20 Days Tanzania Kenya Uganda and Rwanda Safari : This 20 days safari takes to explore the Best of East Africa. Discover Uganda Safaris , Rwanda Safaris , Tanzania Safaris and Kenya Safaris for unforgetable tour experiences.
Safari Highlights
Day 1-7: MACHAME ROUTE 7 DAYS, 6 NIGHT’S
Day 8: Morning game drive – transfer to Karatu
Day 9: Ngorongoro crater – transfer to Serengeti national park
Day 10: Full day game drives in Serengeti National Park
Day 11: Another day game viewing
Day 12: Transfer to Masai Mara national reserve via Isabenia border
Day 13: Full day game drive in Maasai Mara
Day 14: Fly to Entebbe from Masai Mara National Reserve – transfer Kibale national park
Day 15: Chimpanzee trekking activity and Bigodi swamp tour
Day 16: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable national park Via Ishasha sector
Day 17: Gorilla trekking and Batwa community tour
Day 18: Transfer to Volcanoes national park – Rwanda
Day 19: Bisoke hiking experience in Volcanoes national park
Day 20: Transfer to Kigali – Departure
Detailed Itinerary
MACHAME ROUTE 7 DAYS, 6 NIGHT’S
Machame (“Whiskey”) Route * Known as the “Whiskey” route, the Machame route is now the most popular route on the mountain. The route begins from the south, then heads east, traversing underneath Kilimanjaro’s southern ice field before summiting. The minimum number of days required for this route is six days, although seven days is recommended. The Machame route is scenically beautiful and varied.
DAY 0: Arrive Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you will meet by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Moshi (Parkview Inn). Evening briefing at hotel to prepare you for the climb ahead, followed by group dinner, an opportunity for the group to get to know each other before the climb.
DAY 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Elevation (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft
Distance: 11 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.
DAY 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Elevation (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.
DAY 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Semi Desert
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
DAY 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.
DAY 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
DAY 6: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
Habitat: Arctic
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
DAY 7: Mweka Camp to Moshi – transfer to Tarangire national park
Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village.
Upon pick up, connect for lunch in Moshi, and then proceed on your safari to Tarangire national park, which is about 3 hours’ drive and upon arrival, connect to your booked lodge for check-in, relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Boabab Tented Lodge
Day 8: Morning game drive – transfer to Karatu
After breakfast, explore the park on a game drive. You will see different wildlife species such as lions, giraffes, antelopes, giraffes, lions, leopards, buffalos, wildebeests, elands, elephants, cheetahs, impalas and a variety of bird species can also be seen especially around the Tarangire national park. Thereafter, transfer to Karatu. Check-in for dinner and overnight stay at Hhando Coffee Lodge for budget/Karatu Tented Lodge for mid-range
Day 9: Ngorongoro crater – transfer to Serengeti national park
You will start your day with breakfast at your lodge and transfer to Ngorongoro conservation area with your packed lunch for a full day Crater game drive. You will descend 600 meters into the crater and enjoy seeing wildlife species such as cheetahs, lions, leopards, elephants, antelopes, giraffes, buffalos, wildebeests and many others. You will also visit Lake Magadi, which is a large but shallow alkaline lake in the south-western corner and is among the main features of the crater. You will see a large number of flamingos, hippos as well as other bird species along the lake-shores. Dinner and overnight at Osinon Camps and Lodges for budget/Serengeti Bush Camp for midrange
Day 10: Full day game drives in Serengeti national park
Serengeti national park is the largest in Africa and on this day, you will fully enjoy the game drives in the Serengeti plains. Serengeti national park has all kinds of wildlife and most spotted animals include; the big five like lions, leopards, buffalos, rhinos, and elephants. You will also see other wildlife and bird species, which include Wildebeest, waterbucks, antelopes, zebras, kudus, hippos, buffalos among others. Visit the retina hippo pool where you can see many hippos swimming in a pool. You will also see different predators in the savannah of this national park especially sitting on top of rock kopjes. Start your game drives early and end late evening with return to the lodges to relax, dinner and overnight stay as above.
Day 11: Another day game viewing
You will have an early breakfast at your lodge ahead of the full day wildlife viewing activity as you explore Serengeti national park. During your morning game drive in the wilderness of the national park, you will see a variety of wildlife species like lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, Zebras, Impala, African wild dogs, Serval cats, elephants and many other species then have your packed lunches in the national park as you prepare for another game drive after lunch. You will also drive around the kopjes like the Simba kopjes during your game drive in Serengeti national park and you will enjoy seeing lions as they watch their prey in the savannah plains from the top of the rocks. You will also enjoy watching the sunset as your guide drives you back to your lodge.
Day 12: Transfer to Masai Mara national reserve via Isabenia border
You will have a very early breakfast and check-out from the lodge to embark on your journey to Masai Mara national reserve in Kenya with en-en-route game drive as you proceed to Isebania border where you will be crossing to Kenya. Upon arrival at the border the customs office will do clearance after which, meet your Kenyan driver guide to proceed to Masai Mara where you will enter the park. Connect to Masai Mara Park via Olololo gate in Mara west, proceed to your lodge for check-in, relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Mara Sentrim tented lodge for budget/Julia’s River Camp for mid-range option
Day 13: Full day game drive in Maasai Mara
Wake up early in the morning, have breakfast and grab your packed lunch and meet your safari driver to head to the plains of Maasai Mara for a full day adventure in this stunning savannah vegetation of Masai Mara as you watch many animals in large numbers such as lions, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, wildebeests, zebras and many more. You will enjoy your picnic lunch and proceed for a game drive until the sun goes down. In the evening you will head back to your lodge, have dinner and stay overnight at lodge as above
Day 14: Fly to Entebbe from Masai Mara National Reserve – transfer Kibale national park
Have breakfast, check-out of the lodge and connect for your flight to Entebbe airport, departing Masai Mara at 8:45 am and arrive in Entebbe 11:45 am.
Upon arrival at Entebbe airport, you will meet your safari driver guide who will brief you about your safari in Uganda, have en-route lunch as you proceed on your journey to Kibale forest national park in the western part of Uganda with stopovers to stretch. Connect to your lodge. Dinner and overnight stay at Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse/Kibale Forest Lodge for budget
Day 15: Chimpanzee trekking activity and Bigodi swamp tour
After breakfast, drive to Kibale park head offices for briefing about the chimpanzees. Enter the forest and start trek the chimpanzees in their natural habitat, its take 2-5 hours to find them and on finding them, you are allowed 1 hour to be in their process as they swing from the branches in the canopy high above the forest floor.
After lunch, explore the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. The reserve is abundant with butterflies, plants, animals, in particular, birds and primates. Spectacular birds like Great Blue Turaco and rare Papyrus Gonolek will be of great interest to birders. The swamp is also home to more elusive animals such as Red Colobus monkeys and Sitatunga antelope. There is also the opportunity to visit local community projects that have been financed by tourism. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above.
Day 16: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable national park Via Ishasha sector
After breakfast, meet your driver to depart for Bwindi impenetrable national park via the Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth national park for chances in seeing the tree-climbing lions and other animals. Proceed to Bwindi forest with en-route lunch. Upon arrival late afternoon, connect to your lodge in the Buhoma or Ruhija sector of the Bwindi forest. Dinner, and spend a night at Buhoma Community Rest Camp for budget option/Buhoma Haven Lodge for mid-range
Day 17: Gorilla trekking and Batwa community tour
Have breakfast and transfer you to park offices for briefing about Mountain Gorilla trekking by a local guide. The time taken is usually between 2-8 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas. Meeting the gorillas unexpectedly is one of the most captivating lifetime experiences. You will have a chance to observe and take pictures at very close range. You will observe adults feeding and groaning among themselves. After an hour with the long-awaited gorillas, your guide and rangers will lead you back to the starting point where your driver will readily be waiting to transfer you back to the lodge. After trekking, connect for an afternoon Batwa community tour. Have dinner and overnight stay as lodge above
Day 18: Transfer to Volcanoes national park – Rwanda
After breakfast, check-out and embark on your journey to cross to Rwanda via Cyanika border, proceed to Musanze. It’s a 5-6 hours’ drive journey with en-route lunch. Upon arrival in the afternoon, visit the Dian fossey museum and visit Iby’wacu Cultural Village-a Non-Profit umbrella organization that aims at improving the lives of reformed poachers and communities around Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park through provision of conservation incentives, supporting community enterprise development and livelihood based projects. It’s a rewarding place where you will be guided around the place as you enjoy the Kiryarwanda traditions including the Intore dance, traditional ceremonies and a guided community walk. After the community tour, connect to your booked lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge for mid-range, Hotel Muhabura for budget
Day 19: Bisoke hiking experience in Volcanoes national park
After breakfast, you will be driven to the park headquarter at Kinigi for briefing and you will later head off for hiking. The hike will typically take a full day from 6 to 8 hours depending on your hiking experience. During the climb, you will cross a series of different vegetation habitats starting with bamboo forests, then moving into Hagenia – Hypericum forest and finally moving through Senecio – Lobelia bush near the summit. You will carry your packed lunch with you and some drinks as well. You will later return to your lodge, dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above
Day 20: Transfer to Kigali – Departure
After breakfast at leisure, meet your guide and transfer to Kigali with en-route of the rolling hills of Rwanda for pictures. Have lunch in Kigali town then connect to visit the Kigali genocide memorial and craft shops including Kimoronko market. Depending on your departure schedule, you will either be dropped off at a hotel you advise or proceed to the airport to check-in for your onward flight back home.
End of Safari