Uganda and Tanzania Overland

Day 1: Arrival Entebbe International Airport

Arrival at Entebbe airport where you’ll be met by your driver guide and transfer to Cassia Lodge for relaxation and overnight.
O/N Cassia Lodge (D)

Day 2: Kibale Forest National Park

Morning departure to Kibale Forest – a scenic drive passing through tea plantations and the lush green countryside which characterizes so much of Uganda. Short stop for lunch in the friendly town of Fort Portal before continuing to Kibale. On arrival at the forest, you will enter a completely different world… some serious monkey business! The forest is home to at least 12 primate species including: the Red Tailed Monkey, Olive Baboon, Black and White Colobus Monkey, and the Blue Monkey. The bird life in the forest is also prolific and includes the beautiful Great Blue Turaco. If lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the meandering herd of Forest Elephant. Relaxation at the camp – enjoy the view of the forest and its wildlife.
O/N Primate Lodge luxury tents (B, L, D)

Day 3: Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale Forest boasts the highest number of primate species in the world, including our delightful cousins, the Chimpanzees. Today, in Uganda, there are approximately 4,950 Chimps left in the wild, which makes it a perfect place to spot them! Head out on a chimpanzee trek accompanied by a ranger who will also point out the other species living in the forest, including birds, flora and fauna. In the afternoon you head out on a 2-3 hour swamp walk taking you through grassland, small communities and some beautiful scenery, the locals are likely to greet you with enthusiastic waves. It is usual to spot 3 or 4 different primate species during this walk, though the highlight is catching a glimpse of the Great Blue Turaco!
O/N Primate Lodge luxury tents (B, L, D)

Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Leisurely morning at the camp. After lunch, you will visit a nearby tea plantation (open: Monday-Saturday), where you will be able to assist the tea pickers, learn about how leaves are selected for the highest quality and perhaps even enjoy a cup of freshly brewed Ugandan tea. Then continue your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is Uganda’s second largest park and is located base of the majestic Rwenzori Mountain range, adjacent to Lake Edward and Lake George.
Game drive en route to the lodge located on the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park, overlooking the spectacular Kazinga Channel, which is often visited by Elephants and Hippos. Watch wildlife at the waterhole from your own private verandah and fall asleep to the roaring of Lions on the distant savannah.
O/N Bush Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Dawn game drives in time to see the sun rise – return to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation around 10.30am. After lunch you will head out on a boat trip along the Kazinga Channel. View the hippo’s from a close distance as well as a variety of other animals which come to the waterhole to drink or bathe. Return to the lodge late afternoon in time for sundowner drinks.
O/N Bush Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 6: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Morning game drives in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famed for its tree climbing lions. The lions have learned to climb the fig trees to escape the midday heat and if you’re lucky, you will see some sleepy lions relaxing in the branches. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush before starting the transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
O/N Silverback Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 7: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Today is the big day… Prepare yourself for an encounter with one of Bwindi’s gentle giants: the rare Mountain Gorilla. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest boasts both Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees – the only forest in Africa which can make this claim in fact. It also hosts five other species of primate, 113 species of mammal, over 200 butterflies and 360 birds. The Gorillas you will track belong to one of seven habituated family groups who can tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day. Your trek will be an exciting journey along forested slopes, entwined vines, bushes and bamboo before you eventually reach the Gorillas’ habitat. En-route, your guide will point out signs of previous Gorilla activity, including dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots.The time taken to track the Gorillas can take as little as half an hour to as much as 7 hours before one returns to camp! Once the Gorillas have been located, the group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. Coming face-to-face with a Mountain Gorilla is a truly humbling and emotional experience. This is a fantastic and privileged opportunity to get up close and personal with Uganda’s very own ‘Gorillas in the Mist’.
O/N Silverback Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 8: Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast you will head to Lake Bunyonyi the ‘Place of Little Birds’. The lake lies close to the border with Rwanda, and is thought of as one of the most beautiful places in western Uganda. It is the second deepest lake in Africa and also one of the few places in the country where it is considered safe to swim (as it is bilharzias free). The islands on the lake are wonderful for relaxing and simply immersing yourself in the natural beauty of your surroundings. The nearby hills and papyrus swamps offer many opportunities for bird watching and the shady Eucalyptus trees provide peaceful places to sit and read a book. Following lunch in the small town of Kabale, we will take a boat to one of the islands and settle into camp.
O/N Bushara Island (B, L, D)

Day 9: Lake Bunyonyi

Full day of relaxation, as day 8
O/N Bushara Island (B, L, D)

Day 10: Drive to Masaka

Morning departure to Masaka for your final night in Uganda before the flight to Tanzania tomorrow.
O/N Hotel Brovad (B, L, D)

Day 11: Enter Tanzania and Travel to Lake Victoria

Transfer through to Bukoba where you connect with your afternoon flight to Mwanza. Your Tanzanian driver guide will be waiting for you at the airport and transfer you to Speke Bay Lodge for relaxation and overnight.
O/N Speke Bay Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 12: Lake Victoria

A day of leisure before you start your Tanzania adventure. Head out on a traditional canoe and be rowed along the shoreline to a nearby village to explore the village on foot – return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. Late afternoon depart on a guided bird walk which gives you an opportunity to spot the many indigenous birds of this area. 

O/N Speke Bay Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 13: Serengeti National Park

Early breakfast at the lodge – then board your safari vehicle and start the drive towards Serengeti National Park. The park is teeming with Cheetahs, Leopards, Elephants, Lions, Ostriches and much, much more. Game drive en route to the permanent tented camp located in Seronera area – central Serengeti. Head out on a sunset drive or enjoy sundowner drinks at the camp.
O/N Serengeti Kati Kati Camp (B, L, D)

Day 14: Serengeti National Park

Optional: Early morning head out for a Balloon Safari – view the Serengeti plains from a hot air balloon. Champagne breakfast on the landing site.
Dawn drives of Serengeti NP, head over to the Rock Kopjes where you have good chances of seeing some of the cat families. Cheetah and lion use this giant rock out crops as observation posts, in your own time make your way back to the camp, sit back and enjoy a sundowner drinks over a Serengeti back drop.
O/N Serengeti Kati Kati Camp (B, L, D)

Day 15: Olduvai Gorge and Ngorongoro Crater

After an early breakfast via the Ngorongoro Conservation towards the famous Ngorongoro Crater. Stop at Olduvai gorge, the cradle of mankind for an informative talk about the early findings of hominid remains by the Leaky family – museum visit and picnic lunch before continuing up to the Ngorongoro Crater rim. Enjoy a game drive in the Ngorongoro crater before moving on to your overnight camp.
O/N Isoitok Camp Manyara (B, L, D)

Day 16: Maasai Cultural Experience

Isoitok Maasai Experience . Meet with your local Maasai guide who will introduce you to his village.

Get a better understanding of the natural medicines still used on a daily basis with a Maasai medicine

walk of the surrounding area. Then continue down to a Boma (mud dwelling) for an introduction into the

Maasai way of life, beliefs and rituals. Hot lunch in Camp before heading out on an late afternoon view point walk where you will soak up the beautiful views out over Lake Manyara while enjoying a cool drink and some snacks.

Freshen up and enjoy a real cultural experience around the fire place with traditional song and dance.
O/N Isoitok Camp Manyara (B, L, D)

Day 17: Tarangire National Park

After a leisurely breakfast depart to Tarangire. Continue on a morning game drive enroute to your accommodation. Enjoy a hot lunch while appreciating the views out across Tarangire. You can then either spend the afternoon relaxing or continue out for a game drive.
O/N Tarangire Safari Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 18: Tarangire National Park

Today you have the full day to enjoy the park with either morning and afternoon game drives and a hot lunch in camp OR go out for the full day taking a picnic lunch with you. OR just enjoy the full day or part of the day relaxing by the pool. 
O/N Tarangire Safari lodge (B, L, D)

Day 19: Departure from Tanzania

Back to Arusha, enjoy a hot lunch before continuing on to JRO airport, end of services. (B, L)