This 27 Days East Africa safari offers the best of wildlife, adventure and cultural experiences in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar Islands. Some of the most attractive experiences on this comprehensive and cross-border tour include gorilla trekking and visiting the source of the Nile in Uganda, golden monkey tracking in Rwanda, breathtaking game drives and amazing cultural experiences in Kenya and Tanzania as well as visiting the glittering beaches of Zanzibar Island.
27 Days East Africa Safari – Trip summary
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport
Day 2: City tour and transfer to Volcanoes national park
Day 3: Golden monkey trekking and Gorilla Guardian’s Cultural village tour
Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
Day 5: Gorilla trekking and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Day 6: Transfer to Lake Mburo national park
Day 7: Game drive/walking safari and transfer to Jinja source of River Nile via Kampala city
Day 8: Explore Jinja, the adventure capital of East Africa
Day 9: Transfer Sipi falls, Kapchorwa
Day 10: Sipi Falls Hike and Coffee Tour
Day 11: Transfer from Sipi falls to Kisumu, Kenya
Day 12: Transfer to Maasai Mara National Reserve
Day 13: Maasai Mara to Serengeti National Park
Day 14: Game drive in Seronera Valley, central Serengeti national park
Day 15: Transfer to Southern Serengeti, explore Ndutu Plains and Simba Kopjes
Day 16: Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater
Day 17: Game Drive into the Crater
Day 18: Transfer to Empakai Crater
Day 19: Transfer to Lake Natron and Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai
Day 20: Explore Lake Natron and Ngare Sero waterfalls
Day 21: Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai hike and hominoid footprints
Day 22: Transfer from Lake Natron to Gibb’s Farm Lodge on the edge of Lake Manyara
Day 23: Game drive in Lake Manyara National Park
Day 24: Transfer to Tarangire National Park
Day 25: Transfer to Arusha Airport and take a Flight to Zanzibar
Day 26: Relaxation at Kendwa Beach
Day 27: Departure
Detailed Itinerary of the 27 Days East Africa safari
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport
On arrival, your guide will welcome you and give you a short introduction about the tour. Then transfer you to the hotel in Kigali capital city. Known for the dark history involving the genocide against Tutsi in 1994, Kigali has been rebuilt based on technology, environmental conservation making for one Africa’s cleanest and sustainable cities of the future. Overnight stay at Haven Boutique Hotel
Day 2: Kigali city tour and transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Before heading to Ruhengeri, you will visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial which was opened in 2004 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide against Tutsi. It serves as a resting place for over 250,000 victims as well as a museum to educate citizens and visitors alike about Rwanda’s post-genocide recovery, reconciliation initiatives, and the country’s journey towards healing. For a quick cultural experience, visit Inema Arts Center, a vibrant space showcasing contemporary Rwandan art, featuring works by local and international artists.
Thereafter, leave Kigali in the early afternoon and travel to Kinigi, which is 110 km (2-hour drive). On reaching Kinigi, you may visit the Dian Ellen Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund before checking into your lodge on the edge of the park. Overnight stay at Tiloreza Volcanoes Eco-Lodge
Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking and Community Tour
Leave your lodge early around 6:30 AM with packed lunch to arrive at Kinigi headquarters for registration and briefing. After which you will join fellow visitors and be accompanied by guide and armed rangers for the golden monkey trekking adventure. The trek usually takes 2-4 hours, depending on where the monkeys are located. Once they’re located, you will observe the playful primates in their natural habitat for 1 hour at a respectful distance. Return from the trek and have a hearty lunch at the lodge.
Take some time to relax and freshen up and recharge for the afternoon community tour. You will visit the Gorilla Guardians Village to learn how locals including Ex-poachers are involved in protecting the endangered gorillas. There’s an opportunity to engage with the local people and take part in their rich traditions.
Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
Early morning transfer from Volcanoes National Park to Rushaga in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is 80 km (4-hour drive). You will go through the immigration procedures at Cyanika border town of Rwanda. The route offers scenic views from the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo in Rwanda to Lake Mulehe, and Lake Mutanda surrounded by rolling hills as you drive towards Bwindi. Prepare for your gorilla trek at night by charging your phone, camera, and any other devices and also arrange your clothing and gear for easy access.
Bwindi Impenetrable national park harbors 459 gorillas which is half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. There are 23 gorilla families that have been habituated for tourism two of which are still under habituation. Visitors have a chance to spend a wonderful hour with a completely habituated family or four hours with a semi-habituated family. Overnight stay at Four Gorillas Lodge
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
At 7:00am, you will report at the park visitor centerto meet the head guide, who will give you an orientation on the gorilla trekking rules. Following that, you will be assigned to a family of gorillas and accompanied by armed rangers into the forest to find them. Depending on the route, the hike may take one to five hours. After finding the gorilla family, you will spend an hour watching them feed, play, and groom. Head back to the lodge for some downtime and lunch.
You might take a village stroll later in the day to learn more about the rural lifestyles of local people including Bakiga, Batwa pygmies, and Bafumbira. Bring some cash for tips or any purchases and donations to the livelihood projects. Overnight stay at Four Gorillas Lodge
Day 6: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
Take a few hours in the morning to explore Lake Bunyonyi, the land of many little birds. Choose among the activities including a boat ride, traditional canoeing, and zip lining. After one of the activity, you will transfer to Lake Mburo national park via Mbarara city for en-route lunch at Igongo Cultural Restaurant. Continue to the park reaching the park early afternoon for game drives en route to the lodge. Lake Mburo is Uganda’s smallest savanna park home to 69 mammal species including Burchel’s zebras, elands, Nubian giraffes, and impalas, and over 320 species of birds including the shoebill stork. Overnight stay at Mihingo Safari Lodge
Day 7: Lake Mburo to Jinja source of River Nile
In the early morning, you will do any activity of choice either a guided walking safari on foot with a ranger or game drive. Thereafter, leave the park and transfer to Kampala capital city for en route lunch to Jinja, the adventure capital of East Africa. Located at the source of the River Nile, Jinja offers a wide range of adventure activities it offers including white water rafting, kayaking, ATV quad biking, mountain biking. A boat trip to the source of the Nile River will be a highlight of your visit.
Day 8: Explore Jinja
Explore Jinja for the whole day starting with activities of choice for the morning part of the day. You can take part in adventure activities including white water rafting and Kayaking. Among other options include horseback riding, mountain biking, and ATV quad biking on the dirt road trails on the outskirts of the city. After lunch, choose a laid-back boat cruise to the source of River Nile. The site is dramatic as the river plunges over Ripon falls to begin its 6,650 km journey to the Mediterranean Sea. Check out the historical sites of Jinja including the Uganda Railway Museum. Overnight stay at Jinja Nile Resort
Day 9: Transfer Sipi falls, Kapchorwa
Leave Jinja and travel northeast via Mbale town for lunch en route to Kapchorwa, Uganda’s Land of Champions. Kapchorwa is on the northwest slopes of the Mount Elgon National Park, where over 1,000 waterfalls are found including Sipi falls, one of the tallest waterfalls with a height of 100 meters long.
Located on the Uganda-Kenya border, Mount Elgon is the world’s largest mountain caldera with a diameter of 80 km. The highest peak Wagagai 4,321 meters above sea level is in Uganda’s Mount Elgon National Park. The lower slopes contain volcanic fertile soils which support Arabica coffee growing. A coffee farm tour offers an opportunity to learn about the coffee making process and also supports the local farmers.
Kapchorwa is Uganda’s Land of Champions being home to several Ugandan Olympic gold medalists like Joshua Cheptegei, Peruth Chemutai, and Jacob Kiprotich. Home of Friends Guesthouse offers a wide range of sport tourism activities including the champion’s trail, where you will join one of the athletes for a guided run. Overnight at Home of Friends Guesthouse (midrange) or Lacam Lodge
Day 10: Sipi Falls Hike and Coffee Tour
Sipi Falls hike lasts for 1-3 hours for those intending to explore all the three series of the waterfalls. The heights of the first, second, and third waterfalls are 65, 85, and 100 meters, respectively. Reaching at the top of the falls at 1,775 meters above sea level offers spectacular views of Mount Elgon and the Karamoja plains.
At the base of the falls, you can swim in the gorge and stand in the cave as water cascades over the rocks. Alternatively, you can abseil down the falls. Return to the lodge for lunch and in the afternoon take a coffee tour to learn how coffee is grown, harvested, roasted, and processed and enjoy a fresh cup or take some for consumption. Overnight stay at Home of Friends Guesthouse
Day 11: Transfer from Sipi falls to Kisumu, Kenya
Travel from Uganda to Kenya via the border town of Lwakhakha. The distance from Sipi falls to Kisumu in Kenya is 264 km (6-hour drive). Leave Sipi at 7:00 a.m. with packed lunch and travel via the Kisumu–Bungoma road to Kisumu. Make a stopover along the way at the Chetambe Fort Ruins located 2 km from Webuye town. The ruins are thought to represent the Bukusu group of the Luhya tribe’s last-ditch defense against the British. Numerous fabled Bukusu clan members perished in this conflict, and some were taken as prisoners by the imperialists.
You could also go to the Nabuyole water Falls, less than a kilometer away from the ruins. Check in at the lodge if you reach early you can visit Kisumu Museum located in Milimani Estate along the Kisumu-Kericho highway. The site hosts cultural gallery, Snake Park a fish aquarium, among other artefacts that displays information about the cultural and natural heritage of Western Kenya. Overnight stay at Acacia premier hotel, Sarova Imperial and Imperial Express
Day 12: Transfer to Maasai Mara National Reserve
After breakfast at the hotel depart to Maasai Mara national reserve through Kericho, Sotik and Mulot towns. The journey from Kisumu to Mara Triangle is 250 km (5-hour drive). The Mara Triangle is the southern part of the reserve and it is where the Great Wildebeest Migration enters and exits the Maasai Mara National Reserve and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. The protected area borders Mara River in the east and in the northwest by Oloololo escarpment.
Apart from heart wildebeest migration the Mara Triangle is a home to the Big Five mammals which include lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants and both southern white and black rhinos. Other herbivores in the park include plains zebras, Impalas, Topi, Maasai giraffes, elands, Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelles. Overnight stay and dinner at Mara Engai/ Maasai Serena/Angama Mara lodge.
Day 13: Maasai Mara to Serengeti National Park
As you enjoy an en-route game drive in Mara Triangle towards Serengeti National Park, our tour guide will eventually hand you over to the Tanzanian guide at Isebania border post. He will help you with all the crossing formalities. Here you will cross the border on foot since foreign safari vehicles are not allowed to operate safaris in Tanzanian tourist destinations. You will then be transferred to a lodge in Serengeti National Park. Overnight stay at Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Day 14: Seronera Valley
At 6:00 am to 9:00 am a morning game drive will offer one of the best wildlife experiences as you encounter predators enjoying a day’s meal. Return to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation. Between 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm an afternoon game drive will also offer an amazing experience. Overnight stay at Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge located at Kyabetero Hills it offers views of the Serengeti plains.
Day 15: Southern Serengeti, Ndutu Plains and Simba Kopjes
A morning game drive in Serengeti Southern plains is highly rewarding. This area is part of Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The nutrient short grass is home to massive migratory herds of zebras and wildebeests during the wet season. In these vast plains between December and April expect to see elands, wildebeests, zebras, lions, skittish bat-eared foxes, graceful secretary bird and ostriches among others.
The most ideal for game drives is Lake Ndutu environs – this is the ‘magnet’ of wildebeests where they give birth to thousands of calves thus making this phenomenon translate into a great migration. Big numbers of predators are attracted by the calves for food. This dramatic scene yields into life and death. The woodland surrounding Lake Ndutu is home to unique birds not found elsewhere in Serengeti. However between April and November the dry season turns these southern plains into a thinly vegetated area. Lakes Ndutu and Masek are the only water points where most wildlife converges.
Another interesting feature in the southern Serengeti plains is the Kopjes (Koppies). These ones form a home for non-plains wildlife including leopards, klipspringer, cliff-nesting raptors and the lions that use them as traps, so is the name ‘Simba koppies’ on the main road between Seronera and Ngorongoro Crater Area. The Kopjes in Serengeti are also referred to as “islands in a sea of grass” and the physical features play an important role in the ecology of Serengeti by retaining water and preventing bushfires. Overnight stay at Woodlands Camps by Karibu Camps and Lodges
Day 16: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater
Leaving Serengeti behind, you will drive to Ngorongoro crater, one of the world’s natural wonders. The huge crater, which covers 260 sq. km (100 square miles) and its walls rise to a height of approximately 610 meters (2,000 feet) above the floor, was formed millions of years ago due to the collapse of a massive volcano. Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest unbroken caldera in the world and a UNESCO world heritage site.
The crater floor contains a diverse array of habitats ranging from open savanna plains, acacia woodlands, and swamps around the alkaline lake which support a rich biodiversity including the Big Five mammals which include black rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, lions, and leopards. Among other species that live on the crater floor include giraffes, plains zebras, elands, impalas, wildebeests, topis, waterbucks, and warthogs. In total, over 30,000 mammals live within the crate, making for a must-visit gem in Africa.
There are over 500 species of birds of which the alkaline lake attracts thousands of flamingos creating a pink spectacle. Visit between November to March for a flamingo safari in Tanzania’s Lake Manyara and Lake Natron. Overnight stay at Ngorongoro Serena Safari lodge on the rim of the crater; “It’s really beautiful. It feels like God visits everywhere else but lives in Africa.” safari quote by Will Smith. Optional visit to Olduvai Gorge Museum nestled between Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater.
Day 17: Game Drive into the Crater
Descend into the crater on early morning game drive more or less of a roller-coaster ride and find yourself mesmerized by the magnificent creatures all around. You will eat your picnic lunch by the Hippo pool for break time before you continue with an afternoon game drive. Herds of elephants, buffaloes congregate around water points that are also inhabited by hippos and crocodiles. Birds of prey including Rupell’s griffon vulture and the martial eagle can be seen soaring above the plains.
Day 18: Walking Expedition to Empakai Crater, Lake Natron and Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai
With picnic lunches, you will drive from Lake Manyara to Empakai crater to begin your walking expedition. Situated at 3,200 m, Empakai crater is 8 km wide of which 75% is occupied by a soda lake surrounded by steep walls of 300 meters. The lake attracts flamingos and white backed pelicans. The crater walls are covered with acacia and fig trees provide habitat for velvet monkeys, olive baboons, elands, and bushbucks. Overnight stay at Empakai Camp on the rim of the crater
Day 19: Empakai to Lake Natron
Rise up early for a nature walk from the rim of the crater and descend into the floor. Walk around the lake for about 2-3 hours and hike back to the rim for refreshments. Leave Empakai for Lake Natron which is 67 km (2-hour drive) through traditional Maasai villages to Lake Natron Camp for overnight stay. Lake Natron is shallow reaching a depth of 3 meters (9ft) and is 21 km wide and 57 km long. The waters have high alkalinity content of over 12 pH due to active volcanicity on Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai. Given that the lake has high temperature ranges between 30 °C-60 °C, hiking is preferably done during morning hours. Many birds that fall into the hot water die and their corpses become hardened as stones.
However, the lake contains spirulina/blue-green algae with red pigment that makes the lake appear red. Lake Natron is a breeding ground for over 2.5 million lesser flamingos and there are two fish species which include the narrow-mouthed Natron tilapia and the wide-lipped Natron tilapia. These fish eat dead skin cells on human feet which is called fish pedicure. Those intending to have this experience can soak their feet in the waters of Lake Natron. Overnight stay at Lake Natron Camp
Day 20: Lake Natron and Ngare Sero waterfalls hike
Explore the shores of Lake Natron on foot with a ranger hike to the top of the rift valley escarpment to enjoy the scenic beauty. Visit the Ngare Sero gorge, swim in the waterfalls and return to the camp for relaxation.
Day 21: Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai hike and hominoid footprints
Climbing Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano starts at midnight so as to reach the top at sunrise and descend back at the base in the cool morning and avoid the scorching heat. Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai is a stratovolcano that has been active since the 19th century. Ol Doiny Lenga is known as God’s mountain given that the Maasai go there to worship and offer sacrifices. Lengai’s eruptions are characterized by smaller tephra ejections and numerous carbonatitic lava flows on the floor of the summit crater and occasionally on the upper flanks.
Enjoy spectacular sunrise and spend some time looking at the lava lake before descending back to the base. Drive to the camp for rest and later you can visit the hominoid footprints and enjoy sundowner on top of the hill. Overnight stay at Lake Natron Camp
Day 22: Lake Natron to Gibb’s Farm Lodge
Gibb’s Farm Lodge is 218 km (3-hour drive) from Lake Natron. Gibb’s Farm Lodge is a historic organic farm and family coffee estate established in the 1920’s. Staying there will give you a glimpse of farm life with first-hand knowledge of where food comes from. A sense of wellbeing awaits you.
Gibb’s farm is close to Karutu town and Mto Wa Mbu village, which good for cultural tourism. There are bustling markets with eye-catching souvenirs and appetite arousing local street food.
Day 23: Lake Manyara National Park
A short drive from the lodge brings you to Lake Manyara national park, where the shallow waters of Lake Manyara tumble into dramatic escarpment of the rift valley creating one of the most beautiful places in Tanzania. Enjoy a game drive in the park for an opportunity to encounter the tree climbing lions. The best game viewing experience is between June and October during the dry season. Those intending to enjoy a scenic beauty of the park should visit between November to May. Thousands of flamingos come to Lake Manyara due green algae. Overnight stay at Bashay Rift Lodge
Day 24: Lake Manyara to Tarangire National Park
Located 67 km (1-hour drive) south of Lake Manyara, Tarangire national park is a must-visit gem due to its high population of over 3,000 African elephants and a rugged semi-arid savanna studded with baobab trees. River Tarangire becomes a magnet for wildlife during the dry season between June and October. Track wildlife on an afternoon game drive including elephants, buffaloes, plains zebras, warthogs, and wildebeests. There are also tree climbing lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, cheetahs, and African wild dogs. In addition to a game drive, Tarangire also offers a walking safari to track animals on foot with a ranger. Overnight stay at Maramboi Tented Lodge
Day 25: Tarangire to Arusha Airport and Flight to Zanzibar
Leave Lake Natron camp early morning after breakfast and drive to Arusha Airport. There are two routes to get there which include the southern route via Engaruka and Mto wa Mbu (3-hour drive) to Arusha. Fly to Stone Town capital city of Zanzibar Islands. Stone Town, the old town of Zanzibar was designated a UNESCO world heritage site due to rich cultural and historical heritage of people who occupied Zanzibar including African Swahili, Persians, Oman Arabs, Portuguese, Indians and the British.
Zanzibar became a center of spice and slave trade in the 19th century and today is one of the best tropical Island vacations in the world. Arrive in Stone Town and discover some of the key sites including the Old Fort, Darajani market, and Forodhani gardens. Optional activities include Spice farm tour or a nature walk in Jozani Forest Reserve, home to the Zanzibar red colobus monkeys. Overnight stay at Zanzibar Serena Hotel
Day 26: Kendwa Beach
Located 55 km (1-hour drive) north of Stone Town, Kendwa beach offers beachfront accommodations allowing you to take pleasure in the tranquility of the turquoise Indian Ocean waters. You will have access to a wide range of water sport activities including snorkeling, dhow boat cruise, and scuba diving. Or simply sunbathe and relax. Overnight stay Natural Kendwa Villa
Day 27: Departure
Return to Stone Town for your departure flight at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport to mark the end of 27 days Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania Safari.