Beyond the Big Five: Uganda, Tanzania & Spice Island

An epic journey in East Africa, beginning with an adventure in the unspoiled forests of Uganda. Following this exhilarating adventure journey to Tanzania's famed northern circuit, for a safari centered around the legendary Serengeti. End your adventure with a relaxing yet fascinating stay on historic Zanzibar.

Named one of National Geographic Traveler Magazine's "50 Tours of A Lifetime, 2014".

Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Entebbe Arrival

Entebbe Arrival
Daily Summary
  • Transportation: Airport Transfer
  • Accommodation: Karibu Guest House

Welcome to Uganda!

Upon arrival at the Entebbe Airport, you will be met by a local representative and assisted through Customs. You will then be transferred directly to your hotel, located only 10 minutes away, for a smooth and relaxing start to your adventure. (This service is on a private basis.)

Day 2: Entebbe - Kibale Forest

Entebbe - Kibale Forest
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Journey to Kibale
  • Accommodation: Primate Lodge Kibale
  • Meals: B, L, D

Journey to Kibale

After a good night's sleep and plenty of rest after your flight, you will head off on the journey to Kibale Forest. This will be about a 6 hour ride west via Kampala, so sit back, relax and enjoy the views!

You will be driven through the green tea plantations and the evergreen Kibale forest, arriving at Fort Portal in time for a delicious lunch. After lunch, you will proceed the rest of the way to your lodge for your overnight accommodations. (This service is on a private basis.)

Day 3: Kibale Forest

Kibale Forest
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Primate Safari
  • Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge
  • Meals: B, L, D

Primate Safari

Very early this morning after breakfast, you will be met and driven down to the Kibale Forest National Park, for primate viewing. Your guide will help you search for chimpanzees and other primates within the park, as this region is home to 13 species of primates. Throughout your exploration, your guide will provide detailed explanations about not only the primates, but also of all the forest's surrounding fauna and flora. This ensures that your walk will be both informative and enjoyable. This walking safari will be the perfect chance for viewing bird life and primates up close.

Later in the afternoon, you will be returned to your lodge. (This service is on a private basis.)

Day 4: Kibale Forest

Kibale Forest
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Kibale Forest
  • Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge
  • Meals: B, L, D

Kibale Forest

Enjoy a full day exploring the Kibale Forest. From game drives to a shared boat excursion, you will be able to explore the magnificent scenery and wildlife.

Day 5: Kibale - Ishasha

Kibale - Ishasha
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Journey to Ishasha
  • Accommodation: Mahogany Springs Lodge
  • Meals: B, L, D

Journey to Ishasha

After breakfast at the lodge this morning, you will be met by your driver for today's adventure. Your journey continues, as you are driven to the Ishasha Regiont. You will arrive at your lodge this afternoon, with plenty of time to relax and get settled before dinner. (This service is on a private basis.)

Day 6: Ishasha

Ishasha
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Gorilla Trekking
  • Accommodation: Mahogany Springs Lodge
  • Meals: B, L, D

Gorilla Trekking

At last, it's gorilla time!! Early this morning you will enter the gorilla sanctuary nestled deep in the rainforest. This spectacular, heavily vegetated and dense landscape is crisscrossed by numerous animal trails, allowing access for trekkers to view the park's most famous inhabitants. The terrain varies according to the movements of these amazing gorillas.

Enjoy the absolute thrill of observing these gentle giants up close and personal and in their own natural environment. They are shy and peaceful animals and it is sure to be an unforgettable experience to watch and photograph them, as they interact with one other. This rare and exciting adventure will leave you with long lasting memories of a truly unique experience. (This service is on a private basis.)

Day 7: Ishasha - Entebbe - Kilimanjaro - Arusha

Ishasha - Entebbe - Kilimanjaro - Arusha
Daily Summary
  • Transportation: Airport Transfers
  • Transportation (Air): Domestic Flight
  • Accommodation: Rivertrees Country Inn
  • Meals: B, L, D
Domestic Flight
Kihihi Airstrip - Entebbe
Flight #: TBD
Departs: 9:45 AM
Arrives: 11:25 AM

After an early breakfast at the lodge in Ishashathis morning, you will be driven to the Airstrip in good time to board your domestic flight to the Entebbe International Airport. Depending on the weather, you may be able to enjoy views of the Volcanoes, villages and lakes, as you take off...the perfect send off from Uganda! *Please note that there is a weight limit of 95 kgs per person body weight and a luggage limit of 15 kgs per person for this domestic flight.*

Upon arrival in Entebbe, you will need to connect with your ongoing flight to the Kilimanjaro International Airport, the next destination of your journey. *Please note that this flight is not yet included, but can be arranged on request.*

Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival at the airport in Kilimanjaro, you will be met by a local representative and transferred directly to your accommodations in Arusha, where you will be spending this evening. (This service is on a private basis.)

Day 8: Arusha - Lake Manyara

Arusha - Lake Manyara
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Lake Manyara Game Drive
  • Accommodation: Escarpment Luxury Lodge
  • Meals: B, L, D

Lake Manyara Game Drive

Today, you will leave behind Arusha and transfer to the picturesque Lake Manyara National Park for game driving and exploration! Lake Manyara National Park possesses unexpectedly striking settings and peaceful surroundings. Dramatically bordered by the sheer wall of the Rift Valley on one side and the shores of the lake on the other, this thin stretch of land hordes diverse habitats, which in turn hosts a remarkable variety of wildlife. The open grasslands between the lake and the acacia woodland are littered with wildebeest, zebra, impala and giraffe, as well as the country’s densest population of buffalo.

By the end of your journey, you will be dropped off at your Lake Manyara Accommodations. (This service is on a private basis.)

Day 9: Lake Manyara - Esilalei- Ngorongoro

Lake Manyara - Esilalei- Ngorongoro
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Esilalei Maasai Village
  • Accommodation: Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge, Plantation Lodge
  • Meals: B, L, D

Esilalei Maasai Village

This morning, you will take a break from your wildlife tracking and safari tours, in order to enjoy a special cultural experience. There is so much more to Tanzania than just the wildlife, and a journey deep into the Maasai Heartlands invites you to experience the lesser-known wonders.

Your guide will take you to a local village here, called Esilalei. This rural village is scenically located in the wildlife corridor between Tarangire and Lake Manyara. As you enter their community, you will be greeted by the village elders, children and Morani Warriors. They will show you around their village and offer a glimpse into their very rural world. At the end of your tour, you will say goodbye to your new friends and continue towards the Crater Highlands, where your next lodge awaits.

Day 10: Ngorongoro

Ngorongoro
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Ngorongoro Game Drive & Crater Rim Walk
  • Accommodation: Plantation Lodge
  • Meals: B, L, D

Ngorongoro Game Drive & Crater Rim Walk

This morning, you will descend into the Ngorongoro Crater floor for game driving and exploration. Ngorongoro was a huge active volcano, probably even larger than Kilimanjaro, when the volcano erupted some 8 million years ago. It's cone collapsed, leaving a crater, or more appropriately a “caldera”, 600m deep, 16km across and 265 sq km in area. You will have the chance today to admire the spectacular scenery and game viewing, in what has been described as the eighth wonder of the world.

In the afternoon, you will even have the chance to walk around the crater rim with an armed ranger. Here, you can marvel at the scenery from an entirely different perspective. This is an experience that no traveler to Tanzania should miss!

Day 11: Ngorongoro - Serengeti

Ngorongoro - Serengeti
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Drive to Serengeti
  • Accommodation: Nasikia Mobile Migration Camp
  • Meals: B, L, D

Drive to Serengeti

Today, you will drive to the Serengeti! Criss-crossed with forested riverine valleys, the Serengeti National Park plays home to millions of Africa’s large mammals, making this one of the world’s most famous wildlife destinations. This time of year, the migration action is taking place in the Northern Serengeti, as thousands of wildebeest and zebras (and their predators) attempt to cross the Mara River and head into Kenya...a sight you won't want to miss!

Days 12 - 13: Serengeti

Serengeti
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Safari Game Drives & Wildlife Viewings
  • Accommodation: Nasikia Mobile Migration Camp
  • Meals: B, L, D

Safari Game Drives & Wildlife Viewings

Enjoy the next two days game driving in the rolling grasslands of Ndutu, located in the southern region of the Serengeti.

The Serengeti National Park is probably the best place on the planet to spot large game. Your days here will be spent on several different game drives searching for prides of lions, cheetah, leopard and much more. In the evening return to the beautiful tented camp for stories and dinner. (This service is on a private basis.)

Day 14: Ndutu - Central Serengeti

Ndutu - Central Serengeti
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Central Serengeti Game Drive
  • Accommodation: Naona Moru Camp
  • Meals: B, L, D

Central Serengeti Game Drive

Today you'll game drive to the central region of the Serengeti.

The Serengeti National Park is probably the best place on the planet to spot large game. Your three days here will be spent on different game drives searching for prides of lions, cheetah, leopard and much more. In the evening you’ll return to your beautiful tented camp for stories and dinner.

Day 15: Central Serengeti

Central Serengeti
Daily Summary
  • Accommodation: Naona Moru Camp
  • Meals: B, L, D

Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti National Park is probably the best place on the planet to spot large game. Your time here in Central Serengeti will be spent on several different game drives searching for prides of lions, cheetah, leopard and much more. In the evenings, return to your beautiful tented camp for stories and dinner under the stars.

Day 16: Crater Highlands - Arusha - Zanzibar

Crater Highlands - Arusha - Zanzibar
Daily Summary
  • Transportation: Airport Transfers
  • Transportation (Air): Domestic Flight
  • Accommodation: Breezes Beach Club Resort
  • Meals: B, D
Domestic Flight
Arusha - Zanzibar
Flight #: TBD
Departs: TBD
Arrives: TBD

*Please note this flight is not included and pricing is subject to availability

Wake up in the wild, for one final morning today. After enjoying breakfast and packing up your things, it will be time to descend out of the Crater Highlands, and transfer on to Arusha. You will be dropped off at the airport there in good time to board your domestic flight to Zanzibar.

Welcome to Zanzibar! Upon arrival in this tropical paradise, you will be greeted by a local representative and transferred to the Breezes Beach Club & Spa. (This service is on a private basis.)

Breezes Beach Club Zanzibar is the perfect choice in Zanzibar whether you are looking to relish in relaxation or romance. The property is famous for its attention to detail, intimate dining and beautiful decor display, which together creates an elegant and unique atmosphere. Breezes also features the award winning Frangipani Spa, should you wish to indulge just a little but more. The resort lies along a pristine and untouched beach on the South East coast of Zanzibar island, which is the most quiet and untouched part of the Island. For centuries, Zanzibar has evoked a mystical and magical dream, which Breezes Beach Club embodies perfectly. There is no better place to experience and enjoy this fantastic setting, so sit back, lounge by the pool and start thinking of your drink order!

Days 17 - 19: Zanzibar

Zanzibar
Daily Summary
  • Accommodation: Breezes Beach Club Resort
  • Meals: B, D

After so many thrilling activities, spectacular encounters and unbelievable sightings throughout your exploration of East Africa, enjoy the next three days to simply relish in relaxation! Zanzibar is a true slice of heaven, so make the most of the powder sand beaches and turquoise waters.

Day 20: Zanzibar

Zanzibar
Daily Summary
  • Transportation: Internal Transfer
  • Accommodation: Zanzibar Palace Hotel
  • Meals: B

Today, you will say goodbye to Dongwe, and transfer to Stone Town for your final night in Zanzibar at the Tembo Hotel. (This service is on a private basis.)

Stone Town is the historical capital of Zanzibar island, a wonderful tumbledown mess of palaces, bazaars and markets, and one of the most atmospheric and fascinating places on the whole Swahili Coast. Admire the narrow alleyways, artistic details and soak in the history and explore the Spice Tour while you are here.

Day 21: Zanzibar - Dar es Salaam Departure

Zanzibar - Dar es Salaam Departure
Daily Summary
  • Transportation: Airport Transfer
  • Transportation (Air): Domestic Flight
  • Meals: B
Domestic Flight
Zanzibar - Dar es Salaam
Flight #: TBD
Departs: TBD
Arrives: TBD

*Please note this flight is not included and pricing is subject to availability

Sadly, your journey through Uganda and Tanzania must officially come to an end today. However, you will be leaving with unforgettable memories and the absolute experience of a lifetime! After checking out of your hotel in Stone Town, you will be transferred to the Zanzibar Airport in good time for your domestic flight to Dar es Salaam. (This service is on a private basis.)

Upon arrival in Dar es Salaam, you will need to connect with your international departure flight home. We hope you had an incredible trip and we wish you safe and pleasant travels onward!

Accommodation

Karibu Guest House

Karibu Guest House

Conveniently located just 15 minutes from the Entebbe Airport, the Karibu Guest House is a boutique hotel set in a former presidential residence. Catering to a small number of guests at any one time, the hotel offers a high level of personalized service, quality food and a comfortable night's rest. Whether you are just beginning or ending your adventures in Uganda, you will quickly feel right at home here in Entebbe. Each of the seven en suite rooms on property come equipped with the necessary amenities and a unique, spacious and airy design.

Primate Lodge Kibale

Primate Lodge Kibale

Primate Lodge in Kibale is an exclusive eco-lodge situated in the heart of the Kibale Forest National Park. It is surrounded by a lush tropical forest that is home to 13 different species of primates, including the chimpanzees. Privately secluded in the rainforest, this safari lodge offers you a truly authentic jungle experience and is the perfect gateway for tracking the primates in Uganda. Whether you desire a high level of luxury and comfort, rather stay in a mid range cottage, or want to bring your own tent, Primate Lodge Kibale is the ideal place for you! So, forget about rushing for the morning chimp tracking. Instead, wake up with the sounds of the forest, enjoy a delicious breakfast and prepare yourself for an exciting meeting with the chimpanzees!

Mweya Safari Lodge

Mweya Safari Lodge

Mweya Safari Lodge offers visitors an unforgettable experience. Located on a peninsula within the heart of the Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Lodge is surrounded by the magical Rwenzori Mountains, appropriately described as the 'Mountains of the Moon'. Each of the guest rooms at Mweya Safari Lodge boasts breathtaking views of the Kazinga channel. You can watch the forest hogs grazing the grass outside, as well as the odd curious hippo! Your stay here is sure to reward you with the unique experience of luxury in the wilderness. After your days of exploring, return to the property for a dip in the outdoor pool overlooking the channel.

Mahogany Springs Lodge

Mahogany Springs Lodge

Mahogany Springs Lodge offers privacy and serenity blended with optimal comfort in a spectacular setting. With some of the most luxurious accommodations in all of East Africa, the feeling that you will experience when staying here, is truly beyond compare. It is the little touches that make the big difference, from the tiny details in the design of the lodge, to the unrivaled attentive service levels provided by the highly trained management team. Mahogany Springs is the perfect base for your Gorilla Tracking or Bird watching adventures. The Gorillas have been to know to the visit the lodge themselves, and coming face to face with one of these peaceful creatures is an indescribable experience.

Rivertrees Country Inn

Rivertrees Country Inn

Rivertrees Country Inn can be found nestled in the foothills of Mount Meru, in view of the striking Mount Kilimanjaro. This peaceful country estate combines old world ambiance, African country elegance, excellent farm cuisine, quality service and warm hospitality from your hosts. Located in a pristine natural setting, Rivertrees Country Inn invites you into a space of tranquility and comfort, following a long day of travels, an extensive safari expedition or a strenuous climb up Mount Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru.

Escarpment Luxury Lodge

Escarpment Luxury Lodge

Perched high on the rim of the Great Rift Valley, Escarpment Luxury Lodge is a serene haven overlooking the wonder of Lake Manyara below. This lodge features the best of the African bush. Wide open expanses of windows and doors offer the opportunity to appreciate the pristine surrounding nature at all times. Whether you are lounging on the deck of the main lodge, or enjoying the comfort and privacy of your own luxurious en suite chalet, you are invited to make the most of this idyllic destination. Watch pelicans sweep through the sky, as you sip on sundowners, admire the sun disappear behind the majestic hills and listen to the sounds of Africa. Welcome to the wild!

Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge

Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge

Perched on the rim of the collapsed volcano, the Ngorongoro Crater, a world heritage site, often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world. It has the most magnificent views over the crater floor, which is home to vast herds of buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, the rare and endangered black rhino, elephant, cheetah, leopard, lion and herds of gazelle and wildebeest. Its position on the Eastern rim allows the most spectacular and uninterrupted views of the sunset. All of the 91 double bedrooms are very spacious and each has two queen sized beds and a separate dressing area. Each room has a glass fronted veranda, where you may enjoy a private view of the Crater. The lodge also has 6 single rooms, all of which have a queen sized bed and glass fronted sliding doors.

Plantation Lodge

Plantation Lodge

The Plantation Lodge rests on soft rolling hills amidst the vastness and silence of East Africa. Everywhere you look, you can recognize the impressive attention to detail, matched with a level of service that leaves no wish unfulfilled. The lodge's location promises maximum safari enjoyment, central to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Serengeti National Parks. To stay at the Plantation Lodge, is to immerse yourself in a world of rest and relaxation. 16 rooms lie spaciously decorated throughout the lush landscaped garden, each boasting its own style, design and colorful bouquets of fresh flowers.

Nasikia Mobile Migration Camp

Nasikia Mobile Migration Camp

Nasikia Mobile Migration Camp brings you close to the action and its unique location is determined each season, according to the dynamic movements of the wildebeest mega herds. From December to March, Nasikia is situated at the Small Marsh campsite in Ndutu, where you will find yourself in the midst of the short-grass grazing season with calving during late January. From July to October, the camp is located near Kitchwa Tembo at Kogatende in the northern Serengeti - an ideal position from which to see the herd brave the crocodile-infested waters of the Mara River. The mobile camp is comprised of 8-12 solar powered tents made from heavy duty safari rip-stop canvas. Each tent has a spacious bedroom and patio area for relaxing. The bathroom includes a ceramic wash basin with running water, a supply of natural based bathroom products, and a flushing toilet. Shower under the African skies with a 20 liter shower bucket put up on a pulley system as you require. The camp provides guests with a Lounge Tent complete with library to relax in and a large Dining Tent to enjoy sumptuous bush cuisine, cooked up by the camp chefs from fresh produce taken from all corners of Tanzania.

Naona Moru Camp

Naona Moru Camp

Don't worry about having to choose between sipping on a drink, while admiring endless views across the magnificent southern plains of the Serengeti, versus kicking your feet up in a tented suite, while listen to the calls of the wild, because at Naona Moru Camp you can do both! Alongside the opportunity for many more incredible experiences,this intimate camp of seven tented suites provides a luxurious and unforgettable stay. Combine crisp white sheets, gentle Serengeti breezes, running hot water, utmost comfort, hospitable service and WiFi - this is how wild elegance is served. Perch yourself on the veranda to watch the sun set on the horizon, or take a hot shower after a day of safari exploration. Located on an elevated viewing point beside the famous Moru Kopjes, this tented camp allows for drive in and game package clients to explore the resident and migratory wild game all year round. The landscape pans from the great southern plains of the Serengeti into the central hub of the most famous national park in Africa, close to Seronera Airstrip.

Breezes Beach Club Resort

Breezes Beach Club Resort

Breezes Beach Club Zanzibar is the perfect choice in Zanzibar whether you are looking to relish in relaxation or romance. The property is famous for its attention to detail, intimate dining and beautiful decor display, which together creates an elegant and unique atmosphere. Breezes also features the award winning Frangipani Spa, should you wish to indulge just a little but more. The resort lies along a pristine and untouched beach on the South East coast of Zanzibar island, which is the most quiet and untouched part of the Island. For centuries, Zanzibar has evoked a mystical and magical dream, which Breezes Beach Club embodies perfectly. There is no better place to experience and enjoy this fantastic setting, so sit back, lounge by the pool and start thinking of your drink order!

Zanzibar Palace Hotel

Zanzibar Palace Hotel

Zanzibar Palace Hotel is a nine room boutique hotel located right in the heart of Stone Town which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Zanzibar Palace Hotel is an ideal base from which to explore and experience all the beauties of this magical town and Island. In each of the nine rooms, Zanzibar's rich history is integrated by Arabian, Indian and English designs. All the furniture is of very high quality and carefully selected to give the hotel a wonderfully traditional and antique feel. Each room features its own unique decor, with many local originating antique pieces of furniture, magical beds, Persian rugs, colorful silks. The relaxing and charming atmosphere makes for a perfect place to unwind, either in the public areas or in the privacy of your room and daydream about the life of the Sultans. While at the same time enjoying a wide range of modern facilities of current life.

Pricing and Details

Starting from $ 11,652 per person

*Pricing is based on two persons traveling together, based on availability, subject to change.

Price Includes

  • Full support before, during & after your trip
  • Meals as mentioned
  • Accommodation as mentioned
  • Tours/activities as mentioned
  • Transport as mentioned

Price Excludes

  • International & domestic flights
  • Travel insurance (highly recommended)
  • Entrance visas when applicable
  • Other services not mentioned
  • Tips and gratuities to guides, drivers
  • Taxes and fees

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