This is our most complete single itinerary — all four safari nations, every headline park worth visiting, and a genuine Zanzibar beach close, for travellers who want nothing left off the list on what may be a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrival at Entebbe, then a road transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Arrive Entebbe, Transfer to Bwindi
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeEngagi Lodge
LuxuryBuhoma Lodge
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2
A full day tracking a habituated mountain gorilla family through Bwindi’s forest.
Gorilla Trekking, Bwindi
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3
A drive to the Cyanika border, continuing to Kinigi at the base of the Virunga volcanoes.
Cross Border to Kinigi, Rwanda
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeMountain Gorilla View Lodge
LuxuryVirunga Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4
A second gorilla trek on the Rwandan side of the Virungas.
Gorilla Trekking, Volcanoes National Park
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5
A transfer to Kigali, flying via Nairobi to a Maasai Mara airstrip.
Fly Kigali to Nairobi to Maasai Mara
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeSarova Mara Game Camp
LuxuryAngama Mara
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6
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 7
A day based at the Mara River’s crossing points, watching for herds gathering to cross.
Mara River Crossing Points
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8
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 9
A full day across the Serengeti’s endless plains.
Full Day Serengeti Game Drives
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10
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 11
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 12
A flight from Arusha or Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar via Dar es Salaam, transferring to your beach resort.
Fly to Zanzibar
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeZanzibar Bay Resort
LuxuryBaraza Resort & Spa
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 13
A guided walking tour of Stone Town’s markets and historic architecture.
Stone Town Cultural Tour
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 14
A free day on Zanzibar’s white-sand beaches, the trip’s final unwind.
Beach Day at Leisure
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 15
Transfer to Zanzibar’s airport for your onward international flight.
Departure
Meals: Breakfast
Permits & Costs
| Uganda gorilla permit | $800 per person |
| Rwanda gorilla permit | $1,500 per person |
| Maasai Mara conservancy/reserve fees | ~$100 per person per day |
| Serengeti park entry & Ngorongoro Conservation Area fee | ~$82 / ~$70 per person per day, plus crater descent |
Who This Itinerary Suits
Travellers on a genuine once-in-a-lifetime trip who want every major East Africa experience, closing on a proper beach reward.Tour Includes
- All ground transport in 4×4 safari vehicles
- Stone Town guided tour
- All regional & domestic flights
- Professional English-speaking driver-guides in each country
- All accommodation per itinerary
- Meals as specified
- Both gorilla permits & all park/reserve/crater descent fees
Tour Excludes
- International flights
- Visas
- Tips & gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Watersports at the coast