Uganda Gorilla Safaris to Victoria Falls: 35 Day Tour (Camping)

Day 1. Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park Highlights. Great Rift Valley. Lake Nakuru, Kenya.

After an early morning departure from Kenya's capital city, Nairobi we take in the magnificent views of the Great Rift Valley as we drop down the steep escarpments to the valley floor. Our destination is one of the shallow soda lakes that dot the region, Nakuru.

Transferring into a specialised safari vehicle with a local guide we spend the afternoon game driving in the national park.

3 images Great Rift Valley

3 images Lake Nakuru, Kenya

Day 2. Lake Nakuru to Eldoret

Onwards and upwards today, crossing the Equator and heading up the other side of the Great Rift Valley our journey takes us to the 5th largest town in Kenya, Eldoret. The lush farmland setting makes it an ideal spot for grain, dairy and horticultural farms which dominate the area.

Day 3. Eldoret to Kampala, Uganda Highlights. Kampala, Uganda.

First border crossing today of the five on the tour as we continue our journey westwards and into Uganda and on to the hilly capital of Kampala.

The busy city is known for its markets, roadside traders and matatu stands.

3 images Kampala, Uganda

Day 4. Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park Area Highlights. Equator.

It's a dawn departure this morning as we leave Kampala while the city is gearing up for the day. Our journey takes us back across the Equator and on through fertile terraced hillsides, lush banana plantations and tangled forests to our destination for this evening on the outskirts of the Queen Elizabeth National Park.

3 images Equator

Day 5. Queen Elizabeth National Park Highlights. Chimpanzee Trek, Kyambura Gorge, Uganda. Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda.

Entering the National Park this morning we drive through the park to the Kyambura Gorge to trek to man's closest relative in the wild, the Chimpanzee. We have a few hours in the forest spotting these amazing animals, group sizes are limited by the authorities and as such our trek times might alter the itinerary.

See the lush forest and keep your eyes peeled for the magnificent bird life and other animals that can be seen in the forest here.

3 images Chimpanzee Trek, Kyambura Gorge, Uganda

3 images Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

Day 6. Queen Elizabeth National Park to Lake Bunyonyi

Surrounded by lush hills, Lake Bunyonyi is the second deepest lake in Africa with depths of up to 900m and this is our destination for the next few days. An amazing spot to relax and unwind.

Over the next few days we have the chance to trek to the endangered Mountain Gorilla, as with the Chimpanzee trek, permits are limited each day so availability of permits determines the itinerary.

Day 7-8. Lake Bunyonyi or Gorilla trek Highlights. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda. Mountain gorillas.

On one of the next two days, we will trek into the surrounding mountains in search of the Mountain Gorilla. The trek can be strenuous, however, the reward more than makes up for the effort when we come face to face with these near relatives.

When not trekking, there are a plethora of activities available at Lake Bunyonyi including village walks to see the local culture, boat trips on the lake and day trips to explore the surrounds.

3 images Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

3 images Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda

3 images Mountain gorillas

Day 9. Lake Bunyonyi to Kampala Highlights. Kampala, Uganda.

Leaving Lake Bunyonyi behind, our journey takes us back across the Equator today and back into Kampala where we will hopefully get the chance to sample some of the local cuisine and nightlife

3 images Kampala, Uganda

Day 10. Kampala to Jinja

Onwards from the hustle and bustle of Kampala to the shore of Africa's largest lake - Lake Victoria. Our camp is located on the banks of the mighty River Nile with fantastic views out over the water. Relax in the pool with a cool drink, head out to explore the local villages or seek adventure river rafting the grade 5 rapids!

Day 11-12. Jinja Highlights. Jinja, Uganda.

We have two days in Jinja to enjoy a variety of different optional activities. Here you can white water raft the rapids on the Nile, Quad Bike or Mountain bike through the local villages or have a day helping out at a volunteer project at a local school. Simply do as much or as little as you would like.

3 images Jinja, Uganda

Day 13. Jinja to Eldoret, Kenya

Leaving Uganda, the 'Pearl of Africa', behind and re-entering Kenya we retrace our steps back to our camp in Eldoret.

Day 14. Eldoret to Nairobi

Making the fourth and final crossing of the Equator today we are back into the Southern Hemisphere and Kenya's capital city, Nairobi and our camp in one of the pleasant suburbs.

We might go and celebrate the first section of this tour at one of the local restaurants.

Day 15. Nairobi

We have a free day today to explore this vibrant city and the variety of what is on offer may surprise you. Check out the museums, visit an animal orphanage or sanctuary or simply take some downtime in preparation for the next leg of the journey.

Day 16. Nairobi to Maasai Mara National Reserve

Crossing a different section of the Great Rift Valley we pause to take in the views of the sweeping vistas as our journey takes us, in specialised game viewing vehicles to the edge of this world famous reserve.

Our tented camp a mere stone's throw from the reserve is an ideal base from which to explore this magnificent reserve in the hope to spot the Big 5.

Day 17. Maasai Mara National Reserve Highlights. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.

We enjoy a full day game driving with our specialised guides today. Offering excellent year round game viewing we are sure to be rewarded by some excellent sightings. If we are visiting between July and October we may be fortunate enough to witness one of natures spectacles as the wildebeest and other grazing animals cross the Mara River on their annual migration. Timing of this all comes down to the rains and the fresh grazing.

3 images Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Day 18. Maasai Mara National Reserve to Nairobi

Leaving the plains and Acacia trees of the Mara behind we return to Nairobi where we are reunited with our adventure vehicle and have a final night in Nairobi prior to continuing our southbound journey tomorrow.

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

And so the safari continues, south from Nairobi we cross into neighbouring Tanzania at the Namanga border crossing and once we have received the relevant stamps in our passports it's onwards to Tanzania's 'safari capital' Arusha.

Picking up supplies we continue onwards to our camp a short distance out of town on the open plains where time should allow us to visit a local Maasai village and experience the day to day life of these colourful and proud people.

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.

Today we meet up with the local specialised guides in the 4x4 game viewing vehicles and we are off on Safari again. This time we are off to the endless sea of grass that is the Serengeti National Park which borders the Maasai Mara National Reserve to the north where we have been a few days earlier.

Entering the park in the early afternoon we continue to our designated yet unfenced camp deep in the park, game driving on the way.

3 images Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Day 21. Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Crater

Our morning is spent exploring the tracks and rock kopjes in search of some amazing game. Our experienced guides are in the park on a regular basis and know exactly where to go for the best game viewing.

After an amazing morning game driving we travel through the conservation area to the neighbouring Ngorongoro Crater. Our camp, on the 2,400m rim of the crater is one of the more scenic spots with stunning views down to the crater floor some 600m below.

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

Wrapping up against the early morning chill and seeing the sun rise over the crater rim we climb back into our vehicles and descend the steep roadway down to the crater floor where we have the whole morning game driving in this wildlife haven. Home to a plethora of animals and bird life its an unforgettable morning.

Climbing back out of the crater our journey takes us back to Arusha where we say farewell to our wildlife guides.

3 images Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

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

We are off early this morning with the warm waters of the Indian Ocean being our destination. Travelling via Moshi, we hope to catch a glimpse of the snow capped roof of Africa, Mt Kilimanjaro towering above us at 5895m. Dropping steadily down to sea level through sisal plantations we eventually reach the old trading port of Bagamoyo and our camp, close to the palm fringed Indian Ocean beaches.

3 images Bagamoyo, Tanzania

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

Southbound along the coast we slowly make our way through the busy sea port of Dar es Salaam. It's a hot, humid and colourful city and the jumping off point for the neighbouring spice island of Zanzibar.

Our camp for the night catches the balmy Indian Ocean breezes where you will be lulled to sleep by the sounds of the waves lapping the shore.

3 images Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

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

Leaving the mainland behind we take the morning fast ferry across to Stone Town from where we are able to explore the exotic and evocative island of Zanzibar.

Our first night is in the buzzing Stone Town where we explore the alley ways, bazaars and markets of this historic port.

3 images Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania

3 images Zanzibar, Tanzania

Day 26-27. Zanzibar Beaches Highlights. Zanzibar, Northern Beaches, Tanzania.

From the vibrant town we travel north to the idyllic white sandy palm fringed beaches. Maybe take in a spice and slave tour or snorkel and dive in the azure waters that surround the island.

We have two nights on the northern beaches to kick back and relax.

3 images Zanzibar, Northern Beaches, Tanzania

Day 28. Kendwa, Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Travelling back down the beautiful spice island, we take an afternoon fast ferry back to the mainland and back to our beach front camp.

Day 29. Dar es Salaam to Mikumi Highlights. Mikumi National Park, Tanzania.

Leaving the Indian Ocean coastline behind our day takes us southwest and to our camp just outside the Mikumi National Park where there may be the opportunity to enjoy a game drive in the park before enjoying dinner around the fire under a blanket of stars.

3 images Mikumi National Park, Tanzania

Day 30. Mikumi to Iringa

Ascending steadily, the road takes us up into the Southern Highlands of Tanzania into a lush farming region which supplies both local markets and those further afield in Dar es Salaam.

Our home for the night is a comfortable organic farm which has been in the same family for over 70 years and their hospitality is well renowned. Make sure you check out the chocolate brownies in the warm cosy bar.

Nights can be cool here which make for a welcome change from the heat and humidity of the coast and Zanzibar.

Day 31. Iringa to Chitimba Beach, Malawi Highlights. Chitimba Beach.

Enjoying the last of the Tanzanian hospitality, our journey takes us from the Southern Highlands of Tanzania and onwards down, via tea plantations to the Songwe River and the bridge that marks the frontier with Malawi.

Completing the formalities we continue on towards the sparkling water of the lake that dominates the country. Sometimes called the 'Calendar Lake' from its length, 365 Miles, Width, 52 Miles and number of major rivers that flow into it, 12.

Home tonight is the attractive camp at Chitimba Beach at the foot of the Livingstonia Plateau.

3 images Chitimba Beach

Day 32. Chitimba Beach Highlights. Livingstonia Day Hike, Malawi.

We have the whole day free and its a perfect opportunity to stretch the legs again and take a hike up the Livingstonia Plateau up the 11kms to the Manchewe Falls.

The surrounding area gets its name from explorer David Livingstone who spent some time working in the Livingstonia Mission in the area.

3 images Livingstonia Day Hike, Malawi

Day 33. Chitimba Beach to Kande Beach

Continuing south along the inviting waters of Lake Malawi we stop briefly at the vibrant market town of Muzuzu which is also the regional capital.

Stocking up on a variety of supplies in the town will give us ample opportunity to explore before heading down through rubber plantations to our next beach resort, Kande, which is home for the next two nights.

Day 34. Kande Beach Highlights. Kande Beach Activities, Malawi.

Kande is the perfect lakeside location to enjoy a variety of different activities from. Both land based as well as water based activities are available here and we will also have the opportunity to visit the local school and village to get a taste of real Malawian life.

It is also a fantastic spot to simply relax, catch some rays and get engrossed in a good read.

3 images Kande Beach Activities, Malawi

Day 35. Kande Beach to Chipata, Zambia

Prior to entering our fifth and final country on the tour today, Zambia, our journey takes us inland from the lakeshore passing to the north of the capital city, Lilongwe, before we reach the border with Zambia.

After completing formalities we continue on the short distance to our camp in the vibrant market town which is capital of the eastern province of Zambia.

Day 36. Chipata to Lusaka Highlights. Lusaka, Zambia.

We have a long day on the road today, covering the miles towards Zambia's capital, Lusaka. Our journey takes us through many small villages and communities.

Our camp for the night is a short distance out of the city.

Day 37. Lusaka to Livingstone Highlights. Victoria Falls - Mosi oa Tunya National Park, Zambia.

From the capital city to the adventure capital of southern Africa, Livingstone.

From our camp on the banks of the Zambezi river you can see the 'smoke' from the Victoria Falls themselves that give them their local name; Mosi oa Tunya or The Smoke that Thunders.

Exploring the paths around the falls themselves gives you an amazing perspective of this wondrous sight.

3 images Victoria Falls - Mosi oa Tunya National Park, Zambia

Day 38-39. Livingstone Highlights. Livingstone Activities, Zambia.

Our final two days of the tour are at leisure in Livingstone and between our experienced guides on the Acacia tour and the team at our camp on the river bank we will be sure to tick off a few items off the bucket list. Maybe it's the 111m bungee jump, or the Grade 5 rapids with names like 'Overland Truck Eater'. Whatever choices are made, the days will be action packed and fun filled.

Sadly, the safari must come to an end and thoughts turn to the trip home, or perhaps extending and continuing the journey south.