Uganda Primates Safari
OVERVIEW
Your adventure begins with a pickup from your hotel and a scenic drive to Kibale National Park, where you’ll enjoy lunch in Fort Portal City and a tour of this charming town, including a visit to the King of Toro’s palace. After checking into Chimpanzee Forest Lodge, you’ll embark on chimpanzee tracking the next day. A briefing will prepare you for a trek, offering a dynamic experience with these vocal primates. Following this, you’ll explore the Bigodi Swamp for more wildlife and birdwatching.
The journey continues with a transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, arriving by evening at Four Gorillas Lodge. The highlight of your trip includes mountain gorilla trekking, where you’ll receive a briefing before trekking through dense forest to observe a gorilla family. The day concludes with a visit to the Batwa Pygmy community. On your final day, enjoy a leisurely breakfast before traveling back to Kampala, with stops at the Igongo Cultural Centre, the equator crossing, and Buganda Royal drum makers. The trip ends with a transfer to the airport or your hotel.
Detailed Itinerary
A guide/driver will pick you up from your hotel after breakfast and head for Kibale National Park. The journey takes between 4 to 5 hours through amazing countryside. You will have a stop at Fort Portal City for lunch and then go for a city tour. Fort Portal is an extremely beautiful town and one of the best places to live in Uganda for its great weather and green landscape. It has now been turned into Uganda’s tourism city because of its proximity to some of the best tourist attractions in the country. Expect to visit the palace of the King of Toro where you learn about the kingdom, the current young ruler, and cultural practices.
Overnight: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
After a quick coffee, head to Kibale National Park headquarters for a briefing on chimpanzee trekking. The park Warden/Guides will provide essential details about the trek and conduct guidelines. Unlike gorilla tracking, chimpanzees are highly mobile and vocal, creating dynamic interactions within their groups. The trek, which can last 3-5 hours, allows only one hour with the chimps. Afterward, return to your hotel for lunch and rest. In the evening, enjoy a nature walk along the Bigodi Swamp, where you’ll spot various primates and a rich array of bird species.
Overnight: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
After your chimpanzee tracking and visit to the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary, start your day with a leisurely breakfast. Check out of your accommodation and wait for your driver to begin the journey to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The drive, which starts around midday, will take you through scenic landscapes and arrive in Bwindi by evening.
Once at your hotel, check in, freshen up, and enjoy some relaxation. Unwind by the hotel premises with a drink, and take the opportunity to chat with other travelers. This evening provides a chance to reflect on your experiences and prepare for the upcoming adventures in Bwindi.
Overnight: Four Gorillas Lodge
Wake up early, enjoy breakfast, and prepare for the gorilla trekking briefing at 7:00 am at the park offices. During this briefing, you’ll learn about the park’s history, the different gorilla families, and important guidelines for interacting with them. Rangers will explain how families are assigned based on your fitness and age, as some groups are located deeper in the forest and require longer treks. If you have preferences or extra gear, discuss them during the briefing and consider hiring a porter for assistance.
Gorilla trekking involves navigating thick forests, steep terrain, and mud. Once you find the gorilla family, you’ll have one hour to observe and photograph them. Afterward, return to the lodge for lunch and rest. In the evening, visit the Batwa Pygmy community to learn about their history and experience their traditional dance performances.
Overnight: Four Gorillas Lodge
After a restful morning, enjoy breakfast and await your guide/driver for the return journey to Kampala. This 8-hour drive takes a scenic route through Mbarara and Masaka, offering diverse sights along the way. Highlights include stops at the Igongo Cultural Centre, where you can learn about local culture and the equator crossing in Kayabwe for memorable photos. Additionally, visit Buganda Royal drum makers as you approach Kampala.
Lunch will be at either the Igongo Cultural Centre or the equator crossing. The driver will ensure you are taken to the airport for your flight or to your hotel if you’re staying longer in the country.
Package Includes and Excludes
- Full board (breakfast, lunch & dinner) accommodation.
- All game drives viewing in a custom built 4×4 Safari Land Cruiser
- All park and entrance fees
- Transportation with 4×4 vehicles with viewing roofs
- Professional English-speaking driver/guide or other language as specified during the safari.
- Bottled water in safari vehicles
- Current Government taxes and levies
- 24-Hour support during the safari from our office in Moshi.
- Transfers to and from the airport
- Entry visa to Tanzania.
- Travel and health insurance
- Gratuities to your guide, hotel staff, and porters
- Meals, drinks, and excursions not described in the itinerary
- Any other items of a personal nature, laundry, telephone and postage
- Item of personal Nature
Travel Information
Destination Location
Lake Manyara National Park covers 330 sq km (127 sq mi), 70% of which is a lake. Along with its western boundaries is the Rift Valley’s western wall. The park is famous for its birdlife – almost 400 different species – and for its elephant population and tree-climbing lions, who have a large variety of tree species to choose from. The short game-viewing circuit through Manyara offers a microcosm of the Tanzanian safari experience.
One of nature’s true wonders and a photographer’s paradise, Ngorongoro is the largest intact crater in the world, covering 265 square kilometers (102 sq mi). The 2,000-foot deep crater is home to an abundance of wild game including elephants, rhinos, cheetahs, lions, leopards, hyenas, serval cats, jackals, pushbacks, elands, waterbucks, wildebeest, many antelope, and a large variety of birds. This is a sight that you will always remember!
Tarangire National Park covers 6,734 sq km (2,600 sq mi) and includes two large plains and a seasonal swamp in the south. This is a beautiful park filled with Baobabs and Acacias with a large variety of game such as zebras, elephants, giraffes, and waterbuck. All the animals enjoy the water coming from the Tarangire River. The animals are best viewed during the dry season, including elephant herds, elands, oryx, lesser kudo, rhino, leopards, lions, and cheetah. The birdlife is varied and plentiful. You can also see the very rare Roam Antelope in this park.
Is This Trip For You?
Zara Tours has been working successfully with visitors in the region since 1986 as a tour operator.
We were established in 1987 as an official Agent of ZaraTours organising Mount Meru, Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing and National wild parks safaris and have guided Safely, Reliably and Professionally many visitors anywhere from the plain of Serengeti to the summit of Kilimanjaro.
Our years of experience and knowledge as qualified climbing guides and safari tours operation in Tanzania, Assures you an experience you can remember a life time. Safety, efficiency and reliability have earned us the reputation for being one of the best-valued and most reliable operators in the region.
With 88 registered Kilimanjaro Guides and a fleet of 4x4 Land rovers, 4x4 mini buses and 4x4 Land cruisers (all equipped with viewing roofs) we are ready to take you on your safari adventure and on top of Kilimanjaro Mountain.
Our English-speaking guides will share the knowledge and stories of the incredible Tanzania Game reserves or joining you on your climb on the many routes to the top of magnificent Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Travel Companions
The maximum group size for this trip is 16. If you are interested in organizing a group with Zara we offer great incentives! Please inquire if you are interested.
Guide(s)
With 88 registered Kilimanjaro Guides and a fleet of 4x4 Land rovers, 4x4 mini buses and 4x4 Land cruisers (all equipped with viewing roofs) we are ready to take you on your safari adventure. Our English-speaking guides will share the knowledge and stories of the incredible Tanzania Game reserves
Safari Tips for guide and cook:
$15/day for driver/guide and $10/day for cook (basic camping) for the whole safari group.
Gifts: Guides and porters also appreciate your warm clothing, shoes, and packs. You may want to bring some older clothing items just for this purpose.
Celebration: You are also welcome to invite your guides back to the Springlands Hotel for drinks and/or dinner (on you) as a thank-you in addition to their tip.
Expectations
Tips should not be dependent on whether you summit or not, but rather whether they were professional and had your best interests in mind.
Transportation
With the exception of airfare, all Zara trips include all transportation costs and arrangements within the destination country. This does not include transfers to and from the aiport to the hotel or the equipment for all activities listed.
Money
The local currency is Tanzanian shillings. U.S. dollars, Euros, and credit cards may be accepted by larger stores and hotels, but the exchange rate is better with shillings. ATM's are only available in larger towns like Moshi and Arusha. Yahoo Currency Converter
Safari Packing List Notes
- You can leave extra luggage in a locked storage room at the Springlands Hotel for no charge.
- You can leave valuables in a safe deposit box at the Springlands Hotel for $1/day.
Footwear
- Sturdy, comfortable shoes, preferrably waterproof. They will get dirty.
- Tennis shoes or sandals for lounging in the evening
- Comfortable, breathable socks
Clothing
- Shorts, mid-thigh or longer
- Lightweight, breathable pants
- Short-sleeved shirts, cool and breathable
- Long-sleeved shirt or sweater for evenings
- Rain racket and pants or rain poncho
Baggage
- Day pack, for you to carry
- Large duffel bag or backpack
Sleeping, for camping safaris
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad and repair kit
- Tents are supplied by Zara at no charge
- Foam sleeping pads are provided by Zara at no charge
Other
- Water bottles, and water purification tablets or purifier
- Bottled water is also available for purchase on safari
- Sun hat with brim
- Sunglasses
- Bandana (for dust, etc.)
- Money ($400 or more in cash and/or travellers cheques, including some small U.S., Euro, or Tanzanian bills)
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Camera, film/disks, mini-tripod
- Video camera, tapes
- Maps, guidebooks
- Batteries
- Binoculars
- Notebook, pencil, and pen
- Pocket knife
- Electricity adapter
- Energy bars, hard candy, snacks, and comfort foods
- Playing cards, games, books, frisbee, football, kite
- Chocolate or pens for village children, momentos for guides and other travellers
- Umbrella, particularly useful in the rainy season, can be purchased in the market for around $2
- Plastic bags and zip-lock bags for waterproofing
- Sewing kit
- Salt, pepper, spices for bland food
- Business cards
- Alarm clock
- Calculator (for currency conversion)
- Swim suit for hotel swimming pool
Toiletries
- Toilet paper (and baggie to carry used paper while walking)
- Small towel
Soap - Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Handi-wipes (moist towelettes for cleaning)
- Hand sanitizer
- Lotion
- Glasses, contacts, solution
- Comb, mirror
Documents
- Passport
- Yellow fever certificate
- Tanzania Visa
- Medical insurance
- Address book
- Vaccination records
- Airline tickets
- Cash, travellers cheques, credit cards
- Maps, guidebooks
- Make copies of passport, TZ visa, airline tickets/schedule, travellers cheques numbers.
Leave a copy with someone at home and put a copy in a separate place in your luggage.
First Aid
- Ibuprofin, Aceteminophen, or Aspirin
- Throat losenges
- Bandaids
- Moleskin
- Sunscreen (SPF 15+)
- Lip balm with sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Disinfectant, Antiseptic cream
- Bandages and tape
- Diahrea medicine
- Antihistemines
- Ace bandage
- Melatonin (1-3mg) or other sleep aid
- Malaria pills (talk to your doctor)
- Antibiotics (talk to your doctor)
- Prescription drugs (talk to your doctor)
- Diamox (talk to your doctor)
Gifts for Guides, Locals
- Shoes
- Any warm clothing
- T-shirts
- Hats
- Nerf football, frisbees
- Candy
- Pens
Packing for your flight to Africa
- U-shaped neck pillow (blow-up)
- Books/magazines
- Toiletries
- Snacks
- Water
- Walkman and music
- Eye shades, ear plugs
- Melatonin or other sleep aid
- Critical items (in case baggage is delayed)
Springlands Hotel
Pembo Road
Moshi
Tanzania, United Republic of
The following locations are available:
| We Accept: |  |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category: | Safari | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Destination: | Tanzania | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Theme: | Culture and Sightseeing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Skill Level: | Intermediate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adventure Matrix: |
|
Cancellation of a booking or failure to join a tour will result in a retention of funds by ZaraTours Inc. as follows: Upon receipt of written cancellation by any member of the tour indicated on this reservation 30 days or longer prior to departure, 20% of the reservation of the canceling party will be retained by ZaraTours and the balance of the package price refunded. If a cancellation is received at least 14 days and up to 29 days prior to departure, 50% of the package price will be retained by ZaraTours Inc.
If a cancellation is received less than 14 days prior to departure, 100% of the total package price will be retained by ZaraTours Inc. and all outstanding payment will become payable immediately. Should the canceling party be able to find a replacement for themselves no less than 14 days prior to departure and the replacement completes this booking form individually, no retention of funds will take place.
However, should no replacement be found by 14 days prior to departure, a 100% cancellation penalty will apply to the canceling party. ZaraTours Inc. and its agents reserve the right to terminate, at their discretion and with immediate effect, the participation of any person on the tour.
Payment:
- A 20% deposit is due at time of reservation.
- Final payment is due 60 days prior to arrival.
- We accept Visa, AMEX, and Mastercard.
- You can also wire transfer your money directly to our bank.
- Please review our Cancellation Policy.
Price Increases:
- Price increases are permitted when an itinerary is changed at the request of customer(s)
- Prices will remain quoted unless otherwise add-ons and or other changes are requested and availed by customer(s) and such requests are provided by Zara Tours Inc.
Forms and Other Documents Required by all Passengers:
- VISA (as detailed below)
- All passengers must sign the waiver form and return to us.
- Your passport must be valid for six months.
- Entry to another country may be refused even if the required information and or travel documents are complete
VISA:
- Visas can be obtained upon arrival at Dar es Salaam International Airport, Kilimanjaro International Airport, Zanzibar International Airport and the border posts of Namanga, Tunduma, Taveta and Holili.
- All Canadian Citizen who hold Canadian Passports are required to pay US$50.00 for the purpose of obtaining an ordinary VISA.
- All United States Passport holders are required to pay US$100.00 for the purpose of obtaining an ordinary VISA.
- All Passport holders with EU Citizenship are required to pay US$50.00 or €50.00 for the purpose of obtaining an ordinary VISA.
- For additional information on obtaining a VISA to Tanzania please go to https://reveccs.com/resources/
Living Standards:
- Living Standards and practices at the destination and the standards and conditions with respect to the provision of utilities, services and accommodation may differ from those found universally.
Insurance:
- In order to obtain travel Insurance coverage for medical expenses, trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage loss and or other travel insurance related matters, kindly follow the link to reach World Nomads, who provide such insurance coverage services
Cancellation Policy:
- Zara Tours Cancellation policy applies to the package offered, upon payment of deposit and confirmation of reservation.
Cancellation of booking or failure to join a tour will result in retention of funds by Zara Tours as described below:
- Upon receipt of written cancellation by any member of the tour indicated on this reservation 30 days or longer prior to departure, 20% of the reservation of the cancelling party will be retained by Zara Tours and the balance of the package price refunded.
- If a cancellation is received at least 14 days and up to 29 days prior to departure, 50% of the package price will be retained by Zara Tours.
- If a cancellation is received less than 14 days prior to departure, 100% of the total package price will be retained by Zara Tours and all outstanding payment will become payable immediately.
- Should the cancelling party be able to find a replacement for themselves no less than 14 days prior to departure and the replacement completes this booking form individually, no retention of funds will take place. However, should no replacement be found by 14 days prior to departure, a 100% cancellation penalty will apply to the cancelling party.
- Zara Tours and its agents reserve the right to terminate, at the discretion and with immediate effect, the participation of any person on the tour.
Refund Processing Fee:
- While processing a refund, a 3% credit card fee is charged to the client's Visa, AMEX, or MasterCard.
- When a refund is processed using a Bank Wire payment, bank charges apply.
Disclaimer of Liability:
Kindly check the details of your trip. Please contact us directly for any questions you may have at zara@zaratours.com or at 1-866-550-4447.
Thank you for choosing Zara Tours and you are most welcome again to adventure with us!
TICO Registration No. 50020519
Package Includes and Excludes
- All Meals
- All ground and plane transportation
- All accommodation
- Full trek guide and staffs
- All trek pack and equipment
- Alcohol or Beverage
- Camera and other non trek accessories
Let's Plan your Trip
Our sample itineraries are fully adjustable and can be tailored to perfectly suit your unique preferences and interests.
