Compare Gorillas & Game Parks by Intrepid Travel vs Uganda and Tanzania Safari by Arrive Africa Safaris

Day 1 Nairobi

Jambo! Welcome to Kenya. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, but if you arrive early, why not head out and soak up the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Nairobi. There are plenty of good bars and restaurants, and markets and shops for essentials as well as arts and crafts from the region. After the welcome meeting, perhaps join your new travel companions for an optional group dinner.

Day 2 Lake Nakuru National Park

Take in spectacular views of the Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha and Elementaita on the drive north-west to Lake Nakuru National Park, situated in the heart of the Great Rift Valley. You’ll arrive in time for a short evening game drive along the shore of the lake. Lake Nakuru National Park is a small and compact area based around a lake that makes a great location for spotting wildlife. Along with the other members of the Big Five, Lake Nakuru harbours many rhinos and will be the best chance to get a great picture of these magnificent beasts.

Day 3 Eldoret

Rise for an early to eat breakfast and break up camp before heading out on an overland game drive on the way out of the park. Eat lunch at the gate before driving northwest to Eldoret, one of Kenya's fastest-growing towns. Due to its high altitude, the town is an ideal training ground for middle- and long-distance athletes and is home to some of Kenya's most famous runners. Tonight, enjoy a traditional dinner at your campsite located just outside Eldoret.

Day 4 Kampala

Today you will leave Kenya behind and cross the border into landlocked Uganda, travelling on to its capital city, Kampala. With a population of over 45 million, Uganda is a country of great cultural diversity and is one of the five countries that make up the East African Community. As today is a long travel day, take a break from setting up camp with a stay at a hotel. After your long drive enjoy a dinner prepared by the hotel before settling in for a good night rest.

Day 5 Kalinzu Forest

Travel to Kalinzu Forest National Park today. Some of its inhabitants include chimpanzees, black and white colobuses, baboons, red-tailed monkeys, both blue and red duikers, bushbucks, waterbucks, giant forest hogs, buffalo and elephants. On arrival, settle into your camp and perhaps stretch your legs and explore your surrounds with the rest of the group.

Day 6 Queen Elizabeth National Park

Take the optional excursion of visiting the chimpanzees of Kalinzu Forest this morning or enjoy the sounds of the forest from the comfort of your tent. More closely related to humans than any other living creature, the chimpanzees are a delight to watch as they squabble and play in fruiting trees. Later, take the short drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Once camp is set up there's an option to take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, well-known for pelicans, eagles and other wonderful birdlife, as well as a healthy population of hippos.

Day 7 Kisoro

Today, drive out of the Queen Elizabeth National Park on your way to the southwest tip of Uganda. On this short game drive, cross your fingers and look out for elephants, buffalo, Ugandan kobs and waterbucks. When you arrive at the corner of Uganda, where the border touches Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, you’ll be based in Kisoro, which provides access to seven different gorilla groups located in Mgahinga, Nkuringo, Rushaga and Nshongi.

Day 8 Gorilla Trek

Joined by a local ranger and gorilla trackers, climb through the rugged mountain terrain of Bwindi National Park to encounter rare gorillas. No more than eight people per day can visit any one habituated family and visits are strictly controlled to minimise disturbance or the chances of transmission of disease to the animals. Tracking gorillas in the dense forest can sometimes be wet, muddy and uncomfortable. The terrain is by no means easy either, so it can be quite strenuous and often humid, but the sheer thrill in coming across a habituated group of gorillas, dominated by a great male silverback, more than outweighs any difficulty. You need to be prepared and fit enough to walk up to four hours – up and down hills. You can usually get very close to the mountain gorillas, who are placid and gentle, and watching their movements is like seeing a mirror image of yourself. Be mesmerised as you watch them eat, sleep, groom and play – the giant silverback surveying the scene as the smaller ones laze in the trees or play like children. Your visit with the gorillas will last one unforgettable hour.

Day 9 Gorilla Trek

When you are waiting for, or have completed, your gorilla visit, your leader will provide you with options and ideas on how you can spend your free day in the area around Kisoro. You can head out on more rainforest hikes to see monkeys, take some nature walks, or if your legs are up for it, join a challenging hike up Mt Sabinyo – one of five volcanoes located in the Parc National des Volcans – or perhaps take a day excursion over the border to Rwanda to visit the genocide memorial, art museum and Nyamirambo women’s center. However, please ensure you have a Rwanda or East Africa visa.

Day 10 Mbarara

Farewell the lands of the gorilla and turn back towards the capital, Kampala. You’ll break up the journey at the pit-stop town of Mbarara for the night. You’ll be honest – there’s not a great deal to do here, however it’s a great opportunity to spend the afternoon and evening relaxing at the camp.

Day 11 Jinja

Today you'll continue your journey inland, travelling towards Jinja. The Jinja region is one of the highlights of any visit to Uganda, a riverside retreat at the source of the Nile but also the adventure capital of Uganda. Tonight, camp at a scenic riverside site and enjoy a good night’s rest ready for tomorrow's adventures.

Day 12 Jinja

Located at the source of the Nile as it leaves Lake Victoria, Jinja is a place for the adventurer, the adrenaline junkie and the eco-traveller. You’ll enjoy two days here at your own pace, with a bunch of optional activities to choose from (at extra cost) if you want. Maybe get active with some whitewater rafting or kayaking. Alternatively take a boat cruise to the source of the Nile or to enjoy the river and quench a thirst.

Day 13 Kericho

Farewell Uganda and begin the journey back to Kenya and Nairobi, stopping overnight at the town of Kericho. Kericho sits at the edge of South-Western Mau National Reserve and is known for its vast tea estates. When you arrive, visit a tea plantation and sample a delicious brew or two.

Day 14 Masai Mara National Reserve

This morning, drive to the famous Masai Mara National Park. Stop in Loita Hills on the way, home of the traditional Maasai people, and visit Tepesua Village. You’ll be welcomed by Maasai Warriors through traditional song and dance. Meet your Maasai hosts and enjoy a fascinating talk, full of insights into this remarkable and ancient culture. Take a walk to the community village which was founded for widows who had lost their cows due to drought and can never remarry. The village offers support, safety and economic growth through the Tepesua Widows Income Project. Here the women are engaged in making handicrafts and sewing eco-friendly handbags and backpacks to sell to visiting travellers and locals. Travel on to the Masai Mara, a quintessential African experience, with sparse open plains, dramatic skies and the world's most iconic animals living within its boundaries. Explore this diverse environment and view a multitude of wildlife on an early evening 4WD game drive with expert local driver guides.

Day 15 Masai Mara National Reserve

Venture into the Masai Mara National Reserve with expert local driver guides for a day-long 4WD game drive. You'll explore this diverse environment and most likely see a multitude of wildlife. Plus, an optional balloon ride over the Mara at sunrise is an unforgettable experience. If you have pre-booked this activity you will be picked up before dawn and driven to the launch site for a safety briefing from your pilot. You’ll then glide through the dawn skies, sometimes at tree height, which provides amazing photo opportunities. Sometimes you will ascend, getting an overview of the enormity of the plains and of the early morning movements of the teeming herds. After landing, you'll be treated to a bush breakfast before meeting up with the rest of the group.

Day 16 Nairobi

Return to the bustling metropolis of Nairobi. When you arrive, you'll be dropped at your finishing point hotel, where your trip ends. If you'd like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.

Day 1: Welcome To Uganda!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Africana

Your guide will pick you up from Entebbe airport and transfers you to Hotel Africana in the city center of Kampala. Depending on the time of your arrival, You can visit the Botanical gardens or the Ugandan Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC).

Day 2: Fort Portal/ Kibale Forest

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp

This morning get on the road to Kibale Forest. You will drive through tea plantations and the lush green countryside which characterizes so much of Uganda.

Kibale Forest National Park lies just outside the colonial town of Fort Portal and is made up of dense tropical rainforest. This park is well known for its rare red colobus as well as the black and white colobus, red-tailed monkey, olive baboon, the Blue Monkey, and l’hoest’s monkeys.

Day 3 - 4 : Chimpanzee Trekking/ Game Drive & Boat Safari

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Park View Safaris Lodge

This morning you will enter the forest in search of Chimpanzees, these apes share 98% of human genes making them our closest living relatives. Chimpanzee Trekking experience requires fitness since it may take 1 -7 hours. While tracking chimpanzees, you will encounter other apes like 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. After Lunch, you will drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Your accommodation for the coming two nights in Park view Safari Lodge.

This morning go for a game drive to see the African animal kingdom. You will continue to the drive-in search of wildlife; elephant, buffalo, lion, waterbuck, leopard, Uganda kob, warthog and do not forget about the birds and the primates In the afternoon, you will go for a boat ride along the Kazinga Channel. On this ride, you will be able to explore the hippos, Buffalo, Crocodile, bathing Elephant, for birders you will see a range of beautiful birds.

Day 5 - 6 : To Lake Mutanda/ Gorilla Tracking

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Mutanda Resort Lodge

This morning be on your way to Kisoro, you will have lunch en route, 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. 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.

This morning is a day you have been waiting to see the Gorilla face to face in the forest. For most people, this is the absolute highlight of their tour in Uganda.

Day 7: Optional Activities At Lake Mutanda, To Kigali

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Flame tree village

Have a relaxed morning at Lake Mutanda or you can opt for the activity organized by the lodge. You will be driven to Kigali. If you arrive early you can visit the Kigali’s craft markets, carvings, batik, weaving, sculpture, musical instruments, leather and fabrics on offer. Dinner and overnight at heaven Flame tree village.

Day 8: Flight To Tanzania

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Ilboru Safari Lodge

You will be driven to Kigali international airport to catch up with Rwandair to Kilimanjaro airport in Tanzania. 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. You will arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport where you meet you guide to transfer you to Ilboru Safari Lodge;

Day 9: Lake Manyara N.P.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Manyara Safari Camp

Morning breakfast and go for a game drive, you will drive to ‘Mto Wa Mbu’. The bustling farming community of Mto Wa Mbu is home to around 18,000 people. On this walk, this place in Tanzania is not visite by many people, yet there is a lot to explore especially people who are interested in culture. You will find a melting pot of cultures; Mto Wa Mbu is one of the places found in Tanzania with a collection of 120 tribes staying together. You will also visit the farms and the milling machines, the schools, markets, and churches. 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. Dinner and overnight at Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp.

Day 10 - 11 : Great Migration/ Game Drives In Serengeti National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Tortilis Camp

Start the morning with a game drive the Serengeti National Park. The ward Serengeti in Masai Language means “endless plains” You will drive into the park to see millions of wildebeest migrating, This is referred to as Great Migration, following the ancient rhythm of Africa’s seasons. This is one of the most impressive natural events in the world. retire for dinner and overnight.

This new day 11 will start with having breakfast, Your guide will drive you to the park to see animals closely. You will see the thrill of the chase. 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. This valley is often termed as the ‘classic’ Serengeti; short grass plains with all different kinds 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.

Your guide will help find a picnic spot to have your packed lunch

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: Game Drive In The Ngorongoro Crater

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Country Lodge Karatu

Your guide will drive through the beautiful Serengeti and continue to the Ngorongoro Crater. After lunch, you will go for a game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater! This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a unique biosphere that 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 will spot ‘The Big 5’: lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard, and cheetah, jackal, Grant’s and Thompson’s gazelle, flamingo and bat-eared foxes, as well as approximately 400 species of colourful bird

Day 13: Departure Or Holiday Extention

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: No accmmodation

We have come to the end of your trip with Arrive Africa SAfaris! Your tour guide will take care of your transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport.