21 Days Uganda, Kilimanjaro Tanzania & Zanzibar

Day 1: Arrival in Kampala and transfer to Kibale National Park

You will begin your day with breakfast early in the morning and then our driver guide form Mj Safaris will pick you up from your hotel in Kampala and drive you to Kibale Forest National Park going through Fort Portal Town to start your 20 day Uganda-Tanzania Safari and

on the way you will see a number of great sights. You will eat your lunch on the way. When you reach the park, you can proceed for a tour in the majestic crater lakes region. You will also get the opportunity to view the beautiful terraced tea estates.

Meal Plan: Dinner

Accommodation Options: Ndali Lodge or Primates Lodge Kibale, or Kibale safari lodge

Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking & Nature Walk Bigodi Swamp

After your breakfast, your tour guide will take you to Kanyanchu park main offices for orientation which is typically given by the senior park ranger. When it clocks 8:00am, you will meet with the other trackers and then head to the beginning point that is only 2km from the main offices of the park. Usually, chimpanzee tracking lasts for about three to four hours.

As you are in the forest, you may come across a number of primates including the grey cheeked mangabey, pottos, L’Hoest monkey, red colobus, the red tailed monkey, blue monkeys, baboons as well as the white and black colobus. You will also come across other animals like a striking tree species, giant forest hogs plus forest elephants that are different from the usual type.

You will then eat your lunch at your lodge after which you will head out for a guided nature walk in the Bigodi swamp sanctuary which is a great place for birding. You will get to see the Papyrus Gonolek as well as the Great Blue Turaco that can simply be seen with many different bird species. There is also a diversity of butterfly species. Later in the evening you will head back to your lodge to unwind and have your dinner.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation Options: Ndali Lodge or Primates Lodge Kibale, or Kibale safari lodge

Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

You will start your day with breakfast and then start your trip to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which inhabits gorillas where you will spend the night as you get ready to go for gorilla trekking the following day. On the way, you will see the beautiful terrain and enjoy your lunch during the journey. You will reach in the afternoon, check-in at your lodge and later have dinner.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation Options: Engagi Lodge, or Silverback Lodge, or Gorilla Mist Camp (mid-range); or Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp, or Buhoma Community Camp, or Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge (budget)

Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest

You will start your day very early in the morning with breakfast and after which your driver will take you to the park headquarters and you will carry your lunch. When you get there at 7:30am, you will get oriented on the dos and don’ts of trekking and then you will be taken by the ranger guides into the foggy jungle. Trekking typically lasts about 8 hours and sometimes the whole day depending on where the gorillas are. When you finally find them, you will have an amazing time observing them as they go about their daily life however you are only allowed to spend one hour around them. You should make sure to move with adequate water, non-flash cameras, sunglasses, hats as well as raincoats.

Later in the evening, you could take an optional cultural tour of the Batwa community however this requires you to pay an extra charge.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation Options: Engagi Lodge, or Silverback Lodge, or Gorilla Mist Camp (mid-range); or Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp, or Buhoma Community Camp, or Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge (budget)

Day 5: Bwindi to Kigali – Kigali City Tour

You will travel to Kigali from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. You will get to explore Kigali which is the capital of Rwanda and tour local markets, Nyamata Church/Ntarama Church as well as Gisozi Genocide Memorial however this tour carries extra charges.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation Options: Hotel La Palme or The Manor Hotel, or Heaven Boutique Hotel

Day 6: Flight from Kigali to Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi

When you are done with breakfast, you will travel to Kigali International Airport to get your flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania. You will be met by our guide when you reach Kilimanjaro and you will be driven to Moshi to rest and spend the night.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: The Maridadi Hotel

Day 7: Mt Kilimanjaro Climb: transfer to Machame Camp.

We will head out for the Machame park gate found at an altitude of 1815 meters / 5950ft after your breakfast at the lodge to begin the Mount Kilimanjaro Climb. Our ascent across this rich forest will start after you have finished registering with the forest of the park. As the hikers move besides the tangled roots, they may be able to spot sykes monkeys, white and black colobus monkeys; they will also probably hear sounds from the various exotic birds above the canopy. We then will proceed further through the grasslands before coming to our camp. the journey is smooth but very long with muddy being on the floor of the forest.

Altitude reached: 9850 feet.

Total ascent time: 6 to 7 hours in the forest zone.

Accommodation: Machame Camp and all your meals will be provided.

Day 8: Transfer from Machame Camp to Shiro Camp

The journey for today will be a continuation of the trip of yesterday where we shall proceed over the alpine moorland and heath land that possess such breathtaking views of the Kilimanjaro summit. The steep trail starts by going via the long-grassed savannah together with Giant Erica and Heather trees. Get to the moorland region by grabbing onto the enormous boulders, the moorland region here is manifested by senecio and lobelia plants with volcanic rocks that are covered in lichen beards, these beards safeguard the wild montane flowers that develop from their foundation.

Altitude reached: 12600 feet

Total ascent time: 5 to 6 hours

Accommodation: Shira Camp and all your meals will be provided

Day 9: Transfer from Shira Camp to Barranco Camp

The closer we are to Lava tower, the closer we are to the peak. The journey to the 300ft elevated volcanic plug Lava tower is quite challenging as the path gets steeper. You shall then go down this steep trail inside the Great Barranco Valley. The Barranco Camp is situated on a stable enclosed foundation on all three sides with valley walls that are rough. The sight hanging glaciers glimmering from the sunlight above is a sight for soar eyes. In between this strange but unique scenery are plants like the Senecio -Kilimanjari, giant groundsels plus the native Giant Lobelia. We shall gradually climb up to the stop for several hours before reaching our overnight camp. These first two days will be your time of adapting to the new climate / acclimatizing

Altitude reached: 12950 feet

Total ascent time: 5 to 6 hours

Accommodation: Barranco Camp and all your meals will be provided

Day 10: Transfer from Barranco to Karanga Valley Camp

This day will kick off with a slope down in the gorge which we will later climb from its wall on the Eastern side. We will be able to admire the scenic views of the icelands of Kilimanjaro an equatorial phenomenon. The journey will then proceed to Karanga valley where we shall set our overnight camp.

Altitude reached: 13900 feet

Total ascent time: 4 to 5 hours

Accommodation: Karanga Valley Camp and all your meals will be provided

Day 11: Transfer from Karanga Valley Camp to Barafu Camp

We shall then hike across Karanga Valley whose path gradually becomes hilly after the Barafu camp’s lava ridge. The landscape here is quite spread out with temperatures getting colder by the second as we draw close to Barafu camp. This Barafu Camp is situated on an open small flat land that is above a ridge and functions as a main base where you shall attempt to climb to the peak at midnight.

Altitude reached: 15,223 feet

Total ascent time: 6 to 7 hours

Accommodation: Barafu camp and all your meals will be provided

Day 12: Summit Attempt to Mweka Camp

The twelve to seventeen hour almost impossible trek begins not long after midnight. It starts at a half past midnight to one in the morning and it involves going through the Tarzel and Rebmann glaciers to the apex on Stella point. The temperatures vary a little under freezing at midnight from about 10°F to -10°F (-12°C to -23°C) before the morning at the As the daybreak gets closer, we shall assemble on the Uhuru apex which is Africa’s highest point at a height of 19340ft. The climax and reward of your tiring six to seven hour hike will be at Uhuru. We then shall slope back down to the Camp Barafu, rest for some time and then proceed to slope to the Mweka camp where the night will be spent.

Altitude reached: 19,340 feet (Uhuru Summit), and later 9840 feet

Total ascent time: 6 to 7 hours; total descent time: 3 to 4 hours

Accommodation: Mweka Camp and all your meals will be provided

Day 13: Transfer from Mweka Camp to Park Gate

Today will be our final descent and it will be a 3 to 4 hour walk that will take us to the gate of the park. We then will drive back to Arusha after saying our goodbyes to the porters and guides. We shall spend the night in Arusha.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation options: Ilboru Safari Lodge, or Kindoroko Hotel, or The Out Post Lodge.

You will spend the night at which is a midrange hotel.

Day 14: Transfer to Tarangire National Park

You will start the day with breakfast and then set off from Moshi to Tarangire National Park which is about a two hour drive. On the way, travel through the vibrant Masai villages as well as the expansive, open plains that are now related to the pictures of Africa. Tarangire National Park is the best place to see large herds of elephants.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation Options: Tarangire Safari Lodge, or Tarangire Osupuko (mid-range hotel) or Sangaiwe Tented Camp (budget Hotel)

Day 15: Transfer to Serengeti National Park

We will start the day with a drive heading to Serengeti National Park and you will enjoy the beautiful sights along the way. On the way, we will travel across the mist covered rainforests in Ngorongoro Conservation Area where you may get the opportunity to see baboons, leopards, buffalo as well as elephants in the thick undergrowth.

You will then have your picnic lunch at Serengeti National Park after which you will have afternoon game drive in the Serengeti National Park. You will get to observe the legendary savannah topography and be fascinated by the large numbers of wildlife that wander through these grasslands.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation Options: Mbugani Camp (mid-range hotel) or Kati Kati Tented Camp (budget Hotel)

Day 16: Transfer to the Ngorongoro Crater

You will start the day with breakfast after which you will travel to Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

You will travel across Serengeti National Park through another road, providing you with a

variety of chances to see the wildlife including elephants, wildebeest, giraffes, various predators such as hyenas, leopards, and lions, zebras, gazelles as well as antelopes. You will have supper and spend the night on the edge of Ngorongoro Crater.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation Options: Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge, or Ngorongoro Farmhouse

Day 17: Game Drive in the Crater, flight to Zanzibar

You will start the day with breakfast and then travel to Ngorongoro Crater which is among the natural wonders of the world. When you first look at this expansive, lush caldera from a bird’s eye, you will definitely get the reason for its popularity internationally.

It inhabits more than 120 species of wildlife such as the Big Five and it is among the most popular safari destinations internationally. It is specifically an ideal place to view the threatened black rhinos as they feed in the grasslands in addition to a perfect place to view numerous hippos soaking in the cold water. Ngorongoro crater inhabits a high concentration of predators such as hyenas, cheetahs, lions, jackals, leopards and herbivores including cape buffalo, wildebeest, antelope, wildebeest plus many others.

When you are done with the game drive in Ngorongoro crater, we will travel to Kilimanjaro International airport to get your flight to Zanzibar.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner

Accommodation: Tembo House Hotel or similar

Day 18: Explore Prison Island tour

You will travel to Prison Island to explore the habitat of huge tortoises. It is bordered by a beautiful beach of reef century and you can get involved in some water sports such as snorkeling, swimming or just sun bathing at the beach. You will then head back to Stone town later in the evening where you will have your supper and spend the night.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner

Accommodation: Tembo House Hotel or similar

Day 19: Dolphin Tour

Today, we shall take a tour of dolphin watching at Kizimkazi and you might get an opportunity to go for swimming with numerous bottle-nose and spinner dolphins that are frolicking on the beach. You can then tour the Jozani forest where you will come across mangrove forests, red

colobus monkeys as well as natural forests. Explore Zala Park to understand the way of life of the native people.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner

Accommodation: Tembo House Hotel or similar

Day 20: Spice Tour & Stone Town Tour

You will start the day with breakfast and then explore Stone Town where you will get to see the historical culture as well as the architectural vital town of Zanzibar that is rich with history of over 100 years. You will tour Palace Museum, town market, an old slave market site that has an ancient Anglican church constructed within it during 1871, Zanzibar Memorial Museum, House of Wonder (Beit-Al-Ajab) and then a Spice tour to view spices plantation and enjoy some of the tropical fruits.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner

Accommodation: Tembo House Hotel or similar

Day 21: Departure

This will be the final day of our 21 days Uganda Safari, Kilimanjaro Climb, and Zanzibar safari. After breakfast, the safari guide will transfer you to the airport where you will catch your departure flight. Dumela African hopes to see you again.

This marks the end of your 21 Days Uganda, Mount Kilimanjaro Climb, Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Beach tour and adventure.