16-Day East Africa Safari with Gorilla Trekking and Golden Monkeys

1

Day 01

Nairobi National Park and City Culture

• Start your journey in the bustling capital of Kenya, Nairobi. The day begins with an early morning game drive at Nairobi National Park, a unique wildlife sanctuary located within the city boundaries.
• Here, you'll encounter lions, giraffes, rhinos, and more against the backdrop of Nairobi's skyline.
• After exiting the park by 10 AM, head to the National Museum of Kenya for a 2-3 hour visit to explore Kenya's rich cultural, historical, and natural heritage.
• Enjoy lunch at the museum cafe before spending the afternoon at the Nairobi Cultural Market. Discover vibrant art, crafts, and souvenirs, and visit an art gallery to prepare for your safari adventure the next day.
• Comfort Lodge: Hilton Garden Inn, Nairobi Airport.

2

Day 02

Journey to Masai Mara and Cultural Visit

• After breakfast, embark on a 4-5 hour drive to the iconic Masai Mara.
• Upon arrival, check in at your lodge, relax, and enjoy lunch.
• In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the culture of the Masai people with a visit to a Masai village. Experience their traditional lifestyle, dances, and crafts firsthand.
• Comfort Lodge: Sunset Camp, Masai Mara.

3

Day 03

Full-Day Safari in Masai Mara

• Spend the day exploring the vast savannahs of Masai Mara Game Reserve during a full-day game drive.
• Witness the Big Five, other iconic wildlife, and the famous Mara River, known for the spectacular wildebeest migration.
• Exit the park by 6:00 PM and drive to Narok for an overnight stay.
• Comfort Lodge: Walabi Mara Hotel, Narok City.

4

Day 04

Wildlife and Birdlife at Lake Nakuru

• After a 3-4 hour drive, arrive at Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for its soda lake and vibrant birdlife, including flamingos and pelicans.
• Enjoy a 2-3 hour afternoon game drive through the park, spotting rhinos, buffaloes, and more. Visit the scenic soda lake to observe the abundant birdlife.
• Comfort Lodge: Hotel Waterbuck, Nakuru City.

5

Day 05

Transfer to Jinja and the Source of the Nile

• Travel on a 7-9 hour transfer from Kenya to Uganda, crossing the border to reach Jinja, the historical Source of the Nile.
• Relax at your accommodation after the long journey.
• Comfort Lodge: Afrosmile Guest House.

6

Day 06

Boat Tour at the Nile Source and Transfer to Murchison Falls

• Start the day with a 1-2 hour boat tour to the Source of the Nile, where Lake Victoria flows into the river.
• Afterward, embark on a 7-8 hour drive to Murchison Falls National Park, known for its dramatic waterfalls and diverse wildlife.
• Comfort Lodge: Bamboo Village Safari Lodge.

7

Day 07

Game Drive, Nile Cruise, and Murchison Falls Hike

• Explore the park with a 3-4 hour morning game drive, spotting lions, elephants, giraffes, and more.
• Enjoy a late morning boat tour on the Victoria Nile, leading to the base of Murchison Falls.
• Later, hike to the top of the falls for breathtaking views.
• Comfort Lodge: Bamboo Village Safari Lodge.

8

Day 08

Transfer to Kibale Forest and Bigodi Experience

• Take a 6-7 hour drive to Kibale Forest National Park, home to diverse primates and lush greenery.
• In the evening, enjoy a coffee farm experience and explore the Bigodi Swamp, rich in birdlife and unique flora.
• Comfort Lodge: Kibale Forest Lodge.

9

Day 09

Chimpanzee Tracking and Queen Elizabeth National Park

• Begin the day with a 4-5 hour chimpanzee tracking experience in Kibale Forest, followed by a 2-3 hour drive to Queen Elizabeth NP.
• Stop at the Equator Monument before taking a 2-hour boat tour of Kazinga Channel, famous for its hippos and birdlife.
• End the day with a 1-hour late afternoon game drive in the Kasenyi Plains.
• Comfort Lodge: Irungu Safari Lodge.

10

Day 10

Kasenyi Game Drive and Batwa Cultural Experience

• Enjoy an early morning 2-3 hour game drive in Kasenyi Plains before a 4-5 hour transfer to Bwindi Forest.
• In the evening, experience the culture of the Batwa community, one of Uganda's indigenous tribes.
• Comfort Lodge: Bakiga Lodge.

11

Day 11

Gorilla Trekking and Sunset at Lake Bunyonyi

• Embark on a 5-6 hour gorilla trekking adventure in the dense Bwindi Forest, observing these majestic primates in their natural habitat.
• Later, transfer 2 hours to Lake Bunyonyi and enjoy an evening hike to view the sunset and the scattered islands of the lake.
• Comfort Lodge: Antique Cottages.

12

Day 12

Lake Bunyonyi Islands and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

• Begin the day with a 1-hour boat tour to explore Lake Bunyonyi's historic islands, including Punishment Island.
• Then, transfer 3-4 hours to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
• Comfort Lodge: Fravan Eco Resort.

13

Day 13

Golden Monkey Trek and Lake Kivu Boat Tour

• Track the golden monkeys of the Virunga Mountains during a 3-5 hour trek.
• Afterward, drive 2 hours to Lake Kivu in Gisenyi. Enjoy an afternoon boat tour of the lake, with an optional visit to Goma City (depends on security).
• Comfort Lodge: Paradis Malahide Resort.

14

Day 14

Kigali Memorials and City Visit

• Transfer to Kigali City, Rwanda's vibrant capital. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial to learn about the country's history and resilience, and the Belgian Peacekeepers Memorial.
• Comfort Lodge: Yambi Guesthouse.

15

Day 15

Overland Journey to Bujumbura

• Travel for 8 hours, crossing through Tanzania, to reach Bujumbura in Burundi.
• Comfort Lodge: Burundi Palace Hotel.

16

Day 16

Lake Tanganyika and Community Visit

• Spend the morning on a boat tour of Lake Tanganyika, the world's second-deepest freshwater lake. In the evening, engage in a community visit, such as visiting a school or orphanage, before preparing for departure.