This African safari package is designed to offer the very best safari experience in all of East Africa. Starting in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, this ancient rainforest is one of the few in Africa to have flourished and a home to half of the world's endangered mountain gorillas. Looking into the expressive brown eyes of these giants is surely the most exciting and poignant wildlife encounter Uganda has to offer. Drive from Bwindi to Kigali, you will have the opportunity to go for a city tour and visit to a genocide memorial before flying off to Kenya to begin your incredible safari.
This East African safari continues with unparalleled game viewing experience. Your experienced guides will take you on several drives each day, searching out lion, elephant, giraffe, and the full profusion of wildlife. Internal flight transfers cut down on long vehicle rides and provide a bird's eye view of the amazing country below. Three days of game viewing in Masai Mara, famous for its plains of predator and prey, and the annual wildebeest migration. Cross the border into Serengeti for more world class game viewing, then visit into the fabled Ngorongoro Crater. Finish by flying off to Zanzibar and unwind on languid beaches by the warm Indian Ocean for a truly memorable ending. Includes the cost of internal flights.

NOTE: Gorilla permit fees are sold on a first come first served basis. Once your permits are booked we require a $500 per permit non refundable deposit. All gorilla permits purchased in Rwanda before 1st June 2012 for tracking in 2012 will stay at US$500. All permits purchased after this date will be sold at the new rate of US$750 as per the park authority. Gorilla permits for tracking in 2013 will be sold at US$750 regardless of the time of purchase. The park authority/management reserves the right to cancel any permit without any refund or further reference.

Kampala is the capital of Uganda. With a population of 1,208,544, it is also the nation's largest city. The city grew as the capital of the Buganda kingdom, from which several buildings survive, including the Kasubi Tombs (built in 1881), the Buganda Parliament, the Buganda Court of Justice and the Naggalabi Buddo Coronation Site.

Welcome to Uganda! You will be met at the airport by an english speaking guide and transferred from Entebbe international airport to your Kampala hotel.

Cassia Lodge is located on Buziga Hill, one of the highest hills of Kampala, close to Lake Victoria. The environment is cool with few mosquitoes and an astonishing view of the lake as well as the city. We offer excellent international cuisine in a serene environment. In addition, we have conference facilities, a business centre, wireless Internet connection, a large swimming pool and 20 luxurious rooms with satelite television, bar and balcony overlooking the lake.

Overnight at Cassia Lodge Hotel.

Lying in the one part of Uganda covered in extensive acacia woodland, Mburo has markedly different fauna to other reserves. Lake Mburo is the best place in the country to see the gigantic eland antelope, as well as zebra, topi, impala, and several acacia-associated birds. The five lakes within the park attract hippos, crocodiles and a variety of waterbirds, while fringing swamps hide secretive papyrus specialists such as the sitatunga antelope and red, black and yellow papyrus gonalek.

Transfer Kapala to the Lake Mburo National Park driving south westwards stopping at the Mpigi Drum Makers where you will watch the ceremonial drums being crafted using methods passed down through generations. Another stop at the equator to take photographs. Passing through papyrus swamps and tracts of tropical rainforests and the rolling plains of Ankole, continue on to Lake Mburo National Park.

Head out on your private game drive through Lake Mburo National Park. The park has different routes or "tracks" for game drives that allow you to explore the grasslands, water habitat, and hills of this park. Explore the Zebra track for views of: Burchell’s zebra (Equus burchelli) and other species like bushbucks, oribi and reedbucks. Then continue to Ruroko track: a drive through a wetland basin and thick acacia shrub and woodland, with olive trees and euphorbia species. Kopjes (rock outcrops) found along the Ruroko track, are home to elusive klipspringers to which the rock is the best habitat.

Your park fees are included for this day.

Mihingo Lodge is a quiet and luxurious retreat adjacent to Lake Mburo National Park. The Lodge has ten rooms which are built on wooden platforms and stilts, covered by a thatched roof. Suspended under the thatched roof is a spacious and comfortable tent equipped with en-suite bathrooms, including hot and cold running water, showers, and flush toilets. Each luxury tented room is nestled on a private piece of the lodge’s property, enabling guests to enjoy the tranquil environment in complete seclusion. Placed in varied settings, some rooms are situated in a forest setting, some with a lake view, and some on rock outcrops.

Overnight at Mihingo.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a magnificent verdant swathe across the steep ridges of the Albertine Rift Valley. This ancient rainforest, one of the few in Africa to have flourished throughout the last Ice Age, is home to roughly half of the world's mountain gorillas. Looking deep into the expressive brown eyes of these gentle giants is surely the most exciting and poignant wildlife encounter that Africa has to offer. Hikes through the park will also explore Bwindi's broader biodiversity, a result of its immense antiquity and an altitude span from 1,160 to 2,607m. The national park has 90 mammal species, including 11 primates, of which the black-and-white colobus, with its lovely flowing white tail, is prominent. The forest birding ranks with the best in Uganda, with 23 highly localised Albertine Rift endemics present.

After an early morning game drive we depart for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The park derives its name from its thick vegetation with an immense variety of evergreen trees, festooned with lianas, epiphytes, which reach great heights in their search for sunlight plus half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas.

In the afternoon, enjoy some time on your own to relax.

Buhoma Lodge commands spectacular views of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The lodge has been completely renovated from the old original lodge and now offers a top quality, Intimate lodge for our guests’ enjoyment. On occasion the gorillas have even been seen in the garden!

Overnight at Buhoma Lodge.

Wake up very early and depart with picnic lunch to track the rare Mountain Gorillas (hiking boots required). The tracking may take between 5 and 8 hours. The Park Guides with you interpret the flora and fauna and the lifestyle of the Gorillas. Return in the evening for dinner and overnight at the lodge. Only persons age 15 and over are allowed to track the gorillas.

Overnight at Buhoma Lodge.

Nairobiis the least expensive arrival city for flights with a full range of hotels and local attractions. Dubbed the “Safari Capital of the World,” cool, clear and cosmopolitanNairobiis the natural departure point for most safari itineraries. A city of contrasts, it is simultaneously the largest, the youngest, the most modern, the highest (1700m) and the fastest growing city inEast Africa. High-altitudeNairobienjoys a pleasant tropical climate all year round. There are ATMs and banks to stock up on cash, great restaurants, and malls where you can purchase any forgotten items.

Travel today between Kigali and Bwindi by private car and english speaking driver.

Your guide will take you on a tour of the new and vibrant capital city of Kigali. The new prosperity features a number of thriving markets and features the mountain terrain famous in Rwanda. A sober contrast to its recent history. For survivors and others whose families were murdered in Rwanda´s genocide 1994, the Memorial sites and centres are places of dignified remembrance for loved ones lost. It is also a place of reflection and learning for the wider community, both in Rwanda and internationally.

Take your flight from Kigali to Nairobi today. The flight duration is approximately 1 hr and 30mins.

You will receive a private airport transfer to/from the airport.

Owned and operated by Fairview Hotel, Country Lodge offers modern accommodations at reasonable prices. Located in quite Upperhill, relax in the gardens or take advantage of gym facilities and local restaurants. Rest in comfort and security at this lovely location.

Overnight at Country Lodge.

Masai Mara is the northernmost portion of the larger Serengeti ecosystem and features the best game viewing in the region. The small size funnels animals into a tight space, and park rules allow for off-road driving which means that guests can venture into plains covered with hundreds or even thousands of animals. Take an optional hot air balloon ride over the plains, with the opportunity for amazing pictures of the animal herds below.

Airport transfer with private vehicle and guide.

Sit back and relax during this flight from Nairobi to Masai Mara today. The flight duration is approximately 45 min.

Your expert guide will pick you up at the airstrip and will be taking you for a game drive on the way back to camp.

This afternoon's game viewing will be exciting as you are searching for game with your private guide and driver. The leopard is difficult to see as it moves fast and is very shy. If you're lucky there is a good chance to spot them around water holes or up in a tree after a long, hot day.

Kensington Mara West Camp has been revamped and relocated to what is surely one of the best views in East Africa. Perched elegantly on the Ololoolo escarpment, forming the western boundary of the Masai Mara Reserve itself. This is the authentic Out of Africa experience where much of the original film itself was filmed & produced. The camp borders the remote and beautiful western edge of Masai Mara National Reserve. Kensington Mara West provides nature lovers with deluxe accommodations while experiencing the sights and sounds of an unforgettable African safari. Tents offer rustic charm surrounded by grassy fields. Chalets are perched in secluded spots on an escarpment edge overlooking the vast plains of the Masai Mara Game Reserve, giving tremendous views and a sense of private exclusion.

Overnight at Kensington Mara West.

Today as you set on the early morning game drive with your expert guide. The Masai Mara Park will offer you a diverse range of animals. The park is home to the Big Five (Lion, Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo and Leopard) and numerous other antelopes including Thomson's and Grant's Gazelles, Impalas, Topics, Hartebeest, Zebra and Masai Giraffe. It's also home to over 450 species of birdlife among these are vultures, marabou storks, secretary birds, hornbills, crowned cranes, ostriches, long-crested eagles and African pygmy-falcons.

On today’s afternoon game drive the choice is up to you: search for the Big 5 or expand your horizons to discover something different. Masai Mara not only has a rich mix of animals – it also has an incredible array of bird life with almost 450 different species.

Overnight at Kensington Mara West.

Today you'll set out early on your morning game drive with your private guide and vehicle. The Mara is most famous for its exceptional population of game and the annual migration of zebra, Thomson's gazelle and the wildebeest from the Serengeti every year from July to October.

This afternoon you'll meet up with your guide and head out on your game drive. Mara is one of the few places you could spot the rare rhino. Stay alert as you track these elusive lumbering giants.

Overnight at Kensington Mara West.

Tanzania's oldest and most popular national park, the Serengeti is massive in size, 14,763 sq km (5,700 sq miles). Famed for its annual migration, when some six million hooves pound the open plains, as more than 200,000 zebra and 300,000 Thomson's gazelle join the wildebeest’s trek for fresh grazing. Yet even when the migration is quiet, the Serengeti offers the most diverse game-viewing in Africa.

Your guide will drive you from Masai Mara to the Isebania border today. Once there, you'll meet your Tanzanian guide and continue into Tanzania to the Serengeti. This full day commute includes some game drives through the park. This excursion will include a multi-hour drive across highway and bumpy patches of road to the border. Enjoy game viewing on your way out of the park or head straight to the border.

NOTE: Be aware that for portions of this LONG drive, the road will be rough and unfinished, though most is now newly paved. This total drive to Serengeti will take approximately 6-9 hours depending on game drives and any breaks taken.

At the border, switch between your Kenyan and Tanzanian guide, crossing the border and continuing your safari. You will also be switching vehicles.

Visas can be purchased at the border: Kenya $50pp US cash - Tanzania $100pp for Americans, $50pp for other nationalities.

Note: Visas are paid for using US cash (no bills older than 2006 due to local counterfeiting safeguards). Single entry visa is valid for 3 months and can be used for multiple entries between Kenya and Tanzania. Please be sure to have your Yellow Fever certificate handy.

After the Kenya/Tanzania border crossing, continue on to Serengeti with your Tanzanian private guide and vehicle. You'll have the option to stop and enjoy a box lunch by Lake Victoria, visit a fishing village, or head straight to the park. Once you have entered the park, enjoy game viewing on the way to your lodge.

Mbalageti Serengeti features 24 luxury tented chalets on the slopes of the rising Mwamweni hill and 14 lodge style standard rooms. Each tent is equipped with all the utilities of home, such as an en suite bathroom and a verandah with a stunning view that some people don’t even see in a lifetime. Dining takes place both in the bush, privately or with small groups, or in the dining tent, where local and continental cuisine forge new roots. English tea is served in the gardens with pastries and the like. Activities range from alone time in the loft reading books or a relaxing float in the tranquility pool, with the Serengeti plains as the backdrop.

Overnight at Mbalageti Camp.

Head out into the park early in the morning as animals are more active in the early morning and afternoon. Tanzania's oldest and most renowned national park, the Serengeti offers the most expansive game-viewing in Africa: great herds of buffalo, smaller groups of elephant and giraffe, and thousands upon thousands of eland, topi, kongoni, impala and Grant’s gazelle. Explore this amazing park with the help of your expert guide.

Today head out with your guide to explore the wide expanse of the Serengeti. The park is well known for its healthy stock of resident wildlife, particularly the "Big Five", named for the five most prized trophies taken by hunters: lion, leopard, elephant, black rhinoceros, and African buffalo. Though there are now few black rhino in the park, you may still spot them. The Serengeti has the largest population of lion and giraffe in all of Africa and the largest concentration of topi and Coke's hartebeest (kongoni). Enjoy the challenge of spotting other game such as cheetah, Thomson's and Grant's gazelle, eland, waterbuck, hyena, baboon, impala, African wild dog and giraffe. The park also boasts about 500 bird species, including ostrich, secretary bird, Kori bustard, crowned crane and marabou stork.

Overnight at Mbalageti Camp.

"The Ngorongoro Crater is often called ‘Africa’s Eden’ and the ‘8th Natural Wonder of the World’. A massive extinct volcano, the sheet walls drop thousands of feet to a "Noah's Ark" of animals on the verdant floor below. Large herds of zebra, buffalo, antelope and wildebeest graze nearby while sleeping lions laze in the sun. At dawn, the endangered black rhino returns to the thick cover of the crater forests after grazing on dew-laden grass in the morning mist.

This morning you will depart from the Serengeti on your way to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. For the first part of the drive you'll be doing some game viewing as you leave the Serengeti. On this drive you have the option of stopping at Olduvlai gorge, the Serengeti welcome centre and lookout point, or stop for lunch at a picnic spot. Then drive up and around Ngorongoro Crater to your next accommodation. This drive takes 5 to 6 hours depending on the number of stops you make and how much game viewing you enjoy along the way. Expect longer trip times during the rainy seasons.

The Olduvai Gorge or Oldupai Gorge is commonly referred to as "The Cradle of Mankind." It is a steep-sided ravine in the Great Rift Valley, which stretches along eastern Africa. Olduvai is in the eastern Serengeti Plains in northern Tanzania and is about 30 miles (48 km) long. The gorge is named after the Maasai word for the wild sisal plant Sansevieria ehrenbergii, commonly called Oldupai.

Seated on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, the Serena Safari Lodge faces this unique biodiversity-rich area head on. There are 74 guest rooms and suites, each decorated with brass lamps and leather headboards & Afro- Arabian artifacts. Dining combines international & Pan-African fare, often served in the bush where barbeque cuisine is a delight. Take part in game drives and hikes around the rich Ngorongoro Crater, full of life and discoveries. Serena Lodge is situated to provide one of the world's most spectacular panoramic views of the Ngorongoro Crater.

Overnight at Serena Safari Lodge Ngorongoro.

Descend into the Ngorongoro caldera to view the wildlife on the crater floor. The crater is roughly 20 km/12 mi wide and 600 m/2,000 ft deep, once you've reached the top of the caldera it takes about 45 minutes to descend to the crater floor. The floor is home to a rich and highly concentrated wildlife. Some 20,000 mammals of size live there, including about 20 black rhinoceros, making the crater the best place in Tanzania to see the rhino. The crater floor also has one of the highest carnivore densities in the world. Lions, cheetahs, hyenas and jackals are commonly seen, while leopards, servals and bat-eared foxes may be seen with some good luck. You'll spend most of the day in the crater.

Private transportation and guide in the Ngorongoro national park.

Overnight at Serena Safari Lodge Ngorongoro.

Zanzibar is the ultimate relaxation destination with history, culture, architecture, spice plantations and dazzling sand beaches. Exotic cuisine, diving and snorkelling, sailing dhows. There are so many unique experiences in store. Our favorite place to unwind and the perfect end to a safari.

Your guide will transfer you between the hotel and the Manaya airstrip. This drive takes approx. 45mins to 1hr.

Flight from Manyara to Zanzibar, and takes approximately 1hr and 55mins.

Airport transfer with private vehicle and guide.

The hotel is situated on the North Eastern coast of Zanzibar, and approximately 45 minutes from the airport in Stonetown. Azanzi is a luxury boutique beach hotel which boasts 35 rooms comprising of 8 suites, 12 luxury suites, 9 villas, and 6 deluxe villas.

Overnight at Azanzi Beach Hotel.

Time permitting, there are many optional activities. If you would like, you can book tours in advance. Half day tours include: Swahili Cultural Tour, Spice Tour, Stone Town Tour, or even Spice Tour and cooking lesson. Full day tours include: Dolphin Sandbank Picnic, Prison Island & Mangapwani Beach, Spice & Stone Town or our Stone Town, Slave Market, Spice Farm and Cultural Village. Ask your travel consultant for more details and pricing.

If you prefer, sign up for activities on the ground through your lodging (not included in tour price). Activities range from cultural, historical (slave trade and spice route), visit forests and ruins, enjoy deep sea fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, swim with dolphins and more! Simply speak to your accommodations upon check-in to sign up the tours, activities and excursions of your choice.

Overnight at Azanzi Beach Hotel.

Today meet up with others and share the experience and thrill of sailing on traditional dhow. Sailing on these traditional fishing boats is an unforgettable experience. Relax as you glide silently through the deep blue waters of the Indian Ocean towards Uzi Island (depending on wind). The island is the finest place to see mangroves and a forest teaming with a high biodiversity of plants, invertebrates, bird species and Red Colobus monkeys.

Our next stop is the beautiful Pengume white sand banks, which are idyllic for sun bathing and swimming. Refreshments will be served on the sand bank with fresh coconuts and seasonal fruits. Sun shades will be mounted for you protection and we will provide life jackets for those not capable of swimming.

From the sand banks we head toward as a stunning snorkelling site where beautiful corals await you. Snorkelling is for approximately 45 minutes before we depart for Pengume Island. This island encompasses one of the largest coral rag forests as well as Elephant Shrews and Coconut Crabs. Lunch boxes are provided here by the Dolphin View Paradise with drinks available from the cash bar. There is also time to explore the beautiful island or you can just explore and relax on the beach.

From Pengume Island we head back East where dolphins frolic and inhabit these waters. Dolphins are encountered on the majority of our trips, however sightings are not guaranteed.

After this shared tour, you will be driven back to the hotel in the afternoon to relax after a day filled with amazing and unique sights!

Tour operates from Stone Town. Transfer time will vary depending on what part of the island you are coming from. Time in transit could be 30min to 1.5hrs each way.

Overnight at Azanzi Beach Hotel.

(Note: an extra departure tax of $30 must be paid on departure).

Airport transfer with private vehicle and guide.

Take your flight from Zanzibar (ZNZ) to Nairobi (NBO) today. The flight duration is approximately 1.5 hr.

Includes opportunity to visit local handicraft markets to shop for souvenirs.

Before leaving that night, stop by the Kensington office for free use of Internet, lounge, showers and drinks. If you like, we can make reservations for dinner at a local restaurant as well. Please let us know in advance and if you are vegetarian.

You will receive a private airport transfer to/from the airport.

Depart from Nairobi international airport - end of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.