17 Days Self Drive Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania

17 Days Self Drive Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania offers you a chance to explore various safari destinations. The 17 Days Self Drive Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania is ideal for all travelers on self drive tour in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. The Safari transfers from Ssese Islands to Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Amboseli National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve.

Visit Lake Victoria and the bordering countries – Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania on a 17 Days Self Drive Safari to enjoy watching the waters of the lake as well as the breathtaking sceneries and wildlife animals in parks i.e Serengeti National Park, Masai Mara Game reserve, Ngorongoro crater, Arusha National park, Amboseli National park and the fresh waters of Kisumu islands.

Borders recommended are;

• Uganda –Kenya : Busia border
• Kenya to Tanzania: Sirari border

Places to visit

Nabugabo

Located in the Uganda’s district – Masaka, Nabugabo is a satellite lake of Lake Victoria, just 4 kilometers from its shores. Known among the Ramsar sites, Lake Nabugabo was formed as a result of sand dune that result from strong winds. While at the lake, you will spot several species including plants, birds and some community animals like sitatunga, hippos, kingfishers, and the grey crowned crane.

Ssese Islands

These are an archipelago of 84 islands located in the northwestern part of Lake Victoria – second largest freshwater in the world. The largest island in the archipelago is called Bugala Island, which accounts for more than half of the total land area. Ssese Islands lie into two main groups – the southwestern that us referred to as the Bugala group after Bugala Island, the largest in the archipelago. The other group is the northeastern group also referred to as the Koome group, named after Koome Island. These two groups are separated by the Koome channel. Other islands in Bugala group include; Bubeke, Bubembe, Bufumira, Bugaba, Bukasa, Buyova, Funve and Serinya. And the other islands in Koome group are; Damba, and Luwaji.

Serengeti national park

Spanning Mara and Arusha regions of Tanzania, Serengeti national park hosts one of the world’s largest annual migration of over 1.5 million blue wildebeest and 250,000 zebras along with smaller herds of Thomson’s gazelle and eland. With a total surface area of about 14,763 square kilometers, the park is also home to the largest population of lions in Africa. Other animals to spot at the park include; cheetah, spotted hyena, black jackal, honey badger, caracal, serval, banded mongoose and others.

Arusha national park

Located within Meru district and Arusha rural district of Arusha region in Tanzania, Arusha national park covers Mount Meru, a prominent volcano with an elevation of 4566m. Besides its small area of 137 square kilometers, Arusha national park is a home to a number of attractions including variety of wildlife like giraffe, cape buffalo, zebra, warthog, the black and white colobus monkeys, the blue monkeys, flamingo, leopard and many others.

Masai Mara game reserve

Locally known as Mara, Masai Mara is a large national game reserve in Narok County, Kenya contiguous with the Serengeti national park of Tanzania. It is named in honour of the Maasai people – the ancestral inhabitants of the area from the Nile Basin. Stretching over a total surface area of about 1510 square kilometers, Masai Mara reserve is one of the wildlife conservation and wilderness areas in Kenya and Africa at large. Among the animals to spot while at the reserve include; lions, leopards, cheetahs, African bush elephants and others. Also, the reserve is known for hosting the Great migration – which is marked among the seven natural wonders of Africa and as one of the ten wonders of the world.

Safari Overview

Day 1: Entebbe to Nabugabo

Day 2: Relax on the waters of Lake Victoria

Day 3: Transfer to Ssese Islands

Day 4: Transfer to Bukoba

Day 5: Transfer to Mwanza from Bukoba

Day 6: Transfer to Serengeti national park

Day 7: Have a full day game drive

Day 8: Game drive and transfer to Ngorongoro crater

Day 9: Game drive and transfer to Arusha National park

Day 10: Have a walking safari

Day 11: Transfer to Amboseli national park

Day 12: Game drive in Amboseli national park

Day 13: Game drive and transfer to Masai Mara

Day 14: Full day game drive at the reserve

Day 15: Second full day game drive at Masai Mara

Day 16: Transfer to Kisumu Islands for relaxation

Day 17: Transfer to Entebbe

Day 1: Entebbe to Nabugabo

During the transfer to Nabugabo, have a stopover at the equator circle for photography. Continue with the journey and have a mouthwatering lunch in Masaka town and after proceed to the lake. The lake is surrounded with 3 beautiful resorts which will surely excite your evening walk.

Day 2: Relax on the fresh waters of Lake Victoria

As you are enjoying the pleasant weather conditions at the lake, spot a number of beautiful and colorful bird species as the waters of Nabugabo are known for attracting variety of bird species. Enjoy a fresh fish during dinner and retire in the camp at Nabugabo campsite.

Day 3: Transfer to Ssese Islands

After early morning breakfast, you will transfer to Bukakata landing site where you will find a ferry that connects Masaka to Ssese Island. The ferry gives you a chance to explore the amazing waters of Lake Victoria and camping is also available.

Day 4: Transfer to Bukoba

Wake up early to catch a beautiful sunrise on the waters of Lake Victoria as you transfer to Bukoba Island. The early wake up will also help you to catch the ferry that will transport you to Bukakata landing site. While on the islands, explore the lake and enjoy different activities done on it such as fishing and others. Spend the night at any campsite in Bukobe town.

Day 5: Transfer to Mwanza

Prepare for a long day drive for approximately 10 hours. You will drive through the town of Mwanza which is situated along the shores of Lake Victoria. Upon reaching, you will retire and relax on the beaches of the lake.

Day 6: Transfer to Serengeti National park

After morning breakfast, embark on a full day drive to Serengeti national park and have an Enroute lunch at any desired hotel. Expect to reach the park at late afternoon and have some relaxation at the lodge and retire.

Day 7: Have a full day game drive at Serengeti national park

Wake up for early morning breakfast and go for a game drive in the park. Due to the bad conditions of the roads, you are advised to drive slowly and carefully. On this game drive, fancy your eyes and cameras with a number of wildlife species including the big five. The cast plains of the park also host variety of animals including the cheetahs, leopards, zebras, lions, elephants and many others. Dinner and overnight at any campsite or lodge

Day 8: Morning game drive and transfer to Ngorongoro crater

Wake up early to enjoy the beautiful sunrise at Serengeti and spot some predators like lions, hyenas, leopards and others during their morning hunt. After a game drive, embark on your 3 hours journey drive to Ngorongoro Crater. On your way, expect to view numerous wildlife species and birds.

Day 9: Game drive and transfer to Arusha National Park

With packed breakfast, have an early morning breakfast and go for a game drive in the vast plains of Ngorongoro crater where you will get a chance of seeing different wildlife species. After the drive, proceed to Arusha National park and the journey will take about 4 hours.

Day 10: Have a walking safari

After an early morning breakfast, go for a walking safari in the park with an experienced park ranger. During the walk, expect to see the sparkling waterfalls in the park and different wildlife species such as colobus monkeys, waterbucks, bushbucks, and variety of bird species. After the walk, have some relaxation at the lodge and do some swimming at the lodge pool.

Day 11: Transfer to Amboseli national park

Upon waking up, have some breakfast and then continue with your journey to Amboseli national park. The drive will take about 4 hours and on your way, have magnificent views of Mount Kilimanjaro and different wildlife species. On reaching, have some relaxation at the lodge and then have an evening game drive in search of the park wildlife. Dinner and retire at the lodge of your choice.

Day 12: Full day game drive and cultural tour

On waking up, go for a morning game drive and catch the beautiful sunrise at the park. The game drive will expose you to a number of wildlife including large herds of elephants, lions, waterbucks, bushbucks and many others. Return to the lodge for breakfast and then go for a cultural tour where you will enjoy the cultural practices of the Maasai communities.

Day 13: Game drive and transfer to Maasai Mara game reserve

Have an early morning game drive and go for a game drive in the park so as you can spot different predators like lions, hyenas and leopards going for a hunt. After the search, transfer to Masai Mara game reserve. The reserve is among the most visited destinations in Kenya characterized by open grasslands, acacia woodlands and variety of wildlife species. You will reach the reserve in the late evening and check in any desired lodge.

Day 14: Game drive in Masai Mara game reserve

Enjoy a full day game drive in the park during the morning and afternoon hours. Drive to the heart of Mara North Conservancy where Jonathan Scott made his filming which made Leopard Gorge known. During the game drive, have a chance of seeing different wild animals including the big five -lions, buffalos, rhinos, leopards and Elephants.

Day 15: Second game drive in the reserve

After breakfast, go for a second game drive in the reserve and enjoy the beautiful features of the park both in the morning and afternoon. The drive will give you a great chance of spotting other wildlife which you never targeted in the first game drive. Among these animals include warthogs, cheetahs, hyenas, zebras, eland, hartebeest, and many others.

Day 16: Transfer to Kisumu Islands

After a long self- drive, transfer to Kisumu Islands and other islands of the mighty fresh water lake- Victoria for some relaxation. While at the island, expect to spot different bird species and the fishermen doing their activity. You can as enjoy some fresh fish.

Day 17: Transfer to Nairobi

Wake up for early morning breakfast as you enjoy the morning breeze the  later pack your luggage and embark on transfer to Nairobi or the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to board your flight back home.

Inclusions

• 4×4 Vehicle Rental
• Accommodation
• Park Entrance Fees
• Gorilla trekking permits
• Chimpanzee tracking permits
• Activities
• Bottled Water

Exclusions

• International Flights
• Visas
• Travel Insurance
• Fuel
• Meals and Beverages
• Personal Expenses
• Tips & Gratuities
• Optional Activities

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