41 Days Budget Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania and Zanzibar

41 Days Budget Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania and Zanzibar

41 Days Budget safari features Kenya Tanzania and Zanzibar – Uganda has become one of Africa’s most powerful wildlife experiences. Uganda has a mixture of attractions with diverse national parks and is a strong contender for one of the world’s best bird watching destinations. Uganda is a green, hilly and elevated country with many lakes and mountains, Uganda’s appeal lies in its simplicity. Infrastructure is limited but growing and there is now a good range of safari accommodation and city-based hotels. Ideal for seasoned safari-goers, bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts. Some of the national park to go to include; Murchison falls national park, Queen Elizabeth national park for classic big game viewing, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park which is a top destination for primates in Africa and river cruises. A mixture of tropical rainforest, swamp and grasslands. Uganda’s star is on the rise – combine it with Kenya or Tanzania for a holistic East African safari experience.

Experience a safari vacation in Kenya, the place where safari travel originated. The best Kenya tours and safaris include Big 5 game viewing, incredible natural beauty and cultural encounters, often combining Kenya’s top attractions with Tanzania and the tropical beaches of the Kenyan coast – Mombasa

Tanzania is East Africa’s largest country for decades with a diversity of wildlife and landscapes. From the classic savannah destinations of the Serengeti, Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater to the beaches and coral reefs of Zanzibar, a Tanzania safari delivers one massive experience after another. And that’s before you discover the off-the-beaten-path gems like chimpanzee trekking in the untouched rainforests of Mahale and Rubondo, or crowd-free game viewing among the beautifully wild and unique landscapes of Nyerere and Ruaha.

Safari highlight

• Day 1: Arrival – Hotel
• Day 2: Transfer to Kitgum/Gulu – Ziwa rhino tracking
• Day 3: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park – Evening game drive
• Day 4: Full day game drive – Narus valley and Kidepo valley
• Day 5: Climb Mount Morungole to visit the IK tribe (4hrs up, 2hrs down)
• Day 6: Transfer for Murchison Falls National Park (7-8 hours)
• Day 7: Game drive and launch cruise
• Day 8: Top of the falls –Free day
• Day 9: Transfer to Kibale National Park – Bigodi wetland Visit
• Day 10: Chimpanzee habituation experience
• Day 11: Chimpanzee trekking
• Day 12: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Day 13: Gorilla trekking experience
• Day 14: Batwa Cultural tour – transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
• Day 15: Full Day Lake Bunyonyi – Boat trip
• Day 16: Another day in Lake Bunyonyi
• Day 17: Transfer to Entebbe
• Day 18: Transfer to Ssesse Islands
• Day 19: Full day Ssesse islands
• Day 20: Another day in Ssesse Islands
• Day 21: Return to Entebbe – Entebbe excursions and self-guided beach tour
• Day 22: Fly to Masai Mara national reserve
• Day 23: Full day game drive in Masai Mara
• Day 24: Another day game drive in Masai Mara
• Day 25: Transfer back to Nairobi city – self guided time
• Day 26: Nairobi city tour
• Day 27: Transfer to Amboseli national park – evening game drive
• Day 28: Transfer to Arusha – Tanzania via Namanga border
• Day 28: Transfer to Arusha – Tanzania via Namanga border
• Day 29: Transfer to Lake Manyara national park
• Day 30: Full day at Ngorongoro crater
• Day 30: Full day at Ngorongoro crater
• Day 31: Transfer to Serengeti national park – evening game drive
• Day 32: Full day in Serengeti national park
• Day 33: Fly to Ruaha national park
• Day 34: Full day game drive
• Day 35: Another day in Rauha national park
• Day 36: Transfer to Irunga town – Isimlia stone age site
• Day 37: Full at Neema craft Village
• Day 38: Drive to Dar-es-salaam – 8-9 hours’ drive
• Day 39: boat ride and visit menai bay/Mnebe island
• Day 40: Spend another at leisure – Meals and overnight stay at Zanzibar Palace Hotel
• Day 41: Fly back home – Departure (Flight not included)

Detailed Safari

Day 1: Arrival – Hotel

On the 1st day of your Uganda safari, upon arrival at Entebbe airport, you will be picked up and transfer to your booked hotel for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Via Via Guesthouse for budget

Day 2: Transfer to Kitgum/Gulu – Ziwa rhino tracking

Considering the journey requires about 12-13 hours; pick up will be at 7:00 am and make an early start on your journey to Gulu town. Kidepo national park is far placed in the northeastern part of Uganda, bordering Kenya to the east and South Sudan to the North. The journey can be very exhausting to drive direct to the park thus making it necessary to break the journey in Gulu and proceed the next day!
You will have a stopover for about 2 to 3 hours at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary for Rhino trekking. Enjoy en-route lunch then proceed to Gulu town arriving late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at Boma Gulu Hotel

Day 3: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park – Evening game drive

On the second day of your safari, you shall make our final trip to Kidepo Valley National Park. Wake up to a hot cup of coffee / tea and embark on a 3-4 hours’ drive to Kidepo national park where you will embark on a game drive in Kidepo valley in anticipation of seeing herds of buffalos, zebras, elephants, giraffes, hyenas, and cheetahs. You will enjoy a slow drive and you can be sure to seize picture moments while on your game drive and you can have stops at any moment you please.

Return to the lodge and spend the evening at leisure admiring the wilderness. Dinner and overnight at Kidepo Savannah lodge for tents (Non-self-contained) budget

Day 4: Full day game drive – Narus valley and Kidepo valley

Wake up early and connect for a morning game drive in Narus valley. As you enjoy your game drive, bush breakfast will be served and return for more adventure in the savannah plains of Kidepo national park on your morning game drive in Narus valley. This area is famous for finding the big 4 game including the lions, elephants, leopards and buffaloes. If you are lucky, you will spot the Cheetahs and hyenas as well. Other animals to be found include the Kobs, Oribi, Zebras, the giraffes to mention a few.  Return to the lodge for lunch.

Later afternoon, connect for yet another game drive in the Kidepo valley. This area is further and it is where you will find the Ostrich birds and other animals. This area is closer to South Sudan border to Uganda. You will also visit the hot springs of Kanangorok before you return to your lodge. Spend the rest the rest of the evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above

Day 5: Climb Mount Morungole to visit the IK tribe (4hrs up, 2hrs down)

On the 5th day of your 41 Days Budget Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania and Zanzibar, after breakfast, drive to the starting point of Mount Morungole located in the absolute northern hills of Karamoja. Here is where we find the smallest tribe of Uganda called the IK. The IK people lived in nowdays Kidepo national park but were misplaced when the area was gazetted as a national park. The IK now live on Mount Morungole ridges as a community. Visiting the IK people gives visitors a rare insight into the unique tribe/culture in Africa. You will also enjoy the beautiful scenery, the higher the climb takes you, the more breath-taking the scenes in the valleys below and into the Eastern rift valley of Kenya and over to southern Sudan. After the hike, drive to check-in at Kaabong Resort hotel for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay

Day 6: Transfer for Murchison Falls National Park (7-8 hours)

After early morning breakfast, embark on your journey to Murchison falls park with lunch en route in Gulu town. Proceed to enter the park and connect to your lodge with en route game drive. Dinner and overnight stay at Heritage safari lodge for budget

Day 7: Game drive and launch cruise

After an early breakfast at the lodge, you will go for a morning game drive. The activity takes about 3-5 hours depending on animals available, and you will find animals including elephants, Rothschild giraffes, buffaloes, lions, Hartebeest, Uganda Kobs, Oribis and waterbucks.

After the game drive, you will return to the lodge for lunch. Later afternoon at 2 pm, go for a launch cruise on the along the Nile which will give you an exciting panoramic view at the bottom of the mighty Murchison falls. Along the cruise, you will encounter crocodiles, hippos, and birds on the river banks like kingfisher, cormorants and bee-eater. You will spend take viewing the falls at the bottom while taking pictures. Return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above

Day 8: Top of the falls –Free day

On the 8th day of your 41 Days Budget Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania and Zanzibar, after breakfast at the lodge, drive to explore the top of mighty Murchison falls. Spend amount 2 hours enjoying the views of the falls at different viewing point. Return to the lodge for lunch and spend your afternoon relaxation at the lodge as above

Day 9: Transfer to Kibale National Park – Bigodi wetland Visit

Have breakfast and embark on your whole day drive to Kibale national park- the best safari destinations in Africa for chimpanzee tracking. Upon arrival and after lunch, take a nature walk tour to Bigodi swamp. Later evening return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at chimpanzee Guesthouse staying in main house budget rooms on full board basis.

Day 10: Chimpanzee habituation experience 

On the 10th day of your 41 Days Budget Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania and Zanzibar, have breakfast very early and later transfer to the park head office for a briefing about the endangered chimpanzees and later enter the forest with the guidance of a park ranger along with your tracking gears, packed water and snacks. This Chimpanzee trekking is a whole day experience. On finding the primates, you will spend 4 hour viewing them while studying their behavior and taking pictures. After tracking, return to the lodge for relaxation. Dinner and overnight at as above

Day 11: Chimpanzee trekking

After breakfast, you will go for chimpanzee trekking with your packed food and water. Meet your guide at the head office then enter the rainforest to start searching for the chimpanzee, this will take 2-5 hours to find the chimpanzees. On seeing them, you will spend 1 hour with the chimpanzees while taking pictures.

After tracking, you will refresh at the lodge and have lunch, spend you afternoon at leisure while exploring the crater lakes and other attractions. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above

Day 12: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Depart the Lodge very early and start your journey to Bwindi forest. Its 7-8 hours with en-route lunch driving via Queen Elizabeth national park Ishasha sector. Dinner and overnight stay at Buhoma community Rest Camp for budget

Day 13: Gorilla trekking experience

After enjoying an early breakfast and transfer to park headquarters for briefing before you set of gorilla trekking. Trekking through the steep, densely forested hills and then finally coming across the gorillas camouflaged in the vegetation is an inspiring and privileged moment. Tracking in the Bwindi forest requires stamina and can often take most of the day and spend an hour in the presence of the gorillas before you return at your meeting point with the driver-guide. Return to the lodge for relaxation and also

Day 14: Batwa Cultural tour – transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast, connect for the Batwa cultural experience where you will learn more about the Batwa people of Uganda and also be entertained by their songs and dance. Have lunch and later afternoon, transfer to Lake Bunyonyi with views of the rolling hills of Kabale. The lake is located between Kisoro and Kabale in the southwestern Uganda close to the border with Rwanda and it’s believed to be the second deepest lake in Africa with the depth between 44m and 900m deep and width of about 7 to 25kms. The driver will drive slowly so you can enjoy pictures of the rolling hills of the region. Dinner and overnight stay at Lake Bunyonyi Overland lodge for budget

Day 15: Full Day Lake Bunyonyi – Boat trip

On the 15th day of your 41 Days Budget Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania and Zanzibar, after enjoying breakfast, connect to explore Lake Bunyonyi on a boat trip and visit several islands on the lake with great scenic views of surrounding hills, connect for a boat ride/ canoe paddle and visit the main islands including the community. The islands at the lake have great history that you will love to listen.  Optional activities include Zip lining on Lake Bunyonyi, nature walk. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above

Day 16: Another day in Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast, you will have breakfast and spend your day at leisure exploring the optional interested activities. Lunch, dinner and overnight stay at Lodge as above

Day 17: Transfer to Entebbe 

You will enjoy breakfast and transfer back to Kampala with a stopover in Mbarara town for lunch. Proceed to Entebbe arriving in the afternoon. Drop off at your hotel in Entebbe, dinner and overnight stay at Via Via Guesthouse for budget

Day 18: Transfer to Ssesse Islands

On the 18th day of your 41 Days Budget Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania and Zanzibar, after breakfast at the hotel, early afternoon your guide will be at the hotel to transfer you to Ssesse Islands. Check-out of the hotel with your packed lunch to connect for your 2 pm via Nakiwogo where the ferry to the Ssese islands dock. The ferry has a specific time of departure which is 2 pm and takes 3- 4 hours to reach Lutoboka bay in Bugala Island. The Ssesse Islands are one of the most interesting places for relaxation.

On the ferry, you will be able to take pictures of the lake, fishing activities, you get to see many islands as you get closer to Kalangala, you will also enjoy the breeze of the lake, see different bird species and so many other experiences. On landing, you will connect to your hotel and relax, spend your afternoon relaxing at the water shores of Lake Victoria. Return for dinner and overnight stay at Ssese Island Beach Hotel for budget

Day 19: Full day Ssesse islands

After a delicious breakfast, take a nature walk in the forest and later a boat trip and see some of the islands including the Bukasa, Buggala, Buvuma, and Banda which are popularly known for interesting excursions. Return to your hotel for a lunch and spend your afternoon at leisure while relaxing at the beach on a sunbath, or swimming, or mountain biking, to mention a few. Return to your hotel before nightfall for dinner and overnight stay at hotel as above

Day 20: Another day in Ssesse Islands

Wake to a cup of tea and spend your day at leisure to some of the interesting places on the islands. Meals and overnight stay at Hotel as above.

Day 21: Return to Entebbe – Entebbe excursions and self-guided beach tour

Depart Ssesse island with the scheduled 6 am ferry and arriving in 3-4 hours’ time, proceed to your lodge for late breakfast, and lunch then spend your day at leisure in Entebbe visiting optional places of your choice such as the Uganda zoo and the botanical gardens, take a self-guided visit of the Entebbe beach. Dinner and overnight stay at Via Via Guesthouse for budget/Best western Garden hotel for budget

Day 22: Fly to Masai Mara national reserve

On the 22nd day of your 41 Days Budget Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania and Zanzibar, have breakfast, connect to Entebbe airport for your onward flight to Masai Mara. Aero-link Uganda operates daily flights from Entebbe to Masai Mara. Flight to Masai Mara depart Entebbe airport at 12:15 and arrive in Masai Mara at 14:30 hours. Upon arrival at one of the allocated airstrips in Masai Mara, you will be met by your Kenya safari guide to transfer to your reserved lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Miti Mingi Eco-Camp for budget option

Day 23: Full day game drive in Masai Mara

Wake up early in the morning, have breakfast and grab your packed lunch and meet your safari driver to head to the plains of Masai Mara for a full day adventure in this stunning savanna vegetation of Masai Mara as you watch many animals in large numbers such as lions, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, wildebeests, zebras and many more. You will enjoy your picnic lunch and proceed for a game drive till the sun goes down. In the evening you will head back to your lodge, have dinner and stay overnight at lodge as above.

Day 24: Another day game drive in Masai Mara

After breakfast, you will head to the plains of the reserve for the final morning game drive sighting more animals, after the game drive you will head back to your lodge for lunch and in the afternoon you will head to the Maasai village/Masai Loita Hills for a cultural experience. On this experience, you will enjoy getting a deeper insight into the Maasai culture by interacting with the local Maasai people, be entertained by local dancers, drama and Maasai warriors; buy local Maasai items such as local Maasai Shukas, beautifully made accessories such as necklaces and earrings and taste local cuisines. After the experience, you will head back to your lodge, have dinner and stay overnight at lodge as above

Day 25: Transfer back to Nairobi city – self guided time

On the 25th day of your 41 Days Budget Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania and Zanzibar, after morning breakfast at your lodge, you will checkout of your lodge and embark on a journey back to Nairobi with en-route stop at Narok for a Masai community tour and en-route lunch. Spend your afternoon, relaxing at your booked hotel in Nairobi or take your self-guided time in Nairobi city. Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Central Park Nairobi for budget option

Day 26: Nairobi city tour

After breakfast, visit the Giraffe center and David Sheldrick wildlife trust (Elephant orphanage) and any other optional visits of your choice and advised by your guide. Meals and overnight stay at hotel as above

Day 27: Transfer to Amboseli national park – evening game drive

After morning breakfast, transfer to Amboseli national park. It’s a 5-6 hours’ drive. Amboseli national park is famous for its scenery with a close view of snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, which dominates the landscape, and open plains. Arrive at the park early afternoon, check-in at the lodge and haven lunch then later afternoon connect for an afternoon/evening game. Animals like the well-known predators and their opponents like the Zebra, Wildebeest, Giraffe, hippo with a view of Mt Kilimanjaro may be spotted. Later Dinner and overnight at Amboseli Eco-camp for budget

Day 28: Transfer to Arusha – Tanzania via Namanga border

Breakfast will be served early and depart for Namanga border where your Tanzanian guide will be waiting for you. It’s a 4-5 hours’ drive from Namanga border to Arusha town. Dinner and overnight stay in Runaku hotel for budget

Day 29: Transfer to Lake Manyara national park

After morning breakfast, transfer to Lake Manyara national park. It’s a 4-5 hours’ drive from Arusha. Arrive at a good time for lunch. Later afternoon, enjoy the game drive in search of animals like Elephants, Lions, Giraffes, Zebras, Baboons, and others the transfer to your booked lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Eileen’s Trees Inn for budget option

Day 30: Full day at Ngorongoro crater

On the 30th day of your 41 Days Budget Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania and Zanzibar, wake up early, have breakfast, and connect to descent to over 600 meters in the Ngorongoro crater. Ngorongoro crater is the world’s largest inactive caldera which is home to numerous wildlife species as well as bird species such as flamingos which can be seen during a safari in the crater along the shores of Lake Magadi. Supported by a year round water supply and fodder, the Ngorongoro Crater supports a vast variety of animals, which include herds of wildebeest (in months of January, February and March), zebra, buffalo, eland, warthog, hippo, and giant African elephants. Another big draw card to this picturesque national park is its dense population of predators, which include lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs and the ever-elusive leopard, which sometimes requires a trained eye to spot.

You will also visit Lake Magadi, a large but shallow alkaline lake in the southwestern corner, which is one of the main features of the crater. A large number of flamingos, hippos and other water birds can usually have been seen here. Dinner and overnight at the lodge as above

Day 31: Transfer to Serengeti national park – evening game drive

After breakfast, transfer to Serengeti national park. If you missed the Wildebeest migration experience in Masai Mara Kenya, consider visiting Serengeti national park in the months of April, May and early June as it is when they are estimated to move towards central Serengeti.

On arrival at the park at good time for lunch then late afternoon, enjoy an evening game drive. Return to your booked lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Osinon Lodges and Camp staying in budget option

Day 32: Full day in Serengeti national park

After your delicious breakfast, meet your driver and embark on a drive to Serengeti national park with your panic lunch. The central sector is known for its masculine lions and you will also encounter a great number of other wildlife. Later afternoon, you will drive to Central Serengeti for the game drive. In this area of the park, you will have the opportunity to see big pride of lions, Cheetahs, Leopards, Hyenas, Giraffes, Elephants, different Antelopes, and other wildlife. Later in the evening return to your lodge for dinner and overnight at either lodge as above

Day 33: Fly to Ruaha national park

After breakfast, check-out of the lodge and connect to the airstrip for your flight to Ruaha national park. Coastal Aviation operates flights from Serengeti national park to Ruaha national park departing at 9:30 am and arriving at Ruaha national park at 11: 30 pm depending on the schedule. Upon arrival connect to your booked lodge for lunch and spend your afternoon exploring the park. Ruaha is the largest National Park in East Africa spanning an area of about 20,226 square kilometers. The name of the park is derived from the Great Ruaha River which flows along its south-eastern margin and is the focus for game-viewing. This conservation sanctuary offers to guests the sensation of being completely alone, with forest and wildlife all around. During the wet season from January to April the bush becomes lush and green and many migratory birds arrive from the northern climes, making it an idyllic birdwatching paradise, after evening game drive, drive back to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Ruaha Cottages

Day 34: Full day game drive

On the 34th day of your 41 Days Budget Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania and Zanzibar, you will leave as early as 06:30 am to go for sunrise game drives with breakfast break taken within the park. After breakfast break will continue with game drive searching for wild animals around different locations of the park till lunch break. After lunch and a little rest within the park you will continue with the game drive till around 18:30 hours and that will be the end of a full day game drives. Animals and attractions you should expect to see includes but not limited to Buffalos, Giraffe, Wildebeest, Zebras, Impalas, Warthogs, elephants, hippos, Lions, Cheetah, different birds, plants and reptiles’ species. Dinner and overnight stay at Rauha Cottages as above

Day 35: Another day in Rauha national park

After breakfast, spend another day in the park relaxing at the lodge and doing optional tours such as walking safari or spend your day at leisure. Meals and overnight stay at lodge as above

Day 36: Transfer to Irunga town – Isimlia stone age site

After a morning game drive, you will depart for Iringa. En route, you will visit the Museum of Kalenga, the former headquarters of the Wahehe and home of the chief Mkwawa who led a fierce opposition against the German occupation of Tanzania during colonial times. At Isimilia Stone Age Site, you will see stone-age tools and wander through an amazing canyon with picturesque limestone pillars. Later afternoon/evening after a meal in Iringa town, drive to stay at Iringa Sunset Hotel 

Day 37:  Full at Neema craft Village

Wake up for a cup of tea, then spend your day at Neema craft village. Meals and overnight stay at Iringa Sunset hotel as above

Day 38: Drive to Dar-es-salaam – 8-9 hours’ drive

After very early morning breakfast, set off to transfer to Dar-es-salaam. It’s a 8-9 hours’ drive with en-route stop of to refresh and also have lunch. Upon arrival, connect to check-in for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Tiffany Diamond Hotel for budget

Day 38: Take a morning ferry to Zanzibar – explore the Stone town and spice tour

After breakfast, take the early morning ferry to Zanzibar. Ferry departs Dar-es-salaam at between 7 to 9 am and it takes about 2-3 hours to arrive in Zanzibar, travelling in economy class.

On arrival, you’re your driver and connect to the hotel for check-in, have lunch then explore the stone town and learn about the culture (Spice tour) and Bantu expansion in Zanzibar and the history of Zanzibar. The stone town tour takes you on a leisurely walk through the winding and narrow alleys and streets of Zanzibar. Explore Zanzibar on a tour around Stone town where you will experience the history and culture of Zanzibar which were originally owned built by the Arabs. Continue on your historical tour to visit the spice plantations which is just outside Zanzibar town and a good tour includes opportunities to dazzle the senses with fresh spices. You will be fascinated by the sheer number of spices produced and their incredible value for many ailments.  Later evening, drive back to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay at Zanzibar palace hotel

Day 39: boat ride and visit menai bay/Mnebe island

After breakfast at the hotel, move out of the hotel to explore the various places and attractions in Zanzibar. The dhow will anchor on the shores of one of the pristine sandbanks islands and while here, you will get the opportunity to snorkel, sunbath, or even swim. You will also connect to search for the Dolphins and if you are lucky, you may as well swim close to the Dolphins.

Return to your lodge after a whole day of enjoying the water activities and relaxing at the beach. A day at the beach resort is where the hustle and bustle of everyday life fades away and relaxation becomes the priority of the day. Dinner and overnight at Zanzibar palace hotel as above

Day 40: Spend another at leisure – Meals and overnight stay at Zanzibar Palace Hotel

Day 41: Fly back home – Departure (Flight not included)

On the last day of your 41 Days Budget Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania and Zanzibar, depending on your scheduled flight back home, wake up at leisure, have breakfast then check-out of the hotel to transfer to Zanzibar airport for your onward flight back home, this marks the end of the trip.