14 Day Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania Safari
The 14 Day Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania Safari Holiday is an immersive journey through the soul of East Africa, a region where wildlife, culture, and breathtaking landscapes blend into one unforgettable adventure. This curated itinerary combines the mystic mountain rainforests of Uganda and Rwanda home to endangered gorillas and golden monkeys with the vast plains of Tanzania’s legendary northern circuit, featuring Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, and the Serengeti. It’s more than just a safari; it’s an experience that threads through three of Africa’s most captivating nations.
Your journey begins in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali, before crossing into the lush countryside of southwestern Uganda. The serene Lake Bunyonyi, “the place of many little birds,” welcomes you to a tranquil escape where the waters reflect the surrounding terraced hills. It’s the perfect introduction to the country’s beauty before your encounter with the majestic mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park an experience that resonates deeply with every traveler who looks into the expressive eyes of these great apes.
From the misty forests of Bwindi, the adventure continues to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, another sanctuary of biodiversity and the base for both mountain gorilla and golden monkey trekking. Here, the towering peaks of the Virunga Mountains form a breathtaking backdrop to your wildlife encounters. This part of the journey highlights East Africa’s shared conservation efforts, where Rwanda and Uganda work hand in hand to protect endangered species and their habitats.
After your forest adventures, the scene shifts dramatically as you fly into Tanzania, the quintessential safari destination. The contrast between Uganda’s emerald highlands and Tanzania’s sweeping savannahs is striking. The first stop, Tarangire National Park, introduces you to a world dominated by ancient baobab trees and vast elephant herds that roam the golden plains. You’ll continue to Lake Manyara National Park, known for its tree-climbing lions, pink flamingos, and lush forests that echo with bird songs and the calls of primates.
The Ultimate Safari Overview: Exploring the Heartbeat of East Africa
The 14 Day Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania Safari then leads to the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa’s most famous wildlife havens. Its enclosed ecosystem shelters lions, elephants, black rhinos, zebras, and countless other species, all framed by towering green crater walls. This natural amphitheater offers some of the most concentrated wildlife viewing in the world.
No East African safari would be complete without the Serengeti, the iconic stage for the Great Migration. You’ll explore both the Western and Northern Serengeti, where predators stalk the plains and massive herds of wildebeest and zebra thunder across the landscape in search of greener pastures. From the balloon safari over the endless savannah to the breathtaking sunsets that paint the sky in gold and crimson, this is the Africa that dreams are made of.
Throughout this 14 Day Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania Safari You’ll stay in thoughtfully selected lodges and camps that blend comfort, authenticity, and proximity to nature. Each day reveals something new whether it’s the warmth of local communities, the thrill of a wildlife encounter, or the simple magic of an African sunrise.
The 14 Day Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania Safari is designed for travelers who seek more than just sightseeing. It’s for those who wish to experience Africa’s beauty, culture, and soul. From gorilla trekking in misty mountains to game drives across golden plains, this itinerary captures the diversity and wonder of East Africa in one continuous, awe-inspiring adventure.
Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi – The Jewel of Southwestern Uganda
Your adventure begins with your arrival in Kigali, Rwanda’s clean and vibrant capital. After a warm welcome and briefing by your Ngeye Tours and Travel representative, you’ll embark on a scenic drive toward the Ugandan border. The journey to Lake Bunyonyi, meaning “place of many little birds,” unfolds across terraced hills, traditional villages, and stunning vistas that reveal why this region is often referred to as the Switzerland of Africa.
Lake Bunyonyi sits serenely at an altitude of about 1,950 meters, surrounded by lush hillsides cultivated with crops and dotted with over 29 islands each holding its own legend. Upon arrival at Birdnest @ Bunyonyi Resort, you’ll feel instantly relaxed. The resort’s lakeside views, elegant rooms, and warm hospitality create the perfect atmosphere to unwind after your international journey. Spend the afternoon exploring or simply bask in the tranquility of the lake.
Optional activities include a canoe ride across the calm waters to visit some of the islands, such as Punishment Island, rich in folklore, or birdwatching along the shores. As evening falls, savor a delicious meal on the terrace restaurant as the sunset reflects off the lake in shades of gold and crimson. This peaceful beginning sets the tone for the unforgettable days ahead.
Accommodation: Birdnest @ Bunyonyi Resort (Mid-range)
Meals: Lunch and Dinner Included
Day 2: Leisure and Exploration at Lake Bunyonyi
Wake up to the gentle sounds of birdsong and enjoy breakfast overlooking the mist rising from Lake Bunyonyi. Today is dedicated to relaxation and local exploration. You can enjoy a boat cruise to discover the many islands, each with unique cultural tales. Alternatively, embark on a nature walk or visit a nearby village to learn about the local Bakiga people, whose terraced farmlands beautifully frame the lake.
The adventurous may choose to go canoeing, swimming (in one of Africa’s few bilharzia-free lakes), or hiking up the surrounding hills for panoramic views. Lake Bunyonyi offers a perfect balance of rest and adventure—a serene pause before the gorilla trekking experience that awaits.
Your second night at Birdnest Resort offers another chance to soak in the stillness of the lake, with the scent of pine and eucalyptus drifting in the cool evening air.
Accommodation: Birdnest @ Bunyonyi Resort
Meals: All Meals Included
Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Encounter the Forest Giants
After breakfast, you’ll depart for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most biologically diverse forests in Africa. The drive through southwestern Uganda showcases rolling hills, tea plantations, and local communities. On arrival, you’ll check into Four Gorillas Lodge, set against the dramatic backdrop of the forested slopes.
In the afternoon, enjoy a community cultural experience with the Batwa pygmies, the original inhabitants of the forest. Listen to their ancient stories, traditional songs, and witness their way of life an insightful reminder of the deep human connection to nature.
Bwindi is home to nearly half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, and tomorrow, you’ll have the privilege of meeting them in their natural habitat. Spend the evening relaxing at the lodge, surrounded by the sounds of the jungle.
Accommodation: Four Gorillas Lodge (Luxury)
Meals: All Meals Included
Day 4: Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda’s Legendary Mountain Gorilla Sanctuary
After a hearty breakfast, you’ll transfer from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. The drive is nothing short of scenic, with rolling green hills, tea plantations, and charming rural landscapes connecting the two countries. Upon arrival, check into Sambora Kinigi Lodge, a cozy yet luxurious retreat just outside the park, surrounded by breathtaking views of the Virunga Volcanoes.
In the afternoon, settle in and take time to absorb the quiet majesty of the region. Volcanoes National Park is one of Africa’s most iconic conservation areas, forming part of the great Virunga ecosystem that stretches across three countries. It’s famous not only for gorilla trekking but also for its rare golden monkeys, volcanic peaks, and its connection to the pioneering work of Dian Fossey, whose research changed the world’s understanding of mountain gorillas.
The experience of gorilla trekking here is profound. You’ll journey deep into the misty forest accompanied by expert rangers and trackers who help you locate a specific gorilla family. The first moment your eyes meet those of a silverback is one of silent understanding — a reminder that we share the same earth and ancestry. After the trek, you’ll return to your lodge for a relaxing evening with a warm fire, fine dining, and perhaps a view of the volcano peaks glowing in the evening light.
Accommodation: Sambora Kinigi Lodge (Luxury)
Meals: All Meals Included
Day 5: Golden Monkey Trekking and Cultural Encounters in Volcanoes National Park
The morning begins early with a nutritious breakfast to prepare for another thrilling adventure — golden monkey trekking. These rare primates, found only in the Virunga Mountains, live in lively, social troops that entertain visitors with their playful antics. Their shimmering golden-orange fur glints beautifully in the sunlight filtering through the bamboo forest.
Accompanied by your park ranger, you’ll follow the trails where the monkeys leap gracefully from one bamboo stem to another, creating a mesmerizing spectacle of movement and sound. This gentle hike is less strenuous than gorilla trekking, making it ideal for those who wish to experience more of Volcanoes National Park’s biodiversity.
In the afternoon, you may opt for a visit to the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, where locals share Rwanda’s traditional music, dance, and crafts. This encounter offers a glimpse into the resilience and warmth of the Rwandan people a perfect cultural balance to your natural adventures.
Spend the evening at Sambora Kinigi Lodge, enjoying panoramic views of Mount Sabyinyo and savoring a well-prepared dinner as you recall the day’s golden memories.
Accommodation: Sambora Kinigi Lodge (Luxury)
Meals: All Meals Included
Day 6: Transfer to Tanzania – Enter the Savannah Lands of Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, you’ll depart Volcanoes National Park and travel back to Kigali for your flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania. Upon arrival, you’ll be met by your Tanzanian guide and transferred to Tarangire National Park, known for its massive elephant herds and magnificent baobab trees.
Tarangire is a photographer’s dream a place where elephants walk silhouetted against an orange sunset, and giraffes browse beneath the sprawling limbs of ancient trees. As you enter the park, your first game drive begins, and almost instantly, you’re immersed in Tanzania’s wilderness.
By afternoon, you’ll check into Tarangire Sopa Lodge, located inside the park. The lodge offers expansive views and an ideal vantage point to observe wildlife that often roams near the property. As the sun dips behind the hills, enjoy a cool drink while watching the silhouettes of elephants and antelopes along the Tarangire River.
Accommodation: Tarangire Sopa Lodge (Mid-range)
Meals: All Meals Included
Day 7: Full Day Adventure in Tarangire National Park
Rise early for a full-day exploration of Tarangire National Park. Known for its dense wildlife population, Tarangire offers encounters with elephants, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo, giraffes, and a variety of predators including lions, cheetahs, and leopards. The park is less crowded than Serengeti, giving you a truly intimate safari experience.
During the dry season, thousands of animals gather along the Tarangire River, the park’s lifeline. The scenery — dotted with giant baobabs and sweeping grasslands feels timeless, as if lifted straight from a classic African film.
Your professional guide from Ngeye Tours and Travel will interpret the ecosystem’s stories, from the symbiotic relationship between trees and termites to the behavioral traits of the majestic elephants that dominate the park. Enjoy a picnic lunch under the shade of an acacia tree before continuing your drive through the park’s different zones.
Return to your lodge in the evening, where the stars of the African sky light up the night a reminder of how far you’ve come from the noise of modern life.
Accommodation: Tarangire Sopa Lodge
Meals: All Meals Included
Day 8: Lake Manyara National Park – The Rift Valley’s Hidden Gem
After breakfast, you’ll drive toward Lake Manyara National Park, a stunning area nestled at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Although relatively small, the park’s diversity is astonishing — from dense forests and acacia woodlands to open grasslands and the shimmering soda lake.
The morning game drive reveals a tapestry of wildlife: elephants strolling in herds, buffalo resting in the shade, troops of olive baboons along the roadside, and, if you’re lucky, the famed tree-climbing lions lazily draped over acacia branches. The alkaline lake itself often shimmers with pink hues due to thousands of flamingos feeding along its edges.
After a hearty picnic lunch, you’ll have a chance to visit a local Maasai village. Engage with the community, learn about their cattle-herding culture, and discover the colorful beadwork and dances that define their heritage.
You’ll then proceed to Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge, perched high on the escarpment with panoramic views over the lake. The lodge’s setting is magical offering a perfect end to a day of discovery and cultural connection.
Accommodation: Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge (Luxury)
Meals: All Meals Included
Day 9: Ngorongoro Crater – Africa’s Eden
Today, your journey leads you to the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s most iconic and spectacular wildlife destinations. After breakfast, drive to the crater rim and descend 600 meters to the crater floor, an enclosed paradise teeming with life.
The Ngorongoro Crater, often called the “Garden of Eden,” is home to nearly 25,000 animals, including lions, elephants, black rhinos, zebras, wildebeest, and countless birds. The cool air, lush grasslands, and the shimmering soda lake create a microcosm of East African biodiversity within a single, breathtaking landscape.
Your day’s game drive will explore the crater’s forests, lakeshores, and plains, each offering unique sightings. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch near a hippo pool while observing these semi-aquatic giants wallowing lazily in the water.
In the evening, ascend to the crater rim to your accommodation at Ngorongoro Lion’s Paw Camp, where you’ll dine with panoramic views of the crater below. As night falls, the chorus of distant hyenas and the flicker of lanterns set the perfect safari ambiance.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Lion’s Paw Camp (Luxury Tented Camp)
Meals: All Meals Included
Day 10: Journey to the Western Serengeti – The Realm of the Great Migration
After breakfast, depart Ngorongoro and drive through the vast plains to the Western Serengeti, one of the most wildlife-rich areas in East Africa. The transition from the highlands to open savannah is breathtaking dotted with acacia trees and endless horizons.
Upon entering Serengeti National Park, the name itself evokes wonder. “Serengeti” means “endless plains” in the Maasai language, and as you gaze across the vast grasslands, it’s easy to see why. The western corridor, bordered by the Grumeti River, is known for large herds of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles, especially during the migration season.
You’ll enjoy an afternoon game drive en route to Mbali Mbali Soroi Serengeti Lodge, a luxurious haven perched on a hill offering sweeping views of the park below. The lodge’s architecture blends seamlessly with nature, and from your private deck, you can watch elephants grazing or hear lions roaring in the distance.
Accommodation: Mbali Mbali Soroi Serengeti Lodge (Luxury)
Meals: All Meals Included
Day 11: Full Day in Western Serengeti – Game Drives and Balloon Safari
Awaken before dawn for a truly unforgettable experience — a hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti plains. As the balloon rises, the early sunlight paints the landscape gold, revealing herds of wildlife moving across the savannah. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime perspective that captures the vastness and beauty of Africa like no other.
After landing, enjoy a champagne breakfast in the bush, followed by a full-day game drive. The Western Serengeti is alive with predators lions lounging in the grass, leopards resting in trees, and cheetahs scanning the plains. The Grumeti River often attracts crocodiles and hippos, making this area ideal for dramatic wildlife photography.
Return to Mbali Mbali Soroi Lodge for a relaxing evening by the fire. Share stories of the day’s adventures as the sounds of nocturnal wildlife echo in the distance.
Accommodation: Mbali Mbali Soroi Serengeti Lodge
Meals: All Meals Included
Day 12: Northern Serengeti Following the Migration Route
After breakfast, journey north to the Northern Serengeti, a region of rolling hills, rocky outcrops, and acacia-dotted plains. This area is less visited than the central Serengeti, offering a more exclusive and authentic safari experience.
The Northern Serengeti is renowned for its Mara River crossings, where thousands of wildebeest and zebras brave the crocodile-infested waters during the Great Migration — one of nature’s most thrilling spectacles. Even outside migration months, this area teems with wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, lions, and leopards.
Arrive at Heritage Mara Camp, a comfortable tented retreat set amidst wilderness. The camp offers the perfect mix of rustic charm and modern comfort, with the sounds of the bush serving as your nightly lullaby.
Accommodation: Heritage Mara Camp (Mid-range)
Meals: All Meals Included
Day 13: Northern Serengeti – Wilderness and Wonder
Spend another full day exploring the Northern Serengeti. Early morning and late afternoon game drives reveal Africa’s raw beauty — herds of antelope grazing in the golden light, elephants bathing in the Mara River, and lions stalking in the tall grass.
Your guide will share fascinating insights into animal behavior and the intricate balance of life in the Serengeti ecosystem. Whether you’re watching a cheetah on the hunt or a family of giraffes silhouetted against the horizon, every sighting is a story written in the wild.
Return to Heritage Mara Camp for your final night in the Serengeti. Enjoy your farewell dinner under the starlit sky, surrounded by the songs of Africa’s nocturnal creatures.
Accommodation: Heritage Mara Camp
Meals: All Meals Included
Day 14: Transfer to Arusha – Farewell to East Africa
After breakfast, take a final transfer game drive through the Serengeti plains en route to your airstrip for a flight or drive to Arusha, Tanzania’s vibrant safari hub.
Upon arrival, you may spend time exploring the town or enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Your East African adventure has come full circle from Uganda’s misty forests and Rwanda’s volcanic peaks to Tanzania’s sweeping savannahs.
You’ll be transferred to the airport for your onward flight, carrying unforgettable memories of the wildlife, people, and landscapes that make this region the ultimate safari destination.
Accommodation: None (End of Tour)
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch Included
Safari Inclusions
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Accommodation as per itinerary
- All meals as indicated
- All park entrance and conservation fees
- Gorilla trekking and golden monkey permits
- All ground transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Domestic flights (Kigali to Kilimanjaro)
- Bottled drinking water on safari
Safari Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa fees for Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania
- Travel insurance
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, laundry, phone calls)
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
- Tips and gratuities to guides and staff