Arrival in Nairobi, Kenya – Gateway to Africa

Your adventure begins the moment you land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where a friendly Winton Africa Safaris representative will greet you warmly. You’ll be transferred to your comfortable mid-range hotel in Nairobi city center. Depending on your arrival time, you may take a short-guided city walk, exploring Nairobi’s colonial landmarks, bustling streets, and vibrant marketplaces.

Nairobi, known as the “Green City in the Sun,” perfectly blends modern sophistication with authentic African charm. Enjoy your evening unwinding at the hotel, where you can savor local cuisine and relax before the next day’s journey into the wild.

• Main Destination: Nairobi (Kenya)
• Accommodation: Sentrim Boulevard Hotel – Mid-range hotel
• Meals & Drinks: Lunch & Dinner included, Drinking water

Journey to Masai Mara National Reserve – The Land of the Big Five

After an early breakfast, your safari officially begins as you depart Nairobi and drive through the scenic Great Rift Valley, a geological wonder stretching from Lebanon to Mozambique. Stop briefly at a viewpoint to admire the dramatic escarpments and vast plains below.

Continue your journey toward the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya’s crown jewel of wildlife conservation. Upon arrival, check in to your tented camp and enjoy a hearty lunch before heading out on your first evening game drive. Watch the sun set over the Mara as herds of elephants, zebras, and antelope roam freely, and predators begin their nocturnal hunts.

• Main Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve (Kenya)
• Accommodation: Ol Moran Tented Camp‑Superior
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinking water

Full-Day Game Drive in Masai Mara – The Great African Safari Experience

Today is dedicated to a full-day safari adventure across the expansive plains of the Masai Mara. You’ll carry a packed picnic lunch and venture deep into the reserve, following the movements of the “Big Five lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino.

Witness the Mara’s vibrant ecosystems come to life as cheetahs sprint across the grasslands, hippos wallow lazily in the Mara River, and giraffes graze elegantly on acacia trees. Between July and October, the Mara transforms into the stage for the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest and zebras cross from Tanzania’s Serengeti in search of greener pastures.

As dusk settles, return to your camp for a warm dinner under starlit skies, recounting the day’s thrilling encounters.

• Main Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve
• Accommodation: Ol Moran Tented Camp‑Superior
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Morning Game Drive and Maasai Community Visit

Begin your day with an early morning game drive when predators are most active. Capture breathtaking photographs as the golden light illuminates the Mara plains. Later, visit a traditional Maasai village, where you’ll interact with the Maasai people one of Africa’s most iconic tribes.

Learn about their semi-nomadic lifestyle, beadwork, warrior traditions, and harmonious coexistence with wildlife. Guests seeking a deeper cultural immersion can opt for an overnight stay with a Maasai family, enjoying local meals and evening storytelling around the fire.

• Main Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve
• Accommodation: Ol Moran Tented Camp‑Superior
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Cross into Tanzania – Enter the Legendary Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, depart Masai Mara and drive southward toward the Isebania border, crossing into Tanzania. You’ll switch vehicles and meet your Tanzanian safari guide before continuing into the world-renowned Serengeti National Park.

En route, enjoy your first game drive through the vast Serengeti plains, witnessing its incredible wildlife density. The park’s endless savannahs and acacia-dotted landscapes are home to the most extensive concentration of mammals on Earth. As evening approaches, check in to your mid-range tented camp within the park.

• Main Destination: Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)
• Accommodation: Kati Kati Tented Camp – Inside Serengeti
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Full-Day Exploration of Serengeti National Park

Rise early for a spectacular sunrise game drive a magical moment when the Serengeti awakens. Witness prides of lions, stealthy leopards, massive elephant herds, and graceful antelope as the golden light floods the horizon.

Spend the entire day exploring different sections of the park, perhaps following the Great Migration routes or venturing toward the Seronera Valley, a hotspot for predators. Serengeti is also a paradise for birdwatchers, with over 500 recorded bird species.

You’ll return to your camp at sunset for a cozy dinner, surrounded by the distant roars of lions and the symphony of nocturnal wildlife.

• Main Destination: Serengeti National Park
• Accommodation: Kati Kati Tented Camp
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included

From Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater via Olduvai Gorge

After breakfast, drive toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, stopping at the historic Olduvai Gorge often referred to as the “Cradle of Mankind.” Here, archaeologists Louis and Mary Leakey discovered early human fossils dating back nearly two million years.

Continue to Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa’s most breathtaking natural wonders. Descend 600 meters into the crater for a full-day game drive across the lush crater floor teeming with lions, elephants, buffaloes, and the rare black rhino. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the hippo pool before ascending to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

• Main Destination: Ngorongoro Crater (Tanzania)
• Accommodation: Ngorongoro Farm House
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Cultural Encounter with Hadzabe and Datoga at Lake Eyasi

Today offers a fascinating cultural twist to your safari. Drive to Lake Eyasi, a remote Salt Lake surrounded by the rugged Rift Valley escarpments. Here, you’ll meet the Hadzabe people, one of Africa’s last remaining hunter-gatherer tribes, who still hunt small game with bows and arrows and gather wild fruits and honey.

You’ll also visit the Datoga blacksmiths, who craft jewelry and tools using age-old techniques. This authentic experience offers rare insight into Africa’s indigenous cultures and their resilience in preserving ancient traditions amidst modernization.

• Main Destination: Lake Eyasi (Tanzania)
• Accommodation: Kisima Ngeda Tented Camp
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Game Drive in Lake Manyara National Park – Transfer to Arusha

After breakfast, journey toward Lake Manyara National Park, a compact yet incredibly diverse park famed for its tree-climbing lions and vibrant birdlife. Enjoy a game drive through its 11 unique ecosystems, ranging from acacia woodlands to marshlands and open savannahs.

Spot elephants wandering through fig trees, troops of baboons, and flocks of flamingos painting the lake pink. Later, continue to Arusha, the safari capital of Tanzania, where you’ll check in to your hotel for dinner and overnight as you prepare for the next leg of your adventure Rwanda.

• Main Destination: Arusha (Tanzania)
• Accommodation: Silver Palm Hotel
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Fly from Arusha to Kigali, Rwanda – Land of a Thousand Hills

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Kigali, Rwanda. Upon arrival, you’ll be met by your Rwanda safari guide and transferred to your hotel. Depending on arrival time, enjoy a guided Kigali city tour visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Inema Art Center, and the colorful local markets.

Kigali is one of Africa’s cleanest and safest cities, offering a poignant blend of modern vibrancy and deep historical reflection. Dinner and overnight at your Kigali hotel.

• Main Destination: Kigali (Rwanda)
• Accommodation: Great Seasons Hotel
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park – Rwanda’s Primate Paradise

After a delicious Rwandan breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park, located in the southwestern corner of Rwanda. This is one of Africa’s most ancient and biodiverse rainforests believed to be over 10,000 years old. The drive itself is an experience, passing through rolling tea plantations, terraced hills, and vibrant rural villages that showcase Rwanda’s nickname, “The Land of a Thousand Hills.”

Nyungwe Forest is a primate lover’s paradise, home to over 13 species including chimpanzees, owl-faced monkeys, and colobus monkeys. The park is also a haven for birdwatchers, with over 300 bird species recorded, including the rare Ruwenzori turaco. Upon arrival, check into your charming hilltop lodge with panoramic views of the forest canopy. Later, embark on the iconic Nyungwe Canopy Walk, a 90-meter-long suspension bridge hanging 60 meters above the forest floor, offering breathtaking aerial views of the lush rainforest. The cool mist, echoing bird calls, and distant monkey chatter make this an unforgettable experience.

Spend the evening at leisure, relaxing at your lodge while soaking in the tranquil beauty of the forested mountains surrounding you.

• Main Destination: Nyungwe Forest National Park (Rwanda)
• Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel – Mid-range lodge
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinking water

Transfer to Volcanoes National Park – Journey to the Gorilla Highlands

After breakfast, you’ll depart Nyungwe and begin a picturesque drive to Volcanoes National Park, located in northern Rwanda near the border with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The journey, though long, is filled with magnificent landscapes ranging from lush green hills and sparkling lakes to volcanic mountain vistas.

Upon arrival in Musanze (formerly Ruhengeri), the gateway town to Volcanoes National Park, check into your cozy lodge nestled at the foot of the Virunga Volcanoes. This region is famously known as the home of mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, making it one of Africa’s most biologically rich and emotionally rewarding safari destinations.

Spend the afternoon relaxing at your lodge or exploring nearby communities. You can visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, where you’ll interact with locals, learn about Rwandan traditions, and enjoy traditional drumming performances. Dinner will be served at your lodge as you prepare for tomorrow’s exciting golden monkey tracking experience.

• Main Destination: Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda)
• Accommodation: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge – Mid-range lodge
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinking water

Golden Monkey Tracking & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda)

This morning after breakfast, you’ll head to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for briefing and registration before embarking on your golden monkey tracking adventure. These rare primates, endemic to the Virunga Mountains, are known for their playful nature, bright golden-orange fur, and lively chatter in the bamboo forests. The tracking experience typically lasts 2–3 hours, offering plenty of opportunities for photography and observation.

After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch before crossing the Chanika border into Uganda. Your Ugandan safari guide from Winton Africa Safaris will meet you and drive you through scenic terraced hills and misty highlands toward the world-famous Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. The drive is mesmerizing lush hills, friendly faces, and the dramatic backdrop of the Virunga Volcanoes make this one of the most scenic routes in Africa.

Arrive at your eco-lodge bordering the forest for dinner and rest ahead of tomorrow’s life-changing gorilla trekking experience.

• Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda)
• Accommodation: Agandi Uganda Eco Lodges – Mid-range eco-lodge
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinking water

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – The Ultimate Primate Experience

Today marks one of the most extraordinary days of your African adventure the unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking experience. After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a detailed briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers on trekking etiquette and conservation efforts. With your assigned ranger-guide, venture into the dense rainforest in search of one of Bwindi’s habituated gorilla families.

The trek can range from one to several hours depending on the gorillas’ movements, but the moment you find them watching a silverback resting majestically, mothers cuddling their infants, or juveniles playing is pure magic. You’ll be allowed one full hour to observe and photograph these gentle giants in their natural habitat, an encounter often described as spiritually transformative.

Return to your lodge for a late lunch and well-deserved rest. In the evening, you may opt for a community visit to meet the Batwa pygmies, the forest’s original inhabitants, to learn about their ancient traditions, music, and dance.

• Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda)
• Accommodation: Agandi Uganda Eco Lodges
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Tree-Climbing Lions and Boat Safari

After breakfast, bid farewell to the gorilla highlands and begin your journey north toward Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most popular and diverse savannah reserve. Travel through the Ishasha sector, famous for its rare tree-climbing lions, often seen lounging on fig tree branches. Keep your camera ready for these unique sightings!

Continue to the northern section of the park, where you’ll check in to your safari lodge near the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lakes Edward and George. In the afternoon, embark on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, one of the park’s highlights. You’ll see hundreds of hippos wallowing in the water, Nile crocodiles basking along the shores, and a vast array of birdlife, including African fish eagles and kingfishers. Elephant herds and buffaloes also frequent the banks to drink.

Return to your lodge for dinner as the sounds of the wild serenade you under the starlit Ugandan sky.

• Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda)
• Accommodation: Twin Lakes Safari Lodge
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park – Home of the Chimpanzees

Enjoy an early morning game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Kasenyi Plains before departing for Kibale Forest National Park, home to the greatest diversity of primates in Africa. The scenic drive passes through Fort Portal, a charming town nestled amidst tea plantations and framed by the towering Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the “Mountains of the Moon.”

Upon arrival, check into your comfortable lodge near the forest edge. The lush Kibale ecosystem harbors over 13 primate species, including red colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and vervet monkeys. Spend your evening at leisure enjoying the serene forest environment or take a guided walk-through nearby crater lakes and villages.

• Main Destination: Kibale National Park (Uganda)
• Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Chimpanzee Tracking & Bigodi Wetland Walk

After breakfast, report to the Kanyanchu Visitor Center for a briefing before embarking on your chimpanzee trekking adventure. Kibale National Park is renowned for its high chimpanzee population density, offering almost guaranteed sightings. With the help of experienced rangers, follow vocal calls and clues through the forest until you encounter a troop of chimpanzees watching them swing through the trees, feed, and groom each other.

After lunch, visit the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run conservation area known for its incredible birdlife and primates. Walk along raised wooden boardwalks while spotting hornbills, turacos, and various monkeys. Engage with local villagers to learn about sustainable eco-tourism initiatives.

Evening relaxation at your lodge, reminiscing about your incredible wildlife encounters across four East African countries.

• Main Destination: Kibale National Park (Uganda)
• Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Transfer to Entebbe International Airport – End of Safari

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before beginning your transfer to Entebbe International Airport. The scenic drive (approximately 5–6 hours) takes you through Uganda’s lush countryside, bustling towns, and beautiful farmlands. Depending on your flight schedule, you may stop at the Equator for photos and souvenir shopping.

Arrive at Entebbe in time for your international departure, marking the end of your 18-day Best of East Africa Safari a journey that has taken you across iconic landscapes, rich cultures, and unforgettable wildlife encounters.

• Main Destination: Entebbe International Airport (Uganda)
• Accommodation: None (End of Tour)
• Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & Lunch included