25 Days Tanzania, Kenya & Gorilla Safari Experience
OVERVIEW
A wildlife safari in East Africa stirs something deep within all of us since it is an experience we will never forget. This fascinating tour takes you to almost all major tourist destinations the region has to offer.
Murchison Falls National Park, tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, chimps in Kibale Forest National Park, endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Volcanoes National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater National Park, and, last but not least, Tarangire National Park
You’ll see the best animals in East Africa and stay in the most exquisite lodgings.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Entebbe Arrival
As you arrive at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met and greeted by an Equatorial Wild Safaris representative who will then drive you to your Kampala hotel where you will spend the night. Depending on the time of arrival, you shall embark on a Kampala city tour to explore some of the great attractions the city has.
Meal plan for dinner and stay at the hotel/lodge (Dinner)
Day 2: Entebbe – Murchison Falls National Park – Rhino Tracking
Leave early in the morning from Entebbe with Equatorial Wild Safaris’ driver and guide, heading northwest through the beautiful Ugandan countryside to Murchison Falls National Park, near the magnificent Karuma Falls. The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is our first trip of the day. We depart and continue our adventure on foot with the guide to get near to the Rhinos in the wild of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which includes various locations and is home to a variety of wildlife and birds, including the elusive Shoebill Stork.
We continue the short journey from here to Murchison River Lodge, which is located on the southern bank of the River Nile overlooking Murchison Falls National Park, where we check in about lunchtime. Relax and appreciate the lodge’s amenities.
Late afternoon guided nature walk with a Uganda Wildlife Authority Ranger – on this walk, you will most likely witness a variety of species such as giraffes, antelopes, buffaloes, birds, and other animals.
Day 3: Murchison Falls National Park (Game Drive and Boat Ride)
Have a cup of coffee before heading out for your morning game drive – or have breakfast first – the decision is yours. Game drives can start at 6:30 am and you can enjoy the morning mist on the Savannah as the Sun rises for another day in Murchison Falls National Park.
Optionally:
Another option that can be organized is a bush breakfast for you – hopefully, others will have signed up for this most meaningful time, making the price per person more inexpensive because organizing a breakfast in the woods takes a lot of planning. Many that choose the Bush Breakfast option consider it to be one of the highlights of their African safari.
The four-wheel-drive safari vehicle is equipped with a pop-up roof for optimal game viewing, and on a game drive, we always use a Uganda Wildlife Authority Ranger to enhance your time on a game drive, resulting in more wildlife sightings and a better understanding of the habits and ways of the wildlife encountered on a game drive.
After lunch at your lodge, you’ll embark on a Boat cruise that will take you close to the base of the strong waterfalls, where menacing water spills from the narrow ravine. You will get the opportunity to observe gigantic hippos and crocodiles, as well as a plethora of water birds near the river’s banks, making this a fantastic birding safari. Return to the lodge for dinner and a good night’s sleep.
Day 4: Budongo Forest-Kibale National Park – Primate Trek
After Breakfast, travel from your Lodge and head towards Budongo Forest which is part of the wider Murchison Falls National Park, and arrive in time for chimpanzee tracking in Budongo Forest. It is a two-hour excursion during which you will witness other primates, birds, butterflies, and mammals in addition to the chimps.
After lunch at Budongo Forest Eco Lodge, go to Kibale National Park for another exhilarating adventure.
Day 5: Kibale National Park – Chimp Tracking and Visit to Bigodi
After an early breakfast, drive to Kibale National Park, which is home to over 1000 chimps such as the black and white colobus monkey, grey-cheeked Mangabey, and red-tailed monkey. You will be able to spend time with these fascinating creatures as you watch them swing from one tree to another, feed, play, or move calmly on the ground right in front of you.
After lunch, drive to Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary, which is rich in biodiversity and gorgeous surroundings, and is a birder’s dream with approximately 138 species. Situated outside the park in Magombe Swamp it also harbors eight species of primates including the black-and-white colobus, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed, I’Hoest’s and blue monkeys, and olive baboons.
Day 6: Kibale National Park – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Following a nutritious breakfast, you will embark on a guided cultural walk in the Kibale National Park’s “Ndali crater lakes & Amabere -breasts” area. Visit the Nyakasura area to see the “breasts” of the prehistoric princess in the Chwezi Kingdom that were severed and later grew into a picturesque rock that drips with “milk” all the time; you will see other hills in this area. Ascending the hills will reward you with beautiful vistas of the Rwenzori Mountains. This morning’s cultural walk around the craters is magnificent and a stunning position overlooking a dramatic Crater Lake and the famous “Mountains of the Moon”. After lunch, return to your lodging and drive south to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
After you arrive in Queen Elizabeth, check into your hotel, relax for a little, and then go on a guided tour of the Katwe Salt Lake and its activities. You will tour the lake, the salt mine, the factory, the fishing village, and the cattle-keeping settlements.
Menu plan for dinner and overnight at the Lodge/Campsite (Dinner)
Day 7: Queen Elizabeth National Park (Game Drive and Boat Ride)
With a cup of African coffee or tea, proceed on an early morning game drive through the park, where you may expect to see Lions, Elephants, Cape buffalo, Warthogs, leopards, hyenas, mongoose, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, Topi, and many other small animals and birds. After the game drive, return to your resort for lunch and relaxation. After a substantial lunch, take a 2-hour boat tour across Kazinga Channel and onto Lake Edward.
The route travels through the hippos’ densest area, and several animals can be observed drinking at the water’s side. The launch cruise provides an ideal setting for photography, bird observation, and game viewing. With over 550 resident species, the abundant bird life is bright and spectacular.
Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi National Park to see the Ishasha Tree Climbing Lions
Begin your exciting day with a delicious breakfast at your lodge, followed by a journey south to the magical Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Access the park through the Ishasha sector, which is well-known for its resident tree-climbing lions, which are a spectacular attraction and one of the highlights of all safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Aside from the fascinating population of Tree Climbing Lions in Ishasha, visitors will also encounter massive buffalo herds and numerous antelopes that cross your route. After that, check into your lodge for a late lunch and a relaxing evening.
Menu plan for dinner and overnight at the Lodge/Campsite (Full Board)
Day 9: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After an early breakfast, proceed to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park Headquarters for orientation, as well as meet the guides and be divided into groups based on which gorilla group you will be tracking. From there, you will embark on your thrilling adventure to see the Gorillas in the Mist. Trekking through this fascinating and lovely forest offers plenty to see on your route to view the Mountain Gorillas. The fauna, which will include extra primates, butterflies, animals, and birds, will undoubtedly be stunning and will greatly improve this once-in-a-lifetime event.
The tracking/trekking can include some extensive climbing as well as hiking, but when you come face to face with the tranquil yet powerful Mountain Gorillas, watching them only a few meters away from you observing the group, the baby with the mothers, the gorillas partaking in their daily routine is all very overwhelming. Mountain gorillas are never found in zoos, except in this little area of Africa where a number of the remaining mountain gorillas can be viewed. Fortunately, because to numerous efforts, this population is thriving and well surviving within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and visitors may observe them up close. If time allows, visit the famous Batwa community for a community and cultural experience. You will learn about the Batwa’s traditional way of life, from brewing local beer to making medicines from this very forest.
Day 10: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Lake Bunyonyi
After a filling breakfast, you’ll head south to Lake Bunyonyi. Due of their tiring safari experience thus far, the majority of the clients will enjoy some time relaxing on the banks of this gorgeous lake. Swimming, bird watching, sunbathing, a boat tour around the islands, and cycling are among the activities available to guests here.
Food Plan for Dinner and Overnight at the Lodge/Campsite (Full Board)
Day 11: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park from Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, depart for Volcanoes National Park, which is 53 kilometers from Lake Bunyonyi. You will be driving beside the spectacular views of the Virunga Volcanoes, which connect Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The magnificent vistas of Lake Mutanda, a well-known lava-dammed lake, provide a glimpse of the impact of volcanic activity on the production of landform characteristics.
Continue on the drive to arrive in Volcanoes National Park for lunch and short relaxation after which you take on a caves walk activity to marvel at this natural feature with great historical significance in traditional Rwanda as they provided refuge for the Kings and storage for supplies during times of war.
Day 12: Volcanoes National Park – Gorilla Tracking
Get up early for breakfast so that you may arrive at the park headquarters – Kinigi – by 8:00 a.m. for a briefing and eventual gorilla trekking trip. During this session, you will be assigned to a gorilla family to track, and rangers can be consulted for additional preparations if necessary. You’ll go in quest of gorillas amid the volcanic-rich jungle. The walk is fascinating as you pass through stunning landscapes while seeing birds and other species such as monkeys, wild pigs, and if you’re lucky, wild elephants.
Because gorillas are unpredictable, the trip takes 2 to 8 hours. A packed lunch is required. The noises of the jungle will accompany you till your long-awaited encounter with gorillas. They will be seen as they forage, play, mingle, and occasionally charge. The mood of awe that will consume your heart may leave no room for other experiences on your camera film. The entire one hour is sufficient to optimize this experience, following which you will return to the starting place before proceeding to your hotel to unwind.
Day 13: Kigali City Tour and Golden Monkey Tracking
After breakfast, you will proceed in search of the golden monkeys. These eye-catching primates are a visual feast. It’s a photographer’s dream, with their bright orange fur contrasting against the lush rainforests of the Virunga Mountains. Visitors meet their guides at the Kinigi Headquarters of Volcanoes National Park, and the visit is done once per day; time will be allocated once scheduled. Enjoy lunch at your accommodation before continuing on to Kigali.
Kigali, a bustling African city perched along gorgeous hilltops, is immediately noticeable for its cleanliness, orderliness, and kindness. Among the places you will see are the Genocide Memorial Centers, the Camp Kigali Belgian Monument, the Natural History Museum – Kandt House, the Ivuka Arts Gallery, and the Nyamata Church.
Menu Plan for Dinner and Overnight at the Lodge/Hotel (Full Board)
Day 14: Kigali – Nairobi
Check out and proceed to Kigali International Airport to catch your outbound aircraft to Kenyatta International Airport. As you arrive in Nairobi, a representative from Equatorial Wild Safaris will greet you and transport you to your accommodation. Spend the rest of the day recovering after your flight and getting ready for your next trip.
Day 15: Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve via the Great Rift Valley, followed by a game drive.
After a full breakfast, you will be picked up by one of our drivers from your Nairobi hotel and driven to Masai Mara, stopping first at the Great Rift Valley ViewPoint. This is a great area to be in the early morning and late at night. The captivating Rift valley with its huge flora and the sun rays kissing the far and wide-ranging mountains in the background will captivate you. The Great Rift Valley is considered a world wonder, running from the Middle East through Africa, with a large and extensive portion in East Africa and ending in Mozambique in the south.
You will travel to Narok after about 15-20 minutes of gathering history. Narok is a town west of Nairobi that contributes to Kenya’s economy in the country’s southwest, near the Great Rift Valley. Narok is the district capital of Narok County and the district’s main commercial center. Narok has a population of about 40,000 people, the majority of whom are Maasai. The Masai, who live in the Narok district, refer to Narok as Enkare Narok (meaning black water or dark water), after the river that runs through the town.
Narok has an elevation of 1827 meters (5,997 feet). You will have your hot lunch here and then proceed to Masai Mara. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by our Masai Mara staff who will assist you to check in the Camp, then leave for the late afternoon game drive which begins immediately upon your arrival, this game drive offers you the first day and evening big 5 kill as well as Africa Sunset around 1830hrs, then our driver will drive you back to the camp where you will be served with Africa food.
Day 16: Maasai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara is one of Africa’s greatest wildlife reserves, located in southwest Kenya. Along with Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, it constitutes one of Africa’s most diversified, magnificent, and spectacular ecosystems, as well as possibly the world’s best safari big game viewing eco-system. I’m sure you’ve heard that the wildebeest migration is nothing short of spectacular. It’s something you should put on your bucket list. This will be a full-day tour of the Masai Mara; breakfast will be given as early as 0730am, and the chef will pack a fresh picnic lunch for you because you will be experiencing the Masai Mara’s famed 7th wonders of the World for the entire day. This game reserve is Kenya’s most beautiful wildlife refuge. Almost 450 kinds of animals have been reported here, including migratory.
The Mara plains are teeming with migrating wildebeest and zebra, as well as year-round fauna. The Mara’s soft fertile climate surrounded by The Rift offers possibly the richest stocked reserve placed within some 1672 sq km – an infinite array of wildlife. The emphasis here is on games, and it is located 268 kilometers west of Nairobi. Elephant herds graze alongside Lion, Buffalo, Thompson Gazelle, Zebra, and Topi. On rare occasions, you may see a black rhino. Return to the camp or Lodge for dinner and overnight after visiting the park.
Day 17: Maasai Mara National Reserve – Lake Nakuru
After leaving the Masai Mara, you’ll journey north to Narok, the district headquarters of this portion of Maasai land, through the ‘breadbasket of Kenya,’ where acres of wheat and barley litter the landscape. The journey will next take you across the huge plains of the Rift Valley and up the Mau Escarpment to Lake Nakuru. For lunch, check into your Lodge.
After lunch, you will go on an afternoon game drive in Nakuru National Park before returning to your lodge for the night, which is located in the center of one of Kenya’s most densely inhabited wetland National Parks, two hours from Nairobi.
Day 18: ake Nakuru-Amboseli National Park
After an early breakfast, you will leave Rift Valley and go to Nairobi, where you will pick up a picnic lunch before heading south to Amboseli National Park. Amboseli National Park is one of Kenya’s most popular parks, crowned by Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. The term “Amboseli” derives from a Maasai phrase meaning “salty dust”, and it is one of the best spots in Africa to watch enormous herds of elephants up close. En route to your lodge, stop for a picnic lunch and an afternoon game drive in the park.
Day 19: Game Drives in Amboseli National Park
Begin your day with a tasty breakfast as you ready for an exciting day. A full day in Amboseli with wildlife drives in the morning and evening. The park is famous for being home to large herds of African elephants.
Lions, buffaloes, the elusive leopard, wildebeest, giraffes, zebras, a variety of antelopes, and other smaller plains games can also be found in the park. During the dry season, the landscape is semi-arid, and during the rainy season, the seasonal “Amboseli Swamp” becomes home to many bird species.
Day 20: Amboseli National Park-Lake Manyara
After breakfast, you will go to Tanzania’s border station and then to Arusha for lunch. After lunch, drive across the Masai Steppe to Lake Manyara National Park, which spans for a long distance along the high rift valley escarpments occupied by the alkaline lake. Waterbirds congregate near the lake, and this park is home to approximately 400 bird species. Several creatures, including monkeys, antelopes, giraffes, and grassland elephants, live in the area around the acacia trees.
You will also have the opportunity to see the Manyara lions as they roam the trees. Leave Lake Manyara in the afternoon and travel to your reserved lodging.
Day 21: Lake Manyara to Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, begin your trip to Serengeti National Park, passing through the high-lying farms of Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Karatu. We will next drop into the distance and proceed to the Seronera Region of the park, which is one of the richest wildlife areas in the park, near the Seronera River, which offers a water source to this area and has attracted animals representative of many Serengeti species. We’ll arrive later in time for lunch and go on an afternoon game drive in the park.
Day 22: Serengeti National Park – Game drives
You will be able to float silently over the bushes while observing various species as you enjoy the landscape of the greatest African National Park, local communities, and rivers if you get up early enough.
After breakfast, you will go game viewing along the famous Sogore River Circuit, which joins the plains of Seronera River and is a fantastic site to see lions, topis, Thomson Gazelle, ostrich, and cheetah. There is also the Visitor Centre that is also worth a visit after the morning game drive. It’s attractively built and has intriguing animal displays with a gift store that sells maps of the area as well as information pamphlets. The Centre also sells cold beverages and snacks. After that, we’ll have a casual picnic lunch at the Center under the acacia trees.
Later in the afternoon, we will take the Kopjes Circuit, which goes anti-clockwise around the Maasai Kopjes and is known to attract many lions and large cobras. The Kopjes are weathered granite outcrops found throughout the plains, and most of these are miniature ecosystems, providing shade as well as drinking water within the pools in the rocks after heavy rains. This makes the kopjes ideal for observing wildlife, such as lions, which wait for animals to come to drink near the water.
Day 23: Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Crater National Park – Game viewing
After breakfast at the lodge, we will begin our trip to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area with a halt at the Olduvai Gorge, which has a history reaching back to the dawn of time. Dr. Lois, the anthropologist, and his companion Mary Leaky, who unearthed the skulls of Nutcracker Man and the HandyMan, were both important links in the chain of human evolution.
We will then arrive at the park in time for lunch before descending almost 600 meters into the crater to observe wildlife for half a day. Ngorongoro crater is home to a variety of wildlife, including zebras, eland, buffalos, warthogs, gigantic African elephants, and herds of wildebeest, thanks to its year-round water supply and food.
The park also boasts a large population of predators such as lions, leopards, hyenas, and jackals. We will also go to Lake Magadi, which is a big but shallow alkaline lake located in the crater’s southwestern corner. This tiny lake is also home to many birds, flamingos, and hippos.
Day 24: Ngorongoro Crater – Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, you depart Ngorongoro Crater and travel southeast to Lake Manyara, Mto wa Mbu hamlet, and Tarangire National Park. Settle into your lodge, enjoy lunch and perhaps a swim, and then go on a game drive for the rest of the afternoon. During the dry season, the park is regarded as one of the best on the northern circuit for elephant watching.
Day 25: Departure from Arusha
After breakfast, you shall do the last game drive of your East African Safri before you depart Tarangire and return to Arusha in time for lunch. After lunch, you head to the airport for your trip out.
