12 Days Big Five and Gorilla Luxury Safari – Tanzania & Uganda Combined

Tanzania Uganda Luxury Safari

Safari Overview: Tanzania Uganda Luxury Safari

For the discerning traveler who refuses to choose between the savannah giants and the mountain kings, this 12 Day Luxury Safari delivers the ultimate African dream. You will begin in Tanzania, the land of the Great Migration, where endless plains teem with lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos. You will explore the world famous Ngorongoro Crater, a natural amphitheater bursting with wildlife, and the legendary Serengeti, where you will witness the raw drama of predator and prey. Then you will fly to Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, for an experience of a completely different order: a private hour with a family of mountain gorillas in the misty Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Between these extraordinary encounters, you will stay in the most exclusive lodges and tented camps, each chosen for its impeccable service, breathtaking settings, and commitment to sustainable luxury. Africa Exotic Safaris has designed this itinerary for those who seek not just a safari, but a seamless journey through two of Africa’s most remarkable nations. From the roar of a lion on the Serengeti plains to the gentle gaze of a silverback in the rainforest, this is the pinnacle of African wildlife luxury.

Quick Tour Specifics: Tanzania Uganda Luxury Safari

Big Five and Gorilla Luxury Safari – Tanzania & Uganda Combined

Number of People: Private safari for 2 to 6 guests (ideal for couples, small groups, or luxury solo travelers)

Start/End: Kilimanjaro International Airport (Tanzania) / Entebbe International Airport (Uganda)

Availability: All year throughout; best for Big Five from June to October and January to February; gorilla trekking year round

Activities: Private game drives, Ngorongoro Crater descent, chimpanzee tracking (optional), gorilla trekking, boat cruises, cultural visits, spa treatments

Destinations: Arusha, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park (Tanzania); Entebbe, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda)

Price: Request a Quote for this Trip

Safari Highlights: Tanzania Uganda Luxury Safari

Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a full day of Big Five viewing including the endangered black rhino.
Enjoy unlimited private game drives in the Serengeti, spending as long as you wish at each sighting, from lion kills to cheetah chases.
Witness the Great Migration if timing aligns, with the possibility of river crossings in the northern Serengeti.
Stay in award winning luxury lodges and tented camps with private verandas, plunge pools, and personal butlers.
Fly between Tanzania and Uganda on light aircraft, saving time and enjoying spectacular aerial views.
Spend one life changing hour with a mountain gorilla family in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a profound encounter available nowhere else on Earth.
Relax with spa treatments, gourmet dining, and private sundowner cocktails overlooking the African wilderness.

Detailed Day by Day Safari Activities: Tanzania Uganda Luxury Safari

Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro – Welcome to Tanzania

Your luxury safari begins the moment you land at Kilimanjaro International Airport. An Africa Exotic Safaris representative will greet you and transfer you to your exclusive lodge in Arusha. Nestled below Mount Meru, your lodge offers a tranquil retreat after your flight. After checking into your suite, enjoy a welcome glass of sparkling wine. In the evening, your private safari guide will meet you for a detailed briefing, discussing your preferences for the days ahead. A gourmet dinner featuring Tanzanian specialties is served. Rest well, for tomorrow you enter the cradle of wildlife.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation Options: Luxury: Arusha Coffee Lodge (plantation suite) | Mid Range: Mount Meru Hotel | Budget: Planet Lodge (luxury recommended)

Day 2: Arusha to Ngorongoro Crater – The Garden of Eden

Tanzania Uganda Luxury Safari

After a leisurely breakfast, you will drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a journey of approximately three hours. You will arrive at your lodge perched on the crater rim in time for lunch. The views from the lodge terrace are breathtaking: the vast caldera floor six hundred meters below. In the afternoon, you may take a gentle nature walk along the rim or relax at the lodge spa. Your guide will brief you on tomorrow’s descent. Dinner is served as the sun sets, painting the crater walls in shades of orange and purple.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation Options: Luxury: Ngorongoro Crater Lodge (andBeyond suite) | Mid Range: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge | Budget: Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge

Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater – Full Day Big Five Game Drive

Tanzania Uganda Luxury Safari

Wake before dawn for an early breakfast, then descend the steep road into the Ngorongoro Crater floor. This is one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five in a single day. Your private vehicle allows you to linger wherever the action is. You will see lions resting on the open plains, elephants with massive tusks marching through the Lerai Forest, and large herds of Cape buffalo. The crater is also a sanctuary for the endangered black rhino, often spotted grazing in the grasslands. Hippos crowd into the Gorigor Swamp, grunting and splashing. A picnic lunch will be served at a designated hippo pool. In the late afternoon, ascend back to the rim and return to your lodge for a relaxing evening and gourmet dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation Options: Same as Day 2

Day 4: Ngorongoro to Serengeti – Into the Endless Plains

After breakfast, you will drive west into the Serengeti, with game viewing en route. The landscape opens into the endless plains, dotted with acacia trees and granite kopjes. You will arrive at your luxury tented camp in the central Serengeti in time for lunch. After settling into your suite with a private veranda, you will set out for an afternoon game drive. Central Serengeti is famous for its resident lions, leopards, and cheetahs. As the sun sets, your guide will find a scenic spot for sundowner drinks. Return to camp for a candlelit dinner under a canopy of stars.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation Options: Luxury: Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti | Mid Range: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge | Budget: Serengeti Heritage Camp

Day 5: Serengeti – Full Day Private Game Drive

Tanzania Uganda Luxury Safari

Wake early for a sunrise game drive, the best time to see predators returning from a night of hunting. After a bush breakfast in the wild, your private guide will take you deep into the Serengeti. You will search for leopards in the riverine forests, cheetahs on the open plains, and large herds of elephants and giraffes. If you are visiting between June and October, you may witness the Great Migration with thousands of wildebeest and zebra crossing the Mara River. A picnic lunch will be served at a scenic location. In the afternoon, continue your exploration. Return to camp as the sun sets. Enjoy a private dinner on your veranda or join other guests at the campfire.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation Options: Same as Day 4

Day 6: Serengeti to Arusha – Scenic Flight

After a final morning game drive and breakfast, you will be transferred to the Serengeti airstrip for a light aircraft flight back to Arusha. The flight offers spectacular aerial views of the Rift Valley and the Ngorongoro highlands. Upon arrival in Arusha, you will be transferred to your lodge for a day room to freshen up. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner in Tanzania. Rest well, for tomorrow you fly to the Pearl of Africa.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation Options: Luxury: Arusha Coffee Lodge (day room) | Mid Range: Mount Meru Hotel | Budget: Planet Lodge

Day 7: Arusha to Entebbe – Crossing to Uganda

Tanzania Uganda Luxury Safari

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your scheduled flight to Entebbe, Uganda. The flight takes approximately two hours. Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, an Africa Exotic Safaris Uganda representative will greet you and transfer you to your boutique hotel on the shores of Lake Victoria. After checking into your suite, you can relax by the pool or take a gentle stroll through the Entebbe Botanical Gardens. In the evening, a welcome dinner featuring fresh Nile perch will be served. Your Uganda guide will brief you on the gorilla trekking adventure ahead.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation Options: Luxury: Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa | Mid Range: The Boma Entebbe | Budget: Papyrus Guesthouse

Day 8: Entebbe to Bwindi – Journey to the Gorilla Highlands

After breakfast, you will take a light aircraft flight from Entebbe to the Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The flight takes approximately one hour and offers stunning views of the Virunga volcanoes. Your guide will meet you at the airstrip and drive you to your luxury gorilla lodge, arriving in time for lunch. The lodge is nestled on the edge of the forest, with spectacular views. After checking into your suite, you can enjoy a spa treatment or take a guided nature walk along the forest edge. In the evening, your guide will brief you on tomorrow’s gorilla trekking, explaining the rules and what to expect. A gourmet dinner is served.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation Options: Luxury: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp (suite) | Mid Range: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge | Budget: Broadbill Forest Camp

Day 9: Bwindi – Gorilla Trekking and Celebration

Tanzania Uganda Luxury Safari

This is the highlight of your Uganda journey. Wake before dawn and enjoy a hearty breakfast. Your guide will drive you to the park headquarters for registration. You will be assigned to a gorilla family based on your fitness level. After a briefing, you will join a small group of trekkers and an experienced ranger. The trek can take one to five hours through steep, dense forest. The reward is immeasurable. When you find the gorillas, you will have exactly one hour in their presence. Sit quietly, breathe deeply, and absorb the moment. A silverback may rest just meters away. A mother may nurse her infant. After the trek, return to the lodge for a well earned lunch and a hot shower. In the evening, celebrate with a private dinner. Your lodge may arrange a cake and sparkling wine to mark this extraordinary encounter.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation Options: Same as Day 8

Day 10: Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi – Tranquility and Canoeing

Tanzania Uganda Luxury Safari

After a leisurely breakfast, you will drive approximately two hours to Lake Bunyonyi, one of the most beautiful lakes in Africa. This deep, bilharzia free lake is dotted with 29 islands, each with its own story. You will arrive at your lake side lodge in time for lunch. Your suite has a private deck overlooking the water. In the afternoon, you will take a private dugout canoe ride. Your guide will paddle you to Punishment Island, where unmarried pregnant girls were abandoned in the old days, and then to a secluded island for a picnic. Swim in the clear waters or simply float together. Return to the lodge as the sun sets. Dinner is served on your deck, with candles and the sound of gentle lapping water.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation Options: Luxury: Arcadia Cottages Lake Bunyonyi (suite) | Mid Range: BirdNest Resort | Budget: Bunyonyi Overland Resort

Day 11: Lake Bunyonyi to Entebbe – Relaxation and Departure Preparation

Tanzania Uganda Luxury Safari

Enjoy a final breakfast overlooking the mist rising from the lake. The morning is yours to relax, take a nature walk, or visit a local community project. After lunch, you will drive back to Entebbe, a journey of approximately six to seven hours. You will stop at the Equator crossing point in Kayabwe for a photo and the water experiment. Continue to Entebbe, arriving at your hotel in the late afternoon. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a waterfront restaurant, reflecting on the two extraordinary halves of your journey.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation Options: Same as Day 7

Day 12: Entebbe – Departure

After a final leisurely breakfast, your Africa Exotic Safaris guide will transfer you to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight. As you check in, you will carry with you the memory of a lion’s roar on the Serengeti plains and a silverback’s gentle gaze in the Bwindi forest. This 12 Days Big Five and Gorilla Luxury Safari has delivered the ultimate African wildlife experience. Africa Exotic Safaris thanks you for choosing us and hopes to welcome you back for another adventure.

Meals: Breakfast

Inclusions: Tanzania Uganda Luxury Safari

Private airport transfers in Kilimanjaro and Entebbe.
Light aircraft flights from Serengeti to Arusha and from Entebbe to Bwindi (including luggage allowance).
Scheduled flight from Kilimanjaro to Entebbe (economy class).
Private, custom built 4×4 safari vehicle for all game drives in Tanzania and Uganda.
Professional English speaking guides in each country, dedicated to your party.
Accommodation for 11 nights in luxury lodges and tented camps as per the itinerary.
All meals as indicated (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
One gorilla trekking permit per person for Bwindi (USD 800 at time of writing).
Ngorongoro Crater descent fee and all park entry fees.
Unlimited private game drives in Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
Private boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel (optional extra but included in this luxury itinerary).
Private canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi.
All park entry fees and conservation levies.
Bottled water, soft drinks, and house wine with dinners.
Flying doctor emergency evacuation cover (limited to first aid and evacuation).
Government taxes and service charges.