ECO-ROYAL

DAY 1: Depart from Kampala for south-western Uganda. Cross the Equator, driving through savannah and scattered bush country. Enter Lake Mburo N.P., the only park in Uganda that surrounds an entire lake. See herds of zebra and other savannah mammals. This park also acts as home to over 300 species of birds. Enjoy a game drive and boat ride on the lake. Dinner and overnight at Rwonyo Rest Camp or Mantana Camp.

DAY 2: From Lake Mburo, drive through the mountainous and heavily terraced area of Kigezi, aptly named "the Switzerland of Africa". Stop at beautiful Lake Bunyonyi – Lake of Little Birds – before continuing to Bwindi Impenetrable or Mgahinga Gorilla N.P.  The evergreen forests combined with excellent service are relaxing after the day’s journey. Overnight at a luxury camp or lodge.

DAY 3: Early morning your guides will brief you before you head towards the dense forest on your search for gorillas and an intimate interaction with these gentle and endangered animals. The forest also affords viewing other primates including blue monkeys, L'oehst monkeys, red tailed monkeys and chimpanzee, along with a variety of birdlife. The time spent trekking in this unspoiled tropical forest and watching the gorillas is certainly worth the effort. In the evening relax back at your luxury camp or lodge.

DAY 4: Leave the gorilla sanctuary for the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. View the amazing contrast in scenery as you move from dense forest to open grasslands dotted with flat-topped acacia and primeval euphorbia trees. Famous for its tree-climbing lions, this part of the Park is also known for large herds of buffalo and kob. Continue to Mweya Safari Lodge on the shore of Lake Edward for dinner and overnight.

DAY 5: Start your day with the excitement of an early morning game drive. Then visit the volcanic area of Queen Elizabeth N.P. with its many salt lakes and extinct craters. In the afternoon, cruise the Kazinga Channel, which joins Lakes George and Edward. From the comfort of your boat you can watch for elephant and other game on the shore. Hippopotamus, crocodiles and water birds can be seen along the banks. Overnight Mweya Safari Lodge with dinner.

DAY 6: Early morning departure for exploration of Semuliki N.P. and Sempaya Hot Spring. This area is largely untouched by man. As an extension of the vast forest of the Congo, several species of birds and animals are unique to this park. Overnight at the Semuliki Safari Lodge.

DAY 7: Spend the morning exploring the lush forrest filled with primates and birds. After lunch search for chimpanzee and other primates. Dinner and overnight at Semuliki Safari Lodge.

DAY 8: Leisurely drive to Kibale Forest. This mature hardwood forest harbours 11 species of primates and a variety of birds and butterflies. Lunch upon arrival and the afternoon is free for short hikes and exploring the surroundings. Dinner and overnight at Ndali Lodge or Rwenzori Guesthouse.

DAY 9: Early morning visit to Kibale Forest for chimpanzee trekking (persons must be of a minimum age of 15 years). The forest is also home to other primates like grey cheeked mangabeys, baboons and vervet monkeys. Picnic lunch at Bigodi Forest Camp. In the afternoon, walk through the swamps to see birds and primates at close range. Dinner and overnight at Ndali Lodge or Ruwenzori Guesthouse.

DAY 10: After breakfast depart for Murchison Falls N. P. through the village towns of Kagadi and Hoima with lunch enroute. Visit the top of Murchison Falls, late afternoon and then proceed to Sambiya River Lodge, which is centrally located in the Park. With its picturesque setting and reputation for good service the lodge is a perfect base for your last three nights of safari.

DAY 11: Cross the Nile for an early game drive on the northern bank of the river. Animals frequently spotted here include Uganda kob, hartebeest, elephants, Rothchild's giraffe, Cape buffalo, topi and lion. After lunch at the Lodge, relax by the pool or experience nature close-up on a forest walk with a ranger guide. Overnight at Sambiya River Lodge.

DAY 12: Depart Murchison Falls through Masindi. See traditional homesteads and farms en-route. Arrive in Kampala early evening.

NB.1. For those who would like to end your safari on a relaxing note, and spend one or two extra days in Murchison:

On Day 10 drive directly to the Lodge from Hoima.

Day 11: Sleep in and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea on your verandah and then breakfast in the open sided Lodge. Experience nature up close. Enjoy a late afternoon visit to the top of Murchison Falls where you will see the Nile crash through a 6 metre gorge. Visit the bat caves to see thousands of bats leaving for their nocturnal flights! Return to Sambiya River Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 12: Cross the Nile for an early game drive on the northern bank of the river. Animals frequently spotted here include Uganda kob, hartebeest, elephants, Rothchild’s giraffe, Cape buffalo and lion. After a packed lunch enjoy an afternoon boat cruise to the bottom of Murchison Falls. Large crocodiles, hippopotamus, numerous water birds and other game can be spotted from the boat. Return to Sambiya River Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 13 and 14: Depart for Kampala transferring to Arusha.

Day 15 - Arusha - Lake Manyara National Park

Non game-viewing travel time: 2½ hours
Distance: 130 km

The tour starts with lunch in Arusha town at 12:30pm. After lunch at around 14:00pm are you met by our professional tours guide/driver, who will deliver a short safari info briefing, after which, we travel west to the Great Rift Valley and the Lake Manyara National Park.

Dinner and overnight at the Kirurumu Tented Lodge.

Day 13 - Lake Manyara National Park - Serengeti Plains

Non game-viewing travel time: 4 hours
Distance: 205 km

After breakfast we will drive through the agricultural and fresh produce market town of Mto Wa Mbu, which is situated next to the entrance of the Lake Manyara National Park. The town is a souvenir hunters paradise, harbouring thousands souvenir salesmen - ready to pounce at your slightest invitation.

Lake Manyara National Park is one of Tanzania's most dramatically located wildlife areas, consisting of a shallow soda lake (covering two-thirds of the park), located at the foot of the Great Rift Valley's western escarpment. The park's varied habitat attracts a wide variety of animals, including one of Africa's largest concentrations of elephants, Manyara's famous tree-climbing lions, as well as large flocks of flamingos, attracted by the algae in the lake.

We will enjoy lunch before we head towards the Serengeti National Park via the beautiful high lying farmland of Karatu and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Leaving the highlands behind, we descend into the heart of wild Africa with endless plains, which roll into the distance as far as the eye can see. We spend 3 days in this incredible untamed wilderness of the Serengeti National Park, where literally millions of animals roam.

Dinner and overnight at a private mobile campsite.

Day 14 - Serengeti Plains

We do an after breakfast game viewing drive along the Sogore River Circuit, which loops into the plains south of the Seronera River, and which is good for possible Lion, Thomson gazelle, topi, ostrich and cheetah sightings. The Visitor Centre close to the Serengeti Seronera Lodge and public campsites, is well worth a visit after the morning's game drive. This nicely designed centre offers some interesting wildlife displays as well as a gift shop selling information leaflets and maps of the area. The centre also has a shop where cold drinks and snacks can be purchased, as well as a picnic area and information trail up and around a nearby kopje. We will enjoy a relaxed picnic lunch at the centre in the shade of the giant acacia trees.

In the afternoon we will follow the Kopjes Circuit, which goes anti-clockwise around the Maasai Kopjes, which usually attract a number of lion and some formidably large cobras. Kopjes are weathered granite outcrops, scattered around the plains, most of which are miniature ecosystems, providing shade and drinking water in pools left in the rock after the rains. This makes the kopjes particularly good for spotting wildlife in the dry seasons - including lions, which like to lie in wait for animals coming to drink!

Dinner and overnight at a private campsite.

Day 15 - Serengeti Plains

Day 4 will offer you an ideal opportunity to do an optional but unforgettable Hot Air Balloon flight, followed by a delightful champagne breakfast (available at a supplementary cost, but can be booked in advance). After breakfast we head to the south-eastern side of the park, visiting the Barafu Kopjes and the Ngare Nanyuki River area, for our morning and afternoon game drives. Apart from the lion prides you find in the area, the Barafu Kopjes is the place to visit for possible cheetah sightings. The Ngare Nanyuki River area is also well known for being packed with game.

Dinner and overnight at our private campsite.

Day 15 - Serengeti Plains - Ngorongoro Crater

Non game-viewing travel time: 4 hours
Distance: 145 km

After breakfast we then head for the Ngorongoro Crater via the famed Olduvai Gorge, also known as "the cradle of mankind''. The gorge lies on the site of an ancient lake, covered by thick layers of volcanic ash, which carefully preserved the world's earliest records of mankind and which was unearthed by the dedicated Leakey family. The museum displays some of these fascinating discoveries and remarkable finds. We will enjoy a picnic lunch at the Gorge. From here we head for the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, one of the most densely crowded game areas in the world, which is home to an estimated 30,000 animals.

In the afternoon you can just relax or you can arrange with your guide to visit the Maasai's Irkeepus Village (additional cost), to experience the culture of the Masai and buy their handcrafts.

Dinner and overnight at the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge.

Day 16 - Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast we descend 600m into this magnificent crater for a morning, half-day game drive. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most densely crowded African wildlife areas in the world and is home to an estimated 30,000 animals including some of Tanzania's last remaining black rhino. Supported by a year round water supply and fodder, the Ngorongoro National Park supports a vast variety of animals, which include herds of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, eland, warthog, hippo, and giant African elephants. Another big draw card to this picturesque national park is it's dense population of predators, which include lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs and the ever-elusive leopard, which sometimes requires a trained eye to spot. We will enjoy lunch at the lodge, after which we will spend the afternoon at leisure.

Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Sopa lodge.

Day 17 - Ngorongoro Crater - Arusha

Non game-viewing travel time: 4 hours
Distance: 190 km

After breakfast we depart for Arusha and end our safari adventure with a farewell lunch at the stunning Novotel Mount Meru hotel. Your guide should be tipped around $20 a day between the group. You will be taken to your hotel, which ends our safari services.

Departure dates

The departure dates for all our safaris, tours and treks are totally flexible according to your own personal needs. Please contact us for further and more detailed info, as well as information on photographic travel packages, camping safaris, tours and trekking adventures into Tanzania.