10 Days Gorillas and Zanzibar Safari

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe

Meet and greet our driver guide at Entebbe international airport, located at the shores of Lake Victoria; the world’s third largest freshwater lake. This is the first scenery that ushers you to “the pearl of Africa”.  You will get sorted with the immigration office, and then join your guide who with a great smile and amazing stories will accompany you to your lodge for check-in and refreshment.

If there is anything you need to buy, or know; your guide will gladly offer a tour around the vibrant Kampala city; Uganda’s oldest capital and trade hub. Visit the historical monuments, craft village, coffee shops and the shopping malls. The night life is so vibrant that taking about 3 hours in the happening places around town is a bonus to your experience. End this day with an overnight stay at your Hotel after dinner.

Day 2: Transfer to Bwindi

After breakfast, you will check-out of your hotel for a transfer to the southwestern part of Uganda. This road trip lasts for approximately 8-9 hours; with views of the rolling hills, plantations, busy towns, and more. The driver guide will explain to you the different attractions at the route, tell stories of the African culture, and keep you engaged.

There is an enroute stopover at the independence monument for Lunch, and to watch the experiment done at the imaginary line that divides the earth into two; the northern and the southern Hemisphere. Bwindi impenetrable forest national park was upgraded to a national park status in 1991, to protect the primates and the forest cover. There are over 19 mountain Gorilla families spread in the four sectors of the park (Ruhija, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Buhoma). You will drive to one of the four sectors and check-in to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 3: Gorilla trekking and Batwa Pygmies

At daybreak, you will have a cup of coffee. Thereafter, transfer to the park headquarters for a pretrekking briefing and document verification. This is done at 07:00 hours for about 30 minutes, with the ranger guides explaining the trekking dos and don’ts, assigning you a gorilla family to trek, and accompanying to the Jungle. You will first visit the place where the Apes where last spotted, following the bent tree branches and broken leaves. The hiking pace is set by the Apes, and it can take up to 8 hours to find them. Good news is this tiresome hike is rewarded with the encounter of other park residents such as birds, monkeys, forest mammals, and the knowledge of the plants and their importance to Mankind. Upon finding your cousins, there is an hour for photography, relaxation and to watch the King of the Jungle-the silverback; his powerful movements and looks. The Gorillas have an over 95% DNA similar to man, and a strong social life. They feed on vegetables, fruits and insects. 

After a one on one with the world’s strongest primate species, you will have Lunch, and thereafter return to the lodge for refreshment. What follows is an exciting entertainment by the Batwa pygmies; the former hunters and gatherers at the forest. At sunset, you will retire to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Bwindi to Arusha Tanzania

Today starts with an early breakfast meal at the lodge. Thereafter, you will checkout for a transfer to Entebbe international airport for a late flight to Arusha Tanzania. On road, Bwindi impenetrable national park will take about 8-9 hour drive, with an enroute stopover for Lunch. You will keep your eyes on the plantation cover and other geographical features aligned on the route. Waving back to the natives is a show of love, before departing Uganda.

Upon reaching Entebbe international airport, you will have a chattered flight to Arusha International airport, where our company driver guide will meet and welcome you to the land of Kilimanjaro, Serengeti and Zanzibar. Transfer to your Hotel for dinner and a night stay over.

Day 5: Arusha city tour

Wakeup relaxed and for a cup of coffee. Thereafter, our tour guide will take you for a tour around the busy Arusha city. Visit the Historical, cultural and religious sights there is to explore around town. You will also have lunch in the city and then at sunset, call it a day by driving to the Hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Arusha has very friendly people, and you will spend with them, engaged in stories, city walks, Bargaining for Items, and more. Swahili is the commonly spoken Language around town, however English is one other language the people have mastered.

Day 6: Flight from Arusha to Zanzibar Island

At 11:00 hours, you will check-out of the lodge for a transfer to the airport for a flight to Zanzibar Island, located at the shores of the vast Indian Ocean. Dolphin tours, swimming, stone town tour and primate tour should be running in your minds right after Landing at the gateway of Tanzania. Zanzibar’s pristine white sand beaches are some of the best in the world, and without doubt offer the most conducive atmosphere for chilling.

When you land in Zanzibar, our company driver guide will gladly welcome you, and brief you on the expect code of conduct at the Island. Zanzibar Island is dominated by Islam religion, and decency is highly recommended. The driver guide will transfer you to the lodge for check-in, dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Stone town tour and primate treks in Jozani-Chwaka forest

After breakfast, you will go for a half day tour around stone town city. This place was the heart of slave trade In Africa in the 19s. Slaves from Africa to Europe were held captives here, and then sold to the rich Arabs and British business men. The dilapidated houses still stand, and you will be able to see while taking a walk around the streets. The prayers from the mosques should enable you understand the dominant faith here and the code of conduct expected of all persons there. Stone town features a combination of African, European and Asian ancient houses and art. Your tour guide will take you to the different attractions such as the Museums, former slave trade markets and the House of wonder. Lunch comes after words.  

After lunch, there will be a drive to Jozani – Chwaka national park. The afternoon primate trekking is from 15:00 hours, starting with a briefing session and two hours of seeing the different birds, reptiles, butterflies, flora and primates such as the rare red Colobus monkeys. You will discover how the park residents end their day, before returning to the lodge for dinner and a nap.

Day 8-9: Dolphin tour and beach experience

Your last two days in the island will be for engaging in what most people wish but miss; chilling by the quite white sand beaches of Zanzibar. The life of resting by the ocean shores; while taking in the cool lake breeze, reading a novel, Sippi some spirit and whispering to the African clouds. You will also have a half day dolphin tours, where you dive into the waters; to swim with the aquatic life such as the fish, dolphins, and more.

Lunch and dinner come on time, enough rest, and beach activities at peace. Make sure the camera is well charged for photography, because the stories created here will be worth telling on photos and paper.  Retire to bed when the body says so.

Day 10: Departure

On this day, you will have a relaxed breakfast meal at the lodge. Thereafter checkout for a transfer to Abeid Karume airport where you will connect to the next destination. All activities on this day are dependent on your flight time. What we recommend is doing some shopping around Arusha city as you get some souvenirs in remembrance of your 10 days outside home.

End of safari