Welcome to Uganda! After passing through immigration, your guide is already waiting for you. You are taken to your first accommodation: a cosy guesthouse with a lovely garden on a hill in Entebbe, only 15 minutes' drive from the airport. On the way you catch a glimpse of Uganda's daily pulse, such as the matatus and boda bodas (local taxis) weaving daringly through the traffic and smartly dressed locals in colourful fabrics along the roads. Enjoy a relaxed first evening before your adventure through Uganda begins the next morning.

1 night · double room · with breakfast The Karibu Guesthouse Entebbe is a small boutique guesthouse especially appreciated for its quiet location and personal atmosphere. It is located in a green residential area near the international airport, making it ideal for arrivals and departures. The guesthouse has individually furnished rooms decorated in a warm, cosy style, and their small number creates a very private setting. Around the house there is a well-kept garden and shady seating areas, ideal for relaxing or watching the abundant tropical birdlife. Many guests highlight the friendly, family-style service, which helps with organising transfers, excursions or restaurant requests. The home-cooked food – often made with fresh regional ingredients – is also frequently praised and adds to the relaxed atmosphere. Overall, the Karibu Guesthouse is particularly suitable for travellers looking for a quiet, comfortable and personal alternative to larger hotels who want to begin or end their stay in Entebbe in a pleasant, almost homely environment.

Your guided trip through Uganda and Tanzania continues to Kibale Forest. Deep in western Uganda, nestled in the picturesque landscape of the Rwenzori Mountains, lies Kibale Forest National Park. Covering 766 square kilometres, it is home to an incredible variety of flora and fauna and is a true paradise for nature lovers and primate enthusiasts. Kibale Forest National Park consists of dense tropical rainforest. The various ecosystems in this area have the highest density of primates in all of Africa. The rare red colobus and the black-and-white colobus are just some of the primates you may encounter on your forest walks. The highlight of a trip to Kibale Forest is, of course, watching the entertaining chimpanzees. Your lodge for the next two nights offers a unique jungle experience. Immerse yourself in the sounds of nature in one of the beautifully furnished cottages. The lodge offers a breathtaking view over the treetops, and on clear days you can see as far as the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains.

2 nights · double room · half board Turaco Treetops lies on the edge of Kibale National Park and is surrounded by dense rainforest, one of the most species-rich forest areas in Uganda. The lodge offers a quiet atmosphere in the midst of nature and is an excellent base for the famous chimpanzee treks and other activities in Kibale Forest. The open restaurant and lounge area invites you to take in the sounds of the forest and look back on the day's experiences in relaxed surroundings. Various parts of the lodge offer lovely views of the lush greenery. With a bit of luck you can even spot some of the many bird species or primates native to the forests around the lodge. The accommodation is spread across wooded grounds and blends harmoniously into the natural surroundings. Natural materials, warm wooden elements and large windows create a pleasant connection between comfort and nature. Turaco Treetops combines close-to-nature living with relaxed comfort and is a wonderful place to immerse yourself in the fascinating forest landscape of Kibale National Park.

Today one of the great highlights of your Uganda holiday is on the programme. No other animal reminds us so much of ourselves as the chimpanzee. In addition to many shared characteristics, chimpanzees share 98% of our human DNA, making them our closest living relatives. On a chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest, you have the opportunity to watch these fascinating animals up close with an experienced ranger. It is an incredible experience to see how the chimpanzees interact with each other and go about their daily routine of grooming, playing and foraging. After your time with the chimpanzees, you are invited to get to know the region's traditional cuisine and how it is prepared. You can enjoy your lunch with the local community (optional). In the afternoon you can choose whether to spend more time with the locals and learn more about their everyday life on a community walk, or to go deeper into the forest on a walk through the swamp in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary (optional). The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is home to 8 primate species, over 200 bird species, butterflies and various reptiles. For bird lovers, the highlight of the afternoon is spotting the beautiful great blue turaco. Both the time with the local community and the swamp walk are run by a community-based organisation. The income from the walk is used for community development projects such as schools and hospitals.

Today another highlight of your Uganda trip is on the programme. Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda's most visited and most scenic game reserve. The national park offers wide savannah plains, bushland, wetlands and forests at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains. The Kazinga Channel, which flows through the park and connects Lake George in the east with Lake Edward in the west, attracts a rich variety of animals and birds, including the notorious Nile crocodile and one of the largest concentrations of hippos in the world. On your first game drive you explore the park.

2 nights · double room · full board The Kasenyi Safari Camp is located in the middle of Queen Elizabeth National Park, in the wide savannah landscape on Lake Bunyampaka. The camp is small and exclusive, consisting of a few thatched tents built on wooden platforms. Each tent has its own bathroom, a cosy bed with mosquito net and a veranda looking straight out onto the wildlife. The heart of the camp is the main building with restaurant, bar and lounge, set under a large thatched roof and offering a wide view over the plains. The location is ideal for safaris: many predators such as lions and leopards live on the Kasenyi plains, along with large herds of Uganda kob, buffalo and hippos – often within sight of the camp. From here you can go on game drives, boat trips on the Kazinga Channel or excursions to the Kyambura Gorge area. The famous Ishasha sector with its tree-climbing lions is also easily reached. With its mix of comfort, intimacy and immediate proximity to nature, the Kasenyi Safari Camp offers an authentic safari experience away from mass tourism.

Today your safari breakfast is served before dawn so that you can start your morning game drive at sunrise. Sunrise is the best time to watch wildlife, as animals are most active during the "golden hours". Today you'll encounter elephants, buffalo and various antelope species, among others, and if you're lucky you may even spot a lion or leopard. Later in the day, when the sun is high in the sky and the animals make their way to the river, you head to the Kazinga Channel for an exciting boat safari. Today you will spot more hippos than you can imagine. Herds of elephants and buffalo also wander down to the shore to bathe in the cool water. For many visitors, the boat safari is the highlight of their visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Today your journey takes you to Bwindi Forest. The roads wind through lush rainforests, skirt hilltops (keep your eyes open for the volcanoes!) and dip into lively villages in the valley before you reach the calm waters of Lake Mutanda. You stay at Noel's Cottage of the Ride 4 a Woman project. Ride 4 a Woman was founded in 2009 by Evelyn Habasa and her husband Denis Rubalema. The organisation supports local women who struggle at home with problems related to HIV, domestic violence and poverty. Today more than 300 women from 11 villages use or work at the Ride 4 a Woman community centre, where they can learn sewing, basket weaving, dancing, singing and drumming. They learn new skills, earn a living and enable their children to get an education.

2 nights · double room · full board Ride4aWoman – Noel's Cottage lies in Buhoma, right on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and only a few minutes from the starting point of the gorilla treks. The accommodation is much more than a guesthouse: with every stay, visitors support a local women's project that opens up new prospects for women and families in the region through training, employment and social programmes. The atmosphere is warm, personal and authentic. Instead of classic lodge luxury, a place awaits you where encounters and insights into local life take centre stage. The small cottages are simply but cosily furnished and blend harmoniously into the green surroundings. From the verandas your gaze sweeps over the forested hills around Bwindi, while the quiet location invites you to relax after an eventful day. The restaurant serves freshly prepared dishes, and the small craft shop offers artfully made products from the project's workshops. If you like, you can also take part in cultural activities and get to know the region and its people even better. A charming place to stay with down-to-earth comfort, warm hospitality and special social commitment – ideal as a base for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Encountering the rare and endangered mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is an experience of a lifetime. The national park in south-western Uganda is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas. A visit to this breathtaking park is an unforgettable experience for every nature lover and adventurer. Accompanied by an experienced park ranger, you "track" one of the nine habituated gorilla family groups living in the park. Your tracking experience will be an exciting but challenging hike along forested slopes, through tangled dense vegetation and bamboo forests before you reach the territory of the gentle gorillas. Depending on where the gorillas are on a given day, the hike can take between 2 and 7 hours. Once you have found the gorilla family, you can observe the animals in all their glory for one hour. Meeting mountain gorillas in the wild is an emotional experience you will remember for the rest of your life. Included in the price: packed lunch for along the way.

Today you drive back to Entebbe. The rest of the day is free to relax.

1 night · double room

Early in the morning you set off by wooden boat into the Mabamba Swamp. Watch the diverse birdlife, including the rare shoebill stork. Learn more about the swamp ecosystem and its importance for the local population. The shoebill is an unmistakable bird that lives in the wetlands of East and Central Africa. Its name comes from its huge, clumsy-looking bill, which resembles a clog. Up to 50 cm long and up to 23 cm wide, it is the largest bill of any bird. Afterwards you are taken to the airport and fly to Kilimanjaro Airport in Tanzania (flight not included in the price – we are happy to make you an offer). After your arrival you are taken to your first accommodation near Arusha National Park.

1 night · double room · half board The African View Lodge lies on the edge of Arusha National Park near the small town of Usa River. Set in a lush garden, the lodge offers beautiful views of Mount Meru on clear days and is well suited for the first or last night of a safari in northern Tanzania. The rooms are individually furnished and pick up elements of the region with warm colours, local materials and handicrafts. There is a swimming pool in the garden that invites you to relax after a long day of travel. The restaurant serves a range of local and international dishes. The cosy communal areas and the spacious garden create a personal and relaxed atmosphere. Thanks to its location, the African View Lodge is a good base for excursions to Arusha National Park and for onward travel to Kilimanjaro or the well-known national parks of northern Tanzania.

After breakfast you set off towards Lake Manyara National Park. Located in northern Tanzania, Lake Manyara National Park is a gem among Africa's national parks and a must for every Tanzania safari traveller. Famous for its breathtaking scenery, the huge soda lake full of flamingos and its exceptional birdlife, the park offers an unforgettable safari experience. Lake Manyara National Park is known for its large elephant population, which can number up to 400 animals. Besides elephants, you can also see lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffalo, zebras, giraffes, hippos and a wide variety of birds. After arriving in the park you go on game drives before driving to your lodge in the evening.

1 night · double room · full board The Country Lodge lies west of Karatu and is an ideal, relaxing stopover on the way from Lake Manyara National Park to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Set in lovingly landscaped green gardens, it offers pleasant tranquillity after an eventful day on safari. Eleven charming, semi-detached cottages are spread harmoniously across the spacious grounds. The rooms have either two single beds or a double bed; triple occupancy is also easily possible. Warm colours and natural materials create a cosy atmosphere. Amenities include a fireplace, a desk and a private veranda with seating. The bathrooms are finished with stone tiles and underline the lodge's rustic, authentic character. The small, personal lodge has a reception, an inviting bar, a restaurant, a lounge and a pool that provides a refreshing break on warm days. The excellent cuisine deserves special mention. Many of the ingredients come from the region, some even from the lodge's own garden, giving the dishes a fresh and authentic touch.

After breakfast your Tanzania trip continues into the highlands. You drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania is a natural wonder and one of the best safari destinations in the world. With its breathtaking view, rich wildlife and fascinating history, the crater is a must for every traveller who wants to experience Africa. The crater is a huge volcano that collapsed about 2.5 million years ago. The crater floor is about 20 kilometres wide and is home to an incredible variety of animals, including elephants, lions, rhinos, buffalo, zebras and gazelles. The crater is also home to numerous bird species, including flamingos, pelicans and eagles. You spend 5 hours in the crater. On the subsequent drive to your camp in the Serengeti, the origin of the name Serengeti becomes impressively clear: it derives from the Maasai word Siringitu and means "the endless plain". The grass savannahs in the southern Serengeti stretch to the horizon and are interrupted only by so-called kopjes, bizarre rock formations. These are the ideal hunting grounds for cheetahs and other big cats. In the late afternoon you reach today's destination.

2 nights · double room · full board The Hippo Trails Camp is a charming, comfortable safari camp in the central Serengeti – near the well-known Retima Hippo Pool. Surrounded by open savannah, the camp offers a quiet location and authentic nature experiences away from mass tourism. The ten spacious safari tents – including family tents – stand on wooden platforms and each have a private bathroom with shower and WC, a small seating area and a veranda overlooking the bush. Electricity and hot water are provided in an environmentally friendly way using solar energy. The central meeting point is the open restaurant with adjoining bar and lounge, where guests enjoy their meals in a relaxed atmosphere or end the day by the campfire. The cuisine is varied and places emphasis on fresh, local ingredients. From the camp, classic game drives, early-morning and late-afternoon safaris as well as balloon flights over the Serengeti can be arranged.

Today you go on full-day game drives in the Serengeti. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking world of the Serengeti, Tanzania's oldest national park and the scene of the legendary migration. Experience Africa's incredible diversity up close and witness nature's spectacle as millions of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles cross the plains (seasonal). Besides these giants of the savannah, you can also watch lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and giraffes. With a bit of luck you may even spot cheetahs, hyenas or crocodiles.

After breakfast you drive from Serengeti National Park back to Karatu, with a last game drive in the vast Serengeti along the way. You leave the Ngorongoro highlands and drive down the escarpment to today's lodge near Karatu.

1 night · double room · full board The Marera Valley Lodge is picturesquely located near Karatu, between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater, and offers comfortable, relaxed accommodation surrounded by greenery. The lodge consists of 18 spacious cottages with private veranda, open fireplace, stylish furnishings and private bathroom. The main building houses the restaurant, lounge, bar and a well-kept garden with swimming pool. The kitchen places great emphasis on fresh, regional ingredients – many come from the lodge's own garden. Guests particularly praise the quiet atmosphere, the personal service and the spacious rooms. Thanks to its central location, the lodge is an ideal base for safaris to the Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara or Tarangire. In short: a charming lodge with plenty of comfort and warm hospitality – perfect for a safari break in the Tanzanian highlands.

You have breakfast at your lodge. Your Tanzania safari then continues to Tarangire National Park, where you go on extensive game drives. Tarangire National Park in Tanzania is a paradise for safari fans. With the highest density of elephants in Africa outside the Serengeti, Tarangire National Park is a true elephant paradise. Watch majestic elephant families bathing in the Tarangire River or grazing on the savannah. Besides elephants, the park is home to a wide range of other wildlife, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffalo, zebras, giraffes and various monkey species. The landscape of Tarangire National Park is characterised by wide savannahs, acacia woodlands and huge baobab trees. Crossed by the Tarangire River, the park offers a varied backdrop for your safari. After extensive game drives you drive to your lodge in the late afternoon.

1 night · double room · full board The Sangaiwe Tented Lodge lies on a hillside not far from Tarangire National Park and offers a wide view over the surrounding landscape to Lake Burunge. The lodge has 18 safari tents and two family tents on raised wooden platforms. All tents have their own bathroom and a private veranda. The main building is the heart of the lodge and houses the restaurant, lounge and bar. A swimming pool is also available to guests. Thanks to its slightly elevated position and spacious layout, the lodge offers a quiet atmosphere in the midst of nature. The Sangaiwe Tented Lodge runs entirely on solar energy. The restaurant serves a variety of dishes made with regional ingredients. Its proximity to Tarangire National Park makes the lodge a good base for game drives and birdwatching. At the same time, it offers plenty of opportunity to relax between safari activities and enjoy the view.

After a last breakfast in the bush, it's time to head back to Arusha. You reach Arusha again around midday. Depending on your follow-on programme, you are taken directly to the airport (Kilimanjaro or Arusha) or to your hotel in Arusha. UGANDA & TANZANIA TRIP: HIGHLIGHTS OF EAST AFRICA.