11 Days Tanzania Safari & Uganda Gorilla Trekking

This 11 Days Tanzania Safari & Uganda Gorilla Trekking adventure offers a perfect blend of classic African wildlife safaris and once-in-a-lifetime primate encounters. Designed for travelers who want to experience the very best of East Africa, this journey takes you through Tanzania’s most iconic national parks before ending in Uganda’s ancient rainforests for unforgettable gorilla trekking.

Your 11 Days Tanzania Safari & Uganda Gorilla Trekking begins in Northern Tanzania, where vast landscapes and abundant wildlife set the stage for an authentic African experience. In Tarangire National Park, you explore open savannahs dotted with giant baobab trees and witness large herds of elephants roaming freely. From there, the journey continues to Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its lush groundwater forests, diverse birdlife, and the rare tree-climbing lions.

11 Days Tanzania Safari & Uganda Gorilla Trekking

Next, you venture into the legendary Serengeti National Park, home to endless plains, big cats, and the world-famous Great Migration. Full-day game drives allow you to track lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, and massive herds of grazing animals in their natural habitat. The adventure deepens in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where you descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a natural wildlife sanctuary with one of the highest concentrations of animals in Africa, including the endangered black rhino.

Beyond wildlife, this safari also offers meaningful cultural experiences. A visit to Mto wa Mbu Village introduces you to Tanzania’s rich cultural diversity, local traditions, farming practices, and daily life, adding depth to your journey.

After Tanzania, you fly to Uganda, known as the Pearl of Africa. In Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, you enter one of the oldest rainforests on the continent. Here, you take part in a guided gorilla trekking experience, hiking through dense forest to meet endangered mountain gorillas face-to-face. Spending time with these gentle giants is an emotional and powerful moment that few travel experiences can match.

The safari ends peacefully at Lake Bunyonyi, where calm waters, terraced hills, and a relaxing canoe ride provide the perfect setting to reflect on your adventure.

Day 1: Pickup and Transfer to Tarangire National Park

Your 11 Days Tanzania Safari & Uganda Gorilla Trekking safari begins with an early morning pickup from your hotel, Kilimanjaro International Airport, or Arusha Airport at around 8:35 am. After meeting your professional safari guide, you will enjoy a scenic drive to Tarangire National Park, one of Tanzania’s most wildlife-rich parks. Upon arrival, you will start your first game drive, where vast open plains and riverine landscapes welcome you.

Meanwhile, you will enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park, surrounded by nature. After lunch, you will continue with an afternoon game drive, exploring Tarangire’s famous elephant herds, graceful giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and a wide variety of bird species. In addition, the park’s iconic baobab trees create stunning photo opportunities and a true African safari atmosphere.

Later in the evening, you will exit the park and transfer to your lodge for a relaxing dinner and overnight stay, reflecting on your exciting first day in the wild.

Accommodation: Suricata Boma Lodge
Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner & Drinking Water

Day 2: Morning Transfer to Lake Manyara National Park

After an early breakfast, you will depart for Lake Manyara National Park, a compact yet incredibly diverse wildlife destination. As you enter the park, lush groundwater forests immediately surround you, creating a jungle-like setting that feels very different from Tarangire. During your game drive, you will spot large troops of baboons, playful blue monkeys, and many colorful bird species.

Most importantly, Lake Manyara is famous for its rare tree-climbing lions, which you may see resting on acacia branches. Additionally, the alkaline lake attracts flamingos, pelicans, and other water birds, offering excellent photography moments. As the day continues, your guide will take you deeper into the park to explore open grasslands, hot springs, and forest trails.

In the late afternoon, you will leave the park and head to your lodge for a delicious dinner and a peaceful overnight stay near the park.

Accommodation: Lake Manyara Serena Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinking Water

Day 3: Morning Transfer to Serengeti National Park for the 11 Days Tanzania Safari & Uganda Gorilla Trekking

Following breakfast, you will journey toward the legendary Serengeti National Park, traveling through the scenic Ngorongoro highlands. Along the way, you will enjoy a game drive en route, giving you chances to see wildlife even before reaching the Serengeti plains. You will stop for a picnic lunch during the drive to recharge.

Optionally, you may visit Olduvai Gorge, one of the most important prehistoric sites in the world. Here, you can learn about early human history and see where ancient fossils were discovered. Afterward, you will continue toward the Serengeti, where endless savannahs stretch as far as the eye can see.

As you enter the park, wildlife sightings increase, with possible encounters with lions, elephants, giraffes, and antelopes. In the evening, you will arrive at your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Serengeti Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinking Water

Day 4: Full Day Adventure in Serengeti National Park

Today is dedicated entirely to exploring the world-famous Serengeti National Park. After breakfast, you will head out for a morning game drive when animals are most active. The Serengeti is home to massive herds of buffalo, elephants, zebras, and wildebeest, as well as top predators like lions, leopards, and cheetahs.

You may choose to carry a picnic lunch and spend the whole day tracking wildlife across different areas of the park. Alternatively, you can return to the lodge for a hot lunch before heading out again for an afternoon game drive. Either way, your experienced guide will adjust the day based on animal movements and sightings.

By late afternoon, golden sunlight covers the plains, making it the perfect time for photography. Later, you will return to the lodge for dinner and a restful overnight stay.

Accommodation: Serengeti Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinking Water

Day 5: Morning Transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation Area for the 11 Days Tanzania Safari & Uganda Gorilla Trekking

After an early breakfast, you will depart Serengeti with a scenic game drive en route toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. As you ascend into the highlands, the landscape changes from open plains to cooler, misty hills. Along the way, you may spot wildlife grazing near the road.

By afternoon, you will arrive at your lodge near Ngorongoro, where you can relax and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding area. Dinner and overnight follow at the lodge, preparing you for the next day’s crater adventure.

Accommodation: Ngorongoro Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinking Water

Day 6: Full Day Adventure in Ngorongoro Conservation Area

After an early breakfast, you will descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s most remarkable natural wonders. The crater floor hosts over 30,000 animals, making wildlife viewing easy and rewarding. During your game drive, you may see lions, elephants, hippos, flamingos, and the rare black rhinoceros.

The enclosed ecosystem allows animals to thrive year-round, creating an unforgettable safari experience. You will enjoy a picnic lunch near a scenic hippo pool before continuing your exploration. In the afternoon, you will ascend from the crater and transfer to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Hando Coffee Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinking Water

Day 7: Mto Wa Mbu Village Cultural Tour

After a relaxed breakfast, you will visit Mto Wa Mbu Village, one of Tanzania’s most culturally diverse communities. Although small in size, the village is home to over 120 groups living together peacefully. During your guided walk, you will explore banana plantations, local markets, art centers, and craft workshops.

You will also interact with local residents, learning about their daily lives, farming methods, and traditions. This cultural experience offers deep insight into Tanzania beyond wildlife. Later, you will drive back toward Arusha, often encountering wildlife along the way.

Accommodation: Hando Coffee Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinking Water

Day 8: Transfer to Arusha Airport for Flight to Uganda for the 11 Days Tanzania Safari & Uganda Gorilla Trekking

After breakfast, you will transfer to Arusha Airport for your onward flight to Uganda. Upon arrival, you will check in at a nearby guesthouse and rest before the next adventure.

Accommodation: Airport Guest House
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinking Water

Day 9: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest & Batwa Cultural Experience

After breakfast, you will travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, passing through scenic countryside. Later, you may enjoy a Batwa cultural experience, learning about the forest’s original inhabitants.

Accommodation: Gorilla Valley Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinking Water

Day 10: Gorilla Trekking & Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Today on the 11 Days Tanzania Safari & Uganda Gorilla Trekking is the highlight of your Uganda safari. After an early briefing, you will trek through the forest to encounter mountain gorillas. After the trek, you will transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for a relaxing canoe ride.

Accommodation: Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Drinking Water

Day 11: Transfer to Entebbe International Airport

After breakfast, you will transfer back to Entebbe International Airport for your departure, marking the end of an unforgettable African safari.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Drinking Water

11 Days Tanzania Safari & Uganda Gorilla Trekking Inclusions

• Airport pick-up and drop-off
• All road transfers
• Flight from Arusha to Entebbe
• Full-board accommodation
• All meals
• Drinking water on activities
• Unlimited game drives in Serengeti and Ngorongoro
• All park entrance fees
• Gorilla trekking permit
• Batwa cultural experience
• Professional English-speaking guide
• 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
• Government taxes

11 Days Tanzania Safari & Uganda Gorilla Trekking Exclusions

• International flights
• Visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses
• Optional activities
• Tips for staff
• Extra meals or drinks not listed
• Vaccination and health-related costs

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park is one of Tanzania’s most underrated safari destinations, known for its large elephant populations and dramatic landscapes. Located in northern Tanzania, the park covers vast savannahs, seasonal swamps, and riverine forests centered around the Tarangire River. During the dry season, this river becomes the main water source, attracting thousands of animals from surrounding areas.

The park is especially famous for its massive herds of elephants, often seen moving together in family groups. In addition, visitors regularly spot lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and buffalo. Bird lovers will also enjoy Tarangire, as it hosts over 500 bird species, making it one of the best birding parks in East Africa.

Another striking feature of Tarangire is its ancient baobab trees. These iconic giants dominate the landscape and add a unique charm to the park. Game drives in Tarangire offer a peaceful and less crowded safari experience, allowing visitors to enjoy wildlife at a relaxed pace. Overall, Tarangire National Park provides an authentic start to any Tanzania safari adventure.

Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park may be small in size, but it offers incredible biodiversity packed into a compact area. Nestled at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, the park features groundwater forests, open grasslands, hot springs, and the shallow alkaline lake itself.

One of the park’s main attractions is its famous tree-climbing lions, a rare behavior seen in only a few places in Africa. Additionally, Lake Manyara is home to large troops of baboons, blue monkeys, elephants, and hippos. The park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with flamingos, pelicans, storks, and many migratory species gathering along the lake shores.

Because of its diverse habitats, Lake Manyara offers excellent wildlife viewing year-round. Scenic viewpoints along the Rift Valley escarpment also provide breathtaking photo opportunities. For travelers seeking a mix of wildlife, scenery, and tranquility, Lake Manyara National Park is a perfect safari stop.

Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park is one of the most famous wildlife destinations in the world. Known for its endless plains and abundant wildlife, the Serengeti offers classic African safari experiences. The park is best known for the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest and zebras move across the plains in search of fresh grass.

Beyond the migration, the Serengeti supports healthy populations of lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, and many antelope species. The open landscapes make wildlife viewing easy, while sunrise and sunset game drives offer unforgettable moments.

The Serengeti’s size and diversity ensure that no two days are ever the same. Whether tracking predators or watching herds graze peacefully, the Serengeti delivers unmatched safari excitement.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a unique destination that blends wildlife conservation with human settlement. At its heart lies the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. The crater floor supports an incredible concentration of wildlife, making it one of the best places in Africa to see animals in a short time.

Visitors often spot lions, elephants, buffalo, zebras, hippos, and the endangered black rhinoceros. The crater’s permanent water sources allow animals to remain inside year-round. In addition, the surrounding highlands offer cooler temperatures and stunning scenery.

Ngorongoro is not only a wildlife haven but also a cultural landscape where Maasai communities continue traditional pastoral lifestyles. This combination of nature and culture makes Ngorongoro truly special.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is one of Africa’s oldest rainforests and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in southwestern Uganda, the park is famous for protecting nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Dense vegetation, misty hills, and rich biodiversity define this remarkable forest.

Beyond gorillas, Bwindi hosts over 120 mammal species, including forest elephants and antelopes, as well as more than 350 bird species. The forest’s trails offer adventurous hikes through ancient ecosystems, making every visit exciting and rewarding.

Bwindi also supports nearby communities and cultural experiences, adding depth to the wildlife adventure.

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is one of the most powerful wildlife experiences in the world. After an early morning briefing, trained guides lead small groups into the forest to track habituated gorilla families. The trek may take a few hours, depending on gorilla movements, but the reward is extraordinary.

Once you find the gorillas, you will spend one unforgettable hour observing them in their natural habitat. Watching these gentle giants interact, feed, and care for their young creates a deep emotional connection.

Gorilla trekking also plays a vital role in conservation, as permit fees help protect the species and support local communities. For many travelers, this experience becomes the highlight of their African journey and a memory that lasts a lifetime.