Uganda and Tanzania Safari: How to Combine Both Countries

Published by menlynadmin on September 28, 2026

Why Combine Uganda and Tanzania?

Uganda and Tanzania offer very different safari experiences. This makes them an interesting combination for travellers who want more variety from their East African holiday.

Uganda is particularly known for gorilla trekking in Bwindi and chimpanzee trekking in Kibale. The country also offers traditional wildlife experiences in destinations such as Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park.

Tanzania offers vast savannah landscapes and some of Africa’s most recognised wildlife areas. The Serengeti is famous for its large wildlife populations and the Great Migration, while the Ngorongoro Crater offers a unique setting for wildlife viewing.

Combining the two countries gives you the opportunity to experience forests, mountains, primates and open savannahs during one trip.

How Many Days Do You Need?

The ideal length depends on the number of destinations you want to visit.

A shorter 8 to 10-day safari can focus on gorilla trekking in Uganda followed by the Serengeti in Tanzania. This keeps the itinerary focused while still covering two major East African experiences.

A 12 to 14-day itinerary provides more flexibility. You can include chimpanzee trekking in Kibale, gorilla trekking in Bwindi and several days of wildlife viewing in Tanzania.

If you have two weeks or more, you can add Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda and destinations such as Tarangire National Park or Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania.

Best Uganda and Tanzania Safari Route

A practical route is to begin in Uganda and finish in northern Tanzania. This allows you to start with forest experiences before moving into Tanzania’s open savannahs.

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport and meet your safari team. Depending on your arrival time, transfer to your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala.

You can spend the evening resting after your journey. If you arrive early, you may have time to explore Entebbe before starting the safari.

Travellers beginning their Uganda journey from the airport can also read How to Plan a Safari from Entebbe for more information.

Day 2: Entebbe to Kibale National Park

Travel towards Kibale National Park in western Uganda. The drive takes you through green countryside, local communities and changing landscapes.

Kibale is one of Uganda’s key destinations for chimpanzee trekking and is also home to several other primate species.

After arriving at your lodge, relax and prepare for the following day’s forest experience.

You can learn more about the destination in our guide to Kibale Forest National Park.

Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale

Begin the morning with chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest. You will enter the forest with trained guides and trackers while searching for chimpanzees and other primates.

The forest environment makes this experience very different from the open savannah game drives you will enjoy later in Tanzania.

After the trek, you can relax at your lodge or visit the nearby Bigodi area for a community or nature experience.

Day 4: Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Continue from Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The journey takes you through western Uganda and towards one of the country’s most popular wildlife destinations.

Depending on your arrival time, you can enjoy an afternoon game drive.

Queen Elizabeth is home to elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, antelopes and many bird species. You can find more information in our guide to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Spend the morning exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park on a game drive. Early morning is often a good time to search for wildlife while temperatures are cooler.

In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. The channel is known for its concentration of hippos, crocodiles and water birds.

This combination gives you two different ways to experience Uganda’s wildlife before continuing to Tanzania.

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi

Continue towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda.

If the route and timing allow, you can travel through the Ishasha sector, which is known for its tree-climbing lions. The landscape changes as you move towards the mountainous region around Bwindi.

After arriving at your lodge, rest and prepare for the following day’s gorilla trekking experience.

For route information, you can read How to Get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park before your trip.

Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

Gorilla trekking is one of the main reasons travellers choose to combine Uganda with Tanzania. The day begins with a briefing before entering the forest with trained guides and trackers.

The trek can take several hours depending on the location of the gorilla family. The terrain can be steep and muddy, so comfortable hiking shoes and suitable clothing are important.

Once you find the gorillas, you will have time to observe them in their natural forest environment before returning to your lodge.

For more preparation advice, read How to Book a Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda.

You can also find conservation and protected-area information on the official Uganda Wildlife Authority website.

Day 8: Bwindi to Entebbe or Kampala

After breakfast, begin your journey back towards Entebbe or Kampala.

Because Bwindi is located in southwestern Uganda, the road journey can take several hours. Travellers who want to save time can consider a domestic flight when planning their safari.

Your connection to Tanzania should be planned carefully so that you have enough time between the safari transfer and your flight.

Day 9: Uganda to Tanzania

Fly from Uganda to Tanzania and continue towards your chosen destination.

For a northern Tanzania safari, Arusha is a common starting point. From Arusha, you can continue to destinations such as Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park.

The exact route will depend on your travel dates, budget and the number of days available.

Day 10: Arusha to Serengeti National Park

Travel from Arusha towards Serengeti National Park. As you move deeper into northern Tanzania, the landscape changes into wide-open plains and savannah.

After entering the Serengeti, you can enjoy game viewing along the way to your lodge or camp.

The Serengeti is home to lions, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs and many other wildlife species.

Day 11: Full-Day Serengeti Safari

Spend a full day exploring the Serengeti with morning and afternoon game drives.

The large plains provide opportunities to search for predators and herbivores while enjoying the changing scenery of the park.

The Serengeti is also closely associated with the Great Migration. The movement of wildebeest and other animals changes according to the season, so travellers interested in the migration should plan their dates carefully.

Day 12: Serengeti to Ngorongoro

Enjoy a morning game drive before continuing towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

The journey provides another opportunity to see wildlife and experience Tanzania’s varied landscapes.

After arriving near the crater, check into your accommodation and prepare for the following day’s wildlife experience.

Day 13: Ngorongoro Crater Tour

Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive. The crater provides a unique setting for wildlife viewing and is home to a wide variety of animals.

You may see lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, hippos and other wildlife during the day.

After the crater tour, continue towards your overnight destination.

Day 14: Return to Arusha

After breakfast, return towards Arusha. Depending on your flight schedule, you can spend some time relaxing or exploring the town before your departure.

Travellers with additional time can extend the Tanzania section by adding another wildlife destination.

Shorter Uganda and Tanzania Safari

You do not need two weeks to combine Uganda and Tanzania.

A shorter itinerary can focus on the two main experiences. You could spend three or four days in Uganda for gorilla trekking before flying to Tanzania for three or four days of game drives.

This option is useful for travellers with limited holiday time who want to experience both gorillas and the Serengeti.

The key is to avoid adding too many destinations. Fewer parks can give you more time for the activities that matter most.

Longer Uganda and Tanzania Safari

If you have 12 to 16 days available, you can create a more relaxed itinerary.

You could begin with Kibale for chimpanzee trekking, continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park for wildlife and the Kazinga Channel, then visit Bwindi for gorilla trekking.

After Uganda, fly to Tanzania and continue to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. You can also add Tarangire if you have additional time.

This route provides a broader experience of both countries without trying to fit every destination into a short holiday.

Uganda and Tanzania Safari Cost

The cost of a combined Uganda and Tanzania safari depends on several factors.

Gorilla trekking can have a significant effect on the Uganda section because a gorilla permit is required. Accommodation, vehicle arrangements and domestic flights can also affect the total price.

In Tanzania, park fees, accommodation, safari vehicle arrangements and the number of days spent in the Serengeti or other parks influence the final cost.

For this reason, there is no single price for every Uganda and Tanzania safari. A personalised quotation allows the itinerary to be built around your travel dates, preferred accommodation and budget.

Best Time for a Uganda and Tanzania Safari

Uganda and Tanzania can both be visited throughout the year, but the best time depends on the activities you want to experience.

For gorilla trekking, many travellers prefer the drier periods because forest trails may be easier to navigate. However, gorilla trekking takes place throughout the year.

Tanzania also offers wildlife viewing throughout much of the year. If seeing the Great Migration is important to you, your travel dates should be chosen according to the seasonal movement of the herds.

Because the two countries have different climates and activities, it is useful to plan the trip around your main priorities.

What to Pack

A combined Uganda and Tanzania safari requires preparation for both forest trekking and traditional game drives.

For Uganda, comfortable hiking shoes, long trousers, lightweight long-sleeved clothing, a waterproof jacket and insect repellent are useful.

For Tanzania, comfortable safari clothing, sunscreen, a hat, binoculars and a camera can make game drives more enjoyable.

A small backpack is also useful for carrying water, snacks and personal items during trekking activities.

Travel Between Uganda and Tanzania

Flying is generally the most practical option when connecting western Uganda with northern Tanzania. Long road journeys between the two countries can take significant time, so flights can help preserve more time for safari activities.

Entebbe can be used as the Ugandan departure point before connecting to Tanzania, while Arusha is commonly used as a base for northern Tanzania safaris.

Flight schedules should be checked carefully when planning the itinerary. It is important to leave enough time between your safari transfer and your international or regional flight.

Uganda and Tanzania Safari Travel Tips

Start by deciding which experiences are most important to you. If gorilla trekking is a priority, build the Uganda section around the available gorilla permit dates.

If wildlife is your main interest, allow enough time in the Serengeti rather than trying to visit too many Tanzanian parks in a short period.

It is also useful to keep your travel days realistic. Long transfers can reduce the time available for game drives and trekking.

Before travelling, check the current entry requirements for both countries and make sure your travel documents are valid.

You can also explore our Uganda safari packages for ideas when planning the Uganda section of your combined trip.

Uganda and Tanzania Safari for Couples and Small Groups

A combined Uganda and Tanzania safari can work well for couples, families and small private groups.

Couples may choose a more relaxed itinerary with comfortable lodges and fewer long transfers. Small groups can also customise the number of days and accommodation level according to their budget.

Travellers who want a private safari can combine private transportation in Uganda with a private safari vehicle in Tanzania.

The itinerary can therefore be adjusted according to your group size, interests and preferred travel style.

Can Menlyn Tours & Travel Help?

Yes. Menlyn Tours & Travel can help plan a combined Uganda and Tanzania safari based on your travel dates, budget and preferred activities.

Your itinerary can include chimpanzee trekking in Kibale, wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park, gorilla trekking in Bwindi and game drives in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.

We can also help coordinate accommodation, transportation and the connection between Uganda and Tanzania so that the two parts of your journey work together.

You can explore our Uganda safari packages and speak with our team about adapting one of the itineraries for a combined Uganda and Tanzania adventure.

Final Thoughts

A Uganda and Tanzania safari combines two very different East African experiences. Uganda offers gorilla trekking, chimpanzees, forests and green landscapes, while Tanzania provides vast savannahs and some of the region’s most famous wildlife destinations.

Whether you have 8, 10, 14 or more days, the itinerary can be adjusted to match your interests and travel budget.

With good planning, you can combine primate trekking in Uganda with unforgettable wildlife experiences in Tanzania while making the most of your time in East Africa.

Ready to start planning? Get in touch with Menlyn Tours & Travel and let our team help you create a Uganda and Tanzania safari around your travel dates, interests and budget.