What You Need to Know: This 9-day private safari covers Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, then flies to Uganda for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. It costs from US$5,138 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range lodges, including the US$800 gorilla permit; regional flights are quoted separately.
Is the 9-Day Tanzania and Uganda Gorilla Safari Right for You?
It is the most compact way to add gorillas to a Tanzania safari, using flights instead of the long road to Bwindi.
| This trip suits you if… | Consider another trip if… |
|---|---|
| You want the Serengeti, the crater and gorillas in 9 days | You want a lower total cost: Uganda flights add up; ask us to compare a road option |
| You don't mind two flight days | You want chimps too: see the 14-day Tanzania and Uganda safari |
| You fly home from Entebbe | You prefer Rwanda's shorter transfers: see the Serengeti and Rwanda safari |
The 9-Day Tanzania and Uganda Gorilla Safari Route at a Glance
Five nights in Tanzania, then three in Uganda.
| Day | Route | Travel | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Arusha | Airport transfer, about 1 hour | Arusha |
| 2 | Arusha to Lake Manyara | Drive 2 hours, game drive | Mto wa Mbu |
| 3 | Lake Manyara to the Serengeti | Drive 5–6 hours with game viewing | Central Serengeti |
| 4 | Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Crater | Drive 3 hours, crater game drive | Karatu |
| 5 | Karatu to Arusha | Drive 2.5–3 hours | Arusha |
| 6 | Fly to Entebbe and on to Bwindi | Two flights, 4–5 hours in total | Bwindi |
| 7 | Gorilla trekking in Bwindi | Gorilla trek 2–6 hours | Bwindi |
| 8 | Bwindi to Entebbe | Flight 1.5–2 hours | Entebbe |
| 9 | Departure from Entebbe | Airport transfer, 15 minutes | — |
9-Day Tanzania and Uganda Gorilla Safari Itinerary, Day by Day
Tanzania first, with our own team; then a flight to Entebbe and on to Bwindi by light aircraft.
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Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
Our driver meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and takes you to your hotel in Arusha, about an hour away. In the evening your guide briefs you on the safari and checks your documents.
Airport transfer, about 1 hourArushaDinner -
Day 2: Arusha to Lake Manyara
Drive to Lake Manyara National Park, about 2 hours, for a game drive through the groundwater forest and along the lake shore: baboon troops, blue monkeys, elephants and, often, flamingos.
Drive 2 hours, game driveMto wa MbuBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 3: Lake Manyara to the Serengeti
Climb the Rift Valley escarpment, cross the Ngorongoro highlands and drop onto the Serengeti plains, with a game drive to your camp.
Drive 5–6 hours with game viewingCentral SerengetiBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 4: Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Crater
A morning game drive in the Serengeti, then drive to the Ngorongoro Crater and descend for an afternoon on the crater floor, before climbing out to Karatu for the night.
Drive 3 hours, crater game driveKaratuBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 5: Karatu to Arusha
A relaxed morning, then the drive to Arusha, with a stop at the Mto wa Mbu market or a coffee farm on the way. Afternoon free.
Drive 2.5–3 hoursArushaBreakfast, lunch -
Day 6: Fly to Entebbe and on to Bwindi
Fly from Kilimanjaro to Entebbe, then take the scheduled light aircraft to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip near Bwindi. Your Ugandan driver-guide meets you and drives you to your lodge. The road from Entebbe takes 9–10 hours, too long for this day.
Two flights, 4–5 hours in totalBwindiBreakfast, dinner -
Day 7: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi
Meet the rangers at about 7:00 for the briefing, then walk into the forest with your group of up to eight to find your assigned gorilla family, and spend one hour with them.
Gorilla trek 2–6 hoursBwindiBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 8: Bwindi to Entebbe
A morning community walk around the park edge, then fly back to Entebbe for a last night by Lake Victoria.
Flight 1.5–2 hoursEntebbeBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 9: Departure from Entebbe
Transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your flight home.
Airport transfer, 15 minutesDepartureBreakfast
What You Can See on the 9-Day Tanzania and Uganda Gorilla Safari
- Lake Manyara: forest primates, elephants and flamingos
- Serengeti: Africa's best big-cat viewing
- Ngorongoro Crater: black rhinos and a crater floor full of game
- Bwindi: mountain gorillas, about half of the world's population
Your Vehicle, Guides and Who Runs the Trip
In Tanzania you travel in a private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, at most 6 guests per vehicle, Wi-Fi and charging points, with a driver-guide who graduated from the College of African Wildlife Management at Mweka. In Uganda you travel in a private 4x4 safari vehicle suited to the mountain roads, with your own English-speaking driver-guide. The vehicle and driver-guide are for your group only, so you set the pace at sightings and photo stops.
In Uganda the trip is run on the ground by trusted local partner operators we work with, while in Tanzania it is run by our own team, based in Moshi. This is how it works: you tell us your dates, group and interests; our partner in Uganda prepares the costing for the country, and we send you one written quotation and itinerary. We stay your contact before and during the trip, and we handle the permits, flights and border connections between the countries.
Where You Stay on the 9-Day Tanzania and Uganda Gorilla Safari
| Nights | Area | Country | Example lodges (or similar) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arusha | Tanzania | Greenside Hotel, Samora River Lodge |
| 1 | Mto wa Mbu | Tanzania | Moonbow Lodge, Mawe Mawe Manyara |
| 1 | Central Serengeti | Tanzania | Mberesero Serengeti Central Lodge, Serengeti Classic View Camp |
| 1 | Karatu | Tanzania | Karatu Tented Lodge, Pamoja Farm Villas |
| 1 | Arusha | Tanzania | Greenside Hotel, Samora River Lodge |
| 2 | Bwindi | Uganda | Named in your quotation |
| 1 | Entebbe | Uganda | Named in your quotation |
How Much Does the 9-Day Tanzania and Uganda Gorilla Safari Cost?
From US$5,138 per person, for 2 travelers sharing at mid-range lodges, with the private vehicle and driver-guide, accommodation and meals as listed, park fees and permits included. This is a starting price: your final price is the one in your written quotation, worked out for your dates, group size and lodge level.
| Permit | Price per person (2026) |
|---|---|
| Uganda gorilla permit | US$800 |
What changes the price
- Group size: the vehicle and guide are shared, so the price per person falls as your group grows
- Lodge level: budget lodges lower it, and luxury lodges and tented camps raise it
- Season: lodges charge more from June to October and at Christmas; Uganda's gorilla permit falls to US$600 in April, May and November
- Flights: the Kilimanjaro–Entebbe flight and the light aircraft to and from Bwindi are quoted with your trip
Park fees and permits on this route
| Park, permit or fee | 2026 rate |
|---|---|
| Lake Manyara National Park | About US$59 per person per 24 hours |
| Serengeti National Park | US$82.60 per person per 24 hours |
| Ngorongoro Conservation Area (also charged when you drive through) | US$70.80 per person per 24 hours |
| Ngorongoro crater service fee | US$295 per vehicle per descent |
| Bwindi gorilla permit (Uganda Wildlife Authority) | US$800 per person, US$600 in April, May and November; includes park entry |
What the 9-Day Tanzania and Uganda Gorilla Safari Price Includes
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle and English-speaking driver-guide in each country
- 8 nights' accommodation at the level you choose, with meals as listed in the itinerary
- All park entry and conservation fees, and government taxes
- Uganda gorilla permit (one each per person)
- Airport pickup and drop-off
- Drinking water in the vehicle
Not included
- International flights
- Regional flights between countries (quoted with your trip)
- Visas
- Tanzania's mandatory inbound travel insurance, US$44 per adult from October 1, 2026 (we can help you buy it)
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation
- Tips for your guides, rangers and porters
- Drinks, laundry and personal items
- Porters on the trek (hired at the trailhead)
How the 9-Day Tanzania and Uganda Gorilla Safari Compares with Our Other Trips
| Trip | Days | From (per person) | Primates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tanzania and Uganda | 9 | US$5,138 | Gorillas in Bwindi |
| Serengeti and Rwanda | 9 | US$5,938 | Gorillas and golden monkeys |
| Tanzania and Rwanda | 10 | US$6,420 | Gorillas and golden monkeys, with the crater |
| Tanzania and Uganda, 14 days | 14 | US$7,798 | Gorillas and chimpanzees |
Rwanda's permit costs more, but the flight from Kilimanjaro to Kigali and the short drive to the park make it simpler.
How to Book the 9-Day Tanzania and Uganda Gorilla Safari
| When you cancel | Refund |
|---|---|
| 60 days or more before arrival | 100% |
| 30–59 days | 90% |
| 15–29 days | 60% |
| 10–14 days | 25% |
| Less than 10 days, or a no-show | No refund |
What Else to Read Before You Book
This page covers what is particular to the 9-Day Tanzania Safari and Uganda Gorilla Trek. The parts that work the same way on our other trips are explained once, in these guides:
- Uganda safaris: permits, the trekking day, fitness and the rules.
- East Africa safaris: borders, flights and the East Africa Tourist Visa.
- Tanzania visa help: the eVisa and our visa application service.
- Tipping on safari: how much to give your driver-guide and lodge staff.
- Booking and cancellation terms: deposit, payment and refunds.
Common Questions About the 9-Day Tanzania and Uganda Gorilla Safari
Why fly to Bwindi instead of driving?
Bwindi is 9–10 hours from Entebbe by road. The light aircraft to Kihihi or Kisoro saves a full day each way, which matters on a 9-day trip.
How fit do I need to be for the gorilla trek?
Reasonably fit: Bwindi is steep and often muddy, and a trek can take from under an hour to six hours. Porters and walking sticks help. The minimum age is 15.
How much does the 9-Day Tanzania and Uganda Gorilla Safari cost?
From US$5,138 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range lodges, with park fees and permits included. Your written quotation gives the final price for your dates, group and lodge level.
The Bottom Line
This 9-day trip adds Uganda's gorillas to the Serengeti and the crater, with flights doing the hard work. Book permits and flights early for June to September.
Send us your dates, the number of travelers and your lodge level through the booking form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and we will reply with a written quotation.