ULTIMATE EAST AFRICA

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport on (time to be advised by the client) you will be met by our representative and driven the short distance across town to reach your guesthouse in the town’s leafy suburbs. You can spend the remainder of the day relaxing and preparing for your Ugandan adventure

Dinner provided.

Depart early in the morning and drive west to Kibale National Park in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountain range. You will reach Fort Portal town in time to stop off for lunch before driving south to reach the Magombe Swamp in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, situated on the edge of Kibale National Park. Here you’ll meet a local guide who will take you on your walk around Magombe Swamp, a protected RAMSAR site. The path meanders along the edge of the swamp and along a raised boardwalk through dense clusters of papyrus, taking a couple of hours to complete. This community-run project offers the chance to see up to 138 bird species including the Great Blue Turaco, a variety of butterflies, and perhaps what the swamp is best known for: its population of monkeys.

You will then be driven the short distance to your accommodation on the edge of the rainforest.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

Drinking water in the car also provided

Rise early to meet with the Uganda Wildlife Authority researcher team, for a briefing on tracking the chimpanzees in the rainforest. Kibale National Park is one of East Africa’s premier destinations to chimp track. It has a 95% successful tracking rate, as it is home to one of the highest concentrations and diversities of primates found anywhere on the continent. Groups of chimps live in communities containing between 10 and 100 member and once you’ve found your group, you will spend an hour with them.

You will be able to observe their natural behavior as they play, eat, socialise and display their prowess.

Afterward, return to base so your driver can take you south following the Rwenzori Mountain chain also known as the ‘Mountains of the Moon’ and cross over the equator to reach the savannah plains Queen Elizabeth Park.

You will drive down to the docks to embark on water safari to explore the Kazinga Channel. This river flows through the heart of the park and is an excellent way to view a variety of savannah wildlife. As you meander your way along the riverbanks you will have the chance to spot elephants, buffalo, warthogs and waterbuck as they come down to the water’s edge to cool off in the heat of the day. The channel is also a prime location to view crocodiles, hippo pods and a plethora of bird species.

Afterwards, you will be driven to your lodge perched on an escarpment where you can watch the sunset as it lights up the savannah below.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

Drinking water in the car also provided

Rise early to meet with the Uganda Wildlife Authority researcher team, for a briefing on tracking the chimpanzees in the rainforest. Kibale National Park is one of East Africa’s premier destinations to chimp track. It has a 95% successful tracking rate, as it is home to one of the highest concentrations and diversities of primates found anywhere on the continent. Groups of chimps live in communities containing between 10 and 100 member and once you’ve found your group, you will spend an hour with them.

You will be able to observe their natural behavior as they play, eat, socialise and display their prowess.

Afterward, return to base so your driver can take you south following the Rwenzori Mountain chain also known as the ‘Mountains of the Moon’ and cross over the equator to reach the savannah plains Queen Elizabeth Park.

You will drive down to the docks to embark on water safari to explore the Kazinga Channel. This river flows through the heart of the park and is an excellent way to view a variety of savannah wildlife. As you meander your way along the riverbanks you will have the chance to spot elephants, buffalo, warthogs and waterbuck as they come down to the water’s edge to cool off in the heat of the day. The channel is also a prime location to view crocodiles, hippo pods and a plethora of bird species.

Afterwards, you will be driven to your lodge perched on an escarpment where you can watch the sunset as it lights up the savannah below.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

Drinking water in the car also provided

This morning rise early to explore the savannah of Kasenyi Plains on a game drive, set to stunning views of the Rwenzori Mountains or ‘Mountains of the Moon’ running along the skyline. These plains are home to a number of kob leks or kob breeding grounds for Uganda kobs, where they do battle for mating rights. The vast herds of Uganda kobs found here graze the grass keeping it short allowing easy viewing of species such as elephants, buffalo, warthogs, bushbuck and waterbuck grazing amongst the cactus tree-dotted landscape. The large game herds make the area a prime location to track prides of lions, which hunt the game herds found here. You’ll be joined by a Uganda Wildlife Authority guide who are experts in tracking the lions giving you the best chance of tracking them down and are very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna of the savannah.

You will then drive south to reach Ishasha Plains which covers the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park and are particularly known for their iconic population of tree-climbing lions. Lions are only recorded to exhibit this behavior in a few locations across Africa, believed to be a learned behavior specific to a few prides. It’s been speculated this behavior is to avoid the hottest part of the day to catch the cool breezes in the trees and to avoid the biting insects found in the grasses below. On entering the savannah you will track through the African bush on a game drive with a Uganda Wildlife Authority to seek out these impressive cats. These rangers are based on the plains and track the lions daily giving you the best possible chances of finding the lions. You’ll be looking for them in the branches of huge fig trees, as they laze away in the shade, sheltered from the heat of the day. You will then depart from the savannah plains and take a winding drive passing villages, forests and tea fields to reach your accommodation on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable NATIONAL PARK. Here you can relax for the remainder of the day with views over the rainforest.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided. Drinking water in the car also provided

Today after an early morning breakfast, you will embark on your gorilla trek. First up is registration and briefing by one of the rangers. The guides will then lead you through the undergrowth, parting thick creepers, to track the gorillas. The trek can take anywhere from half an hour to several hours, so a sturdy pair of walking shoes is a must. It is an extraordinary feeling sitting in the dense rainforest knowing you are with a few of the last remaining mountain gorillas – sadly there are only about 650 Gorillas left on the planet-half of which are found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You are allowed exactly one hour with the gorillas before returning to base station and then your lodge for lunch and relaxation.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

Drinking water in the car also provide

After another early breakfast, you will be transferred to the Kihihi Airstrip for your flight back to Entebbe International Airport (flight ticket is included in this package and will be given to you by Safaris R Us).  Now there are two daily departures, let us know which one fit your connection flight:

• 07:00 (arrives in Entebbe/EBB at 08:45)
• 12:00 (arrives in Entebbe/EBB at 14:40)

On arrival into Entebbe Airport, you will transit to your international flight to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (flight details to be advised by client). Upon arrival into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met by your safari guide and transferred to the hotel of your choice for overnight.

You will be booked into this hotel on a BB basis.

At 8am your driver guide will pick you from your hotel and drive you to Giraffe Center and then David Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage.

Lunch will be on your own account at one the restaurants in Nairobi.

In the afternoon you will be taken to Karen Blixen Museum

Later drive to Amboseli National Park arriving late afternoon at your lodge.

If time permits proceed with a late afternoon game drive in the park.

Breakfast and dinner provided.

Drinking water is also provided in the car.

Breakfast at the lodge.
Morning and afternoon game viewing at Amboseli National Park.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

Drinking water is also provided in the car.

This morning you will be picked up from the lodge and driven to the Namanga; Kenya/Tanzanian border. After dealing with customs, your driver from the Kenya side will hand you over to your Tanzanian driver who will then drive you to The School of St Jude for overnight.

3 meals a day will be provided at the school.

Overnight at The School of St Jude

During your time at St Jude’s, you will be assisted by one of the staffs on the schools “visitor team”. Once we have confirmed your itinerary you will be put in contact with the school’s visitor team so they can liase with you about what you would like to do for the few days that you are at St Jude’s.

There are three Schools of St Jude and two boarding campuses and so over the next few days you will see the campuses, the kids and staff in action.

Overnight at The School of St Jude.
Your meals will be provided as per your meal agreement with the school before arrival. Options are:
1.    eating with western staff in their common kitchen.
2.    having private meals in a separate kitchen provided by a cook.

At 8am after breakfast, you will be picked up from the school and driven to Tarangire National Park.

Enjoy the wildlife!

Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

Drinking water is also provided.

Tarangire National Park is almost 3000 sq km in size and is probably best known for its huge numbers of elephants and baobab trees. The name of the park comes from the Tarangire River which crosses through the park. Tarangire is especially spectacular during the dry season (June – November) as wildlife concentrations rival that of the Serengeti (since enormous populations of elephants and other animals are drawn to the Tarangire River as their only source of water). With its varied habitats and permanent water in the Tarangire River the park is home to over 2000 elephants and 500 bird species.

After breakfast, you will be picked up from the hotel and driven to Lake Manyara National Park

Enjoy doing a game drive.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

Drinking water is also provided.

Lake Manyara is a beautiful little park which is famous for its tree-climbing lions, elephants and large troops of baboons. The Park is home to an amazing variety of birds and animals considering its small size. A short visit to this serene park will greatly diversify your safari experience as the lush green jungle habitat is of stark contrast to the other parks you will visit during your safari.

After breakfast, drive to Ngorongoro and descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a game tour.

Afterwards, drive to the rim of the crater for overnight

Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided. Drinking water is also provided.

Often called the eighth natural wonder of the world, the Ngorongoro Crater is the largest intact crater in the world. About 2 million years ago the Ngorongoro volcano erupted, and its walls collapsed. The volcano floor sank to create a natural enclosure with its 600m tall walls. Now, at over 19 kilometres wide, Ngorongoro Crater is filled with great areas of acacia forest, hippo filled swamps and open grasslands. These different habitats contain over 30,000 animals – including elephants, warthogs, flamingoes, magnificent birdlife, the rare black rhinoceros and all the predatory cats. The Maasai can also be seen grazing their cattle alongside the buffalo and wildebeest

After breakfast, drive to Serengeti National Park

Once you reach Serengeti, enjoy a game drive on route to your accommodation.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

Drinking water is also provided.

The Serengeti National Park is the world’s last great wildlife refuge as it contains an estimated three million large animals, most of which take part in a seasonal migration that is one of nature’s wonders. The area covers 14,763 sq kms and the name Serengeti comes from the Maasai ‘Siringet’, meaning endless plains.

Option on day 16: Hot Air Ballooning in the early morning followed by a Bush Champaign Breakfast

Enjoy a full day in different parts of central Serengeti!

Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided. Drinking water is also provided.

The Central Serengeti offers superb game viewing all year round due to its abundance of resident animals. Specifically, the Seronera River Valley in the Central Serengeti is a ‘must see’ on every safari regardless of the specific month of travel. Game viewing in Central Serengeti is at its best during the dry season (June – November) as resident animals are more concentrated in the immediate area due to the lack of water on the plains. Resident herbivores include impala, buffalo, hippo, warthog, topi, hartebeest and giraffe. Resident carnivores include lion and leopard.

After breakfast and with game viewing on route drive to the western corridor (season permitting) of Serengeti.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

Drinking water is also provided.

The endless plains of Serengeti are also the setting for the world’s greatest wildlife spectacle – the 1.5 million wildebeest endless migration in search for fresh pastures. Each year they trek over 2,500km and are constantly threatened and followed by some of Africa’s greatest predators. Depending on the time of your visit, your driver-guide will be able to share with you where the herd’s current location is at.

After an early breakfast depart with picnic lunches to the Masai Mara Game Reserve via the Isebania Tanzania/Kenya border.

After clearing with immigration, you will exchange of vehicles, and continue on a leisurely game drive into the Mara en route to the lodge arriving late afternoon/early evening.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

Drinking water is also provided.

After breakfast enjoy a full day game drive within Masai Mara Game Reserve.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

Drinking water is also provided

After breakfast, enjoy game drives as you make your way to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Depart on afternoon flight to Zanzibar. On arrival into Zanzibar, you will be met and taken to the hotel of your choice in Stone Town where you will be booked in on a B&B basis. We book people into Stone Town hotels on a B&B basis, as we find that clients like to wander around the many restaurants in Stone Town for their meals

Afterwards, you will be taken by boat to Prison Island to see the giant land tortoises After the excursion have a free evening in Stone town.

Breakfast provided.

Drinking water is also provided in the car

At 9am you will be picked from the hotel and taken on a Stone Town Tour which will take you through fabled Stone town, where history appears to stand still. With visits to the house of wonders, the palace museum (People’s Palace), Dr Livingston’s house and the Arab fort amongst others, it is a fascinating look at the essence of Zanzibar. You will see Zanzibar’s bustling market, winding alleyways, ornately carved and studded doors, two cathedrals and countless mosques.

After the tour, enjoy the rest of the day and evening in Stone town. Later on, you will return to your hotel in Stone Town for overnight

Breakfast provided. Drinking water is also provided in the car

At 9am you will be taken to a hotel of your choice at Nungwi, on the northern tip of Zanzibar Island.  This is the best beach section of Zanzibar. You will be booked into this hotel on bed and breakfast. On your way you will have a Spice Tour (which includes lunch).

Note that there are generally no ATM’s in the beach area so best to exchange/withdraw cash in Stonetown before continuing to the north of Zanzibar. Please also note, there is a ~5% bank-imposed surcharge on all credit/debit card transactions across the Island

Also note that the government in Zanzibar recently implemented a $1USD per visitor per night tax which has to be paid to the hotel direct.

The history of Zanzibar would be incomplete without the cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper and many other spices which brought the Sultans of Oman. They can be seen in the plantations just outside Zanzibar town, and a good tour includes opportunities to dazzle the senses with fresh spices. The spice tour does not only involve spices, but also organically grown herbs and a detailed description about their traditional uses in medicine cosmetics and cooking.

Breakfast and lunch provided

Drinking water is also provided in the car

Enjoy relaxing days at the beach.

Breakfast provided

After breakfast, you will be picked up and driven to Zanzibar Airport for your flight out (flight to be advised by the client).

Breakfast provided