of the forest and had to adapt to a new life outside.
Discover hidden treasures of information and enjoy an evening of relaxation at the lodge as you prepare for your return journey.
Day 13: Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha Sector
On this day, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park after breakfast.
You will pass through the Ishasha sector, renowned for its tree-climbing lions, unique to this area and Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania.
Here, you will track these beautiful lions and watch them rest in the large fig trees.
Lunch will be en route, and you will arrive at the lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park in the evening.
Day 14: Morning Game Drive and Kazinga Channel
In the morning, enjoy an early breakfast and embark on a game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The drive offers breathtaking views of the landscape, featuring craters and crater lakes nestled in the hills.
You will also spot numerous wildlife species, including elephants, warthogs, lions, buffaloes, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, oribis, topis, and more.
After a delicious lunch, take a boat ride on the Kazinga Channel, often considered the world’s longest channel connecting Lake Edward and Lake George.
The channel is home to the highest concentration of hippos in the world.
In addition to hippos, you’ll spot crocodiles, various seabirds, and other animals coming to the shores to drink water.
Day 15: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
Wake up at your own pace, have breakfast, and begin your journey to Kibale Forest National Park, known as the primate capital of the world with over 1000 primates residing here.
The drive provides unparalleled views of the Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon.
The journey will take approximately 3-4 hours, and upon arrival in the evening, you’ll check in at the lodge, have dinner, and spend the night.
Day 16: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Wetland Visit
In the morning, head to the park headquarters for a briefing on the rules and regulations for a successful chimpanzee tracking experience.
You will then enter the forest to start your search for these fascinating primates, our closest relatives.
Chimp tracking in Kibale involves walking through forest trails while observing the chimps.
Watch them play and go about their daily lives, and take numerous photos without flash photography.
In the afternoon, after lunch and a brief relaxation at the lodge, embark on a swamp walk in Bigodi Wetland to spot various primate and bird species.
This nature walk offers up-close encounters and insights into nature.
It’s a rewarding experience for the evening.
Day 17: Travel Back to Kampala
Wake up at your convenience, have breakfast, and commence your journey to Kampala, Uganda’s capital.
Depending on your arrival time, you may have an optional city tour.
The journey passes through vast tea plantations, offering picturesque natural scenery reminiscent of the Canadian prairies.
You will make several stopovers at points of interest for photos.
Day 18: Departure
Upon waking up, enjoy breakfast and be driven to Entebbe Airport for your flight back home.
