16-Day Uganda, Rwanda Primates and Tanzania Big 5 Itinerary

All-Inclusive Uganda, Rwanda Primates and Tanzania Safari

Explore a 16-day Uganda, Rwanda Primates and Tanzania safari with gorilla trekking, chimpanzees, golden monkeys, and Big Five game drives across iconic parks. This 16-day Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania safari is a beautifully balanced East African journey that brings together classic Big Five game viewing, unforgettable primate encounters, and rich cultural experiences.

The adventure begins in Tanzania with game drives and a walking safari in Arusha National Park, followed by the elephant-filled landscapes of Tarangire, the endless plains of Serengeti, and the iconic Ngorongoro Crater. From there, the route continues to Rwanda for a refreshing stop in Kigali, a cultural visit to Iby’Iwacu, golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park, and a scenic canoe experience on the Twin Lakes. Each destination adds a different rhythm to the safari, blending wildlife, scenery, and local traditions into one seamless experience.

The journey then crosses into Uganda for some of Africa’s most rewarding primate and nature highlights. In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, guests enjoy the rare privilege of gorilla trekking, followed by Batwa cultural interaction. Queen Elizabeth National Park adds a classic safari touch with a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and a game drive through Kasenyi.

At the same time, Kibale Forest offers exceptional chimpanzee trekking and a beautiful crater lake excursion. The route also includes Semliki hot springs and the Amabere ga Nyinamwiru caves before winding down in Entebbe. With carefully selected lodges, expert guiding, park fees, permits, meals, and transfers included, this safari is ideal for travelers seeking a complete East African experience filled with wildlife, culture, and memorable scenery.

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Detailed Itinerary: Uganda, Rwanda Primates and Tanzania Safari

Day 1: Arrival, Arusha National Park (Walking), and transfer to the hotel

Route: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to Arusha. Meet and greet at the airport.

Transfer toward Arusha. Arusha National Park: Upon arrival, you will proceed for a game drive and a walking safari within the park before heading into Arusha town (timing subject to flight arrival). Transfer to the hotel near Tarangire National Park for relaxation, dinner, and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Burunge Boabab lodge (Midrange)/ Fanaka lodge (Budget)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 2: Tarangire National Park Safari Route

Arusha → Tarangire → Karatu

Morning game drive in Tarangire National Park (elephants, baobabs, big cats)

Picnic lunch in the park and afternoon transfer to Karatu

Accommodation: Ngorongoro Farm House/ Farm of Dreams Lodge (Budget)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 3: Serengeti Safari Route: Karatu → Serengeti via Ngorongoro

Scenic drive through the Ngorongoro highlands into the Serengeti

Game drive en route to camp

Accommodation: The Singing Grass Camp (Midrange)/ Tukaone Camp (Budget)

Meal plan: Dinner

Day 4: Full-Day Serengeti Safari

Full-day game drive in Central Serengeti with picnic lunch

Accommodation: The Singing Grass Camp (Midrange)/ Tukaone Camp (Budget)

Meal plan: Dinner

Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater Safari Route: Serengeti → Ngorongoro Crater → Karatu

Early morning descent into Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive

Picnic lunch on the crater floor and afternoon transfer to Karatu

Accommodation: Ngorongoro Farm House/ Farm of Dreams Lodge (Budget)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 6: Transfer to Kilimanjaro for the flight to Kigali

Breakfast and scenic drive back to JRO for the flight to Kigali. Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be transferred to the hotel for relaxation and an overnight stay. (If you arrive early enough, you will be transferred to Volcanoes this very day.

Accommodation: Governor’s residence (Midrange)/ Gloria hotel (Budget)

Meal plan: Bed & breakfast

Day 7: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park with the Ibwiwachu cultural tour

After breakfast, you check out of the lodge and transfer to Volcanoes National Park. Upon arrival, you will have lunch and then go for the Ibwiwachu cultural tour. This afternoon, you will visit the Ibwiwachu community, where traditional dances, poems, and dressing codes will introduce you to traditional Rwanda, among other things. Afterwards, you will be transferred back to Kigali for an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Five Volcanoes (Midrange)/ Classic resort (Budget)

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 8: Golden monkey trekking and boat ride along the twin lakes.

After breakfast, you will head to the park information point for a brief briefing on the pros and cons of golden monkey trekking. This tour will take us through the forest borders, among potato fields, and will take place at the same location as the Kinigi Park office. This means the trek will last 3 to 4 hours. Afterward, we will return to the lodge for lunch. After lunch, you will be taken to visit these two beautiful lakes to explore their beauty and discover the wonderful adventures on this Canoe ride trip.

Accommodation: Five Volcanoes (Midrange)/Classic Resort (Budget)

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 9: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. On your way to Bwindi, you will visit the Ellen DE Generous Museum for a virtual gorilla trek. Afterwards, you will cross the Cyanika border and proceed to Bwindi.

Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Midrange)/ Gorilla Hills Eco Lodge (Budget)

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 10: Gorilla trekking & Batwa cultural tour

Today, you will enjoy an encounter with mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park! After a delicious breakfast, your guide will pick you up from the lodge. At 7:40 AM, you will attend a briefing with the rangers. This session will begin at 8:00 AM, as you will join others who will also be participating in the same activity that day. After the briefing, we will head to our respective gorilla families. You will begin the trek in search of the gorillas with the help of trackers who always leave before you, so by the start of the trek, you will have already communicated with the advance team. After encountering the gorillas, you will spend an hour with them.

After the trek, you will visit the Batwa community, where you will learn more about their way of life.

Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Midrange)/ Gorilla Hills Eco Lodge (Budget)

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 11: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park with an afternoon boat cruise

After breakfast, you will leave the lodge and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Upon arrival at the park, you have lunch and then set out for an afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, where you will be able to observe a variety of animals, including crocodiles, hippos, waterbuck, and buffalo, as well as birds such as storks and kingfishers. After the boat cruise, you will return to the lodge for relaxation, diner & overnight stay.

Accommodation: Acacia wilderness Mweya (Midrange)/ Bush lodge (Budget)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 12: Morning game drive & transfer to Kibale with top of the world experience.

Rise early and embark on a morning game drive in the Kasenyi sector. This game drive will focus on early- rising animals and predators returning to their dens after their evening hunt. Expect more encounters with buffalo, antelope, elephant, giant warthog, hyena, Uganda Kob, lion, and waterbuck. After your morning game drive, you will check out of the lodge and transfer to Kibale Forest National Park.

Upon arrival, you will check in at the lodge for lunch. In the evening, you will go for a guided excursion through the Ndali-Kasenda crater lake area near Kibale National Park. You will visit the beautiful Kasenda Crater Lakes, including Rukwanzi, Mwamba, Kifuruka, and Nyairya. Marvel at the stunning landscapes and learn about the geological significance of these lakes, including the iconic Nyinambuga Crater.

Accommodation: Kibale tourist Lodge (Midrange)/ Chimpanzee Forest lodge (Budget)

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 13: Chimpanzee trekking & Bigodi community visit

Wake up early and head to Kanyanchu at 8:00 a.m. to begin your chimpanzee trek in Kibale Forest.

Chimpanzees are considered humans’ closest relatives, sharing 98% of their DNA with us. As you search for these beautiful chimpanzees, you will observe many other primate and animal species, such as L’Hoests monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, bush babies, and many bird species, including the yellow-spotted nicator, the rampant puppet, and the crowned eagle, as well as elephants, which are mammals.

Accommodation: Kibale tourist Lodge (Midrange)/ Chimpanzee Forest lodge (Budget)

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 14: Semliki hot springs and Amabere caves

After breakfast, you will check out of the hotel and transfer to Semliki National Park. Upon arrival at the park, visitors check in at the Uganda Wildlife Authority gate and begin by visiting the “Nyasimbi” (female hot spring), a smaller but highly active boiling spring with strong, steamy vents. Here, guides will explain the cultural significance of the springs to the local Bakonzo people and demonstrate the extreme temperatures, often by boiling eggs right in the spring water.

Accommodation: Nyaika hotel (Midrange)/ Koikoi cultural village hotel (Budget)

Meal plan: Full board

Day 15: Transfer to Entebbe

After breakfast, you will check out of the hotel and transfer to Entebbe with an en route lunch. The transfer from Fort Portal to Entebbe takes approximately 6 hours, so expect no activity on this day.

Accommodation: Best Western (Midrange)/ Papyrus guest house (Budget)

Meal plan: Bed & breakfast

Day 16: Transfer to the airport for the flight back home

After breakfast and depending on your flight schedule, you will check out of the hotel and transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your flight back home.