Where our standard 21-day Grand Safari runs the busiest, most iconic parks in each country, this odyssey deliberately favours the remoter alternatives — Kidepo Valley instead of Murchison Falls, Akagera instead of a lake stopover, Selous instead of a second northern Tanzania park — and closes with several days on Zanzibar’s beaches rather than a final crater visit.
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrival at Entebbe, then a scheduled domestic flight to Kidepo Valley National Park in Uganda’s remote north-east.
Arrive Entebbe, Fly to Kidepo Valley
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeApoka Safari Lodge
LuxuryNga’Moru Wilderness Camp
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2
A full day across Kidepo’s dramatic mountain-backed savanna, one of Africa’s least-visited yet most rewarding parks.
Full Day Kidepo Valley Game Drives
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3
A flight back via Entebbe to Kihihi airstrip, continuing by road to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Fly to Kihihi, Transfer to Bwindi
Accommodation Options
BudgetBuhoma Community Camp
Mid-rangeEngagi Lodge
LuxuryBuhoma Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4
A full day tracking a habituated mountain gorilla family through Bwindi’s forest.
Gorilla Trekking, Bwindi
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5
A drive across the border, continuing east through Rwanda to Akagera National Park.
Cross Border to Akagera National Park, Rwanda
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeAkagera Game Lodge
LuxuryMagashi Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6
A full day across Akagera’s lake-studded savanna, home to Rwanda’s own Big Five population.
Full Day Akagera Game Drives
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7
A drive west across Rwanda to Kinigi at the base of the Virunga volcanoes.
Transfer to Kinigi
Accommodation Options
BudgetKinigi Guest House
Mid-rangeMountain Gorilla View Lodge
LuxuryVirunga Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8
A second gorilla trek on the Rwandan side of the Virungas.
Gorilla Trekking, Volcanoes National Park
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9
A transfer to Kigali, flying via Nairobi, then a road transfer to Lake Nakuru National Park.
Fly Kigali to Nairobi to Lake Nakuru
Accommodation Options
BudgetNaishi House
Mid-rangeLake Nakuru Lodge
LuxurySarova Lion Hill Game Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10
A full day among Nakuru’s flamingo-lined shores and healthy black and white rhino populations.
Full Day Lake Nakuru Game Drives
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 11
A drive south to Amboseli, arriving for an afternoon game drive beneath Kilimanjaro.
Transfer to Amboseli National Park
Accommodation Options
BudgetAmboseli Sopa Lodge
Mid-rangeAmboseli Serena Safari Lodge
LuxuryTortilis Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 12
A full day among Amboseli’s elephant herds, with Kilimanjaro as a backdrop.
Full Day Amboseli Game Drives
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 13
A flight via Kilimanjaro to Tarangire, known for its dense elephant population and baobabs.
Fly to Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
Accommodation Options
BudgetTarangire Sopa Lodge
Mid-rangeTarangire River Camp
LuxuryOliver’s Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 14
A full day exploring Tarangire’s riverine landscape and baobab-studded plains.
Full Day Tarangire Game Drives
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 15
A flight to Selous, Africa’s largest protected game reserve, known for the Rufiji River and boat-based game viewing.
Fly to Selous (Nyerere) Game Reserve
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeRufiji River Camp
LuxurySand Rivers Selous
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 16
A boat safari on the Rufiji River in the morning, with an afternoon game drive, walking safari option, or further boat exploration.
Boat Safari and Game Drive, Selous
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 17
A flight 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 18
A guided walking tour of Stone Town’s markets and historic architecture.
Stone Town Cultural Tour
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 19
A free day on Zanzibar’s white-sand beaches, with optional snorkelling or a spice farm tour.
Beach Day at Leisure
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 20
A further beach day with optional diving, sailing or a sunset dhow cruise.
Second Beach Day, Optional Watersports
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 21
Transfer to Zanzibar’s airport for your onward international flight.
Departure
Meals: Breakfast
Permits & Costs
| Kidepo Valley park entry | ~$40 per person per day |
| Uganda & Rwanda gorilla permits | $800 / $1,500 per person |
| Akagera & Lake Nakuru park entry | ~$100 / $60 per person per day |
| Selous/Nyerere entry, boat safari & concession fees | ~$130 per person per day |
| Domestic & regional flights | Multiple segments, quoted separately |
Who This Itinerary Suits
Well-travelled safari-goers who’ve already done the classic parks and want the less-visited alternative in every country, finishing with genuine beach recovery time.Tour Includes
- All ground transport in 4×4 safari vehicles
- All domestic and regional flight segments
- Rufiji River boat safari
- Stone Town guided tour
- 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
- Watersports at the coast