This journey does exactly what its name promises — all four of East Africa’s classic safari nations, each given a genuinely unhurried multi-day stay at its single most flagship destination, rather than a rushed one-night stop in each.
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrival at Nairobi, then a flight or road transfer to the Maasai Mara.
Arrive Nairobi, Transfer to Maasai Mara
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeSarova Mara Game Camp
LuxuryAngama Mara
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2
A full day across the Mara’s plains for lion, leopard and, in season, migrating wildebeest herds.
Full Day Maasai Mara Game Drives
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3
A further game drive day, exploring different sectors of the reserve.
Second Full Day Maasai Mara
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4
A cross-border flight from the Mara to the Serengeti’s northern airstrips.
Fly to Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeSerengeti Serena Safari Lodge
LuxuryFour Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5
A full day across the Serengeti’s endless plains.
Full Day Serengeti Game Drives
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6
A drive to the crater rim via the Serengeti’s southern plains.
Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeNgorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
LuxuryNgorongoro Crater Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7
A full day descended onto the crater floor among lion, elephant and black rhino.
Ngorongoro Crater Floor Game Drive
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8
A flight via Nairobi to Entebbe, then a road transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Fly to Entebbe, Transfer to Bwindi, Uganda
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeEngagi Lodge
LuxuryBuhoma Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9
A full day tracking a habituated mountain gorilla family through Bwindi’s forest.
Gorilla Trekking, Bwindi
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10
A guided Batwa cultural encounter, a lower-key day before crossing into Rwanda.
Batwa Cultural Encounter
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 11
A drive to the Cyanika border, continuing to Kinigi at the base of the Virunga volcanoes, the fourth and final nation.
Cross Border to Kinigi, Rwanda
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeMountain Gorilla View Lodge
LuxuryVirunga Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 12
A second gorilla trek on the Rwandan side of the Virungas, genuinely different terrain from Bwindi.
Gorilla Trekking, Volcanoes National Park
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 13
A morning trek through the bamboo zone tracking a troop of golden monkeys.
Golden Monkey Trekking
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 14
An optional hike to the Dian Fossey Tomb at Karisoke, or a free day to rest.
Dian Fossey Hike or Free Day
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 15
A drive to Kigali, with time for an optional city tour, including the Kigali Genocide Memorial.
Transfer to Kigali, City Tour
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeUbumwe Grande Hotel
LuxuryKigali Serena Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 16
Transfer to Kigali International Airport for your onward international flight.
Departure
Meals: Breakfast
Permits & Costs
| Maasai Mara conservancy/reserve fees | ~$100 per person per day |
| Serengeti park entry | ~$82 per person per day |
| Ngorongoro Conservation Area fee | ~$70 per person per day, plus crater descent |
| Uganda & Rwanda gorilla permits | $800 / $1,500 per person |
Who This Itinerary Suits
Travellers who genuinely want to experience all four nations properly, not as a checklist of brief stops.Tour Includes
- All ground transport in 4×4 safari vehicles
- Batwa cultural encounter
- All regional flights & cross-border transfers
- Professional English-speaking driver-guides in each country
- All accommodation per itinerary
- Meals as specified
- Both gorilla permits, golden monkey permit & all park/reserve fees
Tour Excludes
- International flights
- Dian Fossey hike permit (if selected)
- Visas
- Tips & gratuities
- Travel insurance