Detailed 13 Days Tanzania & Uganda Safari Tour

Day 1: Welcome to Uganda!

Your driver/guide will pick you up from Entebbe airport and transfers you to Via Via Guesthouse, only a 10-minute drive. This is where your guide will find you tomorrow morning for the start of your tour after a good breakfast.

Depending on the time of your arrival, you might be able to explore the area. There are many options in Entebbe and easily organized through the reception of ViaVia Guesthouse. For example, a visit to the Botanical gardens or the Ugandan Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC). Please note, all activities and transportation for today are at your own cost.

• Journey Time 10 Minutes
• Accommodation Via Via Guesthouse
• Meal Plan:  meals included

Day 2 of 13 Days Tanzania & Uganda Safari Tour: Fort Portal/ Kibale Forest

Today, you will undertake the journey to green Kibale Forest. The drive is incredibly scenic, passing through tea plantations and the lush green countryside which characterizes so much of Uganda. On arrival at the forest, you will enter a completely different world… some serious monkey business!

Kibale Forest National Park lies just outside the colonial town of Fort Portal and is made up of dense tropical rainforest. This park is considered one of the big highlights of Uganda due to some serious monkey business going on here. A big number of primates residing can be found here and particularly a visit to one of the habituated chimpanzee groups is a very memorable experience.

The rare red colobus as well as the black and white colobus, red tailed monkey, olive baboon, the blue Monkey and l’hoest’s monkeys are also regularly seen here. Where would you find a better spot to experience encounters with nature; smelling the forest and listening to the many sounds. Your safari tent or cottage is surrounded by lush green diversity filled with countless bird species and butterflies.

• Journey Time 6 hours
• Accommodation Chimpanzee Guest House
• Meal Plan Breakfast, dinner

Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking

Chimpanzees share 98% of human genes making them our closest living relatives. They are found in 21 countries throughout Africa, but are most easily sighted in Uganda due to their dense populations. 13 Day Tanzania & Uganda. Today, in Uganda, there are approximately 5,000 chimpanzees left in the wild. the Chimpanzee Trekking experience here is done on several well-maintained walking trails.

There is also a wonderfully diverse concentration of other primates, more than any other forest in East Africa, in fact. 13 Day Tanzania & Uganda, besides our delightful cousins, the chimpanzees, you can find red colobus, red-tailed guenon, white-nosed monkey, gray-cheeked mangabey, blue monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey, and the black and white colobus monkey. In addition, you may see olive baboons, bush babies and nocturnal pottos.

Aim of trekking

The aim for your trekking through the jungle under the care of professional guide, it 1 hour of eye-to-eye contact with the chimpanzees. 13 Day Tanzania & Uganda, We can however cannot guarantee 100% for you to see them as they are still wild animals; nevertheless your chances are very good.

In the late afternoon you will take a scenic route to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Your accommodation for the coming two nights is Parkview Safari Lodge / Marafiki Safari Lodge

• Accommodation Marafiki Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan Breakfast, lunch & dinner
• Upgrade Kasenyi Safari Camp – Deluxe Safari tents

Day 4 of 13 Days Tanzania & Uganda Safari Tour: Park Game Drive & Boat Safari

After an early breakfast, you go for a long game drive in time to see the sun rise. The morning is the best time for a game drive as the African animal kingdom tends to me most active when during the golden hours of the first sunlight touching the savannah. You will continue the search for all the wildlife; elephant, buffalo, lion, waterbuck, leopard, uganda kob, warthog and do not forget about the birds and the primates.

After lunch, you will take a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel. Here, you will see a lot of hippos (more than you can possibly imagine!), as well as a variety of other animals which come to the waterhole to drink or bathe. 13 Day Tanzania & Uganda, You can expect to see: Buffalo, Crocodile, bathing Elephant, and a range of beautiful birds. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your tour. After the boat-safari you game drive back to the lodge

• Journey Time Depending on the game drive
• Accommodation Marafiki Safari lodge
• Meal Plan Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5: To Lake Mutanda/ Bwindi Forest

Today you drive to Kisoro in the south-western part of Uganda; close to the borders with Rwanda and Congo. You cross a beautiful part of the country often referred to as ‘the Switzerland of Africa’. You will see a great country-side, bamboo forest and have great views over the Virunga Mountains. 13 Day Tanzania & Uganda, For lunch you will stop at a local restaurant on the road (inclusive). Mutanda Lake Resort offers one of the best views in Uganda! Perched on a peninsula in Lake Mutanda, isolated in the shadow of the Virunga Mountain Range, this lodge offers comfortable accommodation in a very unique corner of the country. 13 Day Tanzania & Uganda, Their cuisine is listed amongst the best in Uganda.

Situated between Kisoro town, Mgahinga and Bwindi National Parks the Resort makes a perfect base for a gorilla trekking, volcano hikers, bird lovers as well for those looking for a secluded magical place in nature. Don’t forget to take your chance to dip in the lake as it’s Bilharzia free, so safe to swim, peddle board or canoe amongst the locals going about their daily business on the lake! The sunset scenes are spectacular so make sure to be on one of the verandas (with a sundowner drink in hand) at that time.

From here you will departure tomorrow for the gorilla tracking!

• Journey Time 7 hours
• Accommodation Mutanda Lake Resort
• Meal Plan Breakfast, dinner

Day 6 of 13 Days Tanzania & Uganda Safari Tour: Gorilla Tracking

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Today is the big day… prepares you for an encounter with one of Bwindi’s gentle giants: the rare mountain gorilla. For most people this is the absolute highlight of their tour in Uganda.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a highlight for many visitors as this is where they will be visiting the home of the gentle giants. The park lies in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley. Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests lies on the mist-covered hillsides. This magnificent forest dates back over 25,000 years, even surviving the last Ice Age (most forests disappeared).

Bwindi forest has an incredible diversity of flora and fauna and is the only forest in Africa which can make claim to host both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.13 Day Tanzania & Uganda, In fact, half the worlds’ population of gorillas live here divided over nine habituated family groups. Also 5 other primate species, 120 species of mammal, over 220 butterflies and 360 birds species call Bwindi home. This it THE place to see the critically endangered mountain gorillas up close for your very own ‘Gorillas in the Mist’ moment.

Gorilla Tracking

The gorillas you will trek belong to one of nine family groups who can tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day. Your trek will be an exciting (for some also challenging) journey along forested (sometimes slippery) slopes, entwined vines, bushes and bamboo before you eventually reach the gentle giants. En-route, your guide will point out signs of previous gorilla activity.13 Day Tanzania & Uganda, Think of dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots. The time to complete the gorilla trekking can can be as little as 2 hours to as much as 7 hours! Once the the family of gorillas has been located, you will be allowed a maximum of one hour observing them. Coming face-to-face with a the mountain gorillas is a truly humbling and emotional experience. This is a fantastic part of your tour you will definitely remember for the rest of your life.

• Journey Time 1 – 1,5 hours to starting point
• Accommodation Mutanda Lake Resort
• Meal Plan Breakfast, Packed Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Optional activities at Lake Mutanda, to Kigali

Today you can relax at Lake Mutanda or choose one optional activity organized by the lodge.

The drivers of the lodge will than take you to Kigali in Rwanda. Depending on your arrival time you can visit some of Kigali’s craft markets, to browse amongst the pottery, carvings, batik, weaving, sculpture, musical instruments, leather and fabrics on offer. Prepare to haggle!13 Day Tanzania & Uganda, All activities today are at your own cost.

• Journey Time 4 hours’ drive
• Accommodation Flame Tree Village
• Meal Plan Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8 of 13 Days Tanzania & Uganda Safari Tour: Flight to Tanzania

Today you will fly with the airline Rwandair to Kilimanjaro airport in Tanzania in the morning.

Note: These flights only depart on Mondays – Wednesdays – Fridays – Sundays. If the airline decides to change the flight times and/or days you might need to spend another night in Kigali at an additional cost. The cost of this flight is included in the price however prices are subject to change.

On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport your Tanzanian driver will pick you from the airport and transfer you to Ilboru Safari Lodge.

• Journey Time      4 hours to Kigali, 1 hour to Arusha
• Accommodation Ilboru Safari lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast

Day 9: Lake Manyara N.P. Travel to ‘Mto Wa Mbu’

After an early breakfast you game drive out of the park and travel to ‘Mto Wa Mbu’. The bustling farming community of Mto Wa Mbu is home to around 18,000 people. On this walk you’ll discover a side of Tanzania many visitors miss out on. A melting pot of cultures; Mto Wa Mbu is thought to be one of the only places in Tanzania where there are representatives from all 120 tribes living happily side by side.13 Day Tanzania & Uganda, During your visit you’ll get a good feel for the social side of the village – the farms and the milling machines, the schools, markets and churches.13 Day Tanzania & Uganda, You’ll likely visit the village banana plantation as well as a youth art project, and a wood workshop where you can watch skilled Makonde tribe members carve intricate figurines, masks and household objects.

Lake Manyara N.P.

is one of Tanzania’s smaller and most underrated parks. It may lack the size and variety of other northern-circuit destinations, its’ vegetation is diverse and beautiful. There are 11 ecosystems, ranging from savannah to marshland to the only evergreen rainforest in Tanzania. 13 Day Tanzania & Uganda, additionally you find baboons and other interesting animals in the forest, whereby the lake you may find flamingos (outside rainy season), pelicans and other water birds. Birders absolutely love Lake Manyara National Park as the big lake provides opportunities to spot over 300 species of migratory birds. 13 Day Tanzania & Uganda, the park supports one of the highest densities of large mammals in the world. The high chance to see elephant families moving through the forest as well as Lake Manyara’s famous tree-climbing lions are reason enough to be excited for a visit

• Journey Time 2 hours to Mto wa Mbu
• Accommodation Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp
• Meal Plan Breakfast, local lunch, dinner

Day 10 of 13 Days Tanzania & Uganda Safari Tour: The Serengeti

A Tanzania tour is not complete without safari in the most famous safari park in the world: Serengeti National Park. This park hosts the most extensive population of wild animals on earth and has a complex and untouched ecosystem. Serengeti means “endless plains” in the language of the Maasai, a description that the Serengeti completely lives up to. Even the (long) drive towards your accommodation is one continuous safari!

13 Day Tanzania & Uganda, However the park is usually described as divided into three regions: Serengeti plains, Western corridor and Northern Serengeti. The latter is where we can witness wildebeest and zebra migrating in their millions during the Great Migration, following the ancient rhythm of Africa’s seasons. 13 Day Tanzania & Uganda,This is one of the most impressive natural events in the world. No matter which part of the park and in which season you visit, very few people forget their first encounter with the Serengeti!

After the incredible impressions of the Serengeti, you drive to your accommodation for a delicious diner and a good night’s sleep.

• Journey Time 2 hours to the park entrance
• Accommodation Tortilis Camp
• Meal Plan Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner

Day 11: Game drives in Serengeti National Park

Early in the morning you leave your accommodation for a full day safari! This is when Africa can reveal its cool side, so you should wrap up warm for the start of your day. 13 Day Tanzania & Uganda, your guide will bring you as close as possible to the wildlife. Few predators hunt during the heat of the day, so the early morning is the best time to observe the thrill of the chase.

It is also a magical time, with the subtle light dappling the landscape, the birds awakening and the sense of a great adventure beginning to unfurl. You visit the heart of the Serengeti, Seronera Valley. Meanwhile this valley is often termed as the ‘classic’ Serengeti; short grass plains with all different kind of wild animals ranging from the impressive lion to the naughty mongoose. These full day safaris are the best way to see the full range of what this magnificent park has to offer.

We will find you a nice picnic spot to enjoy your packed lunch and then you continue your safari back to Tortilis Camp where you have an excellent dinner and some time to relax. Tired but satisfied, you go to bed with dreams of Serengeti plains!

• Accommodation Tortilis Camp
• Meal Plan Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner

Optional activity: Hot Air Balloon Safari Serengeti:

Float in a hot air balloon over the famous Serengeti National Park with its enchanting scenery. This may be the most beautiful area in the world for a balloon flight. There are no power lines, fences and few roads. Your Balloon Safari adventure starts early morning when you depart your lodge or camp. It is still dark and you may be fortunate to see nocturnal animals on the way to the launch site.

When you arrive, you will meet your pilot and witness your balloon being inflated and prepared for launch. The capacity is limited making this experience a special and exclusive one. The balloon safari is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on the weather conditions. You will end this excursion in style with a champagne bush breakfast in the middle of the park! Costing: $500 us dollar p.p.

Day 12 of 13 Days Tanzania & Uganda Safari Tour: Game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater

Today you enjoy a game drive on your way en-route out of the beautiful Serengeti and continue to the Ngorongoro Crater. In the afternoon, you will have a game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater! This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a unique biosphere which has remained virtually unchanged since the dawn of time. There are very few places in the world where you can find such a large population of wildlife throughout the year. Deep within the crater, enclosed by towering walls, you have a good chance of spotting ‘The Big 5’: lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard. Other wildlife includes serval cat, cheetah, jackal, Grant’s and Thompson’s gazelle, flamingo and bat-eared foxes, as well as approximately 400 species of colorful birds

• Accommodation Country Lodge Karatu
• Meal Plan Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner

Day 13: Departure or Holiday extension

Today is unfortunately the last day of your trip. Depending on the time of your international flight you can decide to do an optional activity. Thus, the end of tour.

• Journey Time 5 hours
• Accommodation Not included
• Meal Plan Breakfast

End of 13 Days Tanzania & Uganda Safari Tour