Uganda & Tanzania - Of Chimpanzees, Mountain Gorillas & the Big Five

Uganda: Despite its equatorial location, Uganda has a balanced climate. Temperatures range between 16 and 28 degrees Celsius. However, December to February and June to September are the driest months. The dry season in Uganda is not free of rain: “dry” actually means that the amount of rain is half of what it is in the rainy season. This is also the easiest time to observe the fascinating wildlife. Between March and May and from October to November, the amount of rainfall is the highest.

Tanzania: Depending on the location of the animals, you can marvel at the Great Migration almost all year round in the Serengeti. When the rainy season begins, the animals leave the Masai Mara in Kenya in December and migrate to southern Serengeti. In May, they reach the western part of the park and from August they continue their migration towards the north. Then in September, millions of wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebra arrive back in the Masai Mara in Kenya and remain there until the rainy season begins again in December.

Welcome to Uganda! You will land at the Entebbe International Airport and, after completing all arrival formalities, will be greeted in the arrivals hall by a representative of our partner agency. With the assistance of your liaison, you will walk to your transfer vehicle and depart for your first accommodation, the Boma Guest House, about 5 kilometers away. Freshen up in your typically African Guest House and rest with a cool refreshing drink by the magnificent outdoor pool - just like that, your adventure can begins!

Time spent traveling from Entebbe Airport to Entebbe Hotel: approx. 7 minutes / approx. 5 km

2 nights accommodation at the Boma Guest House**** with breakfast in Standard Room, Entebbe, Uganda

Good morning! After you've had a good, hearty breakfast, you'll head to the Uganda Wildlife Education Center for a real behind-the-scenes look. Here you can not only observe Uganda's abundant wildlife up close, but also get up close and personal with the wildlife in the company of your guide: Experience rhinos and get closer to Africa's wild animals than ever before in your life, such as monkeys, giraffes and even lions that you can feed.

After these animal encounters, return to your charming accommodation. What about a romantic boat trip into the swamps of Lake Victoria at sunset (optional)? Enjoy snacks and first-class wine while spending the evening in a wonderful scenery.

Are you ready for your next adventure? Refreshed by your stay, you will leave the Boma Guest House and head west to the Kibale Forest National Park. Known for its diverse vegetation consisting of rainforest, mountain, swamp and grassland sections, this national park established in 1993 is home to one of the highest densities of primates in the world and over 375 species of birds and 140 species of butterflies.

In the heart of the Kibale Forest National Park, you will arrive at the Primate Lodge, which will be your accommodation for the next two nights. Due to its ideal location, you will not just experience your personal bush adventure in the middle of the forest, but also reach the starting point of the park's main attraction, chimpanzee trekking, in a short walk.

Strap on your walking shoes! In small groups, you will set off into the jungle for about two to four hours with an experienced guide, following the primates' tracks on narrow trails. Can you hear the roar of the chimpanzees as they hunt high in the treetops? That means that the curious little animals can't be far away! Watch the chimpanzees in the trees and with a little luck, you may even see a monkey lolling on a tree trunk in the sun. And don’t forget to bring your camera. Be there live when the monkey mothers move through the forest with their babies on their backs - Incredibly cute!

Time spent traveling from Entebbe to the Kibale Forest National Park: approx. 5 hours

2 nights in the Primate Lodge**** with full board in Luxury Tent, Kibale Forest National Park, Uganda

Wake up to the first rays of sunshine in the African jungle! After breakfast at your lodge, you will leave the Kibale Forest National Park and be transferred to the Kibale dirt road. Here you will board a small plane to reach your next destination, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in southwestern Uganda. Let your eyes wander over the vastness of the country: endless, untouched grasslands and lush forests accompany you on your way to the southwest of Uganda.

At the landing site, you will be eagerly awaited and warmly welcomed. Together you will drive to your accommodation, the Mahogany Springs Lodge - with this view, you will not be able to overcome a state of amazement: Situated on the Munyanga River, you will be greeted with a picturesque view of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Arrive at your comfortable lodge at leisure and freshen up for the afternoon community walk in your room. On this walk, learn about the nearby village and immerse yourself in the world of the Batwa tribe with its original customs and traditional lifestyle - all in harmony with nature. Learn how to make fire in the middle of nature and the medicinal power of plants. During the evening dance performance, you will surely be unstoppable!

Flight from the Kibale Forest National Park to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park: approx. 30 minutes

2 nights including full board in a cottage at the Mahogany Springs Lodge****, Bwindi Impenentrable Forest National Park, Uganda

The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is home to over half of the world's endangered mountain gorillas, as well as 350 species of birds and 120 species of mammals. Even though the 400 or so mountain gorillas are the main attraction, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a real paradise for bird lovers.

Today is finally the day! After your well-trained park ranger teaches you the necessary rules of conduct, your fascinating gorilla hike will begin. Carrying your camera and a packed lunch in your backpack, you will hike through the dense rainforest in search of the group of mountain gorillas.

Depending on the location of the mountain gorillas, the hike can take up to six hours or longer. Please note that sturdy shoes and a certain level of fitness are prerequisites for this hike.

If you have finally reached the gorilla group (the probability is 95%) you can observe the gentle primates up close. Make yourself comfortable in the undergrowth and experience how similar the animals are to us in facial expressions and gestures.

After about an hour of great encounters, you are going to start your way back.

After two exciting days in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, you will leave Uganda and fly to Entebbe, where you will catch your connecting flight to Tanzania.

At the Kilimanjaro Airport, you will already meet with a representative of our partner agency and get transferred to your transfer vehicle. After about 35 minutes, you will reach your accommodation for today, the Arumeru River Lodge in Arusha.

This is a place where you can really relax. With a view of the two mountains, Meru and Kilimanjaro, you can really enjoy yourself in the modern lodge, which was built on an old coffee farm!

Flight from the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park to Kilimanjaro: approx. 3 hours (+ 1 stop in Entebbe)

1 night in the Arumeru River Lodge**** with breakfast in a Garden Cottage, Arusha, Tanzania

Can you believe you've been in Africa for a week already? You have already seen a lot and experienced unforgettable encounters up close, but we guarantee that there’s still a lot to discover. Are you now also in the mood for more exciting safaris?

The Lake Manyara National Park does not disappoint. Located in northern Tanzania, this remarkable biosphere reserve is characterized by diverse habitats - swamps, forests, endless grasslands as well as hot springs - which house great wildlife. Known for its climbing lions, the national park is home to leopards, buffalo and elephants, as well as zebras, giraffes, hippos, hyenas and wildebeest.

Accompanied by your experienced ranger, you will go on an exciting game drive in the afternoon. Here you can see Africa's wild animals up close and take great photos - a picture-perfect experience!

With unforgettable memories, you will leave for your accommodation in the early evening.

Time spent traveling from Arusha to the Lake Manyara National Park: 137 km / approx. 2.5 hours

2 nights at the Lake Manyara Serena Lodge**** with full board in a Standard Room, Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania

Start the day well fortified with a rich breakfast before you explore the dreamy surroundings of the Lake Manyara National Park on a mountain bike. With the wind at your back, you can enjoy the impressive landscape and watch the colorfully dressed Maasai during their daily activities. Of course a side trip to the Great Rift Valley should not be missed. Close to the Lake Manyara National Park is the small market town of Mto wa Mbu, home to hundreds of tribes from all over Tanzania. On your tour of the village, you will get a glimpse into the daily life of the tribal people and visit a local farm, school, kindergarten, and a bustling market.

You are going to drive back to your accommodation in the afternoon.

This morning you will leave for Karatu after breakfast. Are you ready for lots of fun? You will go on a quad bike ride to Lake Eyasi.

After a 30-minute-long introduction to riding the quad bike, you'll be off! Experience pure adrenaline as you ride across the bottom of the lake, which has practically dried up for many months of the year.

You will enjoy a short breather during a visit to the Hadzabe or Datago tribes, before you can continue cruising along in a dreamy scenery!

Drive from Lake Manyara National Park to Karatu: 26 km / approx. 30 minutes

2 nights including full board in a Luxury Room at the Acacia Farm Lodge****, Karatu, Tanzania

Did you feel like seeing more of the East African country yesterday? After breakfast, today you are going to drive to the striking Ngorongoro Crater and take an exciting game drive on the fertile crater ground. About 250,000 mammals and the highest predator density in Africa can be found here, including the Big Five - lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos and rhinos. It doesn't get any better than this.

Before you drive back to your lodge with great photos, you will visit a traditional Maasai village.

After breakfast at your lodge, it's time to pack your bags and get back in the car. Today your itinerary will take you to the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania's largest and most popular national park.

The Serengeti National Park is known for the annual Great Migration. Every year, between April and May, over a million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras and 300,000 gazelles, followed by hungry big cats, set off from the vast plains of the Serengeti in the south towards the Kenyan Masai Mara in the north - a real spectacle. See animals as far as the eye can see. In November and December, the animals return to the south and the cycle starts all over again.

If you are interested in dangerous predators? Besides the majestic lion and the graceful leopards, hyenas and wild dogs also live in the Serengeti National Park, which covers about 14% of the country's surface. You can see all these animals up close during exciting game drives! Pack your camera and get ready for exclusive jeep safaris!

Depending on your desired travel time, we present you three accommodations in the Serengeti National Park, which offers you the best view of the animal migration.

1st option: in the south of the Serengeti National Park

Drive from Karatu to the south of the Serengeti National Park: about 4 hours.

3 nights in the Sanctuary Kusini Camp**** with full board in a Luxury Tent, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

2nd option: in the west of the Serengeti National Park

Time spent traveling from Karatu to the west of Serengeti National Park: 262 km / approx. 6.5 hours

3 nights in the Kirawira Tented Camp**** with full board in a Luxury Tent, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

3rd option: in the north of the Serengeti National Park

Drive from Karatu to the north of the Serengeti National Park: 256 km / about 5 hours.

3 nights including full board accommodation at the Taasa Lodge**** in a Luxury Tent, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Getting up early today is going to be well worth it. After breakfast, you will drive with your experienced ranger for the last time into the endless expanse of the Serengeti and watch Africa's great biodiversity at the colorful sunrise. Enjoy! Take the last great photos before flying back from the private airstrip to Arusha around 11 a.m. At the airport, you will receive a warm welcome and get transferred to the Kilimanjaro Airport. With great photos and unique experiences, you will board your flight back here.

Flight from the Serengeti National Park to Arusha: approx. 1.5 hours

Boma Guest House****, Entebbe, Uganda (2 nights)

The charming Boma Guest House welcomes you not far from the airport in a tropical garden. You'll stay in one of the 15 rooms, all individually decorated in African style. All rooms have a mosquito net, a fully equipped bathroom, satellite TV and a safe. The magnificent outdoor pool provides the perfect way to cool off on hot summer days. Look forward to personalized service and excellent, predominantly European cuisine at the on-site restaurant.

Primate Lodge****, Kibale, Uganda (2 nights)

Situated in the heart of the Kibale Forest National Park, the ecologically focused Primate Lodge is the ideal base for exciting chimpanzee trekking. The 16 rooms are spread out in the heart of the forest and offer plenty of privacy. Here you can enjoy the beautiful nature undisturbed - your personal jungle experience! In the main building of the lodge, you will find a restaurant, which will spoil you with international as well as typical African dishes, and a bar.

Mahogany Springs Lodge****, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Uganda (2 nights)

Close to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is the relatively new Mahogany Springs Lodge on the Munyanga River. The comfortably furnished rooms feature a private bathroom with an open shower and a mosquito net. Each room also offers a private terrace from which you can enjoy a magnificent panorama of the national park. The attractive main building houses a restaurant, a cozy bar, a spacious terrace and a living room that invites you to relax.

Arumeru River Lodge****, Arusha, Tanzania (1 overnight stay)

At the Arumeru River Lodge, you'll spend a wonderful night on an old coffee plantation. Each of the 20 spacious rooms is decorated in African style and has a private bathroom and veranda. With great attention to detail, you will feel right at home here. In the main building, you'll find the Migration restaurant, a bar, a cozy lounge, and a boutique for browsing. Make yourself comfortable on the restaurant terrace and let your eyes wander over the two mountains, Meru and Kilimanjaro. At the spacious outdoor pool, you can really unwind.

Lake Manyara Serena Lodge****, Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania (2 nights)

With views of the Great Rift Valley and the Lake Manyara National Park, you'll be in good hands at the Lake Manyara Serena Lodge. The 54 rooms, four each in a circular building, are colorfully decorated and have their own verandas overlooking the lake. After an eventful game drive, relax by the outdoor pool and enjoy cool drinks at the pool bar.

Acacia Farm****, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania (2 nights)

Surrounded by a beautiful 25-acre tropical garden, 28 chalets await you in modern African style. Each of the air-conditioned chalets is equipped with a lounge, minibar, coffee and tea facilities, satellite TV and a private balcony. The in-house restaurant will introduce you to local produce! Sample country specialties and end the great day at the bar.

1st option: the Sanctuary Kusini Camp****, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania (3 nights)

Situated on a rocky plateau, enjoy impressive views of the endless savannah in the south of the Serengeti National Park. The 12 tents are hidden in the bush and offer a high level of comfort and privacy. In addition to a fully equipped bathroom on a raised plateau, a bedside cabinet and table await you. On your own terrace, you can relax after an exciting day in the Serengeti National Park and listen to the sounds of the bush.

2nd option: Kirawira Tented Camp****, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania (3 nights)

In the west of the Serengeti National Park, the Kirawira Tented Camp welcomes you, the perfect accommodation to get a close-up view of over one million ungulates during their annual migration. Look forward to 25 spacious as well as luxurious tents, which have all amenities. The noble mahogany furniture as well as the black and white tiled bathroom floor perfectly complete the exclusive concept of the camp. All tents are situated on a raised platform and each has a furnished outdoor deck with a view of the valley. Culinarily, all your wishes will be fulfilled: Fresh soups, homemade sorbets and succulent roasts will tantalize your palate.

3rd option: Taasa Lodge****, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania (3 nights)

Welcome to northern Serengeti! Experience the perfect combination of luxurious comfort and exclusive game viewing at Taasa Lodge. All 15 tents are modernly furnished with a king-size bed or twin beds, a comfortable leather sofa and colorful traditional beadwork. Each tent also has its own veranda from which you can enjoy great views of the Serengeti National Park. The stylish main building houses a first-class restaurant and bar offering a wide variety of wines and spirits. Relax by the infinity pool and let your eyes wander over the landscape.

Duration of the trip: 15 days/ 14 nights

Included

UGANDA

• 6 overnight stays in the lodges & camps mentioned
• Meals according to the program
• Safari activities (chimpanzee and mountain gorilla trekking including permit) and transfers with an English-speaking driver in a private 4x4 Landcruiser
• Domestic flights (Kibale-Bwindi and Bwindi-Entebbe)
• Park entrance fees and safari briefing
• 1 liter of water per person per day in the vehicle
• Flying Doctors
• Taxes and fees

TANZANIA - Option 1

• 8 nights in the above lodges & camps mentioned
• Meals according to the program
• Safari activities and transfers with an English-speaking driver in a private 4x4 Landcruise
• Domestic flight (South Serengeti - Arusha)
• Park entrance fees and safari briefing
• All soft drinks, local beer, house wine (except premium brands and champagne) at the Sanctuary Kusini Camp
• 1 liter of water per person per day in the vehicle
• Flying Doctors (evacuation to Nairobi)
• Taxes and fees

TANZANIA - Option 2

• 8 nights in the mentioned lodges & camps
• Meals in accordance with the program
• Safari activities and transfers with an English-speaking driver in a private 4x4 Landcruise
• Domestic flight (Grumeti - Arusha)
• Park entrance fees and safari briefing
• 1 liter of water per person per day in the vehicle
• Flying Doctors (evacuation to Nairobi)
• Taxes and fees

TANZANIA - Option 3

• 8 nights in the above mentioned lodges & camps
• Meals in accordance with the program
• Safari activities and transfers with an English-speaking driver in a private 4x4 Landcruise
• Domestic flight (Lobo - Arusha)
• Park entrance fees and safari briefing
• All drinks (except French champagne and premium brands) at the Buffalo Luxury Camp
• 1 liter of water per person per day in the vehicle
• Flying Doctors (evacuation to Nairobi)
• Taxes and fees

Not included

• International flights
• Entebbe - Kilimanjaro flight
• Meals and drinks not mentioned
• Laundry service
• Personal expenses, such as minibar, tips and telephone
• Visa, if required

Services & Notes

• Prices are valid on a 2-person basis
• Effective as of 01/06/2019, the use of single-use plastic bags is banned in Tanzania and will be punishable by law. The ban will also apply to arriving passengers at airports and land borders, both for common duty free bags and plastic bags in hand or checked luggage. Strict controls on hand and checked baggage must be expected upon entering the country. Ziplock bags, which are used primarily to carry cosmetics, are subject to this ban. We recommend transparent bags, e.g. with zipper, which are clearly not 'disposable items', designed for longer use. The use of plastic bags for shopping in the country is also prohibited.