31 Days Self-Drive East Africa Safari – The Grand Round Tour
The 31 Days Self-drive East Africa safari comes with plenty of opportunities for you to grab. This is a trans-East Africa vacation introducing you to over 4 countries including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda.
It is perfect not only families, but also group and friends with plans to unearth the endowments in East Africa. Self-drive East Africa tour encompasses a range of unique experiences including witnessing the wildebeest migration, big five game drive, gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking and boat cruises, etc.
Detailed 31 Days Self-Drive East Africa Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up & hotel transfer in Entebbe
Once you have landed at Entebbe International Airport (EBB), get a warm welcome into Uganda, the Pearl of Africa. Next, you will clear with authorities and you will connect to your respective hotels in Entebbe.
Accommodation
- Lake Victoria Hotel/Hotel No.5 (Luxury).
- Hotels Entebbe/The Boma Hotel (Midrange).
- Papyrus Guesthouse (Basic)
Day 2: Travel from Entebbe to Murchison Falls NP
A leisurely breakfast to be enjoyed at the comfort of your hotel in the calm and green Entebbe city. Begin your road trip towards Northwestern side of Uganda and your prime destination will be Murchison Falls National Park.
The 5-6 hours’ drive journey includes en-route stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for you to enjoy a guided rhino tracking. The rhino trek will last for about 2 hours and you return to have lunch at Amuka Safari Lodge or hotel in Masindi. Today, Kichumbanyobo gate will be your entry gate to Murchison Falls National Park.
Accommodation
- Nile Safari Lodge/Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury)
- Sambiya River Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange)
- Red Chili Rest Camp/Murchison Backpackers (Budget)
Day 3: Game drive and boat cruise on Nile River
Begin your day with early morning exciting game drive via the Northern circuit of Murchison Falls NP. The 2-3 hours’ game drive in this park will let you observe variety of wildlife including warthogs, lions, elephants, cape buffaloes, Rothschild giraffes, and lots of birds.
Return to your lodge to have lunch at leisure and in the afternoon, you will be exploring the Victoria Nile on a launch cruise.
The 2-3 hours Nile River boat cruise will let you watch lots of hippos, Nile crocodiles and water birds such as bee-eaters, fish eagles, cormorants, herons and others. Continue with the trek to the top of the falls if the water levels are low.
Accommodation
- Nile Safari Lodge/Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury)
- Sambiya River Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange)
- Red Chili Rest Camp/Murchison Backpackers (Budget)
Day 4: Visit Kibale National Park
A hefty breakfast will be served in the morning and after, begin driving to Kibale National Park. Today’s road trip involves navigating via Hoima city to Fort Portal city where you will have a lunch break.
Depart from Fort Portal city for Kibale NP while viewing the beautiful Crater Lakes.
Accommodation
- Ndali Lodge (Luxury)
- Primate Lodge (Midrange)
- Isunga Lodge (Budget)
Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking
After a delicious breakfast, proceed to Kanyanchu for registration and briefing about chimpanzee trekking regulations. The park guides will be allocated to you and actual trekking begins at 8:00am, lasting for 2-4 hours.
This includes one hour for a close encounter and personal with chimpanzees, taking pictures etc. Kibale Forest NP is a rich natural forest and possible for you to also find other primates including black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, mangabeys and more.
When you return, lunch will be provided and chill in the lodge. At 2:00pm, you will be expected at Bigodi Wetland ready for a guided nature walk. Plenty of primates, birds and floral species will be spotted here.
Accommodation
- Ndali Lodge (Luxury)
- Primate Lodge (Midrange)
- Isunga Lodge (Budget)
Day 6: To Queen Elizabeth National Park
Depart from the lush Kibale Forest Park for Queen Elizabeth National Park driving via Kasese. Arrive at the park early and proceed to your lodge for relaxation, till in the afternoon when you will embark on a guided game drive.
Catch up with plenty of small and large mammals that live in this park including buffaloes, elephants, lions, and antelopes.
Day 7: A Game drive + Launch cruise on Kazinga channel
Early in the morning, set off for the 6:00am game drive with a guide. Explore the treasures of Kasenyi plain and expected sightings will include buffaloes, elephants, giant forest hogs, Uganda Kobs, waterbucks, leopards, spotted hyenas, and bird species.
Begin driving back to your lodge early for relaxation and enjoy lunch break until in the afternoon when you will be collected again from your lodges ready for a boat cruise. The afternoon launch on Kazinga channel will involve spotting aquatic life such as hippos, crocodiles and water birds, etc.
Day 8: Queen Elizabeth Park –Bwindi
After your leisurely breakfast, you will be transferred to Bwindi through the Ishasha area. At Ishasha sector, keep your eyes on the tree climbing lions, and other mammals.
A bush lunch break will be had still at Ishasha and after, continue straight to the lodge in or nearby Bwindi.
Accommodation
- Buhoma Lodge (Luxury)
- Silverback Lodge (Standard)
- Buhoma Community Rest Camp (Budget)
Day 9: Gorilla trekking
Transfer from the lodge to Buhoma trailhead for briefing. Get highlights on gorilla trekking regulations and the tourism official will also allocate a gorilla family to you to track.
Within Buhoma sector alone, there are about 4 habituated gorilla families to be visited each taking a maximum of 8 visitors. You will embark on actual trek starting at 8:00am and this will go for 2-6 hours which includes one hour of observing how mountain gorillas behave and taking pictures.
Late in the afternoon, you will be accompanied to the Batwa pygmy community for a cultural experience. It is during this time when you will meet the Batwa, the original inhabitants of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Learn in depth about the Batwa pygmies’ unique traditions, cultures, norms and you will also be entertained by their dances and music performance.
Day 10: Bwindi-Lake Bunyonyi & drive to Rwanda
Enjoy a hefty breakfast and after, start your journey to beautiful Lake Bunyonyi. Have great time at Lake Bunyonyi on a boat ride.
This lake alone hosts about 29 Islands and many interesting bird species. You will settle for lunch in the nearby lodge and following will be a road trip to Rwanda via Katuna or Chanika border. Cross the border to Ruhengeri to check in at your accommodation for relaxation.
Accommodation
- Singita Kwitonda Lodge/Bisate Lodge (Luxury)
- Le Bambou Lodge/La Palme Hotel (Midrange)
- Kinigi Guesthouse (Budget)
Day 11: Gorilla trekking
Early in the morning, have a tasty cup of tea or coffee and after, transfer to Kinigi for briefing about gorilla trekking regulations. The park official will assign the park guides to take you to search for a gorilla family in Volcanoes NP.
Be prepared for altitude challenge and this is why you should have some snacks, bottled water and walking stick. Once you have located a family of gorillas, enjoy a maximum of one hour face-to-face with them, and take as many photos as you can. When you return, have a long afternoon and evening at your lodge.
Accommodation
- Singita Kwitonda Lodge/Bisate Lodge (Luxury)
- Le Bambou Lodge/La Palme Hotel (Midrange)
- Kinigi Guesthouse (Budget)
Day 12: Golden monkey tracking & Visit Iby’Iwacu
Following a delicious breakfast, briefing about golden monkey tracking regulations at Kinigi. The park guides will be assigned to take you through a search for golden monkey troop, and this adventure may run for 2-4 hours inclusive of one hour for up close with golden monkeys.
Return and lunch will be provided to you at the lodge, relax till afternoon when you will be embarking on a cultural tour in Iby’Iwacu Village.
Accommodation
- Singita Kwitonda Lodge/Bisate Lodge (Luxury)
- Le Bambou Lodge/La Palme Hotel (Midrange)
- Kinigi Guesthouse (Budget)
Day 13: Volcanoes NP-Nyungwe
Have breakfast and after, set off from Volcanoes National Park to Nyungwe NP the only place in Rwanda and entire East Africa where canopy walk is conducted.
En-route, enjoy Lake Kivu view and continue to the park to check in at your lodge for relaxation.
Accommodation
- One & Only Nyungwe House
- Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
- Gisakura Guesthouse
Day 14: Chimpanzee tracking plus canopy walk
Get briefed about chimpanzee trekking regulations at Cyamudongo or Uwinka reception. You will wind through the tough terrain and lush vegetation cover.
The chimp trek involves a search for habituated chimpanzee community which also comes with sight of other primates, birds and flora. Return to the lodge after one hour of up close with the chimpanzee community.
Enjoy a leisurely lunch and relax till in the afternoon when you will embark on a canopy walk. The canopy walk in Nyungwe takes you through a suspended walkway set 60m from the floor and extends over 200m.
Day 15: Nyungwe –Kigali
A delicious breakfast in the morning and after, you will be transferred to Kigali. En-route, have break visit at Ethnography museum and Nyanza King’s palace.
From Butare, continue to Kigali and overall, expect to cover 6-7 hours. You will be connecting to Nairobi by air starting at Kigali airstrip.
Day 16: Nairobi to Lake Nakuru
After breakfast, you will embark on a self-drive tour to Lake Nakuru National Park in Central Kenya. It is a short day drive of 3 to 4 hours from Nairobi city to Lake Nakuru NP.
Arrive early and settle at the lodge, enjoy lunch then relax. In the afternoon, embark on a game drive to search for zebras, waterbucks, buffaloes, waterbucks, lions, wild dogs, Rothschild giraffes and birds like pink flamingos.
Day 17: Full day in Lake Nakuru N/Park
A hefty breakfast will be enjoyed in the morning at the comfort of your lodge and after, set off for a full day wildlife safari in Lake Nakuru National Park.
Different animal species will be encountered on a combined morning and afternoon game viewing including cape buffaloes, giraffes, lions, waterbucks, zebras and birds.
Accommodation
- Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge
- Ziwa Bush Lodge
Day 18: Lake Nakuru to Maasai Mara
Leave Lake Nakuru National Park in your 4×4 self-drive rental car in Kenya for you to explore Masai Mara Reserve. This nature reserve is one of Africa’s most explored places thanks to its natural treasures.
It extends over 1510sq.km and holds several animals including wildebeest, zebras, hippos, cheetahs, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and many birds.
Day 19: Game viewing –full day at Masai Mara
Leave your lodge when you have had breakfast and expect to spend a long day exploring Masai Mara and its abundant wildlife.
Varieties of wildlife will be observed on today’s combined morning and afternoon game drives. Expect to come across the cape buffaloes, lions, elephants, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, hippos, leopards, and also observe the wildebeest migration.
Day 20: Balloon experience & game drive
Balloon excursion is once in a lifetime experience. Today, expect to enjoy the morning balloon tour, a perfect opportunity to experience the aerial sights of Masai Mara Reserve’s diversity wildlife.
This will be accompanied with a bush breakfast and your excursion begins at 6:30am. Enjoy the sunrise with incredible sights of dozens of wildlife such as African elephants, buffaloes, cheetahs, wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, rhinos, and more.
Return from your balloon excursion and have lunch break at your lodge. In the afternoon, you will engage in the memorable game drive. This is to allow you look out for more wildlife including the ones you missed to spot during the previous game drive or on a hot balloon experience.
Day 21: Drive to Serengeti NP
After breakfast, you will be crossing from Maasai Mara Reserve to Serengeti National Park. Drive via Isebania border which is found in the western side of Serengeti. Once you have crossed, connect to your lodge or safari camp.
Accommodation
- Bushtop Luxury Tented Camp/Lamai Camp (Luxury)
- Serengeti Acacia Migration Camp/Serengeti Safari Lodge (Midrange)
- Nyikani Camp/Lobo Wildlife Lodge (Budget).
Day 22: Full day big 5 game viewing
Embark on a search for the complete big five game list in the savanna grassland of Serengeti. Look out for the cape buffaloes, elephants, rhinos, lions, and leopards.
The morning and afternoon big five game encounters comes with sights of other wildlife species including the grant’s gazelles, giraffes, elands, topis, impalas, cheetahs, spotted hyenas and birds. You will also have a bush lunch break in the wilderness of Serengeti NP.
Accommodation
- Bushtop Luxury Tented Camp/Lamai Camp (Luxury)
- Serengeti Acacia Migration Camp/Serengeti Safari Lodge (Midrange)
- Nyikani Camp/Lobo Wildlife Lodge (Budget).
Day 23: Wildebeest Migration Experience
Wake up early and start your long day tour through Serengeti NP for you to witness the wildebeest migration. The Great migration is a perfect opportunity to observe huge concentrations of wildebeest trek over 800km in search for pasture and water.
This usually begins from July to November, and the most remarkable of all is the river crossing. Late in the afternoon, you will also visit the Masai people in their nearby community to explore their unique traditions, cultures and watch them entertain you.
Accommodation
- Bushtop Luxury Tented Camp/Lamai Camp (Luxury)
- Serengeti Acacia Migration Camp/Serengeti Safari Lodge (Midrange)
- Nyikani Camp/Lobo Wildlife Lodge (Budget).
Day 24: Drive to Ngorongoro
Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater/Conservation Area, about 3-4 hours’ drive. This conservancy area spans over 8292sq.km. It contains the extinct volcanic caldera –the Ngorongoro Crater and also has all the big five game members.
Arrive at Ngorongoro early to check in at your lodge for relaxation and enjoy a leisurely lunch. In the afternoon, you will take part in a guided game drive to see wildlife such as rhinos, African buffaloes, leopards, lions, wildebeest, jackals, hyenas, elands, cheetahs, zebras, bushbucks, hartebeest and Kudus.
Day 25: Full Day in Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast, you will embark on a long game drive which will run up to 4:30pm. In your 4×4 tourist car, look out for diverse wildlife species including the big 5 game, descend down into the Ngorongoro Crater while spotting more wildlife and birds.
Day 26: To Lake Manyara NP
Situated in the Northern circuit of Tanzania, Lake Manyara NP is one of Tanzania’s oldest park created in 1960 but compact in size, spanning over 320sq.km.
It contains 5 unique vegetation zones, over 300 species of birds, and varied wildlife such as impalas, giraffes, hippos, bushbucks, elephants, baboons, leopards and more.
On arrival at Lake Manyara NP, you will be offered lunch and relax for some time. In the afternoon, you will take part in a game drive to observe the different animals living in this park.
Accommodation
- AndBeyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge/Tarangire Treetops by Elewana
- Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp/Kirurumu Tented Lodge (Midrange)
- Fig Tree Lodge and Camp/Karatu Safari Camp Lodge (Budget)
Day 27: Wildlife Viewing (whole day)
Have breakfast and after, set off for whole day game viewing in Lake Manyara National Park. The different wildlife today will include among others giraffes, elephants, hyenas, black & white rhinos, zebras and plenty of birds, especially the pink flamingos.
You will return to the lodge at once for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation
- AndBeyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge/Tarangire Treetops by Elewana
- Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp/Kirurumu Tented Lodge (Midrange)
- Fig Tree Lodge and Camp/Karatu Safari Camp Lodge (Budget)
Day 28: Lake Manyara National Park to Tarangire
Start your road trip to Tarangire National Park in a good 4×4 self-drive vehicle. Get to the park early and have lunch at the comfort of your lodge. Tarangire N/P is Tanzania’s 6th biggest park extending over 2600sq.km.
This is one of the best places to go for birding in Tanzania. The park holds wildlife species such as lions, cheetahs, hyenas, bush elephants, zebras, buffaloes, and over 550 species of birds. You will embark on the afternoon game drive to see variety of wildlife and birds.
Accommodation
- Tarangire Treetops by Elewana/Mbali Mbali Tarangire River Camp
- Nyikani Tarangire Camp/Tarangire Sopa Lodge/Tarangire Safari Lodge
- Whistling Thorn Tented Camp
Day 29: Game drive and birding
Set off for a long day game drive through Tarangire National Park. Expect to look out for wildlife such as gazelles, dik-dik, zebras, elephants, buffaloes, lions, waterbucks, warthogs, Kudus, and others.
On a game drive, you also be keeping eyes on varied bird species where you will have a chance spotting birds like the yellow necked spur fowl, ashy starling, Kori bustards, ostriches, rufous tailed weavers, and striped swallows, etc.
Day 30: Nature walks and community visit
After a delicious breakfast, you will embark on a guided nature walk. Enjoy a close interaction with wildlife and birdlife in the various tracks in this park.
Return to have lunch and in the afternoon, you will be visiting the Maasai villages to explore the different traditions, cultures and also purchase some of their art pieces.
Accommodation
- Tarangire Treetops by Elewana/Mbali Mbali Tarangire River Camp
- Nyikani Tarangire Camp/Tarangire Sopa Lodge/Tarangire Safari Lodge
- Whistling Thorn Tented Camp
Day 31: Departure
At leisure, have a tasty breakfast and you will check out of your lodge. Start driving to Arusha about 3 to 4 hours and arrive early, marking the end of 31 self-drive tour in East Africa.
End of tour
Tour Price Inclusions of the 31 Days Self-Drive East Africa;
- Park entry fees
- Game drives
- Boat cruises
- Gorilla & chimp permits.
- Nature walks
- All trip activities
- Accommodation and meals
- Travel to and from all destinations
Tour Exclusions of the 31 Days Self-Drive East Africa
- Telephone bills.
- Visas, etc.
Plan Your 31 Days Self-Drive East Africa Today!!