This trail is built entirely from parks that see a fraction of the visitor numbers of the Maasai Mara or Serengeti — Queen Elizabeth and Kibale in Uganda, Akagera in Rwanda, and Ruaha in Tanzania — for travellers who value solitude and genuine wilderness over famous names.
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrival at Entebbe, then a drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Arrive Entebbe, Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation Options
BudgetSimba Safari Camp
Mid-rangeKatara Lodge
LuxuryMweya Safari Lodge
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2
A boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, then a drive to the Ishasha sector for its famous tree-climbing lions.
Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise and Ishasha Game Drive
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3
A drive north to Kibale Forest National Park.
Transfer to Kibale Forest
Accommodation Options
BudgetChimpanzee Forest Guest House
Mid-rangeKibale Forest Camp
LuxuryKyaninga Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4
A morning chimpanzee trek, followed by a community-run walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Wetland Walk
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5
A transfer to Entebbe, flying to Kigali, then continuing east to Akagera National Park.
Fly to Kigali, Transfer to Akagera
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeAkagera Game Lodge
LuxuryMagashi Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6
A full day across Akagera’s lake-studded savanna, seeing some of the lowest visitor traffic of any park on this route.
Full Day Akagera Game Drives
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7
A morning boat safari on Lake Ihema for hippo, crocodile and waterbirds, with an afternoon game drive.
Boat Safari, Lake Ihema
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8
A transfer to Kigali, flying via Dar es Salaam to Ruaha National Park, Tanzania’s largest park and one of its least visited.
Fly to Dar es Salaam, Transfer to Ruaha, Tanzania
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeRuaha River Lodge
LuxuryJongomero Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9
A full day across Ruaha’s rugged baobab-studded terrain, home to one of Tanzania’s largest elephant and lion populations.
Full Day Ruaha Game Drives
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10
An optional guided walking safari along the Great Ruaha River, one of the few parks on this route where walking is permitted.
Walking Safari, Ruaha
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 11
A further day exploring different sectors of the park.
Second Ruaha Game Drive Day
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 12
A flight to Dar es Salaam for your onward international connection.
Departure
Meals: Breakfast
Permits & Costs
| Queen Elizabeth NP entry & boat cruise | ~$70 per person |
| Kibale chimpanzee permit | $200 per person |
| Akagera park entry & boat safari | ~$120 per person per day |
| Ruaha park entry | ~$50 per person per day |
Who This Itinerary Suits
Repeat safari travellers who’ve done the famous parks and now want genuine solitude — days where you may not see another vehicle.Tour Includes
- All ground transport in 4×4 safari vehicles
- Kazinga Channel & Lake Ihema boat safaris
- Regional flight segments
- Professional English-speaking driver-guides in each country
- All accommodation per itinerary
- Meals as specified
- All permits & park entry fees
Tour Excludes
- International flights
- Visas
- Tips & gratuities
- Travel insurance