Brisbane Owned 📞 +61 409 661 342 ✉ contact@cooeetours.com.au
About Blog Contact
East Africa · Kenya · Tanzania · Uganda · Rwanda · Zanzibar

The greatest wildlife show on Earth.

1.5 million wildebeest crossing the Mara River in August. A mountain gorilla family three metres from your face in Rwanda's Virunga forest. The sun rising over the Ngorongoro Crater as a cheetah begins its hunt. Cooee has guided small groups across East Africa from our Brisbane office since 1991.

1.5M
Wildebeest in the Migration
1,063
Mountain Gorillas in the Wild
5,895m
Kilimanjaro Summit
25,000km²
Mara-Serengeti Ecosystem
~19hr
Brisbane to Nairobi
Plan My East Africa Trip → Explore Destinations ↓
✅ ATAS Accredited ⭐ 4.8/5 · 50,000+ travellers 👥 Max 16 guests 🇦🇺 Brisbane-based · Since 1991 🦁 East Africa safari specialists
🌍
Countries
5 NationsKenya · Tanzania · Uganda · Rwanda · Zanzibar
💱
Safari currency
USDCarry post-2009 small bills
🗣️
Languages
Swahili · EnglishPlus 100+ local languages
✈️
From Brisbane
~19-21 hrsVia Dubai or Doha
🕐
Time zone
EAT · UTC+37 hrs behind AEST
💉
Health
Yellow Fever requiredMalaria prophylaxis recommended
01 · East Africa at a glance

The most biodiverse intact ecosystem on Earth.

Five countries — Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and the island of Zanzibar — collectively make up the world's most complete remaining large-mammal wildlife landscape. The Great Migration, the mountain gorilla forests, Kilimanjaro, the Indian Ocean reefs, and 100+ Indigenous communities still living traditionally on Country.

East Africa is where the evolutionary drama that produced all terrestrial life is still visible, daily and in real time. The Serengeti–Maasai Mara ecosystem — the 25,000 km² of continuous grassland spanning the Kenya–Tanzania border — is the largest terrestrial animal biomass of any ecosystem on Earth outside the polar oceans. It supports approximately 1.5 million wildebeest, 400,000 zebra, 200,000 Thomson's gazelle, and the predator community that follows them: roughly 3,000 lion (the highest density anywhere in Africa), 1,000 cheetah, 400 wild dog, and 9,000 spotted hyena. The Great Migration — the annual circular movement of the wildebeest and zebra herd following the rains around the Serengeti–Mara system — is the largest terrestrial animal migration on Earth and the event that structures the East African safari calendar.

Beyond the migration: Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park and Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest together hold approximately half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas — total population 1,063 individuals as of the 2018-19 census, recovering from a low of around 250 in the 1980s thanks to one of conservation's clearest success stories. Mount Kilimanjaro at 5,895 m is the highest free-standing mountain on Earth and accessible to any reasonably fit non-technical climber. Zanzibar is the spice island in the Indian Ocean — the Stone Town UNESCO World Heritage Site, the dhow harbour, the clove plantations, and reef diving among the best in the western Indian Ocean.

And running through all of it: the human cultures that have shared this landscape for thousands of years — the Maasai and Samburu of the Kenyan and Tanzanian rangelands, the Kikuyu of the central Kenyan highlands, the Chagga on Kilimanjaro's southern slopes, the Hadza hunter-gatherers around Lake Eyasi, the Batwa forest people of Uganda and Rwanda. Cooee partners with community-based tourism operators wherever possible — the cultural depth of East Africa is inseparable from the wildlife landscape.

✅ East Africa essentials at a glance

  • Kenya eTA at etakenya.go.ke (USD $30-35)
  • Tanzania e-Visa USD $50
  • Uganda + Rwanda e-Visa USD $50 each
  • East Africa Tourist Visa USD $100 (Kenya+Uganda+Rwanda)
  • Yellow Fever vaccination certificate required
  • Malaria prophylaxis strongly recommended
  • USD cash widely used (small post-2009 notes)
  • Zanzibar mandatory inbound insurance USD $44
  • Book safari 12-18 months ahead for Jul-Oct peak
  • Gorilla permits 6-12 months ahead
  • Time zone UTC+3 (7 hours behind AEST)
  • Brisbane to Nairobi ~19-21 hours via Dubai/Doha
02 · 7 destinations

From the plains to the peak.

Seven anchor destinations that define the East African safari and trekking experience. Most Cooee East Africa trips combine 2-4 of these.

🏆 Top pick ★ 4.9

Maasai Mara, Kenya

Big Cats · Migration crossings · Jul-Oct

The Maasai Mara National Reserve (1,510 km², the Kenyan portion of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem) is the world's most celebrated wildlife destination for three specific reasons: the highest density of lion per area of any African ecosystem, exceptional leopard sightings (the Mara's relatively open acacia woodland makes leopards visible that would be entirely hidden in denser bush), and the Mara River wildebeest crossings — the defining wildlife spectacle of the safari calendar.

The Mara Conservancies (Olare Motorogi, Naboisho, Ol Kinyei, Mara North, Lemek — privately managed land surrounding the national reserve, operated under agreements with Maasai communities who receive a per-acre conservation fee) typically see a maximum of 3-6 vehicles at any sighting versus up to 200 in the national reserve — and conservancy camps are permitted night drives and walking safaris with Maasai guides.

  • Mara River crossings · Jul-Oct (peak Aug-Sept)
  • Stay in a Conservancy not the Reserve · night drives + walking safaris
  • Dawn balloon safari · the Mara from 300 m
  • Highest lion density of any African ecosystem
UNESCO ★ 4.9

Serengeti, Tanzania

Year-round game · Calving Jan-Mar

The Serengeti National Park (14,763 km², UNESCO World Heritage, the Tanzanian portion of the ecosystem — three times the Mara) provides the most complete year-round wildlife experience in East Africa. The wildebeest calving season (January-March in the Ndutu plains, 400,000-500,000 calves born in a 3-week window) produces the highest predator activity of the year — cheetah hunting newborn calves within hours of birth.

  • Seronera Valley · year-round big cat concentration
  • Calving Jan-Mar · cheetah hunting newborns
  • Western Corridor (Jun-Jul) · Grumeti crossings
  • Northern Serengeti (Jul-Oct) · Mara crossings, Tanzanian side
Big Five ★ 4.9

Ngorongoro Crater

Tanzania · 600 km² caldera

20 km wide, 600 m deep, 600 km² of enclosed ecosystem — the highest density of wildlife per square kilometre of any area in Africa. Approximately 30,000 large mammals permanently resident. The only ecosystem where lion, elephant, buffalo, hippo, zebra, wildebeest, black rhino, flamingo, hyena, and cheetah all coexist in a single drivable day.

  • ~26 black rhino · among Africa's best-protected populations
  • Crater gate opens 6am · arrive at the gate before
  • One full day minimum on the crater floor
  • Pair with Serengeti for the Tanzania classic circuit
🦍 Bucket list ★ 5.0

Mountain gorilla trekking

Rwanda Volcanoes NP · Uganda Bwindi

Mountain gorilla tracking — adult silverback males to 200 kg — is the most profoundly affecting wildlife encounter available to Australian travellers anywhere on Earth. World population approximately 1,063 individuals (2018-19 census), recovering from a low of around 250 in the 1980s.

Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park): permit USD $1,500 per person for a one-hour visit. The most expensive wildlife permit in Africa — and the most justifiable: the revenue funds the ranger network, anti-poaching infrastructure, and community programs that made the recovery possible. Uganda (Bwindi Impenetrable): permit USD $800 per person (raised from USD $700 in July 2024). Bwindi's terrain is more challenging, the forest more authentically dense, and the experience more intimate.

  • Rwanda permit USD $1,500 · book 6-12 months ahead via rdb.rw
  • Uganda permit USD $800 (post-July 2024) · Bwindi or Mgahinga
  • 1 hour guaranteed once the family is found
  • Tracking time 20 min to 4+ hours depending on family location
  • Combine Rwanda gorillas + Akagera for a Big Five extension
⛰ 5,895m ★ 4.8

Mount Kilimanjaro

Tanzania · Africa's highest summit

The highest free-standing mountain on Earth — accessible to any reasonably fit non-technical climber with sufficient time to acclimatise. Lemosho (8 days, 85-90% summit success) and Machame (7 days, 65-75% summit success) are the Cooee-recommended routes.

  • Lemosho 8-day · least crowded · best success rate
  • Machame 7-day · most scenic · the "Whiskey Route"
  • Best months Jan-Feb and Jun-Oct · avoid Mar-May rains
  • Verify KPAP porter welfare accreditation always
🐘 Year-round ★ 4.8

Amboseli, Kenya

Elephant herds · Kilimanjaro view

The most photographically iconic combination in East Africa — elephant herds in the foreground, Kilimanjaro's snow-capped summit behind. ~1,600 individual elephants in the Amboseli ecosystem, the most studied elephant population in the world (Cynthia Moss's Amboseli Elephant Research Project, continuous since 1972).

  • Kilimanjaro view clearest 6-10am before afternoon cloud
  • Big-tusked bulls · 50-60 kg tusks still present
  • Observation Hill · only place to leave vehicle
  • 5-6 hours north to Maasai Mara for a Kenya circuit
🌊 Beach + culture ★ 4.7

Zanzibar

Tanzania · Indian Ocean spice island

The spice island 35 km off the Tanzanian coast — the classic East African safari finale. Stone Town (UNESCO World Heritage, the 19th-century Swahili and Omani Arab trading town — labyrinthine alleys, carved wooden doors, the House of Wonders). Nungwi and Kendwa beaches on the north coast. Mnemba Atoll snorkel/dive (whale shark season Sept-Mar).

Important: from October 2024, all Zanzibar visitors must purchase mandatory inbound travel insurance from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) — approximately USD $44 per person up to 92 days, separate from your home travel insurance.

  • Stone Town UNESCO 2000 · the carved-door taxonomy
  • Mnemba Atoll · whale sharks Sep-Mar · manta rays year-round
  • Spice tour · cloves, vanilla, cardamom, cinnamon
  • Standard finale to Serengeti or Mara safari

💡 Insider tip · the conservancy advantage

The Maasai Mara National Reserve receives up to 200 vehicles at a major predator sighting during peak season. The Maasai Mara Conservancies typically see a maximum of 3-6 vehicles. Conservancy camps are also permitted night game drives (revealing nocturnal predator behaviour invisible in daylight) and walking safaris with an armed Maasai guide. The conservancy daily rate is 15-30% more expensive — the experience is categorically different. Always specify a conservancy camp when booking a Maasai Mara safari.

03 · The Great Migration

1.5 million wildebeest, moving in a circle.

There is no bad time to see the Great Migration — but there is a best time for each experience. The wildebeest, zebra and gazelle herd circulates clockwise through the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem in a continuous annual loop following the rains.

Jan – Mar
Southern Serengeti · Ndutu
🐃 Calving Season

400,000-500,000 wildebeest calves born in a 3-week window in the short-grass plains of Ndutu and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The highest predator activity of the year — cheetah, lion and hyena hunt newborn calves within minutes of birth. The most visceral predator-prey calendar on the migration route. Newborn calves with still-wet coats visible for ~2-3 weeks into the season.

Apr – May
Central Serengeti · Seronera
🌧 Long Rains · Shoulder Season

The long rains (masika) transform the Serengeti from golden to deep green. The herd is moving north toward the Western Corridor. Fewer tourists, 30-40% lower accommodation rates, the landscape at its most photogenically green. The Seronera Valley's resident leopard and lion are visible year-round. Excellent for value-conscious travellers who want quality game viewing without peak-season crowds.

Jun – Jul
Western Serengeti · Grumeti
🐊 Grumeti Crossings

The herd reaches the Western Corridor in June and begins crossing the Grumeti River — the less-famous but arguably more dramatic of the two migration river crossings. The Grumeti's resident Nile crocodiles are notably larger than the Mara's, with individuals recorded at 5.5-6 metres. Less predictable than the Mara crossings (the Grumeti is narrower) but with notably fewer visitor vehicles when they occur.

Jul – Oct
Maasai Mara · Kenya
🌊 Mara River Crossings

The wildebeest enter the Maasai Mara from the Serengeti's Northern Extension from July. The Mara River crossings (3,000-5,000 animals at a time in the largest single events, crocodiles ambushing from the riverbank, lion prides waiting on the far bank) are the defining images of the Great Migration. Crossings occur at 7-12 known points along the river. Peak Aug-Sep most expensive and most crowded; Sep-Oct still excellent crossings with fewer vehicles.

04 · Tour packages

9 East Africa packages, from Brisbane.

From a 5-night Maasai Mara conservancy stay to the full 16-day Grand Circuit. All Cooee East Africa tours include international flights from Brisbane, all internal charter flights, accommodation, all permits, all park fees, full game-driving with English-speaking guides, and most meals. Pricing indicative AUD per person twin share.

Migration · Jul-Oct 🐃
Kenya · Maasai Mara

Maasai Mara Migration Safari

⏱ 5 nights⭐ 5.0👥 Max 8

Conservancy camp (Olare Motorogi or Naboisho) for 5 nights with the Mara River crossing positioning at Lookout Hill and Fig Tree. Includes dawn balloon flight + champagne breakfast and walking safari with armed Maasai guide. Charter flight Nairobi-Mara return.

From AU $11,000 pp twin · land only
Enquire →
Year-round 🦁
Tanzania · Serengeti + Ngorongoro

Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater

⏱ 7 nights⭐ 5.0👥 Max 6/vehicle

The classic Tanzania circuit. 1 night Tarangire (baobab + elephant), 3 nights central Serengeti for year-round big cats, 2 nights Ngorongoro rim with full-day crater descent at dawn — ~26 black rhino in the crater floor.

From AU $10,500 pp twin · land only
Enquire →
🦍 Bucket list 🌿
Rwanda · Volcanoes NP

Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Trek

⏱ 4 nights⭐ 5.0👥 Max 8/group

2 gorilla tracking days (different families) at USD $1,500 permit each, both included. 2 nights Kigali including Genocide Memorial visit. 2 nights Volcanoes NP lodge. The second tracking day produces a fundamentally different experience from the first.

From AU $9,200 pp twin · incl. 2 permits
Enquire →
⛰ 5,895m 🏔
Tanzania · Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro · Machame 7-day

⏱ 7 days⭐ 4.9👥 Private

The "Whiskey Route" via Shira Plateau and the Barranco Wall. 65-75% summit success rate. KPAP-accredited operator, full guide and porter team, all park fees, summit certificate. Best months Jan-Feb and Jun-Oct.

From AU $4,400 pp · climb only
Enquire →
Beach + culture 🌊
Tanzania · Zanzibar

Zanzibar Spice Island & Reef

⏱ 7 nights⭐ 4.9👥 Couple/small group

2 nights Stone Town with UNESCO walking tour + spice plantation morning. 5 nights north coast (Nungwi or Kendwa). 2× Mnemba Atoll snorkel/dive — whale shark season Sep-Mar. Note: ZIC mandatory inbound insurance USD $44 from October 2024.

From AU $3,300 pp twin · land only
Enquire →
🦍 + Chimps 🌴
Uganda · Bwindi + Kibale

Uganda Gorillas & Chimpanzee Tracking

⏱ 7 nights⭐ 5.0👥 Max 8/group

The most complete primate encounter in Africa. Kibale Forest 4-hour chimpanzee habituation. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest gorilla trek (USD $800 permit included). Murchison Falls Nile boat cruise. From Entebbe.

From AU $7,500 pp twin · incl. permits
Enquire →
Kenya classic 🐘
Kenya · Amboseli + Maasai Mara

Kenya Classic · Amboseli + Mara

⏱ 8 nights⭐ 4.9👥 Max 6/vehicle

1 night Nairobi (Giraffe Centre + Sheldrick elephant nursery). 2 nights Amboseli (Observation Hill at dawn for the Kilimanjaro window, big-tusk bull elephants). 5 nights Maasai Mara conservancy with night drives, walking safari, balloon flight, Mara River crossings Jul-Oct.

From AU $12,400 pp twin · land only
Enquire →
⛰ + 🐃 Combo ✨
Tanzania · Kilimanjaro + Serengeti

Kilimanjaro Lemosho 8-day + Serengeti

⏱ 15 days⭐ 5.0👥 Private + small group

Climb first, safari second. Lemosho 8-day route (85-90% summit success), 1 night Moshi recovery, 7 nights Serengeti + Ngorongoro. The post-altitude body recovers on the game vehicle while the eyes do the work.

From AU $18,000 pp twin · land only
Enquire →
🌍 Grand 16 days 🦁
Rwanda · Kenya · Tanzania · Zanzibar

Grand East Africa · Safari + Gorillas + Beach

⏱ 16 days⭐ 5.0👥 Max 8

The most complete single East Africa trip. Rwanda gorillas (2 permits) + Maasai Mara (4 nights conservancy) + Serengeti (3 nights) + Ngorongoro (1 day) + Zanzibar (4 nights). All internal flights, all permits, and all transitions handled.

From AU $26,200 pp twin · all-inclusive
Enquire →

📞 Pricing notes

All prices indicative AUD per person, twin share, land arrangements only (international flights from Brisbane quoted separately based on date and routing). Gorilla trekking and Kilimanjaro tours include all necessary permits and park fees. Final quotes depend on departure date, accommodation tier (mid-range lodge vs luxury tented camp), and current USD/AUD exchange rate. Single supplements available. Call +61 409 661 342 or use the form below for a tailored itinerary quote.

05 · When to go

East Africa has two seasons, not four.

East Africa's wildlife calendar is determined by two annual rainfall cycles and the Great Migration's position within the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem at any given time.

☀️
Dry season — peak safari
Jun – Oct · Jan – Feb

The long dry season (Jun-Oct) is peak safari season — vegetation is low, animals concentrate around permanent water (more predictable, more visible), and the migration is in the Maasai Mara with river crossings Jul-Oct. Jan-Feb is a second dry window: short rains have ended, the Serengeti's southern plains are green from the rains (the Ndutu calving — most dramatic predator activity of the year), and Kilimanjaro's summit has its clearest weather. Peak season means peak prices (20-40% premium) and most vehicles at sightings. Book 12-18 months ahead for July-August Maasai Mara conservancy camps.

🌧
Wet (green) season — value window
Mar – May · November

The long rains (masika, Mar-May) and short rains (vuli, Nov) are the off-peak window: 30-40% lower rates, significantly fewer vehicles at sightings, the landscape at its most photogenically green. Wildlife viewing is not inferior — animals are present, predators active — but the vegetation is taller, making finding animals slightly more challenging in dense bush. November is the best value month in the Maasai Mara: the migration has returned to the Serengeti but resident lion prides, leopards, and cheetah remain. Gorilla tracking in Rwanda operates year-round regardless of season — the forest is always wet and the gorillas are always present.

📅 Specific timing notes

Mara River crossings: Jul through Oct, peak Aug-Sep. Ndutu calving: late Jan through mid-Mar. Grumeti crossings: Jun-Jul. Kilimanjaro best weather: Jan-Feb (book 6 months ahead) and Jun-Oct. Avoid Kilimanjaro Mar-May (long rains, dangerously slippery on the upper sections). Mountain gorillas: year-round, but Rwanda permits sell out 6-12 months ahead for Jun-Sep and Dec-Jan windows. Zanzibar Mnemba Atoll whale sharks: Sep-Mar peak season.

06 · Practical

Visas, flights, and getting there.

Australian passport holders can enter all five East African countries on relatively straightforward electronic visas — but the application processes vary by country. Apply for all visas at least 4-6 weeks before departure to allow buffer for processing.

Country Visa type Where to apply Cost (USD) Notes
Kenya eTA etakenya.go.ke $30-35 Replaced previous e-Visa January 2024. Apply 5+ business days before travel. Single entry, valid 90 days.
Tanzania e-Visa visa.immigration.go.tz $50 Single or multiple entry. Valid 90 days from issue. Allow 10 business days. Zanzibar uses Tanzania visa + ZIC insurance.
Uganda e-Visa visas.immigration.go.ug $50 Single entry, valid 90 days. Approval typically 2-7 days. Yellow Fever certificate often requested at border.
Rwanda e-Visa irembo.gov.rw $50 Single entry, valid 30 days. Visa-on-arrival also available at Kigali Airport (USD $50 cash).
Multi-country EATV Any of: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda $100 East Africa Tourist Visa — covers Kenya + Uganda + Rwanda. 90 days multiple entry. Best value for any multi-country East African itinerary.
Zanzibar ZIC Insurance visitzanzibar.go.tz $44 Mandatory inbound travel insurance from Zanzibar Insurance Corporation, effective October 2024. Up to 92 days. Separate from your home travel insurance.
✈️
Flights from Brisbane

Brisbane to Nairobi (NBO) is approximately 19-21 hours via Dubai (Emirates) or Doha (Qatar Airways) — both have daily Brisbane departures with strong East African connections. Brisbane to Kilimanjaro (JRO) via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam (add 2-3 hours). Brisbane to Kigali via Nairobi or Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines). Internal charter flights Nairobi-Maasai Mara is 45 minutes vs 6 hours by road — Cooee includes these in all safari packages.

🦺
Safari packing

Neutral colours (khaki, olive, tan, grey) are standard — avoid blue (attracts tsetse flies) and white (shows dust). Layers essential: dawn drives can be 8-12°C, midday 30-35°C. Fleece or light down jacket year-round for morning drives. Binoculars 8×42 or 10×42 are the most important safari kit after the camera. DEET-based repellent (50%+). Headlamp for tents at night. All Kilimanjaro-specific gear (down jackets, gaiters) can be rented in Moshi.

💉
Health & vaccinations

Yellow Fever vaccination certificate required for entry from countries with endemic yellow fever (often requested at East African borders regardless of origin — get it). Malaria prophylaxis strongly recommended — see your GP 4-6 weeks before departure. Hepatitis A & B, typhoid recommended. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage essential. Smartraveller.gov.au is the Australian Government's official advice — check before booking. Carry a basic medical kit.

🐃
Safari etiquette

Never exit the vehicle in open wildlife areas unless instructed by your guide. The animals are wild — a vehicle registers as a neutral object; a standing human does not. Whisper at sightings; don't slam doors. Don't pressure guides to drive off-road or push closer. With gorillas, maintain the 7-metre rule (they may approach closer — that's their choice). Tipping: USD $15-25/day per driver-guide; USD $5-10/day per camp staff member.

🌿 Travelling respectfully on Country

East Africa's wildlife landscapes are also the homelands of Indigenous peoples who have shared them for thousands of years — the Maasai and Samburu of the Kenyan and Tanzanian rangelands, the Kikuyu of the central Kenyan highlands, the Chagga on Kilimanjaro's southern slopes, the Hadza hunter-gatherers around Lake Eyasi (one of Africa's last hunter-gatherer cultures), the Batwa forest people of Uganda and Rwanda. Cooee partners with community-based tourism operators wherever possible — the Maasai Conservancies (where lease fees go directly to landowner families), KPAP-accredited Kilimanjaro operators (verifiable porter welfare standards), and Indigenous-guided cultural visits. Photograph people only with permission. The cultural depth of East Africa is inseparable from the wildlife landscape.

07 · Sample itineraries

Three circuits, day by day.

From a 7-day Tanzania first-safari to the 14-day Grand East Africa circuit. All bookable as small private departures with English-speaking guides.

⏱ 7 days · Tanzania introduction

Serengeti & Ngorongoro First Safari

Big cats · Crater · Black rhino · Year-round
Day 1
Arrive Kilimanjaro. Transfer to Arusha. Guide briefing covers safety protocols, Big Five identification, Ngorongoro rhino briefing.
Day 2
Tarangire NP. Drive from Arusha 2hrs. Baobab savanna, the elephant concentration (3,000 in dry season), tree-climbing lion on ancient figs.
Days 3-5
Serengeti. Drive or fly to Seronera. Three full days central Serengeti — the resident cheetah, lion, leopard, wild dog activity.
Day 6
Ngorongoro Crater rim. Drive to crater rim lodge. Sunset over the crater. Early sleep — the gate opens 6am.
Day 7
Crater descent at dawn. First 90 minutes minimal vehicles — the black rhino, hippo pool, flamingo lake. Exit by 1pm. Drive Arusha or fly Kilimanjaro. Depart.
Enquire about this itinerary →
⏱ 10 days · Kenya + Tanzania

Maasai Mara, Amboseli & Serengeti

Migration · Elephants · Big cats · Crater
Days 1-2
Nairobi + Amboseli. Day 1: Giraffe Centre + Sheldrick elephant nursery (11am). Drive Amboseli. Day 2: Observation Hill at dawn for Kilimanjaro clarity (6-10am), big-tusk bulls at Enkiama waterhole.
Days 3-6
Maasai Mara conservancy. Charter Amboseli-Mara (45min). 4 nights conservancy camp — dawn drives, walking safari Day 4, balloon flight Day 3 dawn, river crossing positioning (Jul-Oct).
Days 7-10
Serengeti + Ngorongoro. Charter Mara-Kilimanjaro. 1 night Tarangire, 2 nights Serengeti, 1 night Ngorongoro rim, full crater descent Day 10 at dawn.
Enquire about this itinerary →
⏱ 14 days · Grand East Africa

Gorillas, Safari & Beach

Rwanda · Mara · Serengeti · Zanzibar
Days 1-3
Rwanda. Day 1: Kigali Genocide Memorial (3 hrs — central context). Day 2: gorilla tracking (silverback family). Day 3: gorilla tracking (different family — typically a more intimate encounter).
Days 4-7
Maasai Mara. Fly Kigali-Nairobi, charter to Mara airstrip (45min). 4 nights conservancy camp — night drives, walking safari, dawn drives, balloon flight Day 6.
Days 8-11
Tanzania. Charter Mara-Kilimanjaro. 2 nights Serengeti (Ndutu Jan-Mar / Seronera year-round / Northern crossings Jul-Oct). 1 night Ngorongoro rim, 1 day full crater descent.
Days 12-14
Zanzibar. Fly Kilimanjaro-Zanzibar (1.5hrs). Day 12: Stone Town walk + Forodhani night market. Day 13: spice tour + north coast. Day 14: Mnemba Atoll snorkel/dive. Fly Zanzibar-Brisbane via Nairobi.
Enquire about this itinerary →
08 · Frequently asked

East Africa — straight answers.

The questions Cooee's East Africa specialists hear most often. Direct answers based on 35+ years booking the region.

The wildebeest and zebra herds typically arrive in the Maasai Mara from the Serengeti's Northern Extension from July and remain until October. The Mara River crossings occur unpredictably at 7-12 known crossing points. Peak crossing window is August-September when most of the herd is in Kenya. The conservancy camps adjacent to the national reserve provide the best crossing access — daily reports on herd positions, fewer vehicles, the camp guide can be at the river bank by 6am. Book 12-18 months ahead for the July-October peak — the best conservancy camps sell out completely.

Rwanda Volcanoes National Park gorilla permit: USD $1,500 per person per visit (the most expensive wildlife permit in Africa — and the most justifiable: revenue funds the ranger network and community programs that made the gorilla recovery possible). Uganda Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga gorilla permits: USD $800 per person (raised from USD $700 in July 2024). Uganda also offers a Gorilla Habituation Experience permit at USD $1,500 for up to 4 hours with a semi-habituated family (vs the standard 1-hour visit). Permits sell out 6-12 months ahead for peak dates. Cooee handles all permit procurement as part of the tour package.

Both reach Uhuru Peak (5,895m) via the Southern Circuit. The Machame Route takes 7 days with approximately 65-75% summit success rate. The Lemosho Route takes 8 days with 85-90% summit success — the additional acclimatisation day at Lava Tower (4,630m) followed by descent to Barranco Camp (3,960m) makes the physiological difference. Lemosho's western entry from the Lemosho Glades is also less crowded for the first two days. The cost difference (~AUD $400-700) is the best cost-per-success-probability investment on Kilimanjaro. Cooee uses only KPAP-accredited operators (Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project) to ensure ethical porter welfare standards.

Kenya: eTA at etakenya.go.ke, USD $30-35 (replaced previous e-Visa in January 2024 — apply at least 5 business days before travel). Tanzania: e-Visa at visa.immigration.go.tz, USD $50, valid 90 days. Uganda: e-Visa at visas.immigration.go.ug, USD $50. Rwanda: e-Visa at irembo.gov.rw, USD $50. The East Africa Tourist Visa covering Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda is USD $100 — best value for multi-country itineraries. Important: Zanzibar uses the Tanzania visa BUT also requires mandatory inbound travel insurance from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) from October 2024 — approximately USD $44 per person up to 92 days, separate from your home travel insurance.

Brisbane to Nairobi is approximately 19-21 hours via Dubai (Emirates) or Doha (Qatar Airways) — both with daily Brisbane departures and strong East African onward connections. Brisbane to Kilimanjaro (JRO) is via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam (add 2-3 hours). Brisbane to Kigali (Rwanda) is via Nairobi or Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines). Brisbane to Zanzibar is via Dar es Salaam or Nairobi. Internal charter flights between safari destinations (Nairobi-Maasai Mara is 45 minutes vs 6 hours by road) are arranged by Cooee as part of the tour package — the road option is exhausting and unnecessary.

East Africa's safari areas (national parks, conservancies, organised tours) are extremely safe — Cooee has operated continuously since 1991 without significant incident. Standard travel awareness applies in cities (Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Kampala): use registered taxis, avoid walking at night, keep valuables out of sight. Smartraveller.gov.au is the Australian Government's official travel advisory — check the latest level for each country before booking. Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical evacuation (minimum AUD $10 million) is non-negotiable for safari travel. The actual wildlife risk is statistically negligible when you follow guide instructions.

Cooee East Africa packages start at AUD $3,300 per person twin share for a 7-night Zanzibar beach extension and run to AUD $26,200 per person for the 16-day Grand East Africa Circuit (Rwanda gorillas + Maasai Mara + Serengeti + Zanzibar with all internal flights and permits). Mid-range typical: AUD $9,000-15,000 per person twin share for a 10-14 day classic Kenya/Tanzania safari. Pricing depends on accommodation tier (mid-range lodge AUD $400-700/night vs luxury tented camp AUD $1,000-2,000+/night), peak vs shoulder season, and current USD/AUD exchange rate. International flights from Brisbane quoted separately based on date and routing.

Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for entry from countries with endemic yellow fever — and is often requested at East African borders regardless of origin. Get it at least 10 days before travel (the certificate is valid for life). Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended for all East African travel below 1,800m altitude — see your GP 4-6 weeks before departure to discuss options (Doxycycline, Malarone, or Lariam, depending on your itinerary and tolerance). Other recommended vaccinations: Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Cholera (for some regions), and routine boosters (tetanus, MMR). Use DEET-based repellent (50%+ concentration) at dawn and dusk regardless.

Absolutely. Common Cooee combinations include: East Africa + Cape Town & the Winelands (fly Nairobi-Johannesburg, then Cape Town for 4-5 nights — the wildlife-then-wine progression), East Africa + Victoria Falls (fly via Johannesburg — Vic Falls works as an extension to Tanzania safari), East Africa + Mauritius/Seychelles beach (the Indian Ocean island option as Zanzibar alternative), East Africa + Egypt (the wildlife and ancient civilisation pairing — fly via Addis Ababa or Cairo). Add 5-10 days to any of these combinations. Speak with our Africa specialists for routing optimisation.

The near-universal assessment from Cooee travellers who have done it is yes — the encounter with a mountain gorilla family in their forest is one of the most profoundly affecting wildlife experiences available to Australian travellers anywhere on Earth. The economic equation is more directly meaningful than any other safari permit: of the USD $1,500 Rwanda permit, approximately 10% goes directly to revenue-sharing programs with communities surrounding the park (schools, health clinics, water infrastructure). The conservation model funded by these permits is the reason mountain gorilla numbers have recovered from ~250 in the 1980s to 1,063 today (2018-19 census; new Bwindi-Sarambwe census 2024-25 underway). When you trek a gorilla family in Rwanda, you are personally funding their continued existence. That is the fairest version of the equation.

A silverback gorilla, three metres away, appraising you calmly.

Our East Africa specialists have the Maasai Mara conservancy camp secured for the July crossing window before the best properties sell out, the Rwanda gorilla permits booked through the Rwanda Development Board 9 months ahead, and the Kilimanjaro KPAP-accredited operator confirmed with the correct 8-day Lemosho route for your fitness level. They know which Amboseli waterhole the big-tusked bulls use in the afternoon, why the Serengeti calving season in February is the most concentrated predator experience on the continent, and that the Zanzibar whale sharks are at Mnemba Atoll between September and March. Let us take you into Africa properly.

📧 contact@cooeetours.com.au 📞 +61 409 661 342
📞 Call Us Plan My Trip