This 21-Day East African Safari takes you to some of the most famous places in the world. You will see beautiful landscapes, large lakes, and amazing geographical features. You will also meet local people and taste delicious food. This trip visits Sipi Falls, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Semuliki National Park in Uganda. You will also go to Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda. In Kenya, you will visit Nairobi city, Masai Mara, Mombasa, and the white sand beaches by the Indian Ocean.
All the activities are picked to give you a great time outdoors. You will participate in city tours, boat rides, and game drives. You will also go on nature walks, track lions, and see gorillas and chimpanzees. The trip starts in Entebbe, Uganda and ends in Nairobi, Kenya.
21-Day East African Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Arrive and explore Kampala city
- Day 2: Kampala to Sipi Falls via Jinja
- Day 3: Sipi Falls hike and coffee tour
- Day 4: Sipi Falls to Murchison Falls National Park
- Day 5: Game drive and boat cruise
- Day 6: Murchison Falls to Fort Portal City
- Day 7: Explore Semliki National Park
- Day 8: Crater lakes and Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Day 9: Lion tracking adventure
- Day 10: Transfer to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park
- Day 11: Gorilla trekking
- Day 12: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
- Day 13: Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk
- Day 14: Fly to Nairobi from Kigali
- Day 15: Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve
- Day 16: Full day game drive in Masai Mara
- Day 17: Visit the Masai warriors
- Day 18: Fly to Mombasa and visit Fort Jesus
- Day 19 to 20: Explore Mombasa beach life
- Day 21: Departure
Detailed 21-Day East African Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive and explore Kampala city
You will arrive at the airport and meet our company guide. He will be holding a sign with your name on it. He will talk to you about what to expect on this 21-Day East African Safari. You can have some juice and then drive to your hotel to check in and rest. In the evening, you will visit places around the city like the National Museum and the craft market. Later, you will return to your lodge for dinner and sleep.
Day 2: Kampala to Sipi falls via Jinja
Wake up very early for breakfast. After eating, you will start a 4 to 5 hour drive to Sipi Falls in Eastern Uganda. On the road, you will see how people drive in traffic and watch the local cyclists. You will pass the Mabira forest, which is one of the oldest forests. You can buy roasted chicken and plantains from people selling food on the street.
When you get to Jinja, you will see a large bridge over the River Nile. This is the longest river on Earth. You will stop at the Nile for photos and a boat ride to see where the river starts. You will see the Mahatma Gandhi monument and have lunch. Then, you will continue to Sipi Falls. You will arrive in the evening for dinner and your overnight stay.
Day 3: Sipi falls hike and coffee tour
Start the day with a good breakfast at the lodge. After that, go on a guided hike through trails with coffee plants and local homes. You will see bamboo plants, monkeys, and many birds. When you get to the three large Sipi Falls, you can take photos and play in the water. In the evening, you will return to the lodge for dinner and rest.
Day 4: Sipi falls to Murchison Falls National Park
Breakfast comes first and then you start the journey to Murchison Falls National Park. You will see the beautiful landscape and green plants. You will have many stops at nice viewing points. The journey takes about 7 to 8 hours with lunch on the way. The day ends with dinner and sleep at a lodge inside or near the park.
Day 5: Game drive and boat cruise
After breakfast, you will go to the northern part of the park for 3 to 4 hours of watching animals. You have a chance to see lions, hippos, warthogs, and buffaloes. You will also see giraffes and many birds like the crested crane. After the game drive, you will return to the lodge for lunch.
At 2:00 PM, you will take a boat to the bottom of the world’s most powerful waterfalls. You will spend 2 to 3 hours enjoying the river breeze. You will watch the water squeeze through a small gap with a loud sound. Look for crocodiles, hippos, and elephants by the water. Later, you will go back to your lodge for dinner.
Day 6: Murchison falls to Fort Portal City
After breakfast, you will leave the park for Fort Portal City. You will see green plants, hills, and homes. This is a 7 to 8 hour drive with lunch on the way. You will arrive in the evening and check in to your hotel for dinner.
Day 7: Explore Semliki National Park
Wake up to a nice breakfast. Then, you will drive for 1 to 2 hours to Semliki National Park. You will see great views of the Ruwenzori Mountains. When you reach the park, you will have a talk about the rules. You will hike through a forest that has over 450 types of birds. You can see the Shoebill Stork and large eagles.
You will also see the Sempaya hot springs. You can watch the water boil and even cook some eggs or bananas in it. Have lunch in the wild and then go back to your lodge in Fort Portal. If you like, you can see the night life in the city before dinner.
Day 8: Crater lakes and Queen Elizabeth National Park
Have a big breakfast at your lodge. At noon, you will check out and go to Queen Elizabeth National Park. First, you will visit the crater lakes around Fort Portal. These lakes are very special and good for photos. After lunch, you will proceed to the park. You will see the green plants and the beautiful land. Arrive in the evening for dinner.
Day 9: Lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, you will meet the lion trackers. They will explain how lions live and where they stay. Then, you will go to the grasslands for exclusive lion tracking. You will learn how lions hunt and how they treat each other. Researchers will lead you, and you might see other animals like elephants and birds. Have a picnic lunch and return to the lodge in the evening for dinner.
Day 10: Transfer to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park
Start your day with a good breakfast. Then, you will drive for 7 to 8 hours to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. You will stop at the border to show your documents and have lunch. On this road trip, you will see hills and plains. The local people often smile and wave at visitors. When you arrive at the park, you will check in and go to bed.
Day 11: Gorilla trekking
Breakfast is at 6:00 AM. By 7:00 AM, you will be at the park headquarters for a talk. The guides will explain the rules for visiting the gorillas. Each family of gorillas is led by a large silverback. You will spend 1 to 8 hours finding the gorillas and then one hour watching them eat and move. After your time with the gorillas, you will return to the lodge for dinner and sleep.
Day 12: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
Breakfast is at 9:00 AM. At 11:00 AM, you will check out and go to Nyungwe National Park. You will stop at the Nyanza King’s Palace to learn about Rwanda’s history. You will have lunch there and then drive to your lodge near the forest. The day ends with dinner.
Day 13: Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk
At day break, you will have a big breakfast. Then, go to the park headquarters for a talk about chimpanzees. These animals are very much like humans. You will spend 1 to 4 hours walking through the forest to find them. You can watch them play and make sounds for one hour. After lunch, you will do a canopy walk. This is a high bridge that gives you views of the forest from above. At sunset, you will return to the lodge for dinner.
Day 14: Fly to Nairobi from Kigali
Enjoy your last breakfast in Rwanda. You will drive for 4 to 5 hours to Kigali for lunch. Then, you will take a flight to Nairobi. When you land, a Kenyan guide will pick you up. He will tell you about what you will do in Kenya. Then, he will take you to your hotel for the night.
Day 15: Nairobi to Masai Mara national reserve
After breakfast, you will leave for Masai Mara. The journey takes 6 to 8 hours. You will see green plants and many homes. You will stop at the Great Rift Valley for photos and at Narok town for lunch. You will arrive at your lodge in the evening for dinner.
Day 16: Full day game drive
Have a delicious breakfast. Then, get your packed lunch and go for a full day game drive in the Masai Mara plains. You will visit the Mara River to look for animals crossing the water. You can see lions, leopards, and cheetahs, though they are sometimes hard to find. You will see many elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes. At sunset, you will go back to the lodge for dinner.
Day 17: Visit the Masai warriors
First, you will have breakfast and then visit the Masai warriors. You will learn how they live and how they take care of their cows. You can even try to milk a cow. You will see their jumping dance and buy some local crafts. You will have lunch with the Masai people. The day ends with dinner at your lodge.
Day 18: Fly to Mombasa and visit Fort Jesus
After breakfast, you will leave the Masai Mara and go to Mombasa city. This is a very busy town by the ocean. You will check in at a resort that looks over the Indian Ocean. You will take a drive around the port and visit the Fort Jesus monument. The day ends with dinner and sleep.
Day 19 to 20: Explore Mombasa beach life
For two days, you will have a quality rest by the calm waters of the Indian Ocean. You can relax and enjoy the sun. You can play beach sports, go fishing, or swim in the ocean. You can also try scuba diving to see the fish. Every day you will have breakfast, lunch, and dinner at your lodge.
Day 21: Departure
Wake up when you want and have a slow breakfast. Then, you will check out and go to the airport for your flight home. This is the end of your 21-Day East African Safari.
