12 Days Uganda Rwanda and Tanzania Safari

This 12-day Uganda Rwanda and Tanzania Safari combines primate trekking, savannah game drives, lake scenery, and classic northern Tanzania wildlife viewing in one multi-country East Africa itinerary. The journey starts in Uganda with chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park, wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park, a Kazinga Channel boat cruise, and relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi before crossing into Rwanda for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. The safari then continues from Kigali to Tanzania, where you fly to Northern Serengeti for wildebeest migration-focused game drives before exploring Central Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. This itinerary is suitable for travellers who want one safari combining chimpanzees, mountain gorillas, tree-climbing lions, lake landscapes, Serengeti plains, big cats, migration areas, and crater wildlife without separating Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania into different trips.

Safari Highlights

• Pick-up from Entebbe, Kampala
• Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park
• Morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
• Ishasha game drive with chances of seeing tree-climbing lions
• Relaxation and boat experience on Lake Bunyonyi
• Border crossing from Uganda to Rwanda through Cyanika Border
• Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
• Optional Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village experience
• Kigali city tour and Kigali Genocide Memorial visit
• Flight from Kigali to Tanzania, arranged separately
• Domestic flight from Arusha to Kogatende Airstrip
• Full day game drive in Northern Serengeti
• Game drive in Central Serengeti
• Visit Olduvai Gorge on the way to Ngorongoro
• Half-day Ngorongoro Crater game drive
• Drop-off in Arusha or at the airport

 Detailed Itinerary

Day 1, Transfer from Entebbe or Kampala to Kibale Forest National Park

Upon arrival or from your confirmed location in Entebbe or Kampala, you will be met by your safari driver guide. After a short briefing, you will start the drive to Kibale Forest National Park in western Uganda. The journey takes you through towns, countryside, tea growing areas, and scenic landscapes around the Fort Portal region, with stopovers for lunch and stretching depending on your departure time. On arrival in the late afternoon, you will check in at your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay. Accommodation: Mid-range, Chimpanzee Forest Lodge, Luxury, Primate Lodge Kibale. Meal plan: Lunch and dinner

Day 2, Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, you will drive to Kibale Forest National Park headquarters for a briefing about chimpanzee trekking rules and forest safety. After the briefing, you will enter the forest with ranger guides and start trekking in search of chimpanzees in their natural habitat. The trek can take about 2 to 5 hours depending on chimpanzee movement and the location of the group. Once the chimpanzees are found, you will spend one hour observing them as they feed, move, call, groom, and swing through the forest canopy. After trekking, you will meet your safari driver guide and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. On arrival, check in at your lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation: Mid-range, Buffalo Safari Lodge, Luxury, Elephant Plains Lodge. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3, Morning Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

You will start the day with an early morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is a good time to search for wildlife before the day becomes hot. During the game drive, you may see elephants, lions, buffalos, antelopes, warthogs, Uganda kobs, and many bird species. With luck, leopards may also be seen. After the game drive, return to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation before lunch. In the afternoon, you will go for a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a waterway known for excellent wildlife viewing. During the cruise, you may see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffalos, and many water birds along the banks. After the boat cruise, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4, Ishasha Game Drive and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast, you will leave the lodge and drive through the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Ishasha is known for its tree-climbing lions, although sightings depend on wildlife movement and timing. You may also see elephants, buffalos, topis, antelopes, and other wildlife during the en route game drive. After the Ishasha experience, continue towards Lake Bunyonyi in southwestern Uganda, with lunch along the way. On arrival, check in at your lodge and enjoy the lake views, cool climate, and relaxed atmosphere. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the lodge. Accommodation: Mid-range Bunyonyi Arcadia Cottages, Luxury BirdNest Resort Bunyonyi. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5, Lake Bunyonyi Boat Trip and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, you will explore Lake Bunyonyi by boat. Lake Bunyonyi is located in southwestern Uganda near the Rwanda border and is known for its terraced hills, calm waters, and many islands. During the boat trip, you may visit selected islands, including Punishment Island, while learning about the lake’s history and local communities. After the boat experience, you will start the journey to Rwanda, crossing through Cyanika Border. You will continue to the Volcanoes National Park, arriving later in the day. On arrival, check in at your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation: Mid-range, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Luxury, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6, Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, you will transfer to Volcanoes National Park headquarters for the gorilla trekking briefing. The park officials and ranger guides will explain trekking rules, safety guidelines, and the gorilla family assigned to your group. After the briefing, you will enter the forest with ranger guides in search of mountain gorillas. The trek can take about 2 to 8 hours depending on the location and movement of the gorilla family. Once the gorillas are found, you will spend one hour observing them, taking photos, and learning about their behaviour in the forest. After trekking, return to the lodge for relaxation. In the afternoon or evening, you may visit Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village for Rwandan cultural performances, community interaction, and local crafts before returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7, Transfer to Kigali and Fly to Tanzania

After breakfast, you will start the drive to Kigali, a journey of about 2 to 3 hours depending on road conditions and border or route timing. On arrival, you will visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial and other selected city sites, depending on your flight schedule. After lunch, you will be dropped off at Kigali International Airport for your flight to Tanzania. This regional flight is booked separately unless stated otherwise in the final quotation. On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, your Tanzania driver guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Arusha for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation: Mid-range, Tulia Boutique Hotel, Luxury, Gran Melia Arusha. Meal plan
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8, Fly from Arusha to Northern Serengeti

After an early breakfast, you will transfer to Arusha Airport for your scheduled domestic flight to Kogatende Airstrip in Northern Serengeti. Flight times depend on the operating schedule confirmed at the time of booking. On arrival at Kogatende Airstrip, your Serengeti safari driver guide will meet you and start an en route game drive as you continue towards your lodge. Northern Serengeti is known for open plains, riverine areas, big cats, elephants, giraffes, buffalos, zebras, wildebeests, and seasonal migration movement around the Mara River. After lunch at the lodge, you may relax or go for an afternoon game drive depending on time and your preference. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the lodge. Accommodation: Mid-range, Mara River Lodge, Luxury Mara Mara Tented Lodge. Meal plan
Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9, Full Day Wildebeest Migration Safari in Northern Serengeti

After breakfast, you will leave the lodge with a packed lunch for a full day game drive in Northern Serengeti. This region is one of the most important areas for wildebeest migration viewing when the herds move towards the Mara River, especially during the dry season months. Your guide will follow the best routes based on recent sightings, road conditions, and herd movement. During the game drive, you may see wildebeests, zebras, lions, cheetahs, hyenas, elephants, buffalos, giraffes, antelopes, hippos, and crocodiles near the river. If conditions are right, you may witness migration activity around the Mara River, but river crossings are natural events and cannot be guaranteed. You will have your packed lunch in the park and continue with afternoon game viewing before returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 10, Transfer to Central Serengeti and Full Day Game Drive

After breakfast, you will check out with a packed lunch and drive towards Central Serengeti with en route game viewing. The route gives you more time in the Serengeti plains as you move from the northern sector towards the central region. Central Serengeti is known for its open savannah, kopjes, predator activity, and strong year-round wildlife viewing. During the game drive, you may see lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, elephants, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, antelopes, and many bird species. Later in the evening, check in at your booked lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation: Mid-range, Serengeti Heritage Tented Camp, Luxury, Melia Serengeti Lodge. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 11, Morning Game Drive in Serengeti and Transfer to Ngorongoro

After breakfast, you will go for a morning game drive in Central Serengeti. This gives you another opportunity to search for wildlife across the plains before leaving the park. You may see lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, giraffes, elephants, antelopes, zebras, wildebeests, and other wildlife. After your picnic lunch, you will transfer towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area with an en route visit to Olduvai Gorge, one of East Africa’s important archaeological sites. You will continue to your lodge, arriving later in the day for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation: Mid-range, Hhando Coffee Lodge, Luxury, Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 12, Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive and Transfer to Arusha

After breakfast, you will leave the lodge with a packed lunch and descend into Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day game drive. The crater floor offers excellent wildlife viewing in a compact area, with chances to see lions, elephants, buffalos, zebras, wildebeests, hyenas, hippos, gazelles, and black rhinos. You may also visit Lake Magadi, a shallow alkaline lake that attracts flamingos and other bird species depending on water and feeding conditions. After the game drive and lunch, you will ascend from the crater and drive to Arusha. On arrival, your driver guide will drop you off at your advised location, Arusha Airport, or Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight. This marks the end of your 12 Days Uganda Rwanda and Tanzania Safari. Meal plan: Breakfast and lunch

Inclusions and Exclusions

Inclusions

• Pick-up and drop-off
• Transfers during the safari
• Domestic flight from Arusha to Serengeti
• Uganda chimpanzee trekking permit
• Rwanda gorilla trekking permit
• Park entry fees in all listed parks
• Ngorongoro Crater fees
• Accommodation and meals
• 4×4 safari vehicles with pop-up roofs
• English-speaking safari driver guides
• Bottled drinking water during the safari

Exclusions

• International flights
• Regional flight from Kigali to Tanzania
• Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Tips for driver guides, lodge staff, rangers, and porters
• Optional activities
• Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, and beverages