/destinations/east-africa-grand-tour/
Tour Overview
Our most comprehensive routing — the Maasai Mara and Serengeti migration ecosystem, Ngorongoro Crater, mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda, and a Zanzibar close, for travellers with the time to experience East Africa's full range in one trip.
Luxury Highlights
- Full coverage of Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda
- Both the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti
- Gorilla trekking in both Rwanda and Uganda
- A genuine beach close on Zanzibar rather than a rushed final stop
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Maasai Mara, Kenya
Arrive in Nairobi and fly to the Maasai Mara for two days of game drives.
Cross to Tanzania
Fly or transfer across the border into the Serengeti.
Serengeti National Park
Three full days of game drives through the ecosystem.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Crater-rim lodge with a full-day crater floor descent.
Fly to Kigali, Rwanda
Connect via Kigali and transfer to the Volcanoes National Park region.
Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla trekking, plus optional golden monkey tracking.
Cross to Uganda
Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
A second gorilla trek with a different habituated family.
Zanzibar
Fly to Zanzibar via Kilimanjaro or Dar es Salaam to close the trip with beach time.
Accommodation on This Safari
Accommodation is selected from our recommended lodge directory for each region visited, matched to your preferences on privacy, style, and budget tier during planning — see the relevant region and lodge pages for specific property options.
Meals Included
All meals are included throughout the safari portions of this itinerary; specific inclusions for any city or beach nights should be confirmed at booking, as these can vary by property.
Flights & Transfers
This itinerary crosses Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, combining light-aircraft safari transfers with international connecting flights between countries; all internal flights are arranged as part of your itinerary.
Wildlife Expectations
The most complete single-trip picture of East Africa's plains, mountain, and coastal wildlife experiences available in the region. As with all our itineraries, we do not guarantee specific sightings.
Best Season for This Itinerary
Best planned around the Kenya-Tanzania migration timing, with the Rwanda/Uganda and Zanzibar legs workable across most of the year.
Optional Experiences & Add-Ons
Hot air balloon safaris, private guided walks, cultural visits, and helicopter transfers can be added to most legs of this itinerary on request. Internal link: Experiences
Packing Guide
Neutral-toned clothing, layers for early-morning game drives, comfortable closed shoes, and a wide-brimmed hat are recommended across all legs of this itinerary. Internal link: The Tanzania Safari Packing Guide
What's Included / What's Excluded
Included: accommodation, meals as specified, park and conservation fees, private guiding, and internal transfers listed above. Excluded: international flights, visas, travel insurance, gratuities, and optional add-on experiences unless otherwise agreed.
Why Choose This Safari
Our most comprehensive routing — the Maasai Mara and Serengeti migration ecosystem, Ngorongoro Crater, mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda, and a Zanzibar close, for travellers with the time to experience East Africa's full range in one trip.
Upgrade Options
This itinerary can be shortened by removing either the Rwanda or Uganda leg if 16 days isn't available — ask your specialist for a condensed version.