22 Days Uganda Tanzania Safari is an all-inclusive 21 nights/22days Uganda and Tanzania safari itinerary offering gorilla trekking, wildlife viewing, culture community tours & mountaineering adventure safari is a comprehensive East Africa Comprehensive Safari package featuring a great deal of active hiking like the 3 days Mount Rwenzori hiking, 6 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing, Sabyinyo Volcano climbing, Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park and hike to the top of Murchison Falls – the world’s powerful waterfall. Extensive wild game viewing including the Big five is well represented in this itinerary. Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Tanzania national parks like Lake Manyara National Park, and Serengeti National Park along with Ngorongoro Conservation Area present fascinating wild game viewing encounters, all put together to give you an unforgettable Tanzania safari of your life time.
The departure in Kampala is at 6:30 am after breakfast enjoying the scenic landscapes of central Uganda including the flat stretches of Nakasongora which has the flattest road section in the whole of Uganda. You branch off at Nakitoma driving 7km to the Ziwa Sanctuary headquarters for briefing and setting off for the Rhino trek. The sanctuary is the only home of the Rhino population in Uganda following their re-introduction in 2005 under the breed and re-stock program. This marks the beginning of the Big five exploration. Retreat from the activity and settle lunch at Kabalega dinner before proceeding to Murchison Falls National Park.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge / Bakers Lodge, Mid-range / Standard: Murchison River Lodge, Budget / Basic: Heritage Safari Lodge
The game drive commences at 7 am in the northern section of Murchison Falls National Park exploring the magical landscapes of this area dotted with a great count of wild games including; Elephants, Rothschild Giraffes, Buffaloes, Lions, Leopards, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Uganda Kob and the Oribis. The activity tends to last 3 – 4 hours after which you get back to the lodge for relaxation and lunch. Gather at Paraa jetty in the afternoon for a Nile launch cruise departing at 2 pm for a 3-hour ride to the bottom of the falls. The cruise offers possibilities of viewing Nile crocodiles, Shoe-bill stork, the Hippos along with the wild game drinking on the riverside like Rothschild Giraffes, Elephants, Water-bucks, Buffaloes, Uganda Kobs among others. Upon reaching the bottom of the falls, you embark on the hike to the top of the World’s powerful waterfall. The challenging hike brings along the magical sights and sounds of the Nile where it squeezes itself to pass through a less than 7m gorge before dropping 43m below the Devil’s Cauldron deriving a plume spray marked with a trademark rainbow. You join the driver and the vehicle on the top of the falls to transfer back to the lodge.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge / Bakers Lodge, Mid-range / Standard: Murchison River Lodge, Budget / Basic: Heritage Safari Lodge
Following breakfast, set off from Murchison Falls National Park to Kibale Forest National Park. It’s a long drive but offers remarkable views of the countryside landscape with a lunch stop at Hoima town. The local settlements and physical features make the journey rewarding.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Primate Lodge – Luxury Cottages, Mid-range / Standard: Kibale Forest Camp – Safari Tent, Budget / Basic: Rwenzori View Guesthouse
Following breakfast, you congregate at Kanyanchu Tourism Center for briefing at 8 am about the Chimpanzee trekking conduct. Kibale Forest standing as a tropical moist forest presents a soothing morning environment making the trek to the Chimpanzees exciting. The forest is home to 351 species of trees, 375 bird species along 13 species of primates. The eventual encounter with the Chimpanzees is set for one-hour offering opportunities to explore them as they feed, copulate, play, hunt, and make pant hooting calls among others. The whole activity can last between 2 – 5 hours. You walk back to the starting point and embark on the drive to Kasese where you will be welcomed by the fascinating views of Rwenzori Mountains – the legendary Mountains of the moon.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Equator Snow Lodge, Mid range / Standard: Ihamba Safari Lodge, Budget / Basic: Ruboni Community Camp
Following breakfast, you embark on the hike following the famous Mahoma trail. The trek takes you through the Kyambogho forest with the views of Mubuku Valley gaining possibilities of viewing Rare L’hoest Monkey, Black and White Colobus along with Blue Monkey. The Rwenzori Turaco may also be explored. You eventually arrive at Omuka Kizza Camp at 2,977m gaining magical views of the town of Kasese 2,160m below.
Accommodation: Omuka Kizza Rest Camp
Set off on the hike to Lake Mahoma following the magical trail that passes through the forest as you approach the narrow ridge covered by Moss. The elevation is 3,515 meters traversing the magnificent area marked by giant heather forest that is covered by bright green moss layers. The footprints of Mountain Elephants in the Bamboo and heather forest may be encountered and if lucky you can view the elephants themselves drinking at the hot spring. From the ridge, you join Rukenga Valley filled with everlasting flowers of mimulopsis eliotti along with giant lobelia. The night is spent at Lake Mahoma camp with possible views of Mount Stanley and other peaks if the sky is clear.
Accommodation: Mahoma Lake Camp
Following breakfast, you take a walk around the lake before descending to Ibanda via Nyabitaba ranger post, Mpanga ridge, and Mubuku Valley where the three-horned Chameleon may be explored. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Equator Snow Lodge, Mid-range / Standard: Ihamba Safari Lodge, Budget / Basic: Ruboni Community Camp
Set off after breakfast on the transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park exploring the magical Savannah views of Queen Elizabeth National Park. An optional game drive in its southern sector of Ishasha can be arranged to have chances of viewing tree climbing lions. Proceed to arrive in Bwindi in the evening for relaxation and overnight
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Chameleon Hill Lodge, Mid-range / Standard: Gorilla Mist Camp, Budget / Basic: Broad-bill Forest Camp
Apparently ranked the best safari activity in Africa, Mountain Gorilla Trekking brings you in contact with the world’s critically endangered Mountain Gorillas part of the Great Big Ape species close to humans in terms of DNA. Briefing commences at 8 am after which you head to the mist forest in the company the armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guides traversing the steep slopes, narrow valleys, dense forest tracts, and river streams in search of the gorillas. The time spent with the gorillas is limited to one hour for purposes of conservation while the whole trekking experience can last between 2 – 8 hours. The picturesque opportunities and the themed interpretation of these Species will form a lasting memory of your African safari. Retreat from the activity and connect to the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park driving through the impressive landscapes of Kigezi Highlands as you get to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Mount Gahinga Lodge, Mid-range / Budget: Travelers’ Rest Kisoro
Gather at Ntebeko Visitor Center the Head station of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to embark on the hike to Mount Sabyinyo popularly known as Old Man’s Teeth because of its rugged peaks. Standing at 3,669m above sea level, Mount Sabyinyo is shared between Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo but with the peak in Uganda. It is a thrilling adventure trek exploring lush volcanic soils that favor the growth of lush vegetation. The summit is marked by a series of peaks with a swamp crater offering great views of the entire Virunga landscape marked by eight Mountains. The round trip takes about 8 hours.
Accommodation: Up market Luxury: Mount Gahinga Lodge, Mid-range / Budget: Travelers’ Rest Kisoro
Set off for the surface transfer to Kampala 519km about 9 – 10 hours exploring the impressive landscapes of South Western Uganda including the fascinating highlands of Kigezi and the traditional range lands of Ankole marked by long-horned cattle. A traditional lunch stop will be made at Igongo Cultural Center enjoying a very delicious local cuisine before proceeding to make another stop at Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe where you can perform water experiments justifying the geographical divide between the north and southern hemispheres. Amazing photo shoots may be taken after which you transfer to Kampala to mark the end of the day.
Accommodation: Up market Luxury: Kampala Sheraton Hotel / Speke Resort Munyonyo, Mid-range / Standard: Cassia Lodge / Boma Hotel Entebbe, Budget / Basic: Airport Guesthouse
Depending on the flight time, drive to Entebbe International Airport to catch up with a flight to Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro International Airport. Following your arrival in Kilimanjaro Airport, you will picked up by our representative and connect to Arusha for dinner and overnight
Accommodation: Up market Luxury: Sal Salinero Hotel, Mid-range / Standard: Marangu Hotel, Budget / Basic: Mount Kilimanjaro View Lodge
Elevation (m): 1830m to 3100m Elevation (ft): 6000ft to 10,200ft Distance: 18km Hiking Time: 5-7 hours Habitat: Montane Forest You transfer from Arusha to the Mount Kilimanjaro gates about 1 ½ hour’s drive. The journey traverses the Machame village on the lower mountain slopes. The adventure hike commences from the park gate hiking through the rain forest following a winding trail along the ridge. At the lower levels, the trail tends to be muddy and slippery and thus trekking poles and gaiters are recommended here. Retire for overnight
Accommodation: Overnight: Machame Camp
Elevation (m): 3100m to 3840m Elevation (ft): 10,200ft to 12,600ft Distance: 9km Walking Time: 4-6 hours Habitat: Moorland Following breakfast, you set off from the rain forest glades proceeding on an ascending path where you cross the little valley trekking along a steep ridge that is rocky covered with heather up the ridge ends. The trail follows west ending into a river gorge.
Accommodation: Overnight: Shira campsite.
Elevation (m): 3840m to 4630m to 3860m Elevation (ft): 12,600ft to 12,700ft Distance: 15 km Walking Time: 5-7 hours Habitat: Semi-desert Hiking from Shira Plateau, you proceed on the ridge trekking past the junction heading to Kibo peak. From the junction, you head southeast to the famous Lava Tower also known as the Shark’s Tooth. The second junction stands after the tower leading to the Arrow Glacier rising to 4,876m elevation. The descending to Baranco hut rising to a height of 3,860m marks the end of the day’s hike.
Accommodation: Barranco Camp
Elevation (m): 3860m to 4600m Elevation (ft): 12,700ft to 15,100ft Distance: 13km Hiking Time: 8 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert Following breakfast, you set off from Barranco trekking on the steep ridge to the Barranco Wall traversing the Karango Valley before settling for lunch at 4200m elevation. From here, you encounter the junction that connects to Mweka Trail. The hike proceeds to Barafu Hut and this marks the end of the Southern Circuit that presents various views of the summit from different angles. The peaks Kibo and Mawenzi are viewed at this point.
Accommodation: Barafu Camp
Elevation (m): 4600m to 5895m (and down to 3100m) Elevation (ft): 15,100ft to 19,300ft (and down to 10,200ft) Distance: 7km ascent / 23km descent Hiking Time:6- 8 hours ascent / 7-8 hours descent Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit The summit trek commences very early in the morning almost at night (2 am) making your way between the Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers. The hike takes the Northwest direction ascending through heavy scree connecting to Stella Point on the crater rim. This section is the most challenging both physically and mentally. At Stella Point (5,685m), a short rest can be taken enjoying a fascinating sunrise subject to weather permission. From Stella, the snow may be encountered along the 1-hour hiking ascent to Uhuru Peak – the highest peak on Kilimanjaro Mountain and the highest in Africa. Those who can trek fast have the opportunity to view the sunrise at the summit. The temperatures can be so cold at these points at night but quite warm at the end of the day thus carrying suitable clothing for these two extremes is recommended. From the summit, you descend to Mweka Hut making a stop at Barafu for lunch. The loose gravel down the slope require trekking poles and gaiters. From Mweka Camp is positioned in the upper forest this it tends to rain in the late afternoon. This is the last night on the Mountain.
Accommodation: Mweka Hut
Elevation (m): 3100m to 1830m Elevation (ft): 10,200ft to 6000ft Distance: 15 km Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Forest Following breakfast, you embark on the descend from Mweka hut to Mweka Park gate where you will receive the certificates of summiting Kilimanjaro Mountain. You proceed for another one hour trek to Mweka Village where you will find the vehicle and transfer to the hotel for relaxation and overnight
Accommodation: Up market Luxury: Sal Salinero Hotel, Mid-range / Standard: Marangu Hotel, Budget / Basic: Mount Kilimanjaro View Lodge
Set off after breakfast to Lake Manyara National Park exploring the lush countryside before arriving in the park early for lunch. The game drive is carried out in the afternoon enjoying the park’s fascinating beauty marked by nice flora and fauna including the likely sights of tree climbing lions, Zebras, Giraffes, Elephants, Impala, Hippos, and Wildebeest among others. The view of the lake is very rewarding with birding encounters including Flamingos. Retire for overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge, Mid-range / Standard: Manyara Kirurumu Camp, Budget / Basic: Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp
After a thrilling cup of coffee, you drive to Serengeti National Park traversing the magical n route scenery of Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The evening game drive is carried out at you enter Serengeti National Park exploring the wonders of Seronera Valley including open Savannah dotted with extensive wild game like Wildebeest, Elephants, Buffalo, Elands, Lions, Cheetah, Zebras, Hyenas and Gazelles among others
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Serengeti Sopa Lodge, Mid-range / Standard: Serengeti Kati Kati Camp, Budget / Basic: Kijereshi Tented Camp (Bungalow)
Undertake another morning game drive in Serengeti for more wild game viewing including the early risers and nocturnal getting back to their hiding grounds. After this activity, you set off for the drive to Ngorongoro Crater. An optional tour to Olduvai gorge can be arranged to explore this historical site where the skull of early man was discovered.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, Mid-range / Standard: Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge, Budget / Basic: Karatu Simba Lodge
Do a morning game drive in the Crater floor along with a sightseeing encounter. Standing as the largest intact, unfilled, and inactive volcanic caldera in the world, Ngorongoro is very fascinating and its fame has earned it the World heritage site status. The likely wildlife views in the crater include; the Big five like Lions, Leopards, Hippos, Rhinos including Black Rhinos and Elephants. Others include; Wildebeest, Water-bucks, Zebra, Eland, Gazelle among others. From the game drive, you transfer to Arusha to mark the end of the tour.
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