Big Five safari in Tanzania with Uganda gorillas

Itinerary in brief:

• 3 nights Bwindi National Park
• 1 night Entebbe
• 2 nights Togoro Plains Lodge
• 2 nights Mara River Post Lodge
• 7 nights Zanzibar

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport.

Included: International flights

Day 2: Arrive Uganda

On arrival in Uganda, you will be met at the airport and transferred onto your internal flight down to Kihihi Airstrip.

Included: Internal flights, transfers, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge  

Day 3: Gorilla Trek

Start your trip with one of the most incredible experiences on the planet. You’ll get up early and head off for your gorilla trek with a primate expert – the hike will be between 2 and 6 hours depending on where you find the gorillas, but it is well worth the effort.

Once you have begun your hike into the wild bush in Bwindi, at some point the gorillas will start to emerge – watching them munch on the lush foliage and move slowly around you is just indescribable. You might experience babies playing and swinging on the branches or the silver back gorillas lounging in the undergrowth – you’ll spend around an hour with them, and we can guarantee it will be an hour you’ll never forget. At the end of the day, you’ll be driven back to the lodge, where you can enjoy a delicious dinner and sharing your memories of such a special day together.

Included: All meals, gorilla trek (including permit), guide, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge          

Day 4: Bwindi community visit & forest walk

This morning you’ll be up early and head off on a forest walk, along a dappled trail to the waterfalls which takes around 4 hours. The hike is beautiful, with lots of birds and monkeys to look our for on the way, as well as some colourful butterflies! In the afternoon, you’ll visit the local Batwa pygmy community that live nearby. They’ll tell you all about their way of life in the forest, how they hunted and gathered herbs to cure illness. In the evening, you’ll return to the lodge.

Included: All meals, guided forest walk, community visit, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge             

Day 5: Fly to Entebbe

After breakfast, you’ll be driven to the airstrip and fly back to Entebbe, enjoying views of the hills and thick vegetation of southwestern Uganda from the air. On arrival, you’ll be driven just out of town to Entebbe Forest Lodge, for a relaxed and peaceful final night in Uganda.

Included: Breakfast, internal flights, transfers, Entebbe Forest Lodge    

Day 6: Fly to the Serengeti

After breakfast, you’ll be driven back to the airport for your flight to the Serengeti. Upon arrival you're immediately in the heart of the Serengeti.  Your lodge tonight is the gorgeous new Togoro Plains lodge, conveniently located around 40kms north of Seronera.   Here you're in the central Serengeti, so the lodge benefits from good year-round game viewing, with big cats resident in this region.  Comfortable safari tents are dotted around the rocks of the kopje, with glorious views of the savannah and there's a refreshing swimming pool too.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, international flights, Togoro Plains Lodge           

Day 7: Serengeti National Park

Spend the day looking for wildlife in the Serengeti – depending of the time of year you’ll be able to spot cheetahs relaxing in the sun, giraffes munching on the freshest leaves at the top of the trees and lion cubs playing in the sun while their mother keeps an eye from afar. Bat-eared foxes play in the grasslands, endless herds of zebra graze on the lush plain and rare aardvarks snuffle about looking for termites in the early evening air. A day exploring the Serengeti will uncover so many wildlife delights, both animals you’ll recognise immediately as well as some you might never have heard of!

Included: Safari vehicle with expert driver-guide, all meals, game drives, Mara River Post           

Day 8: Drive to the Mara River

In the afternoon, your driver-guide will take you to Mara River Post, your home for the next two nights. You’ll stay in an ensuite safari tent with a veranda offering unbroken views over the savannah. The main camp sits on a raised platform, with a gorgeous swimming pool that looks out over the Mara River.

Included: Safari vehicle with expert driver-guide, all meals, game drives, Mara River Post             

Day 9: Mara River   

Located in the northern Serengeti, from mid July the great migration herds traditionally head north towards the beautiful Mara River.  Time this right and this area is known for some spectacular river crossings, where huge herds of wildebeast attempt to navigate the Mara River whilst avoiding local predators.  The river here carries water all year round, with elephants, crocodiles and hippos frequent visitors.

Included: Safari vehicle with expert driver-guide, all meals, game drives                              

Day 10: Fly to Zanzibar

After breakfast, you’ll be driven to Kogatende airstrip and fly (via Arusha) to Zanzibar. Leaving the wilderness by small plane is an unforgettable experience in itself, with incredible views over the African bushland. You might even need to clear the zebra off the airstrip before take off! A picnic lunch will be provided during the journey. On arrival in Zanzibar, you’ll be met at the airport and driven to your hotel, checking in for seven nights.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, internal flights, 4* hotel                 

Days 11 - 16: Zanzibar        

The next few days are free for you to relax, soak up the tropical sunshine and swim in the clear turquoise waters from the resort’s private beach. If you’re keen to explore, you can book a snorkelling expedition or take a trip to Jozani Forest. All meals and drinks are included, and the resort specialises in fresh organic food with a traditional Tanzanian vibe.

Included: Breakfast, 4* hotel     

Day 17: Depart Zanzibar    

Today, you’ll be collected from your resort and driven to the airport in time to catch your flight home to the UK.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, international flights       

Day 18: Arrive UK