12-Day Best of East Africa

Safari Overview

The 12 Days Best of East Africa explores Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar Beach. 

Have the Ultimate Gorilla Trek in Bwindi Forest,  traverse the landscapes of Kenya in the Masai Mara, and then drop down into the vast plains of the world-renowned Serengeti before cooling off in the tranquil blue waters of Zanzibar. This is the ultimate highlight Tour of Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania within 12 days.

Itinerary for the 12 day Best of East Africa

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe

You’ll have a meet and greet upon arrival at the airport exit point by our team. You’ll be picked up and transferred to your Entebbe hotel for check-in and your overnight stay.

If time permits, you will go on a short tour of Entebbe Botanical Gardens and also check out the crafts centers. This is also your chance to exchange money if you need some local currency. Later, return to your hotel and rest getting ready for the adventures of tomorrow.

Accommodation at Papyrus Guest House.

Day 2: To Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Today,  transfer to Bwindi National Park after breakfast and with lunch en route in Mbarara town proceed to the park arriving in the evening for relaxation and preparing yourself for the next day. You will have a stopover at the Uganda Equator for the demonstration of the north and south hemispheres.

Accommodation at Gorilla Safari Lodge

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

Arise early today and prepare for the highlight of your safari, an unforgettable encounter with the Gentle Giants!  Following breakfast, transfer to the national park offices where you will be allocated a gorilla family in groups of 8 as well as a gorilla tracking guide.

After a pre-tracking briefing by your guide touching on the gorillas generally, your assigned gorilla family as well as appropriate safety precautions, you drive to the trailhead for the start of a thrilling adventure. Expect to walk between 2 and 8 hours in steep and slippery conditions at times with rain overhead, which can be quite a challenge so you are required to be reasonably fit.

Upon sighting the gorillas, you spend the allowed one hour with them as they go about their daily life; feeding, moving around playing, and grooming– it is a unique and unforgettable experience! Thereafter head back to the lodge for relaxation.

 Accommodation and Meals at Gorilla Safari Lodge

Day 4: Back to Entebbe – Nairobi

Enjoy an early morning breakfast, check out from the lodge, and fly out of the Kisoro Airport to Entebbe International Airport for your connecting flight to Nairobi. At the JKIA in Nairobi, our representative will pick you up and take you to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Accommodation at Wildebeest Eco Camp

Day 5: Nairobi – Masai Mara

We depart from Nairobi at 0700 Hrs for a 4–5-hour drive to Maasai Mara. Our drive will take us through the Great Rift Valley, the 5,600-kilometre fault line that extends from Ethiopia’s Red Sea through Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, and Mozambique.

Our first scenic views will be the spectacular escarpments and expansive floors of the valley laden with patches of whistling thorn acacia plants.  The valley gradually gives way to rolling shrubland, with predominantly wooded bushland and riverine vegetation along the streams and dry river beds.

After a brief stopover to stretch our legs, we continue to Maasai Mara via the Loita plains with the Loita Hills in the background. We will arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive in the African wild.

Accommodation at Mara Simba Lodge

Day 6: Masai Mara Game Drives

After breakfast, we proceed for a full day of game drives in the Mara. Look out for lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffalo, zebras, giraffes, several species of birds, and more. The annual migration of millions of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles between July to September is a spectacle not to be missed by any visitor to the Mara.

The wildebeest, who travel in herds for more than 900 kilometers crossing from the Serengeti plains north to the Maasai Mara, encounter their final obstacle at the Mara River.

The Masai Mara is drained majorly by the famous River Mara, and the Mara River crossing is one of the most astonishing and absorbing spectacles, especially with the hungry crocodiles ready to pounce. Return to the camp for relaxation.

Accommodation at Mara Simba Lodge

Day 7: Masai Mara – Serengeti

After an early morning breakfast, check out from your lodge and enjoy a final game drive en route to the Isebania border with packed picnic lunch boxes. Get through border formalities and thereafter.

You’ll be picked up by our Tanzania team and transferred to your Serengeti lodge with game drives en route.  Look out for elephants, giraffes, hippos, warthogs, buffalos, and many more. Check in at your lodge and enjoy dinner and your overnight stay.

Accommodation and Meals at Serengeti Kati Kati Tented Camp

Day 8: Serengeti – Game Drives

Today you will enjoy another full-day game drive in Serengeti National Park. Throughout the day, you will explore the surroundings of a well-known phenomenon; the yearly crossing of the migration.

Depending on the rainfall and your travel dates, you may have the opportunity to witness this spectacle of nature. In this expansive landscape, watered by several rivers, the game is there for viewing in large numbers. Look out for the giraffes, hippos, elands, and elephants.

Accommodation and Meals at Serengeti Kati Kati Camp

Day 9:  Serengeti – Ngorongoro National Park

After breakfast drive to Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area (NCCA) which is one of the largest volcanic craters in the world. This park features rolling plains, lakes, craters, mountains, and dormant volcanoes have a game drive with a picnic lunch.

This will be the best place for you to see the endangered black rhino almost half of what can still be found in East Africa.

 Accommodation and Meals at Ngorongoro Farm House

Day 10:  Ngorongoro – Arusha- Zanzibar

After a relaxed breakfast, check out from the lodge and enjoy a final game drive en route to Arusha. Upon arrival in Arusha, transfer to JRO Airport for your connecting flight to the island of Zanzibar. Arrive in Zanzibar this afternoon and enjoy the amenities at your luxury resort.

Accommodation and Meals at Double Tree Resort by Hilton Hotel Zanzibar – Nungwi

Day 11:  Zanzibar Island Relaxation and Stone Town Tour

Enjoy breakfast, and spend the rest of the day at leisure exploring the beach resort facilities or just lazing on the beach. If you prefer doing other activities, you can arrange with our representative beforehand.

Accommodation and Meals at Double Tree Resort by Hilton Hotel Zanzibar – Nungwi

Day 12: Zanzibar to Airport

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast, take some time to capture your last moments on the white sandy beaches, and enjoy your last shots at the beach and within the hotel environs. Check out from the resort and transfer to the airport for your return international flight.

Included in the 12-day Best of East Africa Tour

Ground transportation in a safari customized 4WD Toyota Landcruiser with gasoline/fuel, Mineral water in the vehicle, services of an English-speaking Driver/guide, Activities, Batwa Trail, Nature walks, Boat cruises,  Game drives, Accommodation, Meals, all Park Entrance Fees, Statutory Taxes where applicable.  

Excluded in 12 day Best of East Africa Tour

International Airfares; Excess baggage charges; East African Visa Entry Visa Fees USD 100 per person,  Gorilla permits in Uganda  USD 700,  Items of personal nature such as Room service, Alcoholic drinks, and Beverages, Laundry, Tips and Gratuities for your Driver/guide and Hotels staff, Shopping charges for Curios and Crafts, International Airport Departure Taxes, Optional activities unless specified as included, Any other services not expressly shown in the itinerary or indicated as included.