Take Off Erlebnisreisen GmbH

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About Us

TAKE OFF ERLEBNISREISEN is not part of any corporate group! Our idea of designing trips with our own unique style, striking the perfect balance between quality and price, and sharing our passion for travel has proven successful.

The company was founded in 1983. When you travel with us along our carefully selected routes, you’ll see many details that provide you with deeper insights into the countries you visit. Our experienced product managers specializing in Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East know your destinations, partner agencies, and accommodations inside out, enabling us to offer you personalized planning and individual support.

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Our Safaris

If you’ve traveled extensively and seen much of the world, there are only a few destinations left that offer something truly new and surprising. One such destination is Uganda. This small country is regarded as the pearl of East Africa, thanks in part to the warm hospitality of its people.

The country’s biodiversity rivals that of its larger, better-known neighbors like Tanzania and Kenya, and its elevated terrain keeps it perpetually green, with temperatures rarely exceeding 28°C. The best time to visit Uganda is from June to October.

It’s definitely an unforgettable experience to suddenly make eye contact with our close relatives, the mountain gorillas, in the rainforest. Approximately 50% of the world’s total population of these “gentle giants” still lives in Uganda. Encountering a gorilla family will deeply move you.

In addition to mountain gorillas, Uganda is also home to large chimpanzee populations, which can also be spotted during treks, for example in Kibale Forest.

Uganda and Rwanda Group Tour

This tour takes you along the footsteps of Dian Fossey for a mountain gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda. You’ll also encounter chimpanzees in Kibale National Park and the Nyungwe Forest. The warm heart of East Africa awaits you with breathtaking landscapes around Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Kivu.

The guide reads the tracks; the sleeping nests from last night point the way. Through the rainforest undergrowth, the path winds steeply uphill and then downhill. Suddenly, there it is—the magical moment: there he lies, right up close—the silverback. Patiently, he allows the youngest member of the group to play on his back while gazing at us with innocent, thoughtful brown eyes. A look that touches the heart deeply—he’s one of the last 700 surviving mountain gorillas in the world. Mountain gorilla trekking is the absolute highlight of this unique tour, but the other nature experiences and the breathtaking landscapes of these two countries in the green heart of Africa will also captivate you. Here, the East African savanna meets the West African rainforest; we’ve included all of Uganda’s natural wonders and Rwanda’s highlights in this comprehensive safari!
*When

The costs for gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking are already included!

Trip itinerary

Day 1: Departure from Germany

Day 2: Arrival in Entebbe

You’ll arrive in Entebbe at noon. Your tour guide will be waiting for you and take you to your hotel in Kampala. You can use the afternoon to recover from the tiring flight. (A)

Day 3: Rhinos and Murchison Falls National Park

Today, you’ll drive about 300 km north (6 hours). Along the way, you’ll embark on an exciting game drive at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary alongside a local ranger to search for the resident white rhinos. This sanctuary plays a vital role in efforts to reintroduce rhinos to Uganda, and you’ll learn fascinating facts about these massive creatures. Afterwards, you’ll continue on to the famous Murchison Falls National Park, where you can witness the sunset at the Murchison Falls. Here, the Victoria Nile plunges 43 meters downward through a gap just 7 meters wide with a thunderous roar. (F/M/A)

Day 4: Murchison Falls National Park

Today, you’ll spend the entire day in the park. In the morning, you’ll embark on an extensive game drive during which, with a bit of luck, you’ll spot elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, hyenas, and various antelope species. Leopards, lions, and chimpanzees also inhabit this area, though they’re quite rare. In the afternoon, you’ll continue your game viewing by boat on the Nile, where you can observe hippos, crocodiles, and numerous waterbirds. (F/M/A)

Day 5: Along the Albertine Rift

Today’s rather long journey (about 400 km, 8–9 hours) takes up most of the day, but it’s quite entertaining as you pass by tobacco plantations and rainforests, along Lake Albert, all the way to the foothills of the Ruwenzori Mountains, with several photo stops along the way. Your campsite is nestled in the middle of the rainforest; often, colobus monkeys come right up to the safari tents. (F/LB/A)

Day 6: Chimpanzees in Kibale National Park

This morning, you’ll set out with an English-speaking ranger in search of one of the habituated chimpanzee groups. Your chances of encountering some of the park’s 1,400 chimpanzees are very high—about 90%. Nowhere else has a greater variety of primate species, nor larger populations than in Kibale. Additionally, over 300 bird species, 140 butterfly species, and forest elephants call this place home. In the afternoon, you’ll explore the Bigodi Wetland Reserve, a vast swampy area offering excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. (F/M/A)

Day 7: Journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park

The journey along the Rwenzori Mountains covers about 130 km (2–3 hours) to reach Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park is beautifully situated between Lake Edward and Lake George, with the Rwenzori Mountains as a stunning backdrop. In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy an exciting game drive through the park. You have a good chance of spotting elephants, buffaloes, and perhaps even lions or leopards. (F/M/A)

Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Early this morning, you’ll embark on another extensive game drive through the northern part of the park. In the afternoon, you can look forward to a beautiful boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, where you’ll encounter the largest population of hippos in Africa and an incredible variety of bird species, including the rare shoebill, saddle-billed storks, pelicans, fish eagles, and kingfishers. (F/M/A)

Day 9: Tree-climbing lions in Ishasha

Today, you’ll embark on a safari to the southern part of the national park (about 3 hours) in the Ishasha region – a true hidden gem. You’ll encounter very few other tourists here. During an extensive afternoon safari drive, you’ll search for the tree-climbing lions that are famous for this area. (F/M/A)

Day 10: Ishasha and Lake Bunyonyi

Early in the morning, you’ll explore the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park on another safari drive.
Afterwards, you’ll travel through stunning landscapes to the picturesque Lake Bunyonyi (about 4 hours’ drive), one of the deepest crater lakes in Africa. Spend the rest of the day relaxing by the lake. (F/LB/A)

Take Off Moments

On day 10, you’ll get up close to the warm-hearted and hospitable people of Uganda. At Lake Bunyonyi, your guide will take you to visit a local family. If you’re invited to share a meal with them, remember to eat using your right hand, as is traditional. The cook will surely appreciate a compliment!

Day 11: Lake Bunyonyi and Rwanda

Today marks your farewell to Uganda. You’ll complete the border formalities and drive to Ruhengeri (about 5 hours away), located at the foot of the Virunga volcanoes in Rwanda—the starting point for gorilla trekking. (F/M/A)

Day 12: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Early in the morning, you’ll receive a detailed briefing from the park ranger, after which you’ll set off into the jungle with an English-speaking guide. Searching for gorillas in the dense and sometimes hard-to-navigate rainforest typically takes about 2–6 hours. The trackers start from the previous day’s location and look for signs and sleeping nests there. The chances of spotting them exceed 90%. Since permits are strictly limited, we reserve the right to split the group; in that case, part of the group may go gorilla trekking on the 14th day. (F/LB/A)

Day 13: Dian Fossey and Lake Kivu

During a roughly 5-hour hike along some unpaved paths, you will visit today the grave of American gorilla researcher Dian Fossey and the Karisoke Research Center. Buried beside her is her favorite silverback gorilla, named Digit. This excursion is quite demanding; alternatively, you can opt for a less strenuous walk during which you’ll search for golden monkeys. Afterward, head to Lake Kivu (about 1 hour). (F/A)

Day 14: Lake Kivu – Nyungwe National Park

After breakfast, you’ll drive along the lake to Nyungwe National Park (about 7 hours). Along the way, there will be several great opportunities for photo stops. Your destination, Nyungwe National Park, is considered the largest contiguous mountain forest in East and Central Africa. The area lies at elevations of 1,600–2,950 meters, and it can get quite cold at night. (F/M/A)

Day 15: Nyungwe National Park

Right after breakfast, you’ll head to the stunning montane cloud forest of Nyungwe, which is home to a wide variety of primates, mammals, birds, and an impressive botanical diversity, including over 100 orchid species. Here, you’ll join a primate trekking tour where you’ll learn fascinating details about the local ecosystem. With a bit of luck, you might encounter one of the large colobus monkey families that inhabit this area. In the afternoon, you can optionally take a trip across the canopy walkways (approx. 60 USD). From there, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the giant rainforest trees. (F/A)

Day 16: Butare, Nyanza, and Kigali

Today, you’ll visit Butare, Rwanda’s university town and intellectual and cultural hub. You’ll visit the National Museum and the impressive Nyanza royal palace. Your destination for the day is Kigali. You’ll stay at the historic “Hotel des Mille Collines,” the setting of the movie “Hotel Rwanda,” which tells the story of former hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina, who saved the lives of over 1,200 refugees during the 1994 genocide. (F/M/A)

Day 17: Kigali

In the morning, enjoy a city tour of Kigali, including a visit to the Gisozi Memorial Site with its comprehensive exhibition on the background of the Rwandan genocide. In the evening, a farewell dinner awaits you at the hotel before you’re taken to the airport around midnight. (F/A)

Day 18: Return flight to Germany

We reserve the right to make changes to flight schedules, hotels, and itineraries.

For all dates and prices of this trip, please visit our TAKEOFF Erlebnisreisen website .

Uganda Private Tour – Meeting a Silverback

At your desired time, you will embark on extensive private game drives in a roofed safari vehicle, as well as a boat tour along the Nile to the Murchison Falls. Experience chimpanzees at Kibale National Park, gorillas in the Bwindi rainforest, and tree lions at Queen Elizabeth National Park.

An individually tailored tour through the pearl of East Africa. Nature lovers and adventurers will find plenty to enjoy. Whether traveling in pairs or with family and friends (up to four people), you’ll experience Uganda’s natural wonders accompanied by your private, English-speaking driver-guide. During game drives in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Park, you’ll discover the wildlife of East Africa.

In the dense rainforests of Kibale Forest National Park, chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, and many other primates await you. The unforgettable highlight of this journey will be encountering the rare mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Watch as the silverback calmly chews on a bamboo stalk while playfully interacting with its baby, which frolics on its back. At the end of the trip, you can relax by the picturesque Lake Bunyonyi.

Itinerary

Attention: We’ve optimized the program for you. Since March 2014, the new Hoima Cultural Lodge has been available. This accommodation now makes it possible to break up the long journey between Murchison Falls and Kibale Park and make it more pleasant. We’ve incorporated this stop into our program.

Here’s the updated itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe

You’ll be met at Entebbe Airport by a driver and taken to your hotel in Kampala. Depending on your arrival time, you’ll have the afternoon to explore the area in more detail. (A)

Day 2: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park

Today, you’ll head to the famous Murchison Falls National Park, where you can witness the sunset at the Murchison Falls. The Victoria Nile plunges 43 meters into the depths over a width of just 7 meters with a thunderous roar. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where you can go on a guided game drive to get up close to rhinos (optional, €30). (F/M/A)

Day 3: Murchison Falls National Park

You’ll spend the entire day in the park today. In the morning, enjoy a thorough game drive during which you might spot elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, hyenas, and various antelope species—if you’re lucky. In the afternoon, take a boat ride on the Nile to observe hippos, crocodiles, and numerous waterbirds such as fish eagles, and perhaps even one of the rare shoebill storks. (F/A)

Day 4: Murchison Falls – Lake Albert – Hoima

You’ll travel along the Albertine Rift to the foothills of the Ruwenzori Mountains and reach Hoima (about 200 km). Along the way, you’ll stop in Butiaba on Lake Albert and have time for interesting photo stops. You’ll also pass by hot springs, and just a few kilometers away from the town of Hoima lie the Mparo Tombs, where the Banyoro kings Kabalega and his son Tito Wimyi were buried. Learn more about this ethnic group. (F/M/A)

Day 5: Hoima – Kibale National Park

After breakfast, head south toward Kibale National Park, home to many primates (about 200 km). After checking in at your lodge, explore the Bigodi Wetland Reserve in the afternoon—a vast swampy area that hosts countless bird species and various monkeys. (F/A)

Day 6: Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale and Queen Elizabeth National Park

This morning, you’ll hike through the rainforest in search of some of the 1,400 chimpanzees living in the park. Nowhere else has a higher primate density than here. High up in the tree canopy, the experienced ranger will spot the animals (duration: approx. 3 hours). Afterwards, you’ll drive about 130 km to Queen Elizabeth National Park, which was named in honor of Queen Elizabeth II during her visit in 1954. The park boasts diverse landscapes, ranging from open savannah and swamps to tropical rainforests, rivers, and lakes. In the afternoon, you’ll embark on your first game drive with your driver-guide. (F/M/A)

Day 7: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Get up early and set off on a safari. Herds of Uganda kobs will pass by you. In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a beautiful boat ride along the Kazinga Channel, which lies between Lake Edward to the west and Lake George to the east. It’s truly impressive to see the largest population of hippos in Africa, as well as an incredible variety of bird species, such as the rare shoebill, saddle-billed storks, pelicans, and kingfishers. (F/M/A)

Day 8: Tree-climbing lions in Ishasha

In the morning, you’ll embark on another game drive through the park. Optionally, you can go on a second chimpanzee trekking excursion in the scenic Kyambura Gorge (approx. € 50,-; please indicate this when booking). This 16km-long and 400m-wide gorge forms the eastern boundary of the park, bordering the Kyambura Game Reserve. In the afternoon, your journey continues to the southern part of the national park—the Ishasha region, a true hidden gem. The Ishasha sector is famous for its tree-climbing lions, which seek shade among the branches of fig trees. (F/M/A)

Day 09: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Located in the far southwest of Uganda, in the Rukiga Highlands, lies Bwindi Impenetrable National Park—home to the rare mountain gorillas. Approximately 50% of the global population of these animals resides here (around 320 individuals). You can look forward to tomorrow’s gorilla trekking experience. (F/A)

Day 10: Gorilla Trekking

In the morning, you’ll receive instructions from local rangers and be assigned to a group of up to 8 people. Then, your journey will take you deep into the rainforest. The trek can take several hours in parts, but once you reach these “gentle giants,” you’ll be rewarded for all your efforts with an hour spent in their presence. It’s an encounter you’ll never forget! (F/M/A)

Day 11: Lake Bunyonyi

Today, you’ll travel through stunning landscapes to the picturesque Lake Bunyonyi in the Kigezi Highlands—one of the deepest crater lakes in Africa. Spend the rest of the day relaxing by the lake. (F/A)

Day 12: Lake Bunyonyi

This morning, take a boat tour on Lake Bunyonyi using traditional boats and spot numerous bird species and otters. You’ll have free time in the afternoon. The lake is an ideal spot for birdwatchers. (F/A)

Day 13: Lake Mburo and Entebbe

It’s a long drive back to Entebbe. Along the way, you’ll make a stop for lunch at Lake Mburo. The green acacia forests surrounding the lake provide an ideal habitat for countless bird species and many animals, including the rare eland antelopes. (F/M)

Day 14: Individual return flight

Depending on your departure time, you can optionally take a trip today to Ngamba Island in Lake Victoria, home to chimpanzees (additional cost: €135 per person). This island serves as a sanctuary for animals rescued from illegal trade or who were injured. (F)

We reserve the right to make changes to hotels and itineraries.

Find all dates and prices for this tour on our TAKEOFF Erlebnisreisen website.

Customer testimonials

Excerpt from the review for trip UR2679, dated July 8–25, 2013

…the diverse landscapes, the friendly locals, and of course the must-see attractions made this safari an unforgettable experience for me. A touch of adventure was also perfectly in place. The overall itinerary couldn’t have been better. We would have loved a few more photo stops, and at times communication between the drivers and guides wasn’t ideal, (…) but despite these minor issues, what stands out for me are those truly unique experiences—hard to put into words—with the chimpanzees and gorillas, the varied landscapes full of contrasts, and the silence of the jungle, broken only by bird calls and animal noises. I was deeply moved and will never forget these moments. I hope and pray that these paradises are preserved.

Excerpt from the review of tour UR2678 from June 10 to June 27, 2013

Uganda and Rwanda are beautiful countries with incredible biodiversity and breathtaking landscapes. Both countries are well worth visiting.
When comparing different tour operators, we found Take Off’s overall package to be the best. Key highlights included the German-speaking guide on-site, the tree-climbing lions excursion in Ishasha, and the trip to Kigali instead of returning to Entebbe.
The long overland journeys on mostly poor roads were certainly tiring for some, but we thoroughly enjoyed them. Only in this way could we truly experience the local life and culture.

Excerpt from a customer’s review from September 2012:

We were truly thrilled with our safari experiences. We saw everything: the tree-climbing lions in Ishasha Park (others drove for 2 x 4 hours and saw nothing); in the Rhino Park, we got within just a few steps of a rhino mother and her baby; there were plenty of chimpanzees (though the trek through the gorge was quite exhausting); and, of course, the highlight was seeing gorillas. The silverback walked right between my husband and me—we had to move aside, but there wasn’t much space. It was an incredible experience. Shortly after, a female gorilla also passed by us on the narrow path, and the silverback led us to a clearing where the entire family was gathered—10 gorillas (with even more hidden in the bushes), just a few meters away from us. The hour flew by far too quickly, and the strenuous climb (which we had imagined to be much worse) turned out to be quite easy.

Forgot to mention it. Both countries were a completely new experience for us—an incredibly large population, settlements right outside the national park gates, lush dense greenery, numerous rivers and lakes, and thunderstorms almost every day (we were always lucky). (…) What truly moved us in Rwanda was confronting the genocide firsthand; it was extremely shocking to see all of it in reality rather than just through the media.