About This Tour

8 Days East Africa Group Safari: Ultimate East African Adventure

Joining a East Africa group safari is the perfect way to experience the best of Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania in one unforgettable journey. This 8 day group tour takes you from the misty forests of Bwindi to the vast savannahs of the Masai Mara and Serengeti. A East Africa group safari offers incredible value, shared costs, and the chance to meet fellow travelers from around the world. This comprehensive 2000+ word guide covers everything you need to know about this ultimate East African adventure, including detailed itineraries, what to pack, accommodation details, and insider tips from our expert guides.

Why Choose This East Africa Group Safari

Traveling with a group offers numerous advantages over solo or private safaris. By joining a East Africa group safari, you share the cost of the vehicle, guide, and permits, making this one of the most affordable ways to visit three countries in one trip. You also have the opportunity to meet like minded travelers from around the world, share experiences, and make lasting friendships. The group dynamic adds to the fun and excitement of the safari experience.

This particular itinerary has been carefully designed to include the absolute highlights of East Africa. You will trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, witness the wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara and Serengeti, and explore the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five. The tour is fully guided by experienced professionals who know these parks intimately and will ensure you have the best possible wildlife viewing experiences.

Detailed Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe, Uganda

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may visit the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, which are home to a variety of monkey species and over 200 bird species. The gardens are also where the famous movie “Casino Royale” was filmed. In the evening, you will have a welcome dinner and briefing about the tour. You will meet your fellow travelers and your guide will explain the itinerary in detail. Overnight at a mid range hotel in Entebbe.

Day 2: Fly to Bwindi – Afternoon Community Walk

After breakfast, you will take a domestic flight from Entebbe to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip. The flight offers stunning aerial views of Lake Victoria, the Rwenzori Mountains, and the Virunga volcanoes. Upon landing, you will be met by your local guide and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The drive takes approximately 1 to 2 hours depending on which sector of the park you are staying in.

In the afternoon, you will have the option to visit a local community, learn about traditional crafts, or take a nature walk along the forest edge. You can also visit the Batwa pygmies, the original forest dwellers of Bwindi, who will share their ancient hunting techniques and forest survival skills. Overnight at a lodge near Bwindi.

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

This is the highlight of the Uganda portion of your East Africa group safari. After an early breakfast, you will drive to the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla etiquette. You will learn about the rules of gorilla trekking, including staying at least 7 meters away, avoiding direct eye contact, and never using flash photography. You will then be assigned to a gorilla family based on your fitness level and preferences.

The trek through the dense rainforest can take 2 to 7 hours depending on where the gorillas slept and how far they moved overnight. You will be accompanied by experienced guides, trackers who communicate by radio, and armed rangers. The terrain is steep and can be muddy, so good physical fitness is recommended. Porters are available for hire at 20 dollars to carry your daypack and assist with difficult sections.

Once you find the gorillas, you will spend one magical hour observing these gentle giants. You will see them feeding, grooming, playing, and interacting with each other. Watching a silverback protect his family or a mother cradling her infant are moments you will never forget. After the trek, you will return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Fly to Nairobi – Drive to Masai Mara

After breakfast, you will fly back to Entebbe and connect to an international flight to Nairobi, Kenya. Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will meet your Kenyan guide and drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve. The drive takes approximately 5 to 6 hours, with a stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint for spectacular photos. You will arrive in the late afternoon and have a brief game drive on the way to your camp. Overnight at a tented camp in the Masai Mara.

Day 5: Full Day in Masai Mara – Wildebeest Migration

Today you will have a full day game drive in the Masai Mara, with a picnic lunch in the bush. You will search for the wildebeest migration, which typically arrives in the Mara from July to October. Depending on the time of year, you may witness dramatic river crossings as thousands of wildebeest and zebras cross the Mara River while crocodiles wait below.

In addition to the migration, the Masai Mara is home to the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos. You have excellent chances of seeing lions, often in lar Bwindi gorilla trekking destination ge prides, as well as cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, and numerous bird species. Your guide will use radio communication to locate the best sightings. Overnight at your camp in the Masai Mara.

Day 6: Cross into Tanzania – Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, you will drive to the Isebania border crossing and enter Tanzania. The border formalities are straightforward, and your Tanzanian guide will meet you on the other side. You will then continue into the Serengeti National Park, one of the most famous wildlife reserves in the world.

You will have an afternoon game drive in the Serengeti, searching for the migration herds. The Serengeti is vast, covering over 14,700 square kilometers, and the migration can be in different areas depending on the season. Your guide will know where to go based on recent reports. You may see lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, and countless wildebeest and zebras. Overnight at a camp in the central Serengeti.

Day 7: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater

After an early morning game drive in the Serengeti, you will drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You will descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half day game Masai Mara migration destination drive. The crater is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five. The crater floor is home to lions, elephants, buffalo, rhinos, and leopards, as well as large herds of zebras and wildebeest.

You will have a picnic lunch by a hippo pool, watching these massive animals wallow in the water. After the game drive, you will drive to your lodge on the crater rim, where you can enjoy stunning views of the crater below. Overnight at a lodge near Ngorongoro.

Day 8: Drive to Arusha – Departure

After breakfast, you will drive to Arusha, where you will have lunch before transferring to Kilimanjaro International Airport fo Serengeti wildebeest migration destination r your departure flight. A East Africa group safari ends with incredible memories of three amazing East African countries, from the gorillas of Uganda to the migration of Kenya and Tanzania.

What’s Included in This Group Tour

• Accommodation on sharing basis (twin/double rooms)
• All meals as per itinerary (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Park entry fees for all national parks
• Gorilla permit (1 per person) in Uganda – 800 dollars value
• Game drives in 4×4 safari vehicles with pop up roofs
• English speaking professional guides in each country
• Bottled water in the vehicle during game drives
• Airport transfers on arrival and departure
• Domestic flights within Uganda (Entebbe to Bwindi and return)
• All government taxes and levies

What’s Not Included

• International flights to/from Africa
• Visa fees for Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania
• Travel insurance (mandatory)
• Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers, and lodge staff
• Alcoholic and soft drinks
• Personal expenses such as laundry, souvenirs, phone calls
• Optional activities like hot air balloon safari (500 dollars)
• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary

Group Size and Demographics

A East Africa group safari typically attracts solo travelers, couples, and small groups of friends. The minimum group size is 6 participants, and the maximum is 12. The average age ranges from 30 to 65, but travelers of all ages are welcome. The group dynamic is social but respectful of individual space. Many travelers make lasting friendships during the tour and continue traveling together.

Accommodation Details

Accommodation on this tour is mid range lodges and tented camps, chosen for their comfort, location, and value. In Uganda, you will stay at a lodge near Bwindi with stunning forest views. In Kenya, you will stay at a tented camp inside the Masai Mara. In Tanzania, you will stay at camps in the Serengeti and on the Ngorongoro Crater rim. All accommodation includes en suite bathrooms, hot water, comfortable beds, and mosquito nets.

Transport and Vehicles

You will travel in custom built 4×4 safari vehicles with pop up roofs for game viewing. Each vehicle has 6 to 7 window seats, so everyone has a good view. The vehicles are equipped with refrigerators for cold drinks, charging ports for cameras and phones, and first aid kits. Between countries, you will take domestic and international flights to save time and reduce driving fatigue.

What to Pack for This Safari

• Sturdy waterproof hiking boots for gorilla trekking
• Long sleeved shirts and trousers in neutral colors
• Waterproof jacket and pants
• Warm fleece for cold mornings on the crater rim
• Insect repellent with DEET
• Sunscreen and hat
• Camera with telephoto lens and extra batteries
• Binoculars
• Daypack for gorilla trekking
• Gardening gloves for the trek

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa for all three countries?

Yes, you need a visa for Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. However, the East African Tourist Visa (100 dollars) covers Uganda and Kenya, but not Tanzania. You will need a separate visa for Tanzania (50 dollars). Visas can be obtained online before travel or on arrival at the airports.

What is the minimum age for this tour?

The minimum age is 15 years for gorilla trekking in Uganda. For the Kenya and Tanzania portions, children aged 8 and above are welcome when accompanied by an adult.

How fit do I need to be for gorilla trekking?

Gorilla trekking requires reasonable fitness. The terrain is steep and can be muddy. Treks last 2 to 7 hours. Porters are available for hire (20 dollars) to carry your daypack and assist with difficult sections.

What is the best time of year for this tour?

This tour operates year round, but the best time is during the dry seasons from June to October and December to February. During these months, the gorilla trekking trails are less muddy and the migration is in the Masai Mara and Serengeti.

Why Choose This Group Safari

A East Africa group safari offers unbeatable value for travelers who want to experience the best of East Africa. By sharing costs with fellow travelers, you save significantly compared to a private safari. The itinerary is carefully designed to include the highlights: gorilla trekking in Uganda, the wildebeest migration in Kenya, and the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. Join a East Africa group safari and make new friends while checking off your African bucket list.

Tour Details

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