7 days of trekking mountain gorillas and exploring the white sand beaches and crystal clear waters at Zanzibar is a perfect idea of an East African safari. This trip allows visitors to walk through an African jungle to search for the endangered mountain gorillas as well as uncovering East Africa’s slave trade history and relaxation at the Zanzibar Archipelago. Our 7 days Bwindi & Zanzibar Safari starts from Uganda and ends from Tanzania (Zanzibar).
Day 1: Airport arrival and hotel transfer
On this day you will arrive at Entebbe International Airport (Uganda) and meet your safari driver for a drive to your Hotel in Kampala (Capital City), about one hour’s drive from the Airport. At the Hotel you will freshen-up, enjoy meals and overnight as you prepare your energy for the next day’s journey.
Day 2: Travel from Kampala City to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, south-western Uganda
In the morning be served a delicious Continental breakfast to allow you travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This is an 8-9 hours’ journey that also includes several stopovers to stretch legs, answer nature’s call and photography and enjoy Lunch. One of the stop points is the Equator crossing along the Kampala-Masaka road to marvel at demonstrations that show the Earth’s north and south hemispheres.
Take pictures, buy snacks from the nearby supermarket and proceed to Mbarara Town for Lunch break. Arrival in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is before nightfall to allow you clearly see the en-route views.
Day 3: Magical trek for mountain gorillas and village/community visits in Bwindi forest
After breakfast, set off for the Park Headquarters (depending on the sector of trekking) for briefing session from Park rangers. This briefing takes you through the important guidelines to be followed when trekking and watching mountain gorillas, then be divided into groups of 8 persons to trek a single gorilla group. The jungle where these Great Apes live have thickets, muddy/slippery trails, hills and thorny trees which you will have to endure in pursuit of your goal (finding mountain gorillas). One hour is allocated for observing them carry-on with their daily routines and after return back to the Lodge for late Lunch.
You will have a village/community visit to Batwa people in the evening to see how they used to hunt/gather, use herbal medicine, harvest honey, build hats, make bamboo cups and make fire from sticks when they still lived in the forest. Also taste some of their delicious and natural dishes before returning to your overnight place of stay.
Day 4: Journey back to Kampala or Entebbe
On day 4 you will embark on a journey to Kampala or Entebbe and this takes 8-9 hours of driving through stunning countryside views, rolling hills and en-route Lunch. Dinner and overnight will be in Kampala or Entebbe.
Day 5: Flight to Zanzibar
After an amazing breakfast in your Kampala or Entebbe Hotel, connect to Entebbe International Airport where you will catch a flight to Abeid Amani International Airport (former Zanzibar Airport). Arrival is in the afternoon and immediately continue to Stone Town.
Day 6: Tour the historical Stone Town and Beach leisure
Be up early to taste a Zanzibari spiced tea for breakfast and head for a walk through the historical Stone Town. You will be amazed by the historical buildings, some of which date back to the 19th Century, during Slave trade era. Don’t miss exploring the Old Fort, old Catholic and Anglican Cathedrals, Old dispensary, 19th Century Museums and Sultan Palaces.
Enjoy a spiced Zanzibari lunch in one of the local restaurants overlooking the Town and later in the afternoon unwind, swim or undertake beach sports in one of the nearby white sand beaches. In the evening return back to your Resort for a hot meal and overnight.
Day 7: Travel back to the Airport for departure
Early in the morning enjoy breakfast and check-out of the Resort for a transfer to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport to catch-up with your outbound flight. This marks the end of your 7 days Bwindi & Zanzibar Safari.
