East Africa Wildlife & Culture Tour: Tanzania & Uganda - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Arusha (Tanzania), Hike to Arusha Waterfall

Welcome to the vibrant Tanzanian city of Arusha, nestled at the base of Mount Meru. Meet your driver outside the airport and transfer to your hotel. After refreshing, venture out on a short hike to Arusha Waterfall, just 30 minutes outside of the city. Follow your guide down the meandering trails until you hear the distant sound of rushing water. When you arrive, cool down in the mist and take in the waterfall, framed by vibrant vegetation and massive rocks. Sit down for a picnic lunch overlooking the water, then jump into the natural pool at the bottom for a swim. 

Head to Lake Duluti next to go canoeing across the tranquil waters. Paddle across the crater lake surrounded by lush green hills, tropical trees, and vibrant flora, looking to the skies for birds like kingfishers, fish eagles, or darters. If you visit on a clear day, you can also see Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance. After exploring the lake, return to your hotel to relax and enjoy its amenities. Grab a drink and lie by the pool or unwind in the spa, choosing from an array of treatments that utilize both traditional and modern wellness techniques. In the evening, visit the on-site restaurant for dinner.

Day 3: Full-Day Game Drive Across the Ngorongoro Crater

Get ready for an early wake-up call—today you set off on a game drive at sunrise when the wildlife is most active. Look out for the Big Five game animals—lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and Cape buffalo—as you traverse the rugged terrain and descend into the crater. Once in the caldera, you have a better chance of spotting wildlife, including the endangered black rhino. Around midday, enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor, where you can relax and enjoy the wilderness around you. 

After eating, the safari continues to different parts of the crater, stopping at tranquil lakes to spot large flocks of flamingoes or hippos lazing in the water. Flamingoes aren't the only birds you'll see, as the conservation area is also home to species like kori bustards, crowned cranes, and secretary birds. In the late afternoon, begin the journey back up the crater rim, taking in a final panoramic view of the lush landscape before returning to the lodge. End your action-packed day with a sundowner, which is almost like happy hour, where you wind down with a drink while watching the sunset.

Day 4: Transfer to Arusha, Relax at Leisure

After two nights in the wilderness, return to Arusha this morning on a three-hour transfer, passing through quaint villages where you can catch glimpses of local life. When you arrive, check into your hotel and stay in to relax or venture out to explore more of the area on your own. A good place to start is the National Natural History Museum to dive into the country's geology, paleontology, ethnography, and archaeology. Step inside and browse the fossilized remains, taxidermied animals, botanical specimens, and geological formations.

Then, head to the Tanzanite Experience, the only Tanzanite museum in the world, to learn about the history and allure of this rare gem. If you want to take home a unique souvenir, a piece of Tanzanite jewelry may be the perfect option. When you get hungry, wander down to Boma Road, a bustling thoroughfare in the central business district lined with an array of shops, cafés, and restaurants. Find an international restaurant or sit down for a local meal, like pilau, a flavorful rice dish cooked with aromatic spices, meat, and vegetables.

Day 5: Fly to Entebbe (Uganda), Transfer to Kampala, City Tour

Say goodbye to Tanzania for now as you catch a 1.5-hour flight to Entebbe in Uganda this morning. Upon arrival at the airport, meet your driver and set off on a one-hour transfer to the capital city of Kampala. On the way, look out at Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa, and admire the country's natural beauty. When you arrive, refresh at your hotel, then set off on a guided tour of the city, starting at the Uganda Museum. Step inside to discover the vast collection of traditional artifacts, archaeological exhibits, and ethnographic displays providing insight into Ugandan customs, beliefs, and practices. 

Next, jump on a boda-boda, a bicycle or motorcycle taxi, to weave through traffic and sample local street food, like a rolex, a chapati roll filled with eggs, tomatoes, and onions. Your culinary journey continues at a nearby restaurant as you sit down to try luwombo, a traditional dish of meat, peanuts, and beans wrapped and steamed in a banana leaf. After lunch, visit Kabaka's Palace, the official residence of the Buganda tribe's king since 1885. Although you can't enter the building, your guide will share stories of the royal family as you admire the opulent exterior.

End your tour at a local craft market to witness the skill of local artists offering distinct souvenirs you can take home to commemorate your trip. In the evening, head to the Ndere Cultural Center, where you can immerse yourself in the country's rich culture with spirited dances, rhythmic drumming, and colorful costumes. Pair the performance by the award-winning Ndere Troupe with a delicious local meal before returning to the hotel to rest after an action-packed first day in Uganda.

Day 6: Transfer to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Trade the city for the countryside as you set off for the UNESCO-listed Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park on a 7-8 hour transfer. Drive past picturesque villages, vibrant markets, and lush farmlands, making regular stops to stretch your legs or grab a bite to eat. Watch as the rolling hills give way to rugged mountains as you approach the park. Check into the luxurious and secluded Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, then spend the rest of the day enjoying the lodging's amenities. You can unwind at the spa, grab a cocktail from the bar, and then sit down for a delicious dinner around the campfire to end the night.

Day 7: Gorilla Trek in the National Park

One of the national park's most famous residents is the gorilla, so today, you're going to try to find them deep in the forest. Meet your guide at the ranger's station at 8 am, complete a safety and etiquette briefing, then set off down the path on foot, looking for gorilla footprints to follow. The trek's duration varies, from 3-6 hours depending on how long it takes to find these majestic creatures, so wear a good pair of hiking shoes.

When you finally spot them, try to stay 22 feet (7 m) away at all times to reduce the risk of compromising their health with human illnesses. Watch them go about their daily lives—feeding, playing, and resting—in their natural habitat. Conservation protocols allow you to spend one hour with these incredible creatures, so when it's time, return to the park's entrance along the same path. After a day in the forest, return to the lodge to relax and enjoy another delicious dinner al fresco.

Day 8: Transfer to Entebbe, Tour Local Markets & Art Galleries

Bid farewell to the gorillas as you head to the airport for a one-hour flight back to Entebbe. Meet your driver outside the airport and transfer to your hotel. Refresh and leave your bags behind for a two-hour tour to some of the city's art galleries and craft markets, where you can find an array of handmade goods, from African clothing and fabrics to intricate jewelry and colorful paintings. Browse the stalls, meet local artisans, and take part in a painting class to learn how to create your own masterpiece to take home and commemorate your trip.

After your painting class, the rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish. You could jump on a ferry to the nearby Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary to meet the knowledgeable staff, learn about the ongoing conservation efforts, and meet the curious chimpanzees up close during their feeding time. The sanctuary is home to over 50 chimps that were orphaned or rescued from poachers, circuses, and wildlife traffickers. Learn about each animal's story while you observe their playful antics and intriguing social dynamics before returning to the mainland.

Day 9: Fly to Arusha, Visit the Serval Wildlife Sanctuary 

Your penultimate day in Africa takes you back to Tanzania and Arusha on a 1.5-hour flight. Upon arrival, meet your driver outside the airport and transfer to your city hotel to refresh. Then, head to Serval WildLife, a sanctuary almost two hours outside of the city. Although the sanctuary is dedicated to the rehabilitation and conservation of servals (graceful wildcats native to Africa), you can also find animals like Maasai giraffes, elands, ostriches, lions, and monkeys within the sanctuary.

Wander through the well-maintained grounds covered in over 3,000 hand-planted species of endemic flora to get an up-close look at some of these remarkable creatures. On a clear day, you can also enjoy mesmerizing views of Mount Kilimanjaro. After meeting some of the sanctuary's animals, feeding them, and petting them when possible, sit down for lunch before returning to your hotel in the city. Spend the rest of the day in or around the pool, then grab a drink at the rooftop bar to watch the sunset against the backdrop of Mount Meru. 

Day 10: Shopping at the Famous Maasai Market, Depart Arusha

Spend your last few hours in Arusha shopping at Maasai Market, a treasure trove of handmade goods and local delights. Browse the stalls full of Maasai jewelry, colorful fabrics, and traditional decor. If you find something you like, try your hand at negotiating a price to really immerse yourself in Tanzanian culture. If you're hungry, snack on mandazi (deep-fried doughnut-like pastries) or Zanzibar mix (a combination of deep-fried cassava, plantains, and lentil fritters). When it's time, head back to the hotel to grab your bags and meet your driver for your flight home. Safe travels!