16 Days East Africa Safari (Gorillas, Wildlife, & Beach Safari)

The 16 Days East Africa Safari is a classic package that takes you to some of the best safari destinations in East Africa. During this 16 Days Safari, you’ll get to experience all the top safari activities in East Africa including mountain gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda, witnessing the wildebeest migration and the African Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, & elephant) in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park before flying to Zanzibar. Combining all the three top experiences in East Africa on a single holiday is a remarkable way to explore the region.

The 16 Days East Africa Safari starts in Uganda where you’ll visit the Kibale National Park for chimpanzee trekking and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking. Both Kibale National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park will be explored on foot. You’ll also visit the famous Queen Elizabeth National Park for wildlife viewing experiences with a chance to catch a sight of the tree climbing lions in Ishasha. After the adventures in Uganda, you’ll fly to Tanzania from where you’ll explore the iconic Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro. After remarkable wildlife viewing in Tanzania, you’ll conclude this 16 Days East Africa Safari with a beach escape to Zanzibar Islands.

Detailed 16 Days East Africa (Gorilla Trekking, Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Beach Holiday)

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe, Uganda

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by your professional safari guide and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may relax or enjoy a visit to the Entebbe Botanical Gardens or the shores of Lake Victoria.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Entebbe Town.

Accommodation: Papyrus Guest House

Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast

Day 2: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, depart for Kibale Forest National Park, Uganda’s primate capital. The journey to Kibale National Park takes you through the beautiful countryside, tea plantations, traditional villages, and major towns like Fort Portal before arriving at the lodge.

Upon arrival, check in at the lodge and enjoy a hot lunch. Spend the rest of your day at the lodge in preparation for your primate adventure the next morning. At the lodge, you can enjoy a swim in the swimming pool or have a glass of wine at the bar area as you enjoy the breathtaking surroundings. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Accommodation: Turaco Treetops Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

Enjoy an early morning breakfast at the lodge and later proceed to the park headquarters for a chimpanzee trekking experience. Chimpanzee trekking usually starts with a briefing by the park officials. After the briefing, you’ll enter Kibale Forest in search of chimpanzees. Besides chimpanzees, expect to encounter several monkey species and abundant birdlife.

After locating the chimpanzees, you’ll enjoy viewing them as they interact with each other, play, and feed. Unlike mountain gorillas that are mostly ground dwellers, chimpanzees are occasionally sighted in trees since they are light, making it easy for them to climb. After the trek, you’ll return to the lodge. Enjoy lunch and a short rest at the lodge.

In the afternoon, visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided nature walk. The Bigodi area is a remarkable birding area

Accommodation: Turaco Treetops Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Afternoon Game Drive in the Park

After an early morning breakfast at the lodge, drive south towards Queen Elizabeth National Park while enjoying magnificent views of the Rwenzori Mountains. You’ll arrive in the park and proceed with an enroute game drive to your booked safari lodge. Arrive at the lodge and check in.

In the afternoon, enjoy a game drive in Kasenyi Plains searching for lions, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, and warthogs. Later, return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Aardvark Safari Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Morning Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari

Begin the day with another game drive for opportunities to see more wildlife species in the park. The early morning game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park are very rewarding with wildlife sightseeing opportunities as you’ll be able to see even the elusive nocturnal before the go back to their hideouts. After the game drive, return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

In the afternoon, go for a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel. The boat cruise allows you to see one of Africa’s highest concentrations of hippos together with crocodiles, elephants and numerous bird species. Later return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Aardvark Safari Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After an early morning breakfast at the lodge, embark on a journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You’ll drive through the Ishasha Sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions, enjoy some sightseeing here before continuing to Bwindi. Arrive in Bwindi in the late afternoon and proceed to your booked safari lodge.

Check in for dinner and an overnight stay at the lodge.

Accommodation: Four Gorillas Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Gorilla Trekking Experience

Today is the highlight of your safari is gorilla trekking. Following an early morning breakfast at the lodge, drive to the park headquarters for where you join other travelers for a briefing session about the gorilla trekking. After the briefing and allocation, venture into the rainforest to track a habituated mountain gorilla family. Once found, spend one unforgettable hour observing these magnificent primates.

After the trek, you’ll return to the lodge for a refreshing meal. After lunch, you can go for an optional Batwa tour at an extra cost.