Reisverhaal Oeganda en Tanzania : Sophie

From Chimps and Gorillas to Serengeti: Our Wild Adventure with Kazuri Safaris

When we decided to visit Uganda and Tanzania, we had one mission: meet the stars of the animal kingdom. So, we contacted Kazuri Safaris and said, “Take us to the wildest places you’ve got.” And boy, did Saskia deliver.

Gorillas? Check. Chimpanzees? Double-check. The Big Five in the Serengeti? Absolutely.

Our adventure kicked off in Uganda, ten days of pure bliss in a place that feels like Mother Nature took a victory lap and left her best work behind. The trip was supposed to revolve around trekking to see the primates, but it turned into so much more.

Stop 1: Kibale Forest – Chimp Heaven
If you’ve never been eyeballed by a chimpanzee like it’s judging your life choices, we highly recommend it. Kibale Forest was where we got up close with these incredible creatures. Watching them swing, chatter, and occasionally throw a side-eye at us was like being at the coolest family reunion. It only took a small 14km hike over a relatively even terrain, and well, we spend 60 minutes in primate heaven.

Stop 2: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Hakuna Matata, Indeed
Driving through Queen Elizabeth Park felt like stepping into Disney’s The Lion King—minus the catchy soundtrack but with way better views. Lions lounged like they owned the place (spoiler: they do), while elephants, gazelles, warthogs, and giraffes wandered by like extras in a blockbuster film.

Stop 3: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Gorilla Goals
The name “Impenetrable Forest” might sound intimidating, but Bwindi was an absolute dream. Sure, the morning rain made us question our life choices, but by the time we were on our way to locate our assigned gorilla family, the sky cleared up, and it was pure magic. We spent an hour with these gentle giants, including an adorable baby and a silverback who looked like he could bench-press a Land Rover. Pro tip: bring a poncho, gloves, a camera, and a lot of awe.

Stop 4: Lake Mburo National Park – Zebra Crossing (Literally)
Before heading to Tanzania, we made a pit stop at Lake Mburo, where zebras outnumber people and giraffes casually pose like they’re on the cover of National Geographic. It was the perfect sendoff from Uganda, and we couldn’t stop snapping photos. The walking safari we had there was *chefs kiss*.

From Jungle to Savannah: Tanzania’s Turn to Wow Us

After wrapping up our Ugandan adventure, we hopped on a flight from Entebbe to Tanzania, ready for round two of “Who Has the Best Wildlife?” Spoiler alert: Tanzania is no slouch. Instead of jungles, we traded in lush greenery for sweeping plains, golden grasslands, and some serious Lion King vibes.

Kazuri Safaris once again proved they’re the MVPs of trip planning. This time, our guide Hashim stepped in, armed with endless knowledge and the patience of a saint (because yes, we had so many questions).

Stop 1: Arusha National Park – Giraffes and Flamingos, Oh My
We kicked things off with a walking safari in Arusha National Park. Ever taken a selfie with a giraffe? We have now, and let’s just say they’re not shy about photobombing. Lunch came with a flamingo-filled view that felt so surreal, we half-expected David Attenborough to pop out and start narrating.

Stop 2: Tarangire National Park – Lions, Butterflies, and Bird Royalty
Next, we rolled into Tarangire, where the early morning light made everything look extra magical. We spotted lions lounging like royalty, smaller birds flitting around like they owned the place, and a secretary bird strutting its stuff like it was on a runway. If you don’t know what a secretary bird is, well, you will know it when you see it.

Stop 3: Serengeti – The Best. Days. Ever.
Then came the Serengeti—three days and nights that felt like living in a wildlife documentary. Thanks to Hashim’s expertise, we not only spotted the Big Five (even a rhino showed up for the finale) but also spent hours watching baby cheetahs and lions exploring their world. Honestly, the cuteness overload should come with a warning label.

We didn’t want to leave, but the Ngorongoro Crater was calling, so off we went.

Stop 4: Ngorongoro Crater – Breakfast and Birds
The crater was like a wildlife buffet. Lions were tucking into their morning meal, hippos were lazing around like they were on vacation, and birds were everywhere, adding pops of color to the scene. It was the perfect grand finale.

By the time we rolled back into Arusha, we were googling “How to move to Tanzania” and wondering if we could just live in a safari tent forever.

 

Kazuri Safaris, you outdid yourselves. From seamless logistics to Edwin and Hashim’s incredible guidance, you made every moment unforgettable. If you’re dreaming of wildlife, adventure, and a little Lion King nostalgia, don’t hesitate—book with Kazuri Safaris. You’ll leave with stories that rival any Disney movie and memories that last a lifetime.

P.S. Bring an extra memory card for your camera. You’re going to need it.