Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Uganda & Tanzania Gorilla Trekking, Classic Safaris & Island Bliss
Uganda – Tanzania – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Ngorongoro Crater – Tarangire National Park – Zanzibar
Begin your walk on the wild side in Uganda, where the bird-fringed waters of Entebbe’s Mabamba Swamp give way to the unbridled excitement of the rainforest. The star players here are the gorillas, so best believe there’ll be an entire day dedicated to trekking them – eyes peeled.
After hopefully making some new furry friends (from a distance, of course), hop the border to Tanzania for back-to-back safaris in some of the country’s best landscapes, as well as a few under-the-radar gems. We’re talking about Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Park, both of which are yet to step out from under the shadow of the Serengeti.
Bucket list sightings ticked off, swap the mainland for the sun-drenched island of Zanzibar. Spend your time here between the old-worn charms of Stone Town on the west coast and the classic beach vibes of Paje on the east coast. Now that’s what you call top-tier post-safari R&R.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Passports at the ready – your trip to East Africa awaits. Head to the airport, breeze through security and graze on some nibbles in the lounge before boarding your flight to Uganda. The journey takes just over a day and connects through the Middle East, giving you plenty of time to chill while you’re in the air.
You’ll land in Entebbe, on Lake Victoria, the following morning. After collecting your bags and clearing customs, you’ll be privately transferred to your hotel to check in for an overnight stay. Freshen up and head straight back out to join forces with a local guide for a pirogue (a traditional, flat-bottomed boat) cruise through the Mabamba Swamp, in search of native shoebills. Reminiscent of the iconic dodo, these brazen birds flaunt foot-long bills and a standoffish stare.
Appetites whetted for the wildlife encounters to come, return to the streets of Entebbe for dinner and a good night’s sleep.
Tuck into a tasty breakfast this morning before hopping in a car for the private transfer to the airport, where you’ll catch a one-hour-and-15-minute flight to Bwindi. The star of the show here is, of course, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, one of Africa’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests.
After landing, meet your private driver-guide and check into a lovely lodge for the next two nights. Take some time to settle in, then stretch your legs on a stroll to the edge of Lake Mutanda, where you can watch canoes pass under the glow of the mid-afternoon sun.
Return to your lodge this evening to freshen up before your first dinner in the wilderness. Nothing beats a digestif backdropped by the sounds of calling birds and rustling leaves.
When in Bwindi, the name of the game is gorilla trekking. After breakfast, meet a local ranger to climb in a 4x4 and set off in search of these local legends.
An estimated 430 gorillas live in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – that's half the population of the entire species. Despite their imposing size (the tallest can measure six-and-a-half feet), these gorillas are mostly mild-tempered and unbothered by humans.
Delve into the lush landscape of Bwindi with your ranger and fellow trekkers today to try to track a group, referred to as a troop or a family, of these gorillas down. Eyes peeled and cameras poised...
Enjoy one last breakfast in Bwindi – and Uganda, for that matter – this morning. Then, pack up and load the car for your private transfer back to Entebbe’s airport, where you’ll catch a one-hour-and-15-minute flight to Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania.
At the airport, you’ll be greeted after landing by your private driver, who’ll whisk you away to your hotel for the night. The rest of the day is yours to spend unwinding before your next wildlife adventure, whether that means nursing a cocktail by the bar or cooling off with a dip in the pool.
Then, this evening, enjoy a hearty meal and an early night. Or, if there’s a Bongo Flava (Tanzanian music) concert in town, venture out to hear the sounds of local life in full swing. It would be rude not to.
Another day, another walk on the wild side. Meet your new driver-guide after breakfast to embark on the roughly two-and-a-half-hour journey to Lake Manyara, famed for its flamingo flocks.
Check in to your lakeside lodge around midday and indulge in some post-car-journey stretching. Then, limbered up, head back out for an afternoon of wildlife watching in Lake Manyara National Park, two-thirds of which is covered by water (hence the name).
Lace up your walking shoes and set off with your guide to start exploring. There’s a range of fabulous flora here, from floating water lilies to the classic East African baobab tree – well-deserving of its own photo.
Elsewhere on the lake, flamingos and pelicans gather, while in the surrounding landscape, wildebeests, southern hartebeests, zebras, gazelles, impalas, Cape buffalo and baboons await. Time to tick some more animal encounters off your bucket list.
Swap lakes for craters this morning as you’re privately transferred to Karatu, gateway to the iconic Ngorongoro Crater. The journey takes two hours, making road trip tunes a must – check out our destination-specific playlist if your music needs a refresh along the way.
When you arrive, head to your next lodge to check in for a one-night stay and drop your bags. Then, top up your SPF and reunite with your guide to set your sights on the UNESCO-listed Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Take to the ancient planes this afternoon for a safari across the Ngorongoro Crater. Spanning 12 miles in diameter, it’s the largest caldera in the world and is home to a wide range of flora and fauna. The showstoppers, though, are the white and black African rhinoceroses, perhaps better set apart by their less-flattering German names: Spitzmaulnashor (pointed-mouthed) and Breitmaulnashor (broad-mouthed).
Parks and reserves are not all Tanzania has to offer. See for yourself this morning on a tour of the market in Karatu, rubbing shoulders with the locals and weaving through the stalls as you’re immersed in the colour, noise and movement of this vibrant cultural centre.
Senses suitably scintillated, hop in the car for your private transfer to Tarangire National Park, one of the country’s lesser-visited safari gems. Check in for two nights and divvy up the sides of the bed before indulging in some downtime this afternoon. Until tomorrow, there’s nothing left to do but kick back and... relax.
Rise and shine – your next safari awaits. At dawn, don khakis for a day of wildlife spotting in Tarangire National Park. If there are any animals you haven’t seen yet, now’s the time to tick them off your bucket lists.
Set off in a 4x4 with your guide to roll through the park. A wooded savannah with little movement, Tarangire is home to (deep breath) elephants, zebras, giraffes, impalas, blue wildebeests, buffaloes, bushpigs, cape elk and kobs. There may also be a few lions lounging in the trees – don't forget to look up.
Bird lovers can also have their kicks, thanks to the range of species dotted throughout the park. Our favourites include yellow-collared lovebirds, parakeets, white-faced whistling ducks, red-billed hornbills, African marsh harriers and black-headed herons.
After a few hours spent lounging by the pool, venture back out at twilight to see another side of this nature-filled landscape. Then, it’s time to wine, dine and recline – pure bliss.
After back-to-back wildlife adventures, it’s about time you heeded the call of the coast. This morning, check out and buckle up for the two-hour drive back to Arusha airport, where you’ll board a one-hour-and-20-minute flight to the Zanzibar archipelago.
Arrive in Stone Town – the UNESCO-listed heart of Zanzibar City on Unguja Island – around mid-afternoon and check in for the next two nights. The rest of the day is free for you to spend as you please. If you’re raring to go, hit the streets for a casual wander; if you’re craving some R&R, simply kick back and enjoy the facilities at your hotel. Did someone say poolside cocktails?
Head out bright-eyed and bushy-tailed this morning to explore your buzzy new surroundings. Full of coral houses and sculpted doors, Stone Town is like a trip back in time.
Hit the ground running at the House of Wonders, the largest and tallest building in the city. After snapping a few shots here, visit the Old Fort, which – as per its name – dates back to the 17th century. Then, continue to Saint Joseph’s Cathedral, one of the most important historical sites in Stone Town, before rounding out your sacred sightseeing at Christ Church Cathedral.
After lunch, head to the brilliantly blue Old Dispensary, then nip into the People’s Palace Museum, whose rooms document Zanzibari traditions. Once you’re all historied out, delve into the criss-crossed alleys to observe local life and possibly nab a few souvenirs before dinner, which simply must be a seafood-centric affair.
Fuel up on a hearty breakfast this morning before packing up and heading east. The private transfer across the island takes just over an hour, so you’ll be beachside again in no time.
When you pull up to your next hotel, check in for three nights in the coastal village of Paje. The setup here is classic: white sand, turquoise water, lime-green palms – it's the kind of place that just begs you to nab a sun lounger and recline on the shore. So, after freshening up this afternoon, do just that.
Bronzed and blissful, return to your hotel to wash off the sand and prepare for dinner tonight. Likely to be on the menu: flavourful fish curries and mouth-watering meat dishes. Let’s dig in.
On the agenda today: beach, beach, beach. Grab a funky towel, slip on a pair of sandals, don your sunnies and take to the sand to nab a prime spot in front of the lapping waves. Bonus points if you send some envy-inducing photos of an umbrella-topped cocktail to friends and family back home.
Of course, if you fancy an adventure further afield, you could always head inland to visit Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park. Here, wild-haired Zanzibar red colobus monkeys can be observed in their natural habitat. Or, if you’d rather an aquatic adventure, you could also climb into a boat to sail out in search of dolphins. Whatever (excuse us) floats your boat.
What would an island escape be without some time on the water? We’d rather not know. So, this morning, climb aboard a private dhow (a traditional wooden sailing boat) to cruise through the Zanzibar archipelago with a local guide.
Your destination for the day is Pungume, a little – and little-known – island ideal for snorkelling. Don a mask to dive into the surrounding crystal-clear waters, which are chock-full of colourful fish.
Suitably wowed, resurface to set up shop on a serene strip of sand and tuck into a tasty picnic lunch. Once your food has settled, you can spend the rest of the afternoon swimming in the wonderfully warm waters offshore before returning to your hotel this evening to toast to a trip well spent over dinner.
Sadly, your adventure in East Africa comes to an end today. Eke out as much enjoyment as possible by luxuriating in a slow start this morning – maybe even squeezing in one last dip in the pool or wade into the ocean. Then, check out and head to the airport for your flight home.
The journey connects through mainland Africa and takes around 14 hours, so you’ll spend the night on board and arrive the following morning. In the meantime, you’ll have plenty of time to sit back, relax and start counting sheep (or, you know, Zanzibar red colobus monkeys).
Why visit Uganda with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Uganda
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
Why visit Tanzania with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Tanzania
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
