Great Migration and Primate Tour: Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda
Follow the action of one of Africa’s most incredible natural phenomena: the Great Migration of 2 million wildebeest and other grazers across the vast plains of the Serengeti. And then see primates in action in Uganda.
This Great Migration and Primate Tour takes you to Kenya and Tanzania to see an incredible natural phenomenon: the Great Migration of wildebeest across the vast plains of the Serengeti. We designed this package for a couple from Louisville who had been on multiple safaris and wanted to see the Great Migration. The Great Migration Tour package took them to Tarangire, two mobile camps in the Serengeti, a mobile camp in Kenya. And then they went to Uganda to see chimpanzees and gorillas for a truly unforgettable African adventure.
The couple arrived at Kilimanjaro Airport and were transferred to their first stop in the Tarangire National Park, situated within Tanzania’s spectacular Manyara Region, is an awe-inspiring national park comprising of granite ridges, river valleys, mixed vegetative landscapes, and free-roaming wildlife. The couple spent two nights at the Sanctuary property. They spent one full day watching herds of elephants, lions and eland in a remote corner of the park.
Continuing their Great Migration and Primate Tour, they made their way to the Central Serengeti. This picture-perfect landscape is characterised by endless stretches of savannah-covered open plains interspersed by rocky outcrops of granite and scattered with acacia woodlands and covered in a network of rivers and streams. The Central Serengeti forms part of the great wildebeest and zebra migration and provides an ideal habitat for a variety of wildlife. The spent two days at a roving mobile camp so that they could experience the Great Migration.
Next, they traveled to the Northern Serengeti to another mobile camp. The vast, rolling savannah of the Northern Serengeti, is known as the hub of the great migration. The landscape is characterised by vast stretches of savannah interspersed with acacia trees and riverine woodlands. Wildlife can be seen along the banks of the Mara River and this couple enjoyed an unparalleled wildlife experience, the annual spectacle of the half a million migrating wildebeest. The even saw a river crossing.
They continued their Great Migration and Primate Tour by traveling to Kenya, where they stayed 2 nights at Mara Bushtops. They spent their days on exciting African safaris in the spectacular plains of the Maasai Mara. The camp allowed them to relax and do some “sofa safari” from their private deck as an abundance of wildlife congregates around the adjacent salt lick, which was, literally, unforgettable.
As their Kenya and Tanzania portion of their trip came to a close, they boarded their flight in Nairobi and continued onto to Uganda for the primate portion of their adventure. The couple arrived into Entebbe in the evening, so they had an overnight at a local boutique hotel. The next day they flew to Semliki Game Reserve, Uganda’s oldest protected area, a scenic wildlife haven nestled between the Rwenzori Mountains and Lake Albert. This lush reserve features diverse habitats—from open savannas and riverine forests to swamps—attracting a rich array of wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, leopards, and primates like chimpanzees. The couple spent three days here. One day, they visited the chimpanzee project, which allowed them to witness conservation efforts firsthand as they tracked and learned about these fascinating primates in their natural habitat. They did a private boat cruise on Lake Albert.
Next on their Great Migration and Primate Tour, they continued to Kibale to trek with the habituated chimpanzees there. And lastly flew to Kisoro and onto Clouds. The lodge is perched on a ridge with breathtaking views of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and gave the couple and eco-friendly accommodation and was an ideal base for gorilla trekking adventures in a pristine, mountainous setting. They spent two days gorilla trekking in the area.
Finally, their Great Migration and Primate Tour came to an end, and they were transferred to the airport to begin the trip home.
Accommodation
- 2 Nights Sanctuary Swala Camp
- 2 Nights Roving Bushtops
- 2 Nights Serengeti Bushtops Camp
- 3 Nights Mara Bushtops Camp
- 1 Night Hotel No 5
- 3 nights Semliki Lodge
- 2 Nights Kibale Lodge
- 3 Nights Clouds Lodge
Transportation
- All private airport transfers
- All internal bush flights
- All road transfers between lodges
Activities
- Hot Air Balloon in the Masai Mara
- Chimp Project Experience at Semliki
- Boat Cruise on Lake Albert
- Chimpanzee Trekking
- Chimpanzee Habituation Experience
- 2 Gorilla Trekking per person
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1
Upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro Airport, you’ll have a quick meet and greet, as well as a short safari briefing, before your flight to Tarangire National Park. Upon arrival, you will met by the camp vehicle and guide, then will proceed to the camp for leisure, dinner and overnight. In the heart of Maasai country and a remote corner of the Tarangire, in total seclusion amongst giant acacia trees and looking out beyond the flat savannah, Sanctuary Swala offers a very exclusive safari experience. The picturesque landscape is filled with ancient baobab trees, ambling elephants and birds in flight. Built to the highest eco-friendly standards, this camp has a particularly low-carbon footprint.
Sanctuary Swala
Day 2
You will spend this day on game drives within the park. Tarangire National Park, situated within Tanzania’s spectacular Manyara Region, is an awe-inspiring national park comprising of granite ridges, river valleys, mixed vegetative landscapes, and free-roaming wildlife. During the annual dry season, the Tarangire River is a magnet for thirsty wildlife. Large herds of elephants and migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest and eland gather and not surprisingly the predators follow. With lions being among the most commonly spotted animals, it is a rare day that a visitor does not spot this majestic animal prowling or grazing. Tarangire is also the one place in Tanzania where dry-country antelope such as oryx and gerenuk are seen regularly. This expansive area is also known for its spectacular baobab trees, its breathtaking views of the Masaai Steppe and the wondrous mountains to the south.
Sanctuary Swala
Day 3
The sunrise brings you an early morning game drive. After breakfast, you will transfer to the local airstrip and fly to your next destination in the Central Serengeti and to Roving Bushtops Camp. The camp moves between Kusini in Southern Serengeti and Seronera in Central Serengeti. Seronera is known for its abundant wildlife and fabulous viewing throughout the year. Kusini is the best possible vantage point from which to watch the wildebeest birthing season. The camp has eight luxury tents, featuring king-size beds and 24 hour butler service. During the day the tent walls can be opened on three sides, enabling panoramic views of the surrounding bush.
Roving Bushtops
Day 4
After breakfast, meet with your guide and enjoy a full day, with morning and evening games drives in Serengeti National Park. Situated in the heart of Tanzania, the Central Serengeti encompasses the world-famous Seronera Valley which is known for its prime wildlife-viewing opportunities. This picture-perfect landscape is characterised by endless stretches of savannah-covered open plains interspersed by rocky outcrops of granite and scattered with acacia woodlands and covered in a network of rivers and streams. The Central Serengeti forms part of the great wildebeest and zebra migration and provides an ideal habitat for a variety of wildlife such as giraffe, impala, waterbuck, hippo, elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, hyena, jackal, serval and much more. Enjoy quiet evenings by the camp fire and the exclusivity of absolute comfort combined with the authenticity of a night spent in the African bush, an extraordinary experience for all nature lovers.
Roving Bushtops
Day 5
Following breakfast, you will transferred to the airstrip for a flight to Kogatende. Upon arrival, you will met by the camp guide and vehicle where you will arrive at Bushtops Camp in the Northern Serengeti. Serengeti Bushtops is a unique safari experience. Imagine returning from safari and watching the sun set from the comfort of your tent’s private hot tub. Consider the thrill of watching the annual migration thunder across the mighty Mara river. Or simply revel in the thought of being pampered by your butler, before enjoying the fabulous cuisine in the comfort of the restaurant
Serengeti Bushtops Camp
Day 6
Today, you’ll head out for a Serengeti safari. The vast, rolling savannah of the Northern Serengeti, is known as the hub of the great migration. The landscape is characterised by vast stretches of savannah interspersed with acacia trees and riverine woodlands. Wildlife can be seen along the banks of the Mara River and visitors can view the annual spectacle of the half a million migrating wildebeest. Commonly spotted wildlife include: a multitude of plains game such as buffalo, zebra, gazelles, impala, giraffe as well as lion and leopard. Enjoy aquiet evening by the camp fire and the exclusivity of absolute comfort combined with the authenticity of a night spent in the African bush, an extraordinary experience for all nature lovers.
Serengeti Bushtops Camp
Day 7
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airstrip and will do a land transfer into Kenya and the Masai Mara. And you will land at your next camp, Mara Bustops Camp. The camp boats a sensational location in front of the largest natural salt lick in the Mara and perched on the side of a hill, with a scenic valley to one side. Set amid the Bushtops private Conservancy bordering the Masai Mara, Activities such as walking safaris, night game drives, a visit to our historic Masai cave, off road game drives, sun downers, bush breakfasts are part of the experience. Game drives are conducted in open converted 4×4’s and accompanied by a Ranger and Masai spotter.
Mara Bushtops Camp
Days 8-9
These days you will spend the day out experiencing the migration. The undeniable highlight of the Masai Mara National Reserve is undoubtedly the annual wildebeest migration traversing the vast plains of the Serengeti and the Masai Mara. It is known as the largest mass movement of land mammals on the planet – with more than a million animals following the rains. Large prides of lions, herds of elephants, as well as giraffes, gazelles and eland can also be spotted in the reserve. You will also do a hot air balloon safari one morning, which is a must do.
Mara Bushtops Camp
Day 10
Today, take a short flight back to Nairobi, and then you will continue on to Entebbe. Upon arrival, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel for an overnight.
Hotel No 5.
Day 11
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Semliki Game Reserve. The reserve, Uganda’s oldest protected area, is a scenic wildlife haven nestled between the Rwenzori Mountains and Lake Albert. This lush reserve features diverse habitats—from open savannas and riverine forests to swamps—attracting a rich array of wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, leopards, and primates like chimpanzees. Birdlife is particularly abundant, with over 400 species, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. The reserve’s remote setting offer an intimate and serene safari experience. You will stay at the lodge for 3 nights.
Semliki Lodge
Day 12
Today is a special day where you will do the Chimp Experience with the lodge. This is an extraordinary opportunity to track and observe wild chimpanzees in the lush forests of the Semliki Wildlife Reserve. Guided by experienced trackers, you will venture into the forest at dawn, following vocalizations and signs of movement to locate and spend time with these intelligent primates in their natural habitat, gaining insight into their complex social behaviors and the ongoing conservation efforts to protect them.
Semliki Lodge
Day 13
You will spend this day doing a boat cruise on Lake Albert, exploring the lake’s calm waters and enjoying up-close views of hippos, crocodiles, and a multitude of birdlife along the shoreline, providing a unique perspective on the reserve’s rich biodiversity. You will also do a evening game drive through diverse landscapes, from sweeping savannas to riverine forests, where guests have the chance to spot elephants, buffalo, leopards, Uganda kobs, and an array of bird species.
Semliki Lodge
Day 14
After breakfast, you will head off to the Kibale National Park in Uganda. The park is a lush, tropical rainforest famed for its rich biodiversity, particularly its high density of primates, making it one of Africa’s top destinations for chimpanzee tracking. The park spans diverse habitats, including dense forests, wetlands, and grasslands, and is home to 13 primate species, including red colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys. Birdwatchers are also drawn to Kibale, with over 370 bird species spotted, alongside butterflies and unique plant life. With its scenic hiking trails and guided nature walks, the park offers a captivating experience for nature lovers and adventure seekers. You will spend two nights at the Kibale Lodge.
Kibale Lodge
Day 15
Today you will get an opportunity to spend the morning with the habituated chimpanzees in the park. Your experience will include a hike to the dense rainforest to observe wild chimpanzees up close, witnessing their dynamic social interactions and calls echoing through the trees. Then after lunch, you will do a chimpanzee habituation experience. You will move alongside researchers and trackers as they gradually acclimate wild chimpanzees to human presence. This practice allows the researchers to gain deep insights into their social structures, behaviors, and conservation challenges in the natural forest environment, making it an unforgettable immersion into the world of these intelligent primates.
Kibale Lodge
Day 16
After breakfast, you will fly to Kisoro for your last stop on your primate tour, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. After lunch, you can enjoy some leisure time at your lodge, Clouds. Known for its sweeping views over the lush forest and distant peaks, the lodge combines elegant stone cottages with cozy fireplaces, handcrafted Ugandan art, and private verandas. You will enjoy a serene, intimate atmosphere, making it an ideal base for gorilla trekking, where they can embark on life-changing encounters with mountain gorillas and return to relax in a setting that blends world-class comfort with the wild beauty of the surrounding landscapes.
Clouds Lodge
Days 17-18
You will spend these two days on awe-inspiring adventures, where you will trek through dense, mist-covered forests to encounter the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Guided by experienced rangers, you will navigate the steep, rugged terrain of Bwindi’s UNESCO-listed jungle, ultimately coming face-to-face with a gorilla family and witnessing their gentle, curious behaviors up close—an experience that is both humbling and deeply moving.
Clouds Lodge
Day 19
After breakfast, your adventure comes to an end. You’ll be transferred to the airstrip, where you’ll catch a local flight back to Entebbe and begin your journey home.
About this vacation
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