12 Days Uganda, Tanzania & Zanzibar tour
12 Days Uganda, Tanzania & Zanzibar tour features Tanzania Wildlife and Uganda primate’s safaris combined with relaxation at the end of the safari in Zanzibar. While in Uganda, you will visit Kibale National Park which is one of the loveliest and most varied tracts of natural rain forests in Uganda. The park protects up to a total of 70 mammal species and 13 species of primates including the endangered chimpanzees. Kibale national park is also Africa’s best destination of chimpanzee trekking with 99% chances of seeing the wild chimpanzees. Queen Elizabeth national park is the second largest wildlife national park located in the western part of Uganda in Rubirizi district near Kasese district. Queen Elizabeth national park has a massive biodiversity with landscape including bushland, savannah, wetland and lush vegetation. The park covers an area of 1,978 square kilometres and was first founded in 1952 as Kazinga national park however later after the visit of Queen Elizabeth 11; it was renamed Queen Elizabeth national park. The park inhabits about 95 mammal species including the big 4 game (Lions, Leopards, buffaloes, and Elephants), other animals including; hyenas, hippos, waterbucks, Oribi to mention a few and over 600 bird species. Queen Elizabeth national park is surrounded by 2 lakes including Lake Albert and Lake Edward which support water activities like boat cruises, and fishing activities. Bwindi Impenetrable national park is the most visited primates’ national park for gorilla trekking experience located in the southwestern part of Uganda close to Rwanda-Uganda border at the edge of the Rift Valley. Bwindi Impenetrable national park is one of Uganda’s oldest national park with diverse rainforest of over 25,000 years ago and contains about 400 plant species. Bwindi Impenetrable national park inhabits half of the remaining endangered mountain gorillas in the world and it is divided into 4 sectors including; Buhoma sector which is the oldest trekking sector, Rushaga sector which has the largest number of gorilla families, Ruhija sector and finally Nkuringo sector. Bwindi forest also shelters some species of mammals including the forest elephants and the different species of antelopes.
While in Tanzania, you will enjoy visiting Tanzania’s richest wildlife destinations including Lake Manyara national park, Serengeti national park and Ngorongoro crater where you will enjoy the nature’s best including the Big 5 game, the wildlife migration. This package also includes your flight to Zanzibar which is the best destination for relaxation and honeymooners. You will have maximum time to indulge in nature and beaches as a way of relaxing and chilling from the other noisy and busy world.
Safari Highlights of the 12 Days Uganda, Tanzania & Zanzibar tour
- Day 1: Arrival in Uganda and transfer to Kibale national park
- Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking – Queen Elizabeth national park
- Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park
- Day 4: Gorilla trekking
- Day 5: Transfer back to Kampala/Entebbe
- Day 6: Fly to Tanzania
- Day 7: Transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation area
- Day 8: Full day Ngorongoro Crater – Serenegti national park
- Day 9: Full day at Serengeti national park
- Day 10: Fly to Zanzibar
- Day 11: Free day in Zanzibar
- Day 12: Departure
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Uganda and transfer to Kibale national park
Upon arrival at Entebbe airport in the morning, meet and greet your safari guide and embark on your journey to Kabale national park. This park is Africa’s best primates’ destination with about 13 different primates’ species including the chimpanzees. Kibale National Park is located in the western part of Uganda taking about 5-6 hours’ drive on the road with en-route stop in Fort portal town for your lunch. This drive is exciting with great views of the countryside and the people. Connect to your booked lodge for check-in, have dinner and overnight
- Luxury option: Kyaninga Lodge/Ndali Lodge
- Mid-range option: Chimpanzee Guesthouse
- Budget option: Isunga Lodge/Rweteera Guesthouse
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking – Queen Elizabeth national park
After your breakfast on day 2 of the 12 Days Uganda, Tanzania & Zanzibar tour, connect to the park headquarters with your trekking gears and water. Meet with other trekkers and gather for a briefing from the park officials where you will be guided on the expectations of Chimpanzee trekking. Thereafter, in only a group of 12 people and ranger guides/researchers, set off for Chimpanzee trekking. The search may take 2-5 hours depending on their location. The chimpanzees in Kibale are quite easier to find and you will be allowed to spend 1 hour with them on finding them.
Connect to visit Bigodi swamp, the swamp has been recognised to host about 138 bird species and one can be able to see over 50 birds a day. Several primates can also be spotted in the wetland including the black and white Colobus monkeys, Blue Grey Cheeked, Ververt monkeys, Red Colobus monkeys to mention a few. After the nature walk, drive to Queen Elizabeth national park. It’s about 3 hours’ drive from Fort portal town. Upon arrival, check-in your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at
- Luxury accommodation option: Mweya Safari Lodge
- Mid-range option: Parkview Safari Lodge/Enganzi Safari Lodge
- Budget accommodation: Pumba Safari Cottages/Kisenyi Safari Lodge
Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park
After having breakfast early morning, connect and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable national park – a home to the mountain gorillas. This is a 4 to 5 hours journey depending on which gorilla trekking sector you booked your gorilla permits. Drive via Ishasha sector for chances of spotting the tree climbing lions and other available animals. Upon arrival, check-in your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at
- Luxury option: Buhoma Lodge/Mahogany Springs Hotel
- Mid-range option: Buhoma Haven Lodge
- Budget option: Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Day 4: Gorilla trekking
Wake up very early, enjoy your breakfast and drive out of the lodge to connect to the park headquarters with your trekking gears and packed lunch and water. Meet with other trekkers and gather for a briefing from the park officials where you will be guided on the expectations of gorilla trekking experience. After you are allocated a group in groups of 8 people, head into the forest for your trek for the only gorilla family in Mgahinga national park. Gorilla trekking takes 2 to 8 hours depending on the movement of the gorilla family being visited. These primates roam the park freely and there is no way of telling where they will be for a particular. On finding them, you will be allowed 1 hour to view and take photos of these gentle primates before you descend back to meet your driver/guide. After trekking, return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay
Luxury option: Buhoma Lodge/Mahogany Springs Hotel
Mid-range option: Buhoma Haven Lodge
Budget option: Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Day 5: Transfer back to Kampala/Entebbe
Wake up and enjoy your breakfast. Meet your driver to drive back to Kampala. It’s a 8-9 hours’ drive with en-route lunch in Mbarara town, stop at the equator for the equator experiment. Upon arrival in Entebbe, check in for dinner and overnight stay at
- Luxury option: Protea Hotel Entebbe
- Mid-range option: 2 Friends Guesthouse
- Budget option: Via Via Guesthouse
Day 6: Fly to Tanzania
Wake up very early, have breakfast be transferred to Entebbe airport for your onward flight to Tanzania. Your flight will depend on the time and flight available to Tanzania on that day. Your driver will drop you off at Entebbe international airport
Upon arrival in Tanzania – Arusha, your safari guide will be waiting to drive you your booked accommodation in Arusha. He will be welcomed by our company representative who will brief you about your safari, help you with your luggage in the car then drive to your hotel. On this day, you will only be provided dinner at the lodge. Dinner and overnight stay at
- Luxury option; Tulia Bontique Hotel and Spa
- Mid-range option: Mount Meru Hotel
- Bugdget option: Runako Hotel
Day 7: Transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation area via Lake Manyara national park
After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to Ngorongoro conservation area. En-route visit Lake Manyara national park. It’s a 3-4 hours’ drive from Arusha to Ngorongoro conservation area However you will take 2 hours of your journey to explore Lake Manyara national park which is about 2 hours’ drive from Arusha. Lake Manyara national park is known for its huge soda lake filled with pink-hued flamingo birds and large numbers of baboons and incredible breath-taking views. It also rich in wildlife including the Elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, Zebras, Hippos and on a lucky day you can spot the tree climbing lions. After the game drive or visiting the Lake Manyara to see the flamingo birds and having en-route lunch, continue on your safari to Ngorongoro conservation area. It takes about 1 hour to reach Ngorongoro. Upon arrival, connect to your accommodation for dinner and overnight stay at
- Luxury option: Ngorongoro Serene lodge
- Mid-range option: Ihando lodge
- Budget option: Rhino Lodge
Day 8: Full day Ngorongoro Crater – Serenegti national park
After an early breakfast, connect to Ngorongoro crater with your picnic lunch for a full day of game viewing in the crater. The crater has a good number of Lions and Cheetahs, and it is another good place to see the rare black Rhino. This is one of the best places to visit in Africa to view a variety of animals in a single place
Later afternoon, transfer to Serengeti National Park. This is the most celebrated national park in Africa for its annual experience of the Wildebeest migration offering visitors an opportunity to enjoy wildlife. It’s about 2-3 hours’ drive to the central part of Serengeti. Upon arrival, check-in your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at
- Luxury option: Serengeti Serena Lodge/Mbalangeti lodge
- Mid-range option: Osinon Camps and lodges
- Budget option: Ikoma Safari Camp
Day 9: Full day at Serengeti national park
After breakfast, you will drive to Central Serengeti for game drive for a full day game drive. This area has a lot of animals to explore at your disposal with your picnic lunch. Expect to have an opportunity of seeing the big five game (Lions, Elephants, Cape buffaloes, Leopards and Rhinos), Cheetahs, Hyenas, Giraffes, different Antelopes and other wildlife. Late afternoon after your full day game drive, return to your lodge as above.
Day 10: Fly to Zanzibar
After breakfast, you will be dropped off at one of Serengeti’s many airstrips for your flight to Zanzibar. Upon arrival in Zanzibar, your hotel driver will pick you up and drive to your hotel for relaxation. Meals at Warere beach hotel/Tulia Zanzibar Hotel/The Residence Zanzibar Hotel
Day 11: Free day in Zanzibar
Wake up at leisure and wake up to a delicious breakfast, relax and chill at the beautiful Zanzibar beach. You will have lunch at the resort then continue enjoying the beautiful breeze at the beach. You may enjoy some activities that the hotel organizes like village walks, snorkeling, and fishing, and scuba diving to mention a few and you may choose depending on your interests. In the evening you will have dinner and overnight at the resort as above.
Day 12: Departure back home
Wake up for a delicious breakfast. Depending on your flight arrangements, your hotel driver will drop you back to the airport for your return flight back to Arusha then to your home country.
End of the 12 Days Uganda, Tanzania & Zanzibar tour
