Arrival in Nairobi, Kenya

Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, travelers are warmly greeted by your professional 17 Days Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania Safari guide. After customs and luggage formalities, enjoy a comfortable transfer to Silver Springs Hotel, an oasis of luxury in the heart of Nairobi. Depending on your flight schedule, the afternoon may be spent resting, exploring the hotel amenities, or preparing for the adventure ahead.

In the evening, embark on a brief cultural introduction at the Bomas of Kenya, a cultural village that showcases the diverse traditions, architecture, and performances of Kenya’s 42 ethnic communities. Enjoy traditional music and dance, giving you insight into Kenya’s vibrant heritage. Dinner is served at the hotel or a renowned Nairobi restaurant, featuring both international cuisine and regional delicacies. The day offers a gentle transition into East Africa, allowing travelers to rest before early morning departures for the Masai Mara.

Meal Plan: Dinner

Transfer to Masai Mara Game Reserve

After breakfast, depart Nairobi in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle, with a scenic stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint, offering sweeping panoramas of rolling hills, verdant plains, and sparkling lakes. Arrive in the Masai Mara Game Reserve, one of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife destinations. This vast expanse of undulating grasslands supports high concentrations of predators, herds of herbivores, and hundreds of bird species.

Check into Mara Springs Tented Camp, a luxury tented lodge combining the adventure of bush camping with the comforts of private bathrooms, soft beds, and elevated decks overlooking the savannah. After lunch, embark on an afternoon game drive. The Mara’s open plains offer exceptional opportunities to spot lions lounging under acacia trees, cheetahs in pursuit of prey, elephants meandering across the landscape, and herds of wildebeest and zebras. Guides provide expert commentary, identifying animal behaviors, predator-prey dynamics, and unique ecological features of the savannah.

As the sun sets, enjoy sundowners on the plains before returning to the lodge for dinner. The evening may include star-gazing on the expansive terrace or a campfire experience with fellow travelers. The Masai Mara experience immerses you in Africa’s quintessential 17 Days Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania Safari landscape, laying the foundation for the adventure ahead.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Full-Day Game Drives in Masai Mara

Wake at dawn for an early morning game drive, when wildlife activity is at its peak. The Mara’s expansive ecosystem offers encounters with apex predators and rare species alike. Your expert 17 Days Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania Safari guide will seek out prides of lions, solitary leopards resting on tree branches, cheetahs sprinting across open plains, and massive herds of wildebeest and zebra grazing on fresh grasses. Bird enthusiasts will delight in sightings of the lilac-breasted roller, vultures circling the skies, and the colorful kingfisher along seasonal streams.

Return to the camp for breakfast, then head out for a mid-morning game drive, allowing time to explore less frequented areas of the reserve. The Mara’s ecosystem supports intricate predator-prey interactions, which guides explain with clarity, offering fascinating insights into behavior, survival strategies, and conservation challenges. After a lunch break at the camp, continue in the afternoon with another game drive, maximizing opportunities for photography and wildlife observation during the golden hours.

The day ends with dinner at the camp, accompanied by reflections on the encounters of the day. Masai Mara’s raw, untamed landscape, combined with its abundant wildlife, offers a perfect introduction to East Africa’s natural wonders.

• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Second Full Day in Masai Mara

An early wake-up call ensures you catch the best morning light and wildlife activity. After breakfast, depart for a full-day game drive in the Mara’s northern and central areas, known for dense wildlife concentrations. With rolling grasslands, riverine forests, and acacia woodlands, each habitat provides unique photographic opportunities.

Look for elusive predators, including lions and leopards, as they hunt or lounge, and scan for giraffes, buffalo, and herds of Thomson’s gazelle. A picnic lunch is served in the bush, allowing travelers to soak in the wilderness while enjoying an al fresco meal. The afternoon drive continues to observe animals preparing for the evening, capturing dramatic scenes of social interaction among elephants, playful cubs, and territorial male lions.

Return to the camp in the evening for sundowners and a hearty dinner. The immersive experience of the Mara instills a deep appreciation for the savannah’s ecology and reinforces the uniqueness of East Africa’s wildlife landscape.

• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transfer to Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha

After breakfast, depart Masai Mara and journey to Lake Nakuru National Park, a haven for flamingos, pelicans, and other aquatic birds. Stop in Narok town for lunch and continue to Nakuru, enjoying brief game-viewing opportunities en route, spotting impalas, baboons, and other small mammals.

In the afternoon, transfer to Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake renowned for its birdlife and hippos. Arrive at Lake Naivasha Safari Lodge and enjoy an optional boat ride, exploring the tranquil waters and observing hippos, African fish eagles, and cormorants. The experience highlights the interplay between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in the Great Rift Valley. Evening dinner at the lodge concludes a day of scenic exploration and wildlife encounters.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transfer to Amboseli National Park

Following an early breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive through the Great Rift Valley escarpments and fertile plains toward Amboseli National Park, famed for its vast elephant herds and majestic views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Stop en route for photography opportunities and lunch at a roadside restaurant.

Upon arrival, check in at Amboseli Sopa Lodge, strategically located for uninterrupted views of elephants grazing against Kilimanjaro’s backdrop. The afternoon may include a short game drive, offering first encounters with Amboseli’s resident wildlife, including zebras, giraffes, and topis. The combination of dramatic landscapes, abundant wildlife, and luxurious accommodations ensures a perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Full-Day Game Drive at Amboseli National Park

Wake at dawn for a full-day game drive, capturing Amboseli’s iconic scenery at sunrise. Explore open plains, swamps, and woodland patches, observing elephants, lions, cheetahs, and giraffes. Picnicking at scenic viewpoints, guests enjoy uninterrupted vistas of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, as wildlife roams freely. Guides provide detailed commentary on animal behavior, migration patterns, and Amboseli’s unique ecology.

The evening concludes with dinner at the lodge, optional stargazing, and a review of photographic highlights. Amboseli’s dramatic landscapes, rich biodiversity, and unique ecological context make it one of Kenya’s most memorable 17 Days Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania Safari destinations.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning Game Drive and Transfer to Arusha, Tanzania

After breakfast, enjoy a final morning game drive, then depart Amboseli, crossing into Tanzania at Namanga border, where your 17 Days Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania Safari guide will facilitate customs. Continue to Arusha and check in at Ilboru Safari Lodge, a tranquil base for exploration and relaxation. Dinner and overnight stay provide a restful interlude before Tarangire National Park adventures begin.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tarangire National Park

After breakfast, drive to Tarangire National Park, famous for large elephant populations, baobab trees, and seasonal wildlife. Enjoy a game drive exploring the park’s riverine forests and open plains. Observe elephants, giraffes, zebras, and birdlife while learning from your 17 Days Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania Safari guide about wildlife behavior and conservation. Picnic lunch amidst the bush enhances the immersive experience.

Check in at Tarangire Roika Tented Lodge, where comfort meets nature. Afternoon game drives or lodge relaxation complete the day. Tarangire’s serene landscapes provide a contrast to the bustling Serengeti and Masai Mara.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ngorongoro Crater Exploration

After breakfast, drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, descending into the Ngorongoro Crater for an unforgettable full-day safari. Witness a dense concentration of wildlife within this natural amphitheater: lions, black rhinos, zebras, wildebeest, and hippos coexist in this unique ecosystem. Picnic lunch by the Crater floor allows uninterrupted wildlife observation.

Evening return to Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge provides comfort, relaxation, and opportunities for reflection. The crater, often called “Africa’s Eden,” showcases East Africa’s ecological richness in one spectacular location.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Serengeti National Park

Travel to Serengeti National Park, entering a sprawling 6,000-square-mile wilderness renowned for resident and migratory wildlife. En route, enjoy game viewing and picnic lunch. Arrive at Serengeti Kati Kati Tented Camp, then embark on an afternoon drive to spot lions, leopards, elephants, and zebra herds. The Serengeti’s expansive plains and iconic kopjes offer dramatic landscapes perfect for photography.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Great Migration & North Serengeti

Witness the Great Migration along the Mara River, observing wildebeest and zebra crossings under the threat of crocodiles. Morning and afternoon game drives reveal big cats hunting, elephant herds migrating, and hippos lounging in rivers. Explore the Lobo area for rare sightings of leopards, cheetahs, and the unique klipspringer antelope. Overnight stays at Mbugani Migration Camp and Kati Kati Tented Camp combine comfort with immersive bush experiences.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transfer to Kilimanjaro – Flight to Kigali

After breakfast, optional shopping or relaxation at the lodge precedes transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Fly to Kigali, Rwanda, where the 17 Days Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania Safari guide transfers you to Onomo Hotel Kigali for overnight stay and dinner, preparing for Uganda adventures.

• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Dinner

Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda

Depart Kigali after breakfast, traveling by road to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to mountain gorillas. Stop en route for scenic views and lunch. Check in at Gorilla Mist Lodge, nestled in lush rainforest surroundings. Evening leisure allows for forest walks or cultural interaction with local communities.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

Early morning breakfast precedes trekking to encounter mountain gorillas. After a briefing at park headquarters, venture into the forest with guides and armed rangers. Trekking time varies, but the reward is an unforgettable one-hour encounter with these gentle giants. Learn about gorilla social behavior, conservation challenges, and forest ecology. Return to the lodge for lunch, rest, and optional forest walks.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transfer to Kigali Airport – Departure

Following breakfast, depart Bwindi and transfer to Kigali International Airport. Reflect on 17 Days Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania Safari of transformative experiences, from Kenya’s plains to Uganda’s forests and Tanzania’s iconic wildlife areas. Depart with memories, photographs, and newfound appreciation for East Africa’s wildlife and cultures.

• Meal Plan: Breakfast