Transfer from Kampala/Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Have early breakfast and depart for Bwindi National Park at 7.00 am, driving southwards for at least 8 hours before arriving at your accommodation which is situated just outside of the park on the southern side. The most direct route from Kampala follows a surfaced road to Rukungiri via Mbarara and Ntungamo. A slow dirt road then winds through the highlands to Buhoma via Kihihi and Butogota. The main trailhead at Buhoma is about 460kms from Kampala and can be reached by road from several directions. Ruhija trailhead is best accessed from the Kampala-Kisoro road, turning north from the surfaced highway 18km beyond Kabale town. The southerly Rushaga and Nkuringo trailheads can be reached using dirt roads leading west from Muko, midway on the surfaced Kabale -Kisoro road, and north from Kisoro town. You will see many things along the way, including the equator, plantations, rolling hills and a variety of Ugandans conducting business and other activities within their villages. We will have lunch en-route in Mbarara town at Ajip Motel. Relax in the evening whilst enjoying the magnificent vistas of the beautiful landscape. Have dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Rest of the Day at Leisure at the Lodge
Today we will have the amazing opportunity to observe the gorgeous scenery of Uganda's tropical rainforest and experience a breathtaking encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas. Bwindi Impenetrable NP occupies the size of about 321 sq km between 1,160m and 2,607m above sea level and it's the home to a number of 479 endangered mountain gorillas. The park is divided into 4 gorilla tracking sectors including Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. Within the park, there are 21 groups of gorillas habituated for tourism. Five of these groups are found in the vicinity of Buhoma in northwest Bwindi; four at Ruhija in the east; and ten at the park’s southern trailheads at Rushaga and two are found at Nkuringo. Have early breakfast, pick your packed lunch from the lodge, carry enough drinking water and transfer to the briefing point by 7.30am. While here, you will carry out registration and join others for a gorilla trekking briefing about the precautions and guidelines of the gorilla trekking activity. You will then be assigned a gorilla group, meet the ranger guide and start the trek into the forest. The gorillas are located in different places across the forest and therefore the time taken to find one group varies and can not be estimated before. Once you reached them, you are allowed to stay for one hour to observe these gentle giants, after which you return to meet the driver guide and transfer back to the lodge for relaxation and overnight.
Transfer to Masai Mara National reserve.
After an early morning breakfast your driver/guide will transfer you to Kigali City for departure through Kigali airport. You will have scenic views of nature and enjoy the rolling landscapes of a thousand hills. You will then board your flight to Jomo Kenyatta Internationl airport. Transfer by a flight to your lodge for pre-safari briefing. A Kenyan safari not only boasts spectacular natural beauty in one of the most unspoiled places on earth, but it also brings you up-close-and-personal with Africa’s most sought-after wildlife. Enjoy the scenic views of nature and the atmosphere around the lodge. Dinner and overnight.
Game drives in Masai Mara.
After your breakfast,you will have a series of game drives to have scenic views of wildlife and nature! The game drive occur in the Mara plains across the vast savannah. You will come close to a number of animals that include millions of wildebeest, Zebras, and different species of antelopes which form the Great annual animal migration. Large heards of elephants that are complimented by buffalos and huge lion prides as well as other predators form a visible relationship between the hunter and the hunted. The sight of what happens in the area presents beautiful and scenic views that are altogether lovely! Other animals in Masai mara include; giraffes, the elusive leopard, impala, gazelle, Defassa waterbuck, hippo, blakc rhino, warthog, topi, Coke’s hartebeest and the reedbuck among others.
Day 5
Activity of the Day
Balloon Safari at Masai Mara and community visit.
Balloon safaris provide an excellent view of numerous animals galloping across the vast savannah. The animals can be seen induldging in their various activities that range from predation, playing to resting. The balloon safari enables one to develop a vulture's-eye-like view and happen usually at dawn. After the balloon safari, you will have a community visit the local people around the park. The masai tribe is one of the native tribes of Kenya, occupying the Southern and Northern area of the country. The tribe practices livestock keeping and little agriculture.
Day 6
Activity of the Day
Transfer to Zanzibar
After breakfast, transfer by flight to Jomo Kenyatta International airport for departure to Zanzibar. On reaching the Zanzibar airport/seaport, you will be transferred to your preferred lodge on Matemwe Beach where you will check in. You will have spectacular views of the tropical ocean and enjoy several moments relaxing under the beach-lining palms.
Day 7
Activity of the Day
Water sports at Matemwe beach.
Zanzibar turquoise waters are suitable pockets for a variety of water sports. . Therefore, you will have a 20 minutes sail to Mnemba marine park for snorkelling after breakfast. In this place, the reefs are good and impressive to see. In the evening, you can relax at the lodge and have sunset views with a special dinner under artistically made lights.
Transfer to Stone town.
From Matemwe Beach, you will be transferred to Stone town at the hotel of your choice. After checking in, our guide will pick you up for a walking historical Stone town tour where you will get an introduction to the historical town. Stone town gives you a sense of culture with tradition as you navigate through the walk ways and have views of old buildings and ancient sites of slave trade. After the tour, you will have dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 9
Activity of the Day
Stone town tour and transfer to Southwest Zanzibar.
In the morning, you will have breakfast, after which pick up for a half day Spice tour with an opulent Swahili lunch served in a local house will happen. During this tour, you will also get more insights into old history at the Mtoni palace ruins. After the tour, you will go back to the hotel and have free time to wander in the city on your own for shopping. After this, you will transfer to the South coast for a dolphin swimming experience. On the way, you will pass by Jozani forest which is home to the red colobus monkeys. The sights at the magnificent creatures is amazing. You will arrive at the hotel and check in. Dinner and overnight.
Day 10
Activity of the Day
Dolphin swimming experience and departure.
After breakfast, you will head to the beach at Kizimkazi for a dolphin swimming experience. The experience is altogether beautiful as you enjoy spectacular under water views of the dolphins. After the experience, return to your lodge for packing and departure!