Day 1: Welcome to Uganda!

Your driver/guide will pick you up from Entebbe airport to your hotel . This is where your Mgahinga Walking Safaris  driver/ guide will find you tomorrow morning for the start of your tour after a good breakfast.

Depending on the time of your arrival, you might be able to explore the area. There are many options in Entebbe and easily organized through the reception of ViaVia Guesthouse. For example a visit to the Botanical gardens or the Ugandan Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC). Please note, all activities and transportation for today are at your own cost.

Journey Time	60
Accommodation	As listed in the programme.
Meal Plan	No meals included

Day 2: Fort Portal/ Kibale Forest

Today, you will undertake the journey to green Kibale Forest. The drive is incredibly scenic, passing through tea plantations and the lush green countryside which characterizes so much of Uganda. On arrival at the forest, you will enter a completely different world… some serious monkey business!

Kibale Forest National Park lies just outside the colonial town of Fort Portal and is made up of dense tropical rainforest. This park is considered one of the big highlights of Uganda due to some serious monkey business going on here. A big number of primates residing can be found here and particularly a visit to one of the habituated chimpanzee groups is a very memorable experience. The rare red colobus as well as the black and white colobus, red tailed monkey, olive baboon, the blue Monkey and l’hoest’s monkeys are also regularly seen here. Where would you find a better spot to experience encounters with nature; smelling the forest and listening to the many sounds. Your safari tent or cottage is surrounded by lush green diversity filled with countless bird species and butterflies.

 

 

Journey Time	6 hours
Accommodation	Rweteera Safari park
Meal Plan	Bed and breakfast.

 

 

 

Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking

Chimpanzees share 98% of human genes making them our closest living relatives. They are found in 21 countries throughout Africa, but are most easily sighted in Uganda due to their dense populations. Today, in Uganda, there are approximately 5,000 chimpanzees left in the wild. the Chimpanzee Trekking experience here is done on several well maintained walking trails. There is also a wonderfully diverse concentration of other primates, more than any other forest in East Africa, in fact. Besides our delightful cousins, the chimpanzees, you can find red colobus, red-tailed guenon, white-nosed monkey, gray-cheeked mangabey, blue monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey, and the black and white colobus monkey. In addition, you may see olive baboons, bush babies and nocturnal pottos.

The aim for your trekking through the jungle uynder the care of professional guide, it 1 hour of eye to eye contact with the chimpanzees. We can however cannot guarantee 100% for you to see them as they are still wild animals, nevertheless your chances are very good.

 

In the late afternoon you will take a scenic route to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Your accommodation for the coming two nights is Marafiki Safari Lodge.

Marafiki Safari Lodge is set in a unique location and has been designed using local materials fitted by artisans from the local community. This lodge offers private safari tents on raised wooden floors with canvas walls, which can be rolled up. You can sit comfortably when watching the savannah plains with breath taking views across the park, the Rwenzori- and Virunga mountains. With an en-suit open-air shower, you can experience an African sunrise properly or shower in the moonlight under the stars. Enjoy your delicious meals (made with fresh and local produce)on the restaurant veranda or next to the campfire. There is a new swimming pool which really invites for a refreshing dip in between game drives on a sunny day in this beautiful setting.

Journey Time	3-4 hours
Accommodation	Marafiki  Safari Lodge
Meal Plan	Breakfast, lunch & dinner

 

 

Day 4: Park Game Drive & Boat Safari

After an early breakfast, you go for a long game drive in time to see the sun rise. The morning is the best time for a game drive as the African animal kingdom tends to me most active when during the golden hours of the first sunlight touching the savannah. You will continue the search for all the wildlife; elephant, buffalo, lion, waterbuck, leopard, uganda kob, warthog and do not forget about the birds and the primates.

 

After lunch, you will take a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel. Here, you will see a lot of hippos (more than you can possibly imagine!), as well as a variety of other animals which come to the waterhole to drink or bathe. You can expect to see: Buffalo, Crocodile, bathing Elephant, and a range of beautiful birds. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your tour.

After the boat-safari you game drive back to the lodge

Journey Time	Depending on the game drive
Accommodation	Marafiki  Safari lodge
Meal Plan	Breakfast, lunch, dinner

 

Optional activity: Lion Tracking
For visitors who yearn to get up close to wild African fauna, a research trip is a rewarding adventure. This unique experience allows visitors to actively participate in monitoring some of lions in the park, using locator devices and learn habituation calls, as well as monitoring weather, surroundings and behavior

For visitors who yearn to get up close to wild African fauna, a research trip is a rewarding adventure. This new and unique experience allows visitors to actively participate in monitoring some of the exotic birds and mammals that fill the park, using locator devices and learn habituation calls, as well as monitoring weather, surroundings and behavior. The results are added to researchers’ databases, contributing valuable information to the overall understanding of wildlife ecology – and helping to conserve this wonderful ecosystem.

The experiential tourism activities currently available are Mongoose Tracking, Lion Tracking, Hippo Census, and Bird Counts. The number of people on each outing is limited in order to reduce stress on the animals and to increase the quality of the experience for visitors.

Experiential tours lasts between one and three hours. They usually take place in the early morning or evening, or occasionally at night. All activities must be booked through the Visitor Information Centre in Mweya at least 24 hours in advance.

 

For visitors who yearn to get up close to wild African fauna, a research trip is a rewarding adventure. This new and unique experience allows visitors to actively participate in monitoring some of the exotic birds and mammals that fill the park, using locator devices and learn habituation calls, as well as monitoring weather, surroundings and behavior. The results are added to researchers’ databases, contributing valuable information to the overall understanding of wildlife ecology – and helping to conserve this wonderful ecosystem.

The experiential tourism activities currently available are Mongoose Tracking, Lion Tracking, Hippo Census, and Bird Counts. The number of people on each outing is limited in order to reduce stress on the animals and to increase the quality of the experience for visitors.

Experiential tours lasts between one and three hours. They usually take place in the early morning or evening, or occasionally at night. All activities must be booked through the Visitor Information Centre in Mweya at least 24 hours in advance.

 

Costing: $85 us dollar p.p. (please sign up when making your booking)

Optional activity: Kyambyra Gorge
The spectacular Kyambura Gorge, also called the “Valley of Apes”, is located in the eastern corner of Queen Elizabeth. The landscape is among the most impressive you will find in Uganda. Enter into the Gorge and you will be marveled by the verdant, rich Tropical Rain-forest right close to the Equator crossing.  The gorge is another world on its own. You can make a wonderful hike here looking for chimpanzees. Chances of seeing chimps are only 50% and that is why we rather call it a nature walk. Don’t miss it; the gorge is simply amazing!

For visitors who yearn to get up close to wild African fauna, a research trip is a rewarding adventure. This new and unique experience allows visitors to actively participate in monitoring some of the exotic birds and mammals that fill the park, using locator devices and learn habituation calls, as well as monitoring weather, surroundings and behavior. The results are added to researchers’ databases, contributing valuable information to the overall understanding of wildlife ecology – and helping to conserve this wonderful ecosystem.

The experiential tourism activities currently available are Mongoose Tracking, Lion Tracking, Hippo Census, and Bird Counts. The number of people on each outing is limited in order to reduce stress on the animals and to increase the quality of the experience for visitors.

Experiential tours lasts between one and three hours. They usually take place in the early morning or evening, or occasionally at night. All activities must be booked through the Visitor Information Centre in Mweya at least 24 hours in advance.

 

For visitors who yearn to get up close to wild African fauna, a research trip is a rewarding adventure. This new and unique experience allows visitors to actively participate in monitoring some of the exotic birds and mammals that fill the park, using locator devices and learn habituation calls, as well as monitoring weather, surroundings and behavior. The results are added to researchers’ databases, contributing valuable information to the overall understanding of wildlife ecology – and helping to conserve this wonderful ecosystem.

The experiential tourism activities currently available are Mongoose Tracking, Lion Tracking, Hippo Census, and Bird Counts. The number of people on each outing is limited in order to reduce stress on the animals and to increase the quality of the experience for visitors.

Experiential tours lasts between one and three hours. They usually take place in the early morning or evening, or occasionally at night. All activities must be booked through the Visitor Information Centre in Mweya at least 24 hours in advance.

 

Costing: $50 us dollar p.p. (please sign up when making your booking)

Day 5: To Lake Mutanda/ Bwindi Forest

Today you drive to Kisoro in the south-western part of Uganda; close to the borders with Rwanda and Congo. You cross a beautiful part of the country often referred to as ‘the Switzerland of Africa’. You will see a great country-side, bamboo forest and have great views over the Virunga Mountains.

For lunch you will stop at a local restaurant on the road (inclusive).

Mutanda Lake Resort offers one of the best views in Uganda! Perched on a peninsula in Lake Mutanda, isolated in the shadow of the Virunga Mountain Range, this lodge offers comfortable accommodation in a very unique corner of the country. Their cuisine is listed amongst the best in Uganda. Situated between Kisoro town, Mgahinga and Bwindi National Parks the Resort makes a perfect base for a gorilla trekking, volcano hikers, bird lovers as well for those looking for a secluded magical place in nature. Don’t forget to take your chance to dip in the lake as it’s Bilharzia free, so safe to swim, peddle board or canoe amongst the locals going about their daily business on the lake! The sunset scenes are spectacular so make sure to be on one of the verandas (with a sundowner drink in hand) at that time.

From here you will departure tomorrow for the gorilla tracking!

 

Journey Time	7 hours
Accommodation	Mutanda  Lake Resort
Meal Plan	Breakfast, dinner

 

 

Day 6: Gorilla Tracking

Today is the big day… prepare yourself for an encounter with one of Bwindi’s gentle giants: the rare mountain gorilla. For most people this is the absolute highlight of their tour in Uganda.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a highlight for many visitors as this is where they will be visiting the home of the gentle giants. The park lies in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley. Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests lies on the mist-covered hillsides. This magnificent forest dates back over 25,000 years, even surviving the last Ice Age (most forests disappeared). Bwindi forest has an incredible diversity of flora and fauna and is the only forest in Africa which can make claim to host both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. In fact, half the worlds’ population of gorillas live here divided over nine habituated family groups. Also 5 other primate species, 120 species of mammal, over 220 butterflies and 360 birds species call Bwindi home. This it THE place to see the critically endangered mountain gorillas up close for your very own ‘Gorillas in the Mist’ moment.

 

 

The gorillas you will trek belong to one of nine family groups who can tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day. Your trek will be an exciting (for some also challenging) journey along forested (sometimes slippery) slopes, entwined vines, bushes and bamboo before you eventually reach the gentle giants. En-route, your guide will point out signs of previous gorilla activity. Think of dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots. The time to complete the gorilla trekking can can be as little as 2 hours to as much as 7 hours! Once the the family of gorillas has been located, you will be allowed a maximum of one hour observing them. Coming face-to-face with a the mountain gorillas is a truly humbling and emotional experience. This is a fantastic part of your tour you will definitely remember for the rest of your life.

Journey Time	1 – 1,5 hours to starting point
Accommodation	Mutanda  Lake Resort
Meal Plan	Breakfast, Packed Lunch & Dinner

 

 

 

 

Day 8: Flight to Tanzania VIA KIGALI RWANDA

Note: These flights only depart on Mondays – Wednesdays – Fridays – Sundays. If the airline decides to change the flight times and/or days you might need to spend another night in Kigali at an additional cost. The cost of this flight is included in the price however prices are subject to change.

 

On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport your Tanzanian driver will pick you from the airport and transfer you to Ilboru Safari Lodge; a pleasant lodge with a beautiful garden and swimming pool. Harmoniously woven into the surrounding African landscape, Ilboru Safari Lodge rests at the base of the majestic Mt. Meru. Stay comfortably in your private bungalow reminiscent of a traditional Swahili ‘boma’.

Journey Time	4 hours to Kigali, 1 hour to Arusha
Accommodation	Ilboru  Safari lodge
Meal Plan	Breakfast

Day 9: Lake Manyara N.P.

After an early breakfast you game drive out of the park and travel to ‘Mto Wa Mbu’. The bustling farming community of Mto Wa Mbu is home to around 18,000 people. On this walk you’ll discover a side of Tanzania many visitors miss out on. A melting pot of cultures; Mto Wa Mbu is thought to be one of the only places in Tanzania where there are representatives from all 120 tribes living happily side by side. During your visit you’ll get a good feel for the social side of the village – the farms and the milling machines, the schools, markets and churches. You’ll likely visit the village banana plantation as well as a youth art project, and a wood workshop where you can watch skilled Makonde tribe members carve intricate figurines, masks and household objects.

 

 

Lake  Manyara National Park is one of Tanzania’s smaller and most underrated parks. It may lack the size and variety of other northern-circuit destinations, its’ vegetation is diverse and beautiful. There are 11 ecosystems, ranging from savannah to marshland to the only evergreen rainforest in Tanzania. You find baboons and other interesting animals in the forest, whereby the lake you may find flamingos (outside rainy season), pelicans and other water birds. Birders absolutely love Lake Manyara National Park as the big lake provides opportunities to spot over 300 species of migratory birds. The park supports one of the highest densities of large mammals in the world. The high chance to see elephant families moving through the forest as well as Lake Manyara’s famous tree-climbing lions are reason enough to be excited for a visi.

Your accommodation for tonight is the Manyara Wildlife Camp, situated in the rolling grasslands. All rooms have large beds, en-suite bathroom and a private balcony. Against the dramatic angles of the Rift Valley Escarpment and overlooking Lake Manyara, this camp stands out. The renowned restaurant caters to all tastes, and the full-service sports bar, upstairs lounge house (with flat screen tv) and infinity swimming pool are available for your ultimate enjoyment as well.

Journey Time	2 hours to Mto wa Mbu
Accommodation	Manyara  Wildlife Safari Camp
Meal Plan	Breakfast, local lunch, dinner

 

 

Day 10: The Serengeti

A Tanzania tour is not complete without safari in the most famous safari park in the world: Serengeti National Park. This park hosts the most extensive population of wild animals on earth and has a complex and untouched ecosystem. Serengeti means “endless plains” in the language of the Maasai, a description that the Serengeti completely lives up to. Even the (long) drive towards your accommodation is one continuous safari! The park is usually described as divided into three regions: Serengeti plains, Western corridor and Northern Serengeti. The latter is where we can witness wildebeest and zebra migrating in their millions during the Great Migration, following the ancient rhythm of Africa’s seasons. This is one of the most impressive natural events in the world. No matter which part of the park and in which season you visit, very few people forget their first encounter with the Serengeti!

 

After the incredible impressions of the Serengeti, you drive to your accommodation for a delicious diner and a good night’s sleep.
Named after the distinctive Tortilis tree of the Serengeti, this tented camp combines comfort with the real Africa safari experience. With the great comfort of kingsize beds, luxurious decoration and bathroom facilities in the safari tents, you will feel right at home in the middle of the Serengeti. In the dining tent the chefs will prepare your bush meal with a bit of magic for extra delight. Before you crawl into bed, take a moment in their lounge or wind down with a sunset at the fireplace. Dine, sleep and relax knowing the best of Africa’s natural wonders is gently knocking on your door.

Journey Time	2 hours to the park entrance
Accommodation	Tortilis Camp
Meal Plan	Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner

Day 11: Game drives in Serengeti National Park

Early in the morning you leave your accommodation for a full day safari! This is when Africa can reveals its cool side, so you should wrap up warm for the start of your day. Your guide will bring you as close as possible to the wildlife. Few predators hunt during the heat of the day, so the early morning is the best time to observe the thrill of the chase. It is also a magical time, with the subtle light dappling the landscape, the birds awakening and the sense of a great adventure beginning to unfurl. You visit the heart of the Serengeti, Seronera Valley. This valley is often termed as the ‘classic’ Serengeti; short grass plains with all different kind of wild animals ranging from the impressive lion to the naughty mongoose. These full day safaris are the best way to see the full range of what this magnificent park has to offer.

 

 

We will find you a nice picnic spot to enjoy your packed lunch and then you continue your safari back to Tortilis Camp where you have an excellent dinner and some time to relax.

Tired but satisfied, you go to bed with dreams of Serengeti plains!

Accommodation	Tortilis  Camp
Meal Plan	Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner

 

Optional activity: Hot Air Balloon Safari Serengeti:

Float in a hot air balloon over the famous Serengeti National Park with its enchanting scenery. This may be the most beautiful area in the world for a balloon flight. There are no power lines, fences and few roads. Your Balloon Safari adventure starts early morning when you depart your lodge or camp. It is still dark and you may be fortunate to see nocturnal animals on the way to the launch site. When you arrive, you will meet your pilot and witness your balloon being inflated and prepared for launch.The capacity is limited making this experience a special and exclusive one. The balloon safari is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on the weather conditions. You will end this excursion in style with a champagne bush breakfast in the middle of the park!

Costing: $500 us dollar p.p.

 

 

 

Day 12: Game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater

Today you enjoy a game drive on your way en-route out of the beautiful Serengeti and continue to the Ngorongoro Crater. In the afternoon, you will have a game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater! This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a unique biosphere which has remained virtually unchanged since the dawn of time. There are very few places in the world where you can find such a large population of wildlife throughout the year. Deep within the crater, enclosed by towering walls, you have a good chance of spotting ‘The Big 5’: lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard. Other wildlife includes serval cat, cheetah, jackal, Grant’s and Thompson’s gazelle, flamingo and bat-eared foxes, as well as approximately 400 species of colourful birds

 

After this great experience, you will go to your accommodation for tonight. Country Inn Lodge Karatu is located on the outskirts of Karatu, a quaint country town on the Great Escarpment, in the centre of Northern Tanzania’s green belt district and farming community. The lodge symbolizes simple country comforts, providing beautiful lodging in the heart of Tanzania’s rich and scenic highlands. The rooms are tastefully furnished with soft lighting, inviting and comfortable beds and mosquito netting. After your safari you can enjoy a refreshing dip in the swimming pool or relax on your verandah. On chilly nights, request your fireplace be lit and return from dinner to glowing warmth, you have never slept better!

Accommodation	Country Lodge  Karatu
Meal Plan	Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner

 

Upgrade to Ngorogoro Sopa Lodge

To have the unique experience of sleeping on the crater rim of the Ngorogoro crater you can choose to upgrade and sleep in Ngorogoro Sopa Lodge. This luxury lodge facing the always magnificent sunsets to the west, and located at the highest point on Ngorongoro crater’s entire rim, Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge stands well over half a kilometer above the crater floor and offers unparalleled views across this enormous caldera. This optional upgrade costs: US$ 140 per person per night sharing.

 

 

 

Day 13: Departure or Holiday extention

Today is unfortunately the last day of your trip with Mgahinga Walking Safaris! Depending on the time of your international flight you can decide to do an optional activity.

Optional activity Ngorogoro highlands walk: US$ 50 per person
This 1,5 to 2 hour activity will be guided by an armed ranger. The rugged and beautiful Ngorongoro Highlands offers one of the finest blends of culture, landscapes and wildlife in Tanzania. The best way to experience the highlands is no doubt on foot. It’s diverse landscapes consisting of elevated volcanoes and craters, forests and vast grassy plains offers a remarkable experience for those hiking through this area. Hikers will experience first-hand how the Maasai people, who inhabit these highlands and the wildlife, coexist. This excursion gets you close to nature in a different way than from a safari vehicle and allows you the chance to get an authentic taste of the local culture at the same time.

Your driver/guide will take care of your transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport. If you are not ready to go home, you can extend your tour to the tropical island on the Swahili coast! Ask Mgahinga walking safaris for more info at info@mgahingawalkingsafaris.com

Journey Time	5 hours
Accommodation	Not included
Meal Plan	Breakfast

 

 

BEST OF EAST AFRICA

 

 

 

This package gives the best highlights of both countries from the friendliest people of Uganda to Gorilla trekking and Chimpanzee trekking. Tanzania is famous big population of predators across the globe. You are doing game drives in Ngorongoro crater, Serengeti and Lake Manyara national park.

ITENARY

D1: Arrival to Tanzania (Arusha)

D2: Game drive in Lake Manyara national park

D3: Arrival in Serengeti, game drive

D4: Full day game drive in Serengeti national park

D5: Game drives Serengeti and Ngorongoro

D6: Airport transfer to Uganda ( Entebbe)

D7: Arriva to Uganda

D8: Travel to Kibale forest national park

D9:  Chimpanzee trekking to queen Elizabeth national park

D10: Game drive and Boat Cruise to Kazinga channel

D11: To Bwindi Impenetrable forest

D12: Golirra Trekking

D13: Drive back to Entebbe airport