12 Days Kenya Whispers of the Wild

Land at Entebbe International Airport and transfer to your lodge along the shores of Lake Victoria. In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing walk through the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, where you’ll spot colobus monkeys, colorful birds, and giant fig trees. As the sun sets, take a peaceful sunset cruise on Lake Victoria, soaking in the calm atmosphere and soft equatorial light.
Accommodation: Mabamba Lodge or Lake Victoria View Guesthouse (midrange).

After breakfast, drive north to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and go on a guided walking trek to see rhinos up close in their natural habitat. Continue to Murchison Falls National Park, stopping at the top of the falls to witness the mighty Nile River explode through a 7-meter gorge.
Overnight: Pakuba Safari Lodge – midrange, near the river with excellent wildlife sightings.

Start with an early morning game drive on the northern bank in search of lions, giraffes, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, and antelopes. After lunch, take a boat safari up the Nile to the base of the falls, spotting hippos, crocodiles, and birds along the way.
Optional hike to the top of the falls for stunning panoramic views.

Drive south through verdant countryside, tea plantations, and crater lakes to reach Kibale Forest National Park. Arrive in the afternoon and check into your forest lodge.
Overnight: Isunga Lodge or Chimpanzee Forest Guest House – great forest views, warm hospitality.

Join expert guides for a chimpanzee trek in Kibale Forest. Hear their calls before seeing them swing through the canopy and feed on fruit. In the afternoon, explore the Bigodi Wetlands, a community-run eco-project rich in birds, monkeys, butterflies, and local culture.

Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, stopping at the equator for photos. In the afternoon, embark on a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel, famed for its massive pods of hippos, elephants, and diverse birdlife.
Overnight: Buffalo Safari Lodge or Enganzi Lodge – comfortable midrange options with great views.

Fly or transfer to Kigali, Rwanda’s clean and modern capital. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, the Presidential Palace Museum, and explore local markets and art galleries.
Overnight: Heaven Boutique Hotel – charming and midrange.

Drive to Akagera, a unique savannah park in Rwanda. Afternoon game drive searching for the Big Five, followed by a relaxing sunset boat ride on Lake Ihema, surrounded by hippos and crocodiles.
Overnight: Akagera Game Lodge – midrange, inside the park with panoramic views

Travel south to Nyungwe National Park, home to ancient montane rainforest. En route, stop at tea plantations and small villages. Arrive and rest at your lodge.
Overnight: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel – cozy and midrange with views over the forest.

Early morning chimpanzee tracking in the lush forest. After lunch, venture onto the Nyungwe Canopy Walk, a thrilling suspension bridge 70m above ground, offering views of ancient trees and monkeys.

Visit a local community or cultural village for a hands-on experience of Rwandan traditions, dance, crafts, and food. In the afternoon, drive to the scenic shores of Lake Kivu for a relaxing evening.
Overnight: Cormoran Lodge – wooden chalets on the lake.

Depart early for Volcanoes National Park. After a briefing, begin your once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trek through bamboo forest. Once you find your assigned gorilla family, spend one powerful hour observing them in silence.
Overnight: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge – midrange, just minutes from the park HQ.

Fly to Samburu National Reserve, in Kenya’s semi-arid north. Afternoon game drive to spot unique species like Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, and gerenuk.
Overnight: Samburu Simba Lodge – riverside lodge with rustic elegance.

Sunrise safari followed by a visit to a Samburu village, learning about traditions, beadwork, and warrior dances. Optional camel trek or bush walk.

Drive through the Great Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru, known for flamingos, rhinos, and leopards. Evening safari along acacia forests and lake edges.
Overnight: Lake Nakuru Lodge – midrange, inside the park.

Continue to Lake Naivasha for a boat safari among hippos and birds, followed by a walking safari on Crescent Island. Optional cycling adventure through Hell’s Gate National Park, with dramatic gorges and geothermal activity.
Overnight: Naivasha Simba Lodge – midrange, serene setting.

Drive to Masai Mara, Kenya’s top wildlife destination. Afternoon game drive among rolling plains dotted with elephants, lions, and cheetahs.
Overnight: Mara Leisure Camp – midrange tented lodge with excellent access to game drives.

Spend the entire day exploring this vast reserve. Follow the Great Migration (if seasonally timed), visit a Maasai village, and enjoy a picnic lunch under acacia trees. Optional sunrise hot air balloon ride.

Cross the border into Tanzania and drive into the iconic Serengeti, home to the world's largest concentration of wildlife. Evening safari through golden plains.
Overnight: Serengeti Heritage Camp – midrange tented camp with bush comfort.

A full day tracking lions, leopards, elephants, cheetahs, and if lucky, a river crossing of wildebeest. Watch the cycle of predator and prey unfold on a cinematic scale.

Morning safari before heading to the Olduvai Gorge, the “Cradle of Mankind.” Continue up to the Ngorongoro highlands for the night.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge – perched on the crater rim.

Descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with wildlife. Picnic by a hippo pool and possibly spot the endangered black rhino.

Drive to Tarangire, known for its vast elephant herds and ancient baobabs. Afternoon safari through classic East African terrain.
Overnight: Tarangire Sopa Lodge – spacious, midrange comfort in the park.

Explore the winding alleys of Stone Town, visiting the Slave Market, Sultan’s Palace, and lively bazaars. In the afternoon, take a spice farm tour, learning about cloves, vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon.

Take a full-day dhow trip: snorkel pristine reefs, visit sandbanks, and feast on grilled seafood on an island picnic. Alternative: snorkeling at Mnemba Atoll.

Spend the day unwinding at your beach lodge in Nungwi or Paje. In the afternoon, take a walk through a local fishing village, try Swahili coffee and coconut bread, or take a yoga session at sunset.
Overnight: Casa del Mar or Zanzibar Queen Hotel – relaxed, midrange beachfront charm.

Enjoy one last dip in the turquoise Indian Ocean or a relaxed breakfast overlooking the sea. Transfer to Zanzibar International Airport for your onward flight.