31 Days Self Drive East Africa Safari: Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe, Uganda

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be greeted by the Car Rental 4×4 Africae team, including the Booking Handler and the Driver Guide, who will provide an orientation on vehicle operation and traffic regulations, while the handler will inform you about the various safari activities scheduled during your East Africa self-drive holiday.

Subsequently, they will transport you to Via Via Guest House or Entebbe Backpackers, where you can stage your very first campsite in Uganda. The personnel on-site will manage the opening of the rooftop tents and other specifics.

The suggested shopping destination is Victoria Mall.

Day 2: Entebbe to Murchison Falls National Park

Your adventure to experience Uganda will commence with a visit to Murchison Falls National Park, including a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking, before continuing to Murchison Falls National Park. Accessing the park via the Kichumbanyobo entrance. Subsequently, proceed to your camping site at one of the following locations: Red Chili Camp, UWA Campsite, or other designated areas.

Day 3: Morning game drive & Boat Cruise on River Nile

We commence the day with an early morning game drive along the Buligi, Albert, or Queens routes north of the Nile River. This is an opportunity to directly view wildlife intimately linked with the African Savannah, such as lions, leopards, giraffes, antelopes, elephants, and warthogs.

Following lunch, we will embark on a boat cruise along the Nile River. The boat cruise descends to the base of the roaring falls, where one may observe large crocodiles, hippopotamuses, buffalo, elephants, and an array of aquatic avifauna, including herons, cormorants, ducks, bee-eaters, kingfishers, skimmers, fish eagles, and the elusive shoebill.

Since today is the last day of Murchison Falls, camping in the Delta is suggested as the best thing to do. You can sleep next to the Nile while a Uganda Wildlife Authority Ranger guide watches over you.

Day 4: Drive to Kibale Forest National Park

After enjoying your breakfast, you will drive out of the park and begin the process of connecting to Kibale Forest National Park. It takes about six hours to travel the picturesque route to Kibale Forest National Park, which is home to the primates, via the Fort Portal. After dinner, spend the night at the campsite.

Camping Locations: Rweteera Safari Camp

Day 5: Kibale Chimpanzee Tracking – Queen Elizabeth National Park

Chimpanzee Tracking: You will rise early and proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing on the regulations regarding chimpanzee tracking, as well as the registration of your passport and chimpanzee permits. Kibale National Park boasts one of the highest diversities and concentrations of primates in Africa, making it one of the premier locations globally, not just in Uganda, to observe chimpanzees. Proceed to Fort Portal for lunch, then continue to the area where Kibale Park adjoins Queen Elizabeth National Park to the south, facilitating the unrestricted movement of wildlife. The park has an estimated population of around 1,450 individuals.

Camping at Bush Lodge

Day 6: Morning game drive and boat ride in Queen

This morning, we commence a game drive in the broad savannah adorned with acacia trees at the outer boundaries of the Albertine Rift Valley. Our search will include looking for the typical tree-climbing Lions, a species that can only be found in this part of the country. Observing the Lions lying on the fig trees is remarkable.

This afternoon, we navigate the Kazinga Channel, a thin waterway linking Lakes Edward and George. This is a highly unforgettable experience during a vacation to Uganda, providing an opportunity to navigate among Africa’s greatest population of hippos. Alongside these large semi-aquatic creatures, the launch provides distinctive possibilities to observe other species and birds as they approach the water’s edge to drink and bathe. Bird watching is fantastic, and we anticipate observing species varying in size from the diminutive, vibrant Malachite Kingfisher to the colossal Goliath Heron.

Day 7: Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Following breakfast, you will travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via the Ishasha sector to seek for the tree-climbing lions. Subsequently, you will have lunch at Enjojo Camp before continuing your trip to the Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for camping at Ruhija Rest Camp. Evening meal and overnight accommodation at the lodge

Day 8: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi, a World Heritage Park, houses somewhat more than fifty percent of the global population of the remaining surviving mountain gorillas, totaling 1,000 individuals. The hike may be physically taxing, yet the prospect of the forthcoming exhilarating event is refreshing, and the allure of the forest and its wildlife is captivating.

Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi: You will have an early morning meal and then proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing by the ranger guide, followed by a hike into the forest till you encounter the mountain gorillas. The duration may range from 2 to 4 hours, contingent upon the gorillas’ movement. Upon locating them, you will be permitted to spend one hour with these gentle giants, after which you will return to the lodge to relax, dine, and stay overnight as previously described.

Day 9: Lake Bunyonyi Boat Cruise and Bwindi, Uganda

Following an early breakfast, you will transfer to Rwanda via Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale, where you will embark on a boat ride to explore various islands while appreciating the stunning scenery and abundant bird life. Have lunch and subsequently proceed to Rwanda via the Cyanika Border. Upon completion of immigration processes, proceed to Volcanoes National Park for an unparalleled experience in Rwanda’s premier destination for Gorilla Trekking in the East African region.

Camping at Da Vinci Lodge

Day 10: Golden Monkey Tracking in Volcanoes National Park

Following breakfast, you ready yourself to commence your Drive to Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park is situated within the Virunga Massif, which is home to mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, as well as numerous mountaineering excursions and winding roads in the region known as the land of a thousand hills.

Day 11: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.

Awaken for an early breakfast, then proceed to the headquarters for a briefing prior to your mountain gorilla trekking. Commence a two-hour journey through the jungle till you encounter the day’s Gorilla family.

Following gorilla trekking, you will return to the resort for lunch, and later in the evening, you may participate in an optional cultural tour at the Iby’iwachu Cultural Center. Return to the hotel for dinner and an additional night.

Day 12: Volcanoes National Park – Kigali

Today we return to Kigali. In Kigali, we will briefly go over the city and the Genocide Museum, inaugurated in 2004 to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Rwandan genocide. The genocide, stemming from a multifaceted array of circumstances, represents an unequivocal catastrophe for Rwanda and its citizens. The duration spent at the Genocide Museum is poignant and significant in comprehending the remarkable courage and perseverance of this little, lovely nation.

Camping in Kigali.

Day 13: Kigali, Rwanda – Burundi

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and travel to Bujumbura city, crossing the Rusizi border, and arriving at either the Bujumbura hotel or Roca Golf in the evening to relax, dine, and spend the night.

Day 14: Karera Falls and the Source of the Nile

Following breakfast, commence a journey to the source of the Nile. It is situated in Rutovu Province near the magnificent Karera Falls; visit the source of the Nile and Karera Falls, both located in Rutana.

Day 15: Gishora Drum Sanctuary and Gitega Museum

Following breakfast, you proceed to the Gishora drum sanctuary to meet one of the oldest drumming ensembles that originated in the early 19th century. Subsequently, visit the Burundi National Museum in Gitega and the Mushasha Catholic Village. Proceed to your lodge for dinner and overnight accommodation.

Days 16 and 17: Burundi – Journey to Tanzania

Begin your drive to Dodoma city, Tanzania, following an early breakfast, with an estimated duration of approximately two days of driving. Consider exploring attractive places along the route, securing lunch, and potentially locating accommodations for an overnight stay. We believe that this fun car trip could be split up over more than one day because it is so long. Upon arrival in Dodoma city, check in, dine, and spend the night at the lodge.

Day 18: Transition to Serengeti National Park

Enter the Ngorongoro Conservation Area this morning. It has a beautiful, rolling scenery with views of the Ngorongoro Crater on a regular basis. Prior to descending onto the Serengeti Plain, you will pause at a vantage point overlooking the crater. The term “Serengeti” originates from a Maasai word signifying “Land-without-end.” This region is characterized by its expansive terrain and remarkable wildlife. Here, you have the opportunity to observe one of the most captivating natural spectacles on the planet: the annual migration, an event unmatched in the natural realm. The afternoon game drive offers an exceptional overview of this remarkable terrain and its associated wildlife.

Public Campsite

Day 19 Drive To Serengeti National Park

Today we have a full day of game viewing on the Serengeti. We will explore the “kopjes,” an assortment of low, irregular hills scattered throughout the wide terrain, which frequently serve as vantage points for predators observing the continuous procession of ungulates. Contingent upon the season and rainfall timing, as many as 1.5 million wildebeest and 500,000 zebras undertake a focused and hazardous journey in search of water and grazing territory.

Large herds can still be spotted during non-migration times as they nurse their young and replenish their energy for the annual trek to the park’s northern regions. Non-migratory resident animals provide gratifying opportunities for wildlife observation throughout the year. An optional hot-air balloon safari across the plains at dawn may be available; today is the optimal day for this experience.

Day 20: Serengeti – Olduvai Gorge – Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Today, while returning to Ngorongoro, you will pause at Olduvai Gorge, the location of the Leakey excavations during the 1960s and 70s, which identified this area as the prehistoric habitat of some of the oldest hominid species, with discoveries dating back 1.8 million years.

Referred to as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’ and encompassing over 8,300 square kilometers, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area features an unparalleled combination of landscapes, animals, human populations, and archaeological sites in Africa. The volcanoes, meadows, waterfalls, and mountainous woods host a plethora of wildlife and the Maasai people. Ngorongoro Crater is one of the world’s most remarkable natural wonders, captivating visitors with its enchanting landscape and diverse fauna. Leisurely day to relish our lodge with a view of the crater.

Day 21; Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Today, we partake in a half-day excursion within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Following an early breakfast, we descend into the crater below for a game drive in this remarkable environment. You will tour the Ngorongoro Crater, which is 20 km (13 miles) broad and 700 m (2,300 feet) high. There, we may spot hundreds of flamingos on Lake Magadi in addition to the “Big Five” and numerous herbivores like wildebeest, gazelle, zebra, and hippopotamus.

Day 22: Drive to Lake Manyara National Park

Following breakfast, proceed to Lake Manyara, the smallest of Tanzania’s northern parks (330 sq km, with two-thirds comprising the lake), which features a diverse array of vegetation, including savannah, groundwater forest, and riparian ecosystems. The park is home to thousands of pelicans, ibises, and flamingos that may be heard from a distance. Other visitors to this picturesque lake include hippopotamuses and the regal African fish eagle, which may be observed descending from its vantage point to capture a fish from the tranquil waters of the lake.

Following lunch at your lodge, you will embark on an afternoon game drive in the park, situated at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment and encompassing forests, woodlands, grasslands, and wetlands. The wildlife in Lake Manyara encompasses more than just bird species; it is also home to creatures such as buffalo, elephant, giraffe, antelope, hippo, and a diverse array of lesser fauna.

Day 23: Drive to Amboseli National Park

This park is located in the African plain at the base of snow-covered Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain on the continent at 5,894 meters (19,300 feet). In this instance, the cone-shaped mountain appears to loom magnificently over the glistening African plains.

Amboseli National Park is renowned for its substantial populations of elephants. They envelop themselves in red dust, enhancing their formidable look. This afternoon’s game drive aims to observe animals grazing on the expansive plain, with Mt. Kilimanjaro serving as the iconic backdrop, dependent upon favorable weather conditions.

Day 24: Entire day at Amboseli National Park

After an early breakfast, you will spend the entire day exploring and traversing the park’s terrain. Amboseli National Park is well-known for its enormous elephant population with striking tusks and its breathtaking Mount Kilimanjaro backdrop. During the game drive, you will observe wildlife like as lions, buffaloes, zebras, elephants, hartebeests, elands, antelopes, and other bird species. During lunch, you will return to your lodge for a meal or enjoy a picnic at any designated spot inside the park. In the afternoon, you will embark on another game drive to explore areas of the park that you have not yet visited. In the evening, you will return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 25: Drive to Masai Mara National Park

After breakfast and checking out, you will leave Hell’s Gate for a drive to Maasai Mara. Along the way, you will pass through Narok Town, which is one of the most culturally rich towns in Kenya. You will arrive at the reserve in time for lunch. Upon arrival, you will check into your lodge, partake in lunch, and embark on an afternoon Masai Village Visit.

Day 26: Comprehensive exploration of Masai Mara National Park

Following breakfast at your lodge, you will proceed to the Masai Mara National Reserve for a full day of game driving. While traversing the Maasai plains, you will navigate routes through the savannah to observe wildlife including lions, leopards, elephants, cheetahs, buffaloes, antelopes, wildebeests, zebras, and numerous other species. During lunch, you will partake in a picnic at one of the designated spots within the reserve, all while appreciating the exquisite natural surroundings. In the afternoon, you will embark on another game drive to explore the areas of the reserve that were not visited during the morning drive. In the evening, you will dine and spend the night at your lodge as previously mentioned.

Day 27: Drive to Lake Nakuru – Self Drive East Africa Safari

After breakfast, travel north to reach Lake Nakuru National Park in time for lunch. Subsequently, engage in afternoon game drives within the park. Evening meal and overnight accommodation at the lodge

Day 28: Full day game viewing in Lake Nakuru

Comprehensive day of wildlife observation at Lake Nakuru National Park, featuring an opportunity to explore a distinctive sanctuary that accommodates a significant population of endangered rhinoceroses and Rothschild giraffes. Waterbucks, along with predators such as lions and leopards, are prevalent in the park. Flamingos are abundant at the lake. A multitude of diverse bird species can also be observed in and around the lake.

Day 29: Transfer to Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Today, you will drive northwards from Nairobi to the lower slopes of Mount Kenya, which rises to 5199 meters (16,728 feet), Africa’s second-highest mountain, via the “White Highlands,” so named because to the vast number of Europeans who lived here. Our journey will lead us to the Central Highlands, the core region of the Kikuyu people. This region is highly fertile, adequately irrigated, extensively cultivated, and densely forested. The land was desired by the Europeans who commenced arriving in progressively greater numbers following the completion of the railway through the region. The immigrants developed coffee and tea plantations on the eastern slopes of Mount Kenya and produced wheat on the western slopes.

Day 30; Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Ol Pejeta Conservancy encompasses a diverse landscape of grass plains, forested grassland, acacia woodland, and evergreen thicket, spanning more than 350 square kilometers. The reserve features an impressive array of wildlife, encompassing the “Big Five.”

Today, we will have morning and afternoon wildlife drives, along with an opportunity to visit the Sweet Waters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the sole location in Kenya where this critically endangered and very intelligent species can be observed. The facility was originally founded to shelter and offer permanent sanctuary to orphaned and mistreated chimpanzees from West and Central Africa. The chimpanzees are meticulously rehabilitated to ensure they may spend the remainder of their lives in the security of an expansive natural habitat.

Day 31: Proceed to Nairobi for Departure

Following breakfast, proceed to the airport for departure to your home destination.

Expenditure on Activities

• Ziwa Rhino Tracking: $50
• Entrance Fee for Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth: $45
• Gorilla Trekking in Uganda: $800
• Chimpanzee Tracking: $250
• Boat Cruises priced between $35 and $50
• Golden Monkey Trek: $100
• Ngorongoro Crater $295
• Serengeti Park Admission: $72 + Concession Fees: $71

Entrance to Masai Mara Park: $200

Lake Manyara $50

WMA fees: $30

Note: Certain locations lack camping facilities.