Our Best East Africa Itineraries For Returning Visitors

1. Ultra-Luxury Tanzania & Kenya Safari

Duration: 14 Days | Destinations: 4

Experience East Africa's legendary safari destinations in ultimate luxury and comfort. Stay in exclusive, handpicked lodges set in prime wildlife areas, from the iconic Serengeti to the breathtaking Masai Mara. For those who have been before, this journey promises a deeper connection with Africa—its landscapes, wildlife, and timeless allure.

Begin your journey with a nostalgic stop in Arusha, where you'll unwind at a charming coffee estate before heading to the Ngorongoro Crater—an ancient caldera teeming with the Big 5. Then, return to the vast, open plains of the Serengeti, where golden grasslands stretch endlessly beneath the African sky. Cap off your adventure in the Masai Mara, where you'll soak in the landscape on exhilarating game drives, guided walks, and even hot-air balloon safaris. Time your visit right, and you'll witness the Great Wildebeest Migration from the best vantage points

Highlights:

• Stay at East Africa's most exclusive luxury lodges
• Savour the nostalgia of a working coffee plantation in Arusha
• Enjoy phenomenal game viewing year-round, including the Big 5
• Explore the Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest intact caldera
• Witness the drama of the Great Migration in the Serengeti and Masai Mara
• Rediscover Africa on game drives, walking safaris, horseback safaris & hot-air balloon rides

2. Honeymoon In Serengeti & Seychelles

Duration: 11 Days | Destinations: 4

Celebrate your love with an extraordinary journey through Africa's most breathtaking landscapes. Whether it's your honeymoon or a milestone anniversary, this adventure blends luxury, wilderness, and intimate moments in some of Tanzania's most iconic destinations.

Begin in Arusha, where you'll soak in the old-world charm of a historic coffee estate before venturing to Lake Manyara. Here, a diverse ecosystem of mahogany woodlands and open savannahs are home to vast elephant herds, elegant giraffes, and the famous tree-climbing lions.

Next, experience the magic of the Serengeti, where endless plains set the stage for the Great Wildebeest Migration. Enjoy a classic under-canvas safari, immersing yourself in Africa's raw beauty while witnessing its legendary wildlife up close. No romantic getaway is complete without a touch of paradise. Spend your days basking in the sun, exploring vibrant coral reefs, and savouring every moment of barefoot luxury.

Highlights:

• Explore Tanzania's top safari destinations in style
• Stay in world-class, 5-star luxury lodges and tented camps
• Experience the romance of a private island escape
• Enjoy classic Big 5 game viewing in Lake Manyara
• Romantic bush and beach safari ideal for honeymooners
• See the Great Migration in the Serengeti (in season)
• Indulge in water-based activities like snorkelling and diving

3. Explore Tanzania’s North And South

Duration: 10 Days | Destinations: 3

Tanzania's northern safari circuit is a favourite amongst first-time visitors, boasting heavyweight destinations like the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. But for the traveller with an African safari or two under their belt, Tanzania's southern circuit is brimming with hidden gems ready to be explored.

After delighting in safari classics, like the Great Wildebeest Migration and Big 5, venture into the untouched wilderness of Ruaha National Park. A wildlife-rich destination that sees few visitors, Ruaha promises an exciting safari adventure packed with big-game sightings of elephants, leopards, and lions.

Highlights:

• Explore the best of Tanzania's northern and southern circuits
• Stay in incredible locations, like a working coffee plantation
• Spot the Big 5 on a classic safari in Ngorongoro Crater
• See the Great Migration on game drives & hot-air balloon rides
• Visit Ruaha, home to 10% of the world's lion population

4. Fly-In Safari To Western Tanzania’s Katavi & Mahale

Duration: 9 Days | Destinations: 3

Choose the road less travelled in Tanzania with a 9-day safari through the East African country's little-known wildlife gems. Ideal for the second-time visitor to Africa, this itinerary takes travellers to the remote and pristine locations of Katavi National Park and Lake Tanganyika.

Start in quaint Arusha before catching a charter flight to Katavi for a classic under-canvas safari experience filled with thrilling game sightings of Africa's most iconic animals as they roam the rolling golden savannahs. After Katavi, make your way to the magical mountains of Mahale, where your last few nights are spent on the shores of Lake Tanganyika in a Crusoe-esque camp that seamlessly blends rustic jungle-style design with modern luxury comforts. While here, hike the trails into the ancient forest in search of playful primates who call it home.

Highlights:

• An off-the-beaten-track luxury safari experience ideal for return visitors
• Visit Tanzania's hidden gems for a unique savannah & jungle combination
• Incredible wildlife sightings of elephants, buffalos, and big cats in Katavi
• Enjoy Crusoe-style luxury on the banks of Lake Tanganyika
• Spend time with habituated chimpanzees in the forests of Mahale
• Get closer to nature with an overnight fly-camping safari

5. Railway Safari From Cape Town To Tanzania (Plus Zanzibar)

Duration: 22 Days | Destinations: 5

If your first trip to Africa didn't seem long enough, let your second visit be a slow, immersive experience that takes you from one part of the continent to another. Rovos Rail is a premium passenger train that exudes opulence, style, and old-world charm.

The well-known luxury train service is renowned for its bespoke, world-class travel itineraries, with this particular 22-day trip starting in Cape Town and ending in Tanzania's Dar-es-Salaam. Apart from indulging in the many comforts of the world's most luxurious train and enjoying the beauty of the everchanging landscape as it rolls by, you'll also enjoy stopovers in many fascinating destinations en route.

Highlights:

• Enjoy a high-end, glamorous adventure on the world's most luxurious train
• Explore Cape Town's attractions, including Table Mountain & the Cape Winelands
• Take in the beauty of the mighty Victoria Falls
• Stop in Madikwe Game Reserve for a malaria-free Big 5 safari
• Spend time venturing the streets of bustling Dar-es-Salaam
• End your trip with beachside fun on a private tropical island off Tanzania's coast
• World-class diving and snorkelling in the Indian Ocean

6. Secret Sojourn Through Serengeti, Ruaha & Nyerere

Duration: 11 Days | Destinations: 4

Ditch the safari guides for first-timers and venture into Tanzania's little-visited wildlife destinations. Rugged and remote, this 11-day tour takes you through three of the country's prettiest hidden gems.

Ease yourself into the journey with an overnight in Arusha before heading to the Serengeti to explore a secret region of this famous destination. The Seronera is hailed as one of central Serengeti's most reliable areas for big game viewing, particularly cheetah, as well as offering the ideal location to witness the Great Migration.

Your next stop is the baobab-dotted hills of northern Ruaha National Park. Secluded, wild, and teeming with wildlife, a visit to Tanzania's best-kept secret promises quality predator sightings. The final destination on this incredible itinerary is Nyerere National Park (formerly known as Selous), where you'll spend your final days in Africa on the sparkling Rufiji River in Africa's biggest game reserve and Big 5 haven.

Highlights:

• Visit three of Tanzania's best-kept secrets & top wildlife destinations
• Stay at a premier safari camp in a secluded part of the Serengeti
• Take in picturesque views of Mount Kilimanjaro in Arusha
• Fantastic Great Migration sightings along the wildebeest migratory path
• Incredible game viewing, especially predator action, in each destination
• Enjoy privacy, exclusivity and luxury in Ruaha and Nyerere

7. Adventure Through Mt. Kenya, Samburu & Masai Mara

Duration: 10 Days | Destinations: 4

If you played it safe on your first visit to Africa, get a little more adventurous the second time around with this 10-day itinerary through Kenya's top safari spots. Explore the untamed wilderness of the Masai Mara, Laikipia, and Samburu through a range of exciting activities and heartwarming experiences.

From sharing your breakfast with Rothschild's giraffes to game viewing while perched on the back of a camel or horse, the opportunities to encounter Africa in a unique and electrifying way are endless. Beyond the thrill of a new adventure, this trip allows you to leave Africa better than when you arrived, with your visit supporting the many conservation and community projects in each location.

Highlights:

• Explore Kenya's premier wildlife destinations
• Encounter the famous long-necked residents of Giraffe Manor
• Stay in a private rhino conservancy while visiting Laikipia
• Incredible game viewing throughout
• See the Samburu Special 5 in Samburu & the Great Migration in the Masai Mara
• Enjoy horse riding, mountain biking, helicopter flips, camel trekking & fly camping
• Insightful cultural experiences with traditional Maasai and Samburu people

8. Kenya’s Luxury Hidden Gems Safari

Duration: 12 Days | Destinations: 5

Discover Kenya's best-kept secrets on this 12-day tour of the country's lesser-known reserves. Travel to Meru National Park, where you're greeted by a diverse landscape of golden plains, doum plants, vibrant flora, and towering baobab trees. Explore this extraordinary environment on game drives, night drives, guided bush walks, and rafting safaris on the Tana River.

Next, revel in a conservation success story. Touchdown in Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and haven for big game, including the endangered black and white rhinos, lions, cheetahs, and Grevy's zebra. Cap off this wonderful African adventure with a visit to an old favourite – the Masai Mara – where a classic safari experience of lantern-lit dinners, canvas tents, and indulgent copper bathtubs awaits.

Highlights:

• Explore Nairobi's top attractions, like the Giraffe Sanctuary
• Visit 2 of Kenya's undiscovered treasures: Meru & Lewa Conservancy
• Indulge in 1920s vintage luxury while in the Masai Mara
• Learn about Lewa's successful rhino conservation story
• See the Great Migration & Big 5
• Take to the sky with a hot-air balloon safari over the Masai Mara
• Game drives, night drives, guided bush walks & boat safaris

9. Uganda’s Primates & Wildlife Adventure

Duration: 9 Days | Destinations: 3

This 9-day adventure through Uganda ensures that your second visit to Africa is a life-changing one. Venture into lush rainforests, traverse vast savannahs inhabited by big game, and immerse yourself in the beauty of lakes, mountains, and wetlands.

A stopover in Entebbe is followed by an adventure in Kibale Forest, where you'll spend your time here trekking for chimpanzees, walking the rim of Crater Lake, and soaking in the incredible views of the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains. It's then off to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a classic safari experience in the bush. Game drives and boat cruises along the Kazinga Channel promise thrilling wildlife encounters that include hippos, elephants, buffalos, and the famous tree-climbing lions.

The final leg of your journey takes you to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for the main attraction of the itinerary. Lace up your hiking boots and follow the expert guide into the rainforest, traversing through the vegetation in search of its inhabitants. Your reward is a soul stirring encounter with gorilla families as they interact with natural habitat.

Highlights:

• Explore Uganda's top wildlife attractions
• Picturesque views of savannah and jungle landscapes
• Unforgettable gorilla and chimpanzee trekking encounters
• Classic wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• River cruises down the Kazinga Channel
• See the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha Plains
• Guided walk around the rim of Crater Lake
• Insightful encounters with locals and their initiatives
• This trip supports community & conservation projects

10. Uganda Community & Conservation Safari

Duration: 7 Days | Destinations: 3

Travellers often form a deep connection to Africa during their first visit. The people, the landscapes, the wildlife; they all find a way of creeping into your heart, leaving you with a constant longing to return. This 7-day Uganda trip ensures you get to relive the magic and moments that made you fall in love with the continent in the first place.

Immerse yourself in a transformative journey through the golden plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park and vibrant flora of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park's rainforest. But more than just your typical African adventure, this itinerary sees you giving as much as you receive. Packed with incredible cultural and conservation experiences, you'll help local beekeepers harvest honey, gain deep insights into critical conservation efforts from the gorilla vet after a successful trek, and engage with the Batwa people, the traditional hunter-gatherers of Uganda's forests.

Highlights:

• Explore 2 of Uganda's premier wildlife destinations
• Enjoy a classic wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Spot the well-known tree-climbing lions inhabiting Ishasha Plains
• Trek the bamboo forests of Mgahinga to see gorillas & rare golden monkeys
• Lend a hand at the Kyambura Beekeeping Cooperative
• Insightful fireside chats with Gorilla Doctors veterinarian
• Scale the Gisozi Caldera for breathtaking views of Kisoro
• Profound cultural experiences on the Batwa Heritage Tour

Ready To Plan Your Second African Safari?

If one of the above curated itineraries inspires you to start planning your next trip to the continent, our Africa Safari Experts are ready to put their first-hand expertise to good use. Get in touch to start the process of crafting the perfect adventure to welcome you back to Africa.