Kick start in Kigali (Rwanda) and conclude in Nairobi with our 21 Days Grand East Africa Safari, taking you to the top tourist destinations in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania with 20 nights in the best accommodation facilities.
Expect gorilla treks, chimpanzee treks, relaxation, game drives, birding opportunities, boat cruises, canopy walks, city excursions, and many others during this 3-week East African Safari.
21-Day East African Safari Highlights
- Day 1: From the vibrant city of Kigali to Volcanoes National Park
- Day 2: Trekking gorillas in Volcanoes National Park
- Day 3: Drive to the verdant Nyungwe Forest National Park
- Day 4: Continue to Lake Bunyonyi, via Katuna Border
- Day 5: Lake Bunyonyi – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 6: Trekking endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi
- Day 7: Bwindi Forest to Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Day 8: Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
- Day 9: Road trip to Kampala City
- Day 10: Flight to Arusha International Airport
- Day 11: All day Tour in Arusha National Park
- Day 12: Continue to the iconic Lake Manyara National Park
- Day 13: Tanzania safari experience in Lake Manyara National Park
- Day 14: Lake Manyara National Park – Serengeti National Park area
- Day 15 & 16: Unmatched Serengeti National Park exploration
- Day 17: From Serengeti National Park to Masai Mara National Reserve
- Day 18 & 19: Kenya safari experience within Masai Mara National Reserve
- Day 20: Masai Mara National Reserve – Lake Nakuru National Park
- Day 21: Departure for Nairobi City
Detailed 21-Day East African Safari Itinerary
Day 1: From the vibrant city of Kigali to Volcanoes National Park
Depart from Kigali International Airport or your hotel, leaving behind the spectacular capital city of Rwanda. Travel to Volcanoes National Park in the north-western region. Traverse lush rolling hills, small villages, banana plantations, tea estates, and verdant countryside. Check into your lodge or hotel for meals (depending on arrival time) and overnight stay.
Day 2: Trekking gorillas in Volcanoes National Park
Spend the day in Volcanoes National Park trekking the endangered mountain gorillas that inhabit this area. The day begins with orientation at 7:00 am on trekking guidelines. Trek starts at 8:30 am and can last 1-6 hours. You’ll spend a maximum of one hour in the presence of the gorillas to observe and photograph them. Return to the lodge for lunch and enjoy optional activities like village walks or relaxing at the lodge.
Day 3: Drive to the verdant Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe Forest National Park, covering about 1000 square kilometers, is one of the last Afro-montane rainforests in East and Central Africa with over 13 primate species. After lunch in Butare, continue to the park. Enjoy a canopy walk and return to your camp overlooking the lush forest for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Continue to Lake Bunyonyi, via Katuna Border
Early breakfast, then depart for Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda via Katuna Border. Carry packed lunch and proceed directly to your accommodation for refreshments. In the evening, join a local guide for a village/community walk to learn about local life and spot birds. Spend the rest of the day by Lake Bunyonyi, enjoying meals, including local crayfish, by the lakeshore.
Day 5: Lake Bunyonyi – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Travel from Lake Bunyonyi to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for your next safari destination. Rest for the day to prepare for the upcoming gorilla trekking.
Day 6: Trekking endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi
After breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking. Start trekking with park rangers, encountering other wildlife and birds that populate the area. Spend one hour with a habituated gorilla group, then return to your lodge for a meal. In the afternoon, explore the local community on a guided walk to learn about their culture, food, crafts, traditional dances, and more.
Day 7: Bwindi Forest to Queen Elizabeth National Park
A leisurely drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha sector to see tree-climbing lions. Arrive at the safari lodge for lunch, then enjoy an evening game drive to spot leopards, lions, hyenas, serval cats, mongoose, and other nocturnal animals.
Day 8: Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Visit Kyambura Gorge for chimpanzee trekking, spotting other primates and birds. Return to the lodge for lunch, then take a boat cruise on Kazinga Channel to see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, and numerous bird species. Dinner and overnight at the lodge overlooking the savannah plains.
Day 9: Road trip to Kampala City
Transfer to Kampala via Bushenyi, Mbarara, and Masaka. Lunch at Igongo Country Hotel en-route. Check into a hotel in Kampala for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 10: Flight to Arusha International Airport
Fly from Entebbe International Airport to Arusha Airport, Tanzania. Upon arrival, transfer to a hotel in Arusha for lunch, then proceed to Arusha National Park for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 11: All day Tour in Arusha National Park
After breakfast, embark on a guided game drive through grassy savannah plains, forest gallery, woodlands, and more. Spot Masai giraffes, zebras, colobus monkeys, Cape buffaloes, hyenas, and leopards. Enjoy a picnic lunch and continue the game drive or relax at the lodge, followed by dinner and overnight stay.
Day 12: Continue to the iconic Lake Manyara National Park
Leave Arusha National Park for Lake Manyara National Park. Enjoy the scenic drive through villages, plains, and baobabs. Arrive at your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 13: Tanzania safari experience in Lake Manyara National Park
Morning game drive to see Cape buffaloes, wildebeests, giraffes, monkeys, baboons, elephants, and tree-climbing lions. Enjoy a picnic lunch and return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 14: Lake Manyara National Park – Serengeti National Park area
Depart for Serengeti National Park, passing through Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Arrive at the lodge for refreshments, dinner, and overnight stay.
Day 15 & 16: Unmatched Serengeti National Park exploration
Two full days exploring Serengeti National Park with game drives, walking safaris, hot air balloon tours, and guided Masai village walks. Spot Thomson’s gazelles, wildebeests, impalas, buffaloes, zebras, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, and more. Enjoy evenings with bonfires, bush dinners, and relaxation at the camp.
Day 17: From Serengeti National Park to Masai Mara National Reserve
Cross the border into Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya via Namanga border. Enjoy a game drive and check into a safari lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 18 & 19: Kenya safari experience within Masai Mara National Reserve
Two full days exploring Masai Mara National Reserve with game drives, walking safaris, and hot air balloon tours. Spot impalas, zebras, buffaloes, giraffes, elephants, lions, cheetahs, leopards, wildebeests, rhinos, wild dogs, and more. Enjoy a traditional candle-lit bush dinner under the stars.
Day 20: Masai Mara National Reserve – Lake Nakuru National Park
Travel to Lake Nakuru National Park for more wildlife and bird species sightings. Enjoy a game drive upon arrival, spotting lions, rhinos, giraffes, elephants, baboons, flamingos, leopards, and more. Relax at the lodge for the rest of the day.
Day 21: Departure for Nairobi City
Breakfast at the lodge, followed by a game drive to spot more animals and birds. Proceed to the airport, marking the end of your 21 Days Grand East Africa Safari.
