Primates, Predators & Craters:A 12-Day Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania 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 and get ready for your Kenyan flight.

Day 5:

From Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), and once all customs and immigration procedures have been completed, you will be greeted by our representative. The representative, who will be holding a sign with your name in the arrivals lounge, will escort you to Arusha. Your initial overnight stay will be on a Full Board Basis at either Kibo Palace or Ambassador Hotel, which includes accommodation, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Day 6:

Descent to the Eighth Wonder of the World: The Largest Caldera, Ngorongoro Crater

Following breakfast, we will journey to the Ngorongoro Crater, where we will venture into the world's largest intact volcanic caldera, also hailed as "The Eighth Wonder of the World." With a depth exceeding 2,000 feet and a diameter spanning 12 miles, the Ngorongoro Crater boasts one of Africa's densest wildlife populations. The crater is home to over thirty thousand animals, offering prime opportunities for sightings of the 'Big 5': lions, elephants, the rare black rhino, buffaloes, and leopards. We will enjoy our picnic lunch beside the Hippo Pool on the crater floor. The afternoon promises an exhilarating game drive before we ascend to our lodge. Dinner and an overnight stay on a full board basis await at either Ang'ata or Tanzania Bush Camps & Lodges in Central Serengeti.

Day 7

Full-Day Game Drive in Serengeti National Park

Following breakfast, we will receive a briefing on our game drive before setting out for the majestic Serengeti National Park. Our journey will include a visit through a Maasai Village and into the vast plains of the park, renowned for its annual migration. This event features countless animals traversing the expansive savannah plains and rivers. With packed lunch boxes in hand, we aim to maximize our time observing wildlife. Our primary goal is to spot the big cats, such as leopards, lions, cheetahs, and more.

The Serengeti National Park promises an unforgettable day of wildlife viewing. Home to one of the most diverse collections of animals on earth, it offers a year-round spectacle of movement as millions embark on their migration—an awe-inspiring sight! The park is teeming with large herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle, as well as elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and predators like lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, and jackals in pursuit of prey. Our night will be spent at either Ang’ata or Tanzania Bush Camp & Lodges on a full board basis, which includes accommodation and three meals.

Day 8:

From Serengeti to Arusha Airport.

Enjoy an early morning breakfast followed by a morning game viewing in the Serengeti as we make our way to Ngorongoro. Along the way, you will be treated to spectacular scenery through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Ngorongoro Highlands in Karatu. We will then transfer you to Arusha Airport in time for your flight to Kenya, or alternatively, you can cross the border through Namanga to Nairobi.

Day 9:

- Early or mid-morning, we commence our journey from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to the majestic Maasai Mara. Upon our arrival, an immersive cultural experience awaits as we explore a Maasai Boma for an authentic Maasai cultural tour.

Day 10

Today, prepare for an unforgettable full-day game drive adventure in the Masai Mara National Reserve, a jewel of Kenya's wildlife crown. Embark on an early morning departure to maximize your time exploring the vast savannas, woodlands, and riverine ecosystems of the Mara. Your experienced guide will navigate expert-known trails, maximizing your chances of encountering a variety of iconic wildlife.

Day 11

Marks a scenic journey from the vast plains of Maasai Mara to the birdwatcher's paradise of Lake Nakuru National Park. The drive itself promises an unfolding tableau of Kenya's diverse landscapes, transitioning from the iconic savannahs, where the wild roams free, to the alkaline shores of Lake Nakuru, famed for its flamingo flocks painting the water's edge in vibrant hues of pink.

Upon arrival at Lake Nakuru, prepare for an afternoon game drive that offers a chance to witness an array of wildlife against the backdrop of the lake and its surrounding woodland and grassland. Keep your cameras ready for sightings of rhinos, giraffes, lions, and leopards, among others. As the sun begins to dip below the horizon, casting golden rays over the park, you'll head to your accommodation where you can unwind and reflect on the day's adventures.

The overnight stay at Lake Nakuru provides a serene ending to a day filled with natural wonders. Here, under the star-studded African sky, you'll find a moment of peace before drifting off to sleep, with the sounds of nocturnal life whispering in the distance.

Day 12

Following an early breakfast, guests will journey to Lake Elementaita to observe the pink flamingos, then proceed to Lake Naivasha for a boat excursion among the hippos and fish eagles, engaging in feeding activities.

After completing the tour, we will return to Nairobi and provide transportation for guests to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport."