Are you planning on spending 21 days in East Africa? Three weeks are perfect time to discover the beauty of different Safari destinations, but you will be surprised how this period can come to an end in a blink of an eye through the vast region.
With spectacular National Parks and Reserves, thrilling wildlife experiences and unmatched cultural experience to discover, picking what safari destinations to explore and how much time to spend in the East African region can undeniably be a tad bit devastating. We bring you the best itinerary taking you through top tourist sites in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya.
Detailed Itinerary.
Day 1: Kampala City – Murchison falls National Park (6-7 hours’ drive).
We’ll begin our 21 Days East Africa Safari in Uganda’s metropolis, in a 4WD Safari Vehicle. We first meet at place of lodging in the morning for an orientation as well as chance to be acquainted with each other, followed by a scenic drive to north-western Uganda, where Murchison falls National Park is located.
There will be a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino Tracking and another in Kabalega Diners for Lunch. Sleep and dine within the wilderness.
Day 2: Murchison falls National Park.
On the second day, hop aboard the 4WD Safari Vehicle into the wilderness to discover its hidden beauty through guided game drive. Our introduction to the wilderness continues with an informative game drive with sights of Defassa waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, lions, Olive baboons, Oribis, Topis, hartebeests, Rothschild’s giraffes and Hippos among others. Break from this activity after 3-4 hours to enjoy a hot meal at the lodge.
After a well-deserved break for lunch, we will have a chance to cruise the Nile River on a boat ride for the Hippos, Nile crocodiles, Uganda Kobs, African bush elephants, several bird species or whatever strikes your fancy. Evening will be spent at the lodge, relaxing, dinning and slumber.
Day 3: Murchison falls National Park-Kibale Forest National Park (7-8 hours’ drive)
After breakfast, we depart to Kibale Forest National Park this morning to see what the jungle has in stock for us. Wander through the breathtaking countryside with views of the Albertine escarpment, snow-capped peaks of Rwenzori Mountains and rural homesteads among others. Lunch in Fort Portal City then make way to the primate Capital, relishing dinner and slumber at the Safari Lodge nestled in the heart of the jungle.
Day 4: Kibale Forest (Chimpanzee trekking and guided swamp walk)
This morning, we’ll venture into the jungles of Kibale to search for the chimpanzees, our close relatives. Start with a hearty breakfast, followed by picking your lunch box and other trekking gear before converging at Kanyanchu Reception Center for an Orientation. Follow the lead of the expert Ranger guide to walk through the forest for 1-4 hours, searching for the allocated chimpanzee community. Work your way to the community and spend up to one hour observing and taking photographs.
In the afternoon hop into the vehicle for a transfer to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided wetland walk, that introduces you to the 6 primate species and over 200 bird species that call the wetland home. Sleep and dine at the same Lodge.
Day 5: Kibale Forest National Park-Queen Elizabeth National Park (3-4 hours’ drive)
Arise early for breakfast and head to Queen Elizabeth National Park, western Uganda’s best-preserved Protected Area before lunchtime. After a delicious lunch and informative orientation, spend the afternoon seeing the best wonders of this wilderness. Spectacular landscapes, rich wildlife views (marked by Uganda Kobs, Defassa waterbucks, African bush elephants, lions, warthogs, leopards, Cape buffaloes, spotted hyenas, Oribis, Hippos and others).
In the afternoon, we’ll board a boat for a relaxing cruise passing breathtaking banks of Kazinga Channel and encountering Hippos, Nile Crocodiles and Birds. This cruise is followed by a free time for dinner as slumber.
Day 6: Morning game drive-Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
An early start takes us into Queen Elizabeth National Park again, for the guided game drive with more chances of seeing early risers such as spotted hyenas, leopards, lions as well as elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, Hippos, bushbucks, waterbucks and others.
Enjoy brunch and prepare to exit for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. First, visit the tree climbing lions in southern sector of Queen Elizabeth Park and arrive late afternoon for lunch.
Day 7: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (gorilla trekking & Cultural Tour)
It is a short drive from your place of lodging to the Park Headquarters for a briefing that gives an insight into what to expect in the forest as well as the dos and don’ts of trekking or spending time in the midst of endangered mountain gorillas.
It will take between half an hour to five hours to finally find the gorillas and once you are successful, one hour will be allocated for observation and taking photos of the exciting daily routines. A hot meal will be served at the Lodge. In the late afternoon, you will tag along on the guided community/village walk to learn about cultures you never imagined existed.
Day 8: Uganda-Rwanda, via Cyanika or Katuna Border
After breakfast, take a scenic drive to Rwanda via Cyanika or Katuna Border point, stopping en-route for a hot lunch. In Rwanda, enjoy a scenic drive towards Volcanoes National Park for relaxation, dinner and slumber in the outskirts of the Park.
Day 9: Volcanoes National Park (Gorilla Trekking & tour of Gorilla Guardian Village)
This day, your safari guide will take you towards Kinigi Park Headquarters for orientation briefing on the dos and don’ts of the gorilla trek. By 8:00am start the trek through the jungle, a-one-in-a lifetime opportunity of meeting face to face with the mountain gorillas in addition to giving a different perspective on the lush jungles. Finish half a day walking through the forest, then spend one hour in their presence.
The rest of the day is spent in the local community, learning about cultures and traditions, lifestyles of the three ethnic groups of Rwanda. Tour the Gorilla Guardian Village outside Volcanoes National Park or better yet, get lost touring the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera. Dine and sleep at the same Lodge in the outskirts of Volcanoes National Park.
Day 10: Volcanoes to Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Early morning start leads us to Nyungwe Forest National Park in the south-west of the country for another extraordinary primate trek and adventure-packed day. Relax for the rest of the evening while relishing the beautiful views of the forest.
Day 11: Nyungwe Forest National Park (Chimpanzee trekking & Canopy walk).
This morning we’ll have breakfast then drive or move straight to the heart of Nyungwe Forest National Park to search for the chimpanzees that call the jungle home. Before that, first be briefed on the guidelines of wandering through the forest as well as being in the presence of these endangered primates.
Spot and learn about their extraordinary behavior and other attractions encountered along the way. A picnic lunch will be in the heart of the forest then allow you to continue on the famous Igishigishigi hiking trail for the canopy walk. More primates, birds, tree species and butterflies will be spotted during the afternoon activity.
Return for a cold bathe at the Safari Lodge, afterwards have dinner and sleep with fresh memories from the jungle.
Day 12: Rwanda-Tanzania, Arusha.
An early morning scenic ride will lead us to Kigali International Airport for a flight to Arusha Airport. Later hit the road to the spectacular Arusha National Park where we’ll be for the next two nights.
Day 13: Arusha National Park (Full day Game Drive)
After having breakfast and getting oriented on the activity you are about to embark on, hop onto the safari vehicle for a scenic drive to the beautiful Arusha National Park. Here you will pass areas dominated by Masai giraffes, zebras, Cape buffaloes, Defassa waterbucks, leopards, yellow baboons and spotted hyenas among others. After a whole day of game viewing, retire for a cold bathe, hot meal and refreshment at the Safari Lodge.
Day 14: Arusha National Park-Lake Manyara National Park
This day will introduce us to one of the most outstanding National Parks of Tanzania-Lake Manyara National Park for its unique wildlife species that include tree climbing lions found in only two countries. It’s the sights of animals that will signify your arrival at this Park, where your next two nights will be spent.
Day 15: Lake Manyara National Park (Full day Game Drive)
Rise and shine, start the day with breakfast at the Lodge followed by a full day game drive in Lake Manyara National Park. The game drive will be marked by views of elephants, impalas, vervet monkeys, Masai giraffes, Grant’s zebras, leopards, Hippos, blue monkeys, yellow baboons, bushbucks as well as huge flocks of pink flamingos.
This adventure will also lead to the magnificent Lake where you can pull out your camera and binoculars to watch while capturing views of beautiful bird species. A hot meal, bonfire and comfortable bed is all you need to wrap up this day.
Day 16: Lake Manyara National Park-Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, exit Lake Manyara National Park and continue to one of Africa’s most endowed Safari destinations-Serengeti National Park. Leave with a lunch box because lunch will be en-route to allow you immediately start the game drive on arriving Tanzania’s finest Safari destination.
Day 17: Serengeti National Park (Full day Wildlife Viewing)
Since this is going to be a busy day, we have a hefty breakfast and leave for the game drive with packed lunch. Slowly start driving from the Lodge, because it’s here that wildlife viewing starts. There will be occasional stops to capture sights of elephants, Cape buffaloes, wildebeests, yellow baboons, and African wild dogs, lions, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, impalas, warthogs, elands, Topis, gazelles, Defassa waterbucks and many others. The Great migration will make your day complete as millions of wildebeests, gazelles and zebras migrate from Masai Mara National Reserve to Serengeti National Park. After a productive day in the wilderness, all you need is a cold bathe, hot meal and quiet night with only sounds of nature.
Day 18: Tanzania to Kenya – Masai Mara National Reserve.
Breakfast then drive into profoundly Kenyan Masai Mara National Reserve for another unmatched wildlife encounter. Swap vehicle at the Namanga border to a confortable open roof vehicle with Kenyan number plate. You will meet your Kenyan Safari driver for a drive to the reserved place of lodging overlooking the vast wilderness.
Day 19: Masai Mara National Reserve (Full day Game Viewing)
Another wonderful day to look forward to as we get to discover why Kenya is referred as the perfect place for African safaris. Embark on a full day discovery of the 1510-square kilometer Reserve known for many amazing thing, among which the Great annual migration involving millions of wildebeests, zebras and gazelles.
Spot lots of Masai giraffes, cheetahs, Somali Ostriches, Cape buffaloes, Defassa waterbucks, common elands, yellow baboons and others in large numbers. Returning to the Lodge is in the late evening after a proper wildlife viewing adventure in Kenya’s finest Protected Area.
Day 20: Masai Mara National Reserve to Nairobi, City excursion.
Engage in the last game drive while exiting Masai Mara National Reserve and drive to Kenya’s Capital for refreshment and overnight.
Day 21: Departure
Today we’ll say “Kwaheri” (goodbye), to the 21 days East African Safari and “safari njema” (safe journey) while taking a flight back home.
