Epic 18 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking, Serengeti Wildlife Safari & Unforgettable Zanzibar Beach Escape

The 18 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking, Serengeti Wildlife Safari and Zanzibar Beach Safari Overview

This is an all-Inclusive 18 Days safari combining Bwindi Gorilla Trekking, Serengeti Wildlife Safari and Zanzibar Beach through East Africa takes you from the misty mountain forests of Uganda to the wildlife-rich plains of Tanzania and the sun-kissed beaches of Zanzibar. It begins from Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking experience. Here you will have a chance to have one on one encounters with these amazing creatures in their natural habitat.

Then, head south to Tanzania for classic game drives in Serengeti National Park and the stunning Ngorongoro Crater, where the Big Five roam freely. Conclude your adventure with rest and relaxation on Zanzibar’s Indian Ocean shores—complete with cultural excursions, spice tours, and dhow sailing. A perfect blend of wilderness, culture, and coastal serenity, this itinerary offers East Africa at its finest.

18 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking, Serengeti Wildlife Safari and Zanzibar Beach Safari Highlights

Day 1 – Arrival in Entebbe at Entebbe International Airport.
Day 2 – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Day 3 – Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Day 4 – Cultural Experience & Forest Walk
Day 5 – Return to Entebbe
Day 6 – Fly to Kilimanjaro and Transfer to Arusha

Day 7 – Travel to Serengeti National Park
Day 8 – Full-Day Serengeti Safari
Day 9 – Sunrise Game Drive or Balloon Safari
Day 10 – Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater Rim
Day 11 – Safari in Ngorongoro Crater
Day 12 – Fly to Zanzibar

Day 13 – Zanzibar Beach Leisure Day
Day 14 – Stone Town Cultural Tour
Day 15 – Spice Tour & Jozani Forest Visit
Day 16 – Dhow Cruise & Snorkeling Adventure
Day 17 – Final Beach Day
Day 18 – Departure

18 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking, Serengeti Wildlife Safari and Zanzibar Beach Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Entebbe International Airport.

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where you’ll be met by your local guide. Transfer to your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala for a restful evening after your journey. If time allows, visit the Entebbe Botanical Gardens or Uganda Wildlife Education Centre.

This first evening introduces you to the warm hospitality of East Africa. Get a detailed briefing for your upcoming days in the wild. Enjoy local Ugandan cuisine over dinner. Rest well before the scenic journey to the southwest.

Day 2 – Scenic Journey or Flight to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

After breakfast, begin the drive or take a flight to Bwindi in southwestern Uganda. The journey passes lush green landscapes, tea plantations, and small villages. Stop at the Equator for photos and a cultural demonstration. Lunch en route breaks up the travel nicely.

Arrive at your forest lodge by late afternoon and settle in. Receive a briefing about gorilla trekking from lodge staff. Early dinner and rest are recommended for the next day’s adventure.

Day 3 – Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

Rise early for a hearty breakfast and transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing. Trekking can take 2–6 hours through steep, dense rainforest. Once a gorilla family is located, you’ll have one awe-inspiring hour to observe them. Watch silverbacks, mothers, and playful young ones interact.

It’s a humbling experience and a major wildlife highlight. After your trek, return to the lodge for a hot shower and lunch. In the afternoon, relax or enjoy optional local community walks.

Day 4 – Community & Cultural Immersion

Today offers a slower pace and deeper cultural immersion. Visit the Batwa pygmies, the forest’s original inhabitants, for a guided walk and dance performance. Learn about their ancient traditions, medicinal plants, and relationship with the forest. Alternatively, hike to waterfalls or enjoy a birding walk in Bwindi’s edge zones. A visit to a local school or health center is also possible. This day enriches your understanding of conservation and community. Return to your lodge for dinner by the fire.

Day 5 – Return to Entebbe

After breakfast, say goodbye to Bwindi and begin the return trip to Entebbe. If flying, enjoy sweeping views over Lake Victoria and the Rift Valley. Upon arrival, transfer to a hotel in Entebbe for an overnight stay. Use the afternoon for rest or a visit to the local markets.

This day bridges your mountain experience with the upcoming savannah safari. Enjoy dinner at your lodge or try fresh fish at a lakeside restaurant. Prepare for your transition into Tanzania.

Day 6 – Fly to Kilimanjaro, Transfer to Arusha

Depart Entebbe on a flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania. After customs, meet your Tanzanian guide and transfer to your lodge in Arusha. The town lies at the foot of Mount Meru and is the safari capital of northern Tanzania.

Depending on arrival time, visit local coffee shops or cultural centers. This evening, enjoy a detailed briefing about your Serengeti safari. Rest and prepare for the Big Five adventures ahead. Overnight in Arusha with views of the surrounding hills.

Day 7 – Arusha to Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, depart by road or bush flight to Serengeti National Park. The journey via Ngorongoro offers stunning landscapes and possible wildlife sightings en route. Once in the Serengeti, begin your first game drive right after entering the park.

Look for elephants, giraffes, and prides of lions lounging under acacia trees. Check in to your lodge or luxury tented camp by late afternoon. Enjoy a sundowner as wildlife grazes nearby. End the day with dinner under the stars.

Day 8 – Full-Day Game Drives in Central Serengeti

Set out early for a full-day safari in the heart of the Serengeti. This region is famous for abundant lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and the migration herds (seasonal). Traverse riverbanks and plains for thrilling predator-prey encounters. Stop at a scenic spot for a bush picnic lunch. Return through varied habitats, offering sightings of leopards, zebras, and warthogs. End the day with an optional evening drive or relax at your camp. Tonight, fall asleep to distant roars and chirping crickets.

Day 9 – Sunrise Safari or Hot Air Balloon Ride

Start with a pre-dawn game drive to catch nocturnal hunters returning and early risers stirring. Alternatively, book an optional hot air balloon safari over the plains, followed by a champagne breakfast. Return to your lodge for brunch and relaxation.

Later in the afternoon, enjoy another game drive to explore new corners of the park. Search for elusive leopards, jackals, and crocodiles at waterholes. The Serengeti offers something new every drive. Enjoy storytelling around the campfire tonight.

Day 10 – Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater via Olduvai Gorge

After breakfast, begin your journey to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Stop at Olduvai Gorge, where some of the earliest human fossils were discovered. Continue through the highlands, with Maasai herders dotting the landscape.

Arrive at a lodge perched on the crater rim, offering panoramic views. Enjoy the cool highland air and unique vegetation. A short nature walk near the lodge may be available before sunset. Dinner is served with views over the ancient caldera below.

Day 11 – Ngorongoro Crater Safari

Descend early into the Ngorongoro Crater for a unique game-viewing experience. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a collapsed volcano teeming with wildlife. Spot black rhinos, lions, buffalos, flamingos, and possibly a leopard.

A picnic lunch by the hippo pool is a scenic break in the crater floor. The crater walls create a natural enclosure, concentrating animals in a small area. Return to the lodge after an unforgettable day of game viewing. Enjoy your last bush dinner in mainland Tanzania.

Day 12 – Fly to Zanzibar via Arusha

Depart the crater rim and drive back to Arusha for a domestic flight to Zanzibar. Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed and transferred to a beachfront resort on the island’s coast. The warm ocean breeze and swaying palms offer a refreshing change from the savannah.

Settle into your room and relax by the pool or on the beach. Enjoy a cocktail or fresh coconut juice at sunset. Dinner is served with the sound of waves in the background. Welcome to island time.

Day 13 – Leisure on the Beach

Spend your first full day in Zanzibar at your own pace. Walk barefoot on soft white sands or lounge under a thatched umbrella with a book. The clear Indian Ocean invites swimming, paddle boarding, or a leisurely snorkel. Most resorts offer optional water activities and massages.

Sample Swahili cuisine or fresh seafood for lunch. In the afternoon, relax or explore a nearby fishing village. As night falls, enjoy a candlelit dinner by the shore.

Day 14 – Explore Stone Town’s History

Take a day trip to Stone Town, the cultural heart of Zanzibar and a UNESCO site. Walk through winding alleys filled with spice shops, mosques, and colonial buildings. Visit the former slave market, House of Wonders, and Sultan’s Palace.

Learn about the island’s mix of Arab, African, and European influences. Enjoy lunch on a rooftop terrace with ocean views. Optional spice market visits or souvenir shopping wrap up the day. Return to your beach resort by evening.

Day 15 – Spice Tour & Jozani Forest Excursion

Begin with a guided tour of a working spice farm inland. Smell and taste vanilla, cloves, nutmeg, and more as guides share the island’s spice trade history. Later, visit Jozani Forest, home to endangered red colobus monkeys. Walk through mangrove swamps and unique forest trails. Return to your resort for lunch and beach time. This excursion offers a perfect blend of nature and culture. Watch the sunset with a cocktail in hand.

Day 16 – Dhow Cruise and Snorkeling Adventure

Today, embark on a traditional dhow sailing trip to explore coral reefs and turquoise lagoons. Stop at Mneba Atoll or nearby reefs for snorkeling in vibrant marine ecosystems. A beach barbecue or seafood lunch is served on a remote sandbank.

Dolphins may accompany your boat along the way. Return to shore in the late afternoon. The evening is free for relaxation, spa treatments, or a romantic beachfront dinner. Another unforgettable day on the Indian Ocean.

Day 17 – Final Day of Relaxation

Spend your last full day in paradise soaking up the sun and surf. Swim, read, walk, or simply reflect on your East African adventure. Indulge in a massage or visit a local village for a final cultural experience. Enjoy fresh tropical fruits and juices throughout the day.

Take memorable photos and write postcards to friends. The day ends with a farewell seafood feast. Toast your journey with a glass of wine or coconut water.

**Day 18 – Departure

Transfer to Zanzibar International Airport for your onward flight. Depending on flight time, a quick stop in Stone Town or a leisurely breakfast may be possible. End of your unforgettable 18-day East Africa adventure.

End of the 18 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking, Serengeti Wildlife Safari and Zanzibar Beach Safari.

Inclusions

• All Accommodation (mid-range or luxury lodges, tented camps, and beachfront resorts)
• Daily Meals as specified in the itinerary (usually breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
• All Ground Transfers and Transport in 4×4 safari vehicles with pop-up roofs
• Professional English-speaking Driver/Guides throughout the trip
• Domestic Flights (e.g., Entebbe–Bwindi, Serengeti–Zanzibar via Arusha)
• Park Entry Fees for all national parks and reserves (Bwindi, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, etc.)
• Gorilla Trekking Permit (one per person)
• Game Drives as per itinerary (shared or private depending on package)
• Stone Town Tour, Spice Tour, and Jozani Forest Entry
• Dhow Cruise and Snorkeling Trip in Zanzibar
• Drinking Water during safari drives
• Airport Transfers (on arrival and departure)

Exclusions

• International Flights to/from East Africa (e.g., flights to Entebbe and from Zanzibar)
• Visa Fees for Uganda and Tanzania
• Travel & Medical Insurance (highly recommended)
• Optional Activities (e.g., hot air balloon in Serengeti, scuba diving in Zanzibar)
• Alcoholic Drinks and Soft Beverages (unless specified)
• Laundry Services (unless offered by accommodations)
• Tips and Gratuities for guides, drivers, porters, etc.
• Personal Expenses (souvenirs, phone bills, extra meals)

What is the best time to Trek Mountain Gorillas?

The best time to trek gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda is during the dry seasons, which run from June to September and December to February. During these periods, the forest trails are less muddy and more navigable, making trekking easier and more enjoyable.

Visibility in the dense forest also tends to be better, enhancing your chances of capturing clear photos and having a memorable encounter. Additionally, gorillas are often found closer to the starting point since food is more abundant near the forest edges.

These months are also considered high season, so it’s important to book permits and accommodations well in advance. While gorilla trekking is possible year-round, the wet seasons (March–May and October–November) can be more challenging due to heavy rainfall and slippery terrain. However, the lush scenery during these months can be incredibly beautiful and less crowded.

Ultimately, the dry season offers the most comfortable and reliable conditions for this life-changing experience.

Best Time to See the Wildebeest Migration

The best time to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania depends on which phase of the migration you want to experience. From June to July, the herds gather in the western Serengeti and begin dramatic crossings over the Grumeti River.

The most iconic and thrilling scenes occur between July and September, when the wildebeest cross the Mara River into Kenya, often pursued by crocodiles and predators. These river crossings in the northern Serengeti are the highlight for most visitors. By October and November, the herds move back south through the central Serengeti.

The calving season happens between December and March in the southern plains of the Serengeti near Ndutu, offering excellent opportunities to see newborns and predator action. Each season offers a unique perspective of this natural wonder. For the most dramatic action, aim for July to early September.

Best Time to Visit Zanzibar

The best time to visit Zanzibar is during the dry, sunny months of June to October, when the weather is pleasant, humidity is lower, and the skies are mostly clear. This period is ideal for beach activities, snorkeling, diving, and exploring the island’s rich history and culture.

Another excellent season is December to February, which is hotter but still relatively dry, making it a great time for marine excursions and sunbathing. The rainy seasons—April to May and a shorter one in November—can bring heavy downpours, making travel and some activities less enjoyable. During these wet months, some beach resorts may close for maintenance.

Sea conditions may also be rougher, limiting water sports. For the most reliable weather and best experience, plan your visit between June and October.