Overview
This safari pairs Tanzania’s great plains with Uganda’s rainforest. Spend five nights on the Northern Circuit — Tarangire, three nights in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater — then fly to south-western Uganda.
Trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi, take a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park and end with a night in Entebbe before your flight home.
Route
Highlights
- Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater
- Regional flight to Uganda
- Mountain gorilla trek (permit included)
- Kazinga Channel boat safari
- Savanna and rainforest in one trip
Activities
- Game drives
- Walking safaris (outside the park)
- Night drives in adjoining conservancies
- Hot-air balloon safari
- Walking safaris in concession areas
- Crater floor game drive
- Crater rim walk
- Olduvai Gorge museum
- Gorilla trekking
Day-by-day itinerary
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Day 1:
Tarangire National Park
TarangireYour guide collects you from your hotel in Arusha in the morning for the drive to Tarangire (about 2 hours). Game drive along the Tarangire River, where elephant families gather beneath giant baobab trees, and look for lions resting in the shade and colourful lovebirds in the acacias.
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Day 2:
Into the Serengeti
SerengetiAfter breakfast, continue by road from Tarangire to Serengeti (5–6 hours). Cross the Ngorongoro highlands and descend onto the Serengeti plains, passing Maasai herders and gazelle as the grassland opens out to the horizon. Game drive through the park to your camp, arriving for a sundowner and dinner beneath the stars.
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Day 3:
Serengeti Big Cat Country
SerengetiSpend the day exploring the Seronera valley, where the river attracts resident wildlife all year. Your guide will search the sausage trees for leopards and the granite kopjes for lion prides, and you may see cheetah hunting on the open plains.
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Day 4:
Following the Migration
SerengetiHead out with a picnic lunch to wherever the herds are grazing — on the southern plains during calving season, or towards the Grumeti and Mara rivers in the dry months. Watching thousands of wildebeest and zebra moving across the landscape is unforgettable.
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Day 5:
Ngorongoro Crater Descent
Ngorongoro CraterAfter breakfast, continue by road from Serengeti to Ngorongoro (3–4 hours). Descend 600 m into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day game drive on the caldera floor. Look for black rhino in the open grassland, lions resting near the Lerai forest and flamingos on Lake Magadi, with a picnic lunch beside the hippo pool before climbing back to the rim.
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Day 6:
Journey to Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable ForestAfter breakfast, begin your journey from Ngorongoro to Bwindi — a cross-border day of scheduled flights connecting through Arusha and Entebbe, with our team meeting you at every stage. Arrive at your lodge on the forest edge in time to hear the evening chorus of birds and the rainforest settling for the night.
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Day 7:
Mountain Gorilla Trek
Bwindi Impenetrable ForestAfter an early breakfast, report to the park headquarters for a briefing, then set off with rangers and trackers into the forest. The trek may take from one to several hours through steep, green terrain. When you find the gorillas, spend a magical hour watching the silverback, mothers and playful youngsters at close quarters — an experience few people ever forget.
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Day 8:
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National ParkAfter breakfast, continue by road from Bwindi to Queen Elizabeth NP (about 4 hours). In the afternoon, take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, passing pods of hippos, buffalo and elephants drinking at the water's edge, and an extraordinary number of waterbirds.
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Day 9:
Return to Entebbe
EntebbeAfter breakfast, continue by road from Queen Elizabeth NP to Entebbe (about 7 hours). Return to Entebbe on the shores of Lake Victoria for a final evening, with dinner overlooking the lake.
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Day 10:
Departure
EntebbeEnjoy a relaxed breakfast and, depending on your flight time, a last stroll or some souvenir shopping. Transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight. Safe travels — kwaheri until next time!
Meals: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner.
Accommodation
This itinerary is priced with mid-range accommodation. Every property is chosen for its location, guiding and service; final properties are confirmed at booking and we can upgrade or adjust any night.
- TarangireTented lodge on the park boundary1 night
- SerengetiPermanent tented camp in the central Serengeti3 nights
- Ngorongoro CraterFarm lodge set among coffee gardens in Karatu1 night
- Bwindi Impenetrable ForestForest lodge with gorilla-trek access2 nights
- Queen Elizabeth National ParkLodge with Rift Valley views near Mweya1 night
- EntebbeLakeside hotel in Entebbe1 night
Meals: Full board on safari; breakfast and dinner in cities and at the beach
What's included
Included
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and a professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Accommodation as listed (or similar, subject to availability)
- Meals as listed in the day-by-day itinerary
- All national park, reserve and conservation fees
- Arrival and departure airport transfers
- Bottled drinking water during the safari
- All government taxes and levies
- 24-hour in-country support from our Nairobi office
- Domestic and light-aircraft flights as described in the itinerary
- One mountain gorilla trekking permit per person (currently USD 800)
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Comprehensive travel insurance (required)
- Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
- Drinks other than drinking water, unless stated
- Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls and souvenirs
- Optional hot-air balloon flight (currently from around USD 450–600 per person)
- Optional porters on gorilla and chimpanzee treks (around USD 20 per trek)
Travel information
Best time to travel
Year-round, with location chosen by season: December–March in the south for calving; June–July in the west; July–October in the north for river crossings; Seronera is good at any time. Tanzania: June to October is the classic dry season, with excellent game viewing across all parks and migration river crossings in the northern Serengeti from July. Uganda: June to August and December to February are the driest months and the most comfortable for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking.
What to pack
- Neutral-coloured, lightweight clothing (khaki, olive, beige)
- A warm fleece or jacket for early mornings and evenings
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen
- Binoculars and a camera with spare batteries and memory cards
- Insect repellent and personal medication
- Soft-sided duffel bag — light aircraft allow around 15 kg per person
- Waterproof hiking boots and gaiters for forest treks
- Lightweight rain jacket
- Gardening gloves for gripping vegetation
- Long-sleeved shirt and long trousers
Experiences on this safari
Frequently asked questions
Is this a private safari?
Yes. This itinerary runs privately for your own group, with your own vehicle and guide. It can start on any date, and we can adjust the route, pace and accommodation to suit you.
What does the price include?
The guide price from USD 6,100 per person is based on two people sharing mid-range accommodation in the low season. It includes accommodation, the meals and activities listed, park fees and transfers. Prices vary by season and group size; we confirm an exact quote when you enquire.
Is there a luggage limit on the flights?
Yes. Light aircraft and some domestic flights allow around 15 kg per person including hand luggage, packed in soft-sided bags. We can store extra luggage for you.
When should I book my gorilla permit?
As early as possible — ideally three to six months ahead for June to September and December to February. We purchase permits as soon as you confirm your booking.
How many nights do I need in the Serengeti?
At least two, ideally three or more. The park is vast, and more time lets you explore different areas and follow the herds.
Gallery
Open image: Baobab trees in Tarangire National Park
Open image: African elephants in the Maasai Mara
Open image: Masai giraffes in Arusha National Park
Open image: Endless plains of Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Open image: Acacia-dotted grassland in the Serengeti
Open image: Zebra and wildebeest during the Serengeti migration
Open image: The rim of the Ngorongoro Crater
Open image: Black rhino on the floor of the Ngorongoro CraterEnquire about this safari
Every date is available on request. Tell us when you would like to travel and we will send a tailored quote — adjustments welcome.
