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14 Day Uganda Wild Diversity & Zanzibar Beach Escape
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From $ per person sharing
Tour Overview
This 14-day trip is ideal for guests who want to discover Uganda’s wildlife and primates without spending long hours on the road. With domestic flights and short transfers, more time is available for the highlights of the journey – from wildlife safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park to unforgettable gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After your Uganda safari, fly to Zanzibar for a few relaxing days at Breezes Beach Club & Spa Zanzibar on the Michamvi Peninsula. Set along a beautiful stretch of white sandy beach on the south-east coast of Zanzibar, the resort offers comfortable rooms, a large swimming pool, water activities, snorkelling, spa treatments and plenty of space to relax beneath the palms. It is a natural way to finish the trip: days of wildlife and adventure in Uganda followed by warm Indian Ocean waters, beach time and a slower pace in Zanzibar.
Highlights
- Guided private safari with your own driver-guide
- Flight from Entebbe to the Queen Elizabeth National Park region
- Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Ishasha sector
- Encounters with the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha
- Boat safari on the Kazinga Channel
- Guided gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Visit to the Pangolin Rescue Center
- Unique landscape experiences
- Searching for the rare shoebill with a local guide
- A combination of savannah, rainforest and wetlands – experience the diverse nature of Uganda intensely
- White sandy beaches and relaxation in Zanzibar
Itinerary IN dETAIL
Discover your route below. This itinerary is the starting point, tailor your adventure with the specific experiences.
Day 1: Arrival Entebbe Airport, Meet & Greet
Welcome to Uganda! As soon as you step off the plane at Entebbe International Airport (EBB), you will be enveloped by the pleasant, tropical warmth of Uganda. Right outside the exit, the gateway to your adventure opens: your personal English-speaking Ugandan guide will be waiting for you with a beaming smile and your name sign. “The Pearl of Africa”—that’s what Winston Churchill once called this captivating country, deeply impressed by its lush nature and unparalleled diversity. A name that stands like a promise over your journey. After the warm welcome, your driver will take you to your charming hotel in Entebbe. Here you will have time to relax after your flight, soak up your first African impressions, and settle in completely before your safari adventure begins.
Accommodation: The Boma Hotel Entebbe
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 2: Entebbe – Queen Elizabeth National Park (flight time approx. 1.5 hours)
Enjoy a hearty breakfast, before embarking your adventure. You will take to Entebbe International Airport for your morning scheduled flight to Kasese Airstrip near the famous Queen Elizabeth National Park. Upon landing, you will be warmly greeted by your personal driver and immediately depart for the lifeblood of the park, the majestic Kazinga Channel.
This impressive 32-km-long natural wonder connects Lake Edward with Lake George and forms the vibrant heart of the entire park. The wide waterway attracts a fascinating array of exotic birds and wildlife, including one of the world’s largest concentrations of hippos, an impressive number of Nile crocodiles, and countless waterbirds.
After a leisurely lunch, a 2-hour boat safari awaits you. Glide along the channel and experience the wildlife from a unique perspective. It is impressive how close the boat gets to the animals. Afterwards, you will embark on a drive into the twilight. As the African sun paints the sky, you will let this day come to a close in the heart of the savanna.
Accommodation: Elephant Plains Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Day 3: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Trekking
Today promises a day full of fascinating contrasts. In the morning, you’ll leave the open grasslands behind and descend 100 meters into a completely different world: the spectacular Kyambura Gorge. The gorge is an 11 km long fissure running straight through the savannah of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Hidden within the gorge lies a beautiful stretch of tropical rainforest, situated along the banks of the Kyambura River. This rainforest is home to chimpanzees, and other animal species. Rangers make it a sport to spot the chimpanzees, but the chance of seeing them is about 50%.
Therefore, above all, enjoy the hike itself, as it is one of the most beautiful hikes you can take in Uganda. It is an adventurous hike involving scrambling and climbing. And you will explore nature in a much more private setting than, for example, in Kibale Forest. After the trek, you will return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. An extensive game drive is planned for the late afternoon.
Accommodation: Elephant Plains Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Ishasha Sector
In the morning, you set off on a game drive of approximately 2.5 hours towards the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park: Ishasha.
Ishasha feels wonderfully remote. Away from the busier parts of the park, you can enjoy extended game drives through wide open savannas, woodland and lush riverine vegetation. Keep your eyes on the wild fig trees. This is where Ishasha’s famous tree-climbing lions like to spend the warmest hours of the day, resting high above the ground. The Ntungwe River winds through the sector, creating a rich habitat for hippos and other wildlife. The vegetation becomes greener and denser along the river, adding to the beauty of this remarkable corner of the park. In the afternoon, you continue your safari while the heat of the day keeps the lions resting in the trees. With a little luck, you may spot them stretched out on the branches, watching the savanna below.
As the sun begins to set, you return to your accommodation. Enjoy a refreshing drink and take in the peaceful surroundings of Ishasha Wilderness Camp. Later, gather around the campfire as the sounds of the African wilderness fill the evening.
Accommodation: Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Day 6: Queen Elizabeth NP / Ishasha Sector – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After breakfast, you will embark on another early morning game drive when the wildlife is particularly active. Later, a special highlight awaits: a bush breakfast amidst the African wilderness. Surrounded by the sounds of nature, you’ll enjoy your breakfast under the open sky.
Then you will leave Queen and travel further south through the impressive hilly landscapes of the Kigezi Highlands towards Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. This area, with its verdant valleys and rolling hills, is often called the “Switzerland of Africa.”
In the afternoon, you’ll arrive at your lodge on the edge of the rainforest. Bwindi is one of the most biodiverse forests in Africa and is home to around half of the world’s last remaining mountain gorillas. Enjoy the spectacular views of the rainforest and prepare yourself for the upcoming gorilla trek. Take it easy this evening and don’t go to bed too late to ensure you’re rested for the next day.
Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Day 7: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Gorilla Trekking
After an early breakfast, you will take a walk to the park headquarters in Buhoma. There, you will receive a detailed briefing from experienced Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guides on the rules of conduct that are important for gorilla trekking.
You will then set off with the ranger guide into the mountainous rainforest. Your ranger guide will follow the instructions and tracks of the trackers, who started their trek at sunrise. The trackers first went to the spot where they encountered the gorillas the previous day and are now following their movements. As soon as they spot the gorillas, they inform your guide. You will carefully approach a family of gorillas and the silverback. It’s a truly amazing moment to stand face to face with these gentle giants of the rainforest. You must limit your visit to the gorilla family to one hour to minimize disruption to their natural rhythms.
Gorilla trekking can be strenuous, depending on the specific family being visited. The sight of these majestic great apes quickly makes you forget all about it, but a certain level of fitness is recommended. It’s also crucial that you’re in excellent health. Even a cold can prevent you from seeing the gorillas, so as not to endanger them. The trekking time varies depending on the gorilla family. Proper equipment is essential. Good footwear, gaiters, and rain gear are standard. Gloves are also highly recommended, especially when dealing with thorny plants.
Enjoy your time with the gorillas.
This visit is much more than “just” wildlife viewing. When you look into the eyes of these gentle giants, you’ll see so much about ourselves. Over 98% of our genes are identical to those of gorillas, and you’ll experience a truly sublime feeling when you stand close to these magnificent creatures. The young ones are playful and frolic within the gorilla family.
Upon your return, a late lunch awaits you at the lodge. In the afternoon, you will visit the Pangolin Rescue Center. For many years, this organization has been dedicated to the protection and reintroduction of pangolins, the world’s most endangered mammals.
With a bit of luck, you’ll gain exciting insights into the work of the conservation project and learn more about the efforts to preserve these fascinating animals. However, there is no guarantee that pangolins will be released on this day.
Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Day 8: Bwindi – Flight Entebbe – Mabamba Wetlands
After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye to the mystical rainforests of Bwindi. Your guide will take you to the Kihihi airstrip in time for your morning flight back to Entebbe. You will arrive in Entebbe around midday. Upon landing, our drive guide will be waiting for you. You will then be transferred to the hotel, where a day room awaits you. Take this time to relax after your eventful days, freshen up, or enjoy lunch.
In the afternoon, you will be taken to the boat dock. From there, you will be drive to the famous Mabamba Papyrus Wetlands on Lake Victoria. There, you will board a small wooden boat with a local birdwatcher, which will take you through the narrow channels of the papyrus swamp. While searching for the legendary shoebill, you’ll discover many different bird species. Named for its powerful beak, this bird is one of Uganda’s iconic symbols.
After this unique nature experience, you will first return to the landing stage in the wetlands by small wooden boat and then continue your journey back to your hotel in Entebbe.
Accommodation: The Boma Hotel Entebbe
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 9: Entebbe – Zanzibar
Afterwards a hearty breakfast, a driver will transfer you to Entebbe International Airport for your direct flight to Zanzibar. Your beach stay begins: At Zanzibar airport, you will be met by our driver, who will be holding a sign with your name on it. He will then take you to your resort beach hotel. Slip off your dusty safari boots, feel the soft sand beneath your feet, and look forward to the relaxing days ahead.
Accommodation: Breezes Beach Club & Spa
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 10 – 13: Zanzibar
After your safari in Uganda, it is time to slow down and enjoy a few relaxing days on Zanzibar. Stay at Breezes Beach Club & Spa, set on a beautiful stretch of beach on the Michamvi Peninsula on the south-east coast of Zanzibar. Breezes Beach Club has beautiful rooms and villas designed in a classic Zanzibari style, with high thatched roofs, natural timber and spacious layouts.
The rooms are air-conditioned and comfortably furnished, with local touches that give the resort a relaxed island feel. The resort sits directly on the beach, with a large swimming pool just steps from the sand. You can spend your days swimming, relaxing on the beach, or enjoying activities such as snorkelling, diving and other water sports. At low tide, you can also explore the shallow reef along the coast. For a quieter day, the resort offers shaded areas, hammocks and the Frangipani Spa, where you can enjoy massages and other treatments.
Families are also well catered for, with a children’s pool, tennis court, movie room, gym and watersports centre. The resort welcomes children of all ages. For guests interested in diving, the Rising Sun Dive Centre is located at the resort and offers PADI courses as well as organised dives to nearby reefs.
Accommodation: Breezes Beach Club & Spa
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 14: Zanzibar – Return flight to Europe
Even the most wonderful dream trip eventually comes to an end. Your driver will pick you up from your hotel in a relaxed manner, timed to coincide with your international flight and take you to Zanzibar Airport. With sun-kissed skin, a refreshed mind, and a suitcase full of unforgettable memories, you’ll begin your journey home. We wish you a pleasant flight!
Meals: Breakfast
Tour Price
|
Number of People |
Price per Person |
|
1 Person |
USD 12372 |
|
2 People |
USD 9794 |
|
3 People |
USD 9469 |
|
4 People |
USD 8906 |
|
5 People |
USD 8888 |
|
6 People |
USD 8610 |
Inclusions
- All park entrance fees
- Transport in a safari-equipped off-road vehicle
- Experienced English-speaking driver/guide
- All meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Game drives as indicated in the itinerary
- Drinking water in the vehicle
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- 2 nights at The Boma Hotel Entebbe
- 2 nights at Elephant Plains Lodge
- 2 nights at Ishasha Wilderness Camp
- 2 nights at Buhoma Lodge
- 5 nights at Breezes Beach Club & Spa (Deluxe Room) on half board basis
- Domestic flight Entebbe – Kasese (15kg luggage per person in soft bags)
- Airport transfer in Kasese & Bwindi
- Regional flight from Entebbe to Zanzibar
- Boat trip on the Kazinga Channel
- Chimpanzee trekking in the Kyambura Gorge (permit included)
- Sundowner & Bush Breakfast in Ishasha
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park (permit included)
- Mabamba Shoebill Tour by dugout canoe
- All airport transfers in Uganda and Zanzibar
Exclusions
- International flights to/from Uganda
- Optional excursions or activities not pre-booked
- Uganda visa costs (USD 50)
- Travel Insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Drinks
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