tanzania wildlife

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha, Tanzania

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania, you will be greeted by your guide and transferred to your hotel in Arusha. After checking in, you can relax and enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel. If time allows, take a leisurely walk around the town or explore local markets.

Accommodation options:

• The White House of Tanzania (Moderate)
• Four Points by Sheraton Arusha (Midrange)
• Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge (Luxury)

Meals: Full board

Day 2: Transfer to Tarangire National Park – Game Drive

After breakfast, embark on a journey to Tarangire National Park (approx. 2.5 hours drive). Known for its giant baobab trees and large elephant herds, Tarangire is also home to predators such as lions and leopards, as well as an abundance of birdlife. Enjoy a full-day game drive, where you’ll have the opportunity to spot wildlife around the Tarangire River, the park’s main water source. Return to your lodge for a relaxing evening.

Accommodation options:

• Tarangire Safari Lodge (Moderate)

• Tarangire Sopa Lodge (Midrange)

• Elewana Tarangire Treetops (Luxury)

Meals: Full board

Destination: Tarangire National Park

Day 3: Drive to Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, drive to Serengeti National Park (approx. 6 hours), passing through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. On the way, you’ll stop at Olduvai Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to learn about early human history and the discovery of ancient fossils. Upon arrival in Serengeti, check into your lodge and enjoy an afternoon game drive, searching for predators, elephants, and an array of herbivores.

Accommodation options:

• Serengeti Simba Campsite (Moderate)
• Serengeti Safari Lodge (Midrange)
• Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti (Luxury)

Meals: Full board

Day 4: Full-Day Safari in Serengeti

Today, you will explore the vast Serengeti plains with a full-day game drive. Depending on the season, you may be fortunate enough to witness the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest and zebras move across the park in search of fresh grazing. In addition to the migration, keep an eye out for lions, cheetahs, leopards, and other wildlife. Take a break for a picnic lunch in the bush before continuing your safari. Return to your lodge in the evening for a relaxing night.

Accommodation options:

• Serengeti Simba Campsite (Moderate)
• Serengeti Safari Lodge (Midrange)
• Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti (Luxury)

Meals: Full board

Destination: Serengeti National Park

Day 5: Serengeti Game Drive & Transfer to Ngorongoro

After a morning game drive in Serengeti, you will travel to Ngorongoro Crater (approx. 4 hours). This UNESCO-listed site is a true natural wonder, with diverse wildlife thriving in the crater’s rich ecosystem. Upon arrival at your lodge, enjoy stunning views of the crater floor, and spend the afternoon at leisure.

Accommodation options:

• Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge (Moderate)
• Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge (Midrange)
• Ngorongoro Crater Lodge (Luxury)

Meals: Full board

Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater Safari

Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater early in the morning, where you will experience one of Africa’s densest concentrations of wildlife. The crater floor hosts a variety of animals, including lions, elephants, buffalo, zebras, and the endangered black rhino. You will have a full-day game drive, with a picnic lunch at a designated spot, providing an opportunity to witness the wildlife up close. After the safari, return to your lodge for the night.

Accommodation options:

• Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge (Moderate)
• Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge (Midrange)
• Ngorongoro Crater Lodge (Luxury)

Meals: Full board

Day 7: Transfer to Kigali, Rwanda

After breakfast, depart Ngorongoro and drive back to Arusha (approx. 2.5 hours). From Arusha, catch a flight to Kigali, Rwanda’s vibrant capital. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kigali. Spend the afternoon exploring the city, visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial, or simply relaxing and preparing for the next part of your journey.

Accommodation options:

• Chez lando hotel (Midrange)
• Hotel Mille Collins (Luxury)

Meals: Full board

Day 8: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, drive from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park (approx. 2.5 hours), home to Rwanda’s famous mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Upon arrival, check into your lodge and enjoy the scenic beauty of the area, with views of the Virunga Mountains. In the afternoon, you may visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, where you can learn about Rwandan traditions and enjoy cultural performances.

Accommodation options:

• Davinci Gorilla Lodge (Moderate)
• Tiloreza Eco Lodge (Midrange)
• Mountain View Gorilla Lodge (Luxury)

Meals: Full board

Day 9: Golden Monkey Trekking

After breakfast, prepare for your golden monkey trekking adventure in Volcanoes National Park. The golden monkeys are a rare species, found only in the bamboo forests of the Virunga Mountains. Your trek will take you through lush, misty forests, and once you locate the golden monkeys, you will have the opportunity to observe them in their natural habitat. Return to the lodge in the afternoon, where you can relax or explore the area further.

Accommodation options:

• Davinci Gorilla Lodge (Moderate)
• Tiloreza Eco Lodge (Midrange)
• Mountain View Gorilla Lodge (Luxury)

Meals: Full board

Day 10: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda

After breakfast, leave Rwanda and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda (approx. 3-4 hours), passing through picturesque countryside and local villages. Upon arrival, check into your lodge and enjoy the surrounding forest views. Spend the evening relaxing in preparation for your gorilla trekking experience the following day.

Accommodation options:

• Rushaga Gorilla Camp/ Lodge (Moderate)
• Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Midrange)
• Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge (Luxury)

Meals: Full board

Day 11: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Today is the highlight of your Uganda visit—gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. After an early breakfast, you will be briefed by park rangers and then set off on your trek to locate one of the habituated gorilla families. The trek may take between 2 to 6 hours, depending on the gorillas’ location. Once you find them, you’ll spend an hour observing their behavior, interactions, and fascinating family dynamics. After the trek, return to your lodge to relax and reflect on the incredible experience.

Accommodation options:

• Rushaga Gorilla Camp/ Lodge (Moderate)
• Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Midrange)
• Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge (Luxury)

Meals: Full board

Day 12: Visit Batwa Pygmy Community & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, you will visit the Batwa pygmy community, learning about their traditional forest-dwelling lifestyle and how they once coexisted with the gorillas. Following this cultural experience, you will drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park (approx. 5-6 hours), arriving in the evening and checking into your lodge.

Accommodation options:

• Bush Lodge (Moderate)
• Aardvark Safari Lodge (Midrange)
• Elephant Plains Lodge (Luxury)

Meals: Full board

Day 13: Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Safari

Start your day with an early morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Kasenyi Plains, home to a large variety of wildlife, including lions, elephants, buffalo, and Uganda kob. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel, where you’ll have the chance to see hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species along the shores. Return to your lodge in the evening for a relaxing night.

Accommodation options:

• Bush Lodge (Moderate)
• Aardvark Safari Lodge (Midrange)
• Elephant Plains Lodge (Luxury)

Meals: Full board

Day 14: Return to Entebbe & End 14-Day Tanzania Rwanda & Uganda

After breakfast, you will drive back to Entebbe (approx. 6 hours), passing through scenic Ugandan countryside. Once in Entebbe, you can visit the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre or shop for souvenirs at the local markets. You will then be transferred to Entebbe International Airport for your return flight, concluding your unforgettable wildlife adventure across Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda.

Meals: Full board