Jambo, Hakuna Matata, greetings as we arrive at the Jumbo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) where we are warmly received and transferred. The Kiswahili language here is often easily understood as many people mix the vernacular with English words. Kenya, having been a British colony till 1963, many people speak English. Balance of the day is free.

Overnight: Sarova Panafric Hotel/Eka Hotel, Nairobi (1 night) (B)

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We start with a brief tour of Nairobi the capital city of Kenya. It is also the economic center of Africa and as such hosts many international conferences. We drive through the major sites in Nairobi before driving to Lake Naivasha to be in time for a hot lunch. Balance of the afternoon is free to enjoy on your own. An optional boat safari (details found in our “Notes” section) at Lake Naivasha operated by a local boat company is available. Lake Naivasha is renowned for birding destination, boasting a diverse bird population of over 400 species. The lake's freshwater ecosystem, surrounded by swamps and forests, provides a variety of habitats that support this rich avian diversity. Lake Naivasha is known for its abundant wildlife, particularly its large hippo population and diverse birdlife. Over 1500 hippos reside in and around the lake beside giraffes, buffaloes, and zebras.

Overnight: Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge, Lake Naivasha (1 night) (B, L, D)

Continue to Lake Nakuru National Park, which lies on the floor of the Great Rift Valley.  Surrounded by wooded and bushy grassland, the park supports a wide ecological diversity including flamingos (Greater and Lesser) and other water birds. The park also boasts a significant rhino population, including both black and white rhinos, and is a haven for other wildlife like Rothschild's giraffes, zebras, and various bird species. Upon arrival, we have a game safari followed by lunch at the lodge. Mid afternoon we have our 2nd half day game safari of the day. The park surrounds Lake Nakuru and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Overnight: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge, Lake Nakuru (1 night) (B, L, D)

Our destination today is to experience the world’s most well-known game destination, Masai Mara Game Reserve. Masai Mara is actually part of the Serengeti which is 70% in Tanzania. We reach in time for a hot lunch at the Mara before embarking on our first of three Mara game safaris. Mara is a famous for its Big Five and big cats (lion, leopard and cheetah). Scores of predators roam the plains, providing ample opportunities for unforgettable encounters.

Overnight: Mara Serena Lodge/Mara Sarova Camp, Masai Mara (2 nights) (B, L, D)

An adventurous day ahead as we enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in the spectacular Masai Mara Game Reserve. Blessed with permanent water supply, Masai Mara has a year-round population of diverse and abundant game. All of the Big Five animals – elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino – are quite common on this scenic grassland, as well as cheetah, hippo, zebra and giraffe (rounding out to Mara’s Big Nine). After two extraordinary game drives we drive back to our lodge in time for dinner. An optional early morning hot air balloon safari is also available on this day which needs to be booked in advance. (details found in our “Notes” section). (B, L, D)

Today, we head for Serengeti in Tanzania. It’s a long drive, and as such we will have a box lunch today. However, there is never a dull moment as we see game during the drive to the Kenya and Tanzania boarder of Isebania and Serari. We enter Serengeti National Park via the Ndabaka Gate. The park lies in a high plateau between the Ngorongoro highlands and the Kenya/Tanzania border. Time permitting, we will enjoy a game drive in the Serengeti Western Corridor, an aesthetically pleasing portion of the Serengeti National Park that supports a sizeable spectrum of resident wildlife throughout the year.

Overnight: Serena Kirawira Tended Lodge/Serengeti Serena Lodge (2 nights) (B, L, D)

An exceptional day at the world-famous Serengeti National Park*. This is home to the largest concentration of game in Africa, on a scale which has no parallel anywhere in the world. The abundance of herbivores includes wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, topi, buffalo and hartebeest, to name just a few. Serengeti is also famous for its predator population, including lion, cheetah, leopard and hyena, as well as a wide variety of birdlife, believed to be in the realm of 500 species. The park is well known for its rare views of tree-climbing lions. Serengeti National Park is the largest national park in East Africa (14,763 sq kms). Today is the day when one can avail the incredible Hot Air Balloon Safari. This is an optional activity and has to be reserved much in advance. (details found in our “Notes” section). (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we enjoy a game drive in Serengeti National Park with picnic lunch. Our safari guide will explore various areas Moro kopjes and Gol kopjes. The extensive grasslands are interspersed with Kopjes rocky outcrops like islands in the flat plain, each with their own wildlife communities. Discover the Seronera rivers flow through the park, providing habitats for a variety of birds, mammals and reptiles. Afternoon, proceed to Nabi Hill gate where we proceed to the Malanja depression after entering Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Overnight is at the Ngorongoro Serena Lodge. With clouds rolling over the rim like a misty waterfall, the setting is dreamy. Our unique deluxe safari lodge fits into the contours of the Ngorongoro crater rim, and is built of volcanic rock. It offers a spectacular view of the Ngorongoro Crater floor, yet is virtually invisible when you are down on the crater floor the following day.

Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge/Ngorongoro Lions Paw, Ngorongoro Crater (1 night) (B, L, D)

Today after breakfast, prepare yourself for Africa's Eden, our 6-hour safari of Ngorongoro Crater. We descend 2,200 feet for a thrilling day among Africa's Big Five: lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard. The concentration of animals means that we are likely to see several lions in a short period of time. After our tour, drive to our next safari destination – the serene Lake Manyara. En route, we will have the opportunity for an optional visit to a Masai village. After dinner at our lodge, there is an optional Night Game Drive (for both optional activities, details can be found in our “Notes” section).

Overnight: Lake Manyara Serena Lodge/Moonbow Lodge, Lake Manyara (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Lake Manyara National Park is another leading park in East Africa and we will enjoy two game drives today. We will also visit the village of Mto wa Mbu and Great Rift Valley, then proceed to our unique safari lodge, which offers a spectacular view of Lake Manyara National Park.  Lake Manyara is popular for unique nighttime safari experience, allowing us to witness the park's nocturnal wildlife activity. These drives usually start around 8:00 PM, after sunset, and lasts for a couple of hours, utilizing spotlights to illuminate the animals. Expect to see animals like bush babies, genets, porcupines, civets, and possibly even lions and leopards hunting, as well as hippos grazing near the hippo pools (details found in our “Notes” section). (B, L, D)

We are now coming to the end of the Tanzanian portion of our game safari. With picnic lunch we drive to Arusha which is the exact centre between Cairo in the north and Cape Town in the south of the African continent. We are now proceeding to our return journey to Kenya for our last safari in yet another part of the country. We cross the Tanzania/Kenya border at Namanga and change to Kenyan vehicles, meeting our team who will look us for the Kenyan portion. Drive to Amboseli National Park, situated at the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,430 ft). Amboseli is famous for its vast herds of elephants with stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro on clear days. If time permits, we will have a bonus game drive en route to our lodge. Tomorrow will be the last opportunity to experience an early morning balloon safari – this time with a view of Mount Kilimanjaro. Advance booking is highly advisable (details found in our “Notes” section).

Overnight: Amboseli Serena Lodge/Amboseli Oltukai Lodge (1 night) (B, L, D)

Our last game drive and that too at the Amboseli National Park renowned for its large elephant herds, stunning views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the colourfully dressed Masai. The park is a relatively small at 392 square kilometers but is part of a larger 8,000 square kilometer ecosystem that also extend from Tanzania. It boasts a diverse range of wildlife, including lions, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes and over 600 species of birds. Lots of opportunities to get so unique photo shots. After our morning game drive, we have a hot lunch before proceeding to Nairobi. Upon arrival at Nairobi we are transferred to the international airport for our flight to Entebbe, which must be booked to depart 9 PM or later.

Upon arrival in Entebbe, we proceed through immigration and are met and welcomed to Uganda. Transfer to our accommodation for check in and our overnight stay.

Overnight: Karibu Guest House, Entebbe (1 night) (B, L)

Luxury Upgrade:  Protea by Marriott Hotel Entebbe

After breakfast in Entebbe and a briefing with our guide, we drive to Lake Mburo National Park, stopping for photos of the rolling landscapes. Upon entry, we enjoy a game drive and lunch at the lodge.

Lake Mburo is unique as the only Ugandan park home to Impalas, and we'll search for them alongside Zebras and Elands. Later, we’ll spot Rothschild’s Giraffes before a boat cruise to see hippos, crocodiles, and rare birdlife. Without the presence of lions or elephants, the park offers a uniquely peaceful safari. We return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Kigarama Safari Lodge, Lake Mburo National Park (1 night) (B, L, D)

Luxury Upgrade: Kigambira Lodge

After an early breakfast, we enjoy a game drive with chances to spot Defassa waterbucks and topis before departing Lake Mburo. We stop for lunch in Mbarara and then continue toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The drive follows a magnificent route into the heart of an ancient forest that holds half the world’s mountain gorilla population. Upon reaching our lodge, we spend the afternoon relaxing and preparing for tomorrow’s trek. This park is unique for its staggering biodiversity, housing over 350 bird species and 400 gorillas within its dense, misty canopy. We retire early to ensure we are ready for the immersive adventure ahead.

Overnight: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi (1 night) (B, L, D)

Luxury Upgrade: Four Gorillas Lodge

After a 06:30 coffee, we head to park headquarters for a briefing before entering the misty jungle with our packed lunches. Bwindi is incomparable as it shelters nearly half of the world’s remaining Mountain Gorillas in a truly prehistoric, high-altitude rainforest.

Once we locate a family, we spend a transformative hour observing their social dynamics and silverback leadership at close range. Standing just meters away from these powerful yet gentle primates in their natural habitat provides a rare sense of connection that few other wildlife encounters can match. The trek requires moderate fitness and takes 2–6 hours depending on the gorillas' movement. Afterward, we drive across the Cyanika border into Rwanda, checking into our lodge to relax and reflect on this bucket-list encounter.

Overnight: Ingagi Park View Lodge, Volcanoes National Park (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Luxury Upgrade: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

Following an early breakfast, we transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing before entering the bamboo-thick slopes of Volcanoes National Park. This leg of the journey is particularly significant as we follow in the footsteps of Dian Fossey, exploring the very landscape where her pioneering research first brought the plight of the mountain gorilla to the world's attention.

We spend an hour observing a gorilla family, seeing firsthand the gentle nature of the creatures she dedicated her life to protecting. After the 2–6 hour trek, we return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, we can choose to relax at the lodge or visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to explore the interactive exhibits and research labs dedicated to gorilla conservation (visit at additional cost; please contact Bestway Tours & Safaris to pre-book). We conclude the day with dinner at the hotel. (B, L, D)

After a relaxed breakfast, we enjoy a free morning or the choice to head back into the bamboo forests for Golden Monkey trekking. This experience is unique to the Virunga Volcanoes and offers a much more playful, high-energy encounter than the gorillas as these striking, orange-furred primates leap through the canopy around us.

Following a hot lunch at the lodge, we take a scenic 3-hour drive to Kigali. Flights should be booked to depart 5:00 PM or later. You may want to consider adding some time in Kigali to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial or the historic Hotel des Mille Collines (Hotel Rwanda) for a deeper look at the country's resilient history. Our remarkable East African safari concludes as we transfer to Kigali International Airport for departure. (B, L)

Note: Golden Monkey trekking and Kigali city tours are optional at an additional cost; please Please contact Bestway Tours & Safaris to pre-book.