Joining East Africa’s famous wildlife experiences in one itinerary has never been easier. This 12 Days Africa Primate Trekking & Lion Viewing Safari begins with gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and ends with unforgettable wildlife encounters in the Savannah plains of Maasai Mara and Serengeti National Park, where you can witness the Great Wildebeest Migration.
The safari also includes an exploration of the Ngorongoro Crater, home to Africa’s Big Five — lion, elephant, rhino, leopard, and buffalo — along with many other wildlife species. Filled with adventure, culture, and beautiful nature, this East African safari is ideal for nature lovers and wildlife photographers.
Safari Highlights
- Trek mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Game drives in Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire
- Witness the Great Wildebeest Migration
- Explore the Ngorongoro Crater, home to Africa’s Big Five
- Visit the Batwa community in Uganda
- Experience beautiful landscapes across East Africa
Brief 12-Day East Africa Safari Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe Airport
- Day 2: Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
- Day 4: Bwindi to Kampala
- Day 5: Fly from Kampala to Nairobi – Transfer to Masai Mara
- Day 6: Full Day Game Drive in Masai Mara
- Day 7: Masai Mara to Serengeti National Park
- Day 8: Full Day Game Drive in Serengeti
- Day 9: Serengeti to Ngorongoro
- Day 10: Full Day Exploration of Ngorongoro Crater
- Day 11: Ngorongoro to Tarangire National Park
- Day 12: Tarangire to Arusha – Departure
Detailed 12-Day East Africa Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe Airport
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, your safari guide will be there to welcome you. Enjoy a short drive through Entebbe town and visit local attractions such as the botanical gardens and shopping areas. Later, transfer to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, begin your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda. The drive takes about 9–10 hours with scenic views of Uganda’s countryside. On arrival, check in at your lodge, enjoy a welcome drink, and receive a briefing about your gorilla trekking adventure scheduled for the next day.
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing at 7:30 a.m. You will be assigned a gorilla family to track and enter the forest with your ranger guide. The trek can take between 2 and 8 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas. Once you find them, you will spend one unforgettable hour watching them feed, play, and interact.
Return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, visit the Batwa community to learn about their culture and traditional forest lifestyle. In the evening, enjoy a campfire and local roasted meat before retiring for the night.
Day 4: Bwindi to Kampala
After breakfast, depart Bwindi and drive back toward Kampala. Enjoy scenic views of western Uganda’s hills and valleys, with a stop at the Equator for photos and a water experiment. Have lunch before continuing to Kampala for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Fly from Kampala to Nairobi – Transfer to Masai Mara
After breakfast, transfer to Entebbe Airport for your one-hour flight to Nairobi, Kenya. Meet your Kenyan safari driver on arrival and begin your journey to Maasai Mara National Reserve. Arrive in the afternoon for lunch and an evening game drive before heading to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Full Day Game Drive in Masai Mara
After breakfast, enjoy a full-day game drive in Maasai Mara with packed lunch. This reserve is famous for its black-maned lions and large populations of wildlife. It is one of the few places where you can easily spot the Big Five during a single game drive.
Look out for cheetahs, hyenas, leopards, elephants, and buffaloes. Bird enthusiasts can also spot over 500 bird species, including eagles, vultures, storks, and the Kori bustard — the world’s heaviest flying bird. Return to your lodge for dinner and rest.
Day 7: Maasai Mara to Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, drive south toward Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. Cross the Isebania border and meet your Tanzanian guide. Continue to your lodge in Serengeti, arriving in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Full Day Game Drive in Serengeti
Spend a full day exploring Serengeti National Park. Depending on the season, you may witness parts of the Great Wildebeest Migration, where thousands of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles move in search of pasture.
Look out for lions, leopards, cheetahs, and other predators. After a rewarding day, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Serengeti to Ngorongoro
After a short morning game drive in Serengeti, depart for Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Enjoy the scenic drive through Tanzania’s countryside. Arrive in the afternoon and check in at your lodge near the crater rim for dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Full Day Exploration of Ngorongoro Crater
After an early breakfast, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s most remarkable wildlife habitats. Spend the day spotting elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeests, and hippos. Stop for a picnic lunch near the hippo pool and continue your drive across the crater floor before heading back to your lodge for dinner.
Day 11: Ngorongoro to Tarangire National Park
Leave Ngorongoro after breakfast and drive to Tarangire National Park, a peaceful and less-crowded park known for its baobab trees and large elephant herds. Enjoy an afternoon game drive along the Tarangire River, which attracts many animals, especially during the dry season. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 12: Tarangire to Arusha – Departure
Spend your final morning enjoying a short game drive in Tarangire National Park. Later, drive to Arusha Airport for your onward flight.
End of 12 Days Africa Primate Trekking & Lion Viewing Safari.
