2 Weeks in East Africa - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Epic Wildlife Adventure in Kenya & Tanzania

This Kenya and Tanzania wildlife adventure includes game drives in four national parks, hot-air balloon rides over the Masai Mara Reserve, a sunset cruise to spot flamingoes on Lake Nakuru, and visits to animal conservation initiatives such as the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, home to orphaned elephants. You'll also have the opportunity to learn about local Maasai culture in traditional villages and tour Nairobi with a local guide from the Nai Nami Foundation.

On arrival in Nairobi, Kenya, your driver will transfer you to your lodge in Aberdare National Park. Here, you can unwind with sundowners and get a good night's rest. Day 2 has you spotting elephants, lions, eagles, and more on sunrise and evening game drives before transferring to Nakuru for a night, looking for the famous flock of flamingoes on a sunset cruise on Lake Nakuru. Then, your driver will take you to the Masai Mara National Reserve for a hot-air balloon ride and a full-day safari. Return to Nairobi on Day 6 for a tour led by the Nai Nami Foundation, an organization that empowers unhoused youth.

At the halfway mark of the adventure, you'll cross the border into Tanzania and to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Here, you'll have the chance to eat lunch with the residents of a Maasai village, embark on a full-day game drive, and dine under the stars. Then, your driver will take you to Olduvai Gorge, an archaeological site where some of the earliest human fossils have been found. You'll continue to Serengeti National Park for more game drives and wildlife, including zebras and wildebeests. Finally, wrap up your journey in Nairobi, souvenir shopping at Kazuri Beads Factory and meeting the orphaned elephants at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Learn more

Itinerary #2: East Africa Wildlife & Culture Tour: Tanzania & Uganda

Wildlife and culture enthusiasts will appreciate the unique animal encounters and engaging cultural experiences on this Tanzania and Uganda tour. You'll go gorilla trekking in Uganda's famous Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, embark on game drives in the Tarangire and Serengeti National Parks, try your hand at glass-blowing in an artisan workshop, and tour Kampala by boda-boda.

Begin in Arusha, where you'll craft a blown glass keepsake at the Shanga & Shanga Foundation artisan workshop. Then, after a night's rest, head to Tarangire National Park in the morning to observe grazing zebras, giraffes, and/or elephants on a game drive, followed by an overnight in a luxury-tented camp. The following day, you'll cruise through golden grasslands, marvel at ancient baobab trees, and picnic in the wild on a full-day safari. Afterward, you'll transfer to Serengeti National Park and search for cheetahs and hippos as you travel from the Grumeti River to the Seronera Valley. Continue to Ngorongoro on Day 6 for two days, starting with a tour of a Maasai village.

Next, you'll return to Arusha for bird-watching on Lake Duluti before flying to Entebbe. Your driver will meet you at the airport and take you to Kampala, Uganda's capital, where you can browse Ugandan artifacts at the Uganda Museum and tour the streets by boda-boda (bike or motorcycle taxi). Afterward, you'll transfer to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and participate in a gorilla trek. You'll then fly back to Entebbe and cruise to Ngamba Island to meet the chimpanzees at the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Finally, fly back to Arusha for souvenir shopping at the Maasai Market. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Kenya & Tanzania Safari, Culture & Beach Adventure

Pair wildlife safaris with coastal adventures in Kenya and Tanzania with this safari, culture, and beach trip. Highlights include meeting endangered giraffes at Nairobi's Giraffe Centre, snorkeling in Zanzibar, and the chance to witness the Great Migration in the Masai Mara Reserve. Those interested in culinary activities will enjoy a hands-on Zanzibari cooking lesson in Stone Town and an interactive coffee tour and tasting at Fairview Coffee Estate. 

Your journey starts in Kenya, with a visit to the Nairobi Giraffe Centre, where you'll feed endangered Rothschild's giraffes and learn about conservation efforts. Then, your driver will take you to the Masai Mara Reserve, where you'll soar over the reserve in a hot-air balloon (time your visit between July and October for a chance to witness the Great Migration in which thousands of wildebeest and zebras traverse the plains). After this, you'll return to Nairobi to observe artisans at Kazuri Beads Factory before heading to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania for a game drive in search of the Big Five (lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and African buffalo).

The second half of your trip takes you to Zanzibar, just off the coast of East Africa, where you'll explore the underwater world on a snorkeling tour and prepare a coconut bean soup alongside a local chef during a cooking lesson in Stone Town. You'll then fly to Arusha to visit the wildcats at the Serval Wildlife Sanctuary and practice your bartering skills at the Maasai Market. Your driver will transfer you back to Nairobi on Day 13 for you to engage in a hands-on tour and tasting at Fairview Coffee Estate. On your last day, you'll observe rehabilitation efforts and a feeding session at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, home to orphaned elephants. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Ultimate Culture & Wildlife Tour of Uganda & Rwanda

This Uganda and Rwanda itinerary offers a blend of adventure, culture, cuisine, and wildlife. You'll sample Ugandan dishes in Kampala, play football and learn about traditional dance and Bugundan culture at the Entanda Initiative, take a hike at Murchison Falls, observe hippos and go bird-watching in Queen Elizabeth National Park, cook Rwandan food alongside the community at the Iby'i Wacu Cultural Village, track gorillas on a hike in Volcanoes National Park, learn about street art and city life on a tour of Kigali, and savor a relaxing beach day in Entebbe.

Kick off your adventure in Kampala, Uganda's capital, where you'll tuck into luwombo (a traditional dish of meat, peanuts, and beans wrapped and steamed in a banana leaf), then admire the opulent gates of Kabaka's Palace, the residence of the Buganda tribe's king. Next, you'll take a day trip to Entanda Initiative to learn about medicinal plants and traditional dance and play football with the community. From there, your driver will whisk you to Murchison Falls National Park for an evening game drive to witness nocturnal wildlife. You'll also cruise to the waterfalls and hike to the top for Nile River views.

Your next stop is Queen Elizabeth National Park, where a boat excursion on the Kazinga Channel offers wildlife sightings that may include elephants, hippos, and African shoebills. Afterward, on Day 8, catch a flight to Kigali, Rwanda, where you'll engage with traditional arts and dance and prepare brochettes (grilled meat skewers) at the Iby'i Wacu Cultural Village. Get some rest; tomorrow's adventure involves tackling the muddy trails of Volcanoes National Park in search of mountain gorillas. Lastly, cap off your trip with a street art tour in Kigali, followed by a relaxing beach day in Entebbe. Learn more

More Great 2-Week Tanzania Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Tanzania? Check out these other two-week Tanzania itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.