18 Days East African Tour is an ideal package that takes you to four East African countries. No single country you will fail to explore, from Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania to Kenya. You will trek both the gorillas and golden monkeys as well as sighting Africa’s big 5 mammals in their natural habitats and the great wildebeest migration. The trip also gives you cultural retreats with some of the most popular ethnic groups in East Africa.
Day 1: Arrival in Uganda
At the airport, you will be received by our driver guide who will transfer you immediately to your pre-booked hotel for relaxation ahead of next day’s journey.
Day 2: Travel to Murchison falls national park. Enroute tour in Ziwa Rhino sanctuary
In the morning you will be picked from the hotel where you will have slept the previous night. Be briefly taken through the whole trip and then start the journey to Murchison falls national park.
The first stop will be at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary in Nakasongola district. This is the only home of Rhinos in Uganda. Tracking these huge land mammals exposes you to the first set of the big five family before you finally meet the other big 4 in Murchison falls national park.
Have lunch in Masindi town and then drive directly to Murchison falls national park, a home to over 75 mammal species and the Nile’s strongest point.
Day 3: Morning game drive and afternoon boat ride on the Victoria Nile
Have breakfast and head out for a morning game drive in the park. This is one of the best game drives you will ever enjoy in Uganda. With huge extensive savanna grasslands that allow you to clearly spot several wildlife species, you will surely see the lions, elephants, oribis, topis, buffalos, leopards, warthogs and many others.
In the afternoon after lunch, have a boat ride on the Victoria Nile. River Nile is Africa’s longest river flowing and giving life to over four countries. A boat cruise here will take you so close to the bottom of the falls, giving you sights of the several aquatic animals like the crocodiles, hippos and numerous bird species. Later return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Travel to Kibale forest national park
Early morning, have breakfast and travel to Kibale forest national park. This is the primate capital of the world with over 1000 primates calling a home. You will have a lunch stop in Hoima and then proceed to Kibale through Fort Portal, the once cleanest town of East Africa. Arrival is in the evening to just check in, dinner and sleeping.
Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi wetland tour
On having an early breakfast, set to the park headquarters for a simple briefing from the local ranger guide about the dos and don’ts of chimp tracking. Now start the search of man’s nearest cousins in the wild. Chimp tracking involves walking through the thick forest, following the chimps, sometimes even running as it’s hard for the chimps to settle in a place. You will watch them play from tree branch to the other, feed and carry on their normal lives. Take countless pictures as long as the camera has no flash.
In the afternoon after lunch, visit the Bigodi wetland for a nature walk that takes you so close to even the smallest insights of nature like the tiny insects. Here you also have a chance of spotting some primates like baboons and monkeys.
Day 6: Travel to Queen Elizabeth national park
On this day waking up will be at your convenience, have breakfast and drive to Queen Elizabeth national park, a medley of wonders. The journey gives you spectacular views of the Rwenzori range. You will reach at the lodge in the afternoon for lunch and some relaxation.
Day 7: Morning game drive and Boat ride on Kazinga channel
Have a morning game drive to watch numerous wildlife species. Game drives in Queen Elizabeth national park expose you to the more than 70 mammal species that call it a home. Be sure of sighting the buffaloes, elephants, warthogs, waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, antelopes and so many others. The drive will also give you awesome views of the beautiful landscape dotted with craters and crater lakes.
In the afternoon you will cool off with a boat ride on Kazinga channel, arguably the world’s longest channel joining Lake George and Lake Edward. The cruise gives you sights of more wildlife species, the crocodiles, hippos and elephants, buffaloes, warthogs among others that come around for drinking water in the afternoon.
Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park
Wake up to a palatable breakfast, check out of the lodge and then transfer to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. This is the prime home for mountain gorillas in Uganda with more than 500 forest giants calling it a home. This journey gives spectacular views of the Virunga ranges that are shared by the three African countries of Uganda, Rwanda and D.R. Congo.
Day 9: Gorilla trekking and Batwa community
After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a simple briefing from the park ranger guide about the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking, be divided into groups of eight, the maximum number of people to visit a gorilla family in a day.
Start on the hunt of one of the gorilla groups in Bwindi, an experience so awesome that cannot be easily forgotten. Walking through the rugged terrains of the forest and following the gorillas is a challenging activity that takes you through the thick lush with slippery terrains. Trekkers might also encounter other different mammal species like the forest elephants and buffaloes, bird species and butterflies.
Later in in the afternoon, after lunch have a cultural encounter with the Batwa people. See how the ancient forest people, also known as the first inhabitants of the forest used to hunt with a bow and arrow, learn how to make fire and cook locally. A taste of the local cuisines is a guarantee except to the one who doesn’t wish. Then return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Lake Bunyonyi excursion. Boat cruising and community tours
Leave Bwindi national park and transfer to Uganda’s deepest lake, Bunyonyi which doubles as the most scenic lake in the region. Arrive for relaxation, lunch and in the afternoon, go on a motor boat and cruise to the nearby islands to learn about their history and unique attributes plus the communities that have thrived here for generations.
Day 11: Canoeing and Travel to Volcanoes national park
In the morning, have breakfast and undertake island hopping on a traditional dugout canoe. This is the easiest way to explore all hidden islands and locals who stay in the furthest islands of the lake.
Return to lodge, check out and begin your journey to Volcanoes national park in Rwanda. This is the prime home of mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in Rwanda. On the way you will have clearer views of the Virunga ranges. Driving will be at your pace, having stopovers at places of interests for pictures and enroute lunch. Arrival will be in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Day 12: Golden monkey tracking and Ibyiwachu cultural Centre
Immediately after breakfast, still head to the park headquarters to be briefed by the local ranger guide about the rules and regulations of golden monkey trekking. Now enter into the forest to search for these impressive creatures. Unlike the mountain gorillas, tracking the golden monkeys is easier the fact that they don’t usually shift from place to place. Have really up close encounters with them jumping all over the place, with some even jumping on you, the experience is simply amazing.
In the afternoon after lunch, visit the Ibyiwachu cultural village to interact with the residents of the local communities around Volcanoes national park, enjoy the cultural dances as well as tasting the local cuisines like the local brew and many others. Return back to the lodge in evening to dine and slumber.
Day 13: Fly to Arusha and travel to Lake Manyara national park
Drive to Kigali international airport and fly to Arusha in Tanzania. On arrival, just transfer to Lake Manyara national park. This park is famous for its tree climbing lions that are only found here and at Ishasha sector in Uganda’s western based Queen Elizabeth national park.A
Day 14: Game drive and travel to Serengeti national park
A sunrise game drive in Lake Manyara national park is a great way to explore huge concentrations of game as well as a number of other unique species that provide enough reasons to do safari here. The park’s main attributes include Lake Manyara’s popular tree climbing lions. Viewing a pride of these amazing creatures relaxing in an acacia tree is without doubt a remarkable sight!
Lake Manyara national park is also known for its huge herds of African elephants and big troops of baboons, monkeys and its rolling landscape supports an impressive array of other game including buffaloes, wildebeest, hippos and flamingos, etc.
After this game drive, immediately transfer to Serengeti national park in the far north west of Tanzania.
Day 15: Serengeti National park. Full day game drive
In the morning, wake up to a delicious breakfast and embark on a full day game drive in Serengeti national park. Game drives here immediately expose you to various wildlife species, spotting the big five is a guarantee. You will not only spot, but also have close encounters with the lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, warthogs, gazelles, zebras, giraffes, wildebeests and many other amazing wildlife species. Lunch will be in the wild for more authentic experiences. You will also drive to the migration trail for the wildebeest to view millions of animals moving in search of pasture and water. Returning at the lodge will be in the evening for just relaxation and dinner.
Day 16: Travel to Masai Mara national reserve
Today you will cross to Kenya’s Masai Mara national reserve. Have the cross border experience via the Isebania border close to Lake Victoria. The journey presents spectacular views of Africa’s largest fresh water body and the beautiful lush that lies along the highway.
Day 17: Game drive and Maasai Community visits
On this day, wake up to a palatable breakfast and have two game drives in the park. An early morning game drive under the clear skies to view countless mammal species summing up to over 80 species. Spotting Africa’s big five is a guarantee, you will not only spot, but also have very close encounters with the lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, warthogs and many others.
Have an evening game drive still as you drive to the Maasai village for a cultural encounter with one of the most welcoming and hospitable tribes in Africa. Enjoy the traditional performances, buy local souvenirs as well as tasting the local cuisines. Later head back to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Day 18: Departure
This is the last day of your 18 days Trans-East Africa safari. End it with an impressive breakfast and leave the lodge to embark on a drive back to Arusha airport for your departure flight.
