This 7-Day Uganda Gorillas and Serengeti National Park Safari is one of the best safaris that most travelers wouldn’t want to miss during their visit to East Africa. The safari starts from Kigali in Rwanda and ends in Arusha, Tanzania. During this safari, you will experience gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda and then fly back from Kigali airport to Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.
While in Serengeti, you will enjoy a full day game drive to admire sightings of the Big Five animals, including lions, buffalos, rhinos, leopards, and elephants, which will make your safari truly memorable. Depart from Serengeti and take an outbound flight via Arusha airport.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali Airport and Transfer to the Hotel
Upon arrival at Kigali Airport, you will be picked up by your driver guide who will brief you about these seven days of Uganda Gorillas and Serengeti National Park. The briefing will be brief, mainly consisting of safari guidelines. After the briefing, you will drive to the hotel for check-in, dinner, and overnight stay.
Day 2: Transfer from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda
On the second day of your safari, wake up early in the morning for breakfast and then drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas located in the southwestern part of Uganda. Enjoy breathtaking scenery of the Virunga Mountains and interact with the welcoming locals along the way. Check in at your booked lodge for dinner and rest.
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Cultural Experience
Enjoy breakfast at your lodge and then drive to the park’s main entry gate where your documents will be checked to ensure entrance for gorilla trekking. The trek can take 1-8 hours depending on the gorilla group’s location and nest from the previous night. Upon meeting the gorillas, you will have an additional hour to take photos and videos. After trekking, return to the office for your trekking certificate.
In the evening, experience the Batwa cultural performance, taste their dishes, enjoy their dances, songs, and interact with the forest people. Optionally, purchase locally made crafts and souvenirs to remember your experience. Drive back to your lodge for dinner.
Day 4: Transfer back to Kigali and Fly to Arusha
Wake up early for breakfast at the lodge and then drive back to Kigali to catch your flight to Arusha. Upon arrival in Arusha, an experienced Tanzanian tour guide will pick you up from the airport, brief you about the safari, and then transfer you to the booked hotel in the city for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: Transfer to Serengeti National Park
Wake up early for breakfast at your lodge, then drive northwards to Serengeti National Park, home to the Big Five animals. The drive takes about 5-6 hours with several stopovers for photography and enjoying the scenic landscapes. Optionally, enjoy an evening game drive to witness the beautiful Serengeti sunset and observe various animal herds returning to their habitats. Return to your lodge for dinner.
Day 6: Full-day Game Drive
On this day, wake up early for a delicious breakfast and then head deep into Serengeti National Park for a full-day game drive experience. Observe herds of buffalos, elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, gazelles, wildebeests, antelopes, zebras, and many other animals grazing and roaming freely in their natural habitat.
Lunch will be served in the wild, and after lunch, move to the migration trail to witness thousands of animals moving in search of water and pasture. After the game drive, return to your lodge for dinner and rest.
Day 7: Departure from Serengeti National Park and Transfer to Arusha Airport
Start your last day with breakfast at the lodge and then drive to the airport, enjoying Tanzania’s roadside attractions along the way. Your guide will drop you off at your chosen hotel or directly at the airport for your departure flight.
