11-Day Best of Uganda & Tanzania Safari
Safari Overview
This 11-day safari offers the perfect blend of primate encounters and classic wildlife viewing, taking you from the misty rainforests of Uganda to the legendary plains of Tanzania. Track endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, trek chimpanzees in Kibale’s primate-rich jungle, and explore the wildlife-packed Ngorongoro Crater – the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Expertly designed by Serengeti Wildlife Safari, this itinerary combines intimate primate experiences with thrilling game drives across Tanzania’s most iconic reserves, delivering an unforgettable East African adventure .
Safari Highlights
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – a life-changing encounter with endangered mountain gorillas
Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest – home to over 1,500 chimpanzees and 12 other primate species
Game Drives in Serengeti National Park – endless plains and the Great Migration (seasonal)
Ngorongoro Crater – descend 600 meters into Africa’s Eden
Lake Manyara National Park – rare tree-climbing lions and diverse ecosystems
Scenic Transfers – breathtaking landscapes, crater lakes, and Ishasha’s tree-climbing lions
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Uganda – Transfer to Entebbe
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your Serengeti Wildlife Safari driver-guide. After a short safari briefing, you will be transferred to your hotel near Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake. Depending on your arrival time, you may relax and recover from your journey or take a short orientation walk around the neighborhood. Dinner and overnight.
Meals: Dinner, Drinking water
Day 2: Entebbe – Transfer to Kibale National Park
After breakfast, depart for Kibale National Park, the “Primate Capital of the World.” The journey takes approximately 4-5 hours through Uganda’s lush countryside, passing Fort Portal town and offering stunning views of tea plantations and crater lakes. Stop for lunch en route, then visit the Amabere g’Nnyinamwiru Caves – breast-like stalactite formations believed to be the breasts of Nnyinamwiru, daughter of Bukuku, a self-imposed King of the Bachwezi. Hike to the Fort Portal Crater Lake field, one of Uganda’s major explosion craters, for impressive adventure and sightseeing opportunities. Arrive at your lodge in Kibale in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight.
Meals: All meals included, Drinking water
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth
After an early breakfast, head to the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for a briefing on chimpanzee trekking rules and safety. Kibale is home to over 1,500 chimpanzees and 12 other primate species, along with 375 bird species and 351 species of trees . Accompanied by experienced rangers, enter the lush rainforest in search of a habituated chimp troop. The trek takes 2-4 hours, and once located, you will spend one hour observing their human-like behavior as they feed, groom, and play in the canopy.
After lunch, embark on a 157km drive (approximately 3 hours) to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most diverse reserve. Arrive at your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meals: All meals included, Drinking water
Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha – Tree-Climbing Lions
After breakfast, depart for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas . En route, drive through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its unique population of tree-climbing lions that lounge lazily in ancient fig trees – one of the only places in Africa where this behaviour is regularly observed . Enjoy a game drive in search of these extraordinary cats before continuing through the scenic highlands to Bwindi. Arrive in the evening, check into your lodge, and prepare for tomorrow’s gorilla trekking.
Meals: All meals included, Drinking water
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Today is the highlight of your safari. After an early breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a gorilla trekking briefing. Bwindi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to approximately 460 mountain gorillas – nearly half the world’s population . Accompanied by experienced rangers and trackers, enter the dense Impenetrable Forest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. The trek can take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas . Once located, you will spend one unforgettable hour observing the silverback, mothers nursing their young, and playful juveniles – a profound and life-changing experience .
Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight. In the evening, an optional Batwa Community tour can be arranged to explore the traditions of these people noted to be among the last surviving groups of the forest’s original inhabitants.
Meals: All meals included, Drinking water
Day 6: Bwindi – Transfer to Entebbe – Flight to Kilimanjaro
After breakfast, begin the journey back to Entebbe. The drive takes approximately 8-9 hours with a stop for lunch en route. Stop at the equator crossing in Kayabwe for the classic photo opportunity – stand with one foot in each hemisphere and watch the water swirl demonstration. Continue to Entebbe International Airport for your flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport, Tanzania. Upon arrival, you will be met by your Tanzanian driver-guide and transferred to your hotel in Arusha. Dinner and overnight.
Meals: All meals included, Drinking water
Day 7: Arusha – Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara National Park. En route, stop in Mto wa Mbu town to interact with locals and explore craft shops. Lake Manyara is one of Tanzania’s most dramatically located wildlife areas, consisting of a massive but shallow soda lake at the foot of the Great Rift Valley’s western escarpment. The park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, along with large elephant herds, buffalo, giraffes, hippos, troops of baboons, and flamingos attracted by the lake’s algae . Enjoy an afternoon game drive, searching for these iconic species. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meals: All meals included, Drinking water
Day 8: Lake Manyara – Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, depart for the legendary Serengeti National Park. The journey takes you through the beautiful high-lying farmland of Karatu and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The Serengeti is one of the most wildlife-rich areas on Earth, covering 14,763 square kilometers of rolling plains, acacia woodlands, and riverine forests . The name “Serengeti” means “endless plains” in the Maasai language, and the landscape lives up to its name . Arrive at your camp in the late afternoon and enjoy an evening game drive en route. Dinner and overnight.
Meals: All meals included, Drinking water
Day 9: Full Day in Serengeti National Park
Spend a full day exploring the Serengeti on morning and afternoon game drives. The park is home to the Big Five and over 500 bird species. Depending on the season, witness the Great Migration – over 1.5 million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebras moving in search of fresh grazing. The Central Serengeti offers year-round wildlife viewing, with kopjes providing excellent vantage points for spotting lions, leopards, and other predators . Enjoy a picnic lunch in the heart of the wilderness. Return to camp for dinner and overnight.
Meals: All meals included, Drinking water
Day 10: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After breakfast, depart the Serengeti for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The Ngorongoro Crater is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s largest inactive, intact, and unfilled volcanic caldera, often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World” . Descend approximately 600 meters into the crater for a full-day game drive. The crater is home to an estimated 25,000-30,000 animals, including some of Tanzania’s last remaining black rhino, along with the highest density of mammalian predators in Africa . Enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor. Ascend to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meals: All meals included, Drinking water
Day 11: Ngorongoro – Arusha – Departure
After breakfast, enjoy a final morning game drive at the crater rim or take in the stunning views before driving to Arusha. Your driver-guide will drop you off at Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight, bringing your 11-day East African adventure with Serengeti Wildlife Safari to an end.
Meals: Breakfast, Drinking water
Package Includes
Airport transfers
All accommodation as per itinerary
Meals as indicated (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Private 4×4 safari vehicle with experienced English-speaking driver-guide
Park entrance fees and conservation levies
Gorilla trekking permit ($800 per person)
Chimpanzee trekking permit
Game drives as per itinerary
All applicable taxes and VAT
Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
Package Excludes
International flights
Regional flights (Uganda to Tanzania)
Entry visas
Travel and medical insurance
Tips and gratuities for guides and staff
Personal expenses (drinks, souvenirs, laundry, etc.)
Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
Porters for trekking
Hot air balloon safaris
