16-Day Grand East Africa Safari
16-Day Grand East Africa Safari
The story of Africa is written in its vast skies, golden grasslands, ancient forests, and the deep rhythm of its wildlife. Few journeys capture that story as completely as a 16-Day Grand East Africa Safari, an epic expedition through Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda — four of the continent’s most spectacular destinations. This journey takes you across iconic landscapes: the sweeping plains of the Maasai Mara, the endless horizons of the Serengeti, the volcanic majesty of Ngorongoro, the mist-shrouded forests of Bwindi, and the rolling hills of Rwanda. It is a journey that unites Africa’s greatest treasures — the Big Five, the Great Migration, and the mountain gorillas — in one unforgettable experience.
If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing Africa in all her wild glory, this is the journey that brings that dream to life.
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi – The Heartbeat of East Africa
Your adventure begins in Nairobi, Kenya’s vibrant capital, where tradition and modernity blend effortlessly. Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met by a professional representative from Moreen Tours & Travel and transferred to your hotel.
Depending on your arrival time, explore Nairobi’s highlights — visit the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, where rescued baby elephants are nurtured back into the wild, or the Giraffe Centre, where you can hand-feed endangered Rothschild’s giraffes. In the evening, relax at your hotel, savoring your first night on African soil as you prepare for the incredible journey ahead.
Day 2: Nairobi to Amboseli National Park – Under the Shadow of Kilimanjaro
After breakfast, drive south toward Amboseli National Park, located at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain. The 4-hour journey passes through open plains and Maasai settlements before you enter the park, famous for its large elephant herds and breathtaking views of the snow-capped peak.
In the afternoon, enjoy your first game drive, spotting elephants, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, and possibly lions and cheetahs. The park’s dramatic backdrop of Kilimanjaro makes for spectacular photography, especially at sunset when the mountain glows pink and gold.
Dinner and overnight at your lodge inside the park, listening to the symphony of the African night.
Day 3: Amboseli to Lake Naivasha – The Great Rift Valley
Wake up to a glorious sunrise over Kilimanjaro, then depart for Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake in the Great Rift Valley. The journey takes about 5 hours, passing through rolling hills and colorful local markets.
Upon arrival, enjoy a leisurely boat ride on Lake Naivasha, gliding past pods of hippos and a stunning array of birdlife — from African fish eagles to kingfishers and pelicans. Visit Crescent Island, a private sanctuary where you can walk among giraffes, zebras, and antelopes, all against the shimmering backdrop of the lake.
Dinner and overnight at your lakeside lodge.
Day 4: Lake Naivasha to Maasai Mara National Reserve – The Great Plains of Kenya
After breakfast, drive west toward the legendary Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya’s premier safari destination. The drive takes about 5–6 hours through the Rift Valley and Maasai villages, arriving in time for lunch at your lodge or camp.
In the afternoon, embark on your first game drive in the Maasai Mara. The vast plains stretch endlessly, dotted with acacia trees and home to abundant wildlife. Lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, and countless antelope species roam freely here. From July to October, the reserve hosts the Great Wildebeest Migration, one of the most awe-inspiring natural events on Earth.
Return to your lodge at sunset, the sky ablaze with color. Dinner and overnight in the Mara.
Day 5: Full-Day Game Drive in the Maasai Mara
Spend a full day exploring the Maasai Mara, one of Africa’s richest ecosystems. After an early breakfast, set out on a full-day game drive with a picnic lunch. This allows you to venture deeper into the reserve, following herds of wildebeest and zebra as they graze across the plains.
You might witness a thrilling predator hunt, elephants bathing in the river, or hippos basking in the shallows. Every turn brings a new discovery.
Optional: Experience a hot air balloon safari at sunrise — float silently over the savanna as wildlife roams below and end with a champagne breakfast in the bush.
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight, surrounded by the wild rhythms of Africa.
Day 6: Maasai Mara to Serengeti National Park – Crossing into Tanzania
After breakfast, drive to the Isebania border, where Kenya meets Tanzania. After clearing immigration, continue into Serengeti National Park, Tanzania’s most iconic wildlife reserve.
The Serengeti is the stage for nature’s greatest drama — the Great Migration — where over two million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles move across the plains in search of fresh grazing. Even outside migration season, the park teems with wildlife all year round.
Enjoy an afternoon game drive en route to your lodge, spotting lions lounging on granite kopjes, elephants crossing the plains, and perhaps a cheetah sprinting across the golden grass. Dinner and overnight in the Serengeti.
Day 7: Full-Day Game Drive in the Serengeti
Today is dedicated to exploring the Serengeti’s endless plains. With a packed picnic lunch, venture into different regions of the park — from the Seronera Valley, known for its resident big cats, to the remote corners where large herds of wildebeest roam.
Your guide will help you interpret the park’s rhythms — from the subtle movements of predators stalking prey to the chatter of birds high above. Every moment feels timeless in this boundless wilderness.
Dinner and overnight at your lodge or tented camp, with the sounds of the Serengeti lulling you to sleep.
Day 8: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater – Nature’s Grandest Amphitheater
After breakfast, enjoy a final game drive in the Serengeti before continuing to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stop en route at Olduvai Gorge, one of the most important paleoanthropological sites in the world, where early human fossils were discovered.
Arrive at your lodge perched on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, offering breathtaking views of the world’s largest intact caldera. Dinner and overnight on the crater’s edge.
Day 9: Game Drive in Ngorongoro Crater – The Eighth Wonder of the World
Today you’ll descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full-day game drive. The crater floor is a natural enclosure teeming with wildlife — elephants, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, lions, and even the rare black rhino.
Enjoy a picnic lunch by a hippo pool and marvel at the stunning scenery that surrounds you. The crater’s unique ecosystem offers one of the highest concentrations of animals anywhere in Africa.
Ascend back to your lodge in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Transfer to Arusha – Flight to Entebbe, Uganda
After breakfast, drive to Arusha and catch your flight to Entebbe, Uganda, marking the next chapter of your East African adventure. Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed by your Ugandan guide and transferred to your hotel on the shores of Lake Victoria.
Relax and enjoy dinner while watching the sunset over Africa’s largest lake.
Day 11: Drive to Kibale Forest – The Primate Capital of the World
After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Kibale Forest National Park, known for its high concentration of primates, including over 1,500 chimpanzees. The journey takes about 6 hours through Uganda’s lush countryside, tea plantations, and crater lakes.
Arrive in the afternoon, check into your lodge nestled near the forest, and relax. Dinner and overnight near Kibale.
Day 12: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest – An Encounter with Our Closest Cousins
After breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing, then set out on your chimpanzee tracking adventure. As you walk beneath the tall tropical canopy, you’ll hear the distant calls and drumming of chimpanzees.
When you find them, spend an hour observing their social behavior — grooming, playing, and communicating with expressive gestures. The resemblance to humans is fascinating.
In the afternoon, visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community project rich in birdlife and local culture. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 13: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Home of the Mountain Gorillas
After breakfast, journey south to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. The drive offers beautiful scenery — rolling hills, terraced farms, and traditional villages.
Arrive in the evening and settle into your lodge nestled in the forest. Dinner and overnight at Bwindi.
Day 14: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi – The Ultimate Wildlife Experience
Today is the highlight of your safari — mountain gorilla trekking. After a briefing by the park rangers, set off into the forest in search of one of the habituated gorilla families.
The trek can be challenging, but the reward is extraordinary. When you find the gorillas, you’ll spend an unforgettable hour in their presence — watching a silverback’s power, the gentle care of mothers, and the playful curiosity of young ones.
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime encounter that connects you deeply with nature. Return to your lodge for a well-earned rest.
Day 15: Cross into Rwanda – Lake Kivu Retreat
After breakfast, drive to the Cyanika border and cross into Rwanda, the Land of a Thousand Hills. Continue to Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes, known for its serene beauty and palm-fringed shores.
Spend the afternoon relaxing at your lakeside resort, swimming, or taking a boat cruise to the nearby islands. Dinner and overnight overlooking the lake.
Day 16: Kigali City Tour and Departure
After breakfast, drive to Kigali, Rwanda’s clean and modern capital. Depending on your flight time, enjoy a short city tour, including a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local art galleries, and craft markets.
Later, transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your unforgettable 16-day journey across East Africa.
The Essence of the Grand East Africa Safari
This 16-day expedition is more than a safari — it’s a tapestry of landscapes, cultures, and wildlife woven together into one magnificent adventure. You’ll witness the drama of the Great Migration, the tranquility of the Ngorongoro Crater, the thrill of chimpanzee and gorilla trekking, and the calm beauty of Africa’s Great Lakes.
It’s a journey that reveals the soul of East Africa — raw, beautiful, and deeply moving. From sunrise on the Serengeti plains to the mist of Bwindi’s forests, every moment tells a story that stays with you forever.
Why Travel with Moreen Tours & Travel
To explore East Africa in such depth, you need a trusted partner with experience, expertise, and passion. Moreen Tours & Travel is a leading East African safari specialist dedicated to crafting unforgettable journeys that connect travelers to the heart of the continent.
With professional driver-guides, handpicked lodges, seamless logistics, and personalized service, Moreen Tours & Travel ensures every detail of your adventure is flawless. Their itineraries are designed for comfort, authenticity, and sustainability, supporting local communities and conservation efforts along the way.
When you travel with Moreen Tours & Travel, you’re not just a visitor — you become part of East Africa’s ongoing story. From Kenya’s golden plains to Rwanda’s misty forests, they make every journey a masterpiece of exploration and connection.
