21-Day Grand Safari Experience – Luxury Adventure Across East Africa

These three weeks are perfect for anyone who wants a lifetime wildlife experience in Africa. This trip takes you across five East African countries: Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. You will see mountain and lowland gorillas, track chimpanzees and golden monkeys, and experience the Big Five and the great wildebeest migration.

21-Day Luxury East African Safari Highlights

• Explore four East African countries: Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania & Kenya
• Trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Track chimpanzees in Kibale Forest and golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park
• Visit the Batwa and Bigodi communities to learn about local culture
• Enjoy game drives in Queen Elizabeth, Akagera, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Masai Mara
• Take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and Lake Ihema to see hippos and crocodiles
• See Africa’s Big Five animals: lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos
• Visit the Ishasha sector to look for tree-climbing lions
• Enjoy the great wildebeest migration in Serengeti and Masai Mara
• Visit Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s natural wonders
• Experience local life with visits to the Maasai community and Gorilla Guardians Village
• See beautiful views of the Rwenzori Mountains, Virunga ranges, and crater lakes
• Enjoy guided forest walks, cultural shows, and traditional meals
• Stay in luxury lodges and camps throughout the 21-day safari
• End your journey in Nairobi after a lifetime adventure across East Africa

Brief 21-Day Luxury East African Safari Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Uganda and Hotel Transfer
• Day 2: Travel to Kibale Forest National Park
• Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Community Visit
• Day 4: Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Day 5: Game Drive and Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel
• Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha Sector
• Day 7: Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Community Visit
• Day 8: Drive to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda
• Day 9: Golden Monkey Trekking and Visit Gorilla Guardians Village
• Day 10: Travel to Akagera National Park
• Day 11: Game Drive and Boat Ride on Lake Ihema
• Day 12: Drive to Kigali and Fly to Arusha
• Day 13: Travel to Lake Manyara National Park
• Day 14: Full-Day Game Drive in Lake Manyara
• Day 15: Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater Area
• Day 16: Game Viewing and Transfer to Serengeti National Park
• Day 17: Full-Day Game Drive in Serengeti
• Day 18: Morning Game Drive and Visit Maasai Community
• Day 19: Cross to Kenya and Drive to Masai Mara
• Day 20: Full-Day Game Drive in Masai Mara
• Day 21: Departure

Detailed 21-Day Luxury East African Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Uganda & Hotel Transfer

On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by our guide who will brief you about the safari. You will then be transferred to your hotel for check-in, dinner, and overnight.

Day 2: Travel to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, drive to Kibale Forest National Park, known as the primate capital of the world with over 1,000 primates. The drive gives you views of tea plantations and small towns along the way. Stop for photos or refreshments whenever you wish. Arrive in the evening, check in at your lodge, have dinner, and rest for the night.

Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking & Bigodi Community Visit

After breakfast, go to the park headquarters for a short briefing about chimpanzee tracking. Your ranger guide will lead you into the forest to search for the chimps. You will spend one hour watching them feed, play, and interact like humans. Take pictures as long as your camera has no flash.

In the afternoon, visit the Bigodi community to meet local people, visit a school or women’s project, and learn about their daily life. Enjoy traditional performances, taste local food, and buy handmade crafts as souvenirs.

Day 4: Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most famous park. The journey takes about four hours and offers views of the Rwenzori Mountains and crater lakes along the way. Arrive in the afternoon, check in, and relax at your lodge.

Day 5: Game Drive and Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel

After an early breakfast, go for a morning game drive in the park. You will see elephants, buffaloes, lions, warthogs, waterbucks, and many more animals.

In the afternoon, take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake George and Lake Edward. The channel is home to large numbers of hippos and crocodiles, as well as many water birds. You may also see animals coming to drink water at the banks. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha Sector

After breakfast, travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest through the Ishasha sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions. Have lunch along the way and continue to your lodge in Bwindi. Arrive in the evening for dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Community Visit

After breakfast, go to the park headquarters for a gorilla trekking briefing. Your guide will lead you through the forest in search of a gorilla family. The trek can take several hours, depending on the gorillas’ movement. When you find them, spend one hour observing and taking photos.

In the afternoon, visit the Batwa community to learn about their culture and ancient lifestyle as forest dwellers. Enjoy traditional songs, dances, and local food before returning to your luxury Uganda gorilla lodge.

Day 8: Drive to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda

After breakfast, cross into Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills. The drive offers clear views of the Virunga mountain range shared by Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo. Arrive at your lodge near Volcanoes National Park for dinner and overnight.

Day 9: Golden Monkey Trekking and Visit Gorilla Guardians Village

After breakfast, go for golden monkey trekking. These playful primates are easy to find as they often stay in one area. Spend an hour watching them jump between trees and take photos.

In the afternoon, visit the Gorilla Guardians Village to learn about Rwandan culture. You will meet people from the Twa, Hutu, and Tutsi communities, enjoy traditional performances, and try local dishes before returning to your Rwanda luxury lodge.

Day 10: Travel to Akagera National Park

After breakfast, drive to Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only savanna park. The park is home to the Big Five: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffaloes. The journey takes about five hours. Arrive in the evening, check in, and rest after dinner.

Day 11: Game Drive and Boat Ride on Lake Ihema

After breakfast, go for a morning game drive through Akagera National Park. You will spot lions, elephants, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, and many antelope species.

After lunch, take a boat ride on Lake Ihema to see hippos, crocodiles, and birds along the shores. You may also see animals coming to drink water. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 12: Drive to Kigali and Fly to Arusha

After breakfast, return to Kigali and take your flight to Arusha, Tanzania. Tanzania is known for its famous parks and wildlife. You will later visit Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti National Park. Upon arrival in Arusha, transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 13: Travel to Lake Manyara National Park

After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara National Park, well known for its tree-climbing lions. Enjoy the scenic drive and stop for photos at interesting spots. Arrive in the evening for dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Day 14: Full-Day Game Drive in Lake Manyara

Spend the day exploring Lake Manyara National Park. You will see tree-climbing lions, elephants, buffaloes, wildebeests, gazelles, and many more animals. Have lunch in the park and continue your game drive until evening. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 15: Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater Area

After breakfast, drive to the Ngorongoro Crater area, one of Africa’s natural wonders. The crater is home to countless animals, from elephants and rhinos to flamingos and other birds. Arrive in the evening, check in, have dinner, and rest overnight.

Day 16: Game Viewing and Transfer to Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for game viewing. You will see predators like lions and cheetahs, as well as large herds of zebras, wildebeests, and gazelles. Later, continue to Serengeti National Park for dinner and overnight.

Day 17: Full-Day Game Drive in Serengeti

After an early breakfast, enjoy a full day of game viewing in Serengeti National Park. This park is home to the Big Five and the famous wildebeest migration. You will see elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, buffaloes, zebras, and giraffes. Have lunch in the wild before returning to your lodge in the evening.

Day 18: Morning Game Drive and Visit Maasai Community

After breakfast, take a morning game drive to spot more wildlife. In the afternoon, visit a Maasai village to learn about their traditions and way of life. Enjoy their songs, dances, and taste local food before returning to your lodge.

Day 19: Cross to Kenya and Drive to Masai Mara

After breakfast, cross into Kenya through the Isebania border. Enjoy scenic views along the way and stop for photos. Arrive in Masai Mara in the evening, check in, and have dinner at your lodge.

Day 20: Full-Day Game Drive in Masai Mara

After an early breakfast, set out for a full day of game viewing in Masai Mara. You will see lions, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, and many more animals. On lucky days, you can witness the great wildebeest migration as herds move across the plains in search of grass and water. Lunch will be enjoyed in the wild before returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 21: Departure

After breakfast, drive to Nairobi International Airport for your flight home. This marks the end of your 21-day Grand East Africa Safari.

If you would like to extend your trip or add more destinations to your itinerary, simply reach out to us through our contact page using the button below.