The Cost of 20-Day Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania Safari
This 20-Day East African safari takes you through Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar. You’ll trek to see gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, watch the Great Migration in Masai Mara National Reserve, explore the Serengeti plains and Ngorongoro Crater, and relax on Zanzibar’s beautiful beaches.
- When to Go: Any time of year works, but June to October and December to February are best for most travelers.
- Who Can Join: Everyone—solo travelers, couples, families, or large groups.
- Pricing: The cost depends on your group size and accommodation choice. Bigger groups pay less per person. Budget lodges cost less than mid-range, which cost less than luxury lodges.
For 2 people sharing budget accommodation, the price is $7,010 per person.
What’s Included in the tour cost:
- 4×4 Land Cruiser transportation
- All meals and accommodation
- Flights (Entebbe to Nairobi, Ngorongoro to Zanzibar)
- Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits
- Boat cruise at Murchison Falls
- Rhino tracking permit
- Bigodi nature walk
- All park entrance fees
- Bottled water throughout the trip
Travel Plan
Day 1: Arrival in Uganda – Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by Iconic Africa Safaris driver guide. After a short briefing, you will begin your scenic drive northwards to Murchison Falls National Park. Along the way, you will stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where you can see rhinos in the wild.
At Ziwa, you will take part in a guided rhino tracking experience on foot. This allows you to observe these impressive animals at a safe distance while learning about their conservation. After the rhino encounter, you will continue your journey to Murchison Falls National Park, enjoying views of the countryside, local villages, and farmlands.
You will arrive at Hornbill Safari Lodge later in the day, check in, and relax as you enjoy dinner and an overnight stay surrounded by nature.
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Accommodation: Hornbill Safari Lodge
Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise on the Nile
After an early breakfast, you will head out for a morning game drive in Murchison Falls National Park. This park is home to four of the Big Five animals: elephants, buffaloes, lions, and leopards. When you add the rhinos you tracked the previous day, you will have experienced the full Big Five of Africa.
During the game drive, which lasts between 2 to 4 hours, you may also see giraffes, Uganda kobs, topis, impalas, warthogs, and many other antelopes. The park is also rich in birdlife, including hornbills, kingfishers, fish eagles, and secretary birds.
After the game drive, you will return to the lodge for lunch and some time to rest. In the afternoon, you will go for a beautiful boat cruise on the River Nile, heading to the base of Murchison Falls. Along the way, you will see large groups of hippos, Nile crocodiles resting on the riverbanks, elephants bathing, and many water birds. The sight of the Nile forcing its way through a narrow gorge before crashing down the falls is truly unforgettable.
- Meal Plan: Full Board
- Accommodation: Hornbill Safari Lodge
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, you will depart Murchison Falls National Park and drive south-west to Kibale Forest National Park, known as the primate capital of the world. The journey takes you through changing landscapes, including tea plantations, rolling hills, and rural communities. You will arrive at Chimpanzee Forest Lodge in the afternoon, check in, and enjoy lunch. The rest of the day is free for relaxation as you prepare for the chimpanzee trekking experience the following day. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
- Meal Plan: Full Board
- Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Nature Walk
Wake up early for breakfast and then drive to the park headquarters for a briefing at 7:00 AM. The chimpanzee trek begins at 8:00 AM with experienced guides. The walk through the forest can last between 2 to 4 hours, depending on where the chimpanzees are located.
Once you find them, you will spend one full hour observing these intelligent primates as they feed, play, groom each other, and move through the trees. The chimpanzees are well habituated to human presence, offering excellent photo opportunities.
After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch and rest. In the late afternoon, you will head to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided nature walk. Here, you may see monkeys such as red colobus, black-and-white colobus, L’Hoest’s monkeys and vervet monkeys, as well as many bird species like the great blue turaco, hornbills and kingfishers.
- Meal Plan: Full Board
- Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
After breakfast, you will travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas. The drive is scenic, passing through hills, forests, and local villages.
Arrive at Nshongi Gorilla Lodge in the afternoon, enjoy lunch, and relax as you take in the cool forest atmosphere. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
- Meal Plan: Full Board
- Accommodation: Nshongi Gorilla Lodge
Day 6: Gorilla Trekking Experience in Bwindi
This day marks the highlight of your Ugandan adventure. After an early breakfast, you will head to the park headquarters for a briefing starting at 7:00 AM. You will then set off into the misty forest with park rangers in search of a mountain gorilla family.
The trek can take several hours depending on the gorillas’ location. Once found, you will spend one unforgettable hour with them, watching them eat, rest, play, and interact. This close encounter is deeply moving and often described as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
- Meal Plan: Full Board
- Accommodation: Nshongi Gorilla Lodge
Day 7: Bwindi – Entebbe – Flight to Kenya
After breakfast, you will drive back to Entebbe, stopping at the Equator for photos and lunch. Later, you will board your flight to Nairobi, Kenya, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
- Meal Plan: Full Board
- Accommodation: Best Western Plus Meridian
Day 8: Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park
After breakfast, drive through the Great Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National Park. The park is famous for flamingos, rhinos, and scenic landscapes. Lunch will be served en route. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
- Meal Plan: Full Board
- Accommodation: Buraha Hotel
Day 9: Full-Day Lake Nakuru Exploration
Spend the entire day on game drives in Lake Nakuru National Park. You may spot white and black rhinos, lions, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes and many bird species such flamingos and pelicans. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the lake before returning to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
- Meal Plan: Full Board
- Accommodation: Buraha Hotel
Day 10: Transfer to Masai Mara National Reserve
After breakfast, drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve with lunch en route. Upon arrival, enjoy an evening game drive before dinner and overnight at the lodge.
- Meal Plan: Full Board
- Accommodation: Enchoro Mara Camp
Day 11: Full-Day Game Drive in Masai Mara
On this day, you will spend the entire day exploring the famous Masai Mara reserve. This area is home to the Big Five animals: lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos. You will also encounter many other animals including zebras, giraffes and antelopes. If you visit during migration season (July to October), you will watch thousands of wildebeest crossing the dangerous Mara River. After a full day of wildlife viewing, you will return to your lodge for dinner and rest.
- Meal Plan: Full Board
- Accommodation: Enchoro Mara Camp
Day 12: Drive to Serengeti National Park
This morning, you will leave Kenya and cross into Tanzania at the Isebania border. After completing border formalities, you will continue driving to Serengeti National Park. You will stop for lunch along the way. Upon arrival at your lodge, enjoy dinner and overnight rest.
- Meal Plan: Full Board
- Accommodation: Nyani camp
Day 13: Full-Day Game Drive in Serengeti
Spend the day exploring the endless Serengeti plains. This park is famous for its large herds of animals and powerful predators like lions and cheetahs. You will search for the Big Five and many other wildlife species. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush, then continue game viewing in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
- Meal Plan: Full Board
- Accommodation: Nyani camp
Day 14: Game drive in Serengeti then Maasai Cultural Encounter in afternoon
Enjoy a game drive in the Central Serengeti, home to diverse wildlife across its endless plains. Later, take a scenic drive toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with a stop at a Maasai village to experience local culture and traditions, before continuing on to Karatu for overnight stay
- Meal Plan: Full Board
- Accommodation: Eileen tree’s inn
Day 15: Game Drive and Transfer to Ngorongoro
Start early with a morning game drive, then begin your journey to Ngorongoro Crater. Along the way, stop at Olduvai Gorge, an important archaeological site where early human remains were discovered. Continue to your lodge near the crater for dinner and overnight.
- Meal Plan: Full Board
- Accommodation: Simba Camp Site
Day 16: Crater Rim Hike and Game Drive
Begin your day with a hike along the crater rim, enjoying stunning views. Then descend into the crater for a game drive. Ngorongoro Crater is home to the Big Five and many other animals living in this natural wonder. After exploring the crater floor, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
- Meal Plan: Full Board
- Accommodation: Simba Camp Site
Day 17: Fly to Zanzibar
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Zanzibar Island. Upon landing, you will be taken to your hotel in Stone town and take a rest after the long flight and tiring safari
- Meal Plan: Full board
- Accommodation: Stone Town Beach Hotel
Day 18: Stone Town and Spice Plantation Tour
This day you will explore Stone Town, Zanzibar’s historic capital. Visit famous landmarks and narrow streets filled with history. Then visit spice plantations where you will learn about and taste spices like cloves, cinnamon, and vanilla that Zanzibar is famous for. In after noon go to the beach hotel
- Meal Plan: Half board
- Accommodation: Stone Town Beach Hotel
Day 19: Zanzibar Beach Relaxation
Spend this day relaxing on Zanzibar’s beautiful white-sand beaches. Swim in the clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean and enjoy fresh seafood. This is your day to rest and enjoy the tropical paradise. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
- Meal Plan: Full board
- Accommodation: Stone Town Beach Hotel
Day 20: Departure
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home or to your next destination.
- Meal Plan: Breakfast
- Accommodation: No Accommodation unless requested at extra cost
