14-Day Gorilla Encounters, Big 5 Thrills & Zanzibar Bliss – Unforgettable East Africa Family Adventure safari
This 14-day midrange family safari brings together three of East Africa’s most powerful experiences: gorilla trekking in Uganda, Big 5 safari across Kenya and Tanzania, and ocean serenity on Zanzibar’s white-sand shores.
Designed for families seeking connection, wonder, and once-in-a-lifetime shared moments, this journey blends adventure with comfort from start to finish.
Your story begins in Rwanda and Uganda, where forested volcanoes and the quiet morning mist set the scene for a truly emotional wildlife encounter.
Then you travel into the world-famous Masai Mara and Serengeti, the beating heart of East Africa’s Big 5 safari circuit, where sweeping savannahs and golden sunsets ignite the imagination of both kids and adults.
Finally, you unwind in Zanzibar’s turquoise waters, the perfect place to reflect, reconnect, and celebrate the adventure you’ve lived together.
✨ Availability is limited, especially for flights and lodges — reach out today to check availability.
✨ If this itinerary isn’t your perfect match, we’ll happily tailor it to your needs.
✨ Add-on experiences can be arranged on request (e.g., balloon rides, cultural visits, extra nights).
Tour Highlights
Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park — one of the world’s most emotional wildlife encounters
Cross-border Big 5 safaris in Masai Mara and Serengeti, ideal for families seeking maximum sightings
Explore the iconic Ngorongoro Crater, a wildlife Eden with high densities of game
Cultural encounters including Batwa community and Hadzabe hunter-gatherers
Safari landscapes from volcanic ranges to golden savannahs to baobab-dotted valleys in Tarangire
Relax on Nungwi Beach, Zanzibar — perfect for family downtime and optional water adventures
Seamless logistics with guided transfers, flights, and curated activities
Midrange camps and lodges chosen for comfort, character, and family friendliness
Tour Map
Tour Features
Accommodations
This tour uses comfortable mid-range lodges and tented camps.
Can be customized
You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
Private tour
This tour will be organized exclusively for you and won't be shared with others.
Not for solo travelers
Solo travelers cannot book this private tour.
Can start any day
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Family Friendly
This tour accepts families with kids from 0 years.
Day 1
Kigali: Welcome to the Heart of the Region
You touch down in Kigali and meet your local guide who welcomes you and briefs you on the adventure ahead. The calm atmosphere of Rwanda’s capital — clean streets, rolling hills, warm hospitality — immediately sets a beautiful tone for your journey.
After settling in, enjoy a relaxed orientation drive through the city before gathering for a welcome dinner and gorilla-trekking briefing. It’s the perfect moment to bond as a family and prepare for the unforgettable days ahead.
Meals: Dinner
Transport: Airport pickup (private), short city transfers
Accommodation
Heaven Boutique Hotel
Day 2
Kigali → Kisoro (7–8 hrs): Scenic Drive to the Virunga Region
Today you journey southwest toward Uganda, traveling through lush volcanic landscapes, terraced farms, and forested hills.
Scenic stops and a picnic lunch break the day, giving you plenty of opportunities for family photos.
You arrive in Kisoro early evening, your lodge overlooking the dramatic Virunga ranges a magical place to watch the sunset mist drift over the volcanoes.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transport: Private 4x4 transfer (7–8 hrs)
Accommodation
Travellers Rest Hotel
Day 3
gahinga National Park: Gorilla Trekking Day
A once-in-a-lifetime day begins with an early transfer to the Mgahinga trailhead.
Together with expert trackers, you hike through bamboo, montane forest, and volcanic slopes in search of your allocated gorilla family.
The moment you meet the gorillas is profoundly emotional, quiet, humbling, and unforgettable for both adults and children.
After your trek, enjoy a relaxed afternoon at the lodge or take an optional Batwa community visit.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transport: Short transfer to trailhead; trekking on foot
Accommodation
Travellers Rest Hotel
Day 4
Fly Kigali → Nairobi (1 hr) — Overnight Nairobi
After breakfast you return to Kigali for your flight to Nairobi.
The short flight transitions you from rainforest and volcanoes to East Africa’s safari capital.
Upon arrival, settle into your comfortable hotel near the airport.
Enjoy the evening at leisure, rest, swim, or explore a nearby restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transport: Kigali road transfer; scheduled flight (1 hr); Nairobi airport transfers
Accommodation
The Boma Nairobi
Day 5
Nairobi → Masai Mara (5–6 hrs): Afternoon Game Drive
Today you head by road to the legendary Masai Mara in your private 4x4 safari vehicle.
Arrive for lunch at your camp before setting out on your first game drive, a thrilling introduction to lions, elephants, giraffes, and endless plains.
As the sun dips, the Mara turns golden, and your family gets its first taste of Kenya’s iconic safari magic.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transport: Road transfer (5–6 hrs), afternoon game drive
Accommodation
Zebra Plains Mara Camp
Day 6
Masai Mara: Full Day of Game Drives (Balloon Optional)
The Mara comes alive today as you explore its varied habitats on morning and afternoon game drives.
This is one of Africa’s best regions to find big cats, grazing herds, and unforgettable predator action.
Optional: Begin at dawn with a hot-air balloon safari, ending with a champagne bush breakfast, a remarkable memory for families celebrating milestones.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transport: 4x4 game drives (morning & afternoon)
Accommodation
Zebra Plains Mara Camp
Day 7
Masai Mara → Serengeti (6–8 hrs including border) — Afternoon Game Drive
Your journey continues south as you cross into Tanzania and enter the Serengeti, a region even grander in scale.
After border formalities, you arrive at camp in time for an afternoon game drive, wide horizons, golden grasslands, and wildlife in every direction.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transport: Road transfer + border crossing (6–8 hrs), afternoon game drive
Accommodation
Enkirari Wilderness Camp
Day 8
Serengeti: Full Day Safari (Balloon Optional)
Spend the day exploring the Serengeti’s vast plains in search of elephants, cheetahs, lions, and roaming herds.
Dawn and dusk offer the best light for photography and family memories.
Optional: A Serengeti sunrise balloon flight, a breathtaking alternative if you skipped the Mara balloon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transport: 4x4 game drives (morning & afternoon)
Accommodation
Enkirari Wilderness Camp
Day 9
Serengeti → Ngorongoro Crater (3–4 hrs): Wildlife Eden
You travel to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend 600 meters into the world-famous crater.
Wildlife is abundant here, rhinos, lions, buffalo, hyenas, and vast grazing herds thrive in this natural amphitheatre.
Enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor before ascending to your lodge on the rim.
Optional Maasai village visit en route.
Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Transport: Road transfer (3–4 hrs), crater tour
Accommodation
Ngorongoro Lion’s Paw Camp
Day 10
Lake Eyasi & Hadzabe Visit → Tarangire (4–5 hrs)
This morning you head toward Lake Eyasi for a rare cultural experience with the Hadzabe hunter-gatherers.
Learn about traditional foraging, bow hunting, and ancient storytelling.
Continue to Tarangire National Park for an afternoon game drive among baobabs and large elephant herds, an iconic African landscape.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transport: Road transfer Ngorongoro → Eyasi → Tarangire (4–5 hrs), game drive
Accommodation
Serian Tarangire Camp
Day 11
Tarangire → Arusha → Fly to Zanzibar (1 hr) → Nungwi
Start with a morning game drive in Tarangire before traveling to Arusha for your short flight to Zanzibar.
On arrival, transfer north to Nungwi, soft sands, warm breeze, and turquoise water welcome you into island time.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transport: Morning game drive; road transfer to Arusha; flight (1 hr); transfer to Nungwi
Accommodation
The Z Hotel
Day 12
Nungwi Beach: Relaxation & Optional Activities
A full free day to enjoy the beach. Snorkel, swim, or join optional excursions like a dhow sunset cruise, spice tour, or snorkeling trip to Mnemba Island.
It’s your time to slow down, reconnect, and enjoy warm ocean moments as a family.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transport: Short local transfers as needed
Accommodation
The Z Hotel
Day 13
Nungwi: Culture, Crafts & Final Beach Day
Another relaxing day to do as much, or as little, as you like.
Visit a local village, explore Swahili crafts, or simply enjoy the ocean.
Optional: Half-day tour of Stone Town’s UNESCO-listed alleyways and historical landmarks.
Your final dinner tonight is a seafood celebration under the stars.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transport: Local transfers
Accommodation
The Z Hotel
Day 14
Departure from Zanzibar
After breakfast, transfer to Zanzibar Airport for your international flight.
Take one last beach stroll if time allows, your East African adventure ends with memories your family will carry for a lifetime.
Meals: Breakfast
Transport: Road transfer Nungwi → Zanzibar Airport
Accommodation
No accommodation (End of tour)
Important to know
- Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
Rates Per Person
| Month/Season | Solo 1 room | 2 people 1 room |
|---|---|---|
| January to December | n/a | 8,467 |