The 11 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Tanzania Wildlife brings you close to our cousins – Mountain gorillas and chimpanzees through visits to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable and Queen Elizabeth National Parks.
Also, expect to have close encounter with the big five mammals and if lucky the annual wildebeest migration on a visit to Tanzania’s Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara National Parks. Have you ever heard of the tree climbing lions?
Whether yes or no, they will be sighted during this combined 11 Days Uganda Gorillas & Tanzania Wildlife Safari.
Detailed Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Tanzania Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Uganda, for the start of your 11 days Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Tanzania Wildlife safari
Following the long flight from your home country, jet in at Entebbe International Airport. Receive a warm welcome at the Airport from our company representative (same time your driver guide) for briefing on the itinerary, destinations and schedules.
Later continue to the Hotel in Kampala for relaxation, meals and overnight stay.
Day 2: Connect to Kibale Forest National Park, home to one of highest primate species diversity in Africa
Embark on the drive to Kibale Forest National Park after breakfast and explore the beautiful countryside landscapes characterized by verdant flora, vast tea Estates and Rock kopjes.
Settle for a hefty lunch in Fort Portal Town and continue for a guided tour through the Amabere ga Nyinamwiru Caves with the adjacent waterfalls.
Continue for the hike through Crater Lake area and straight to Kibale Forest National Park for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking adventure in Kibale Forest, then connect to Queen Elizabeth National Park
At 6:00am have breakfast and in an hours’ time converge at Kanyanchu Tourism Center for registration and briefing about chimpanzee trekking adventure you will be taking on.
Park rangers will take you through the Tropical rainforest known to have survived the last ice age and home to over 13 species of primates (part of the 79 mammal species), over 375 bird species and over 300 unique tree species.
The entire process of chimpanzee trekking lasts 2-5 hours and also includes one hour of viewing chimpanzees go about their daily routine of copulating, patrolling their home range, jumping on tree branches, grooming, munching vegetation and many others.
This trek also introduces you to the other mammals, bird, butterflies and many other residents of Kibale Forest.
From this phenomenal chimp trek, be transferred to the Lodge for Lunch and later embark on a 3-4 hours’ transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Be treated to an exciting night game drive for the nocturnal inhabitants of this Park such as serval cats, civets, leopards, lions, spotted hyenas, mongoose, bush babies, genets and many others.
Other wildlife species such as Hippos will be seen grazing while warthogs, bushbucks and buffaloes will be slumbering but on high alert.
Day 4: Connect to Bwindi national park via Ishasha sector
After breakfast, set off for the drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where your life-changing gorilla trekking adventure will be based.
En-route stop at Ishasha sector for magical encounters with the tree climbing lions that are only found in Uganda and Tanzania. From Ishasha sector continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park but first, break the journey at Savannah Resort for Lunch.
Day 5: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and optional Batwa Cultural tour
Breakfast at the Lodge and gather at the Park Headquarters for briefing that begins at 7:00am. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is perched on a rugged terrain dotted by steep hills as well as lush narrow valleys.
These conditions present strenuous treks than the other gorilla trekking destinations (Mgahinga, Virunga and Volcanoes National Parks).
The encounter with the mountain gorillas going about their daily routine of foraging, socializing and resting is unforgettable and lasts one hour.
Return from the trek and continue to the Safari Lodge to spend the afternoon at leisure. Alternatively, you will undertake the Batwa Cultural Tour in the evening to explore the outstanding traditions of forest’s original inhabitants.
Overnight and dinner at the same Lodge as the previous night.
Day 6: Connect to Kigali or Entebbe International Airport for a flight to Tanzania
Have breakfast while reminiscing memories of the Gorilla Trek and connect to Kigali International Airport (4-5 hours’ drive) or Entebbe International Airport (8-9 hours’ drive) for a connecting flight to Kilimanjaro Airport. Get picked up from the Airport for a drive to Arusha Town for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: Drive from Arusha Town to Lake Manyara National Park
Breakfast at the Hotel in Arusha Town and continue to Lake Manyara National Park through the Mto Wa Mbu Community for unique cultural experiences. Connect to the Park for unsurpassed game viewing experiences, gaining views of Zebras, cheetahs, Olive baboons, Masai giraffes, spotted hyenas, warthogs, African bush elephants, Hippos, leopards, wildebeests, and Cape buffaloes but most interestingly the tree climbing lions.
The lake from which the park was named attracts a wide array of bird species especially lesser and greater flamingos, Baglafecht weavers, Black herons, Narina trogon, Grey-headed kingfishers, Martial eagles, Giant kingfishers, Cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, silvery-cheeked hornbills, raptors and many others.
Retreat to the booked Lodge for hefty dinner, unwinding and overnight stay.
Day 8: Connect to the popular Serengeti National Park
Connect to the popular Serengeti National Park, home to the famous annual wildebeest migration. In addition to offering chances of witnessing the annual migration involving over 1.5 million wildebeests, 200, 000 zebras and 300,000 gazelles, this park also offers counts of other wildlife species.
These include Crocodiles, Hippos, Kongoni, big five animals-lions, buffaloes, leopards, Rhinos and elephants, Kobs, warthogs, Defassa waterbucks, common elands, spotted hyenas, Topis, cheetahs, Honey badger, serval cats, impalas, Olive baboons, Masai giraffes and many others.
This Park is the best place to experience the raw beauty of Africa’s wilderness. Take up an evening game drive and return for dinner and overnight stay at the Lodge.
Day 9: Whole day Serengeti National Park tour
You have an entire day to explore Serengeti National Park and start with breakfast at your place of stay. Drive through the endless plains of this Park where unmatched counts of wildlife species including big cats-lions, leopards, cheetahs, jackals, serval cats and Caracal as well as millions of wildebeests, zebras, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles, Topis, warthogs, olive baboons, Cape buffaloes, Defassa waterbucks, elephants, Kobs, elephants and giraffes will be spotted.
However, not all the mentioned wildlife will be encountered but whatever you come across, you will be left speechless. Break from this game drive to have Lunch at your Lodge and continue for second phase of the game drive or a stop at the Masai community living around the Park for an introduction to their unique lifestyle, traditional dances and cultural symbols.
Return to the Lodge with fresh memories of this unforgettable wildlife and bird viewing experience for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 10: Drive to Ngorongoro Conservation area
Breakfast and set off for a transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation Area exploring the hidden beauty of the countryside including an optional stop at Olduvai Gorge, paleoanthropological site and cradle land for humans after the discovery of fossils and stone tools for hominin by Dr. Louis and Mary Leakey.
Enjoy your packed lunch and spend the entire afternoon exploring Ngorongoro Crater including the beautiful Caldera that attracts numerous wildlife species including Hippos, zebras, gazelles, warthogs, Cape buffaloes, elephants and many others. Have dinner and spend overnight stay within one of the exquisite Safari Lodges or Tented Camps in the Conservation Area.
Day 11: Return to Arusha city for departure
Leave Ngorongoro Conservation Area with a game drive and transfer to a hotel in Arusha or Airport, marking the end of this 11 days Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Tanzania Safari.
End of 11 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Tanzania Wildlife Safari.
