21 Day Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania & Zanzibar Safari

You land in Uganda’s lush gateway, Entebbe. Your driver meets you at the airport and transfers you to a lodge on the shores of Lake Victoria. After settling in, visit the peaceful Entebbe Botanical Gardens, where black-and-white colobus monkeys leap between canopies and birdsong fills the air. End the day with a sunset cruise on Lake Victoria, sipping a cool drink as the sky turns gold and orange over Africa’s largest lake.

Early departure northwards to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where you can see white rhinos. Here, accompanied by rangers, you’ll trek on foot to observe rhinos grazing in the bush—a rare and intimate wildlife experience. Continue your journey to Murchison Falls National Park, stopping at the top of the powerful falls to watch the Nile explode through a 7-meter gap into a boiling cauldron below. Spend the night in a riverside lodge, lulled to sleep by distant hippo grunts.

At dawn, cross the Nile and explore the northern savannah in search of lions, giraffes, leopards, elephants, and Jackson’s hartebeests. The landscape is vast and golden, dotted with borassus palms. After lunch, embark on a boat safari up the Nile River, gliding past pods of hippos, crocodiles basking on the banks, and herds of elephants coming down to drink. The cruise ends near the thunderous base of Murchison Falls. Return to the lodge for dinner under starlight.

Travel through scenic countryside and fertile hillsides toward Kibale Forest, home to 13 species of primates, including Uganda’s most famous: the chimpanzee. Pass tea plantations, crater lakes, and village markets. Settle into a cozy forest lodge on the edge of the jungle.

This morning, head into Kibale National Park with expert trackers. Within an hour, the forest comes alive with hoots and rustling branches as you find a chimpanzee family grooming, feeding, or swinging from trees—an emotional and exhilarating encounter. In the afternoon, explore Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run conservation area teeming with birds, butterflies, and monkeys. Learn about local medicinal plants and the people who steward this fragile ecosystem.

Drive south into Queen Elizabeth National Park, stopping at the equator for photos and a demonstration of water flow direction. After settling into your lodge, embark on a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel, where you’ll see massive hippo pods, crocodiles, elephants, and some of the park’s 600+ bird species. Enjoy your final Ugandan night with sundowners overlooking the savannah. The next day, fly to Nairobi.

Arrive in Nairobi and transfer to a boutique lodge in the leafy suburb of Karen. Visit the Giraffe Centre, where you can feed endangered Rothschild giraffes eye-to-eye. Then, head to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to meet baby elephants rescued from across Kenya. Cap off the day with a visit to the Karen Blixen Museum and a Swahili-inspired dinner in a vibrant open-air restaurant.

Take a short flight north to the arid and stunning Samburu Reserve, known for its rugged terrain and unique species. After check-in, enjoy your first game drive in Samburu, where you may spot the "Samburu Special Five": Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, gerenuk, and Beisa oryx. The Ewaso Nyiro River snakes through the land, attracting elephant herds and predators.

Begin with a sunrise game drive, then return for breakfast. Visit a Samburu village, learning about their traditions, beaded attire, and deep relationship with the land. Optional camel safari or walking safari along the riverbed for a close look at birdlife and insects. The evening offers one more thrilling drive—leopards are often spotted here at dusk.

Fly or drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, nestled in the Rift Valley. The lake’s edges glow pink with flamingos, while black and white rhinos roam through the acacia woodlands. Afternoon game drive includes sightings of lions, baboons, and sometimes leopards. The park is also a sanctuary for endangered species like the Rothschild giraffe.

Head to Lake Naivasha, where you take a boat safari among hippos and African fish eagles. Disembark at Crescent Island for a walking safari, safely among herbivores like giraffes, impalas, and zebras. In the afternoon, choose to hike or cycle through Hell’s Gate National Park, past dramatic gorges and geothermal vents. Overnight at a lakeside retreat.

Transfer or fly to the Masai Mara, one of Africa’s premier safari destinations. After lunch at your luxury tented camp, head out for your first Mara game drive. Lions, cheetahs, elephants, and wildebeest abound. If traveling during the Great Migration (Jul–Oct), watch dramatic crossings at the Mara River. Return to camp for dinner under lanterns and star-filled skies.

Drive south across the Isebania border into Tanzania, entering the Serengeti in the afternoon. Game drives begin immediately, with sights of elephants, topi, buffalo, and predators. You arrive at your Serengeti camp just before sunset, with views stretching to the horizon.

Spend the entire day exploring the Serengeti, following herds of wildebeest, zebras, and their followers: lions, hyenas, and jackals. Visit key migration corridors or river crossings, depending on the season. Break for a picnic beneath a lone acacia, and return by dusk.

Drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, stopping at Olduvai Gorge, where the earliest hominid fossils were discovered. Continue through the lush highlands to your lodge perched on the Ngorongoro Crater rim. The view is truly unforgettable.

Descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO-listed ecosystem packed with elephants, rhinos, buffalo, lions, and flocks of flamingos. Picnic near a hippo pool before continuing your crater floor exploration. Ascend in the afternoon and relax by the fire.

Drive to Tarangire National Park, known for its elephant mega-herds and towering baobab trees. Spot leopards lounging in trees, kudu grazing in the brush, and over 500 species of birds. Optional walking safari or night game drive. Overnight in a camp with river views.

Before leaving the mainland, visit a Maasai boma, where you’ll learn about traditions, dance, and daily life. Later, fly from Arusha to Zanzibar. Check into a stylish hotel in Stone Town, and unwind with views of the Indian Ocean.

Explore the winding alleys of Stone Town, a melting pot of Arab, Swahili, and Indian culture. Visit the Old Fort, House of Wonders, and the former slave market. In the afternoon, head inland for a Spice Tour, tasting and smelling cloves, cardamom, vanilla, and more. Sunset rooftop dinner with panoramic sea views.

Sail out on a traditional dhow for a full day of sea adventure. Choose either Mnemba Atoll (famous for crystal-clear snorkeling) or the Safari Blue tour, with sandbanks, swimming, and a grilled seafood lunch. Return to your beach lodge and enjoy a final dinner barefoot on the sand.

Spend the morning at leisure—walk along the beach, swim in warm waters, or enjoy a massage. Transfer to Zanzibar Airport for your international flight home, filled with memories of gorillas, lions, Maasai warriors, and turquoise shores.