The perfect combination of wildlife spotting and beach relaxation, this unique trip includes incredible gorilla and chimpanzee tracking excursions* in Uganda and an all-inclusive stay on the idyllic island of Zanzibar.
Inclusions
- Airfare to Entebbe and return from Zanzibar
- 11 night partially guided vacation
- 11 night hotels in 3-star hotels
- Intra-air flight from Entebbe to Zanzibar
- 7 breakfasts and all-inclusive package in Zanzibar
- Transfers in a comfortable 4×4 vehicle.
- Game drives and park entry fees as indicated in the itinerary
- Boat Trip in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Gorilla trekking permits
- Book by Oct 15: Save $200 per booking**! (price reflects discount)
Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto | |
Dec 1, 3, 2024 | from |
Jan 14, Feb 21, Mar 5, 2025 | from |
Apr 1, 2025 | from |
Solo traveler: add from $1290 more | |
Victoria: add from $200 more Winnipeg: add from $400 more |
*The minimum age requirement for the Gorilla Trekking Excursion is 15 years of age. For the Chimpanzee Trekking Excursion, the minimum age requirement is 12 years of age. Unfortunately, children under these ages are not permitted to participate in these excursions.
**Minimum is $4000 per booking to qualify for this promo
Dates, prices and promotion are subject to change without notice.
Other departure cities are available – please call for more details!
Not Included: Visas, travel insurance, tips, drinks, meals and any other services not mentioned in the inclusions.
Day 1: Canada – Night on board
Arrive at your departure airport ready to check-in for a flight * to Entebbe. Night on board.
* If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
Day 2: Entebbe
Arrive in Entebbe, meet your guide and transfer to the hotel. A charming town, Entebbe is situated on the shore of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure, relaxing or exploring the town for a chance to experience the local culture. Overnight stay in Entebbe.
Day 3: Entebbe – Kibale Forest (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Set off to Kibale Forest National Park, enjoying the changing landscapes as you leave the town behind. Arrive in the afternoon and check in at your lodge. Kibale is a huge protected rainforest, known for being the home of a large number of primates such as chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys and grey-cheeked mangabey. Overnight stay in Kibale.
Estimated transfer time and distance: 6-7h, 335km.
Day 4: Kibale Forest – Queen Elizabeth National Park (B)
Breakfast at the lodge. In the morning register at the Park Offices and begin an exciting Chimpanzee Tracking Excursion. Go in search of man’s most genetically similar animal, and begin with a trek through the rainforest until you make the first sightings of the Chimpanzees. Watch as the group go about their daily activities such as feeding, climbing, raising their young and noisily interacting with each other, while enjoying informative insights from your expert guide. Return to the lodge and in the afternoon head to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Overnight stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Estimated transfer time and distance: 3h, 112km.
Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park (B)
Set off early for a sunrise game drive in Uganda’s most popular national park for the best chance of spotting the abundant wildlife of the region including lions, buffalo, elephants and nocturnal animals such as hyenas and leopards, with the beautiful soundtrack of morning bird song to accompany you. Return to the lodge for a late breakfast and relax at your leisure. Later, set off for an afternoon Launch Cruise on the Kanziga Channel, famous for its hippos, Nile crocodiles and buffalo. Overnight stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (B)
Breakfast at the lodge. Drive south through the Ishasha area, famed for its tree-climbing lions, towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Spend the journey admiring the spectacular natural landscape. Continue to the southern sector of Bwindi, the iconic national park home to the elusive and endangered mountain gorillas. Arrive at the lodge and spend the rest of the day relaxing at your leisure. Overnight stay in Bwindi.
Estimated transfer time and distance: 7-8h, 278km.
Day 7: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (B)
Early breakfast at the lodge and set off to the Park Offices to register for your exciting Gorilla Tracking Excursion. Be assigned a particular family of Gorillas and head into the magical rainforest, abundant with colourful birds, butterfly and animals species, until you finally reach the group of Gorillas. Watch in awe as these majestic animals go about their daily lives, grooming, feeding and interacting with each other. It is an unforgettable experience to see Gorillas in the wild. Trek back to base and return to the lodge. Overnight stay in Bwindi.
Day 8: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Lake Mburo National Park (B)
Breakfast at the lodge. Leave Bwindi and drive towards Lake Mburo National Park, situated on the border of Tanzania and how to various species of savannah animals including lions, hyenas, zebras and giraffes, as well as water-loving animals such as hippos and crocodiles who can be found by the lake. Enjoy fantastic game-viewing as you make your way towards the lodge. Arrive and overnight stay in Lake Mburo.
Estimated transfer time and distance: 6-7h, 267km.
Day 9: Lake Mburo – Entebbe – Zanzibar (B)
Breakfast at the lodge. Get an early start to the day with an included morning safari, getting the chance to view wildlife up close. You also have the option to reserve an optional guided trek* through the Lake Mburo National Park. Afterwards, head back to Entebbe, stopping at the Equator, where you can stand in both hemispheres at once. Arrive in Entebbe and transfer to the airport for your flight to Tanzania. Touch down in Zanzibar and transfer to the hotel, ready to begin your laid-back All-inclusive stay on the coast.** Spend the remainder of the day exploring or relaxing at your leisure and getting settled into your surroundings. Overnight stay in Zanzibar.
*Optional guided excursion to Lake Mburo: Explore the spectacular flora and fauna of this extensive national park along with an expert guide who will help you navigate this impressive landscape. (Price TBA – check with Exoticca for details)
** If you arrive before check-in time, you can leave your baggage at reception and enjoy the hotel facilities while you wait for your room to be ready.
Estimated transfer time Lake Mburo – Entebbe: 5-6h.
Day 10: Zanzibar (All Inclusive)
All-inclusive. Make the most of a free day to enjoy the paradise beaches of Zanzibar. You can take the day to relax on the beach or make the most of your incomparable hotel facilities. We recommend visiting one of the island’s historic spice plantations to learn about how Zanzibar got its nickname of ‘Spice Island’. Overnight stay in Zanzibar.
Day 11: Zanzibar (All Inclusive)
All-inclusive. Enjoy a day at your leisure on in Zanzibar. Discover the island’s heritage as a historic trade centre in Stone Town, go snorkelling to explore the underwater world of the Indian Ocean or simply kick-back on the beach. Overnight stay in Zanzibar
Day 12: Zanzibar (All Inclusive)
All-inclusive. Spend another day in this tropical paradise at your leisure to take advantage of the hotel facilities and the surrounding beaches. If you want to venture out of the resort, try the historic Old Fort, located in Stone Town, the capital of Zanzibar. Overnight stay in Zanzibar.
Day 13: Zanzibar – Night on board (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.* It’s time to bring an end to your adventures through Africa. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the Canada. Night on board.
* Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.
Entry requirements
- Uganda:
- Passport with a minimum of six months validity.
- A visa is required to enter the country. This must be requested online before travel via the following link: https://visas.immigration.go.ug/
- Please consult your doctor regarding malaria prophylaxis.
- Tanzania:
- Passport valid for six months and a return ticket required. Starting September 1, 2024, Air Tanzania passengers need mandatory inbound travel insurance. From October 1, 2024,
- Zanzibar visitors A visa is required. Issued on arrival in the country. Price approximately $50. Maximum 3 months stay. Visas are paid in cash only, with USD banknotes issued after 2006.must have travel insurance from Zanzibar Insurance Corporation
- Please consult your doctor regarding the vaccination against yellow fever and malaria prophylaxis. Travellers over 60 years must consult their doctor as the Yellow Fever vaccine can have serious side effects.
Important Notes
- Documentation of the internal flights will either be available in the “My bookings” section in your “Customer Area” 7 days before your trip or delivered to you on arrival at your destination. It is essential to fill in the passport information correctly for each passenger.
- All-Inclusive in Zanzibar includes: Breakfast 7:00 a.m – 10:00 a.m., lunch 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., dinner 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., late brunch at the beach bar from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., afternoon snacks at the beach area from 4:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. followed by snacks at the lobby bar from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and then from 10:00 p.m. until midnight. Beverages: soft drinks and local alcoholic cocktails. All-inclusive also includes the use of the tennis court, gym, sauna, steam and Kids club
- The minimum age requirement for the Gorilla Trekking Excursion is 15 years of age. For the Chimpanzee Trekking Excursion, the minimum age requirement is 12 years of age. Unfortunately, children under these ages are not permitted to participate in these excursions.
- While on the road, it is highly unlikely that the vehicle will be equipped with wifi or bathroom facilities, though rest stops will be made for long trips. We recommend purchasing a new SIM card at the airport or placing an e-SIM before travel to guarantee internet connection.