Gorilla Tracking & Serengeti Park: A 9-Day Ugandan & Tanzanian Safari

Day 1:

Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Our Gorilla Tracking and Kibale Chimps trek safari commence post an early breakfast. Departing from Kampala, we embark on a westward journey to Bwindi, spanning approximately 9-10 hours. En route, we pause briefly at the Equator, providing a unique opportunity to straddle two hemispheres simultaneously and capture memorable photographs. The voyage continues through the region's lush, rolling hills. A lunch intermission is scheduled in Mbarara town before proceeding to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, with an anticipated late afternoon arrival.

Day 2

Gorilla trekking and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

You will enjoy an early morning breakfast before proceeding to the Park headquarters, where you will join other trekkers at 7:45 am for a briefing on the gorilla trekking guidelines. Your trek will take you through dense thickets and underbrush, guided by experienced trackers, and may last anywhere from 1 to 8 hours. The steep, forested terrain is intensely thick yet navigable due to a network of animal trails that provide tourist access. Once the gorillas are located, you will have one hour to spend with them before transferring to Lake Bunyonyi. The journey traverses a picturesque region often dubbed 'the Switzerland of Africa,' noted for its distinctive cool climate despite its proximity to the Equator. Lake Bunyonyi is renowned as one of the most exquisite locales in western Uganda. It is Africa's second deepest lake at 900 meters and is one of the rare places in the country considered safe for swimming, as it is free from bilharzia. Enjoy your dinner and stay overnight.

Day 3

Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park and Bigodi swamp walk

After breakfast, you will embark on a boat ride across the lake, touring various islands before proceeding to Kibale Forest National Park, where you will arrive in the afternoon. During the drive to Kibale National Park, you will enjoy a magnificent view of the legendary "Mountains of the Moon," which are prominently visible en route to Fort Portal. Lunch will be served in Fort Portal, followed by a visit to the Kibale National Park's unique Bigodi Swamp eco-tourism site. There, you will encounter rare flora and bird species such as the Great Blue Turaco, Little Bulbul, Rwenzori Turaco, and Narina Trogon, among others. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Rweteera Safari Park.

Day 4

Chimpanzee tracking and travel to Kampala.

After breakfast, you will head to Kibale Forest to observe the primates. The activity starts at 8:00 am with a briefing on the rules for chimpanzee trekking, followed by the commencement of the search within the forest. This half-day exercise offers the opportunity to encounter other primates, including Grey-cheeked Mangabeys, Phoestes, Red-Colobus, and both Blue-tailed and Red-tailed monkeys as they swing through the dense forest canopy. Your guide will provide insightful briefings on the primates' lifestyles, as well as information about the flora and the various insects and butterflies inhabiting this forest, ensuring that your trek is both enjoyable and educational. Upon returning to the lodge for lunch, you will either depart for Kampala for a relaxed evening at your accommodation as you get ready for Tanzania.

Day 5: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be greeted by our representative who will escort you to Arusha. You will stay overnight at the Kibo Palace Hotel with meals provided on a full board basis (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).

Day 6: Arusha to Serengeti

An early wake-up call will start your day. At sunrise, depart from your lodge and head southward towards the Ndutu or Kogatende areas in the northern Serengeti, tracking the movements of the renowned wildebeest migration, along with zebras and many other species.

Our expedition aims to shadow the migration, accompanying the herds to witness their challenges and triumphs firsthand. The Serengeti ecosystem is home to the "big five" (lion, African elephant, cape buffalo, leopard, rhinoceros), among other main species such as giraffes, zebras, antelopes, Thompson’s and Grant’s gazelles, hippos, crocodiles, and during certain seasons, the dramatic migration of wildebeests.

Everywhere you look there are animals: vervet monkeys, olive baboons, and an array of birds—with over 505 species documented thus far. But pay close attention and you might catch sight of the majestic jungle cats—lions, leopards, and cheetahs—observing their surroundings. And indeed, there is much to observe: animals in trees, in flight, camouflaged in the bush, in rivers and streams. This is the adventure of a lifetime!

Overnight stay at either Simba Serengeti Lodge.

Day 7: A Full Day at Serengeti National Park.

Departing from the camp at 06:30 am, shortly after breakfast, we embark on an early morning game drive in the wildlife-rich Serengeti National Park. Our anticipation is high for glimpsing the cat family as they skirt the morning mist, or perhaps observing a pride of lionesses coordinating an ambush. The nocturnal predators may be seen returning from their nightly hunts, while other animals stir, ready to embrace the new day in Serengeti.

In the late afternoon, around or during sunset, we will return to our lodge, Simba Serengeti Lodge

Day 8: Journey Through Central Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater.

Following breakfast, we set out for the stunning Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Descending into the Ngorongoro crater floor, we are treated to a wildlife game drive. This region, with its volcanic craters and lush grazing grounds, ranks among Africa's most picturesque landscapes. The Ngorongoro caldera signifies the remnants of an ancient volcano that likely rivaled Mt. Kilimanjaro in size. The now fully enclosed circular crater spans roughly twelve miles and is encircled by steep walls rising over 2,000 feet. Situated at approximately 7,500 feet above sea level—the highest elevation of our journey—the cooler climate here is a welcome change from the lower plains (please bring a fleece/jacket as it can be chilly during the early morning and evening).

The crater's plentiful water sources, prime grazing areas, and natural fortifications provided by the densely vegetated walls offer sanctuary to over 25,000 animals, including the endangered Black Rhinoceros.

In the late afternoon, we will ascend from the crater and travel to the Ngorongoro highlands for an overnight stay at Bougainvillea Safari Lodge.

Day 9: Cultural Tour Day, then Return to Arusha - Arusha.

Following our morning breakfast, we will embark on a visit to the Hadzabe (bushmen) and the Maasai villages.

Who are the Hadzabe?

The Hadza, or Hadzabe, are an indigenous ethnic group recognized for their hunter-gatherer lifestyle. They are a protected Tanzanian tribe residing in Baray ward, southwest of Karatu District in the Arusha Region. Their community is situated around the Lake Eyasi basin within the central Rift Valley and adjacent to the Serengeti Plateau.

After returning to Arusha from Lake Eyasi, we will engage in a cultural tour. This includes enjoying activities at a Maasai boma, such as dancing with the locals, taking photographs, and learning about their livelihoods. Additionally, we will relish the breathtaking views of the Rift Valley and Lake Manyara National Park.

We will then proceed to Arusha Airport for your evening flight home. Should you require an additional night's stay in Arusha, we are happy to assist with arrangements, provided that we are informed well in advance.