12 Days Tanzania Big Five Safari & Uganda Gorilla Trekking.

12 Days Uganda Gorilla, Chimpanzee & Tanzania Big Five Safari.

This exceptional 12-day Uganda–Tanzania safari blends primate encounters in East Africa’s tropical rainforests with classic Big Five game viewing on the legendary savannahs of Tanzania.

Designed for travelers seeking depth, diversity, and seamless cross-border logistics, the journey combines chimpanzee trekking, mountain gorilla trekking, and iconic wildlife safaris across multiple UNESCO-listed landscapes.

Day 1: Arrival in Uganda – Entebbe International Airport

Arrival | Welcome | Overnight in Entebbe

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you are warmly welcomed by our professional safari guide. After a short meet-and-greet, you will be transferred to your carefully selected hotel overlooking Lake Victoria, the largest freshwater lake in Africa.

Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a relaxed evening at the lodge, recovering from your international flight and preparing for the adventure ahead.

Accommodation: Midrange or Luxury Hotel in Entebbe
Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Entebbe – Kibale Forest National Park

Scenic Drive | Crater Lakes Region | Optional Cultural Excursions

After breakfast, depart Entebbe for Kibale Forest National Park, traveling west through rolling countryside, tea plantations, and traditional villages. The journey is scenic and culturally enriching, with photo stops along the way.

Optional activities include a visit to the Amabere ga’ Nyinamwiru caves or a guided hike through the Fort Portal crater lakes region, offering panoramic views of western Uganda.

Arrive in the Kibale area in the late afternoon and relax at your forest lodge.

Accommodation: Lodge near Kibale Forest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest – Queen Elizabeth National Park

Chimpanzee Trekking | Rwenzori Views | Savannah Transition

This morning begins with a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers before entering Kibale Forest, home to over 1,500 chimpanzees and 12 other primate species.

Trek through dense rainforest in search of habituated chimpanzee families, observing their complex social behaviors at close range.

After lunch, continue south toward Queen Elizabeth National Park, enjoying dramatic views of the Rwenzori Mountains (Mountains of the Moon) along the way.

Accommodation: Safari Lodge in Queen Elizabeth NP
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Morning Game Drive | Kazinga Channel Boat Safari | Evening Wildlife Viewing

Start the day with an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains, a prime area for spotting lions, Uganda kob, buffalo, elephants, and occasionally leopards.

In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, one of Africa’s best wildlife boat safaris. Expect close encounters with hippos, Nile crocodiles, and abundant birdlife.

Later, an evening game drive along the channel track offers golden-hour photography opportunities.

Accommodation: Safari Lodge in Queen Elizabeth NP
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Ishasha Sector – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Tree-Climbing Lions | Scenic Highlands | Rainforest Arrival

Depart early for the Ishasha Sector, famous for its rare tree-climbing lions, often seen resting in fig trees. After a game drive, continue south into the misty highlands of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The landscape transitions from open savannah to dense montane rainforest, signaling your arrival in gorilla country.

Accommodation: Lodge near Bwindi Forest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi – Transfer to Kigali

Mountain Gorilla Trekking | Cross-Border Journey

Today is the highlight of your Ugandan safari. After an early breakfast, attend a ranger briefing before trekking into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to track a habituated mountain gorilla family.

Once located, you will spend one unforgettable hour observing these gentle giants in their natural habitat.

After lunch, transfer through the scenic countryside to Kigali, Rwanda, completing a smooth cross-border journey.

Accommodation: Hotel in Kigali
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Fly Kigali – Kilimanjaro – Arusha

International Flight | Tanzania Arrival

After breakfast, transfer to Kigali International Airport for your scheduled flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania. Upon arrival, you are met by your Tanzanian safari guide and transferred to Arusha, the gateway to the Northern Safari Circuit.

Spend the evening relaxing and preparing for your Tanzania wildlife safari.

Accommodation: Lodge or Hotel in Arusha
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 8: Arusha – Tarangire National Park

Elephant Kingdom | Baobab Landscapes

After breakfast, drive to Tarangire National Park, renowned for its massive elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and seasonal wildlife concentrations along the Tarangire River.

Enjoy an afternoon game drive, spotting lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and diverse birdlife.

Accommodation: Safari Lodge near Tarangire
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9: Tarangire – Serengeti National Park

Ngorongoro Highlands | Serengeti Plains

Depart Tarangire and journey through the fertile Ngorongoro Highlands, descending onto the endless plains of Serengeti National Park one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife destinations.

Enjoy a game drive en route to your lodge, encountering big cats, large herbivore herds, and classic savannah scenery.

Accommodation: Safari Lodge or Tented Camp in Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10: Full-Day Safari in Serengeti National Park

Big Cats | Migration Zones | Endless Game Drives

Spend the entire day exploring the Serengeti with morning and afternoon game drives. Depending on the season, you may follow the Great Wildebeest Migration, witnessing vast herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle.

Predator sightings include lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas, making this one of Africa’s richest wildlife viewing days.

Accommodation: Safari Lodge or Tented Camp in Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Final Serengeti Game Drive | Crater Rim Walk

After a final morning game drive in the Serengeti, proceed to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, stopping for scenic viewpoints along the way.

Arrive at your lodge on the Ngorongoro Crater rim, where you may enjoy a guided crater rim walk and breathtaking sunset views over the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera.

Accommodation: Lodge on Ngorongoro Rim
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 12: Ngorongoro Crater – Kilimanjaro International Airport

Crater Safari | Departure

Descend early into the Ngorongoro Crater floor for a half-day game drive in one of Africa’s most wildlife-dense ecosystems. Spot black rhinos, lions, elephants, buffalo, flamingos, and hippos.

After the safari, ascend the crater and transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your international departure flight, marking the end of your unforgettable East African journey.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Safari Inclusions

The 12 Days Uganda Gorilla, Chimpanzee & Tanzania Big Five Safari price includes the following services and experiences:

All airport transfers (Entebbe International Airport, Kigali International Airport & Kilimanjaro International Airport)
Meet & greet services on arrival and departure
Accommodation for 11 nights in carefully selected midrange or luxury lodges and hotels (based on chosen package)
Meals as specified in the itinerary (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner where indicated)
All ground transportation in:
- 4×4 safari vehicle in Uganda and Rwanda
- 4×4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof in Tanzania
Professional English-speaking safari guide/driver throughout the safari
(Other languages available on request)
Fuel and vehicle-related expenses
All park entrance fees for:
Chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale Forest National Park
Mountain Gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda)
Game drives as per itinerary
Kazinga Channel boat cruise
Ngorongoro Crater descent and crater service fees
Cross-border transfer from Uganda to Rwanda
Flight from Kigali International Airport to Kilimanjaro International Airport (economy class, subject to schedule)
Bottled drinking water while on safari
All government taxes and levies

Safari Exclusions

The safari cost does not include the following items unless specifically stated:

International flights to Entebbe and onward flights from Kilimanjaro International Airport (can be arranged on request)
Uganda, Rwanda & Tanzania entry visas
Travel insurance (mandatory and recommended)
Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
Tips and gratuities for safari guides, lodge staff, porters, and rangers
Personal expenses, including:
- Alcoholic & soft drinks
- Laundry services
- Souvenirs and crafts
Extra accommodation due to early arrival or late departure
Any services not explicitly mentioned under “Safari Inclusions”
Related Journeys of Interest to Uganda and Rwanda.