24 days East Africa Road trip: Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania

Explore East Africa’s breathtaking landscapes and rich cultures on this 24-day East Africa safari. This East Africa Road trip encompassing Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania can offer a diverse experience, from gorilla trekking to wildlife viewing, and cultural exploration.From Burundi’s Boat cruise on lake Tanganyika to golden monkey tracking in Rwanda, gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest, Kenya an Tanzania’s wildlife sanctuaries, experience the best of Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania in one unforgettable journey and cross international borders with ease. You can explore national parks like Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Murchison falls National Park in Uganda, Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, and Amboseli, Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.

Day 1: Bujumbura

Start your journey in the bustling capital of Bujumbura, Burundi. Explore
a little-known and intriguing African capital. Learn about pre- and post-
colonial history, and some of the challenges Burundi has faced. The city
tour includes the outskirts of Bujumbura, and this will offer a glimpse of
daily life. Visits include the Cathedral of Regina Mundi, and we pass the
monument of the unknown soldier, the mausoleum of Prince Louis
Rwagasore and Unity Monument. Overnight at Club du Lac Tanganyika

Day 2: Transfer to Gitega for Gishora Drum Sanctuary

Transfer to Gitega and on arrival you’ll go to visit the country’s largest city, visit the National Museum and political administration. Visit the world-famous Gitega Drummers whose performance on the royal field of Gishora is a sight not to be missed. Overnight at Tripotel Hotel

Day 3: Lake Tanganyika, Burundi

Spend the morning on a boat tour of Lake Tanganyika, the world’s second-deepest freshwater lake. In the evening, engage in a community visit, such as visiting a school or orphanage, before preparing for departure.

Day 4: Transfer to Kigali

Today we travel to Kigali from Bujumbura with cross border via Rusizi border reaching in the evening and have a brief look at Kigali and the Genocide Museum, opened in 2004 to mark the tenth anniversary of the Rwandan genocide. While the genocide occurred as a result of a complex series of factors, it can only be seen as an absolute tragedy to Rwanda and its people.

Day 5: Volcanoes National Park and Lake Kivu

Track the golden monkeys of the Virunga Mountains during a 3-5 hour trek. Afterward, drive 2 hours to Lake Kivu in Gisenyi. Enjoy an afternoon boat tour of the lake, with an optional visit to Goma City

Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi forest National Park

Embark on 6-7 hour journey to Bwindi impenetrable forest with border crossing at Chanika Have lunch in Kisoro town and proceed to this dense forest where half of mountain gorillas are found in the world

Day 7: Gorilla Trekking and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Embark on a gorilla trekking adventure in the dense Bwindi Forest, observing these mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Later, transfer 2 hours to Lake Bunyonyi and enjoy an evening hike to view the sunset and the scattered islands of the lake.

Day 8: Lake Mburo National Park

After an early breakfast, you will leave Lake Bunyonyi and drive to Lake Mburo National Park via Kabale Town. You will be welcomed into the park by various herds of zebra, buffalo, Eland, and antelope as they graze in the savannah grass. You will arrive in the afternoon, have lunch, go for an afternoon game drive where you will be assured of spotting Zebras, Buffalos, Impalas, Warthogs, and Waterbucks among others. Also, when it comes to the birds, you will view the malachite kingfishers, African Fish eagles, blue-headed weavers, Rufuos-tailed starlings, Herons, pelicans, the rare shoebill as well as the cormorants.

Day 9: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise

Set out for the game drive through the park where your eyes will be fed with amazing sights and wildlife such as impalas, kobs, antelopes, also bird species. Lake Mburo has a variety of antelopes including topi, duiker, Oribis, reedbuck and klipspringer and Rothschild giraffe have recently been reintroduced. After lunch, you will go for boat cruise along the lake. Still a lot of animals will be seen like crocodiles, hippos among others and then after the boat cruise you will head back to the lodge. The boat cruise can be done at the dawn or dusk depending on your safari itinerary and normally it takes around 2 hours. The lake is also famous for its bird life, majestic fish eagles, and colorful kingfishers. If you are lucky, you might even catch a glimpse with the rare shoebill storks. Accommodation: Kimbla -Mantana

Day 10: Transfer to Murchison falls national park

Enjoy scenic drive to Murchison falls where you will hike to the top of the falls which will give you beautiful views of these waterfalls. You will gaze at the Nile River which is the longest river in the world, it’s forced through a small gap which is just 7m wide and it flows 43 meters down making it look very beautiful to the viewers. Accommodation: Bamboo village safari lodge

Day 11: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise

Enjoy morning game drive in search for the wildlife species. You will get a chance to view many species including; the giraffes, lions, elephants, buffaloes, birds and many more. After lunch, go for boat cruise which will allow you get close to the water animals which include over 4000 hippos as well as the Nile crocodiles. The Nile has got many stunning bird lives which is also enjoyed while taking your boat trip; these include the bee eaters, colored king fishers, shoebill stork, grey throated and the yellow billed birds. Accommodation: Bamboo village safari lodge

Day 12: Rhino tracking and transfer to Jinja

After breakfast, you with checkout of the lodge and drive to Zziwa rhino sanctuary. Upon arrival, you will track you these black and white Rhinos. This sanctuary was established mainly to protect these rhinos from danger and poachers. After rhino tracking you will have lunch and drive to Jinja. Accommodation: Adrift river club

Day 13: Jinja

Start the day with a 1-2 hour boat cruise to the Source of the Nile, where Lake Victoria flows into the river. Afterward, embark on a 7-8 hour drive to Nakuru National Park crossing border at Busia, This park is known for its diverse wildlife.

Day 14: Lake Nakuru National Par

After a 3-4 hour drive, arrive at Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for its soda lake and vibrant birdlife, including flamingos and pelicans. Enjoy a 2-3 hour afternoon game drive through the park, spotting rhinos, buffaloes, and more. Visit the scenic soda lake to observe the abundant birdlife.

Day 15:Lake Nakuru – Massai Mara

After breakfast depart for the world’s famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve. Enjoy a leisurely drive arriving at the lodge in time for lunch and spend the early afternoon at leisure. Immerse yourself in the culture of the Masai people with a visit to a Masai village. Experience their traditional lifestyle, dances, and crafts firsthand.

Day 16: Masai Mara National Reserve

Spend the day exploring the vast savannahs of Masai Mara Game Reserve during a full-day game drive. Witness the Big Five, other iconic wildlife, and the famous Mara River, known for the spectacular wildebeest migration. Exit the park by 6:00 PM and drive to Narok for an overnight stay.

Day 17: Transfer to Serengeti National Park

This morning we enter the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a beautiful rolling landscape with periodic views over the Ngorongoro Crater. Before descending onto the Serengeti Plain, we’ll stop at a viewpoint overlooking the crater. This is a land of superlatives, both in the vast landscape that surrounds you and the incredible biodiversity it supports. It is here that you have a chance to witness one of the most compelling natural dramas on earth the annual migration, a sight unparalleled anywhere in the natural world. Our afternoon game drive provides an excellent introduction to this fantastic landscape and the biodiversity it supports.

Day 18: Serengeti National Park

Day 19: Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Crater

Rise early for a morning game drive in Serengeti National Park. After lunch depart for Ngorongoro Crater Rim, with a stop at Olduvai Gorge, site of the Leakey excavations in the 1960s and 70s that established this region as the prehistoric habitat of some of the earliest species of hominids with some finds dating back 1.8 million years. Called the ‘eighth wonder of the world’ and stretching across some 8300sq km, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area boasts a blend of landscapes, wildlife, people and archaeology that is unsurpassed in Africa. Ngorongoro Crater is one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles and its magical setting and abundant wildlife never fail to enthral visitors.

Day 20: Ngorongoro Crater

Enjoy a half-day tour in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. we descend into the crater far below for a game drive in this incredible setting. We explore the Ngorongoro Crater where we may see the “Big Five” as well as many herbivores like wildebeest, gazelle, zebra and hippopotamus, as well as thousands of flamingos on Lake Magadi.

Day 21: Transfer to L.ake Manyara

Transfer to Lake Manyara is the smallest of the northern parks in Tanzania, hosting a wide variety of vegetation, ranging from savannah to ground water forest to riparian habitats. The park is host to thousands of pelicans, ibis and flamingo that can be heard from afar. Other common visitors to this beautiful lake are hippos and the majestic African fish eagle, which can be seen swooping down from its perch to snatch a fish from the still waters of the lake. Have afternoon game drive in the park, located at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment and comprising of forest, woodland, grasslands, and swamps. Expect to see animals such as buffalo, elephant, giraffe, impala, hippo and a great variety of smaller animals also inhabit the park.

Day 22: Transfer to Amboseli National Park

Transfer to Amboseli, and enjoy an afternoon game drive, The Amboseli National Park is also famous for its large herds of elephants. Here they cover themselves in red dust, giving them an even more imposing appearance. On this afternoon’s game drive we hope to view animals grazing on the open plain with Mt Kilimanjaro providing the classic backdrop.

Day 23: Full day Amboseli National Park

Full-day game drive in Amboseli, focusing on wildlife sightings with Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop and huge population of elephants with impressive tusks. On the game drive you will enjoy sights of animals like lions, buffaloes, zebras, elephants, hartebeests, elands, antelopes and many bird species. In the afternoon you will go for another game drive visiting other parts of the park you have not visited. In the evening you will return to your lodge, have dinner and overnight stay.

Day 24: Arusha

Discover vibrant art, crafts, and souvenirs, and visit an art gallery to prepare for your flight schedule, you will be driven to Arusha international airport for your flight back home.