In Search Of Lake Tanganyika

Meet your Travulous guide at your Entebbe hotel. After completing our arrival in country procedures, we depart for Murchison Falls National Park.

Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest National Park. Bisected by the Victoria Nile River, Murchison Falls National Park is where Ernest Hemingway's aircraft crashed in 1954 whilst on a sightseeing trip. The park is also the location where the 1951 Oscar nominated movie 'The African Queen', starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, was filmed. The park is home to an abundance of wildlife and the famous Murchison Falls, known locally as Kabalega or Kabarega Falls.

Upon arrival at Murchison Falls National Park, transfer to your accommodation. Spend the rest of your day at leisure enjoying your accommodation’s facilities.

Driving Time: 4:30 hours.

Meals: Dinner included, breakfast and lunch at own arrangement.

Overnight: When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices.

After breakfast, you can enjoy your accommodation’s facilities, or explore Murchison Falls National Park. Activities include game drives, boat cruises, bird watching, and hiking to the top of the falls.

Murchison Falls National Park is home to a range of wildlife including lion, leopard, hyena, elephant, hippo, buffalo, giraffe, hartebeest, chimpanzee and over 460 bird species. An alternative activity, is a scenic boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls, where the mighty Nile River thunders its way through a 6 meter gap forming a 45 meter high waterfall, before flowing into Lake Albert. The boat ride typically last for 3 - 4 hours and stops very close to the 'devil's cauldron', an ideal spot to take pictures of the majestic falls.

All meals are served at your accommodation. Spend the evening relaxing, enjoying its facilities.

Driving Time: 0:00 hours (unless you choose a vehicle based activity in Murchison Falls National Park).

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Accommodations: When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices.

After breakfast, it is time to pack your vehicle and depart for Kibale National Park.

Kibale National Park is one of Africa's greatest rainforest reserves, famous for its variety of primates and bird populations. Located in one of Africa’s most breath-taking landscapes that forms the Albertine Western Rift Valley, the national park contains one of the most varied tracts of tropical forest in Uganda. Forest cover, interspersed with patches of grassland and swamp, dominates the northern and central parts of the park on an elevated plateau.

Upon arrival in Kibale National Park, transfer to your accommodation. Spend the rest of your day at leisure enjoying its facilities.

Driving Time: 5:00 hours.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch at own arrangement.

Accommodations: When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices.

After breakfast, you can enjoy your accommodation’s facilities or explore Kibale National Park. Activities include chimpanzee tracking, primate walk, or a visit to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.

Transfer to the park headquarters for chimpanzee tracking. Home to 13 primate species, Kibale Forest contains one of Africa's largest concentrations of primates, including chimpanzees, colobus and vervet monkeys, and over 320 species of birds. Kibale’s most popular activity is the Kanyanchu Primate Walk, where 13 species of primates can be found. Kanyanchu’s chimps have been tracked since 1993 and the chances of locating them are excellent. Guided walks start at 8am and 2pm and typically last an average of 3 hours.

All meals are served at your accommodation. Spend the evening relaxing, enjoying its facilities.

Driving Time: 0:00 hours (unless you choose a vehicle based activity).

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Accommodations: When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices.

After breakfast, it is time to pack your vehicle and depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park.

As Uganda's second largest and most popular savannah parks, Queen Elizabeth National Park is the best place to see lions in the country. The park has one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any game park in Africa. Its ecosystems, which includes lakes and wetlands, sprawling savanna and forests, make it the ideal habitat for lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, 10 primate species including chimpanzees, and over 600 species of birds.

Upon arrival at Queen Elizabeth National Park, transfer to your accommodation. Spend the rest of your day at leisure enjoying its facilities.

Driving Time: 2:00 hours.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch at own arrangement.

Accommodations: When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices.

After breakfast, you can enjoy your accommodation’s facilities, or explore Queen Elizabeth National Park. Activities include game drives, boat cruises and bird watching.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to the Ishasha sector’s famous tree climbing lions, where when your guide shouts ‘lion’, you should definitely look up! It is also possible to see leopard, elephant, buffalo, jackal and various antelope species. Whilst on a Kazinga Channel boat cruise it is possible to spot elephant, hippo, buffalo, crocodile and water birds, along with storks, caimans, monitor lizards, fish eagles and weaver birds on a Kazinga Channel boat cruise.

All meals are served at your accommodation. Spend the evening relaxing, enjoying its facilities.

Driving Time: 0:00 hours (unless you choose a vehicle based activity in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Accommodations: When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices.

After breakfast, it is time to pack your vehicle and depart for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Declared a UNESCO’s world heritage site in 1994, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to one of Uganda's oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests, protecting roughly half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas, with 23 habituated groups for tourists to visit. The park also provides shelter to a further 120 mammals, including elephants, antelopes and primates such as chimps and baboons. Bwindi offers some of the finest montane forest birding in Africa, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics.

Upon arrival in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, transfer to your accommodation. Spend the rest of your day at leisure enjoying its facilities.

Driving Time: 2:30 hours.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch at own arrangement.

Accommodations: When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices.

After breakfast, you can enjoy your accommodation’s facilities, or go mountain gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Mountain Gorilla tracking starts with a briefing at 8am at the park headquarters. After the briefing you depart with the guide and rangers to find the mountain gorillas. The time spent tracking gorillas in Uganda depends and varies from half an hour to eight hours depending on the gorilla movements. Although the hike can be physically demanding, the beauty of the forest and its inhabitants is a fascinating and very rewarding experience. Once the gorilla families have been found, your visit with these great apes lasts for one magical hour.

All meals are served at your accommodation. Spend the evening relaxing, enjoying its facilities.

Driving Time: 0:00 hours (unless you choose a vehicle based activity).

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Accommodations: When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices.

After breakfast, it is time to pack your vehicle and depart for Lake Muhazi in Rwanda.

Lake Muhazi is a beautiful lake located in the eastern part of Rwanda.

Upon arrival at Lake Muhazi, transfer to your accommodation. Spend the rest of your day at leisure enjoying its facilities.

Driving Time: 6:00 hours + 1 hour border crossing

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch at own arrangement.

Accommodations: When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices.

After breakfast, you can enjoy your accommodation’s facilities, or explore Lake Muhazi. Activities include mountain biking, kayaking and paddle boarding.

From relaxing massages, yoga sessions to learning about Rwamagana’s communities, there are a great selection of activities on offer at Lake Muhazi. Navigate the serene and calm waters of Lake Muhazi on sit-on or sit-in kayaks or paddle boards. Alternatively, visit Umusambi Village, a beautifully restored wetland area, providing a sanctuary for over 50 endangered Grey Crowned Cranes saved from the illegal pet trade.

All meals are served at your accommodation. Spend the evening relaxing, enjoying its facilities.

Driving Time: 0:00 hours (unless you choose a vehicle based activity at Lake Muhazi).

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Accommodations: When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices.

After breakfast, it is time to pack your vehicle and depart to Kabanga in Tanzania.

Upon arrival at Kabanga, transfer to your accommodation. Spend the rest of your day at leisure enjoying its facilities.

Driving Time: 3:00 hours + 1 hour border crossing.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch at own arrangement.

Accommodations: When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices.

After breakfast, it is time to pack your vehicle and depart for Bujumbura in Burundi.

Situated along the shores of Africa’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Tanganyika, Bujumbua was previouly known as Usumbura and is Burundi’s capital and largest city. Bujumbura is responsible for the country’s key exports, including cotton, coffee and tin ore. A landlocked country, bordering Rwanda, Tanzania and the DRC, the population of Burundi celebrates its ancient traditions and culture through music, dance, and art.

Upon arrival in Bujumbura, transfer to your accommodation. Spend the rest of your day at leisure enjoying its facilities.

Driving Time: 4:30 hours + 1 hour border crossing

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch at own arrangement.

Accommodations: When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices.

After breakfast, you can enjoy your accommodation’s facilities or explore Bujumbura. Activities include sightseeing, visiting Bujumbura’s beaches, and historical and cultural excursions.

The shores of Lake Tanganyika offer a good selection of beaches including the popular Saga beach. Another option is to visit the Livingstone and Stanley monument which commemorates the two famous explorers who met on the lake. Alternatively, a visit to the Rusizi National Park, a short drive from Bujumbura, is also a popular excursion. The park is home to antelopes, hippos, a wide variety of birds and the infamous Gustave, the largest Nile crocodile ever recorded.

All meals are served at your accommodation. Spend the evening relaxing, enjoying its facilities.

Driving Time: 0:00 hours (unless you choose a vehicle based activity in Bujumbura).

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Accommodations: When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices.

After breakfast, it is time to pack your vehicle and depart for Kigoma, before boarding a boat to Gombe Stream National Park.

Established as a national park in 1968, Gombe Stream was made famous by the ground breaking work of renowned scientist and conservationist Jane Goodall. She was instrumental in drawing the world’s attention to the importance of protecting the remaining habitat of the chimps, whose close connection to human beings she has studied throughout her distinguished career.

Upon arrival at Gombe Stream National Park, transfer to your accommodation. Spend the rest of your day at leisure enjoying its facilities.

Driving Time: 5:00 hours + 2 hour boat trip.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch at own arrangement.

Accommodations: When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices.

After breakfast, you can enjoy your accommodation’s facilities, or explore Gombe Stream National Park. Activities include chimp tracking, lake excursions, snorkelling and hiking.

The smallest of Tanzania’s national parks, chimp tracking in Gombe Stream is a worthwhile and rewarding activity. Limited to groups of 6 people, the chimps are visited for a maximum duration of 1 hour. Whilst visiting Gombe Stream, it is possible to also see Jane’s house and the research centre as described in her book and documentary, which tells the story of Jane's groundbreaking field work and the chimps that were the subject of her study.

All meals are served at your accommodation. Spend the evening relaxing, enjoying its facilities.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Driving Time: 0:00 hours (unless you choose a vehicle based activity in Gombe Stream National Park).

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Accommodations: When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices.

Today it’s time to travel by boat back to Kigoma, before continuing the journey on a 4-hour boat ride to Mahale Mountains National Park.

Established as a national park in 1985, Mahale Mountains is a lesser known and off the beaten path gem located in a spectacular wilderness setting. Widely regarded as one of the African continent’s most iconic national parks, its breathtaking landscapes include rainforest, woodlands and grasslands which are home to a myriad of birdlife species, butterflies, primates and small predators.

Upon arrival at Mahale Mountains National Park, transfer to your accommodation. Spend the rest of your day at leisure enjoying its facilities.

Driving Time: 2 hour boat trip + 4 hour boat trip.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch at own arrangement.

Accommodations: When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices.

After breakfast, you can enjoy your accommodation’s facilities, or explore Mahale Mountains National Park. Activities include chimp tracking, birding and photographic safaris.

Mahale Mountains National Park is home to approximately 1,000 chimps. One group, called Mimikire and comprised of approximately 50+ members, has been habituated to humans since 1965. As this group of chimps is fairly relaxed around people, it is possible for visitors to observe them at relative close proximity. Other primates also call Mahale Mountains their home, including colobus monkey, vervet monkey and baboon. Birding enthusiasts will have plenty of birds to spot, as the national park has in excess of 330 recorded bird species.

All meals are served at your accommodation. Spend the evening relaxing, enjoying its facilities.

Driving Time: 0:00 hours (unless you choose a vehicle based activity in Mahale Mountains National Park).

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Accommodations: When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices.

Today it’s time to travel by boat back to Kigoma.

A pleasant port town of historical interest, Kigoma is situated close to Ujiji, the location where famous explorers Livingstone and Stanley first met. The town houses the Livingstone Memorial Museum which recounts the meeting of these two explorers and the slave trade, which Livingstone fought passionately against and eventually helped to end. The local restaurants in Kigoma serve local dishes comprised of Migebuka fish, freshly caught in Lake Tanganyika.

Upon arrival in Kigoma, transfer to your accommodation. Spend the rest of your day at leisure enjoying its facilities.

Driving Time: 4 hour boat trip.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch at own arrangement.

Accommodations: When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices.

After breakfast, it is time to pack your vehicle and depart for Katavi National Park.

Katavi is another lesser-known national park on Tanzania’s western safari circuit which is off the beaten path and uncrowded, in comparison with the more famous parks in the north of the country. An untouched wilderness area, there are not many accommodation options available in the park, which greatly enhances the feeling of exclusivity. The park is home to copious amounts of wildlife living in diverse natural terrain, including grasslands, woodlands, lakes, waterways and flood plains.

Upon arrival at Katavi National Park, transfer to your accommodation. Spend the rest of your day at leisure enjoying its facilities.

Driving Time: 5:00 hours.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch at own arrangement.

Accommodations: When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices.

After breakfast, you can enjoy your accommodation’s facilities or explore Katavi National Park. Activities include game drives, walking safaris and birdwatching.

Ideally suited to safari connoisseurs, Katavi boasts an astonishing concentration of wildlife, including some of the African continent’s largest herds of buffalo and elephant. Other wildlife includes lion, leopard, Wild dog, hyena, giraffe, zebra and many types of antelope. It is possible to spot hundreds of hippos and crocodiles during the dry season, when the water levels in the rivers reduce. Katavi National Park has more than 400 recorded bird species, including herons, plovers, spoonbills, storks, eagles and vultures.

All meals are served at your accommodation. Spend the evening relaxing, enjoying its facilities.

Driving Time: 0:00 hours (unless you choose a vehicle based activity in Katavi National Park).

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Accommodations: When we create your itinerary, you will receive complete descriptions of all your property choices.

After breakfast, its time to board a flight to Arusha Airport, for your onward travel arrangements.

Alternatively, consider extending this trip by adding one of our Extension Ideas (see below) to this program.

Flight Time: 4:00 hours.

Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner at own arrangement.