Eliya’s local-expert note
This itinerary is reviewed by Eliya Tumaini, Founder and Safari Specialist at Nature Bound Africa. Drawing on local experience since 2002, we reconfirm realistic travel times, seasonal conditions, permits and accommodation for your exact dates. The pace, lodging style and transfers can be adjusted around your interests.
Booking, payment and cancellation
After your enquiry, we confirm availability and send the final itinerary, price and written booking conditions. Your booking is confirmed only after you approve the programme and pay the stated deposit. Payment deadlines and cancellation terms are provided before payment. Secure card payment and bank transfer are available.
Book directly with our Arusha team: you receive personal planning, local assistance and one clear point of contact from your first enquiry until your airport transfer.
Overview
Experience the remarkable diversity of East Africa on a private 30-day journey from Kigali to Zanzibar. Track mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, explore Uganda’s national parks, continue through Kenya’s Rift Valley and Masai Mara, cross into Tanzania for the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire, and finish beside the Indian Ocean. This complex multi-country itinerary is tailor-made, and permits, border requirements, regional flights, lodges and activities will be reconfirmed for your travel dates.
Trip Highlights
- Mountain gorilla and chimpanzee trekking
- Four-country East Africa wildlife journey
- Serengeti, Masai Mara, Ngorongoro and Tarangire game drives
- Seven relaxing nights on Zanzibar’s Indian Ocean coast
Itinerary
A detailed day-by-day journey through Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Meet your guide at Kigali International Airport and transfer to Heaven Boutique Hotel. Relax after your journey and receive a briefing for the East Africa adventure ahead.
Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial with the respect appropriate to this important site, explore Kimironko Market and, time permitting, visit a local art gallery. Accommodation: Heaven Boutique Hotel.
Travel through Rwanda’s scenic hills to the Volcanoes National Park area. Depending on timing, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. Accommodation: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge.
Complete the scheduled Rwanda activity arranged for this morning, then cross into Uganda through the Cyanika border and continue to Kisoro. Accommodation: Travellers Rest Hotel.
Attend the ranger briefing and travel to the trekking start assigned to your gorilla permit. Walk with the ranger team through the forest; the duration and terrain depend on the gorilla family’s location. Return to your accommodation near Kisoro after the trek. The park, sector, permit and accommodation are confirmed before booking.
Drive north through Uganda’s highlands, villages and banana-growing areas to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Accommodation: The Bush Lodge.
Enjoy an early game drive followed by an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, known for hippos, crocodiles and abundant waterbirds. Accommodation: The Bush Lodge.
Travel to Kalinzu Forest for guided chimpanzee tracking, then continue to Fort Portal. Tracking success and duration depend on wildlife movements and forest conditions. Accommodation: Duchess Boutique Hotel.
Depart Fort Portal for the road journey to Murchison Falls National Park. This is primarily a transfer day, with comfort and meal stops arranged along the way. Continue to the accommodation in your confirmed itinerary; any additional activity depends on arrival time and park access.
Explore the northern bank on a morning game drive, then cruise along the Nile towards Murchison Falls. An optional guided hike may be arranged where conditions permit. Accommodation: Kabalega Resort.
Track southern white rhinos on foot with a sanctuary guide at Ziwa, then continue to Jinja for the evening. Accommodation: 2 Friends Guest House.
Spend the day exploring Jinja. Optional activities may include white-water rafting, kayaking, tubing, cycling, quad biking or a visit to the Source of the Nile, subject to availability and additional cost. Accommodation: 2 Friends Guest House.
Cross the Malaba border into Kenya and continue through western Kenya and Eldoret to Lake Nakuru. Accommodation: Sarova Woodlands.
Begin with a Lake Nakuru game drive, then continue to Lake Naivasha for a boat excursion and nature walk around Crescent Island where arranged. Accommodation: Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort.
Travel across the Rift Valley to the Masai Mara, arriving for lunch and an afternoon game drive. Accommodation: Zebra Plains Mara Camp.
Spend a full day exploring the reserve with a picnic lunch. An optional hot-air-balloon safari can be arranged at additional cost. Accommodation: Zebra Plains Mara Camp.
Travel to the Isebania border, complete immigration formalities and meet your Tanzanian driver-guide. Continue into the Serengeti with game viewing en route. Accommodation: Matawi Serengeti Camp.
Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives, with time to relax at camp during the heat of the day. An optional balloon safari may be arranged. Accommodation: Matawi Serengeti Camp.
Enjoy a final Serengeti game drive before descending into the Ngorongoro Crater for wildlife viewing. Continue to Karatu. Accommodation: Bougainvillea Safari Lodge.
Visit the Lake Eyasi area for a respectful cultural experience arranged with local communities, then continue to Tarangire for an afternoon game drive. Accommodation: Acacia Tarangire Luxury Camp.
Drive through Arusha to the Namanga border, complete immigration formalities and continue with your Kenyan guide to Amboseli for an afternoon game drive. Accommodation: Kibo Safari Camp.
Spend the day exploring Amboseli’s open plains, acacia woodland and seasonal wetlands, with views of Mount Kilimanjaro when weather permits. Accommodation: Kibo Safari Camp.
Transfer to Amboseli Airstrip and fly to Zanzibar. On arrival, meet your driver and transfer to the coast. Half-board accommodation: Mnarani Beach Cottages.
Relax at the beach or arrange an optional Stone Town, spice-farm or Prison Island excursion. Half-board accommodation: Mnarani Beach Cottages.
Enjoy a free day by the Indian Ocean or select an optional island activity. Half-board accommodation: Mnarani Beach Cottages.
Relax at your hotel and enjoy the coast at your own pace. Half-board accommodation: Mnarani Beach Cottages.
Another unhurried day for beach time, swimming or an optional excursion. Half-board accommodation: Mnarani Beach Cottages.
Enjoy the beach and hotel facilities, or explore more of Zanzibar with a pre-arranged activity. Half-board accommodation: Mnarani Beach Cottages.
Spend your final full day relaxing beside the Indian Ocean. Half-board accommodation: Mnarani Beach Cottages.
Transfer to Zanzibar International Airport according to your flight schedule. Your thirty-day East Africa journey ends today.
Cost
Cost Includes
- Airport transfers and ground transportation specified in the itinerary
- Professional English-speaking driver-guides and local specialist guides
- Accommodation and meals specified in the itinerary
- National park, reserve and conservation-area fees
- Game drives, boat cruises and activities described as included
- Scheduled regional and domestic flights specifically stated as included in the final quotation
- Bottled drinking water during safari sectors
- Applicable local tourism taxes
Cost Excludes
- International flights
- Visas, electronic travel authorisations and border fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional activities not stated as included
- Personal expenses and drinks outside the meal plan
- Any permit or flight not expressly included in the confirmed quotation
More Info
This is a complex tailor-made journey across four countries. Gorilla and chimpanzee permits, visas, health requirements, border procedures, regional flights and accommodation must be reconfirmed for the selected dates. Travellers should carry comprehensive travel and medical insurance and consult their doctor or an authorised travel-health clinic about current health requirements. Luggage limits may apply on light aircraft. Wildlife sightings, including gorillas, chimpanzees and migration events, are natural and cannot be guaranteed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Safari Planning
Permit costs and availability must be reconfirmed for your chosen travel dates. Your final quotation will clearly state every permit included.
Visa and entry requirements depend on nationality and may change. Travellers are responsible for obtaining all required visas, electronic travel authorisations and health documents before departure.
Yes. The itinerary is designed as a private, tailor-made journey with dedicated ground arrangements, unless your confirmed quotation states otherwise.
The lodges, hotels, camps and meal plans listed in the confirmed itinerary are included. Where necessary, an equivalent property may be used only after consultation and subject to availability.
Yes. Nature Bound Africa can adjust the route, duration, accommodation level and activities to suit your interests, travel dates and budget.
Booking well in advance is recommended because gorilla and chimpanzee permits, regional flights and preferred safari lodges have limited availability, especially during peak seasons.
