18-Day Gorillas to the Mara Safari (Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania)
Destinations: Rwanda (Volcanoes), Uganda (Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth), Kenya (Maasai Mara), Tanzania (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Eyasi)
DAY-BY-DAY BREAKDOWN
Day 1: Arrival Kigali, Rwanda
- Morning/Afternoon: Arrival Kigali International Airport.
- Afternoon: Kigali city tour (Genocide Memorial, craft market).
- Evening: Transfer to hotel, welcome dinner.
- Meals: Dinner
- Accommodation: Kigali hotel
Day 2: Transfer to Volcanoes NP
- Morning (8:30 AM): Breakfast, check out.
- Late Morning: Drive to Volcanoes NP (2.5 hours).
- Afternoon: Check into lodge, lunch.
- Afternoon: Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village visit (2-3 hours).
- Evening: Trek briefing, dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Volcanoes NP lodge
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking (Rwanda)
- Early Morning: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes NP (2-4 hours).
- Afternoon: Rest, optional golden monkey trek.
- Evening: Celebration dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Same Volcanoes lodge
Day 4: Cross to Uganda & Transfer to Bwindi
- Morning (7:00 AM): Breakfast, check out.
- Late Morning: Drive to Cyanika border (1 hour), cross into Uganda.
- Afternoon: Continue to Bwindi (2-3 hours).
- Late Afternoon: Check into Bwindi lodge.
- Evening: Trek briefing, dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch en route, Dinner
- Accommodation: Bwindi lodge
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking (Uganda)
- Early Morning: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi (2-6 hours).
- Afternoon: Rest, spa treatments.
- Evening: Celebration dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Same Bwindi lodge
Day 6: Bwindi to Queen Elizabeth NP
- Morning (7:00 AM): Breakfast, check out.
- Late Morning: Drive to Queen Elizabeth NP via Ishasha (4-5 hours).
- En Route: Game drive in Ishasha for tree-climbing lions.
- Afternoon: Check into Queen Elizabeth lodge.
- Evening: Dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Queen Elizabeth lodge
Day 7: Queen Elizabeth NP
- Early Morning (6:30 AM): Game drive (3-4 hours).
- Afternoon (3:30 PM): Kazinga Channel boat cruise (2 hours).
- Evening: Dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Same Queen Elizabeth lodge
Day 8: Fly to Nairobi, Kenya
- Morning (7:00 AM): Breakfast, check out.
- Late Morning: Transfer to Kasese airstrip (1 hour).
- Afternoon: Flight to Nairobi Wilson Airport (2 hours via Entebbe).
- Late Afternoon: Transfer to Nairobi hotel.
- Evening: Dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Nairobi hotel
Day 9: Fly to Maasai Mara
- Morning (8:00 AM): Breakfast, check out.
- Late Morning: Transfer to Wilson Airport, flight to Maasai Mara (1 hour).
- Afternoon: Arrive, check into camp, afternoon game drive.
- Evening: Dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Maasai Mara camp
Day 10: Full Day in Maasai Mara
- Early Morning: Game drive.
- Afternoon: Game drive.
- Optional: Hot air balloon safari ($450).
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Same Mara camp
Day 11: Fly to Serengeti, Tanzania
- Morning (8:00 AM): Breakfast, check out.
- Late Morning: Fly from Mara to Serengeti (2 hours via Migori border).
- Afternoon: Arrive Serengeti, game drive to camp.
- Evening: Dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Serengeti camp
Day 12-13: Two Full Days in Serengeti
- Each Day: Morning and afternoon game drives based on migration location.
- Optional: Balloon safari ($500).
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner each day
- Accommodation: Same Serengeti camp
Day 14: Ngorongoro Crater
- Morning: Drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area (3 hours).
- Afternoon: Descend into Crater for game drive.
- Evening: Overnight on crater rim.
- Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Ngorongoro Crater rim lodge
Day 15: Lake Eyasi – Hadzabe Bushmen
- Morning (6:00 AM): Early breakfast.
- Morning: Drive to Lake Eyasi (3 hours).
- Late Morning: Half-day with Hadzabe hunter-gatherers:
- Join morning hunt with bows and arrows
- Learn tracking skills
- Experience ancient lifestyle
- Afternoon: Return to Karatu area.
- Evening: Dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Karatu area lodge
Day 16: Lake Manyara & Transfer to Arusha
- Morning (8:00 AM): Breakfast, check out.
- Late Morning: Drive to Lake Manyara NP (1 hour).
- Afternoon: Game drive in Lake Manyara.
- Late Afternoon: Drive to Arusha (2 hours).
- Evening: Farewell dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Arusha hotel
Day 17: Buffer Day / Departure Preparation
- Morning: Relax, shopping.
- Afternoon: Spa treatments, final preparations.
- Evening: Farewell dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Same Arusha hotel
Day 18: Departure
- Morning: Breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for departure.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Accommodation: None (departure)
INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
| Inclusions | Exclusions |
|---|---|
| All airport transfers | International airfare |
| All internal flights (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania) | Visas: EATV ($100 Kenya/Uganda/Rwanda) + Tanzania ($50) |
| Private 4×4 vehicles with expert guides | Travel insurance |
| Accommodation (17 nights all-inclusive) | Personal expenses |
| All meals and premium drinks (luxury camps) | Tips for guides, camp staff ($30-50/day total) |
| Gorilla permits: Rwanda ($1,500) + Uganda ($800) | Hot air balloon safaris |
| All park and conservancy fees | Spa treatments |
| Kazinga Channel boat cruise | Premium champagne |
| Hadzabe cultural experience | |
| Laundry service (at most luxury camps) | |
| All applicable government taxes |
BEST TIME TO VISIT
| Season | Months | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak | July – October | Mara crossings, dry everywhere, excellent trekking | Crowded, premium rates |
| Excellent | January – March | Calving in Serengeti, good trekking, green | Hot in Kenya |
| Good | June | Good wildlife, lower rates | Mara crossings not yet started |
| Fair | November – December | Green landscapes, fewer tourists | Short rains |
| Avoid | April – May | Heavy rains, some camps closed | Limited activities |
WHAT TO PACK
| Category | Essential Items |
|---|---|
| Clothing | Neutral colors, long pants (6+), long-sleeved shirts (6+), shorts (3), t-shirts (4), fleece/warm jacket (essential), lightweight waterproof jacket, wide-brimmed hat, swimwear |
| Footwear | Waterproof hiking boots (gorilla trekking, broken in), comfortable walking shoes, sandals |
| Gear | Binoculars, camera with 200-400mm lens, extra batteries, memory cards, power bank, headlamp |
| Health | DEET repellent, high-SPF sunscreen, lip balm, personal medications, anti-malarial, blister care |
| Documents | Passport, visas, Yellow Fever certificate, travel insurance, flight confirmations, cash (USD) |
| Luggage | Soft-sided duffel bags only (15kg limit for flights) |
RECOMMENDED LODGES & CAMPS
| Category | Price Range (per person) | Lodges/Camps |
|---|---|---|
| Ultra-Luxury | $25,000 – $35,000 | Singita (Rwanda), Clouds (Uganda), Angama Mara (Kenya), &Beyond (Tanzania) |
| Premium Luxury | $20,000 – $25,000 | Bisate (Rwanda), Sanctuary (Uganda), Mara Serena (Kenya), Four Seasons (Tanzania) |
| High-End | $15,000 – $20,000 | Mix of luxury and mid-range in different countries |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Is this itinerary realistic?
A: For experienced travelers with 18+ days and budget for flights, yes. Requires expert planning and reliable connections.
Q: What’s the fitness level required?
A: Moderate to high—two gorilla treks plus long travel days. You’ll need stamina for trekking after 14 days of safari.
Q: What’s the Hadzabe experience?
A: Authentic interaction with one of Africa’s last hunter-gatherer tribes—participate in morning hunts, learn tracking, and experience ancient traditions .
Q: Do I need visas for all countries?
A: East Africa Tourist Visa ($100) covers Rwanda/Uganda/Kenya. Tanzania requires separate visa ($50).
Q: What’s the luggage situation with multiple flights?
A: Strict 15kg soft-sided bags. Pack light, do laundry at lodges.