A Gorilla Trekking and Wildebeest Migration Safari in Uganda and Tanzania ( Recommended In July, August, September, October)
Get to watch Mountain Gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the famous Wildebeest Migration Mara River Crossing across the Mara River in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park with this 11 Days Private Gorilla Trekking and Wildebeest Migration Serengeti Safari tour. This Gorillas and Northern Serengeti Safari Journey is recommended during the Months of Late July, August, September all through to Early October and will involve flying from Arusha to the North of Serengeti where you will spend your time experiencing the Migration River crossing and the big 5 animals before having more game drives in Central Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater plus finally a Night game drive in Tarangire National Park. You will then fly to Kigali International Airport from where you will connect by road to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National park.
Witnessing these two of Africa’s top wildlife encounters the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Uganda and the Mara River Wildebeest Migration Crossing in the famous Serengeti National Park will create a lifetime’s worth of memories for you.
While on this Gorilla Trekking and Wildebeest Migration Safari, you may choose to sleep in mid-range or luxury accommodations as proposed in the detailed itinerary.
Gorilla Trekking and Wildebeest Migration Safari Tour Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Arusha
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania you will meet and greet with representatives of Engabi Tours and Travel who will transfer you to your place of Accommodation in Arusha where you can relax as you get ready for the upcoming days of the safari. Dinner and Overnight at the lodge of your choice.
Accommodation Option: Kahawa House (Mid-Range), Arusha Coffee Lodge (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast
Day 2: Flight from Arusha To Kogatende Airstrip
After breakfast, you will transfer to Arusha airstrip for your flight to Kogatende Airstrip in Serengeti North which will depart around 7am and arrive at 10am for a game drive in Northern Mara. Serengeti, among other incredible wildlife and stunning views is famed for the annual migration of over 1.5 million wildebeest and hundred thousand of zebras, a frenzied bout of territorial conquests and mating happening from July-October. Witness an actual survival of the fittest as these animals plunge through crocodile-infested waters. The wildebeest produces more than 8,000 calves daily before the 1,000 km (600 mile) pilgrimage begins again. Lunch Dinner and Overnight at your lodge.
Accommodation Option: Tanzania Bush Camp-Kogatende (Mid-Range), Lemala Kuria Hills Lodge (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Full Day in North Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, you will head out for a game drive viewing the great migration Mara River Crossing. River crossings at Kogatende start in August as the mega herd settles into the area. Between August- October, game viewing is at its best with river crossings pretty much guaranteed every day. There is no distinct movement as the herds tend to cross back and forth over the river, following the rains and subsequent fresh grasses.
Accommodation Option: Tanzania Bush Camp-Kogatende (Mid-Range), Lemala Kuria Hills Lodge (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Full Day Game Drive in Serengeti National Park in North and Central/Eastern
After breakfast at the Camp, you will drive to Serengeti central/Eastern arriving in time for game drive and later check in to your lodge for dinner and overnight. Central and Eastern Serengeti offer amazing game-viewing in Africa with great herds of buffalo, predators, smaller groups of elephant and giraffe, and thousands of eland, topi, kongoni, impala and Grant’s gazelle all year around.
Accommodation Option: Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge (Mid-Range), Lemala Nanyukie Lodge (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation Area & Game Drive in The Crater
After an early breakfast, you will embark on a transfer to the Ngorongoro conservation area arriving in time for a game drive in the crater. You will have your Picnic lunch and continue with your game drive. Later in the evening you will head to your lodge for check in, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation Option: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge (Mid-Range),Lemala Ngorongoro Tented Camp (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Transfer to Tarangire National and full day Game Drive
Today, you will proceed to Tarangire for a full day game drive in the park located slightly off the main safari route. Tarangire National Park is a lovely quiet park in Northern Tanzania most famous for its elephant migration and birding safari with a quiet atmosphere.
If you choose to sleep at Lemala Mpingo Ridge, you will have a leisurely game drive as you proceed to the lodge arriving in time for lunch overlooking the river valley floor. You will have the rest of the evening for relaxation and you may take a rest in your room or on the outside lounge or enjoy a dip in your private outside bathtub—perfect for soothing the soul and washing away the African dust after a day on safari.
After your dinner at around 7:00Pm, you will prepare for your night game drive and at around 8:15Pm you will meet your guide and the TANAPA park ranger for briefing before heading into the dark in search of active nocturnal with the help of a dedicated spotter using filtered spotlights. You will return to the lodge by 11:00Pm for overnight.
Accommodation Option: Lake Burunge Baobab Tented Lodge (Mid-Range), Lemala Mpingo Ridge Lodge (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Another Day in the Tarangire
Today is your final full day in Tanzania and we recommend that you consider taking it easy. The physicality of the last days of long days of safari game drives must be wearing on your body, so today is the ideal time to dip into the spa, enjoy the swimming pool and other facilities at the lodge.
If you are up for more interactions with wildlife you might opt for another game drive.
Accommodation Option: Lake Burunge Baobab Tented Lodge (Mid-Range), Lemala Mpingo Ridge Lodge (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Flight to Kigali International Airport
Depending on the schedule of your flight, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport to catch your flight to Kigali International Airport in Rwanda. On arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will meet and greet with representatives of Engabi Tours and Travel who will transfer you to your lodge in Kigali City for overnight.
We recommend arriving and departing from Kigali City due to the short road driving distance from Kigali City to Bwindi (Just 4 Hrs) compared to the 10 Hrs Road Drive from Entebbe to Bwindi. Note that to move between Uganda and Rwanda, you will need to buy an East African Tourist Visa from your first country of Arrival (Rwanda) at a cost of 100USD Per Person
Accommodation Option: Heaven Boutique Hotel Kigali (Mid-Range), Kigali Serena Hotel (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast
Day 9: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Today you will be picked up from your Hotel by your driver who will transfer you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park the home of Mountain Gorillas via Katuna Border Crossing arriving in time for lunch at your lodge.
Accommodation Option: Four Gorillas Lodge (Mid-Range), Kiho Gorilla Safari Lodge (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Community Experience
After breakfast at your Lodge, you will be transferred to the gorilla trekking starting point. Here you will be briefed about the gorilla trekking rules while your guide takes care of the practicalities. After briefing you set off into the forest with a specialized guide who leads you to the point where the gorillas are. For one unforgettable hour you are in the area of the mountain Gorillas seeing them in their daily life, with a chance to spot some forest interior birds.
After trekking the gorillas, you will have your packed lunch and you will head back to the starting point where your driver will pick you and take you back to the lodge for refreshing. Later in the evening you will visit the Batwa community for a cultural experience Dinner and overnight at the lodge of your choice.
Accommodation Option: Four Gorillas Lodge (Mid-Range), Kiho Gorilla Safari Lodge(Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 11: Transfer to Kigali City
Today after breakfast and depending on the schedule of your flight, you will be transferred to Kigali City and later to Kigali International Airport to catch your outbound flight marking the end of your tour.
Accommodation Option: N/A
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
End of Trip
Contact us for information, inspiration or a Price Quotation
Who is this Gorilla trekking and Wildebeest Migration Tour Package Crafted for?
This package is crafted for travelers ( solo travelers, couples, family, group of friends etc) who want to cover gorilla trekking in Uganda and wildebeest migration in Tanzania in one single trip but have limited time at hand. The trip package itinerary is fast paced and is made for travelers interested in mid-range and luxury accommodation though it can be further customized to accommodate interested in ultra-luxury accommodation.
What is the Cost of this Gorilla Trekking and Wildebeest Migration Tour Package
The cost of this tour package will highly depend on the accommodation type you choose between mid-range, luxury or even ultra-luxury and the number of people you will be travelling with ( the higher number the lower the price). Other factor include the fixed gorilla permit cost @USD800 Per Person, the park fees, the transport and the flights involved.
To tailor-make your Quotation for this tour, kindly let us know the number of people you are traveling with, your preferred type of accommodation between the proposed lodges and your dates of travel.
Gorilla trekking Permit Price in Uganda
According to Uganda Wildlife Authority a Uganda gorilla permit costs 800USD for foreigners, 700USD foreign residents per trek.
What Else Can You Add on Your Gorilla Trekking and Wildebeest Migration Tour?
After your Gorilla Trekking experience in Uganda, you may add a chimps trekking experience in Kibale National Park and then proceed to Zanzibar for a beach stay. You may also decide to add another gorilla trekking excursion in the nearby Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Altitude Considerations
This journey includes travel through regions of varying elevation. Most of the Tanzanian portion of the trip, including the Serengeti, sits between 3,000 and 5,000 feet above sea level and is generally not considered high altitude. However, once in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park you will be trekking at elevations ranging from 3,800 to 8,500 feet.
Some participants may notice mild altitude effects such as shortness of breath or fatigue, especially during the gorilla treks, which involve hiking at higher elevations through humid, rugged terrain. Staying well-hydrated, pacing yourself and allowing time to acclimate will help reduce discomfort. Guides are trained to support you throughout the trek and porters are available to assist as needed. If you have a known sensitivity to altitude or any related health concerns, we recommend speaking with your physician before booking.
What happens on the day of doing the gorilla trekking in Bwindi?
On the day of doing the gorilla trekking, guests booked for the experience will gather at park headquarters by 7:30am for briefing by park officials before commencing the activity at 8:00am. Gorilla Trekking involves hiking through steep and dense parts of the rain forest jungles hence we recommend that you carry drinking water and put on hiking shoes for a better encounter.
When the trekkers finally find the gorilla family, they will be allowed to spend a maximum of 1 hour interacting with the family members and taking pictures
Please note that visitors with infectious diseases are not allowed to take part in the gorilla trekking experience because human diseases like flu can threaten an entire gorilla family and the minimum age for the gorilla trekking experience in Uganda is 15 years of age.
What to pack for This Safari Tour?
It’s important to come well prepared for the incredible experience of gorilla trekking and great migration and below is our recommended packing list:
- Waterproof hiking boots with good ankle support
- Waterproof jackets and trousers
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Lightweight woolen socks
- Wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses for sun protection
- Toiletries such as sun cream, insect repellent, after-sun, bite relief cream and lip balm
- Garden gloves
- A small backpack to carry your water, lunch, extra clothes, binoculars and camera
- Camera with extra lenses and batteries
- Binoculars
- Snacks for extra energy
- A reusable water bottle to limit waste
- Multi-way travel adaptor.
Do I need vaccinations and malaria medication for this Tour?
Yes, you will need to both vaccinations and malaria medication because mountain gorillas share about 98% of our DNA and are therefore incredibly susceptible to human illnesses.
A yellow fever vaccine and a yellow card will be required for this trip since you are crossing borders between Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda. A yellow card is mandatory for all international travelers arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport though not technically required at Kigali International Airport and Gatuna border crossing hence we highly recommended that you carry it to avoid being denied entry at one point.
Additionally, most of the locations you are visiting are high-risk malaria zones though the high altitude of the gorilla parks (especially in Uganda) means there are fewer mosquitoes than in the lowlands hence a reduced risk. So be sure to pack mosquito repellent!
How To Book This Package with Engabi Tours and Travel
To Book this package with Engabi Tours and Travel, contact us on WhatsApp at +256-757341593 Or send us an email at info@gorillasafaridiscovery.com
Our payments are preferred in US Dollars and Currency exchange rates vary daily based on the current international banking data available.
We accept wire transfers and credit card payments and Payment by credit card is subject to a surcharge of 3.5%.
GENERAL INFORMATION
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
All visitors to Tanzania and Rwanda and Uganda must have a valid passport with at least 4 consecutive blanks pages. Any applicable visa and/or relevant documentation are the responsibility of the traveler. For further information on Visa requirements visitors are advised to contact their nearest Tanzania, Rwanda or Uganda Embassy or Consulate.
LANGUAGE:
Luganda, English and Kiswahili(Uganda) and Kiswahili and English (Tanzania)
VOLTAGE:
In Tanzania and Rwanda and Uganda the standard voltage is 220 Volts/AC50Hz. Sockets are UK style, 3 pin square plugs.
CURRENCY:
Foreign currency must be changed at the Bank, Bureau de Change, and Hotel/Safari lodge/Camp/Resort. Major Credit Cards, Master card, Visa, American Express, are usually accepted throughout the country. Where credit cards are accepted, the payment will normally be recorded in US$ regardless of the card’s default currency.
CLOTHING:
Dress is mainly informal and should be comfortable as well as practical. Something warm should be brought along for early morning and evenings. Safari clothes are available from hotels/lodges/camps.
BAGGAGE:
Where possible, travel light. Baggage space on safari is limited to medium suitcase or soft bag per person plus reasonable amount of hand luggage. There is 15 Kilogram per person limit on all flights to the wildlife sanctuaries. Excess luggage must be stored in your arrival hotel.
WATER:
You will find many different of opinion of what is safe and what is not. We recommend for peace of mind, to drink local Bottled Mineral water. It is important to drink plenty of water especially during the hotter months. We would recommend that guests drink at least 2 to 3 liters of water per day to limit the effects of dehydration.
HEALTH;
East Africa is a safe and secure destination; however, it is a good idea to take a few precautions. Kindly consult your GP or local doctor at least 6 weeks before you travel, with regards:
Malaria prophylactics. East Africa is a known malaria area and preventive measures are essential. You are advised to take one of the recommended anti-malarial drugs. Be sure to wear long sleeved shorts and trousers after sunset and spray the exposed parts of your body with a mosquito repellent spray
Remember to protect yourself from direct sun rays with sunscreen cream or safari hat.
DIETARY REQUIREMENTS:
For those guests with specific dietary requirement, please ensure the Hotel is notified prior to travel
GRATUITIES:
As a guideline and dependent on how happy you are, we would suggest the following:
The General Hotel/Lodge/Camp Staff – Approximately U$ 10.00 per person per day
Driver Guides – Approximately US$ 15.00 to US$ 20.00 per person per day
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Please be careful when photographing public buildings, airports, bridges, the national flag and people in uniform. Ensure that you have sought permission before photographing local people and their villages. If in doubt, please check with your guide.