24 Days East Africa Safari – Ultimate 4-Country Journey

Visit four East Africa’s countries on this 24 Days East Africa Safari, a private journey through Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Wildlife being the major component of this trip from primates which include mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and chimpanzees to the Big Five mammals in the open savannahs of the Maasai Mara and Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and a relaxing time in Zanzibar Island in the Indian Ocean.

Begin in Kigali and explore Volcanoes National Park before crossing into Uganda for Bwindi gorillas, Queen Elizabeth wildlife and Kibale chimpanzees. Overnight in Entebbe before flying to Nairobi. Continue through Lake Nakuru, the Maasai Mara and Serengeti, then visit Ngorongoro and Tarangire before flying to Zanzibar. Flight routes, border arrangements and accommodation will be confirmed in your quotation. Wildlife sightings and migration encounters depend on season and local conditions.

Highlights of the Grand East Africa Safari

• Explore four East African countries on one private safari
• Experience Rwanda’s Virunga Mountains and golden monkeys
• Trek mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Travel through Ishasha in search of tree-climbing lions
• Enjoy game drives and a Kazinga Channel boat safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Track chimpanzees in Kibale National Park.
• Discover the wildlife and community conservation experiences of Bigodi wetland
• Fly into Kenya and Explore Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley
• Spend three nights in the Maasai Mara with two full days for wildlife viewing
• Experience the greater Mara Serengeti ecosystem and the seasonal Great Migration
• Spend three nights in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park
• Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for exceptional wildlife viewing
• Search for elephants among Tarangire’s ancient baobab trees
• Discover the historic streets of Zanzibar’s Stone Town
• Finish with a relaxing Indian Ocean beach experience
• Enjoy private guiding and a carefully coordinated multi-country itinerary.

24 Day East Africa Safari Itinerary at Glance

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, Rwanda

Day 2: Kigali to Volcanoes National Park

Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Day 4: Cross into Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Day 5: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

Day 6: Bwindi to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 7: Queen Elizabeth Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari

Day 8: Queen Elizabeth to Kibale National Park

Day 9: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

Day 10: Kibale to Entebbe

Day 11: Flight from Entebbe to Nairobi, Kenya

Day 12: Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park

Day 13: Lake Nakuru to Maasai Mara National Reserve

Day 14: Full-Day Maasai Mara Wildlife Safari

Day 15: Maasai Mara Game Drives and Optional Maasai Cultural Experience

Day 16: Maasai Mara Kenya/Tanzania Border Crossing into Serengeti

Day 17: Serengeti National Park Game Drives

Day 18: Full-Day Serengeti Wildlife Safari

Day 19: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Day 20: Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive

Day 21: Ngorongoro to Tarangire National Park and Arusha

Day 22: Fly to Zanzibar’s Stone Town Capital City

Day 23: Zanzibar Beach Relaxation

Day 24: Zanzibar International Departure

Detailed 24 Days East Africa Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, Rwanda

Arrive at Kigali International Airport, where Firante Gorilla Treks representative will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. Depending on your flight schedule, go for an optional city tour or simply relax from your international journey.

Day 2: Kigali to Volcanoes National Park

Embark on a guided Kigali city tour, with the opportunity to visit the Genocide Memorial and learn about Rwanda’s history and how it has remarkably recovered from its tragic past. Thereafter, continue north to the Virunga Mountains and stay closer to Kinigi park headquarters for convenient access to the trails.

Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing before and golden monkey trekking experience. Golden monkeys dwell in bamboo forests on the high slopes of the volcanoes between 2,000 – 3,000 meters above sea level. The trek to find them can be relatively moderate and you will be able to view them for 1 hour under the guidance of RDB rangers. Return to your lodge and later in the evening, given that you have time, you may visit a local cultural initiative, the Gorilla Guardians Village. The place offers an immersive, hands-on experience into traditional Rwandan culture led by former poachers who have turned to conservation of gorillas.

Day 4: Volcanoes National Park to Bwindi, Uganda

From Rwanda to Uganda, you will go through the immigration formalities at the border town of Cyanika and cross into southwestern. The exact trekking sector and accommodation in Bwindi impenetrable national park will be coordinated once the gorilla permit is confirmed. A UNESCO world heritage site, Bwindi, with almost half of the world’s gorilla population, offers the second and major primate experience of this grand East Africa safari.

Day 5: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers will accompany you into the forest in search of a habituated gorilla family. The trek is led by experienced ranger guides. Locating the gorillas can be challenging due to the nature of terrain and take 2 to 6 hours depending on the gorillas’ movements. Once located, spend up to one hour observing the family as they feed rest, groom and interact in their natural habitat. Return to the lodge after the trek and enjoy a relaxed afternoon reflecting on this encounter.

Day 6: Bwindi to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Following the route from Bwindi, you will go through the Ishasha wilderness area, the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth to the northern Kasenyi Plains. Ishasha is famous for its tree-climbing lions. The cats tend to climb large fig trees resting in branches from where they can clearly watch for prey on ground. Ishasha also has resident animals such as elephants, buffaloes, topi, and bushbucks. Kasenyi plains in the north is a landscape of opens grasslands, wetlands, forests and crater lakes and the Kazinga channel, which connects Lake George and Lake Edward is the park’s lifeline. Arrive at the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Queen Elizabeth Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Safari

A morning game drive across savannah plains will be complimented by an afternoon boat safari along the channel. Together, these activities can deliver excellent wildlife viewing experience Uganda has to offer. Search for lions, leopards, elephants, Cape buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and numerous water birds along the shores. Return to your lodge after the cruise for your second night in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park to Kibale

Located 2-hour drive north of Queen Elizabeth NP, Kibale National Park offers the third and most exciting primate experience. Chimpanzee trekking and a nature walk in the nearby Bigodi wetland can reward you with sightings of up to 8 primate species and many birds. The area also contains spectacular volcanic crater fields and tea plantations, making for a must-visit gem for a keen photographer. You may stay at a lodge located on the edge of a crater lake giving you tranquil nights.

Day 9: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

Kibale offers two unique chimpanzee experiences, which include regular chimp trekking with morning and afternoon sessions that allows 1 hour to spend with a habituated community. Chimp habituation experience offers more time with wild chimps that are undergoing research. Chimps are very active animals and they move long distances on the ground. They also spend more of their time of the day in trees to feed on fruits and leaves, escape predators, and build sleeping nests every single night.

As such, the chimp experience that you choose will determine where you might see them. Also not miss when in Kibale is a guided walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, where the forest-edge and wetland habitats provide opportunities to see monkeys, birds and also interact with local community, learning about their ways of living. Bigodi swamp is managed by local organization; you can pass by their offices to support their work either through donation or purchase of handicrafts.

Day 10: Kibale to Entebbe

After breakfast, leave Kibale and travel to Entebbe. This is a road-transfer day, with breaks along the way. Check into your hotel and rest before the following day’s flight to Kenya.

Day 11: Flight from Entebbe to Nairobi, Kenya

Transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your flight to Nairobi. Meet your Kenyan safari representative on arrival and transfer to your hotel. Flight schedules, airports and baggage allowances will be confirmed before booking.

Day 12: Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park

After breakfast, leave Nairobi and travel into Kenya’s Great Rift Valley visiting Lake Nakuru National Park overnight. This protected area has a rhino sanctuary and provides opportunities to encounter black and white rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, buffaloes, waterbucks and other wildlife. Birdlife varies with lake conditions and season, with July to September and January to February, offering flamingo viewing when lower water levels and concentrated blue-green algae draw large flocks to the shoreline.

Day 13: Lake Nakuru to Maasai Mara National Reserve

Maasai Mara is famous for its predators, large herbivores and the annual great wildebeest migration. Getting there from Nakuru is about 4-hour drive and by the time you arrive at your safari camp or lodge, it will be afternoon. Depending on the wildlife you intend to see or activities to do, there’s need to choose between staying in the main reserve or in the adjacent conservancies.

Day 14: Full Day Wildlife Safari in the Maasai Mara

Spend the day exploring the Maasai Mara with your experienced safari guide. Search for lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest and other animals across the tracks. Depending on the season and wildlife movements, your guide may explore areas associated with the Great Migration and Mara River crossings.

Day 15: Maasai Mara Game Drives and Optional Maasai Cultural Experience

Enjoy another full day of wildlife viewing in the Maasai Mara. An optional, responsibly arranged Maasai community visit can be requested for an insight into local culture and pastoral traditions. Return to your safari accommodation for your third night in the Mara.

Day 16: Maasai Mara to Serengeti via the Kenya–Tanzania Border

Depart early for a long transfer through the Isebania / Sirari border into Tanzania. Complete immigration formalities and meet your Tanzanian guide and vehicle before continuing to your Serengeti accommodation. No separate cultural visit is scheduled on this transfer day. A coordinated regional air transfer can be quoted as an alternative, subject to availability.

Day 17: Serengeti National Park Wildlife Safari

Wake up in the Serengeti and begin exploring one of Africa’s best wildlife ecosystems. The park supports an extraordinary variety of animals, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras and wildebeest. Your guide will plan the day’s game drives around the location of your accommodation, wildlife activity and seasonal conditions. An optional hot-air balloon safari may be arranged where available, providing a remarkable aerial perspective of the plains.

Serengeti is divided into several sectors including Central, Southern, Northern and Western, each with its own unique wildlife sightings and atmosphere.

Depending on season, the southern plains in Jan to March host wildebeest calving. The central valley offers year-round game viewing with resident wildlife and spectacular rock kopjes. The western is relatively secluded and private. The northern is where the Mara river crossings happen between July to October.

Day 18: Serengeti National Park

Spend another day in the park and this time round, the activities can be adapted to the areas most relevant to the Great Migration, or other important sightings.

Day 19: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

After breakfast, enjoy a final wildlife drive as you leave the Serengeti and travel towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Along the way, depending on your selected route, there may be an opportunity to visit Olduvai Gorge or enjoy viewpoints overlooking the valley. Continue to your lodge specifically located on the crater rim, which lets you be among the first vehicles down into the main crater the following morning.

Day 20: Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive

Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive through grasslands, wetlands and woodland. Look for lions, buffaloes, elephants, rhinos, antelope and birdlife; sightings cannot be guaranteed. Enjoy a picnic lunch at a designated area and return to your accommodation after the drive.

Day 21: Ngorongoro to Tarangire National Park and Arusha

Travel towards Tarangire National Park for game viewing among baobab trees and the Tarangire River landscape. Look for elephants, giraffes, zebras and other wildlife before continuing to Arusha for the night. Departure time and time available in the park depend on your lodge location and road conditions.

Day 22: Fly to Zanzibar and Explore Stone Town

Transfer from your Arusha hotel to the confirmed departure airport for your flight to Zanzibar. Meet your island representative and transfer to your accommodation. A Stone Town visit can be arranged according to the flight arrival time and your preferred beach or city accommodation.

Day 23: Zanzibar Islands

Spend the day on your chosen beach resort or stay in Stone Town according to the arrangements. Enjoy a relaxing day beside the Indian Ocean after your extensive journey through East Africa. Spend the day at your beach resort, swimming or walking along the beach. Optional experiences include a spice farm visit, snorkeling, a dhow boat cruise or additional exploration of Zanzibar’s Stone Town.

Day 24: Zanzibar International Departure

Enjoy breakfast and some final time at leisure, depending on your flight schedule. Our representative will transfer you to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport for your onward international flight. Your 24 Days Grand East Africa Safari through Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, combining mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, the Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Zanzibar comes to an end.

What to Expect on this 24 Days East Africa Safari

The 24 Days East Africa Safari combines rainforest trekking, savannah wildlife viewing, scenic overland journeys, regional flights and coastal relaxation. Travelling through four countries offers an opportunity to experience East Africa’s remarkable natural diversity, from Rwanda’s Virunga Mountains to the beaches of Zanzibar.

Three Distinctive Primate Encounters

The first section of this 24 Days East Africa safari focuses on East Africa’s primates. In Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, you will trek through bamboo forests in search of golden monkeys. Crossing into Uganda, you will experience mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and continuing to Kibale for chimpanzee tracking.

Each encounter differs in habitat, animal behaviour and physical demands. Gorilla trekking can be particularly challenging due to the nature of terrain. Chimpanzees and golden monkeys are active animals that may move through the forest during tracking.

Wildlife Viewing in East Africa’s Famous National Parks

The safari includes some of the region’s most celebrated wildlife destinations including Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Nakuru, Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire.

These protected areas offer opportunities to observe lions, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelopes and numerous other species. Leopards, cheetahs and rhinoceroses may also be encountered in suitable habitats with sightings dependant on nature.

The Maasai Mara and Serengeti form part of the greater Mara–Serengeti ecosystem, where the annual movements of wildebeest and zebras create one of Africa’s most remarkable wildlife spectacles. The location of migrating herds varies throughout the year.

A Combination of Road Safaris and Flights

This is an extensive multi-country itinerary involving several long road transfers, national park drives, international border crossings and regional flights.

The journey begins with overland travel through Rwanda and Uganda before a flight connects Entebbe with Nairobi. Kenya and Tanzania are explored by safari vehicle, with a further flight arranged from the Arusha region to Zanzibar.

The Kenya–Tanzania transfer requires particular planning given that the journey from the Maasai Mara to the Serengeti can be long. Your final arrangements will depend on the selected accommodation, border crossing procedures and available transport connections.

Private Guiding and Accommodation

Firante Gorilla Treks will coordinate private guiding and transport arrangements across the four countries, working with the relevant local safari teams.

Accommodation can be tailored to your preferred comfort level, from comfortable midrange lodges to luxury safari camps and beach resorts. The final quotation will identify the selected properties, meal plans, internal flights, permits and included activities.

A Relaxing Zanzibar Conclusion

After the extensive wildlife journey, Zanzibar introduces a different side of East Africa. Explore the historic streets of Stone Town, enjoy the island’s coastal atmosphere or relax at your selected Indian Ocean beach resort.

Optional activities may include spice tours, snorkelling and dhow excursions, depending on your interests and available time.

Who Is This Safari Best For?

This 24-day grand East Africa journey is suitable for travellers who want to explore several of the region’s major destinations within one holiday. It particularly appeals to wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, primate lovers, couples and experienced international travellers seeking an extended safari.

Travellers should be comfortable with frequent changes of location, several long driving days and some physically demanding forest activities.

Those seeking a slower-paced journey may wish to extend their stay in selected destinations, particularly the Serengeti or Zanzibar.

Best Time for a 24 Days East Africa Safari

The 24 Days East Africa Safari can be arranged throughout the year. However, June to September and January to February generally offer favourable conditions for combining primate trekking, wildlife viewing and a Zanzibar beach holiday.

Given that this journey crosses Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, seasonal conditions vary between destinations. The best travel period depends on whether your priority is mountain gorillas, the Great Migration, big cats, wildlife photography or comfortable weather.

June to September – Popular Wildlife and Primate Safari Season

June to September is one of the most popular periods for an East Africa safari. Generally drier conditions can make gorilla trekking in Bwindi, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale and golden monkey trekking in Rwanda more manageable.

Wildlife viewing in Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti can be particularly rewarding during this period. Migrating wildebeest herds may move through the northern Serengeti and Maasai Mara, although the timing of river crossings is unpredictable.

These are also busy safari months, making advance reservations especially important for gorilla permits, popular safari camps and regional flights.

January to February – Excellent Wildlife Viewing and Serengeti Calving

January and February are another attractive period for this four-country safari. Conditions are often relatively dry in parts of Rwanda and Uganda, while Tanzania’s southern Serengeti and Ndutu region are associated with the wildebeest calving season.

The presence of large herds and newborn calves can attract predators, creating rewarding wildlife-viewing opportunities.

Travellers interested in the calving season should discuss their dates and preferred Serengeti accommodation location before booking, as the itinerary may need to be adjusted to reach the most relevant wildlife areas.

March to May – Green Landscapes and Quieter Travel

March to May generally brings wetter conditions to many destinations on this itinerary. Rwanda and Uganda’s forests become particularly lush, although trekking trails may be muddy and slippery.

Wildlife viewing remains possible in Kenya and Tanzania, but rainfall can affect some roads and game-drive conditions. Travellers willing to accept variable weather may find quieter parks and seasonal accommodation offers.

October to December – Changing Wildlife Conditions

October and November are transitional months in several East African safari destinations, with rainfall patterns varying between regions. December can bring improving conditions for travel in parts of Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania.

The Great Migration continues throughout the year, but the location of the herds changes with seasonal rainfall and grazing conditions.

Which Season Should You Choose?

For travellers seeking a balanced combination of gorilla trekking, chimpanzees, savannah wildlife and Zanzibar, June to September is generally an excellent choice.

January to February is particularly attractive for travellers interested in Tanzania’s wildebeest calving season.

Firante Gorilla Treks can help plan your journey around your preferred wildlife experiences, taking into account gorilla permit availability, migration patterns, regional flight connections and accommodation preferences.

Travel Requirements for four East African countries

The 24 Days Grand East Africa Safari takes you through Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, concluding on the Indian Ocean island of Zanzibar. As this journey involves multiple international borders, travellers should prepare the necessary passports, visas, health documentation and travel insurance before departure.

Entry requirements vary according to nationality, travel history and the countries visited. Firante Gorilla Treks will help coordinate the itinerary and provide the travel information needed for planning, although travellers remain responsible for obtaining the required entry documents.

Passport Requirements

International travellers should have a valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity from the relevant entry dates. It is advisable to have several blank passport pages available for immigration stamps and other entry formalities.

Travellers should also carry copies of their flight confirmations, accommodation arrangements, safari itinerary and onward travel documents.

Visa and Entry Requirements

Rwanda: Your journey begins at Kigali International Airport. Rwanda offers visa-on-arrival facilities to citizens of all countries, although visa fees and exemptions vary by nationality.

Uganda: After visiting Volcanoes National Park, you will cross into Uganda for gorilla trekking in Bwindi. Travellers requiring a Ugandan visa should obtain the appropriate electronic visa approval before arrival.

Kenya: Following the Uganda safari, you will fly from Entebbe to Nairobi. Many international visitors require an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before travelling to Kenya, although nationality-based and other exemptions apply.

Tanzania: Your journey continues from Kenya into Tanzania through the Isebania–Sirari border crossing. Travellers should check whether they require a Tanzanian visa and arrange the appropriate entry permission before travel.

The East Africa Tourist Visa may be suitable for eligible travellers visiting Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya. However, it does not cover Tanzania, and its conditions must be checked against the actual route and nationality.

For official reference, use Rwanda Immigration, Uganda Immigration, Kenya eTA and Tanzania eVisa.

Border Crossings and Regional Flights

This itinerary involves two international road border crossings and regional flights between East African destinations.

The Rwanda-Uganda crossing is planned through Cyanika, subject to the confirmed Bwindi trekking sector and accommodation. The Kenya-Tanzania crossing is planned through Isebania-Sirari, where immigration formalities and a change of safari vehicle or guide may be required.

Flights between Entebbe and Nairobi, and from the Arusha region to Zanzibar, will be confirmed according to available schedules. Travellers should pay attention to baggage allowances, particularly when smaller regional aircraft are used.

Yellow Fever Vaccination and Health Precautions

Yellow fever vaccination is an important consideration when travelling across East Africa. Certificate requirements differ between countries and may depend on previous destinations, transit arrangements and current immigration regulations.

Uganda’s yellow fever entry rule changed on 2 October 2026. Uganda’s immigration authority announced that a yellow fever vaccination certificate is no longer mandatory for entry.

Travellers should verify the latest requirements for their complete journey, particularly when entering Kenya and Tanzania after visiting Uganda.

Malaria prevention is also recommended for consideration, as several destinations on this itinerary are located in malaria-risk areas. Consult a qualified travel-health professional about appropriate preventive medication and recommended vaccinations.

Visitors should ensure routine immunisations are up to date and carry sufficient supplies of any prescribed medication.

Travel Insurance Requirements

Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended for this extended safari, particularly coverage for emergency medical treatment, evacuation, trip interruption and activities such as gorilla trekking.

Tanzania also has a mandatory inbound travel insurance scheme for applicable foreign visitors. Given that this itinerary enters mainland Tanzania before continuing to Zanzibar, travellers should confirm the relevant policy and any exemptions before departure.

Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Permits

Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi and chimpanzee tracking in Kibale require permits issued through the relevant Ugandan wildlife authorities.

These permits are limited and subject to availability. Firante Gorilla Treks will coordinate the required permits as part of the confirmed safari arrangements.

Gorilla trekking participants must generally be at least 15 years old, while the minimum age for standard chimpanzee tracking in Kibale is generally 12 years.

Visitors experiencing potentially contagious illnesses may be restricted from primate trekking to protect the animals.

Preparing for Your East Africa Safari

We recommend reviewing all entry and health requirements well before your departure date. Where possible, arrange a travel-health consultation four to six weeks before travel.

Firante Gorilla Treks will provide guidance on the planned route, border crossings, accommodation and included activities to help you prepare for your journey through four East African countries.

Quotation and booking details

Request a personalised quotation based on your dates, group size and accommodation preference. Your written quotation will confirm the lodges, meal plan, trekking permits, transport, included activities, optional extras and exclusions before booking. No fixed package price is currently advertised.

Trekking duration, wildlife sightings and travel times vary. Final arrangements depend on permit availability, lodge location and local conditions. Where a long transfer or trek falls on your departure day, an additional overnight stay before flying is recommended.

Request a personanalized East Africa Safari quotation

Planning advice: Gorilla trekking · Chimpanzee experiences · Safari destinations