Uganda, Victoria Falls & Kruger: 46 Day Tour (Accommodated)

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

Boarding our Acacia vehicle, we depart Nairobi and descend into the ‘Great Rift Valley’, an enormous cleft in the Earth’s surface stretching from the Red Sea across Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Malawi to the lower Zambezi River valley in Mozambique. We stop at a lookout point to take in the magnificent views over the valley floor.

Our next stop is at Lake Nakuru National Park. The main feature of this relatively small park of 188 km2 is the shallow soda lake that attracts a huge variety of birdlife – especially flamingos (some 2 million can be viewed through migrational months) and it is home to buffalo, lion, rhino, leopard, warthog, baboon, antelope, and a variety of smaller animals. We enjoy an afternoon game drive making use of local guides and smaller safari vehicles.

3 images Lake Nakuru, Kenya

Day 2. Lake Nakuru National Park to Eldoret Highlights. Equator.

Today we travel north-west making our way across the Southern Hemisphere to the Northern Hemisphere over the Equator, enjoying some time here learning a little about its significance and taking photos. It's then on to Eldoret, the 5th largest city in Kenya and is the fastest growing with a population of approx 194,000.

3 images Equator

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

Travelling west, we leave Kenya and cross the border into Uganda with its lush vegetation and friendly people. We make our way to the country's capital Kampala, an attractive hilly city, bustling with roadside traders and markets where we spend the night.

3 images Kampala, Uganda

Day 4. Kampala to Chimpanzee Trekking Area

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 we have the opportunity to meet with some of the locals in the area, or simply relax for the remainder of the day.

Day 5. Kalinzu Forest or Kyambura Gorge Highlights. Chimpanzee Trek, Kalinzu Forest, Uganda.

After breakfast, we divide into our groups (some may trek later or the following day) and head to trek 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, Kalinzu Forest, Uganda

Day 6. Chimpanzee Trekking Area to Lake Bunyonyi Highlights. Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda.

Departing the lush valley we head further south to the high-lying Lake Bunyonyi - a pristine crater lake surrounded by terraced farms and local settlements.

Situated high in the mountains of South-Western Uganda, we have a few days at Bunyonyi to allow for gorilla trekking in the nearby Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and to relax and enjoy some of the local activities.

3 images Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda

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

Over the next few days, the group will be split, with one group trekking to the mountain gorillas while the others stay at Lake Bunyonyi to enjoy the many activities on offer. Alternatively, just relax, catch up on your travel diary or postcards to home, or grab a book and relax on the waters edge.

This region of Africa is home to the world’s remaining 700 free-roaming mountain gorillas, many of which inhabit the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. On the day of your trek, we gather in the early morning to meet our local guide and tracker. Walking in small groups of 8, we trek into the thick rainforest and mountainous terrain to view the gorillas. Your permit allows you one trek and gorilla viewing (time limited to one hour).

3 images Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

3 images Mountain gorillas

Day 9. Lake Bunyonyi to Kampala Highlights. Equator.

From Lake Bunyonyi we make our way back across the Equator (stopping for a photo if we have not done so previously) through lush pasture lands and the northern reaches of Lake Victoria (Africa’s largest lake) to Kampala where we will overnight. Kampala is a hotspot for great food and entertainment. If time allows, go out to enjoy the nightlife, try the local cuisines and enjoy the hospitality and friendliness of the local Ugandans.

3 images Equator

Day 10. Kampala to Jinja

We travel a short distance to the adventure capital of Uganda 'Jinja' - on the banks of Lake Victoria and the White Nile. It was in 1862 that the British explorer John Hanning Speke recognised Lake Victoria as the ‘source of the Nile’ which begins its 4132-mile course through Uganda, Sudan and eventually Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea.

Our accommodation for the next few nights is set in a tranquil setting near the water's edge. its here you can take part in one of the many optional activities on offer. Adrenaline lovers can head to the world-class rapids and try rafting - an exciting day out for those enjoying the thrill of ‘white-water’ or bungee jump over the moving river. Those seeking a more relaxing day can visit the local community or simply just relax.

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

The next two days we have free time in the area by taking the opportunity to make some difference to local children at a local school project: ‘Soft power’ - a locally run volunteer programme aimed at building and improving schools in the Jinja area. Other activities at Jinja include white water rafting, mountain biking, quad biking, village walks or visit the nearby town to sample the Ugandan cuisine.

3 images Jinja, Uganda

Day 13. Jinja to Eldoret, Kenya

Leaving Jinja, we retrace our steps across the border into Kenya and onwards to Eldoret, where we will stay for the evening. The name ‘Eldoret’ is based on the Masai word ‘Eldore’ meaning stony river, due to the stony bed of the nearby Sosiani River.

Day 14. Eldoret to Nairobi

Heading south, crossing the Equator again we travel to Nairobi where we spend the next two nights exploring the 'garden city'.

Day 15. Nairobi Highlights. Nairobi.

Today you are free to explore the city and surrounding area on the many optional excursions include catching a taxi into town to check out the shopping, markets, bars and restaurants; Visit the National Museum of Kenya, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Nursery, Giraffe Centre or check out the Karen Blixen Museum in the nearby town of Karen.

Alternatively, the day is yours to simply relax and enjoy some ‘downtime’ around the lodgings shaded garden.

It is here we prepare our 2 nights excursion for the Masaai Mara.

3 images Nairobi

Day 16. Nairobi to Maasai Mara National Reserve

Waking early, packed and ready, we depart the city descending the sweeping plains of the Great Rift Valley to Kenya's most famed Reserve 'Maasai Mara'. We travel in small specialised pop-top safari vehicles that enable us to have a more intimate view of wildlife. We spend two nights at a tented camp on the edge of the Reserve with time to explore the park on morning and afternoon game drives in search for Africa’s ‘Big Five’ (elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo and leopard) and an array of other wildlife.

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

The sweeping plains, distant horizons, low slung acacia trees, and plentiful wildlife will ensure an amazing day game driving. The ‘Mara’ is crossed every year between July and October by great herds of wildebeest, zebra and other grazing animals in their migration from the adjoining Serengeti plains to the south (in Tanzania). How long they stay is dependent on rainfall and subsequent grass growth in the rainy season. Predators (such as lion, cheetah, leopard) and scavengers (hyena, vultures) follow the grazing animals and this enormous congregation of wildlife forms a spectacular display of Africa’s natural resource.

3 images Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Day 18. Maasai Mara National Reserve to Nairobi

We leave the Mara this morning and retrace our steps across the Great Rift Valley to Nairobi where we overnight.

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

Departing Nairobi, we head south to Tanzania, crossing at the busy Namanga border. As we drive we pass the impressive Mount Meru towering over the Meru National Park outside Arusha. Our first stop in this country is Arusha situated mid-way between Cape Town and Cairo and very much Tanzania’s ‘safari capital’ - a bustling city with colourful markets and shops.

It's then off to our accommodation which is on the outskirts of the farms on the open plains to the west of the city. It is from here that we prepare for our two night/three days excursion to the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater.

This afternoon, if time allows, we enjoy a walk to one of the local Maasai villages for an insight into everyday life and traditions of this amazing culture.

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.

Packed and ready, we board our 4x4 safari vehicles and drive west across the Great Rift Valley, passing through Mto Wa Mbo (‘mosquito creek’).

We enter the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and drive the narrow paths around the ‘Crater’s rim and down onto the Serengeti plains. The vast plains of the Serengeti comprise of 1.5 million ha of savannah and famous for its annual migration when vast herds of herbivores (wildebeest, gazelles and zebras), followed by their predators travel to greener pastures, one of the most impressive natural events in the world!

We game drive through the afternoon to our designated (but unfenced) campsite for a night under canvas where lion, elephants and hyena roam nearby, for an unforgettable African wilderness experience.

3 images Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Day 21. Ngorongoro Crater

Rising with the sun, we drive out of the plains, game driving en-route to view the wildlife in this haven including leopard, lions, cheetahs, elephants, hippo and numerous antelope species. After lunch, we ascend the outer wall of the Ngorongoro Crater and spend the night camping on the rim. At 326 square kilometres, the Ngorongoro is Africa’s largest intact caldera and a World Heritage Site.

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

Waking early, we board our 4x4 vehicle with our eagle-eyed driver at the wheel and descend the steep dirt road into the crater for a morning of game driving in this spectacular wildlife haven.

All of the large mammals are present except giraffe (which cannot manage the steep slopes leading onto the Crater floor). With an abundance of wildlife in a relatively small area, the Ngorongoro Crater is a safari goers heaven.

After our game drive, we ascend to our campsite on the rim, pack up our camp before retracing our steps to Arusha and our accommodation at the Meserani Snake Park.

3 images Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

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

Today we travel south via Moshi and the Pare and Usambara Mountain ranges to Bagamoyo. If the weather is clear we may gain a view of the magnificent snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak (5895m).

The town of Bagamoyo is a home to world class Historical sites and one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites and founded at the end of the 18th. Our accommodation for the evening is situated close by to the palm-fringed Indian Ocean.

3 images Bagamoyo, Tanzania

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

It's now off to Dar es Salaam, the main port and hub of commerce and industry in Tanzania. This bustling hot, humid and seaport city of a mixture of modern and Arab-influenced architecture is the accessing point to one of the most important sea routes in the world and the port of entry to Zanzibar and other archipelago islands. We set up on the beach to the south of the city, take in the balmy Indian Ocean sea breeze, and prepare for our trip to Zanzibar.

3 images Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

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

After breakfast we grab our gear and take the ferry to Zanzibar. Our first stop is the capital - Stone Town. The largest town in the archipelago, it was a base of the great 19th century explorers such as John Hanning Speke, Richard Burton and David Livingstone.

Stone Town is best explored on foot: visit the bazaars and shop for maritime trinkets, fabrics and wooden carvings or visit ornate mosques, palaces and the maze-like alleyways of the old town. Spices are grown in plantations nearby and you can take a tour to visit to have your senses dazzled by the tastes and scents experienced.

3 images Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania

3 images Zanzibar, Tanzania

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

Over the next two days, it's off to the Northern Beaches to enjoy the Indian Ocean at its best. Try snorkelling and diving the pristine colourful reefs, indulge in some sumptuous seafood, or simply relax beneath a coconut palm with a cocktail and a good book.

The beach is also a great place to catch up with the locals who will pass by selling their wares, offering henna tattoos, traditional Zanzibarian clothing and inexpensive massages.

3 images Zanzibar, Northern Beaches, Tanzania

Day 28. Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam

Leaving the northern beaches behind, we transfer back to Stone Town for some last minute shopping before catching the ferry back to the mainland and onward to our accommodation just outside of the bustling city of Dar es Salaam.

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

Leaving the coast, we make our way inland through the Mikumi National Park, the 5th largest park at 3,230 km² where we may, with luck, spot some of the abundance of wildlife - elephants, giraffe, buffaloes, zebras, elands, greater Kudu feeding near the side of the road. Our accommodation is located a short stone’s throw from the park gates and we enjoy sundowners at the local bar/ restaurant followed by the evening around the open fire under the blanket of stars.

3 images Mikumi National Park, Tanzania

Day 30. Mikumi to Iringa

We continue our journey, rising to an altitude of 1600m in the Southern Highlands to the town of Iringa and the Kisolanza Farm. This picturesque farm is home to the Ghaui family for over 70 years and provides organic meat and vegetables to the surrounding markets as well as Dar es Salaam. The farm house is a well-known spot to stay and is the overnight near our mid-way point for our journey from the ocean to the Malawi.

Day 31. Iringa to Mbeya Region

Heading towards Malawi we make a stop at the tranquil Utengule Coffee Lodge nestled amidst the majestic Mbeya range in Southern Tanzania.

Enjoy breathtaking views of the East African Rift Valley, relax by the poolside or enjoy the various activities like squash, tennis, pool, table tennis, or volleyball. For those interested in coffee, an optional guided tour through the coffee plantation is available, including a roasting demonstration and a cup of home-grown coffee.

Day 32. Mbeya Region to Chitimba Beach Highlights. Lake Malawi, Malawi. Livingstonia Day Hike, Malawi.

After our last night in Tanzania, we head to the Songwe border post into Malawi.

Relax on the beach, take a leisurely village walk, visit the local craft market where you can enjoy learning the ins and outs of woodcarving your own souvenir, learn to play the game of Bao or shop for some souvenirs.

3 images Lake Malawi, Malawi

3 images Livingstonia Day Hike, Malawi

Day 33. Chitimba to Nkhotakota Region

Today we take a nice scenic drive through rubber plantations to Mzuzu - the capital of the northern region and the third largest town in Malawi - where we stop for a short while to grab supplies and check out the markets, before arriving to Ngala Beach Lodge.

Day 34. Nkhotakota Region Highlights. Lake Malawi, Malawi.

Today is a free day to enjoy some rest on the beach or enjoying the activities available here.

Diving the freshwater lake is a popular choice owing to the unusual and prolific tropical fish species found here. Animal lovers will enjoy a horse ride through the villages and even swimming on horseback after the ride.

3 images Lake Malawi, Malawi

Day 35. Nkhotakota Region to Petauke, Zambia

Saying our goodbye’s to ‘the Lake’, we drive through Nkhotakota Game Reserve towards the border where we cross into Zambia.

After completing the border formalities, we continue our journey to Petauke, a region known for agriculture, producing maize, cotton, sunflower, soya beans, and other crops.

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

Today we take the Great Eastern Road through rustic villages, wild mountainous terrain, across the Luangwa River to Lusaka, Zambia’s capital. With 1.7m inhabitants, this city is located on Zambia’s southern plateau at an elevation of 1300m with four main highways running north, south, east and west to different parts of Africa.

After a short stop in the city we make our way to our accommodation for the evening on a local farm on the outskirts of the city.

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

Journeying on, we travel south to Livingstone and settle into our accommodation at the Waterfront on the banks of the Zambezi River, just a few kilometres from the Victoria Falls, one of the world's natural wonders. At various times of the year, the spray from the ‘Falls’ can be seen from up to 20 or 30 kilometres away, hence the local name Mosi oa Tunya – the ‘smoke that thunders’.

The Lodge's travel desk provides information on all activities available in the area (typically these include rafting, canoeing, bungee, abseiling, gorge swinging, horse riding, scenic flights, river cruises), allowing you to plan your time accordingly over the next four nights.

This afternoon we head to the Falls themselves to see the magnificent cleft that the Zambezi River plummets into forming the Victoria Falls.

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

Day 38-40. Livingstone Highlights. Livingstone Activities, Zambia.

Over the next 3 days, explore Livingstone to the fullest! Partake in some of the activities on offer, visit the town and markets and sample the local cuisine at the many restaurants in the area or simply relax poolside at the Waterfront.

The perfect time to catch up on your social media and share your experiences before heading off to Zimbabwe and the last week of your African adventure.

3 images Livingstone Activities, Zambia

Day 41. Livingstone to Matobo, Zimbabwe Highlights. Bulawayo.

Departing Livingstone, we cross the border to Zimbabwe and pass through Victoria Falls town and head to Matobo. We stop in Bulawayo for supplies before heading to our campsite.

Day 42. Matobo National Park Highlights. Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe.

Rising early, we meet our local guides and board our open safari vehicle and drive to the Motobo National Park. This magnificent park occupies a total area of 44 500 hectares situated in the magnificent Matobo Hills, a range of domes, spires and balancing rock formations which have been hewn out of the solid granite plateau through millions of years of erosion. It is also home to the sites of numerous Bushman paintings. These are of great spiritual importance to the indigenous people here.

The reserve has the largest concentration of Black and White Rhino in Africa and, provided conditions are right, our guides will lead us on foot to some of the more concealed places in search of these magnificent animals. Other animals we may see on our adventure today are zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, kudu, sable antelope, leopard, hyena, cheetah, baboons and monkeys.

3 images Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe

Day 43. Bulawayo to Tshipise, South Africa Highlights. Tshipise, South Africa.

Heading south, we drive through Zimbabwe's mountain ranges to the busy border at Beitbridge. Completing formalities, we cross the Limpopo River -the second largest in South Africa and continue to Tshipise, a town situated in the northern Limpopo province. Our accommodation is located at the foot of one of Limpopo’s rolling koppies, home to hot springs and set adjacent the Honnet Nature Reserve.

3 images Tshipise, South Africa

Day 44. Tshipise to Hazyview Highlights. Shangaan Cultural Evening.

From Tshipise, we travel to Hazyview, a small modest town skirting southern Africa’s premier game reserve, the Kruger National Park.

At 24,000 sq km, this incredibly diverse park offers 148 mammal species including the ‘Big Five’ - elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard and lion and 505 species.

We spend two nights in the area, enjoying a Shangaan tribal dance and singing on our first night and take a full day game drive in the National Park itself to spot as many animals as possible the next day!

3 images Shangaan Cultural Evening

Day 45. Kruger National Park Highlights. Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Waking at sunrise, we meet our local guides, board our open 4x4 safari vehicles ready for our game drive in Kruger. With camera and binoculars at hand, we enthusiastically search for the roaming wildlife during the morning and afternoon. We take a well-deserved lunch break en-route before game driving out of the park to our accommodation for the night.

With a diverse landscape and variety of different habitats, Kruger is able to sustain an enormous variety of animal, reptile, plant and bird species.