10 Days Uganda Primates and Tanzania Wildlife via Kigali
About This 10-Day Safari
Link Uganda’s forest primates with Tanzania’s northern wildlife circuit on a journey that uses Kigali as the arrival gateway. The Uganda section includes Bwindi, a transfer through Queen Elizabeth and chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu before returning to Rwanda. Fly onward to Tanzania for Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro. This is an active multi-country itinerary, requiring coordinated permits, border arrangements, flight schedules and lodge locations.
- Kigali arrival and road transfer into Uganda
- Bwindi gorilla trekking and a Batwa cultural visit
- Queen Elizabeth or Ishasha wildlife opportunity during transfer
- Kalinzu chimpanzee tracking
- Flight connection from Kigali to northern Tanzania
- Tarangire and Serengeti wildlife drives
- Ngorongoro Crater excursion
Where You Will Go
The places this safari visits, in the order you will reach them.
A UNESCO World Heritage rainforest in south-western Uganda and home to around half of the world’s mountain gorillas.
Savannah, crater lakes and the Kazinga Channel, with hippos, elephants and the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha.
Baobab-studded country famous for dry-season elephant herds.
Tanzania’s endless plains and the setting of the great wildebeest migration.
A collapsed volcano whose floor is a natural amphitheatre for black rhinos, lions and elephants.
Day By Day Itinerary
Every day is planned by our local team and can be adjusted to your pace.
Arrive in Kigali
Meet your transfer guide at Kigali airport and continue to the hotel. Take time to rest and review the road crossing planned for the following day. Confirm that your travel documents are ready for the agreed border route. Dinner and overnight provide a pause before the Uganda section begins.
Cross into Uganda and reach Buhoma
Travel from Kigali into Uganda on the confirmed border route. After the formalities, continue towards Buhoma on Bwindi’s northern side. A locally led Batwa cultural visit is planned later where arrival time allows. Meet your hosts respectfully and return to the lodge ready for the next morning’s forest briefing.
Gorilla trek and Queen Elizabeth transfer
Join the Bwindi ranger team for the gorilla trek, keeping the day’s timing flexible. After returning from the forest, continue towards Queen Elizabeth according to the confirmed overnight plan. A wildlife stop through Ishasha is possible only if the trek finishes with sufficient time. The programme does not assume a fixed early finish or promise a specialist veterinary tracking activity.
Kalinzu chimpanzees and return to Kigali
Attend the Kalinzu chimpanzee tracking briefing before entering the forest with its guides. Allow time for the search and return rather than setting a guaranteed finishing hour. Continue afterwards towards Rwanda with a lunch break and the required border formalities. Reach Kigali for the night, with tomorrow’s flight arrangements confirmed in advance.
Fly to Tanzania and transfer to Arusha
Transfer to Kigali airport for the booked flight connection towards Kilimanjaro. The route and any transit stop depend on the airline schedule selected for your dates. On arrival, meet the Tanzania transfer guide and continue to Arusha. The day remains focused on travel and settling in before the northern safari circuit.
Tarangire wildlife and onward to Karatu
Travel to Tarangire for a wildlife drive among its baobabs, woodland and river habitats. Look for elephants and other animals along a route chosen for the day’s conditions. Enjoy a picnic lunch within the authorised visitor areas. Continue towards the Karatu region for the night, preparing for the next day’s Serengeti transfer.
Into the Serengeti
Drive towards the Serengeti through the agreed access route. The journey itself introduces the scale of northern Tanzania’s safari landscapes. Wildlife viewing continues after park entry as time allows before reaching your camp. Settle in with a full Serengeti day ahead rather than trying to cover a distant area on arrival.
A dedicated Serengeti wildlife day
Explore the camp’s surrounding region on morning and afternoon drives or an agreed full-day outing. Search for predators and grazers, giving worthwhile sightings time. The guide plans around current conditions rather than promising migration herds in a fixed location. Return to camp after the final session and prepare for the journey towards Ngorongoro.
Ngorongoro Crater and Karatu overnight
Depart early enough to fit the transfer and agreed crater excursion within the day’s permitted schedule. Descend with the guide for wildlife viewing on the crater floor. A picnic break provides time to pause between different habitats. Ascend afterwards and continue to the Karatu overnight base, with sightings of black rhino or other particular animals remaining uncertain.
Return towards Arusha and departure
Leave Karatu and travel towards Arusha after breakfast. Lunch is arranged if it fits your flight schedule. Continue to Kilimanjaro airport or the agreed onward departure point with the required check-in margin. Additional hotel time or a further safari extension can be arranged before the trip is confirmed.
Where You Will Stay
Lodges are subject to availability. If a lodge is full we replace it with one of an equal standard. For gorilla trekking, the lodge is matched to the sector of your confirmed permit.
Onomo Hotel
Haven’s Lodge Buhoma
Buffalo Safari Lodge
Tulia Hotel
Eileen’s Trees Inn
Serengeti Osinon Camp
Practical Planning
Things worth knowing before you book.
Rwanda is used as a gateway and transit country; this package does not include a Rwanda gorilla trek.
The Kigali to Kilimanjaro flight may require a connection. Its fare, schedule and baggage allowance must be confirmed separately.
The gorilla trek followed by Queen Elizabeth, and the chimpanzee trek followed by Kigali, are busy transfer days. An extra night can be quoted for a gentler pace.
Best Time To Go
The dry season from June to October is best for the northern parks, while January and February suit calving and beach time. The long rains fall in March to May.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in the 10 Days Uganda Primates and Tanzania Wildlife via Kigali?
The package includes Scheduled road transfers and guiding for the agreed itinerary; accommodation for the scheduled nights; meals shown in the confirmed meal plan; entry fees and scheduled core activities confirmed in the quotation; one gorilla trekking permit and one standard chimpanzee trekking permit per eligible participant, subject to confirmation and availability. It does not include international flights and any travel before or after the agreed programme; regional or domestic airfares unless explicitly included in the quotation; the required flight route must be confirmed; visa costs and personal travel insurance; tips, laundry, personal purchases and drinks not expressly included; optional activities, upgrades and additional nights; meals outside the confirmed meal plan.
Do I need a gorilla permit?
Yes. Mountain gorilla trekking requires a permit and the number of permits is limited each day, so we recommend booking as early as you can, especially for the dry months of June to September and December to February. Giravex reserves your permit once your dates are confirmed.
When is the best time to take this safari?
The dry season from June to October is best for the northern parks, while January and February suit calving and beach time. The long rains fall in March to May.
Can the itinerary be changed?
Yes. Every Giravex itinerary can be adjusted to your dates, pace, budget and interests. Tell us what you would like to change and a trip specialist will tailor it for you.
How do I book or get a quote?
Send a quote request or message us on WhatsApp. A trip specialist will reply with availability and a detailed quote for your group size and dates.
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