East Africa Safari & Uganda Gorilla Trek: 28 Days (Camping)

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 where many lakes that dot the landscape.

Lake Nakuru in Lake Nakuru National Park is known for its pink fringe due to the vast numbers of flamingo's that make the lake their home. We have an afternoon game drive in a 4x4 game drive vehicle with a specialised guide.

3 images Lake Nakuru, Kenya

Day 2. Lake Nakuru to Eldoret

Onward through Kenya, we cross the equator for the first time on this tour, to the western town of Eldoret - located in lush hills among beautiful farmlands.

Our camp is located a short distance from the city.

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.

Our camp is conveniently located to explore the markets in town.

3 images Kampala, Uganda

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 farmlands, we are sure to encounter some of the Ugandan Longhorn Cattle grazing alongside the roads. Reaching our camp on the outskirts of Queen Elizabeth National Park, we have the opportunity to meet with some of the locals in the area, or simply relax for the remainder of the day.

3 images Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

Day 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.

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.

After the trek we have the rest of the day at leisure while some of our other group members enjoy the trek - visitor numbers per trek are limited and strictly regulated by the wildlife authorities.

3 images Chimpanzee Trek, Kyambura Gorge, Uganda

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' which is very accurate! Reaching depths of up to 900m, it is Africa's second deepest lake and we spend the next couple of days in this area.

3 images Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda

Day 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 than worth it to spend time with these amazing and gentle creatures.

While not trekking, there are a variety of different activities that we can enjoy in the area and our team on the ground will be able to make all the necessary arrangements.

3 images Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

3 images Mountain gorillas

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.

3 images Equator

3 images Kampala, Uganda

Day 10. Kampala to Jinja

Travelling a relatively short distance today, we arrive at Jinja, located on the banks of Lake Victoria (source of the Nile). Our camp is in a lush setting on the grassy banks of the Nile.

This afternoon, our team will take you through the various options that are available in this area and we might choose to visit a local school and volunteer project.

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 one could simply kick back, relax and reflect on the experiences so far.

3 images Jinja, Uganda

Day 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 and back to Nairobi where the first segment of our tour ends.

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 to structure the day - maybe visit one of the museums, animal orphanages in the city, or possibly take a trip out to the fantastic Nairobi National Park, the only one of its kind.

Day 16. Nairobi to Maasai Mara National Reserve

Changing from the Acacia vehicle 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 along the way to take in the view as we descend the escarpment - before continuing to our camp on the border of 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 Masai Mara is home to a number of mammal, reptile and bird species. We head out early this morning and begin our search of predators seeking out their prey.

Winding along the dirt tracks, we'll see amazing vista's and enjoy a day out in Africa's wilderness.

After an enjoyable day in the reserve, we return to our tented camp for a comfortable night.

3 images Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

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.

Tonight you'll have a last opportunity to enjoy the Kenyan hospitality before heading south to Tanzania in the morning.

Day 19. Nairobi to Arusha, Tanzania Highlights. Maasai Culture Village Walk, Arusha, Tanzania. Meserani Snake Park, Tanzania.

Back onto the Acacia vehicle today, as we travel down into Tanzania. Completing border formalities at the Namanga border post, we continue to Arusha, located mid-way between Cairo and Cape Town.

After visiting the local markets, we then continue to our camp a few kilometers out of town on the Maasai plains. If time allows this afternoon, we will visit a local Maasai village and also the museum at the camp.

3 images Maasai Culture Village Walk, Arusha, Tanzania

3 images Meserani Snake Park, Tanzania

Day 20. Arusha to Serengeti National Park Highlights. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.

Leaving the Acacia vehicle in the camp, we switch onto a 4x4 game viewing vehicle to visit the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. Our professional guides will give us a deep insight into this amazing region.

Stopping for lunch at the rim of the Ngorongoro crater, we take in the sweeping vistas before proceeding to an afternoon game drive through the Serengeti, en-route to our designated camp - deep in the park.

Along the way we see the savanna plains, granite rock-outcrops and iconic Acacia trees this wildlife reserve is so famous for.

3 images Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

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. Keep your eyes peeled as game viewing in the cool of the morning offers the best chance for predator spotting!

Eventually, we game drive out of the park, via the Naabi Hill Gate and continue on towards the Ngorongoro Crater and our camp on the crater rim for the night.

Day 22. Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha Highlights. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.

Waking in the cool morning air, we descend to the crater floor and enjoy the whole morning in this 'garden of Eden'. Most game species are found in the Ngorongoro Crater and we are normally rewarded with some fantastic sightings.

After lunch we slowly climb on and out of the crater and return to our camp on the Maasai plains outside Arusha.

3 images Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Day 23. Arusha to Bagamoyo Highlights. Bagamoyo, Tanzania.

Leaving the serene Maasai plains, we make our way through the busy streets of Arusha to the Mount Kilimanjaro area - we might be lucky enough to see the snow-capped peak through the clouds.

Our journey takes us on and down to the coast through sisal plantations with some beautiful mountainous countryside en-route.

Camp for the night is close to the shores of the warm Indian Ocean.

3 images Bagamoyo, Tanzania

Day 24. Bagamoyo to Dar es Salaam Highlights. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

We only have a relatively short distance to travel through the city of Dar es Salaam today - the main port in Tanzania and a busy trading hub.

Winding our way through the busy city we eventually arrive at our beach fronted camp.

3 images Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Day 25. Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar Highlights. Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Leaving the mainland and our Acacia vehicle this morning, 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 - it is an enlightening place to explore and enjoy!

3 images Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Day 26-27. Stone Town to Kendwa Beach Highlights. Zanzibar, Northern Beaches, Tanzania.

Travelling north through the island today and time permitting, we possibly stop for a spice tour to learn about one of the trades that gave the island its 'Spice Island' name.

The next few days are spent on the beach at leisure where we can either visit the local village, or maybe head out on a dhow safari, snorkelling and diving in the warm clear waters.

3 images Zanzibar, Northern Beaches, Tanzania

Day 28. Kendwa to Dar es Salaam

Our final day on safari dawns and after a relaxing morning, it is time to head back to Stone Town and then across to Dar es Salaam via the ferry.

On arrival we are met by the Acacia vehicle and transferred back to the camp on the beach where sadly, all good things must come to an end.