This accommodated adventure tour will take you to some of East Africa's best national parks to see its most incredible wildlife. Trekking for chimpanzees and gorillas in Uganda then across the Equator searching for the 'big 5' in Maasai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
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.
Departing early we leave Nairobi behind, descending into the great rift valley to Lake Nakuru National Park - famed for its variety of bird life, especially the large flamingo population. Rhino, antelope, baboon, warthog, leopard, buffalo and lion also call this park their home and can be spotted here on our afternoon game drive.Day 2. Lake Nakuru to Eldoret
Leaving Nakuru, we make our way northwest to the town of Eldoret, crossing over the equator from the Southern- to Northern Hemisphere. Eldoret is Kenya's fifth largest town, with a population of around 194,000.Day 3. Eldoret to Kampala, Uganda Highlights. Kampala, Uganda.
Today we leave Kenya and cross the border into Uganda - making our way to the capital, Kampala.Day 4. Kampala - Chimpanzee Trekking Area
From Kampala, we travel west crossing the Equator again, through fertile green terraced hillsides, lush banana plantations, steep mountains, and tangled forests. From the Acacia vehicle we should see herds of Ankole cattle with their incredible long curving horns roaming the roads and paddocks.Day 5. Kalinzu Forest or Kyambura Gorge Highlights. Chimpanzee Trek, Kalinzu Forest, Uganda.
Trekking through the forest we will usually encounter the chimpanzees playing in the canopy, however they do regularly come down to forage on the forest floor.Day 6. Chimpanzee Trekking Area - Lake Bunyonyi Highlights. Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda.
Today we travel to Lake Bunyonyi, Africa's second deepest lake with depths of nearly 900m in parts. The lake has 29 islands that can be visited by local boats and will be our base for the next couple of nights whilst we trek the nearby forests in search of gorillas.Day 7-8. Lake Bunyonyi or Gorilla trek Highlights. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda.
Our gorilla trek permit slots will determine the itinerary for the days at Lake Bunyonyi. 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 its natural habitat. The effort is more than worth it to spend time with these amazing and gentle creatures.Day 9. Lake Bunyonyi to Kampala
Today we leave the lake area and make our way back over the Equator to the capital Kampala for the night.Day 10. Kampala to Jinja Highlights. Jinja, Uganda.
We leave Kampala and make the short trip to the town of Jinja on the banks of Lake Victoria and the Nile river. We spend the next three nights here where we can relax or enjoy many different optional activities.Day 11-12. Jinja
These days are free for you to either relax or enjoy the many optional activities available in the area - such as bungee jumping, quad biking, white water rafting, community school project, Nile cruise and many more.Day 13. Jinja to Eldoret, Kenya
Departing Jinja, we cross back over the border into Kenya where we spend the night in Eldoret.Day 14. Eldoret to Nairobi
Leaving Eldoret, we cross over the Equator south to Nairobi where we spend the next two nights.Day 15. Nairobi
The day is yours to go and explore this incredible city. Visit the local shops, markets, bars and restaurants, national museum, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Nursery, giraffe centre, or Nairobi National Park.Day 16. Nairobi to Maasai Mara National Reserve
Leaving Nairobi early, we travel across the Great Rift Valley to the Maasai Mara National Reserve where we will spend the next two nights.Day 17. Maasai Mara National Reserve Highlights. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.
Waking to the sounds of the wilderness, we have an early breakfast and then head out in search of the famed wildlife of the Maasai Mara. Along the way, we may catch a glimpse of the local Maasai herdsmen as they steer their cattle to the greener pastures on the fringe of the reserve.Day 18. Maasai Mara National Reserve to Nairobi Highlights. Nairobi.
We bid our farewell to the Maasai lands and make our way back along the Rift Valley to Nairobi. This is our last night in Kenya and we may head out to explore the nightlife, or enjoy an evening at camp telling our wonderful safari tales around the fire.Day 19. Nairobi to Arusha Highlights. Maasai Culture Village Walk, Arusha, Tanzania.
We leave Kenya today and make our way into Tanzania via the Namanga frontier. We travel to Arusha, a city situated exactly mid-way between Cairo and Cape Town.Day 20. Arusha to Serengeti National Park Highlights. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
This morning we meet our local expert guides and transfer to safari vehicles, which we will use for the next few days, exploring the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.Day 21. Ngorongoro Crater
Another early morning greets us as we hear the roars and grunts of the wilderness as we wake. We head out again seeking the predators that have been active last night.Day 22. Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha Highlights. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.
Today we make our way onto the Crater floor for a morning of game driving. Most of the large mammal species are found here - apart from giraffe that cannot manage the steep slopes leading to the Crater floor.Day 23. Arusha to Bagamoyo Highlights. Bagamoyo, Tanzania.
Transferring back onto our Acacia vehicle, we leave Arusha travelling south to Bagamoyo. En-route we journey past the town of Moshi and with a little luck and clear weather, will get to see the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro - the highest peak in Africa.Day 24. Bagamoyo to Dar es Salaam Highlights. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Travelling further south, we make our way via the busy coastal road to Dar es Salaam - Tanzania's main port city.Day 25. Dar es Salaam to Stone Town, Zanzibar Highlights. Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania.
We board the busy fast ferry and cross the channel to the beautiful island of Zanzibar. Arriving around midday, we have the afternoon at leisure to either relax, or to seek out our own adventures.Day 26-27. Zanzibar Island, Stone Town - Nungwi Highlights. Zanzibar, Northern Beaches, Tanzania.
This morning there is an opportunity to visit one of the local fruit and spice farms on a guided tour. Learn how the island came to be a major player in the spice trade and sample some of the delicious fresh tropical fruits grown here.Day 28. Zanzibar Island, Nungwi - Dar es Salaam
This morning we have the time to go for one last swim or do some last minute shopping before we catch the ferry back to Dar es Salaam on the African mainland where our tour ends.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.
An 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
Meals
27 Breakfasts, 22 Lunches, 22 Dinners
Accommodation
23 nights twin share accommodation, 2 nights tented camp with en-suite facilities, 2 nights bush camping at Serengeti/Ngorongoro (equipment supplied).
Every adventure tour has an Adventure Pass which is paid to your tour leader in Africa at the beginning of the tour (or pre-paid by arrangement prior to your tour). This is separate and in addition to the Tour Price, and covers selected park entries, activities and excursions along the way where payment goes directly to the supplier to ensure local suppliers benefit directly from the income.
* This pass is a compulsory add-on for this tour.