Overview
Discover the ultimate East Africa adventure on this 21-day multi-country safari through Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and Kenya. This once-in-a-lifetime journey combines gorilla trekking, wildlife safaris, cultural experiences, and scenic lake visits for travelers seeking the true essence of Africa.
Tour Highlights
- Big Five Game Safaris in Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, and Lake Manyara (Tanzania)
- Wildlife Safaris in Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru National Parks (Kenya)
- Explore Kisumu, Busia, Jinja, and the source of the Nile with optional white water rafting on the Nile River in Jinja
- Kampala city tour, visit the Equator Line, and observe Ankole cattle
- Game Drive Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park and Mountain Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Cultural tours with the Masai people in Kenya and Batwa Pygmies in Uganda
- Boat tours on Kazinga Channel, Lake Bunyonyi, and Lake Kivu
- Visit Hot Springs, Iby’Iwacu Cultural Center, and the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Rwanda
- Explore Napoleon Island in Kibuye and take the Nyungwe Forest canopy walk
- Visit the historic Stanley & Livingstone stone in Burundi
- Discover Bujumbura, Gitenga, and Lake Tanganyika, and enjoy performances by Burundi drummers
Trip Details
After breakfast, your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Arusha at 8:00 AM and begin the scenic drive to Tarangire National Park, Tanzania’s third-largest park and home to one of the country’s largest elephant populations.
The Park is famous for its majestic baobab trees, towering over wildlife that grazes beneath them. The Tarangire River provides the park’s only permanent water source, attracting a diverse range of animals including lions, leopards, cheetahs, and herds of up to 6,000 elephants.
Enjoy a game drive along the river and plains, with a picnic lunch amidst the wild. In the evening, relax with dinner and overnight at your lodge or safari camp inside or near the park.
Meal Plan: Half Board
Accommodation: Sangaiwe Tented Lodge
Start your day with an early breakfast, then depart at 6:00 AM with picnic lunch boxes for a full-day adventure at Ngorongoro Crater, famously nicknamed the Eighth Wonder of the World.
Descend approximately 2,000 feet (600 meters) to the crater floor for a half-day wildlife tour. Explore the forest areas, home to monkeys and elephants, the crater lake, where you might spot flamingos, and the open savannah, where lions hunt in their natural habitat. Enjoy your picnic lunch amidst breathtaking views of marshes inhabited by hippos and a variety of bird species.
Ngorongoro Crater, a collapsed volcano spanning 102 miles, is home to lions, rhinos, hippos, hyenas, and thousands of antelopes, offering unparalleled wildlife viewing.
In the afternoon, drive to Serengeti National Park, continuing with a game drive en route, before arriving at your lodge/camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Sangaiwe Tented Lodge
After breakfast, depart through the cool highlands toward the southern Serengeti, arriving at midday to the expansive Serengeti National Park, Tanzania’s largest and most iconic wildlife reserve.
The Serengeti is renowned for its diverse habitats, including short grass plains, savannah, dense bush, swamps, and lakes. Iconic kopjes (rock formations) dot the landscape, often providing vantage points for predators. The Park is also famous for the annual Great Migration, when hundreds of thousands of wildebeests and zebras traverse the plains in search of fresh grazing and water.
Spend the afternoon on an exciting game drive, spotting lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, and more. Enjoy dinner and overnight at the Serengeti Heritage Tented Camp, located inside the park for an immersive wilderness experience.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Serengeti Wild Camp
Spend a full day exploring the Serengeti National Park, one of Africa’s most famous wildlife destinations. Your safari guide will take you to areas where wildlife concentrations are highest, often following the path of the migrating herds of wildebeests and zebras.
Predators including lions, leopards (often seen in acacia trees), and cheetahs closely follow the migration, offering excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography. Seasonal movements vary: during the short rains (November–December), herds move from the northern hills to southern plains, while the long rains (April–June) see them return north. Your experienced guide will know the best locations to spot the animals and capture memorable moments.
After a thrilling day of game drives and wildlife encounters, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay in the heart of the Serengeti.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Serengeti Wild Camp
After an early breakfast, depart Serengeti National Park at approximately 6:30 AM and begin your drive toward the Isebania border. Enjoy game viewing along the route as you exit the park. Arrive at the border for immigration and customs procedures.
Once you cross into Kenya, continue toward the Maasai Mara National Reserve, arriving at your lodge or camp in time for Lunch. Settle in and enjoy a warm lunch, then take time to freshen up, relax, and prepare for your first Mara adventure.
At around 3:30 PM, head out for an afternoon game drive, exploring the wide savannahs of the Maasai Mara, home to lions, elephants, buffalos, cheetahs, hyenas, antelopes, and countless other species. Continue your game drive until sunset before returning to your camp/lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Osero Mara Camp
Spend a full day exploring the Maasai Mara National Reserve, renowned for hosting the highest concentration of wildlife per square kilometer in East Africa. Your day includes unlimited game drives, with optional hot air balloon safari experiences for a unique aerial perspective of the savannah.
The Maasai Mara is home to elephants, lions, cheetahs, buffaloes, antelopes, warthogs, hyenas, and many other species, making it a wildlife photographer’s paradise. Carry a picnic lunch and enjoy the scenic landscapes while tracking animals throughout the day.
Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight stay, resting after a thrilling day in the iconic Maasai Mara.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Osero Mara Camp
After breakfast, check out of your lodge at around 7:00 AM and begin your drive toward Lake Nakuru National Park. Enjoy light game viewing as you exit the Maasai Mara conservancy. The journey takes approximately 5 hours, passing through the beautiful Great Rift Valley, with optional stops for scenery and refreshments.
Arrive at your lodge in Lake Nakuru around 12:30 PM. Check in, enjoy a warm lunch, and take some time to relax after the drive.
At around 3:00 PM, head out for an evening game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park. The Park is known for its populations of white and black rhinos, as well as lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, antelopes, and a rich variety of birdlife including flamingos and pelicans along the lake shore. Continue game viewing until sunset. Return to your lodge in the early evening for dinner and overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Sopa Lodge Lake Nakuru
This day’s schedule will depend on the departure time of your flight to Uganda.
If your flight departs in the late afternoon or evening, enjoy breakfast at the lodge before checking out at 8:00 AM. Take a final game drive through Lake Nakuru National Park on your way out, aiming to exit by 9:00 AM. Continue the road trip back to Nairobi with a scenic stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint for photos.
Arrival in Nairobi is expected between 12:30 PM and 1:00 PM, followed by a transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward flight to Uganda. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for lunch in Nairobi before your airport drop-off.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: 2Friends Hotel
After breakfast, begin your journey from Entebbe to Jinja, located on the northern shores of Lake Victoria and famously known as the source of the Nile River. Along the way, enjoy views and highlights such as Coronation Park (Speke Monument), Owen Falls Dam, Bujagali Dam, and the dramatic Itanda Falls.
Arrive in Jinja in the late evening, check into your lodge, enjoy dinner and relax for the night.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Kingfisher Safari Resort
After breakfast and check-out, meet the rafting team at 9:00 AM for a briefing and safety orientation. Choose between Grade 3 or Grade 5 rapids before setting off on a thrilling 3–4 hour white-water rafting adventure on the River Nile—starting with mild rapids and building up to more challenging ones.
Enjoy lunch afterwards and visit the iconic Source of the Nile Monument at Coronation Park. In the afternoon, drive to Kampala for dinner and overnight rest.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Humura Resort
After breakfast at 8:00 AM, start your scenic drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Stop at the Equator Line en route for photos and a memorable visit. Travel through villages, lush green farmlands, and tea plantations before reaching the escarpment overlooking the vast savannahs of the park.
Arrive at your lodge for lunch (either enroute or on arrival), then relax and settle in.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Kazinga Wilderness Camp
Enjoy an early breakfast before setting off at 7:00 AM for a game drive in Uganda’s most visited national park. Look out for the Big Four—lions, elephants, buffaloes & leopards along with other wildlife such as bushbucks, Ugandan kob, hyenas, and giant forest hogs.
In the afternoon, embark on a scenic boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, famous for its large concentrations of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and numerous bird species including the shoebill stork.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Kazinga Wilderness Camp
Enjoy an early breakfast before departing at 6:00 AM for a game drive in Ishasha, renowned for its tree-climbing lions. Afterwards, begin the scenic drive to Kabale town, Uganda’s highest town at approximately 2,000 meters which is surrounded by rolling hills and lush landscapes.
Continue to Lake Bunyonyi, Africa’s deepest crater lake, and relax by the lakeshore while enjoying breathtaking views of the terraced hills.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Bunyonyi Overland Resort
After breakfast, enjoy a cultural and scenic experience around Lake Bunyonyi. Take a boat ride across the calm waters surrounded by islands and misty hills, then visit the Batwa (Pygmy) community to learn about their ancient traditions, music, and crafts.
Witness cross-border village life at Hakekuba market where locals trade between Rwanda and Uganda. After a short canoe ride, drive through the beautiful highlands to Kisoro, nestled at the base of the Virunga Volcanoes.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Traveler’s Rest House
After an early breakfast, transfer at 7:00 AM to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for registration and briefing. Begin your trek through the rainforest in search of a habituated gorilla family. The trek may last 2–6 hours, depending on the gorillas’ movements. Once located, spend an unforgettable hour observing them in the wild.
After your trekking experience, return to the starting point and drive across the border into Rwanda to Gisenyi, a charming lakeside town on Lake Kivu.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Rwiza Village
After breakfast at 8:00 AM, enjoy a relaxed morning visiting the Hot Springs and exploring the beautiful Lake Kivu shoreline. Take in the breathtaking lake views and the calm atmosphere before setting off for Kigali.
Around 11:00 AM, begin your scenic drive towards Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. En route, stop in Musanze for lunch and an enriching visit to the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Center in Kinigi, where you’ll experience Rwanda’s vibrant heritage.
Here, you’ll witness the Intore dancers - Rwanda’s traditional warrior dancers who are famous for their high leaps, rhythmic movements, and symbolic performances. Historically, the Intore were elite warriors trained in both combat and dance. Today, they preserve Rwanda’s rich cultural identity through their energetic performances, accompanied by traditional drums and songs.
Enjoy this captivating cultural show before continuing your drive to Kigali, arriving in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Hotel Chezlando
After breakfast at 9:00 AM, begin your Kigali City Tour with a deeply moving visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi. This memorial serves as a place of remembrance and reflection for the more than one million lives lost during the tragic 1994 Rwandan Genocide. Through powerful exhibits, photos, and survivor stories, you’ll gain a meaningful understanding of Rwanda’s painful past and its remarkable journey toward peace and unity.
Following the memorial visit, embark on a guided exploration of Kigali, Rwanda’s clean and modern capital city. Discover its bustling local markets, scenic mountain landscapes, and vibrant neighborhoods that showcase the country’s resilience and growth.
After lunch in the city, continue your scenic drive to Kibuye, a tranquil lakeside town on the shores of Lake Kivu, known for its stunning views and peaceful atmosphere. Arrive in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Rwiza Village
After breakfast at 9:00 AM, set off on a scenic boat cruise to Napoleon Islan locally known as Nyamunini, one of the most remarkable islands on Lake Kivu. Rising more than 100 meters above the lake, the island offers spectacular views of Lake Kivu’s shimmering waters, surrounding islets, and lush green shorelines.
As you draw nearer, you’ll notice its unique shape, famously resembling Napoleon’s hat. The island is a paradise for nature lovers and bird enthusiasts, home to palm-nut vultures, African fish eagles, hammerkops, kingfishers, and an impressive colony of over 40,000 straw-colored fruit bats, creating a striking wildlife encounter.
Return to your hotel for lunch and some relaxation time. In the afternoon, depart for the world-renowned Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of Africa’s oldest rainforests and a sanctuary for primates, canopy adventures, and extraordinary biodiversity. You will arrive in the evening for dinner and overnight near the park.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Chimpanzee Lodge
Spend the morning trekking through Nyungwe Forest in search of chimpanzees the park’s most iconic primates. In the afternoon, you may choose to enrich the experience with the famous Canopy Walkway, offering breathtaking views from above the treetops.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Chimpanzee Lodge
Upon arrival in Burundi, visit the Gitega National Museum, home to one of the country’s best collections of traditional artifacts, historic exhibits, and displays of royal heritage.
After checking in and enjoying lunch, continue to the Gishora Drum Sanctuary, a legendary cultural site where you’ll witness the famous Burundian royal drummers. Discover the rich history behind the drums, enjoy the live performance, and even try drumming or dancing yourself.
The tour continues to La Pierre de Stanley et Livingstone, the historic marker of the meeting between explorers Dr. David Livingstone and Henry Morton Stanley during their search for the Nile’s source—an iconic landmark blending history and adventure.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Hotel Kangaroo Bujumbura
Enjoy a relaxed morning exploring Bujumbura, Burundi’s lively lakeside capital. Take a leisurely walk along Independence Boulevard, passing charming cafés, local shops, and city markets.
Continue to the Bujumbura Central Market, where colorful stalls display fresh produce, spices, handicrafts, and souvenirs—perfect for a final shopping stop before your onward transfer back to Kigali for your departure.
Meal Plan: Half Board
Accommodation: Not included (available on request for an additional fee)
Cost
The Cost Includes
- Transportation
- Accommodation & Meals
- Park Entrance Fees
- Gorilla & Chimpanzee Permits
- Boat Cruise
- Flight from Kenya to Uganda
- Iby’Iwacu Cultural Experience
- Enroute Lunch
- All Activities included in the itinerary
The Cost Excludes
- International flights, visas, and travel insurance
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
- Tips and personal expenses (souvenirs, drinks, etc.)
Frequently Asked Questions
General
This safari brings together two of Africa's most unforgettable wildlife experiences. You will trek through lush forests to see endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda and then head to Kenya's Maasai Mara or Tanzania's Serengeti to witness the spectacular Great Wildebeest Migration. It is the perfect adventure for travelers who want to experience the very best of East Africa in one trip.
The safari can include Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Burundi. Most travelers choose to combine gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda with a wildlife safari in Kenya or Tanzania, but the itinerary can be customized to include all five countries if you have more time.
Uganda is home to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, both offering incredible opportunities to see mountain gorillas in the wild. Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park is another excellent destination, especially for travelers looking for easier access from Kigali.
The Great Migration takes place throughout the year as millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles move across the Serengeti and Maasai Mara ecosystems. The famous Mara River crossings usually happen between July and October, while the calving season is best experienced from January to March in southern Serengeti.
Gorilla trekking can be moderately challenging because it involves hiking through forests, sometimes on steep and muddy trails. The length of the trek varies depending on where the gorillas are located, but park rangers always do their best to match visitors with groups that suit their fitness levels.
After finding a habituated gorilla family, visitors are allowed to spend one magical hour observing and photographing the gorillas while following the guidelines set by the park authorities.
Yes. Every visitor must have a valid gorilla trekking permit before entering the forest. Since permits are limited and highly sought after, it is always best to book several months in advance, especially during the peak travel seasons.
Absolutely. Every traveler has different interests, budgets, and travel dates. We can tailor the itinerary to include your preferred destinations, accommodation style, activities, and the number of days you wish to spend on safari.
Along with mountain gorillas, you can expect to see elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, wildebeest, hippos, crocodiles, hyenas, various antelope species, and hundreds of colorful bird species depending on the parks you visit.
Yes. This safari is one of the best introductions to East Africa. It combines incredible wildlife encounters, breathtaking landscapes, comfortable accommodation, and rich cultural experiences, making it ideal for both first time visitors and seasoned safari enthusiasts.
Pack comfortable hiking boots, lightweight long sleeved clothing, a waterproof jacket, insect repellent, sunscreen, a hat, a reusable water bottle, a camera, binoculars, and a small backpack for your daily essentials. A pair of gardening gloves is also useful during gorilla trekking to protect your hands from thorny vegetation.
You can choose from budget lodges, comfortable mid range safari camps, luxury lodges, and exclusive tented camps. We carefully select accommodation that offers comfort, excellent service, and easy access to the national parks.
Yes. Families are welcome, although participants must be at least 15 years old to take part in gorilla trekking. Families with younger children can still enjoy game drives, boat cruises, cultural experiences, and many other exciting activities included in the safari.
Yes. Gorilla trekking is possible throughout the year, and the Great Migration is a year round natural event that moves across different parts of the Serengeti and Maasai Mara. We can help you choose the best travel dates based on what you would like to experience.
At Nturo Safaris, we believe every safari should be personal, authentic, and unforgettable. As a locally owned tour operator, we know East Africa inside and out. Our experienced guides, carefully planned itineraries, reliable service, and commitment to responsible tourism ensure that every guest enjoys a memorable adventure from the moment they arrive until they return home.
