12-Day Tanzania Safari with Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking Itinerary
Experience the Best of East Africa’s Wildlife and Primates
This 12-day adventure combines Tanzania’s world-famous wildlife safaris with Uganda’s unforgettable primate trekking experiences. Explore the iconic Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park before flying to Uganda to encounter endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park. This itinerary is ideal for travelers seeking the ultimate East African safari.
| Day | Destination | Activities | Accommodation (Mid-range) |
| 1 | Arusha | Arrival and overnight | Four Points by Sheraton Arusha / Mount Meru Hotel |
| 2 | Tarangire National Park | Game drive | Tarangire Simba Lodge / Sangaiwe Tented Lodge |
| 3 | Serengeti National Park | Game drive en route | Serengeti Tortilis Camp / Into Wild Africa Camp |
| 4 | Serengeti National Park | Full-day game drive | Serengeti Tortilis Camp / Kati Kati Tented Camp |
| 5 | Ngorongoro Conservation Area | Crater game drive | Rhino Lodge / Ngorongoro Farm House |
| 6 | Entebbe, Uganda | Flight to Uganda | Papyrus Guest House / 2 Friends Beach Hotel |
| 7 | Bwindi Impenetrable National Park | Transfer to Bwindi | Bakiga Lodge / Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge |
| 8 | Bwindi | Gorilla trekking | Bakiga Lodge / Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge |
| 9 | Kibale Forest National Park | Transfer via Queen Elizabeth National Park | Chimpanzee Forest Lodge / Turaco Treetops |
| 10 | Kibale Forest | Chimpanzee trekking & Bigodi Wetland | Chimpanzee Forest Lodge / Turaco Treetops |
| 11 | Entebbe | Return journey | Papyrus Guest House / Protea Hotel Entebbe |
| 12 | Entebbe | Departure | — |
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha, Tanzania
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be warmly welcomed by your professional safari guide and transferred to your hotel in Arusha. Depending on your arrival time, you may relax at the hotel or explore Arusha town, the safari capital of Tanzania.
Arusha lies at the foot of Mount Meru and serves as the gateway to Tanzania’s famous Northern Safari Circuit.
Accommodation Options
- Four Points by Sheraton Arusha
- Mount Meru Hotel
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 2: Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park, renowned for its enormous elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and exceptional wildlife diversity.
Enjoy a full-day game drive with opportunities to spot:
- African Elephants
- Lions
- Leopards
- Giraffes
- Zebras
- Wildebeest
- Buffaloes
- Impalas
- Ostriches
Tarangire also boasts more than 550 bird species, making it one of Africa’s finest birding destinations.
Accommodation
- Tarangire Simba Lodge
- Sangaiwe Tented Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Tarangire – Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, travel through the scenic Ngorongoro Highlands towards the legendary Serengeti National Park.
Enjoy game viewing along the way as you enter one of the world’s greatest wildlife destinations.
Depending on the season, witness part of the spectacular Great Wildebeest Migration involving over two million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles.
Expect sightings of:
- Lions
- Cheetahs
- Hyenas
- Elephants
- Topis
- Grant’s Gazelles
- Thomson’s Gazelles
Accommodation
- Serengeti Tortilis Camp
- Into Wild Africa Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Full-Day Safari in Serengeti National Park
Spend the entire day exploring the endless plains of Serengeti National Park.
Morning and afternoon game drives maximize wildlife viewing as predators become more active during cooler hours.
Wildlife commonly encountered includes:
- Lion prides
- Leopards
- Cheetahs
- African Elephants
- Black-backed Jackals
- Spotted Hyenas
- Hippos
- Nile Crocodiles
- Secretary Birds
- Kori Bustards
Your guide will position the safari vehicle for exceptional photography opportunities.
Accommodation
- Serengeti Tortilis Camp
- Kati Kati Tented Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast, drive to the magnificent Ngorongoro Conservation Area before descending 600 meters into the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera.
Ngorongoro Crater is famous for offering one of Africa’s best opportunities to see the Big Five in a single day.
Wildlife includes:
- Black Rhino
- Lions
- Buffaloes
- Elephants
- Leopards
- Hippos
- Flamingos
- Hyenas
Enjoy a picnic lunch beside the hippo pool before ascending the crater rim.
Accommodation
- Rhino Lodge
- Ngorongoro Farm House
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Fly to Uganda
After breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your scheduled flight to Entebbe, Uganda.
Upon arrival, your Ugandan safari guide will receive you and transfer you to your hotel.
Enjoy a relaxing evening overlooking Lake Victoria.
Accommodation
- Papyrus Guest House
- 2 Friends Beach Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 7: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After an early breakfast, begin the scenic drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, passing rolling hills, tea plantations, traditional villages, and the Equator crossing.
Alternatively, guests may choose a domestic flight to Kisoro or Kihihi Airstrip.
Arrive in the evening and prepare for tomorrow’s gorilla trekking adventure.
Accommodation
- Bakiga Lodge
- Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Today is the highlight of your safari.
After an early briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers, enter Bwindi’s ancient rainforest in search of one of the habituated mountain gorilla families.
The trek may take between 2 and 7 hours depending on the gorillas’ location.
Once found, spend one magical hour observing these gentle giants as they feed, groom, play, and interact naturally.
This unforgettable wildlife encounter is considered one of the world’s greatest safari experiences.
In the afternoon, enjoy an optional Batwa Cultural Experience.
Accommodation
- Bakiga Lodge
- Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9: Bwindi to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, depart for Kibale Forest National Park.
Drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you may encounter elephants, Uganda kob, buffaloes, and giant forest hogs along the route.
Arrive in the afternoon.
Relax before tomorrow’s chimpanzee trekking experience.
Accommodation
- Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
- Turaco Treetops
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10: Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
Following an early breakfast, report to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for a briefing before entering Kibale Forest.
Track a habituated chimpanzee community alongside experienced Uganda Wildlife Authority guides.
Besides chimpanzees, Kibale is home to 13 primate species, including:
- L’Hoest’s Monkey
- Black-and-white Colobus
- Red-tailed Monkey
- Blue Monkey
- Olive Baboon
In the afternoon, visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, renowned for birdwatching and community tourism.
Look out for the Great Blue Turaco and numerous monkey species.
Accommodation
- Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
- Turaco Treetops
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11: Return to Entebbe
After breakfast, begin your journey back to Entebbe.
You may stop at the Equator for photographs and souvenir shopping before continuing to your hotel.
Relax and enjoy your final evening in Uganda.
Accommodation
- Papyrus Guest House
- Protea Hotel Entebbe
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 12: Departure
Depending on your international flight schedule, enjoy a leisurely breakfast before transferring to Entebbe International Airport.
Your guide will assist with check-in before bidding you farewell.
As your safari concludes, you’ll leave East Africa with unforgettable memories of the Big Five, the Great Migration, mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, spectacular landscapes, and the warm hospitality of Tanzania and Uganda.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Safari Highlights
- ✔ Explore Tanzania’s Northern Safari Circuit
- ✔ Search for the Big Five in Serengeti and Ngorongoro
- ✔ Experience the Great Wildebeest Migration (seasonal)
- ✔ Visit Tarangire National Park, home to giant elephant herds
- ✔ Trek endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi
- ✔ Track wild chimpanzees in Kibale Forest
- ✔ Visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
- ✔ Experience two of Africa’s premier safari destinations in one seamless journey
- ✔ Stay in carefully selected mid-range safari lodges throughout the trip
This itinerary can be customized to include luxury, budget, or fly-in safari options, additional destinations such as Lake Manyara National Park or Queen Elizabeth National Park, or extended stays based on your travel preferences.
