12 Day Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania & Zanzibar Safari
Embark on a thrilling adventure across East Africa’s most iconic landscapes on this 12 Day Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania & Zanzibar Safaria perfectly curated journey that blends exhilarating wildlife encounters, vibrant cultures, and luxurious relaxation. This itinerary is designed for travelers who seek an authentic, seamless, and extraordinary Africa safari experience that unites the continent’s best destinations into one unforgettable holiday.
Your safari begins in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, where you’ll experience the profound magic of gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest — a UNESCO World Heritage site that shelters more than half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. This intimate encounter with gentle giants in their natural habitat is among the rarest wildlife experiences on earth and sets the perfect tone for the rest of your journey.
From the lush emerald forests of Bwindi, your adventure takes you into Kenya, the birthplace of the African safari. The legendary Masai Mara National Reserve awaits with its sweeping savannahs, abundant wildlife, and the awe-inspiring drama of predator and prey. The Mara’s rolling grasslands, dotted with acacia trees, are home to lions, leopards, elephants, cheetahs, and the famous wildebeest migration — a spectacle of nature unlike any other.
Crossing into Tanzania, the adventure continues through the fabled Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater, two of Africa’s greatest wildlife sanctuaries. The Serengeti’s vast open plains teem with wildlife, offering endless opportunities to witness Africa’s Big Five in their natural element. Descending into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO-protected natural wonder, feels like stepping into a living Eden where thousands of animals coexist within the world’s largest unbroken volcanic caldera.
After the thrill of the savannah, the final chapter of your journey leads you to the pristine beaches of Zanzibar. Here, the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean and the white sands of Nungwi offer the perfect setting for relaxation and reflection. Enjoy world-class accommodations, indulge in fresh seafood, explore the historic alleys of Stone Town, or take a tranquil sunset dhow cruise.
Each destination has been handpicked to showcase East Africa’s exceptional diversity — from Uganda’s mystical forests and Kenya’s majestic plains to Tanzania’s iconic parks and Zanzibar’s coastal paradise. This Kenya Uganda Safari Holiday is not just a trip; it’s an odyssey that captures the soul of Africa. Guided by the expertise and hospitality of Ngeye Tours & Travel, you are guaranteed an experience rich in adventure, comfort, and authenticity — a true celebration of nature, culture, and the spirit of exploration.
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe, Uganda – Welcome to the Pearl of Africa
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you’ll be warmly welcomed by the Ngeye Tours & Travel representative who will provide a personal meet-and-greet service and assist you with all arrival formalities. After a short briefing, you will be transferred to your comfortable hotel in Entebbe for check-in and relaxation after your international flight. Entebbe, a serene lakeside town on the shores of Lake Victoria, serves as the perfect introduction to Uganda — a country of incredible warmth, natural beauty, and wildlife diversity.If time permits, you may embark on a brief excursion to the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, where the air hums with the calls of tropical birds and monkeys swing effortlessly through the trees. The gardens offer a gentle introduction to Uganda’s rich biodiversity and provide scenic opportunities for photography. You may also visit nearby craft centers to shop for handmade souvenirs or interact with local artisans.
Spend your evening unwinding at your hotel, savoring the calm tropical atmosphere as you prepare for your epic safari adventure ahead. Your driver-guide will brief you about the next day’s journey to the world-famous Bwindi Impenetrable Forest — home of the endangered mountain gorillas.
Main Destination: Entebbe (Uganda)
Accommodation: Protea Hotel Entebbe – Mid-range hotel
Meals: Breakfast included
Drinks: Not included
Day 2: Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park – Journey to the Gorilla Kingdom
After breakfast, depart Entebbe for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, one of Africa’s most remarkable ecosystems. This scenic journey westward unveils the heart of Uganda, with rolling hills, green tea plantations, and quaint roadside villages that offer glimpses into local life. En route, stop at the Equator Monument in Kayabwe — a must-see photo stop marking the division between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. You can also enjoy a short demonstration showing how water drains differently on each side of the equator.
Although the drive is long, the landscapes of southwestern Uganda are breathtaking — from the terraced farmlands to the mist-covered mountains. Alternatively, travelers may choose to take a domestic flight from Entebbe to Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip at an additional cost to shorten the journey.
Upon arrival in Bwindi, check in at your beautiful lodge nestled on the edge of the forest. The tranquil surroundings, cool highland air, and distant calls of forest birds set the stage for tomorrow’s once-in-a-lifetime encounter with the mountain gorillas. In the evening, enjoy a sumptuous dinner and early rest in preparation for your trek.
Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Accommodation: Engagi Lodge – Mid-range lodge bordering the park
Meals: All meals included
Drinks: Drinking water included
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Encounter with the Gentle Giants
Today marks the highlight of your Uganda Gorilla Trekking experience. After an early breakfast, you’ll report to the park headquarters for a briefing by the Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. You’ll be assigned to a specific gorilla family and escorted by trained guides through the dense, misty rainforest in search of these magnificent primates. The trek can last anywhere from one to six hours, depending on the gorillas’ movements.
The moment you encounter a gorilla family is simply magical — watching the silverback’s powerful yet calm demeanor, observing mothers care for their young, and listening to the forest come alive around you. You’ll be allowed a precious hour in their presence, taking photos and absorbing the emotional depth of this encounter. This experience stands among the most humbling and transformative moments in wildlife travel.
Afterward, return to your lodge to relax and reflect on your trek. The evening may be spent sharing stories with fellow travelers by the campfire as the forest hums in the background — a fitting end to one of the world’s greatest wildlife experiences.
Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Accommodation: Engagi Lodge
Meals: All meals included
Drinks: Drinking water included
Day 4: Bwindi – Kigali – Fly to Nairobi, Kenya
After breakfast, check out and transfer southward toward the Cyanika or Katuna border, crossing into Rwanda. Enjoy scenic views of Rwanda’s rolling “thousand hills” en route to Kigali International Airport, where you’ll board your flight to Nairobi, Kenya’s bustling capital. This route is the most convenient way to transition from Uganda’s gorilla highlands to Kenya’s savannah plains.
Upon arrival in Nairobi, a Ngeye Tours & Travel representative will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel for rest. If you wish, you may explore Nairobi’s vibrant nightlife, sample Kenyan cuisine, or visit nearby cafes and shopping centers.
Main Destination: Nairobi, Kenya
Accommodation: La Maison Royale Westlands – Mid-range hotel
Meals: Breakfast included
Day 5: Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve – Into the Wild Heart of Kenya
After an early breakfast, set out for the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya’s most celebrated safari destination. The journey takes you through the Great Rift Valley, one of the most spectacular geological features on Earth. Stop briefly at a viewpoint to take in the sweeping views of the escarpment, then continue through Narok Town, the Maasai cultural hub, before entering the park.
Arrive at your camp in time for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, embark on your first game drive in the Masai Mara, where golden grasslands stretch endlessly and wildlife roams freely. This first encounter offers glimpses of lions lounging in the shade, elephants marching across the plains, and herds of wildebeest grazing peacefully.
As the sun sets over the savannah, return to your lodge for dinner under the African sky, the air filled with the distant roars of lions and the soft crackle of your campfire.
Main Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve
Accommodation: PrideInn Mara Camp – Mid-range tented camp
Meals: All meals included
Day 6: Full-Day Game Drive in Masai Mara – Following Nature’s Drama
Rise before dawn for a full-day game drive through the Masai Mara, often referred to as the “Kingdom of Lions.” This day promises exceptional wildlife encounters — from leopards stealthily moving through the grass to elephants, zebras, and giraffes traversing the open plains. If visiting between July and October, you may witness the Great Wildebeest Migration, one of nature’s most awe-inspiring spectacles, as millions of animals cross the Mara River in search of greener pastures.
Your guide will select a picturesque spot for a bush picnic lunch amid the wild landscape. Continue your exploration in the afternoon, following predators as they stalk their prey or watching hippos and crocodiles along the Mara Riverbanks. The diversity and abundance of wildlife in this reserve make every moment an adventure.
Return to your camp for dinner and overnight, savoring the day’s unforgettable encounters beneath a starlit African sky.
Main Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve
Accommodation: PrideInn Mara Camp
Meals: All meals included
Day 7: Masai Mara – Serengeti National Park (Tanzania) – Crossing Borders into the Wild
After breakfast, enjoy a short game drive as you exit the park and drive toward the Isebania border between Kenya and Tanzania. After clearing border formalities, meet your Tanzanian guide and continue your journey into Serengeti National Park, a world-renowned wildlife haven.
En route to your camp, enjoy your first Serengeti game drive, where you’ll witness sweeping grasslands alive with wildlife — elephants, buffalo, cheetahs, lions, and more. The Serengeti embodies Africa’s timeless wilderness, offering boundless views and thrilling encounters.
Main Destination: Serengeti National Park
Accommodation: Serengeti Kati Kati Tented Camp – Mid-range
Meals: All meals included
Day 8: Full-Day Game Drive in Serengeti – Witness the Circle of Life
Spend this day exploring the endless plains of the Serengeti, one of the most productive wildlife ecosystems on the planet. Begin with a sunrise drive when predators are most active. Watch as lions return from their hunt, or witness cheetahs sprint across the plains in pursuit of gazelle. With over 70 species of large mammals, every turn reveals another breathtaking moment.
Later in the day, enjoy lunch in the bush before continuing to explore different regions of the park. Depending on the season, you may follow the wildebeest migration herds or visit the central Seronera region, known for its high density of predators.
Return to camp in the evening to unwind by the fire, listening to the sounds of the Serengeti under a canopy of stars.
Main Destination: Serengeti National Park
Accommodation: Serengeti Kati Kati Tented Camp
Meals: All meals included
Day 9: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater – Descend into Africa’s Eden
After breakfast, drive through the highlands of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a region of dramatic landscapes and pastoral Maasai villages. Descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater, often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” This unique ecosystem is home to a vast concentration of wildlife lions, elephants, buffalo, black rhinos, and flamingos thriving within the crater floor.
Enjoy a picnic lunch near the hippo pool as you soak in the sights and sounds of this incredible natural amphitheater. Later, ascend the crater rim and head to your lodge overlooking the misty highlands.
Main Destination: Ngorongoro Crater
Accommodation: Rhino Lodge – Mid-range
Meals: All meals included
Day 10: Ngorongoro – Arusha – Fly to Zanzibar
After breakfast, drive to Arusha, enjoying scenic views of coffee plantations and the majestic Mount Meru. Upon arrival, connect to your domestic flight to Zanzibar, the fabled Spice Island. After landing, transfer to your luxury beach resort in Nungwi, a paradise of turquoise waters and white sands.
Spend your evening enjoying the ocean breeze and luxurious facilities as the sun dips below the horizon.
Main Destination: Zanzibar Island
Accommodation: Nungwi Dreams by Mantis – Luxury resort
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner included
Day 11: Zanzibar – Explore the Spice Island
After breakfast, enjoy a full day of leisure or optional excursions. Visit Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its winding alleys and Arab architecture. Explore a spice plantation tour, discovering the island’s centuries-old spice trade history. Alternatively, enjoy water-based activities such as snorkeling at Mnemba Atoll, the Prison Island tour, or a romantic Sunset Dhow Cruise.
Return to your resort for a final evening of seaside tranquility, savoring the fresh ocean air and reflecting on your journey through Africa’s wild heart.
Main Destination: Zanzibar Island
Accommodation: Nungwi Dreams by Mantis
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch included
Day 12: Zanzibar – Departure
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and capture your final photographs of the stunning beach scenery before checking out. You’ll be transferred to Zanzibar Airport for your onward flight, marking the end of your unforgettable East Africa safari holiday.
Main Destination: Zanzibar Airport
Meals: Breakfast included
Safari Inclusions
Airport transfers in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar
Accommodation as listed in the itinerary
All meals as specified
Ground transportation in comfortable 4×4 safari vehicles
Services of professional English-speaking driver-guides
All park entrance fees and government taxes
Gorilla trekking permit (Uganda)
Game drives in Masai Mara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater
Bottled drinking water on safari
Safari Exclusions
International flights
Visas (East Africa Tourist Visa recommended)
Travel insurance
Optional activities in Zanzibar
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
Tips for guides, drivers, and lodge staff
Personal expenses and souvenirs