On this gorilla serengeti safari you get the best of East Africa with gorilla trekking in Bwindi and game-drives in Serengeti. This Tanzania safari will start in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and end with gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi national park as well as a relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi.

Serengeti National Park is characterized by endless plains which are dotted with kopjes, rivers and acacia trees. These features are home to the big 5 mammals (elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, leopards and lions), wildebeest, zebras, hyenas, giraffes, African dogs, hippos, crocodiles and over 450 species of birds.

Serengeti is the ultimate safari destination for those who are interested in game drives or want to follow the great animal migration. This annual migration involves the movement of over 2 million zebras, gazelles and wildebeest. It is considered to be one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth.

A game drive in the Serengeti is without doubt the most popular thing to do. It is the best way to see big 5 and other resident creatures. Animals in the Serengeti are very active in the morning and evening hours. The morning game drive starts at sunrise and ends at around 11: am. It is designed to allow tourists spot nocturnal animals retreating back to their holes/dens or observe herbivores going out to graze.

The morning game drive is also excellent for spotting hyenas, wild dogs, lions, cheetahs, leopards and hippos (as they return from a night of grazing outside the pools). Lions love hunting in the night and early in the morning before the sun gets too hot.

Nature walks are an excellent way to discover the Serengeti in a way that would not be possible while on a standard game drive. The Nature walks are unpredictable and you don’t follow specific tracks. This allows you to spot reptiles, birds, insects and other rare plants along the way. Most nature walks are organized by some of the accommodation facilities. You will be escorted by an armed ranger who is experienced in the terrain and knows about the different species in the park.

If you want to have a different perspective of the vast Serengeti national park and can afford it, take a hot air balloon safari. You will get an aerial view of the plains and the animals that roam it. Hot air balloon safaris are particularly popular during the wildebeest migration allowing travelers to observe them in the thousands. Hot air balloon safaris start in the morning and ends with champagne breakfast in the African wilderness.

After all is maximized, fly to Uganda for yet another interesting gorilla trek encounter in Bwindi Forest National Park. The park has four Gorilla sectors including Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo and Buhoma, a maximum of eight people is allowed to trek each gorilla family and permits is charged at a cost of 700 USD per each person. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the most popular gorilla trekking destination in Uganda.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest starts with a briefing at the park headquarters at around 7:30am. Visitors should sleep early before the day of tracking and wake up by 5am to take breakfast before starting the journey to the park office. After the briefing at the park office, trekkers are separated into smaller groups of 8. Each group of eight track a particular gorilla family. Some gorilla families live near the park offices while others are found further away. The guides are very experienced, knowledgeable and well-trained. While leading tourists to the gorillas, they will share information about the gorilla family and other animals found in the forest.

The time taken tracking gorillas in Bwindi depends on the gorilla group one is assigned to. It can take only 30 minutes to locate some groups while others can take hours. A team of trackers normally go ahead of the group to identify the location of the gorilla family.

Once you spot the family, you will be allowed only one hour with them – so that they don’t start getting uncomfortable. Take your time to observe their behaviour and different personalities while taking some great photos for your memories. Follow the rules and regulations for gorilla tracking such as not smoking or eating within sight of the primates. Do not run away when a gorilla charges at you – lie down with your heads down as a sign of submission.

Use the same chance for Primates watching: Bwindi Forest is one of the few forests in the world where one can see both Mountain gorillas and chimpanzee. During gorilla tours in Bwindi, tourists may be lucky to come across chimpanzees and baboons along the way. Other smaller primates that can be sighted in Bwindi include Bush babies, Blue Monkeys, Red-Tailed Monkeys, L’ Hoests Monkeys, Vervet monkeys and Colobus Monkeys.

Wind up your safari with relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi. The lake is based in south-western Uganda, sandwiched between Kabale and Kisoro. The island is home to over 200 species of birds. Grab a notepad and binoculars and spend hours discovering everything from weaver birds to grey-crowned cranes. It’s the perfect place for bird enthusiasts.

If you want to spend an afternoon on the water spotting marine life, you’ll be pleased to hear that African clawless otters and spotted-necked otters reside at the lake. There are also various frogs, fish, and shrimp. Swimming is a great way to explore and connect to the surrounding nature, and you may even spot some marine life.

If swimming isn’t your thing, but you can’t resist the clear water, tour the surrounding islands by dugout canoe (a common mode of transportation), or going on a boat cruise. After your time on the water, a long nature walk will show you another facet of this beautiful destination. You don’t need to be an experienced hiker; there are plenty of easy trails for you to follow.

If you’re after a bigger challenge and cultural experience, try a community walk through the surrounding villages. This is a great way to get a sense of traditional culture. You’ll be introduced to the local way of life, by meeting families, farmers, and visiting community projects.