14-day Uganda Gorillas, wildlife, and Zanzibar Beach Holiday
14-day Uganda Safari and Zanzibar Beach Holiday
Tour Overview
This 14-day Uganda Safari and Zanzibar Beach Holiday combines Uganda’s outstanding wildlife with a few relaxing days on the coast of Zanzibar in Tanzania. In Uganda, you will explore the savannas and forests of the southwest. Search for tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Then head into the misty forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to trek for mountain gorillas. Comfortable accommodation and carefully chosen activities make for an enjoyable safari without unnecessary extras. After your safari, fly to Zanzibar and stay at The Loop Beach Resort in Jambiani. The resort sits beside a beautiful white-sand beach. It is a wonderful place to slow down after your time in the bush. Swim in the clear waters of the Indian Ocean, walk along the beach or explore the Jambiani village. You can also go kayaking, sailing or take a reef excursion.
- Private guide/guide on safari
- Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Boat trip on the Kazinga Canal
- Tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi
- Relaxation at the picturesque Lake Bunyonyi
- Diverse wildlife and zebras in Lake Mburo National Park
- Walking safari and night game drive
- Shoebill search in the Mabamba wetlands
- White sandy beaches and relaxation in Zanzibar
Your Itinerary In Details
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe
As soon as you step off the plane and breathe in the pleasantly warm, tropical air, you will leave everyday life behind instantly. At Entebbe International Airport (EBB), your guide from Greenway Nature Tours Africa will be waiting to greet you. With a warm smile, he will welcome you to Uganda – that verdant land which Sir Winston Churchill respectfully called “The Pearl of Africa.” A short, relaxed drive will take you to your first accommodation. Settle in, freshen up after your long flight, and enjoy a cool drink while preparing for the great adventures of the coming days.
Accommodation: Via Entebbe
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 2: Entebbe – Queen Elizabeth National Park (travel time approx. 7 hours)
After a delicious breakfast, you will leave Entebbe town and drive to southwestern Uganda. You will drive through diverse landscapes, past small villages, colorful markets, herds of cattle, and sprawling tea plantations. Along the way, your driver guide will provide fascinating insights into daily life and the local culture in Uganda. Around mid-afternoon, you will reach the region of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Even on the last few kilometers, you will often have your first opportunities for wildlife viewing before checking into your accommodation, located on near the wildlife-rich Kazinga Channel. Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to enjoy the breathtaking views from the lodge and soak up your first impressions of Uganda. Relax and enjoy the unique atmosphere on the edge of the national park.
Accommodation: The Bush Lodge -Banda
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Early morning, in the soft light, the savanna awakens. You will take advantage of these cool, active hours for an extensive game drive in the Kasenyi Plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is the preferred hunting ground of lions, who lie in wait for the large herds of Uganda kob (antelope). With a bit of luck, you might also spot the elusive African leopards in the dense undergrowth. After a delicious lunch, a change of perspective awaits you in the afternoon: a 2-hour boat safari on the famous Kazinga Channel. You will glide slowly along the banks, experiencing one of the world’s densest populations of hippos and snapping Nile crocodiles up close, while huge herds of elephants come ashore to quench their thirst. In the evening, you’ll return to your lodge and reflect on the day’s events under the vast African starry sky.
Accommodation: The Bush Lodge – Banda
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4: Queen– Ishasha Sector – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (travel time approx. 4 hours)
After breakfast in the morning, your journey continues to the lesser-known southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Ishasha is particularly famous for its unique tree-climbing lions. Especially, during the hottest hours, you can find the lions in the trees, enjoying the shade while still having a view of the savanna. Apart from the famous lions, Ishasha offers an attractive, sparsely visited landscape of open plains and acacia woodlands. Large herds of buffalos and elephants, topi, Uganda kobs, and numerous bird species live here. Next, you leave the savanna, and the landscape changes dramatically. The road winds its way up into the so-called “Kigezi Highlands,” which, due to its green, terraced slopes, is also known as the “Switzerland of Africa.” Finally, you reach Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. In the afternoon, you check into your accommodation on the edge of the rainforest. Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere and prepare for one of the highlights of your trip – the encounter with the mountain gorillas the following day.
Accommodation: Ride 4 A Woman Guest House
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5: Bwindi – Gorilla Trekking – Lake Bunyoni (travel time approx. 2 hours)
After breakfast, you will be taken to the park offices in Buhoma. There, you will receive a briefing on the rules of conduct that are important for gorilla trekking. You will then set off with the ranger into the montane rainforest. The ranger follows 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 the guide.
You will cautiously approach a family of gorillas and the silverback. It is a really amazing experience 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. The trek to the gorillas can be strenuous, depending on the specific family you are visiting. The sight of these majestic great apes quickly makes you forget about any concerns, but a certain level of fitness is recommended. It’s also crucial that you are in good health. Even a cold can prevent you from seeing the gorillas to ensure their safety.
The length of the hike 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 encountering 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 see so much of ourselves. Over 98% of our genes are identical to those of gorillas, and you experience a truly sublime feeling when you stand close to these magnificent creatures. The young ones are playful and frolic within the gorilla family.
After the hike and the impressive encounters with the gorillas, you will continue your journey to Lake Bunyonyi. The “Lake of Many Little Birds” is one of Uganda’s most beautiful landscapes, characterized by verdant terraced hills and numerous small islands. On the lake’s shores awaits the BirdNest Resort, which impresses with its tranquil setting and magnificent views across Lake Bunyonyi. Spend the rest of the afternoon reflecting on the day’s experiences and enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. In the evening, you have a dining at the resort’s restaurant. The restaurant is renowned for its excellent cuisine, serving international dishes as well as regional specialties such as freshly prepared crayfish from Lake Bunyonyi.
Accommodation: BirdNest Resort
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 6: Bunyonyi – Lake Mburo National Park (travel time approx. 4 hours)
After relaxed breakfast, you will depart the mountainous regions of southwestern Uganda and travel towards Lake Mburo. The country’s smallest national park lies on the way to Kampala/Entebbe and is often overlooked by travelers. It offers a diverse landscape of rolling hills, acacia woodlands, wetlands, and open grasslands. You will arrive at your accommodation in time for lunch. In the afternoon, you will embark on an extensive game drive through the national park. Lake Mburo is one of the best places in Uganda to observe large herds of zebra. Impalas, eland, buffalo, topi, oribi, and numerous other animal species also inhabit the park. Birdwatchers will be in their element: over 350 bird species can be spotted here. In the evening, you can enjoy the special atmosphere of your lodge and take in the views across the landscape of the national park.
Accommodation: Eagles Nest Mburo
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7: Lake Mburo National Park – Game Walk & Night Game Drive
Lake Mburo NP offers a rare chance to experience nature not only from a car but also on foot. In the soft morning light, you will embark on a guided game walk. Accompanied by a ranger, you will follow animal tracks in the red sand, silently approaching zebras and antelopes. After the walk, you will have time to relax at the lodge or enjoy another game drive in the afternoon. As darkness falls, you will set off on a night drive, using the headlights of your 4×4 to track down the nocturnal inhabitants of the savanna. With a bit of luck, you might spot bushbabies in the treetops, porcupines, genets, leopards, or other shy creatures of the savanna.
Accommodation: Eagles Nest Mburo
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8: Lake Mburo – Mabamba Shoebills – Entebbe (travel time approx. 4 hours)
After breakfast, you leave Lake Mburo National Park and begin your journey towards Entebbe. Shortly before reaching Entebbe, you visit the Mabamba Wetlands on Lake Victoria. You board a traditional wooden canoe and glide through the narrow papyrus channels with a local guide. The wetlands are one of the best places in Uganda to look for the rare shoebill, one of the most remarkable birds on Earth. After the boat trip, you continue to Entebbe and check into The Boma Hotel. The rest of the day is free to freshen up and relax after your safari.
Accommodation: The Boma Hotel Entebbe
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9: Entebbe – Zanzibar
After breakfast, your driver will transfer you to Entebbe International Airport for your direct flight to Zanzibar. On arrival, you will be met by our driver, who will be holding a sign with your name on it, and transferred to your beach resort. The pace now changes from safari to seaside. Settle into The Loop Beach Resort and enjoy the warm waters, white sandy beach and relaxed atmosphere of Zanzibar.
Accommodation: The Loop Beach Resort
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 10 – 13: Zanzibar
After your safari in Uganda, it is time to slow down and enjoy a few days by the Indian Ocean. Stay at The Loop, a beachfront resort in the heart of Jambiani village, overlooking a beautiful stretch of white sandy beach. The resort has 18 comfortable and stylish rooms, many with private verandas where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Jambiani is a wonderful place to discover Zanzibar at your own pace. Spend your days swimming in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, walking along the beach, relaxing by the water or simply enjoying the laid-back atmosphere of the village. The beach changes with the tides, offering a different setting throughout the day. At low tide, you can walk along the exposed reef and explore the coastline. When the tide comes in, you can swim, kayak, sail or take a boat trip to explore the reef and surrounding waters.
In the evenings, enjoy dinner by the beach, watch the sunset and listen to the sound of the ocean. The days are left open, giving you plenty of time to rest, enjoy the beach and take in the slower pace of Zanzibar after your Uganda adventure.
Accommodation: The Loop Beach Resort
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 14: Zanzibar – Return flight home
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 People |
USD 7154 |
|
2 People |
USD 5957 |
|
3 People |
USD 5410 |
|
4 People |
USD 5248 |
|
5 People |
USD 5061 |
| 6 People | USD 5011 |
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
- 2 nights at The Boma Hotel Entebbe
- 2 nights at the Bush Lodge
- 1 overnight stay at Engagi Lodge
- 1 night at the BirdNest Resort
- 2 nights at Mihingo Lodge
- 5 nights bed & breakfast at The Loop Beach Resort - Suite with Seaview
- Boat trip on the Kazinga Channel
- Game drive in Ishasha
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park
- Walking safari and night game drive at Lake Mburo
- Mabamba Shoebill Tour by dugout canoe
- Regional flight Entebbe- Zanzibar
- All airport and runway transfers in Uganda and Zanzibar
- Drinking water during game drives
Exclusions
- International flights to/from Uganda
- Optional excursions or activities not pre-booked
- Uganda visa costs (USD 50)
- Travel Insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Drinks
Greenway nature tours
We are a fully licensed tour company accredited by the Uganda Tourism Board. We design and operate safaris in Uganda and East Africa. Our operations are based in Kampala, Uganda, the heart of our safari planning and coordination. Though our company was officially established in 2025, our team brings deep, hands-on knowledge of East Africa.
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