16 Days Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda Safaris
The 16 days East Africa safari offers an unrivalled experience whereby the legendary savannahs of Kenya, the vast plains of Tanzania and the mist-filled rainforests of Uganda are fused to create a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. This itinerary is a feast of the most amazing wildlife experiences on the continent, including the lion prides of Masai Mara and Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater rhinos, and the elusive mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It has well thought-out routing, easy border crossings, and diverse landscapes, and is tailor-made to suit the traveller who wants the most of East Africa in one unforgettable journey.
Up-to-Date Gorilla Permit Costs and Reservation Advice
In Uganda, the gorilla trekking permit, where one will spend an hour with a habituated gorilla group, will cost USD 800 per person by 2025. The detailed 4-hour gorilla habituation is at the rate of USD 1,500 per person. The rates are charged on foreign non-residents, with reduced fees charged to residents and East African citizens. Gorilla permits are scarce and sought after, particularly during June to September and December to February, so it is strongly suggested that one should at least book six months in advance.
Itinerary Overview
Day 1: Kenya, Nairobi
You will fly to Nairobi, where you will be picked up and taken to your hotel by your safari guide. You could go to the Giraffe Centre or the Karen Blixen Museum, depending on the time of your arrival. A pre-safari briefing is done in the evening, including highlights of the Kenya safari, wildlife viewing etiquette and packing tips.
Day 2-3: Kenya, Maasai Mara National Reserve
Go to the Masai Mara, which is one of the most visited safari destinations in Africa. During the two days, we have morning and afternoon game drives in search of the Big Five and, depending on the season, the Great Migration. Keep an eye out to see cheetahs hunting the plains, elephant herds crossing the Mara River, and birds. Other Maasai cultural tours will be able to give an insight into the old Mara lifestyle.
Day 4: Fly to Tanzania, Northern Serengeti
Following a morning game drive, drive to the Isebania border to do immigration procedures before entering the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. The northern Serengeti is the best place to witness the river crossing spectacle between July and October, and the thrill of wildebeest and zebra on the move.
Day 5-6: Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)
However, you should take two complete days to explore the different regions in Serengeti while on a Tanzania safari. The north provides scenic migration events, and the Central Serengeti (Seronera) has predators throughout the year. Eat lunch with acacia trees and a gold sunset on the plains.
Day 7: Ngorongoro Highlands to Serengeti
Drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area with the possibility to visit Olduvai Gorge or a Maasai boma, depending on time. Overnight on the crater rim with amazing views into the largest intact volcano caldera in the world.
Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater, game drive; flight to Uganda
Enter the crater at dawn to view unbelievable wildlife, such as black rhino, hippos and large prides of lions. Following a picnic brunch, you will be driven to Arusha, where you will be flown to Entebbe in Uganda.
Day 9: Kibale Forest National Park to Entebbe
Fly or drive to Kibale Forest, with the highest density of chimpanzees in East Africa. The journey is along tea plantations and hilly terrain, which offer a nice photo opportunity.
Day 10: Chimpanzee hike to Chimps and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Take a morning chimpanzee tracking experience with well-trained rangers. After lunch, you will be driven to Queen Elizabeth National Park to have an evening game drive in the Kasenyi sector of the park.
Day 11: Boat cruise in the Kazinga channel and tree-climbing lions in Ishasha
Enjoy a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel, which is one of the best highlights of the Uganda wildlife travel. View hippos, elephants, crocodiles and rich birdlife from the comfort of your boat. Continue to the south to the Ishasha sector with a possibility of seeing tree-climbing lions, which is a rare phenomenon in Africa.
Day 12: Ishasha- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Hike through the mists of the Bwindi hills. Stay in your lodge and leave for gorilla trekking the next day. Your guide will inform you about the weather conditions of trekking, the services of porters and photography regulations while on a Uganda safari.
Day 13: Bwindi Gorilla tracking
Then a morning briefing, followed by a hike through thick rainforest to find your gorilla family. This ascent may be challenging but pleasant. In an hour, see silverbacks, mothers and youngsters playing in their natural habitat.
Day 14: Optional gorilla tracking or forest walk, second time; transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Make a second gorilla hike (additional USD 800 permit) or a guided walk in the forest to see birds and waterfalls. In the afternoon, take a drive to Lake Bunyonyi, which is a calm lake with terraced hills.
Day 15: Entebbe to Lake Bunyonyi
A lazy morning-canoeing, hiking, or just enjoying the scenery-and you begin the journey back to Entebbe.
Day 16: Departure from Entebbe
Be flown to the airport to go back home, and of the wonderful landscape and wildlife in East Africa.
Accommodation Suggestions
Masai Mara: Five-star lodges around the reserve or tented camps within the private conservancies
Serengeti: The hub is seasonal migration lodges/camps
Ngorongoro: Crater rim lodges have views
Kibale: Forest lodges: Turaco Treetops or Primate Lodge
Queen Elizabeth: Mweya Safari Lodge or boutique bush camps
Bwindi: We can select either Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs or Four Gorillas Lodge
What Time to Go
The rivers of the Great Migration crossing: July-October, in Mara and the northern Serengeti
Gorilla trekking: There are fewer slippery and drier trails from June to September and December to February throughout the year
Predator activity in Serengeti (Ndutu): December-Late March, calving season
2026 – 2025: Travel Tips
Book gorilla: early-peak months especially
Trek gorillas with the aid of a porter to help the local societies and facilitate the trek
Bring layered clothes: thin shirts on the savannah and warm jackets on the highlands and early mornings
Conclusion
This 16-day Kenya-Tanzania-Uganda safari combines the spectacle of the great savannahs of East Africa with the closeness of primate interactions in the rainforests of Uganda. Whether you are booming with the herds of the Great Migration or have a peaceful encounter locking eyes with a mountain gorilla, every day presents a new highlight. This itinerary is your roadmap to the best African experience with new 20252026 travel details, affordable and realistic prices and intelligent routing.
