Discover the astounding diversity of the wildlife Safari Kenya Tanzania Uganda Rwanda. Combining a Big Five safari in Kenya, Tanzania Bush, Zanzibar beach & gorillas in Uganda & gorilla trekking in Rwanda and some laid back beach time in this route that will whizz you through East Africa safari adventure highlights.
Experience eye catching landscapes and diverse cultural experiences in East Africa. Visit green-clad highlands, steamy rainforests, and epic grasslands in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania. Get close to the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in Uganda, plenty of game drives in Kenya & Tanzania in search of the big five, or take part in many of the optional excursions and activities. The wonders of East Africa will remain vivid in your memory long after this tour ends.
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4x4 safari Landcruiser
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2-3-4 Stars Hotels
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Kigali International Airport
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All year round
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Eco-Tour, Hiking, Trekking, Wildlife photography
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All meals during the safari
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English, Spanish, French, Italian
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Easy to Moderate
Overview
Highlights
- Take part in many of the optional excursions and activities while at Zanzibar.
- Experience eye catching landscapes and diverse cultural experiences in East Africa.
- Get some laid back beach time after your safari through East Africa safari adventure.
- Discover the astounding diversity of the wildlife Safari in Kenya Tanzania Uganda Rwanda.
- Visit green-clad highlands, steamy rainforests, and epic grasslands in Rwanda and Uganda.
Itinerary
Day 1 :
Arrival at Kigali Rwanda - Transfer to hotel
Today, our professional guide shall be waiting for you at the Kigali International airport.
(An EAC visa will be the best to acquire for this safari)
Just out of the immigration, your eyes will land you to a smiling and enthusiastic fellow, eager to show you the land of a thousand hills – Rwanda, the pearl of Africa – Uganda and the pride of Africa – Kenya & Tanzania. Transfer to the hotel for relaxation.
Accommodation:Heaven Boutique Hotel.
Day 2 :
Kigali City Tour
Today after breakfast, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial. The entry here is free but you are obliged to donate for the sustenance of the memorial. At this place, you will listen to stories of the causes of the 1994 genocide where the minority Tutsis were killed by the majority Hutus. Walk around the genocide as you see the remains of the evidence for the massive killings, and see the artefacts in the museum before viewing the mass graves where an estimated 120,000 persons were buried.
After lunch, drive to Kimironko market: here you will tour the largest market of the land where you can buy all items needed for human survival from a pin-to-a-tank! The people here are so hospitable but welcoming to buy an item from their stalls. Beautifully woven crafts will attract you to buy at least one item. Time permitting, you will visit the Inema art gallery. This is one of the largest art galleries in Africa! They have art pieces that are used to interpret many occasions and things.
Accommodation:Heaven Boutique Hotel.
Day 3 :
Kigali to volcano National Park
Today, after breakfast at around 07:00hrs, we shall embark on our short but scenic journey to the northern part of Rwanda. Reaching in the mid-morning, you may decide to check in the lodge first or visit the Ellen De Generes Museum. This was baptized that name after the person who made a great contribution to sponsoring its construction. However, this area houses the pictorial stories of how one of the “Trimates” Dian Fossey did the great work of studying the Gorillas and all her life until her mysterious death in the Virunga mountains.
Take a tour around this area. It is free of charge but every client is required to contribute to its further development by buying an item. You may have lunch here depending on our time and interest.
Accommodation:Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge.
Day 4 :
Volcano to kisoro
After an early morning breakfast, drive to the Kinigi visitor information centre for the registration and briefing about the tracking of these endangered monkeys which are endemic to the Virunga conservation area. Seeing them in their natural setting is indeed a great but rewarding and exciting adventure. Thereafter drive through the Cyanika border crossing over to Uganda and arrive in Kisoro in the afternoon.
This is one of the most pleasing towns in Uganda. Actually, there is a story about the origin of its name. It came from the way they greeted each other while pecking or kissing as the name sounded like “kiss all”. It is cool here, and you need a jacket to balance your body temperature. If we arrive in good time, you can do activities like the coffee tour, the Batwa village dance, or just relax in your hotel garden listening to your favourite music and preparing for the gorilla trekking tomorrow.
Accommodation:Travellers Rest Hotel.
Day 5 :
Kisoro
This is the most thrilling and captivating tourism activity in the world! Getting a full hour face-to-face with these greatest apes of the world is indeed a memorable activity in everyone’s life term. You will wake up and get the requirements for gorilla trekking. Enjoy breakfast at the lodge and get your packed lunch and drinkable water ready, in addition to other requirements as you will be briefed by your guide or in the subsequent mails with our company representatives. Proceed to the park headquarters at either Ntebeko or Muhabura for the briefing with your tracking gear.
The time you take to find these apes is very unpredictable but you will be entertained by other primates like baboons, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, black and white colobus monkeys and so many others.
In case you are not so tired, take an optional community walk to visit the Batwa community believed to be the oldest. After this experience return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation:Travellers Rest Hotel.
Day 6 :
Kisoro to queen elizabeth
On this day we shall drive from Kisoro area northwards to Queen Elizabeth national Park. This dirve may take between 6-7 hours but very interesting as you see small towns and municipal towns, villages with large banana plantations. Banana markets on the roadside and fruit markets are interesting. If it is your interest, tell the guide to stop at one market and you buy yourself a cluster of fresh bananas as a snack – ofcourse you need to have that experience of how we buy items as we haggle to lower the price!
Reaching in the afternoon, relax at the lodge.
Accommodation:The Bush Lodge (Banda).
Day 7 :
Queen Elizabeth
Today, we start at 0600H to go for a game drive to look for different wildlife in the jungles of the national park. We keep our fingers crossed as we expect to see various animals, birds and reptiles: including but not limited to lions, leopards, savanna elephants, cape buffaloes, bee-eaters, egrets, ox-peckers, vultures, snakes, tortoise, etc.
After lunch, we drive to the jetty and take a boat cruise to explore the aquatic life on the world’s longest water channel – Kazinga Channel. On a 2-hours’ boat ride we expect to see various species like crocodiles, hippos, monitor lizards, different waterbirds, etc.
Retire from the activity and drive back to the lodge as you do a simple game drive along the Channel track or opt to do a drive through the craters to have a very great view of the plains, craters and the water bodies.
Accommodation:The Bush Lodge (Banda).
Day 8 :
Queen Elizabeth to fort portal via Kalinzu
At 0645hrs we shall start our 40-minutes’ drive from our lodge to Kalinzu forest. This is a relatively medium-sized tropical rainforest but with stunning attractions. There are lots of wildlife including various primates, elephants most likely from Queen Elizabeth national park, many bird species and enormous plant-life. Our guide will give us a 10-minutes’ briefing and thereafter enter the forest to search for man’s closest primates in terms of DNA – the chimpanzees. All of us work as a team to listen to their calls, looking around and checking their traces until we find them. After finding them we watch for one hour and return to the briefing area. Kindly note that in case you want to do a 4-hours’ habituation experience of these apes, let us know in advance so that we make the necessary adjustments.
We shall have lunch and then transfer to Fort Portal – Africa’s best tourism city. Time and strength permitting, we may go for a community walk (Optional).
Accommodation:Duchess Boutique Hotel.
Day 9 :
Fort portal to Murchison falls
The drive shall last for between 6-7 hours. Good enough it is on a paved road. You will drive through Kyenjojo town, Hoima city where the Bunyoro Kingdom Palace is located, before reaching the oil town of Buliisa.
There are great views at the escarpment of the western arm of the great African rift valley.
Having lunch on the way, most likely in Hoima city, reach in the late afternoon and do a simple game drive or visit the top of the falls if you opt not to hike the next day. Proceed to the lodge.
Accommodation:Murchison River Lodge
Day 10 :
Murchison falls to masindi
This day, we start with an early morning game drive on the northern bank of the national park. Murchison – renamed after the world’s most powerful waterfalls, is indeed a wild garden on an unlimited scale. This gives us chances to search for the Giraffes, the Lelwell’s heartbeats, lions, Leopards, and Oribis. Luckily enough you may see the “Elusive Shoebill Stork” at the delta point on the river Nile where it enters Lake Albert on its long journey to the Mediterranean Sea. Drive back and have Lunch at the lodge, or enjoy your packed lunch depending on the prior arrangement. After lunch, assemble at the Paraa jetty for the Nile boat cruising on the waters of the Nile International River to see the thunderous Murchison Falls from downriver. During the cruise, you see crocodiles, hippos, Elephants, and lots of birds like the Gull-billed and white-winged Terns can also be seen. A hike to the top of the World’s powerful waterfalls will be rewarding but it is medium strenuous!
Accommodation:Kabalega Resort.
Day 11 :
Masindi to Jinja
This morning, after breakfast, proceed to Ziwa Rhino sanctuary.
Chances to see these world’s second-largest land mammals in this naturally protected habitat is put at 98%, still explored on foot. Get your hiking boots onboard and long pants or trousers. It is so thrilling and captivating when your eyes get in touch with the wide faces of these gigantic creatures in the wilderness. You will be in company of the local guide who will explain much more about these rare species.
After this activity, drive to Jinja where you will reach in the late evening for an overnight.
Accommodation:2 Friends Guest House.
Day 12 :
Jinja
Jinja is a metropolitan adventure city of Africa where you will find many buildings that portray ancient Asian art and architecture. Besides, it is where you will find the source of world’s longest single river The Mighty Nile. Where it starts its journey to Mediterranean Sea.
Here there are many thrilling options, ranging from White Water rafting ($140 per person) Tubing ($55 per person), Kayaking your way on the Nile ($30 per person), Bungee jumping ($115 per per person for the first jump, then 50% for a second consecutive jump), mountain-forest biking ($50 per person), Ziplining ($50 per person), Quad biking ($110 per person) water biking ($50 per person). If a client chooses to do one of the activities mentioned, they will be billed directly according to their choice. Otherwise our guide shall advise on the best to do.
Accommodation:2 Friends Guest House.
Day 13 :
Jinja to Lake Nakuru
Today, after an early breakfast, prepare for a long drive (approximately 5-7hrs) with a Packed lunch or choose to eat in a local restaurant. You will leave Jinja behind and drive further East passing through The upper Nile town where sugar farming is vibrant, To the Malaba border. We meet our Kenyan driver guide at the Malaba Uganda-Kenya border. After the immigration process (border post), You will drive past the rural-urban communities of western Kenya through Eldoret town where most of our marathon runners who dominate marathons worldwide train and live arriving in Lake Nakuru late in the afternoon.
On arrival, if time allows you can have an afternoon game drive or you can visit the nearby Nakuru town to get a feeling of how the Kenyan farmers sell their produce at the nearby market or just relax at your hotel by the poolside as you prepare for the next day.
Accommodation:Sarova Woodlands.
Day 14 :
Lake nakuru to Lake Naivasha
You will depart for an early game drive this morning and then thereafter, return to the lodge for a leisurely breakfast before driving to Lake Naivasha. It is a freshwater lake in Kenya outside the town of Naivasha northwest of Nairobi. It is famous for its strong population of hippos, Masai giraffes, wildebeest, and the over 400 bird species in the forest surrounding the lake making it the perfect destination for birdies from all corners of the world.
On arrival, you will proceed to Lake Naivasha for a boat ride and walking excursion at the Crescent Island Game Sanctuary. Boat rides on Lake Naivasha are refreshing experiences that take you on the breezy lake waters as you explore the diverse bird life and wildlife on the lake and its surroundings. You will have a brief nature walk on the island, which is a great opportunity to appreciate nature at the island and around the island. You will return to the hotel for lunch.
Accommodation:Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort.
Day 15 :
Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara
After breakfast, you will drive through the Rift Valley floor to Masai Mara National Reserve arriving at the lodge in good time for lunch. Thereafter, Embark on your first game drive in the reserve this afternoon at 4;00 pm
One of our favourite places to look for wildlife in Kenya is the Masai Mara National Reserve. That's because the wildlife here is incredible, with big cats (lions, leopards, and cheetahs) and elephants among the highlights. There's a very good chance you'll also see giraffes, buffaloes, wildebeests, zebras, hippos, hyenas, and, of course, impalas. And bring your binoculars, because more than 500 species of birds have been recorded in the reserve. It's a place of beautiful Savannah landscapes as well, with lots of acacia trees.
The Masai Mara ecosystem comprises the famous reserve, community conservancies, group ranches, and many Maasai villages.
Accommodation:Zebra Plains Mara Camp.
Day 16 :
Masai mara-Masai Mara
This is a full day spent game viewing across the rich tree-studded grassland and rolling hills of the famous "Eighth Wonder of the Animal World". The Mara is renowned for its great herds of plains game animals like leopards, Cheetahs and lions. It also has numerous Elephants and virtually every other type of wildlife to be found in Kenya. You will have a full-day game drive in Masai Mara National Reserve.
Your lunch today is picnic lunch boxes in the savannah under a flat-top acacia tree while watching the animals grazing. Continue with the game viewing on-route to your camp, arriving at your late in the afternoon after thoroughly exploring this massive grassland savannah measuring 1,500 km.
You have an option of booking a balloon ride today which takes off early in the morning. After landing, the crew helps you out of the basket and escorts you to a lovely setting for a bush breakfast. It is a lifetime experience and worth the
Accommodation:Zebra Plains Mara Camp.
Day 17 :
Masai Mara to serengeti
Today after breakfast, you will carry picnic lunch boxes and head towards the border separating Kenya and Tanzania (Isebania border post). You will prepare to pay for your visas which cost $50 (visa cards NOT accepted) depending on your nationality. Then after clearing the border, you will be transferred to our Tanzanian driver guide and then proceed to the expanse of Serengeti National Park in Tanzania which means (endless plains).
You will have your first Serengeti game drive en route to your camp keeping an eye out for millions of animals that call this place home. You'll be arriving at your camp late in the evening for dinner and your overnight stay.
Tonight you'll have a true African safari experience. The lodge is an unfenced site within the national park, right in the heart of the animal action. Your driver guide and the camp manager will give you a full safety briefing once you arrive.
Accommodation:Matawi Serengeti Camp.
Day 18 :
Serengeti -Serengeti
You'll wake up to another glorious day in the Serengeti. You will start the day with an early morning game drive to search for animals when they're at their most active. Then, you'll return to the lodge for a relaxed breakfast and lunch.
You will spend the hottest part of the day relaxing in the camp reading your favourite book or writing your journal about the safari or just listening to your favourite music while observing the birds. Don't stress, the animals will be doing the same. You'll head off again in the afternoon for another drive through the park. In the evening, you'll return to the lodge for dinner and another night under the Serengeti's stars.
Note: There's also an option of an early hot air balloon ride here. Please ask the tour manager before booking this trip if you're interested.
Accommodation:Matawi Serengeti Camp.
Day 19 :
Serengeti to Ngorongoro
You will enjoy a final game drive through the Serengeti as you exit the park this morning. You will drive through the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area en route to Karatu. This afternoon, you'll descend to Ngorongoro Crater's floor for a game drive. If all goes to plan, you'll see some or maybe even all of the Big Five animals that reside here.
The animals here are less wary of humans and vehicles and as a result, it's easier to watch them from up close. You'll enjoy spectacular views from the rim of the crater as you make your way to the bottom, where animals roam the lakes, rivers, woodlands, and hills. Keep an eye out for wildebeests, lions, zebras, cheetahs, buffalos, gazelles, and endangered black rhinos.
Later, you will drive out of the crater to your lodge located in the small town of Karatu on the outskirts of Ngorongoro Crater your base for the next 1 night.
Accommodation:Bougainvillea Safari Lodge.
Day 20 :
Ngorongoro to tarangire via Lake Eyasi
After an early morning breakfast, you’ll make your way to Lake Eyasi, a huge seasonal soda lake. Lake Eyasi has been home to the Hadzabe people for more than 10,000 years and is one of the few places in Africa where traditional tribal life continues without modern influence.
Today’s visit to the Hadzabe lands offers insight into this ancient culture and a chance to learn about their way of life. You’ll have the opportunity to meet members of the community and join in on daily activities like hunting, gathering, and traditional dances. You'll also learn about their unique ‘click’ language, which is one of the oldest languages still in use today. You will proceed to your lodge in Tarangire National Park arriving in good time for lunch. After lunch, you'll embark on your first game drive exploring this beautiful park, believed to be the second park with the highest concentration of wildlife in Tanzania after Serengeti. You'll return to the lodge for your dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation:Acacia Tarangire Luxury Camp.
Day 21 :
Tarangire to Amboseli
You will set off early this morning, around 7.30 am, heading for the border (Kenya-Namanga border post) and passing through Arusha leaving Tarangire National Park behind. On arrival at the border, you will head to the immigration office which is a one-stop border post. After clearance at the border, you will meet your Kenyan driver/guide who will drive you to Amboseli National Park (approximately 2 hours from the border) arriving in good time for lunch.
You will embark on your first-afternoon game drive at 4:00 pm, exploring the acacia woodland, freshwater swamps, scrub brush, and open plains in search of wildlife. A part of the park is composed of a dried-up lake bed, where mirages rise from the shimmering heat. You'll return to the lodge at sunset for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation:Kibo Safari Camp.
Day 22 :
Amboseli
You will leave the camp after breakfast carrying your packed lunch to be enjoyed in the wild. You'll spend the whole day exploring the marshlands and swamps of Amboseli which are fed by subterranean water channels. Water is abundant throughout the year and so is the pasture. Elephants and various other herbivores are found here. You will retreat to the lodge late in the afternoon after a long exploration of this 392sq km park.
You also have an option of starting the day with an early morning game drive to search for animals when they're at their most active. Then, you will return to the lodge for a relaxed breakfast and lunch.
You'll spend the hottest part of the day relaxing in camp reading your favourite book, writing about the safari, or just listening to your favourite music while observing the birds. Then, you will head off again in the afternoon at 4:00 pm, for another drive through the park. You'll return to the lodge at sunset for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation:Kibo Safari Camp.
Day 23 :
Amboseli transfer to airport to catch a flight to Zanzibar
Today it will be a slow start and after a leisurely breakfast, you will depart from your lodge and head to Amboseli Airstrip to catch a flight to Zanzibar. Arriving in Zanzibar in the afternoon. Our driver will be at the airport to pick you up and drive you to the hotel.
Half Board and overnight at Mnarani Beach Cottages.
Day 24 :
Free Leisure Day in Zanzibar
When in Zanzibar there is a lot of activities you can do in Stone town for full day Spice and prison Island tour. The full day tour will take you to the most scenic parts of the Old Town. This culturally rich town got it’s name from the use of coral stone as the main construction ingredient. Being the oldest town in East Africa, the historical roots and influences can be felt at every turn of the tour. Starting from the House of Wonders which is one of the prominent landmarks of Stone Town, you can proceed on to the Palace Museum which was a Sultan’s residence. The Arab Fort, the Dr Livingstone House, Fred Mercury’s home and the pub and Hamamni Persian baths are just a few of the many attractions in this relic of a town.
Half Board and overnight at Mnarani Beach Cottages.
Day 25 :
Free Leisure Day in Zanzibar
Half Board and overnight at Mnarani Beach Cottages.
Day 26 :
Free Leisure Day in Zanzibar
Half Board and overnight at Mnarani Beach Cottages.
Day 27 :
Free Leisure Day in Zanzibar
Half Board and overnight at Mnarani Beach Cottages.
Day 28 :
Free Leisure Day in Zanzibar
Half Board and overnight at Mnarani Beach Cottages.
Day 29 :
Free Leisure Day in Zanzibar
Half Board and overnight at Mnarani Beach Cottages.
Day 30 :
Day 30 Transfer from hotel to Zanzibar Airport
It's a pity that it has to end, but this is where your safari will draw to a close. We're sure that you will return home with so many exciting and happy memories, and we hope that you will join us again on safari sometime in the future.
It’s the final day in Zanzibar Island and East Africa so be sure to grab any last minute souvenirs you may want and say one last goodbye to the tranquil blue waters before being transferred to Zanzibar International Airport for your flight back home.
Kwa heri ya kuonana – (Good bye and see you again).
Cost
The Cost Includes
- Local tourist taxes.
- Binoculars for game drive viewing.
- Bottled Water at all times while on safari.
- Park or reserve entry fees – where applicable.
- Driver’s salary and allowances and park fees for vehicle and driver.
- Game drives or sightseeing as detailed on the itinerary – where indicated.
- All meals at hotels as mentioned in the itinerary – ( Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner ).
- Ground transportation with an English-speaking driver/guide or naturalist guide.
- Pick up from airport of arrival and drop off to the airport of departure while on safari.
- Transport based on excellent 4X4 Vehicle (Landcruiser or Van) with open roof for game viewing.
- Full board Accommodation and If accommodation is fully booked we’ll suggest a comparable alternative.
The Cost Excludes
- International flights.
- Your travel and medical insurance.
- Tips and gratuities, which are optional.
- Airport customs entry visas (currently US$ 50 per person.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How fit do I need to be to do this trek?
Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will too, you can.
How long do we walk every day when doing Annapurna Base Camp trekking?
On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.
What is the highest altitude reached in this trek?
The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.
What about battery charging and hot shower facilities?
Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay a certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, a hot water facility could be free at a lower elevation.
Are there ATMs on the way to Annapurna Base Camp?
No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.
What about internet access?
Yes. The Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. The Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.
Is it necessary to hire Guides/trekking agency for Annapurna Base Camp trekking?
Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during the offseason.
It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.
How much do guides and porters cost?
For the Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.
