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Catch a glimpse of East Africas diverse landscapes while game-watching on the endless plains of the Masai Mara and Serengeti, Gorilla trekking in Ugandas mystical rainforests, and relaxing on the magnificent beaches on the Indian Ocean island of Zanzibar.
This tour includes Gorilla and Chimp Trekking. This is paid at the time of booking - please see supplements for pricing.
Day 1. Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park Highlights. Lake Nakuru, Kenya.
Starting our journey this morning in Nairobi, Kenya's capital city we head down into the Great Rift Valley and one of the many lakes that dot the landscape.Day 2. Lake Nakuru to Eldoret
Onwards through Kenya and crossing the equator for the first time on this tour to the western town of Eldoret located in lush hills amongst beautiful farmland.Day 3. Eldoret to Kampala, Uganda Highlights. Kampala, Uganda.
Leaving early this morning, we cross the border into Uganda and continue on through this lush mountainous country to the capital city, Kampala located on the shores of Lake Victoria.Day 4. Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park Highlights. Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda.
With an early morning departure from Kampala we continue on, crossing the equator again. Travelling through lush farmland we are sure to encounter some of the Ugandan Longhorn Cattle grazing around the roads. Reaching our camp on the outskirts of Queen Elizabeth National Park, we have the opportunity to relax. 3 images Queen Elizabeth National Park, UgandaDay 5. Queen Elizabeth National Park, Chimpanzee Trek Highlights. Chimpanzee Trek, Kyambura Gorge, Uganda.
Entering the park this morning we travel to the Kyamburua Gorge and our stepping off point for our trek. On the way we may be lucky enough to spot some of the many animal and bird species that are native to the park.Day 6. Queen Elizabeth National Park to Lake Bunyonyi Highlights. Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda.
Continuing south to the mountainous border region of Uganda we head towards the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi which translates to 'Place of many little birds' and the description is an accurate one! Reaching depths of up to 900m it is Africa's second deepest lake and we have the next couple of days in this area. 3 images Lake Bunyonyi, UgandaDay 7-8. Gorilla Trek Excursion Highlights. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. Mountain gorillas.
Our gorilla trek permit slots will determine the itinerary for the days at Lake Bunyoni. On the day of our trek we will leave early and make our way up into the mountainous jungle. It is hard going in thick undergrowth and we may have to trek for some hours to find the endangered mountain gorilla in it's natural habitat. The effort is more that worth it to spend time with these amazing and gentle creatures.Day 9. Lake Bunyonyi to Kampala Highlights. Equator. Kampala, Uganda.
Leaving early we are on the road again today, crossing the equator once more en route back to Kampala. 5 images EquatorDay 10. Kampala to Jinja
Travelling a relatively short distance today we arrive at Jinja, on the banks of Lake Victoria and the source of the Nile. The camp is in a lush setting on the grassy banks of the Nile.Day 11-12. Jinja Highlights. Jinja, Uganda.
We have two days staying in Jinja where we can make the most of the many different optional activities on offer or simply kick back, relax and reflect on the experiences so far. 5 images Jinja, UgandaDay 13. Jinja to Eldoret, Kenya
Today we make our way back to Kenya crossing the busy border and heading back to Eldoret.Day 14. Eldoret to Nairobi
Making one final crossing of the equator we continue on across the Great Rift Valley back to Nairobi where the first section of our tour finishes.Day 15. Nairobi
We have a free day to explore the vibrant and buzzing city of Nairobi. Our tour leader will be able to assist us organise the day but maybe visit one of the museums or animal orphanages in the city or possibly this evening take a trip out to the fantastic Nairobi National Park - the only one of its kind.Day 16. Nairobi to Maasai Mara National Reserve
From the truck into dedicated game drive vehicles we are accompanied by our professional Kenyan guides on our excursion to the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Crossing the Great Rift Valley we stop to take in the view as we drop down the escarpment before continuing to our camp on the border with the reserve.Day 17. Maasai Mara National Reserve Highlights. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.
Well known as one of the best safari reserves in Africa, the Masaai Mara is home to a number of mammals, reptiles and birds. We head out early this morning and begin our search for the predators seeking out their prey.Day 18. Maasai Mara National Reserve to Nairobi
Leaving the park and the wildlife behind for a few days our journey takes us back to Nairobi arriving in the late afternoon.Day 19. Nairobi to Arusha, Tanzania Highlights. Maasai Village Walk, Arusha, Tanzania. Meserani Snake Park, Tanzania.
Back onto the truck today as we travel down into Tanzania completing our border formalities at the Namanga border post before continuing onto Arusha, the town located midway between Cairo and Cape Town.Day 20. Arusha to Serengeti National Park Highlights. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
Leaving the truck in the camp we again switch onto 4x4 game viewing vehicles to visit the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. Our professional guides will give us a deep insight into this amazing region.Day 21. Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Crater
After a night listening to the wild sounds of the African bush, we head out for an early morning game drive to try and catch some great game viewing in the cool of the morning.Day 22. Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha Highlights. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.
Waking to the cool morning air we descend to the crater floor and enjoy the whole morning in this garden of eden. Most animals are found in the Ngorongoro Crater and we are normally rewarded with some fantastic sightings.Day 23. Arusha to Bagamoyo Highlights. Bagamoyo, Tanzania.
Leaving the maasai plains we make our way through the busy traffic in Arusha and as we track around Mount Kilimanjaro we might be lucky enough to see the snow capped peak through the clouds.Day 24. Bagamoyo to Dar es Salaam Highlights. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
We only have a relatively short distance to travel today, through the city of Dar es Salaam, the main port in Tanzania and a busy trading hub.Day 25. Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar Highlights. Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Leaving the mainland this morning and our truck we jump on the fast ferry across to the evocative island of Zanzibar. Our first port of call is Stone Town with traditional Zanzibari architecture, winding streets and bustling markets its an enlightening place to explore and enjoy! 7 images Stone Town, Zanzibar, TanzaniaDay 26-27. Stone Town to Kendwa Beach Highlights. Zanzibar, Northern Beaches, Tanzania.
Travelling north through the island today we possibly stopping on the way for a spice tour to learn about one of the trades that gave the island its 'Spice Island' name.Day 28. Kendwa to Dar es Salaam
Our final day on safari dawns and after a relaxing morning it is time to head down to Stone Town and then onwards on the ferry back to Dar es Salaam.Conveniently located on Nairobi's Harry Thuku Road and set in manicured gardens, this hotel offers a peaceful oasis in the centre of town. Walking distance to shops and craft markets. Rooms – single, twin, double en suite rooms with balcony and satellite TV. Facilities – restaurant, bar, swimming pool, internet, laundry. Transfers are available from the Airport by pre-arrangement
* Suggested pre and post tour accommodation can be booked together with your tour. Please enquire at the time of booking.
Suggested Post-Tour Accommodation. Kipepeo Beach Village, Dar es SalaamAn informal and secure thatched resort set on a golden stretch of beach on the south coast of Dar es Salaam and reached by ferry from the city centre. The relaxed restaurant is well-known for its seafood, and has tables set in the sand and hammocks strung up in the palm trees. Rooms – single, twin, double or family share bandas, some en suite, camping. Facilities – restaurant and bar. The Indian Ocean here is ideal for swimming.
* Suggested pre and post tour accommodation can be booked together with your tour. Please enquire at the time of booking.
Additional Info
PRE TOUR ACCOMMODATION:
This tour departs Nairobi early on day 1; we strongly recommend therefore that you plan to arrive at least the day before departure to overcome any jet-lag and to acclimatise to Africa. We would be happy to book pre-tour accommodation for you – please call or email us (or speak to your agent) with your arrival details and accommodation requirements. However please book early to avoid disappointment and the risk of having to find more expensive (or less convenient) lodgings.
If time allows, we also suggest planning a night or two extra (after your tour) to make the most of this part of Africa. Your Tour Leader can help with post tour accommodation if required and there are a variety of activities and excursions in the Zanzibar/Dar es Salaam area that you can arrange locally. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can pre-book your accommodation at the time of booking your tour.
ACTIVITIES & EXCURSIONS:
These are optional activities that are booked during your holiday and paid directly to the provider while on tour. These options offer a variety of experiences and allow you the freedom to decide what activities you would like to do.
GORILLA & CHIMPANZEE TREK:
Depending on the availability of the chimpanzee and gorilla permits the tour itinerary may vary in day to day running order which is based on the brochure itinerary. From time to time we may have to trek on different days. If at any chance our Gorilla trek should be in another neighbouring country, e.g. Rwanda (instead of Uganda) this may entail extra visa fees although we shall endeavour to advise you before departure of any significant changes to the tour itinerary. Please take the above itinerary as a guideline only. This applies to day 6-8 of this tour.
ACCOMMODATION:
We use 2-person dome tents with fly sheets, sewn-in groundsheets, zip-up insect screens and foam mattresses. We mainly use campsites, which usually have reasonable wash and shower facilities, electricity points and sometimes even a small shop, bar or swimming pool. In Maasai Mara we use multi shared tented camp with en-suite facilities. In the Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater there are basic facilities. On Zanzibar we use basic tourist class local hotels.
TRANSPORT:
24-seater, self-contained, custom-built safari truck with on-board tables, plug sockets, freezer, water tank, library, i-pod jack, safety features and 70-litre individual lockers, safari vehicle, 4x4 safari vehicle and fast ferry.
GAME PARK VISITS:
In order to maximise the quality of game driving and to comply with local authority rulings, some of our National Park visits and game viewing is carried out using services provided by local African ground handlers. As well as enhancing our experience using local guides and smaller vehicles it also allows us to contribute at a ‘grassroots’ level to local economies from which local people benefit.
TOUR STYLE:
This is a participation tour and your help will be needed in assisting with the various day to day duties, such as shopping, cooking and keeping the truck tidy (usually on a rota basis). But don’t worry it’s not all hard work and it’s a great way to meet the local people and get to know your fellow travellers. Your contribution benefits the success of the tour - most people find the greater their involvement, the greater their enjoyment of the whole trip.
Meals
27 Breakfasts, 23 Lunches, 21 Dinners
Accommodation
24 nights camping in 2-person dome tents, 3 nights tourist class hotel
Have you seen the movie Gladiator? If not, go and watch right now. Those who have seen in will be glad to know that Sahara is the location where the most prominent scenes of the movie were shot. You can start with capturing the velvet dunes and taking photos of the snake charmers and mighty camels proudly swaying as they carry bedouins on their back. Once in a province, you will get a chance to capture and even participate in the traditional tea ceremony as well as to see the locals playing gnawa music performed on goatskin drums. The beauty of the sunset in Sahara is just a cherry on the top of a cake you cannot miss out on.
