Uganda and Tanzania Safari Packages | Gorilla & Big Five

A Uganda and Tanzania Safari Package lets you see two sides of East Africa on one trip. In Uganda, you trek through misty forest to meet mountain gorillas and track chimpanzees. Then you fly to Tanzania for open plains, big cats, and the Great Wildebeest Migration. The mix gives you far more variety than one country alone. However, a good plan matters, because gorilla permits are limited and the flight between countries needs time. This guide explains routes, costs, permits, seasons, and booking steps in plain words.

Uganda and Tanzania Safari Packages at a Glance

Here is the short answer. Most combined Uganda-Tanzania safari trips last 10 to 16 days. You start in Uganda for gorillas and chimps, and then you fly to Tanzania for the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire. The table below shows how the main trip styles compare.

What Makes This Combined Safari Special?

Uganda gives you forest encounters, while Tanzania gives you wide savannah views. Because of this, one trip covers both the “quiet and close” and the “big and open” sides of safari. In addition, Uganda’s gorilla trekking permits cost less than Rwanda’s, so the budget stretches further.

Recommended Trip Duration

Plan at least 10 days. Anything shorter feels rushed, since you lose travel days to flights and long drives. For a relaxed pace, 14 days works best.

Main Destinations and Experiences

• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: gorilla trekking
• Kibale Forest: chimpanzee tracking
• Queen Elizabeth National Park: game drives and Kazinga Channel cruises
• Tarangire National Park: elephants and baobab trees
• Serengeti National Park: predators and migration herds
• Ngorongoro Crater: dense wildlife in one crater

Who Should Choose This Safari?

This trip suits first-time safari travelers who want variety, couples celebrating a big occasion, and photographers who want both forest and plains. On the other hand, travelers with very little time may prefer one country.

Uganda and Tanzania Safari Package Options

These are common trip formats. Valiant Safaris designs each one as a private, tailor-made trip, so the exact route, flights, and nights are set around your dates and budget.

10–12 Day Uganda and Tanzania Safari

This is the fast version. You spend about four to five days in Uganda for Bwindi gorillas, and about five to six days in Tanzania for the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. As a result, you see the highlights of both countries without a long holiday.

14-Day Gorilla Trekking and Wildlife Safari

This is the most popular Uganda gorilla and Tanzania wildlife safari. It adds chimpanzee tracking and Queen Elizabeth in Uganda, and Tarangire in Tanzania. The pace is steadier, and you have more time for photos.

15–16 Day Uganda and Tanzania Adventure Safari

Choose this if you want more of everything. You can add Murchison Falls in Uganda or more nights in the Serengeti. For ideas, see Valiant’s 10 Day Uganda Express Adventure and its Murchison Falls National Park page.

Private and Luxury Uganda Tanzania Safari

A Uganda Tanzania luxury safari uses top lodges, private guides, and private transfers. A Uganda Tanzania private safari gives you your own vehicle and guide, even at mid-range level. Moreover, you set your own pace, so you can stay longer with the animals you love.

Custom Uganda and Tanzania Safari Packages

Every traveler is different. So, Valiant builds custom Uganda and Tanzania safari packages around your dates, group size and budget. These Uganda Tanzania safari tours can be private or small-group. You can also explore the Tanzania holiday and safari packages and the East Africa safaris pages for related routes.

Sample Uganda and Tanzania Safari Itinerary

This is a sample plan, not a fixed tour. Your real route, flights and nights will change with availability. A good Uganda and Tanzania safari itinerary always includes buffer time for the flight between countries.

Days 1–2 — Arrive in Uganda and Transfer to the Safari Route

You land at Entebbe and rest. Then you drive or fly toward western Uganda. Early flights save a long day on the road.

Days 3–4 — Chimpanzee Tracking and Queen Elizabeth National Park

Track chimpanzees in Kibale, and then enjoy a game drive and a Kazinga Channel boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth. Read more about chimpanzee tracking in Uganda.

Days 5–6 — Bwindi Gorilla Trekking

Spend one day on the gorilla trek, and keep the next day for rest or a community visit. Gorilla trekking can last from about two to seven hours, so plan a full day.

Day 7 — Travel or Fly to Tanzania

This is the key transfer day. You travel from Uganda to the Kilimanjaro or Arusha area. Allow a full day, because flights, check-in, and transfers take time.

Days 8–9 — Tarangire National Park and Wildlife Viewing

Tarangire is known for large elephant herds and giant baobab trees. It is also a calm start to your Tanzania leg.

Days 10–12 — Serengeti National Park Safari

Spend three days on game drives across the plains. Look for lions, cheetahs, leopards, and migration herds, depending on the season.

Days 13–14 — Ngorongoro Crater and Departure

Descend into the crater for a half-day game drive, and then fly home from Kilimanjaro. This ending is smooth because the crater is close to the airport region.

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Uganda gorilla trekking and Tanzania safari trips usually put the gorillas first. This way, you do the hardest hike while you are fresh. For this reason, every Uganda and Tanzania Safari Package should start with the permit plan. Read more on Valiant’s Uganda gorilla safari packages page.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi is a thick, ancient forest in southwest Uganda. It protects about half of the world’s mountain gorillas. The park has four trekking sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Learn more on Valiant’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park page.

Gorilla Trekking Permits and Booking

A standard gorilla permit costs $800 for foreign non-residents. In April, May and November, a low-season permit costs $600, based on the Uganda Wildlife Authority notice of 26 February 2026. Permits are sold through licensed tour operators, and only eight visitors can track one gorilla family each day. Therefore, book early. See Valiant’s gorilla trekking permits guide for the latest details.

What to Expect During the Gorilla Trek

You hike with a ranger and trackers, and then you spend one hour with a gorilla family. The walk is steep and muddy in many places. Also, you must keep your distance and avoid flash photography. Nobody can promise the walk length, since gorillas move every day.

Adding Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest

Kibale has one of Uganda’s best chimpanzee experiences. Reported permit prices are $250 now and $300 from 1 January 2027. Chimp tracking is a great addition because it needs less time than a gorilla trek.

Wildlife Safari in Tanzania

Tanzania is famous for open plains, large herds and strong predator action. In contrast with Uganda’s forests, you spend most of the day in a 4×4 safari vehicle. This second half of a Uganda and Tanzania Safari Package is where most travelers see lions and big herds.

Serengeti National Park Game Drives

The Serengeti is huge, and it holds lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, and giraffes. Game drives happen in the early morning and late afternoon, when animals are most active. Valiant’s Serengeti safari packages show what a trip there can look like.

Ngorongoro Crater Wildlife Safari

The crater is a giant volcanic bowl with dense wildlife in a small area. Because of the setting, many travelers see lions, hippos, buffalo and rhinos in one outing, although sightings are never certain.

Tarangire National Park and Elephant Herds

Tarangire is best from June to October, when animals gather near the river. Elephants are the main stars, and the baobab trees make the scenery special.

Great Wildebeest Migration: When and Where to Go

The herds move in a circle through the Serengeti, so the best place depends on the month. The table below gives a simple guide, based on past patterns.

Rain changes the timing every year, so treat these months as a guide, not a promise. For more, visit Valiant’s wildebeest migration safari page.

Uganda vs Tanzania: What Will You Experience?

The two countries feel very different. That is why the Uganda-Tanzania safari mix works so well, and why a Uganda and Tanzania Safari Package gives such balanced days.

Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees in Uganda

Uganda is about close, quiet moments with primates. You hike, listen, and watch. In addition, you can add golden monkeys, boat cruises, and birdwatching.

Big Five and Savannah Wildlife in Tanzania

Tanzania is about big landscapes and big animals. You can see lions, elephants, buffalo, and leopards, and sometimes rhinos in Ngorongoro. A full Big Five wildlife safari is possible, but no operator can guarantee every animal.

Forest Trekking vs Traditional Game Drives

Forest trekking needs fitness and patience. Game drives need little walking, but long hours in the vehicle. So, the two styles balance each other well.

Why Combining Both Countries Offers More Variety

You get forest, plains, crater, river, and savannah in one trip. As a result, the holiday never feels repetitive.

Uganda and Tanzania Safari Package Cost

Prices change with season, lodge level, and group size, so ask for a written quote. When you price this trip, always compare what each quote includes. This section shows the main cost blocks so you can plan with open eyes. A Uganda Tanzania safari cost is never one flat number.

Budget, Mid-Range and Luxury Safari Options

For Tanzania, one 2026 cost guide lists about $180 to $400 per person per day for budget group trips, $400 to $800 for mid-range private trips, and $800 to $1,500 for luxury. Uganda’s costs also rise with lodge level.

Fee figures for Tanzania come from a 2026 cost guide, so confirm them with TANAPA or your operator before you pay.

Gorilla Permit Fees and Park Entry Charges

The gorilla permit is the largest single Uganda cost. In Tanzania, park entry is charged per day, and the Serengeti adds concession fees if you sleep inside the park. Always ask your operator which fees the quote already includes.

Accommodation, Meals and Private Transport

Lodges, meals and your 4×4 vehicle with a driver-guide make up most of the daily cost. Private transport costs more than shared trips, but it gives more freedom.

Domestic Flights Between Uganda and Tanzania

The cross-border flight is a real cost. It is not part of a daily rate, so check that your quote lists it.

Factors That Affect the Total Safari Price

• Season: dry months cost more
• Lodge level: budget, mid-range or luxury
• Group size: private trips split costs
• Trip length: more nights mean more cost
• Flights: the number of internal flights

Here is a simple example, for illustration only. One gorilla permit ($800) plus five mid-range Tanzania days ($2,000 to $4,000) already reaches $2,800 to $4,800 per person before Uganda lodges, flights, and transfers.

What’s Included and Excluded in Your Package?

A clear quote lists what it covers. Most packages include lodging, meals, park fees, permits, and transport. They often exclude international flights, visas, insurance, tips, and personal items.

Best Time for a Uganda and Tanzania Safari

The best time for a Uganda and Tanzania Safari Package depends on your top goal. Fortunately, one season works well for both countries.

Best Months for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Gorillas can be tracked all year. The dry months, June to August and December to February, have firmer trails. However, April, May, and November have lower permit prices.

Best Time for Serengeti Wildlife Viewing

The Serengeti is good all year, because animals are always there. Game viewing is easiest in the dry season from June to October.

Planning Around the Great Migration

Choose your migration month first. Then plan Uganda around it. Calving season, river crossings and the long northward trek all happen at different times.

Choosing Dates That Work for Both Countries

June to September is a strong choice for both. It is dry in both countries, and the herds are in the north. As a result, many people book it early, so reserve permits as soon as you can.

Travel Between Uganda and Tanzania

This is the part many pages skip. Driving between the safari areas takes days, so most travelers fly. A realistic Uganda and Tanzania Safari Package always plans this leg first.

Flights from Entebbe to Tanzania

Uganda Airlines has been reported to run a non-stop Entebbe to Kilimanjaro flight of about one hour and 15 minutes, but only about once a week. Because the schedule is thin, other routes may connect through a regional hub. Always confirm the current schedule.

Choosing the Best Arrival and Departure Airports

Many trips arrive at Entebbe and depart from Kilimanjaro. This one-way route saves backtracking. It also lets you end at the Ngorongoro and Arusha side.

Visas, Entry Requirements and Travel Documents

Uganda and Tanzania use separate visas. Tanzania’s tourist e-visa is reported at $50 for most travelers, and $100 for US citizens who need the multiple-entry type. The East Africa Tourist Visa does not cover Tanzania, so you need a separate one. Check Valiant’s Uganda visa page too. Your passport should have at least six months of validity.

Allowing Enough Time for International Transfers

Never schedule a tight flight on the same day as a gorilla trek. Add a buffer day, because weather, delays, and permit dates can shift.

Accommodation on Your Combined Safari

Lodges shape your comfort, and they also shape your daily timing. In a Uganda and Tanzania Safari Package, lodge choice also decides how much driving you do each morning.

Lodges Near Bwindi for Gorilla Trekking

Pick a lodge in your trekking sector. This saves a long early-morning drive. Options range from simple camps to luxury forest lodges.

Safari Camps in the Serengeti

Tented camps, permanent lodges and mobile camps are common. Staying inside the park saves driving time, although it adds concession fees.

Ngorongoro Accommodation Options

Most lodges sit on the crater rim and offer wide views. Rooms book out early in peak months.

Choosing Budget, Mid-Range or Luxury Lodges

Match your lodge level to your goals. Spend more on the places where you will spend the most time, such as the Serengeti camp.

How to Prepare for a Uganda and Tanzania Safari

Good preparation makes the trip smoother and safer.

Gorilla Trekking Fitness and Clothing

Walk regularly before you travel, and wear sturdy hiking boots, long sleeves, and a rain jacket. Gaiters and light gloves help on muddy trails.

Safari Packing Checklist

• Neutral-colored clothes
• A warm layer for early mornings
• A hat, sunscreen and insect repellent
• A small daypack and a refillable bottle
• Your passport, visas and vaccination certificate

Photography and Wildlife Viewing Essentials

Bring a zoom lens, spare batteries, and a dust cover. Binoculars help in both countries. For gorilla treks, use no flash.

Health, Safety and Travel Insurance

Uganda requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate, and Tanzania asks for it from travelers arriving from risk countries. So, carry it on this route. Ask your doctor about malaria tablets, and buy travel insurance that covers medical care and trip changes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Uganda and Tanzania Safaris

How Much Does a Uganda and Tanzania Safari Cost?

It depends on trip length and lodge level. Add the gorilla permit, Tanzania park fees, flights, lodging, and transfers. Ask for a written quote.

How Many Days Do You Need for Both Countries?

At least 10 days. Fourteen days feels more relaxed.

Can You Combine Gorilla Trekking with the Serengeti?

Yes. Most combined trips do exactly this, with a flight between the two parts.

Is a Flight Needed Between Uganda and Tanzania?

For most travelers, yes. Road travel between the safari areas takes several days.

Can I See the Big Five on This Safari?

Often, but never for sure. Rhinos are the hardest of the five to find, and Ngorongoro gives the best chance.

What Is the Best Month for a Combined Safari?

June to September suits both countries well. Pick your migration month first, though.

Can the Itinerary Be Customized?

Yes. Valiant plans private and small-group trips around your dates and budget.

How Far in Advance Should I Book Gorilla Permits?

As early as possible. For dry months, book several months ahead.

Book Your Uganda and Tanzania Safari Package

Now you know how a Uganda and Tanzania Safari Package works, from permits and flights to parks and costs. Valiant Safaris is a Ugandan tour operator that plans private and small-group trips across East Africa. The team can confirm your permit, arrange flights, choose your lodges, and send a clear quote. Share your travel dates, group size, budget, and gorilla trekking plans, and you will receive a tailored plan.

Joseph Wejuli

Senior Safari Planner, Valiant Safaris

Joseph grew up in Uganda, with the country’s national parks woven into his childhood. That early connection to the wild set the course for a career now spanning nearly two decades in East African tourism.

After completing his degree in Tourism Management at Makerere University, Joseph spent a decade with several of Uganda’s leading tour operators, building an intimate knowledge of the region’s parks, wildlife, and cultures long before he joined Valiant Safaris in 2017. In the years since, he has personally planned more than 400 gorilla treks experience spanning every budget tier, with particular expertise in curating polished, thoughtful journeys for luxury and top mid-range travelers from North America, Europe and the rest of the world.

As Senior Safari Planner, Joseph specializes in gorilla trekking, wildlife safaris, authentic cultural encounters, and farm & community tours, alongside adventure and sustainable travel experiences across Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. His approach favors depth over checklist tourism, taking travelers beyond the well-worn trail to the East Africa most visitors never get to see.

For guests planning a safari with Joseph, the result is more than a well-organized trip. It’s a journey shaped by someone who has spent a lifetime learning this land.