An epic 17-day Predators and Primates Safari Tour Recommended During the Months of January and February
Tour Overview
Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime 17-day East Africa’s Private Predators and Primates safari tour that combines two premier African wildlife experiences the Great Migration Calving Season and Gorilla trekking in one seamless trip to Tanzania and Uganda. The best of East Africa predators and Primates safari tour connects the best of primate tracking and big cat safaris In Uganda and Tanzania’s major National parks including following the great migration calving season in Southern Serengeti.
While on this ultimate Predators and Primates safari tour, you will venture into Uganda for intimate gorilla trekking experiences in the dense rainforests of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest observing these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. You will then traverse the vast savannahs of the Southern Serengeti in Tanzania renowned for its incredible annual wildebeest migration calving season and diverse predator-prey interactions. The primates and Predators safari tour will also take you to experience the ethereal beauty of the Ngorongoro Crater a geological marvel teeming with wildlife in a unique caldera ecosystem, the tree climbing lions of Manyara National Park and the iconic Tarangire known for the large numbers of elephants & the baobab trees.
Each stage of this Predators and Primates safari tour is enhanced by expert private guides who provide deep insights into the region’s ecology and conservation efforts ensuring an immersive and educational experience that connects you intimately with one of the world’s most spectacular natural environments.
Detailed Uganda and Tanzania Predators and Primates Itinerary to Inspire You:
Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe and Transfer to Your Hotel
Welcome to Uganda the pearl of Africa. On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will meet and greet with a representative from Engabi Tours and Travel who will welcome you to Uganda and transfer you to your hotel in Entebbe Town. He will brief you about your upcoming trip.
Travel Time: 10 Minutes
Day 2: Transfer to Kibale forest National Park
After breakfast, you will be transferred Kibale forest national park the primate capital of the world and home to 13 species of primates including chimpanzees.
Travel Time: 6 Hours
Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Swamp Walk
After your morning breakfast, your tour driver will lead you to Kanyanchu park headquarters for briefing from the senior park ranger. At 8:00 am you will join the rest of other trackers and transfer to the starting point which is 2 Km away from the park headquarters. Most often chimpanzee tracking goes for 3 to 4 hours.
While in the forest you may interface with primates including, Chimpanzees, the red-tailed monkey, L’Hoest monkey, baboons, white and black Colobus monkeys, grey checked mangabey, red Colobus, blue monkeys and pottos. Other animals include forest elephants unique from the common type, giant forest hogs and a striking tree species. Later you will embark on a nature walk in Bigodi wetland sanctuary, an eco-tourism destination managed by local people. Dinner and overnight at the lodge
Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park
After breakfast you will be transferred to Bwindi forest National park arriving in time for check in at your Lodge. Renowned as home to half of world’s mountains gorillas, Bwindi is famous gorilla tracking destination. derived from the Rukiga word, “Bwindi” means a dark place, Bwindi rainforest has remained untouched since the last ice age 250, 000 million years ago.
Travel Time: 6 Hours
Day 5: Gorilla trekking Experience
You will get up so early in the morning for breakfast and thereafter your driver will drive you to the Park head offices with your packed lunch. On reaching there by 7:30am you will be briefed about what to do and not to do while trekking after which you will be led by the ranger guides through the mist jungle. Trekking usually takes between to 8 hours or even a full day due to the location of gorillas. When you see them, it will be a great and fun time as you watch them and only 1 hour is permitted to watch them. Also ensure you carry enough water with you, hats, sun glasses, rain coats, and non-flash cameras.
Later return to the lodge and in the afternoon, you may go for a walk in the communities
Day 6: Stay at Leisure at the Lodge
Today you will stay at leisure either spending a quiet day lounging in your room or in the spa and other in-house activities and experiences. You may choose to take a walk in the nearby communities.
Day 7: Golden Monkey Tracking
After a very early breakfast, you will transfer to Mgahinga National Park headquarters for golden monkey tracking. These are endangered type of monkey which is only found in this mountain range at high elevation within the Albertine rift region. They can easily be seen in large troop but on close view because of being habituated to human presence. The trekking takes 3 to 4 hours in total. After trekking, you will be transferred to you lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi and Boat Excursion
After breakfast, you will transfer to Lake Bunyonyi arriving in time for a boat excursion to the different islands on the lake.
Day 9: Flight from Kigali to Kilimanjaro International Airport
Depending on the Schedule of your flight, you will check out and Transfer to Kigali International Airport to catch your domestic flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport. On arrival in Tanzania at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will meet with your driver/guide who will transfer you to your hotel in Arusha Town for Overnight.
Day 10: Transfer to Tarangire National park and Game Drive
Today after breakfast, you will embark on a transfer to Tarangire national park where you will arrive in time to start your game drive, enjoy your picnic lunch as you continue with your game drive. This park has the largest concentration of over 3000 elephants in Tanzania. Later in the evening transfer to your lodge for Dinner and overnight
Day 11: Game Drive in Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast, you will head out for a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park. The park is truly a photographer’s playground and offers some of the best game viewing in the world. You can expect to see many of Africa’s most well-known animals with the tree-climbing lions a particular treat. These proud predators lounge in acacia trees practically begging to be photographed. After the game drive, you will pass through the market town of Mto Wa Mbu along the way back to the lodge. This agricultural and fresh produce market is a melting pot of local cultures and a souvenir hunter’s paradise.
Day 12: Transfer to Serengeti National Park ( Ndutu Area) and Game Drive
After breakfast, leave the Tarangire National park through the Ngorongoro Area driving to Ndutu Area where you will notice the landscape changing from hilly forests to plain and green grasslands. Once you reach Ndutu you will begin a half day game drive with a convenient stop for your picnic lunch. Sweeping grasslands cover the region which gradually fade into the Serengeti. Ndutu forms a part of the route for the annual migration of more than 2 million wildebeests and thousands of zebra, antelope and gazelle. February is the best month to see wildebeest calving in the Ndutu Region and Southern Serengeti.
Crested with Ndutu lake and Lake Masek, these waterholes offer plenty of wildlife game during the dry season. The Ndutu is also the home ground for 6 species of big cats – leopard, lion, cheetah, caracal, serval and wildcat. Dinner and Overnight at the lodge.
Day 13: Full day Serengeti Plains
Stunned by the previous days spotting of the migration, today you get another chance to view the beautiful wildlife spectacle. The Ndutu region is a part of the glorious Serengeti National Park as well as the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA). Heading out for a full day game drive after breakfast, today you will be following the migration depending on its location in either NCA or Serengeti. This season attracts hordes of predators prying on vulnerable young wildebeest and watching the circle of life take its course will be an unforgettable experience etched for life. Dinner and Overnight at the lodge
Accommodation Option: Tanzania Bush Camp Ndutu
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 14: Optional Balloon Safari and More Game drive.
Serengeti Balloon Safari is probably the most beautiful balloon flight in Africa and the ultimate Safari Experience which makes you enjoy the most beautiful migration of wildebeests through the endless plain of Serengeti. If you choose to do it, at 5:00 am you will be collected from your lodge and transferred to the launch site. Here you will meet your pilot, receive a briefing and watch the inflation of your balloon. At dawn you take off, rising as the sun rises and float in whichever direction the winds of the morning take us. Your pilot can precisely control the altitude of your balloon: sometimes flying at treetop height, sometimes lower, offering a unique perspective and great photographic opportunities of the wildlife below.
If you are not interested in the Balloon safari, today you may head out for another early morning game drive and then return to the lodge in the afternoon for relaxation, lunch and overnight.
Day 15: Morning Game Drive in Serengeti and Afternoon to Transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Today you will check out and have a morning game viewing after which you will proceed to Ngorongoro Conservation Area arriving in time for lunch and later dinner and overnight.
Day 16: Full Day Game Drive in the Ngorongoro Crater
After a very quick breakfast, you will make an early descent at around 6:30 AM into the crater floor for a game drive. This area is compared to Garden of Eden on earth. The big numbers of wildlife can be spotted in a day including all big five, the elephant, black rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetahs, and lots of hyenas, hippos, zebra and wildebeest being the most abundant. You will take a break for lunch and in the afternoon, you will continue game viewing in the south corner of the park where you visit Lake Magadi a place you can see flamingos, hippos and other water birds. Return for dinner and overnight
Day 17: Transfer to Arusha City or Kilimanjaro International Airport depending on your flight schedule.
After a heavy breakfast, you will transfer to Arusha town or Kilimanjaro international airport to catch your onward flight depending on your flight schedule.
End of Tour
When is the Best Time to go for the above tour for an ultimate Predators and Primates Safari Experience?
The best Time to go for the above Primates and Predators safari tour in Uganda and Tanzania is during the Months of January and February because this is when the wildebeest migration calving season is at its peak in Southern Serengeti hence attracting a high concentration of vulnerable calves which in turn attracts large numbers of predators including lions, cheetahs, and hyenas, leading to intense wildlife encounter. January to February just like June to September is also another perfect time for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda since it offers more comfortable hiking conditions with less mud.
On The other hand, an East African Safari to see Big 5 animals including predators and Primates can be booked all year-round though the best time to visit depends on what you want to see and experience on your East Africa Safari.
Please note that the weather patterns and wildlife movements particularly the Great Migration play a huge role in determining the ideal months for your journey.
Seasonal Guide on the Best Time to Go on Safari in East Africa:
The Dry Seasons: June to October & December to February
From Experience, the dry seasons are the absolute best time to go on safari in East Africa (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania & Kenya) and here’s why:
Peak Wildlife Viewing
During the dry months, a combination of scarcity of vegetation and water sources forces animals to congregate around the few remaining rivers and waterholes making them much easier to spot. During this time the grass is shorter hence giving you a clearer and unobstructed views of the predators and their prey.
The Great Migration
If witnessing the Great Wildebeest Migration is at the top of your list, the dry season is the perfect time though the timing is crucial as explained below:
June to September: This is when the famous Grumeti River and Mara river crossings typically happen at the Grumeti river in Western Serengeti (June) and Mara River in Northern Serengeti (Late July to October) between Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara. It’s a dramatic spectacle of life and death that you wouldn’t want to miss.
January to February: This is the time for the calving season in the Southern Serengeti as thousands of newborn wildebeest take their first steps on the plains. This is truly heartwarming (and predator-rich) experience.
Primates Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
For gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, you can travel year-round. However, the dry seasons of June-September and December-February offer more comfortable hiking conditions with less mud.
On the other hand, the Wet Seasons of March to May & November to Early December transform the savanna into a vibrant, green paradise and is a stunning time for photography with dramatic skies and blooming flora. Since it’s the low season, you will also benefit from fewer vehicle crowds in the parks and often lower accommodation prices especially in Tanzania.
The wet seasons are also a dream for birders as migratory birds from Europe and Asia flock to East Africa and many resident birds are in their breeding plumage creating a kaleidoscope of color and song.
CONTACT US to book this package by mentioning the number of people you are travelling with and your preferred accommodation type between budget, mid-range, luxury and ultra luxury. This package is recommended during the Months of January-February when the great migration calving season in Serengeti is at its peak hence attracting more predators and the conditions for gorillas and Chimpanzee trekking are perfect in Uganda.
Please note that this itinerary is flexible and you can therefore request us to tailor this package to your desired safari experience in addition to the primates for example you may prefer to experience the Great Migration Mara River Crossing in Northern Serengeti during the Months of July-September or just watch the big Five animals in central Serengeti which can be done all yea-around. Here we will adjust your accommodation in Serengeti according based on the season Months you are visiting and your desired experience