12 Days Tanzania Uganda Wildlife, cultural experience, Chimpanzee tracking, & Gorilla Trekking Safari – Tour by Winton Africa Safaris
The 12 Days Tanzania Uganda Wildlife Safari with Winton Africa Safaris is a meticulously crafted adventure that offers an unparalleled journey through East Africa’s most iconic national parks and cultural experiences. The tour begins in Tanzania’s Tarangire National Park, renowned for its majestic elephant herds and ancient baobab trees, followed by a visit to the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where a wealth of wildlife thrives in this natural sanctuary.
The 12 Days Tanzania Uganda Wildlife Safari experience is elevated with the spectacular Great Migration in Serengeti National Park, one of the most dramatic wildlife events in the world, where vast herds of wildebeests and zebras cross the savannah in search of fresh grazing grounds, pursued by predators like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas. A visit to the local Maasai community adds a deep cultural dimension, allowing travelers to immerse themselves in the traditions, dances, and vibrant way of life of this iconic nomadic tribe. The second half of the journey unfolds in Uganda, beginning with chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park, a dense rainforest home to an array of primates and rich birdlife.
From here, the 12 Days Tanzania Uganda Wildlife Safari proceeds to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where game drives across its diverse landscapes offer opportunities to spot elephants, lions, and hippos. The pinnacle of the 12 Days Tanzania Uganda Wildlife Safari is the unforgettable gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where participants will trek through misty forests to encounter endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
This once-in-a-lifetime experience is complemented by the Batwa cultural experience, where visitors learn about the indigenous Batwa pygmies, who were the original inhabitants of the forest. Throughout the 12 Days Tanzania Uganda Wildlife Safari, Winton Africa Safaris ensures guests enjoy expert-guided wildlife encounters, cultural immersion, and seamless transfers between destinations, making this safari a perfect blend of adventure and cultural enrichment.
12 Days Tanzania Uganda Wildlife Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Arrival in Arusha and Scenic Drive to Tarangire National Park – Evening Game Drive
- Day 2: Morning Game Drive in Tarangire and Drive to Ngorongoro Crater Area – Afternoon Game Drive to Spot White Rhinos
- Day 3: A Visit to the Crater, Morning Game Drive and Proceed to Southern Serengeti National Park – Evening Game Drive
- Day 4: Game Drive in Southern Serengeti National Park, and Afternoon Game Drive in Central Serengeti
- Day 5: Full Day Adventure in Central Serengeti National Park – Game Drives, Maasai People Visit, & Optional Hot Air Balloon Ride
- Day 6: Early Morning Game Drive and Drive to Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro Airport for a Flight to Entebbe Airport
- Day 7: Morning Transfer by Road from Entebbe to Kibale Forest National Park – Afternoon Bigodi Swamp Walk
- Day 8: Enjoy Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest, and Afternoon Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Evening Game Drive
- Day 9: Full Adventure in Queen Elizabeth National Park – Game Drives and Boat Cruise at Kazinga Channel
- Day 10: Game Drive in Ishasha Sector and Proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Day 11: Enjoy Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest and Afternoon Batwa Cultural Experience
- Day 12: Scenic Drive from Bwindi Forest to Entebbe Airport for Departure – End of 12 Days Tanzania Uganda Wildlife Safari
Detailed 12 Days Tanzania Uganda Wildlife Safari
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha and Scenic Drive to Tarangire National Park – Evening Game Drive
Your 12 Days Tanzania Uganda Wildlife Safari adventure begins upon arrival in Arusha, Tanzania, where you’ll be warmly welcomed by your safari guide. After a brief orientation, you’ll embark on a scenic drive to Tarangire National Park, known for its picturesque landscape dotted with ancient baobab trees and its large elephant herds.
In the late afternoon, you will enjoy your first game drive, where you might spot zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, and more. Tarangire’s vast plains also attract predators like lions, leopards, and cheetahs, so keep your camera ready. As the sun sets, the park’s golden hues create a magical backdrop for wildlife photography. After the game drive, you’ll head to your lodge for a relaxing evening, surrounded by the sounds of nature.
- Accommodation: Tarangire Safari Lodge
- Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Morning Game Drive in Tarangire and Drive to Ngorongoro Crater Area – Afternoon Game Drive to Spot White Rhinos
Start the day early with a morning game drive through Tarangire’s wilderness. With fewer visitors, the morning hours provide a serene atmosphere for wildlife spotting. Keep an eye out for predators like lions stalking their prey or cheetahs resting after a hunt. Birdwatchers will also delight in the park’s diverse avian life, including ostriches, hornbills, and kori bustards.
After a rewarding game drive, you’ll proceed to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This area is famed for its massive volcanic crater, home to a dense concentration of wildlife. In the afternoon, you will descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for another exciting game drive, where you might be lucky enough to spot the critically endangered white rhinoceros. The crater floor is also home to lions, elephants, hippos, and a vast variety of antelope species.
- Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: A Visit to the Crater, Morning Game Drive and Proceed to Southern Serengeti National Park – Evening Game Drive
Wake up to the breathtaking views of the Ngorongoro Crater and enjoy a hearty breakfast before embarking on another game drive. The morning offers a chance to explore the crater’s diverse ecosystems, from grassy plains to freshwater lakes. You might see large herds of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles grazing peacefully, while predators such as lions and hyenas lurk in the background.
Later, the 12 Days Tanzania Uganda Wildlife Safari journey continues to the Southern Serengeti National Park, where the vast savannah teems with wildlife, especially during the Great Migration. Your evening game drive here offers a chance to spot prides of lions, large herds of wildebeests and zebras, and, with luck, cheetahs sprinting across the plains.
- Accommodation: Serengeti Safari Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Game Drive in Southern Serengeti National Park, and Afternoon Game Drive in Central Serengeti
Today, you’ll experience the best of both worlds in the Southern and Central Serengeti. In the morning, you’ll traverse the southern plains, where the landscape is dotted with acacia trees and termite mounds. This area is known for predator-prey interactions, especially during migration season. Watch as lions and cheetahs stalk the herds, while vultures and hyenas patiently await their turn.
In the afternoon, you’ll head towards Central Serengeti, where the game viewing is equally rewarding. This region, home to year-round wildlife, is excellent for spotting elephants, buffaloes, and leopards lounging in trees. The central part of the Serengeti offers varied landscapes, making each drive a fresh and exciting adventure.
- Accommodation: Serengeti Safari Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Full Day Adventure in Central Serengeti National Park – Game Drives, Maasai People Visit, & Optional Hot Air Balloon Ride
The entire day is dedicated to exploring Central Serengeti. You’ll begin with an early morning game drive, when the animals are most active. Spot elusive predators like leopards, lions, and hyenas, as well as large herds of elephants and giraffes wandering across the plains. For an unforgettable 12 Days Tanzania Uganda Wildlife Safari experience, you have the option to take a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti at sunrise, offering a bird’s-eye view of the vast savannah and its wildlife.
Later in the day, immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of the Maasai people with a visit to a local village. Learn about their ancient traditions, witness their iconic jumping dances, and understand their deep connection to the land and wildlife.
- Accommodation: Serengeti Safari Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Optional: Hot Air Balloon Safari
Day 6: Early Morning Game Drive and Drive to Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro Airport for a Flight to Entebbe Airport
On the sixth day of 12 Days Tanzania Uganda Wildlife Safari, you’ll take a final early morning game drive in the Serengeti before heading back to Arusha. The last game drive offers one last chance to spot any animals you may have missed, such as elusive leopards or a rare sighting of a black rhinoceros.
Afterward, you’ll be transferred to Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight to Entebbe, Uganda. Upon arrival, you’ll be met by your Ugandan safari guide and transferred to your accommodation in preparation for the next leg of your 12 Days Tanzania Uganda Wildlife Safari adventure.
- Accommodation: 2 Friends Beach Hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7: Morning Transfer by Road from Entebbe to Kibale Forest National Park – Afternoon Bigodi Swamp Walk
Your Ugandan safari begins with a scenic drive from Entebbe to Kibale Forest National Park, one of the most biodiverse rainforests in Africa. The drive offers views of rolling hills, tea plantations, and charming villages.
Upon arrival, settle into your lodge before embarking on a guided Bigodi Swamp Walk in the afternoon. This eco-walk offers excellent birdwatching opportunities, with over 200 bird species, including the Great Blue Turaco. You may also encounter primates like the red colobus monkey and grey-cheeked mangabey.
- Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Enjoy Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest, and Afternoon Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Evening Game Drive
Today’s highlight is chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest. Accompanied by expert trackers, you’ll venture into the lush forest in search of the park’s famous chimpanzees. Watching these intelligent primates up close as they swing through the trees and interact in their natural habitat is a truly thrilling experience.
In the afternoon, you’ll depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most famous wildlife reserve. Arrive in time for an evening game drive, where you’ll have a chance to spot elephants, buffalos, and lions.
- Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Full Adventure in Queen Elizabeth National Park – Game Drives and Boat Cruise at Kazinga Channel
Spend the day exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park with morning and afternoon game drives across the diverse savannah and woodlands. The park is home to an array of wildlife, including elephants, lions, hippos, and the rare tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha sector.
In the afternoon, embark on a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a waterway that attracts one of the highest concentrations of hippos in Africa. Along the banks, you’ll see buffaloes, elephants, and a variety of bird species, making this one of the best places for wildlife photography in Uganda.
- Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Game Drive in Ishasha Sector and Proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After breakfast, you’ll head to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, known for its famous tree-climbing lions. The unique sight of lions lounging in fig trees is a highlight of any safari in Uganda.
Following the game drive, you’ll continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to half of the world’s population of endangered mountain gorillas. The forest’s mist-covered mountains provide a dramatic backdrop to the next day’s gorilla trekking adventure on the 12 Days Tanzania Uganda Wildlife Safari.
- Accommodation: Four Gorillas Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Enjoy Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest and Afternoon Batwa Cultural Experience
Today’s adventure is one of the most sought-after experiences in Africa – mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. With a guide and tracker, you’ll hike through the dense jungle in search of one of Bwindi’s gorilla families. Once located, you’ll spend a magical hour observing these gentle giants in their natural habitat. Watching them interact, feed, and care for their young is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
In the afternoon, you’ll participate in a Batwa cultural experience, learning about the traditions and lifestyle of the Batwa pygmies, the indigenous people of the Bwindi Forest. Their ancient knowledge of the forest and their cultural heritage provide a rich, immersive 12 Days Tanzania Uganda Wildlife Safari experience.
- Accommodation: Four Gorillas Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Scenic Drive from Bwindi Forest to Entebbe Airport for Departure – End of Safari
Your final day will be a scenic 9-hour drive back to Entebbe, where you’ll have a chance to reflect on the incredible experiences of the past 12 Days Tanzania Uganda Wildlife Safari. You’ll pass through small towns, tea plantations, and beautiful rural landscapes before reaching Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
12 Days Tanzania Uganda Wildlife Safari Inclusions and Exclusions
Safari Inclusions:
- Accommodation in lodges and tented camps as per itinerary
- All meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Professional, English-speaking driver-guides
- 4WD safari vehicle with pop-up roof for game viewing
- All park entrance fees and permits (including gorilla and chimpanzee permits)
- Guided Bigodi Swamp Walk
- Boat cruise at Kazinga Channel
- Cultural visits, including Maasai and Batwa experiences
- Airport transfers and domestic flight from Tanzania to Uganda
Safari Exclusions:
- International flights
- Visa fees for Tanzania and Uganda
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses such as beverages, souvenirs, and laundry
- Optional hot air balloon safari
- Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
End of 12 Days Tanzania Uganda Wildlife Safari
12 Days Tanzania Uganda Wildlife Safari Quotation: Based on Mid-Range Safari US$11,562
12 Days Tanzania Uganda Wildlife Safari Booking Terms and Conditions
The following Booking Terms and Conditions govern the agreement between the individual(s) purchasing travel services (referred to as “the client(s)”) and Winton Africa Safaris (referred to as “the company”). These terms are exclusive and override any other conditions, except those mandated by law. Any changes to these terms must be made in writing and signed by both the client(s) and the company’s director to be considered valid.
Booking Terms:
- A non-refundable deposit of 30% of the total safari cost is required at the time of booking to confirm the reservation. This amount will be used to secure the gorilla permits and make accommodation arrangements at the Lodge.
- A further payment of 70% is due at the start of the safari.
These structured payments ensure a smooth booking process and confirm all necessary arrangements for the 12 Days Tanzania Uganda Wildlife Safari.