Safari overview
Trek mountain gorillas, watch the Big Five across three countries and unwind on the palm-lined shores of Lamu Island on one well-paced sixteen-day journey.
This East Africa safari and Lamu beach holiday takes you through three countries in 16 days, combining Uganda’s gorilla forests, Tanzania’s grass plains, Kenya’s Maasai Mara and the Indian Ocean coast of Lamu. Starting in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you enjoy game drives, a Kazinga Channel cruise and a visit to Ishasha’s tree-climbing lions before trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
You then fly on to Tanzania for a full day in Ngorongoro Crater and two days in the central Serengeti, before crossing into Kenya for game drives and a hot air balloon safari over the Masai Mara. Depending on the time of year you travel, you may also encounter the great migration, as huge herds of wildebeest and zebra move between the Serengeti and the Masai Mara in search of fresh grazing.
The journey closes on Lamu Island, where you explore Swahili villages, sail by dhow, wander the old town and glide through the mangroves. It is a trip built for travellers who want both the thrill of the wild and the calm of the Indian Ocean coast, with internal and regional flights, a private 4×4 and a guide taking care of the logistics.
Tour highlights
Experience gorillas, the Big Five and the Swahili coast on one private sixteen-day journey through Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya.
- Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Kasenyi Plains game drive and Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha sector
- Full-day game drive on the floor of Ngorongoro Crater
- Two days of game viewing in the central Serengeti
- Masai Mara game drive, hot air balloon safari and optional Masai village visit
- Lamu Island beach holiday with Matondoni Village, dhow sailing and mangrove boat ride
Detailed itinerary
Day 1
Flight from Entebbe International Airport to Kasese Airfield
Your guide meets you at Entebbe International Airport or your hotel in Entebbe and helps you board your internal flight to Queen Elizabeth National Park, landing at either Mweya or Kasese Airstrip.
On arrival, a ground guide and vehicle transfer you by road to your lodge. The rest of the day is yours to rest and settle in, or you can add an optional evening game drive in the park.
- Flight time of about 1.5 hours, plus the road transfer to your lodge
- Mid-Range: Buffalo Safari Lodge
- Lunch and dinner
Day 2
Kasenyi Plains Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
After an early breakfast, head out at 6:00 AM for a game drive across the Kasenyi Plains, when the animals are at their most active. Riding in a pop-up roof 4×4 land cruiser, look out for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, lions, impalas, topis, waterbucks, warthogs and a wide range of birds, including the martial eagle, malachite kingfisher and African skimmer. On a good day, a leopard may also be spotted draped across a tree branch or slipping quietly through the tall grass.
After a relaxed lunch back at the lodge, transfer to the pier for a 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, home to one of the highest concentrations of hippos anywhere on the continent. From the boat you can expect to see water birds, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants and many other animals that come to the channel to drink. The cruise also passes several fishing villages inside the park, giving you a glimpse of how local communities live alongside wildlife.
- Morning game drive; afternoon boat cruise of about 2 hours
- Mid-Range: Buffalo Safari Lodge
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3
Ishasha Game Drive and Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
The day begins at 6:00 AM with a drive through Ishasha, the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous worldwide for its tree-climbing lions. These remarkable cats stretch out across fig tree branches, watching kobs and topis graze below, a sight found in only a handful of places on earth. Sightings are never guaranteed.
After roughly 2 hours in the field, set off on the 3-hour drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. You arrive in the mid-afternoon with time to rest, settle into your lodge and prepare for the next day’s highlight, the centrepiece of this entire East Africa safari.
- Game drive of about 2 hours; approximately 3 hours’ drive to Bwindi
- Mid-Range: Gorilla Leisure Lodge
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4
Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Optional Batwa Cultural Experience
Wake between 5:30 and 6:00 AM, enjoy a filling breakfast, then head to the park headquarters for the 7:30 AM ranger briefing. Rangers explain the key rules: stay at least 10 metres from the gorillas, keep your voice low, skip flash photography and never touch them. By 8:00 AM, groups of up to 8 trekkers per gorilla family enter the forest, guided by armed rangers in constant radio contact with scouts already tracking the gorillas. Depending on where the family is feeding, the hike can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 7 hours.
Finding the gorillas brings an immediate, awe-filled hush over the group. For exactly one hour, you watch silverbacks beat their chests, infants tumble over each other and the family groom and feed in their natural habitat. Afterwards, you collect your trekking certificate. The terrain is steep, muddy and uneven, so suitable hiking boots and a reasonable level of fitness are important.
The rest of the afternoon is free to rest, browse local crafts or join the optional Batwa cultural experience, spending time with one of Uganda’s oldest forest communities as they share their songs, dances and traditional hunting techniques. This activity is arranged at an extra cost.
- Allow most of the day for trekking; walking time varies from 30 minutes to 7 hours
- Mid-Range: Gorilla Leisure Lodge
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5
Flight Back to Entebbe and Onward to Tanzania
Fly back to Entebbe International Airport to close out the Uganda leg of your journey. Use the time to relax and freshen up at the airport lounge before boarding your connecting flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport near Arusha, marking the start of the Tanzanian leg of your trip.
On arrival, you are transferred to your lodge for an overnight stay.
- Domestic and regional flights; timings confirmed in your final itinerary
- Mid-Range: Arusha Planet Lodge
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6
Flight to Lake Manyara and Transfer to Ngorongoro
After breakfast, fly to Lake Manyara Airport, where our representative meets you for the road transfer to your lodge on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater.
Check in and spend the rest of the day relaxing at the lodge, taking in the cool highland air and sweeping views over the surrounding countryside.
- Short flight; approximately 45 minutes’ drive from the airport to the crater rim
- Mid-Range: Farm of Dreams Lodge
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7
Full Day Game Drive in Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast, descend from the crater rim to the floor of Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site formed inside a collapsed volcano and one of Africa’s richest wildlife ecosystems.
Spend the full day exploring this self-contained crater floor, home to the Big Five (lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and rhinos) as well as hippos in the crater lakes, flamingos, hyenas and many other species. You return to your lodge as the sun sets over the crater rim.
- Full-day game drive; approximately 30 to 45 minutes’ descent to the crater floor
- Mid-Range: Farm of Dreams Lodge
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 8
Drive to Central Serengeti with an Optional Afternoon Game Drive
After an early breakfast, set off on the drive into the heart of the central Serengeti, an area known for its sweeping plains and wildlife that can be seen year round.
After checking in at camp, you can opt for an afternoon game drive, watching for lions, leopards, elephants and buffaloes (rhino sightings here are rare), along with cheetahs, zebras, antelope and other Serengeti residents.
- Full-day transfer by road; optional afternoon game drive
- Mid-Range: Tukaone Serengeti Camp
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 9
Full Day Game Drive in Central Serengeti
This day is dedicated entirely to exploring the central Serengeti on a full-day game drive. The area offers excellent opportunities to see predators and large herds moving across the open plains, with a picnic lunch served in the bush so you can make the most of your time on safari.
- Full-day game drive with a picnic lunch in the bush
- Mid-Range: Tukaone Serengeti Camp
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 10
Drive to Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
After an early breakfast, set off on the road transfer from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, crossing the border at Isebania. This is a long travel day, so you will have a packed lunch on the way.
The drive gives you a good look at the changing landscape as you move from the Serengeti’s open plains into Kenya’s rolling Mara countryside. You should arrive at camp by late afternoon, with time to settle in and rest before dinner.
- Approximately 7 to 8 hours in total, including border crossing formalities
- Mid-Range: Sarova Mara Game Camp
- Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
Day 11
Full Day Game Drive in Masai Mara National Reserve
After an early breakfast, spend the day out in the reserve, starting at 6:00 AM, searching for the Big Five (lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and rhinos) alongside other resident species such as cheetahs, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, antelope, hyenas, elands, warthogs and hippos.
Depending on the time of year, you may also encounter the great migration, as herds of wildebeest and zebra move between the Serengeti and the Masai Mara.
- Full-day game drive starting at 6:00 AM
- Mid-Range: Sarova Mara Game Camp
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 12
Hot Air Balloon Safari and Optional Afternoon Masai Village Visit
You are picked up from camp at around 5:00 AM and driven to the launch site, where the crew inflates the balloon. After a short safety briefing, climb into the basket and lift off just before sunrise, drifting silently over the Mara for about one hour. From this height you will spot elephants, giraffes, buffaloes and often lions or a cheetah moving across the plains, lit by the soft colours of dawn. On landing, you are welcomed with champagne and a full bush breakfast served out on the open plains, before heading back to camp to rest.
In the afternoon, you can opt for a visit to a nearby Masai village, where warriors greet you with the adumu, a traditional jumping dance performed in unison. A guide leads you through the manyatta, a homestead built from mud, sticks and cow dung, explaining cattle herding traditions and family life. You can watch a demonstration of fire making using only sticks and dried grass, and browse handmade beadwork and jewellery made by the village women, with the option to buy a keepsake.
- Balloon flight of about 1 hour; optional afternoon village visit
- Mid-Range: Sarova Mara Game Camp
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 13
Fly to Nairobi and Onward to Lamu
After breakfast in the Masai Mara, fly to Nairobi, landing at Wilson Airport, and connect onward to Manda Airport, which serves Lamu on Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast. This flight marks the shift from the safari portion into the beach portion of your holiday.
Manda Airport sits on Manda Island, across the channel from Lamu, so you take a short boat transfer to reach Lamu Island. On arrival, you are transferred to your hotel and can begin settling into Lamu’s relaxed Swahili coastal atmosphere.
- Two flights via Nairobi, plus a boat transfer of about 20 minutes
- Mid-Range: Lamu Palace Hotel
- Breakfast
Day 14
Matondoni Village and Coastal Culture
Visit Matondoni Village to experience authentic Swahili coastal culture, watch traditional dhow building and see daily village life along the water.
Later, enjoy activities out on the sea, such as dhow sailing or a relaxed boat excursion, depending on conditions that day. This is one of the most memorable days of the Lamu beach portion of your holiday.
- Village visit followed by sea activities, depending on conditions
- Mid-Range: Lamu Palace Hotel
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 15
Swahili Heritage and Mangrove Experience
Spend the day exploring the Swahili heritage of Lamu Old Town, wandering its narrow streets, historic architecture and local markets.
Afterwards, head out to the mangroves for a peaceful boat ride, learning about this unique coastal ecosystem while enjoying the quiet channels and abundant birdlife.
- Old Town walking tour followed by a mangrove boat ride
- Mid-Range: Lamu Palace Hotel
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 16
Flight from Lamu to Nairobi and Departure
Enjoy a final breakfast before your flight from Lamu Airport back to Nairobi, bringing your East Africa safari and Lamu beach holiday to a close.
From Nairobi, you connect with your international flight home or continue your onward journey. Extra accommodation in Nairobi can be arranged at an additional cost if you need it.
- Flight from Lamu to Nairobi; allow a comfortable margin before your international connection
- No accommodation unless an extra night is requested
- Breakfast
Request a quote
Tell us your preferred travel dates, number of travellers and accommodation choice. A safari specialist will prepare a tailored quotation for your East Africa safari and Lamu beach holiday.
- Free, no-obligation quote
- Gorilla permit and flight arrangements
- Tailored dates, lodges and number of nights on Lamu
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FAQs for 16-Day East Africa Safari and Lamu Beach Holiday
Planning to combine Uganda’s gorillas, the Serengeti, the Masai Mara and the Indian Ocean shores of Lamu in one journey? These are the questions travellers ask most often, answered honestly so you can plan your trip and book with confidence.
What is the price of this safari and what does it cover?
The 16-Day East Africa Safari and Lamu Beach Holiday starts from $7,800 per person sharing, but the net cost you pay depends on your group size, accommodation level, travel dates and the flight and permit prices available at the time of booking. The price covers your gorilla trekking permit, private 4×4 transport with an experienced driver-guide, fuel, meals and accommodation as listed in the itinerary, the international and domestic flights between East African countries listed in the itinerary, the game drives and boat cruise, Lamu Beach activities, bottled drinking water, and government taxes. International flights to and from your home country, extra nights before or after the trip, tips, souvenirs, porter hire, and the optional Batwa Cultural Experience are not included. Your final quotation confirms exactly what applies to your chosen accommodation level.
Can this 16-Day East Africa Safari and Lamu Beach Holiday be customized?
Yes. This itinerary can be adjusted to fit your travel dates, budget and interests. We can extend or shorten your time in any park, upgrade or downgrade your accommodation, add optional cultural experiences, or change the number of nights you spend on Lamu. Travellers who prefer a different pace sometimes drop a country or add a rest day before the beach. Tell us what matters most to you and we will tailor the itinerary and quotation accordingly.
How does the 16-day East Africa safari and Lamu itinerary work?
The journey runs in four parts. Days one to five cover Uganda, with a game drive and Kazinga Channel boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park, tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, and gorilla trekking in Bwindi. Days five to nine cover Tanzania, with Ngorongoro Crater and two nights in Central Serengeti. Days ten to twelve cover Kenya’s Masai Mara, including a full day of game drives and a hot air balloon safari. Days thirteen to sixteen are for relaxing and exploring Lamu before your flight to Nairobi for your onward journey.
How do we travel between Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya on this trip?
The trip combines flights and road transfers. You fly from Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth National Park on day one, return to Entebbe after your gorilla trek, then connect to Kilimanjaro near Arusha and on to Lake Manyara. The Serengeti to Masai Mara leg is done by road across the Isebania border, and you fly from the Mara to Nairobi and on to Lamu’s Manda Airport. Internal flights usually use light aircraft with baggage limits, so pack in a soft bag and ask us for the current weight allowance when you book.
How long is the drive from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara?
It is the longest road day of the trip. The transfer takes around seven to eight hours including border formalities at Isebania, and you eat a packed lunch on the way. You leave after an early breakfast and normally reach camp by late afternoon, with time to rest before dinner. Carry your passport, your yellow fever certificate and any entry authorisation in your hand luggage, as you will need them at the crossing.
How long will I spend with the mountain gorillas?
Once the trackers locate your gorilla family, you are allowed exactly one hour with them. Groups are limited to eight trekkers per family, which keeps the encounter calm and protects the animals. You meet at park headquarters for the 7:30 AM ranger briefing and enter the forest around 8:00 AM. Depending on where the family fed overnight, the hike can take anywhere from 30 minutes to seven hours, so a reasonable level of fitness is recommended for day four. Everything else on the safari is mostly seated game drives, and Lamu is relaxed, so this is the one demanding day.
What rules should I follow near the gorillas, and is there a minimum age?
Visitors must be at least 15 years old to track mountain gorillas in Uganda, and park authorities strictly enforce this. Follow your ranger’s instructions at all times, stay at least 10 metres away, keep your voice low, and avoid flash photography. Never touch or feed the gorillas, and do not eat or drink near them. Wear a face mask when instructed, because gorillas are vulnerable to human respiratory illnesses. If you are travelling with younger family members, tell us their ages before booking so we can plan alternatives for them on trek day.
What happens if I feel sick before the gorilla trek?
Tell your driver-guide and park staff straight away if you have a cold, flu symptoms, diarrhoea or any other contagious illness. Gorillas can catch human diseases, so rangers may stop unwell visitors from trekking. Whether you can reschedule or receive a refund depends on the permit conditions set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. We recommend travel insurance that covers medical issues and trip interruption, and we encourage you to rest and stay hydrated before trek day.
Are gorilla permits and gorilla sightings guaranteed?
Permits are issued in limited numbers, so we check availability and buy yours as soon as your booking is confirmed, which secures your trekking spot. Sightings of habituated families are highly likely because trackers follow the gorillas daily, but they are wild animals and no operator can offer an absolute guarantee. Demand is high in peak months, so we recommend booking four to six months ahead, especially if you plan to travel in the dry seasons or over holidays.
When is the best time to go, and will I see the Great Migration?
The dry seasons, from June to September and again from December to February, are generally best for gorilla trekking, game viewing and clear skies for the balloon safari. Wildebeest and zebra herds move between the Serengeti and the Masai Mara, and July to September is the period when they are most likely to be in the Mara. Because this itinerary spends two nights in Central Serengeti and two in the Mara, you will see large herds and predators year round, but river crossings and migration positions vary with the rains. Lamu is pleasant for most of the year, though the long rains of April and May are worth avoiding.
What does the hot air balloon safari in the Masai Mara involve?
You are collected from camp at about 5:00 AM and driven to the launch site, where the crew inflates the balloon and gives a short safety briefing. You lift off just before sunrise and drift over the Mara for about one hour, spotting elephants, giraffes, buffaloes and often lions or cheetahs. After landing you are welcomed with champagne and a full bush breakfast on the plains. The balloon safari is part of day twelve of the itinerary, and your quotation confirms how it is priced for your chosen accommodation level.
What is there to do on Lamu, and what should I know before going?
Lamu is a car-free Swahili island, so you get around on foot, by boat or by donkey. The itinerary includes a visit to Matondoni Village to see dhow building and daily coastal life, dhow sailing or a boat excursion, a walk through the narrow streets and markets of Lamu Old Town, and a peaceful boat ride through the mangroves. You reach the island from Manda Airport by a short boat transfer of about 20 minutes. Lamu is a predominantly Muslim community, so carry a cover-up for the Old Town and dress modestly away from the beach.
What accommodation is used on this safari?
The itinerary uses mid-range lodges: Buffalo Safari Lodge in Queen Elizabeth, Gorilla Leisure Lodge in Bwindi, Arusha Planet Lodge near Arusha, Farm of Dreams Lodge at Ngorongoro, Tukaone Serengeti Camp in the Serengeti, Sarova Mara Game Camp in the Masai Mara, and Lamu Palace Hotel on Lamu. Lodges are subject to availability at the time of booking, and we may suggest comparable alternatives if your first choice is full. If you prefer upper mid-range or luxury options, ask us and your final quotation will list the confirmed lodges before you pay.
What meals are included, and can you cater for dietary needs?
Most days include breakfast, lunch and dinner. Exceptions are day one, which includes lunch and dinner, and days thirteen and sixteen, which include breakfast only because of flights and the transfer to Lamu. Packed lunches or picnic lunches are served on long game-drive and travel days. Tell us about vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or allergy needs when you book, and we will inform each lodge in advance.
Do I need a visa, and which vaccinations are required?
Entry rules differ for Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya and depend on your nationality, so check the current requirements for each country before you travel. Many visitors can apply online in advance, and Kenya now uses an electronic travel authorisation for most travellers. A yellow fever certificate is a requirement for this route, and we recommend speaking with a travel health clinic about malaria prophylaxis and routine vaccinations such as typhoid and hepatitis A. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months and has enough blank pages for three countries. We can guide you through the process.
What should I pack for such a varied trip?
Pack light, breathable clothing in neutral colours for game drives, plus a warm layer for early morning drives, the balloon safari and the cool Ngorongoro highlands. Bring sturdy hiking boots, gloves for gripping vegetation, and a rain jacket for gorilla trekking, along with insect repellent, sunscreen, a hat and binoculars. For Lamu, add swimwear, light beachwear, a cover-up for the Old Town and comfortable sandals. Use soft-sided luggage because of the internal flights, and avoid single-use plastic bags, which are banned in several East African countries.
Should I tip my driver-guide, rangers and porters?
Tips are not included in the safari price, but they are a customary way to thank the people who look after you. Many travellers tip their driver-guide at the end of the trip, and give separate tips to rangers, trackers and porters after the gorilla trek, as well as lodge and camp staff. Porter hire in Bwindi is optional, carries its own fee, and supports local families. There is no fixed amount, so tip according to the service you receive and what feels comfortable.
What should I do about travel insurance and money?
We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical care, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation and interruption, and that includes small-aircraft flights. Carry US dollars in recent, undamaged notes, and bring a card for lodge extras where accepted. Local currency in each country is useful for souvenirs, crafts and tips. Cash machines are limited near the parks, so withdraw or exchange money in the larger towns and airports.
How do I book this safari and what happens next?
Send us your preferred travel dates, number of travellers and accommodation level. We first check gorilla permit and flight availability, then prepare a detailed quotation with your lodges, inclusions and total cost per person. Once you approve the itinerary and agree the payment terms, we purchase your permit and confirm the lodge, flight and transport reservations. Because this trip combines permits, light-aircraft seats and three countries’ lodges, booking four to six months ahead is wise.