15 Day Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar Safari
The 15 Day Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar Safari is the ultimate East Africa safari circuit a luxurious and seamless journey through the continent’s most iconic destinations. This grand expedition connects the volcanic jungles of Rwanda and Uganda’s gorilla families with the vast golden plains of Kenya and Tanzania, culminating in the turquoise tranquility of Zanzibar’s Indian Ocean beaches. It’s a journey that celebrates Africa’s diversity, wildlife richness, and cultural vibrancy, blending wilderness adventure with relaxation and refined comfort.
Your East Africa Safari begins in Kigali, Rwanda, a city renowned for its warmth, cleanliness, and cultural depth. Here, you will acclimatize to the region and explore Rwanda’s poignant history before moving north to Volcanoes National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas and the fascinating golden monkeys. Gorilla trekking in this region is more than just an encounter it is a deeply emotional experience that connects you to nature’s rarest and most intelligent creatures.
Crossing into Uganda, your adventure continues in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, another UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its misty jungles and thriving gorilla families. Gorilla Trekking in Uganda is a transformative highlight that blends adventure with conservation awareness, allowing travelers to contribute directly to wildlife protection. After your jungle immersion, you will fly onward to Kenya the land of the legendary Masai Mara.
Experience the Best of East Africa’s Wildlife, Cultures, and Beaches
Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve is the heart of the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeests and zebras traverse from Tanzania’s Serengeti in a thrilling, timeless rhythm of survival. Game drives here reveal the Big Five lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino alongside cheetahs, giraffes, and countless plains game. A cultural visit to a Masai village adds a human dimension to your safari, showcasing the deep traditions of East Africa’s pastoral communities.
From Kenya, you will cross into Tanzania, home to the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, two of the world’s most celebrated safari destinations. The Serengeti offers unending horizons filled with life a photographer’s paradise where predators rule and migrations unfold against stunning sunsets. The Ngorongoro Crater, known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” presents one of Africa’s most concentrated wildlife spectacles within its volcanic walls. Here, you can spot black rhinos, prides of lions, and large herds of wildebeest and zebra within a single game drive.
The journey then transitions from the wilderness to the coast as you fly to Zanzibar, Tanzania’s Spice Island. With its white sandy beaches, azure waters, and Swahili-Arabic architecture, Zanzibar offers the perfect post-safari retreat. Whether exploring Stone Town’s historic alleys, snorkeling in coral reefs, or enjoying the island’s culinary delights, this final leg embodies relaxation and romance.
The Kenya Uganda Safari Holiday and broader East Africa Safari promise more than wildlife viewing. They celebrate the connection between nature, people, and the landscapes that have defined Africa for millennia. Every sunrise brings a new adventure from gorilla tracking in Uganda’s misty jungles to watching the Great Migration thunder across the plains, to sunset dhow sails along the Zanzibar coast.
For discerning travelers seeking an all-encompassing African journey, this 15-day itinerary curated by Ngeye Tours and Travel offers luxury, exclusivity, and authenticity. Each lodge and camp has been carefully selected for comfort, location, and sustainability. The itinerary combines seamless transfers, guided experiences, and personal attention, ensuring a safari that is both extraordinary and unforgettable.
This is more than a holiday. It’s the essence of East Africa — wild, welcoming, and wondrous.
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport – Welcome to Rwanda
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, your private guide will meet you with a warm Rwandan welcome. After a smooth airport transfer, you’ll check in at the Park Inn by Radisson Kigali, one of the city’s most elegant mid-range hotels. Depending on your arrival time, you can unwind at the hotel or enjoy a short city orientation drive through Kigali’s clean streets and rolling hills.
Kigali is known for its charm and resilience. The city’s vibrant markets, art galleries, and cafes introduce you to modern Rwanda — a country that has rebuilt itself into a beacon of progress and hope. Dinner is at leisure, giving you the chance to sample local cuisine or relax in the hotel’s stylish restaurant before your East Africa Safari officially begins.
Main Destination: Kigali, Rwanda
Accommodation: Park Inn by Radisson Kigali
Meals: Dinner at own expense
Day 2: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park – Cultural Encounters and Scenic Views
After breakfast, your driver-guide will brief you before departing for Volcanoes National Park, a scenic three-hour journey through Rwanda’s highlands. The drive reveals lush green hills, tea plantations, and rural life that define Rwanda’s nickname, the “Land of a Thousand Hills.” En route, you may visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a deeply moving tribute to the country’s past and resilience.
Upon arrival at your lodge near Volcanoes National Park, you will have lunch and relax before an optional visit to the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village. This interactive experience introduces you to traditional Rwandan dance, music, and community projects that promote sustainable tourism. As evening falls, enjoy a delicious dinner at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, a beautiful lodge set in the shadow of the Virunga Mountains.
Main Destination: Volcanoes National Park
Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Meals: All meals included
Day 3: Golden Monkey Tracking – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
Rise early for breakfast before heading to the park headquarters for a briefing on Golden Monkey tracking. These playful primates, endemic to the Virunga ranges, captivate travelers with their energy and curiosity. Accompanied by experienced rangers, you’ll hike through bamboo forests to observe and photograph these rare creatures.
After your trek, you’ll have lunch before embarking on a cross-border drive into Uganda, entering the lush landscapes of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. The drive offers sweeping views of terraced hillsides and local communities. You will check in at Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, your serene retreat overlooking the misty forest canopy.
Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Meals: All meals included
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking Uganda – Return to Kigali
Today is the highlight of your Kenya Uganda Safari Holiday. After an early breakfast, you’ll head to the park headquarters for a detailed briefing before embarking on your Gorilla Trekking Uganda adventure. Trekking through the dense rainforest of Bwindi is both challenging and exhilarating. The reward standing face to face with a family of mountain gorillas is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that connects you profoundly to nature.
You’ll spend an hour observing these magnificent creatures as they feed, play, and interact. Later, return to the lodge for lunch before transferring back to Kigali for an overnight stay at the Park Inn by Radisson Kigali.
Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park / Kigali
Accommodation: Park Inn by Radisson Kigali
Meals: All meals included
Day 5: Flight from Kigali to Nairobi – Gateway to Kenya
After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Nairobi, Kenya’s bustling capital. Upon arrival, your Ngeye Tours representative will meet and escort you to Hotel Boulevard, where you can settle in before enjoying lunch. In the afternoon, visit the famous Giraffe Centre, where you can feed and photograph the endangered Rothschild giraffes at eye level.
This brief introduction to Kenya combines urban charm with wildlife conservation, setting the tone for your safari across the region’s most iconic landscapes.
Main Destination: Nairobi, Kenya
Accommodation: Hotel Boulevard
Meals: All meals included
Day 6: Fly to Masai Mara National Reserve – The Great Plains of Kenya
After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your flight to the Masai Mara National Reserve, the crown jewel of Kenya’s wildlife areas. Upon landing, a guide will meet you and transfer you to Masai Mara Sopa Lodge for check-in and lunch. The afternoon is reserved for your first game drive in Masai Mara, introducing you to the rich biodiversity of the reserve.
Expect to see elephants, giraffes, zebras, and perhaps your first lions. The Masai Mara’s open plains, scattered acacia trees, and golden sunsets make it a photographer’s paradise. Return to your lodge for dinner and relaxation.
Main Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve
Accommodation: Masai Mara Sopa Lodge
Meals: All meals included
Day 7: Full-Day Game Drives in Masai Mara – Great Migration Adventure
Wake up early for a full-day exploration of the Masai Mara, renowned for the Great Migration Kenya Tanzania phenomenon. Millions of wildebeests and zebras cross the Mara River between July and October, followed closely by predators in dramatic hunting scenes. Even outside the migration, the Mara offers exceptional year-round game viewing with lions, cheetahs, and elephants in abundance.
You may choose to add a sunrise hot air balloon safari over the Mara, followed by a champagne breakfast on the plains. Later, visit a Masai village to learn about traditional life, colorful attire, and local crafts.
Main Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve
Accommodation: Masai Mara Sopa Lodge
Meals: All meals included
Day 8: Flight to Serengeti National Park – Tanzania’s Endless Plains
After breakfast, fly from the Masai Mara to Serengeti National Park, crossing the border into Tanzania. Your guide will meet you at the airstrip and transfer you to Serengeti Safari Lodge. The Serengeti’s vast savannahs, punctuated by granite kopjes, are home to some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife moments.
Enjoy a leisurely lunch and a late-afternoon game drive, where you may encounter lions lounging under acacias or elephants strolling through the grasslands. Sunset in the Serengeti is pure magic.
Main Destination: Serengeti National Park
Accommodation: Serengeti Safari Lodge
Meals: All meals included
Day 9: Full-Day Game Drives in Serengeti – Witness the Great Migration
Spend this day exploring different regions of the Serengeti, where wildlife moves with the rhythm of the seasons. Depending on the time of year, you may witness the Great Migration Kenya Tanzania in full motion vast herds stretching to the horizon, followed by predators in pursuit. Carry a packed lunch for a full-day game drive or return to the lodge for a midday rest before an evening drive.
The Serengeti is home to cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, hippos, and countless bird species. As dusk falls, enjoy a sundowner before dinner under the stars.
Main Destination: Serengeti National Park
Accommodation: Serengeti Safari Lodge
Meals: All meals included
Day 10: Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater – The Eighth Wonder
After breakfast, drive to the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site often described as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” The crater is the world’s largest intact caldera, teeming with wildlife in a spectacular natural amphitheater. You’ll descend into the crater for a half-day game drive, spotting rhinos, buffalo, lions, and flamingos along the lakeshores.
Later, ascend to the crater rim for dinner and an overnight stay at Ngorongoro Forest Tented Lodge, surrounded by lush highland forest.
Main Destination: Ngorongoro Crater
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Forest Tented Lodge
Meals: All meals included
Day 11: Lake Manyara National Park – Night Game Drive Adventure
After breakfast, travel to Lake Manyara National Park, known for its tree-climbing lions and scenic beauty. The park’s alkaline lake attracts flocks of flamingos, while elephants, hippos, and giraffes roam freely. After a daytime exploration, enjoy a night game drive — a rare opportunity to see nocturnal animals such as genets, civets, and bush babies.
Retire to Manyara Safari Lodge, perched above the escarpment with stunning lake views.
Main Destination: Lake Manyara National Park
Accommodation: Manyara Safari Lodge
Meals: All meals included
Day 12: Fly to Zanzibar – Arrival in the Spice Islands
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Zanzibar Island, where turquoise waters and coral beaches await. Upon arrival, a representative will meet you and escort you to Dhow Palace Hotel in Stone Town, a charming heritage hotel reflecting Swahili and Arabian architecture.
Spend the afternoon relaxing or strolling through the cobblestone streets of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with history and charm.
Main Destination: Zanzibar Island
Accommodation: Dhow Palace Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and lunch included
Day 13: Leisure Day in Zanzibar – Beach Relaxation
Today is yours to relax and unwind after days of exploration. Lounge by the beach, take a swim in the warm Indian Ocean, or explore the spice plantations that give Zanzibar its nickname, “The Spice Island.” Optional tours include visits to Prison Island or sunset dhow cruises along the coast.
Enjoy dinner at one of Stone Town’s rooftop restaurants, where ocean breezes and fresh seafood complete the perfect evening.
Main Destination: Zanzibar Island
Accommodation: Dhow Palace Hotel
Meals: Breakfast included
Day 14: Snorkeling and Island Excursions – Discover Zanzibar’s Marine Treasures
Embark on a day of aquatic adventure. Join a snorkeling excursion to Mnemba Atoll or sail on a traditional dhow to Kwale Island. The waters here are clear, warm, and teeming with tropical fish. Enjoy a seafood lunch, swim, or simply relax under palm trees.
Return to your hotel in the evening, where you can reflect on the beauty of your journey through East Africa.
Main Destination: Zanzibar Island
Accommodation: Dhow Palace Hotel
Meals: Breakfast included
Day 15: Departure – End of the East Africa Safari Journey
After breakfast, depending on your flight schedule, you will be transferred to Zanzibar International Airport for your onward flight. Your 15-Day Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar Safari Holiday comes to an end, but the memories from gorilla trekking to the Great Migration and beach sunsets will stay with you forever.
Main Destination: Zanzibar International Airport
Meals: Breakfast included
Safari Inclusions and Exclusions
Inclusions
Airport transfers upon arrival and departure
Domestic and regional flights as indicated
Accommodation in listed mid-range lodges and hotels
All meals as specified in the itinerary
Services of professional English-speaking guides
Game drives and park entry fees
Gorilla and Golden Monkey trekking permits
Cultural visits and excursions as listed
Bottled drinking water during safari drives
Exclusions
International airfare
Visa fees for Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania
Optional activities such as hot air balloon safaris and scuba diving
Personal expenses such as tips, laundry, and phone calls
Travel insurance and medical coverage
Meals not specified in the itinerary
Drinks other than water