22 Days Grand East Africa Safari Tour to Uganda, Tanzania & Kenya is a long safari combined country safari package that involves summiting Africa’s highest peak – Kilimanjaro Mountain, 3 days/2 two nights on Mount Rwenzori – Africa’s third-highest Mountain, Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Kibale National Park respectively and extensive game viewing in Tanzania’s Serengeti and Lake Manyara National Parks along with Ngorongoro Crater and Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Following breakfast, you set off for the drive to Kibale National Park 326km about a 6 – 7 hours drive. You explore the beautiful scenic landscapes en route including the sights of Mubende Inselbergs, the green vegetation cover, Lake Wamara at a distance, towns, and local settlements not forgetting the magnificent tea estates close to Fort Portal town. You settle for lunch in Fort Portal town after which you proceed to Kibale National Park to spend the rest of the day at leisure. An optional hike to Fort Portal crater field and a visit to the Amabere g’Nnyinamwiru caves can be arranged. This is an impressive cultural experience coupled with amazing scenic views. The breast-like features are believed to be breasts of Nyinamwiru the daughter of Bukuku – the self enthroned King of the Bachwezi who denied her daughter to breastfeed her son in fear that he might take over the throne from him. The hike to Fort Portal Crater field offers remarkable views of the crater lakes and crater hollows and the Rwenzori Mountains. Retire for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Primate Lodge – Luxury Cottages / Ndali Lodge, Mid-range / Standard: Kibale Forest Camp – Safari Tent, Budget / Basic: Rwenzori View Guesthouse
At 8 am, you congregate at Kanyanchu Tourism Center for a briefing about the Chimpanzee trekking encounter. The Uganda Wildlife Authority Park rangers guide you through the lush tropical forest noted to have survived the last ice age and thus with great biodiversity including 375 species of birds, 351 species of trees, and 13 primate species. The Chimpanzee trekking experience lasts 2 – 5 hours but for conservation purposes, the actual viewing is limited to one hour. The views of Chimpanzees as they forage, much fruit, copulate, patrol, jump from branch to branch and from tree to tree coupled with those of other forest offers like Black and White Colobus monkeys, Red Colobus Monkeys and birds combine to generate ultimate Africa Safari memories. From the trek, you transfer to Kasese for relaxation and overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge / Katara Lodge, Mid-range / Standard: Enganzi Game Lodge / Kasenyi Safari Camp, Budget / Basic: Pumba Safari Cottages
Gather after breakfast with the hiking team and set off for the trek through the intact forest of Kyambogho that overlooks Mubuku Valley. You proceed on the hike in the forest gaining likely views of primates including Blue Monkey, Black and White Colobus, and rare L’hoest Monkey. The overnight is at Omuka Kizza Rest Camp (2,977 meters) offering panoramic views of Kasese town at 2,160m below and the foothills of Mount Rwenzori. The sights of Great Blue Turaco may not be missed.
Accommodation: Omuka Kizza Rest Camp
Proceed on the hike to Lake Mahoma following breakfast passing through the narrow ridge that is covered by moss rising to 3,515 meters. You trek through the area marked by giant heather forest and bright green moss layers. Through the Bamboo and Heather forest, you may likely explore the footprints of Mountain foothills and if lucky, they can be viewed drinking water at the hot springs. The ridge eventually ends in Rukenga Valley where the beautiful everlasting flowers called Mimulopsis Eliotti along with giant lobelia can be viewed. The night is spent at Lake Mahoma Camp. On the clear sky, Mount Stanley, Mount Baker, and Portal can be viewed
Accommodation: Mahoma Lake Camp
You trek around Lake Mahoma and then commence the descend to Ibanda via the Nyabitaba hut enjoying the views of Mpanga ridge and the Mubuku Valley where the three-horned Chameleon may be explored. Proceed to the starting point from where you drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park for relaxation, dinner, and overnight
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge / Katara Lodge, Mid-range / Standard: Enganzi Game Lodge / Kasenyi Safari Camp, Budget / Basic: Pumba Safari Cottages
You set off for the game drive early in the morning around 6 am for those that stay inside the park but that outside can only start after the gates open at 7 am. The drive is conducted in Kasenyi plains one of the popular wild game viewing sectors in Queen Elizabeth National Park where possibilities of viewing Elephants, Buffalos, Uganda Kobs, Leopard, Warthogs, Topis, Bush-bucks among others. The game drive can last about 3 – 4 hours after which you spend the rest of the time resting at the lodge or keeping within Mweya peninsular. After lunch, you gather at Mweya jetty on Kazinga Channel for a 2-hour boat cruise enjoying the soothing waters of the channel that connects Lake Gorge and Edward along with the views of the wild game drinking on the channel shore and the aquatics like Nile crocodile and Hippos. From the boat, you undertake a game drive in the Mweya peninsular as you connect back to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight
Optional activities that can be undertaken in this day include; the Hot Balloon Safari and the Lion tracking experience
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge / Katara Lodge, Mid-range / Standard: Enganzi Game Lodge / Kasenyi Safari Camp, Budget / Basic: Pumba Safari Cottages
Set off for the transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and an en-route game drive in the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park offers rewarding possibilities of exploring the unique tree-climbing lions that tend to lie on fig tree branches in the mid-morning sun. From Ishasha, you proceed on the drive to Bwindi for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Chameleon Hill Lodge, Mid-range / Standard: Gorilla Mist Camp, Budget / Basic: Broad-bill Forest Camp
Following breakfast at the lodge, you gather at the gorilla trekking assembly point for briefing at 8 am. The Impenetrable forest of Bwindi perched on a rugged terrain marked by steep hills and narrow valleys present a rather challenging trek than in other gorilla safari destinations. The encounter with the gentle giants encountering them as they forage and socialize is very memorable. Direct viewing is limited to one hour while the whole Mountain Gorilla Trekking encounter can range from 2 – 8 hours. You retreat from the tour and connect to the lodge spending the afternoon at leisure. An optional Batwa / Bakiga Community tour can be arranged in the evening to explore the traditions of these people noted to be among the last surviving groups of short people.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Chameleon Hill Lodge, Mid-range / Standard: Gorilla Mist Camp, Budget / Basic: Broad-bill Forest Camp
Transfer to Kigali crossing at Katuna border post enjoying the impressive hilly landscapes of Rwanda that have earned her a dub as the land of a thousand hills. You connect on an onward flight to Tanzania for relaxation and overnight. Alternatively, take a domestic flight transfer from Kisoro to Entebbe and connect on the regional flight from Entebbe to Kilimanjaro
Accommodation: Up market Luxury: Sal Salinero Hotel, Mid-range / Standard: Marangu Hotel, Budget / Basic: Mount Kilimanjaro View Lodge
Elevation (m): 1830m to 3100m Elevation (ft): 6000ft to 10,200ft Distance: 18km Hiking Time: 5-7 hours Habitat: Montane Forest You transfer from Arusha to the Mount Kilimanjaro gates about 1 ½ hour’s drive. The journey traverses the Machame village on the lower mountain slopes. The adventure hike commences from the park gate hiking through the rain forest following a winding trail along the ridge. At the lower levels, the trail tends to be muddy and slippery and thus trekking poles and gaiters are recommended here.
Accommodation: Retire for overnight Overnight: Machame Camp
Elevation (m): 3100m to 3840m Elevation (ft): 10,200ft to 12,600ft Distance: 9km Walking Time: 4-6 hours Habitat: Moorland Following breakfast, you set off from the rain forest glades proceeding on an ascending path where you cross the little valley trekking along a steep ridge that is rocky covered with heather up the ridge ends. The trail follows west ending into a river gorge.
Accommodation: Overnight: Shira campsite.
Elevation (m): 3840m to 4630m to 3860m Elevation (ft): 12,600ft to 12,700ft Distance: 15 km Walking Time: 5-7 hours Habitat: Semi-desert Hiking from Shira Plateau, you proceed on the ridge trekking past the junction heading to Kibo peak. From the junction, you head southeast to the famous Lava Tower also known as the Shark’s Tooth. The second junction stands after the tower leading to the Arrow Glacier rising to 4,876m elevation. The descent to Barranco hut rising to a height of 3,860m marks the end of the day’s hike.
Accommodation: Barranco Camp
Elevation (m): 3860m to 4600m Elevation (ft): 12,700ft to 15,100ft Distance: 13km Hiking Time: 8 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert Following breakfast, you set off from Barranco trekking on the steep ridge to the Barranco Wall traversing the Karango Valley before settling for lunch at 4200m elevation. From here, you encounter the junction that connects to Mweka Trail. The hike proceeds to Barafu Hut and this marks the end of the Southern Circuit that presents various views of the summit from different angles. The peaks Kibo and Mawenzi are viewed at this point.
Accommodation: Barafu Camp
Elevation (m): 4600m to 5895m (and down to 3100m) Elevation (ft): 15,100ft to 19,300ft (and down to 10,200ft) Distance: 7km ascent / 23km descent Hiking Time:6- 8 hours ascent / 7-8 hours descent Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit The summit trek commences very early in the morning almost at night (2 am) making your way between the Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers. The hike takes the Northwest direction ascending through heavy scree connecting to Stella Point on the crater rim. This section is the most challenging both physically and mentally. At Stella Point (5,685m), a short rest can be taken enjoying a fascinating sunrise subject to weather permission. From Stella, the snow may be encountered along the 1-hour hiking ascent to Uhuru Peak – the highest peak on Kilimanjaro Mountain and the highest in Africa. Those who can trek fast have the opportunity to view the sunrise at the summit. The temperatures can be so cold at these points at night but quite warm at the end of the day thus carrying suitable clothing for these two extremes is recommended. From the summit, you descend to Mweka Hut making a stop at Barafu for lunch. In the loose gravel down the slope require trekking poles and gaiters. From Mweka Camp is positioned in the upper forest this it tends to rain in the late afternoon. This is the last night on the Mountain.
Accommodation: Mweka Hut
Elevation (m): 3100m to 1830m Elevation (ft): 10,200ft to 6000ft Distance: 15 km Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Forest Following breakfast, you embark on the descend from Mweka hut to Mweka Park gate where you will receive the certificates of summiting Kilimanjaro Mountain. You proceed for another one hour trek to Mweka Village where you will find the vehicle and transfer to the hotel for relaxation and overnight
Accommodation: Up market Luxury: Sal Salinero Hotel, Mid-range / Standard: Marangu Hotel, Budget / Basic: Mount Kilimanjaro View Lodge
Following breakfast, connect to Lake Manyara National Park where you will first encounter the Mto wa Mbu Eco-community which is a diverse ethnic concentration of various tribal groups with complex customs and traditions. You explore the various foodstuffs and their preparation, the local beer brewing, the architectural design and the famous Wood Carvings. In the afternoon, you connect to the park for a game drive experience gaining possibilities of viewing tree climbing lions, Warthog, Zebras, Baboon, Elephant, Hippos, Wildebeest, Impala, and Giraffe among others. Retreat for relaxation, dinner, and overnight
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge, Mid-range / Standard: Manyara Kirurumu Camp, Budget / Basic: Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp
After breakfast, transfer to Ngorongoro Crater and descend into the crater floor for a full day of game drive. Later in the evening ascend and proceed to your hotel in Karatu for evening leisure and hot dinner. The crater stands as the world’s largest inactive, unfilled and intact volcanic caldera with a population of over 250,000 large animals including Elephants, Lions, Cheetah, Buffalo, Wildebeest, Rhinos including Black Rhinos among others making its encounter rewarding.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, Mid-range / Standard: Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge, Budget / Basic: Karatu Simba Lodge
Proceed on the drive to Serengeti National Park which is one of the popular wildlife destinations on the African continent. With over 1.5 Million Wildebeest, hundreds of thousands of Zebras, counts of Nile crocodile and honey badger, the Serengeti National Park has a lot to offer to generate great African safari memories. You take up a game drive in the evening upon entering the park for an extensive wild game viewing experience. You can make an optional tour to Olduvai gorge to explore an ancient site where the fossils of early man were discovered.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Serengeti Sopa Lodge, Mid-range / Standard: Serengeti Kati Kati Camp, Budget / Basic: Kijereshi Tented Camp (Bungalow)
Also referred as the world’s famous wildlife safari park, Serengeti National Park’s endless plains feature the great count of the animal population on earth including the great big cats like thousands of lions, Tanzanian Cheetah, leopards, Jackal species among others, Herbivores like millions of Wildebeest, hundreds of thousands of elephants, Zebras, Thompson Gazelles, Buffaloes not forgetting bird species.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Serengeti Sopa Lodge, Mid-range / Standard: Serengeti Kati Kati Camp, Budget / Basic: Kijereshi Tented Camp (Bungalow)
Drive to Maasai Mara National Reserve with a lunch box crossing at Isebania border where you will change the vehicle upon clearing the immigration formalities. An introductory game drive will be undertaken as you enter Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Keekorok Game Lodge, Budget / Basic: Ilkeliani Camp
The extensive game drive in Maasai Mara Reserve commences early in the morning following a cup of coffee. Depending on the season, you can get an opportunity to explore the Great Migration where Millions of Wildebeest accompanied by the hundreds of thousands of Zebras and Thompson Gazelle cross the Crocodile Infested Mara River from Serengeti to Maasai Mara to feed on the abundant grass after which they go back. This spectacular sight is ranked among the Natural wonders of the world. The prides of lions, the herds of Buffalos and elephants, elusive leopards, cheetah among other species may be encountered on this game drive. In the evening, you take up a cultural tour to the Maasai Community exploring their ancient heritage and enjoying their music dance and drama.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Mid-range / Standard: Keekorok Game Lodge, Budget / Basic: Ilkeliani Camp
Transfer from Maasai Mara National Reserve to Nairobi enjoying the scenic countryside landscapes including the Great Rift Valley. Connect to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for a flight back home or a safari connection to Mombasa coast or Zanzibar Islands.
Cate
Samuel
Robert
Get top notch safari advice: Call us or schedule a video meeting with our experts.
