Gorillas, Wildlife & Zanzibar Overland Camping Safari

A fantastic 24 day Safari of East Africa. Your tour starts of in Nairobi, Kenya where you head to Kenya's best known park - The Masai Mara. Home to Africa's "Big 5" and the Wildebeest Migration. From the Masai Mara it's off to Uganda where you will have the opportunity to trek the Mountain Gorilla and come face to face with these magnificent primates.

Its then off to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater for some further fantastic wildlife experiences.

The tour ends of with a visit to the white sand beaches on the Island of Zanzibar with its rich cultural history. A truly amazing East African Experience.

DAY 1 - From Nairobi to the Masai Mara, Kenya (Lunch / Dinner)

 Leaving the bustling streets of Nairobi behind us we climb the quiet slopes of the escarpment.  Our first stop overlooks the splendid Great Rift Valley.  We descend into the Rift Valley, entering Masai territory. In the past the Masai, habitually pastoralists, often tended their cattle in this area.  We pass through Narok, before arriving at Acacia Camp, outside of town. Acacia Camp looks over the Meguarra hills and the meandering stream that is a natural border to the Masai Mara National Reserve.

DAY 2 - The Masai Mara, Kenya (Breakfast / Lunch/ Dinner)

On the road early we spend the day game driving through the natural wilderness of this African region of vast plains, gently rolling hills and abundant game. The Masai Mara offers an awesome wildlife experience difficult to compete with.  We look out for the Big 5 of Africa.  Between July and October, we may get to witness the Great Migration of massive herds of wildebeest, zebra and Thomson's gazelle reaching to numbers of over 2 million. At night we recollect our highlights from the annual migration or the game-viewing spectacle at the camp's fireside.

DAY 3 - From the Masai Mara to Kisumu, Kenya (Breakfast / Lunch/ Dinner) 

The early morning sees us departing the Masai Mara, passing through the scenic tea plantations of Kericho before dipping off the Rift Valley Plateau. We head for Kenya's harbour town, Kisumu, located on the banks of Lake Victoria, the largest of Africa's lakes.  Here we stock up on supplies and rest up.

DAY 4 - From Kisumu to Kampala, Uganda  (Breakfast / Lunch/ Dinner)

We cross the border into Uganda where we overnight it the capital city, Kampala.  Uganda is a small country with landscapes of striking physical beauty.  The terrain varies from fertile green areas in the northern parts around the shores of Lake Victoria to Ruwenzori Mountains with their snow-capped peaks in the west.  Even the semi-desert region in the north is captivating to behold.  The political instability seen in Uganda over the past has inadvertently sheltered the country from the negative impacts of rampant commercialisation. The current administration under President Museveni has devoted considerable effort and funds to restoring Uganda to its former position as one of Africa's most prosperous and alluring destinations. Uganda's appeal for tourists lies in its being less affected by commercialisation than other African countries, making it an interesting and unique country to visit.

DAY 5 and DAY 6 - From Kampala to Kisoro, Uganda  (Breakfast / Lunch/ Dinner)      

Departing from Kampala early in the morning we drive westwards to our Ugandan base of Kisoro town.  

From Kisoro, set at the foot of the Mufumbiro hills, members of our safari group can choose to take a memorable Mountain Gorilla trek. For those who decide to take up this amazing opportunity, we trek into the Magahinga or Bwindi National Parks of Uganda, the Ruhengeri National Park in Rwanda or the Virunga National Park in the DRC, depending on the availability of trekking permits. The prices of trekking permits in the region change slightly over time and are subject to fluctuations without notice. The permits currently cost around 500 US$ depending on which area the trek takes place in. Over and above the permit fee is a local transport fee of between US$20 and US$25 per person. In addition to the trekking and transport fees we will have to purchase visas for entering the Congo or Rwanda to trek.  We will also have to renew Ugandan visas when re-entering the country. Please note the costs and budget accordingly.

The following are the Trekking Procedures that are to be followed:
The mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) are amongst our closest living relatives. Only about 700 mountain gorillas remain. Visiting these gentle primates in their natural habitat is a unique experience worth cherishing and certainly remembered forever.  On a daily basis the park rangers monitor the gorillas giving them a fairly good idea of where the gentle giants are.  They are however free roaming wild animals, which means that sightings are not always guaranteed. In the unlikely event of the gorillas completely eluding us, the authorities generally allow for a second trekking opportunity.  This is purely at the discretion of the authorities and subject to the availability of permits, and as such this will not be confirmed in writing.  

As a major supplier of gorilla trekkers to each park, we have a high success rate in obtaining gorilla permits and ensuring sightings.  Several rules and conditions apply for health and safety reasons. We leave camp in the early morning and after the necessary border formalities we are transferred to a ranger's station where the trek begins. The trek rangers lead you through the cultivated lands, into the dense rain forest and on to see a family of mountain gorillas. The Gorilla trek can take between 45 minutes and 8 hours. Trekking can be relatively strenuous, requiring a reasonable level of fitness.  In order to prevent the gorillas from catching diseases carried by people or becoming overly familiar with humans, the maximum time permitted with the gorillas is 1 hour.  This allows for ample time for viewing the gorillas' activities and taking photographs.  Rangers provide background information on the gorilla family being visited.  Once the hour is up, you trek back out of the rain forest back to your meeting point.

The animals are not being exploited as the increasing number of tourists trekking them plays an important role in their survival. Park authorities use 100% of the gorilla permit cost paid by tourists to finance patrols that are instrumental in protecting the gorillas. Money is used to protect these primates from poachers and the lethal snares they set and on promoting these precious animals.

DAY 7 - From Kisoro to Lake Bunyoni, Uganda (Breakfast / Lunch/ Dinner)

We drive through what is arguably some of the most picturesque scenery in Africa, arriving at Lake Bunyoni.  This is the deepest crater lake in Africa and Lake Bunyoni is home to a large number of various beautiful birds.

DAY 8 - At Lake Bunyoni, Uganda (Breakfast / Lunch/ Dinner)

Today is for resting and re-energising after being more or less on the go for 17 days. We spend the whole day taking in the beautiful Lake Bunyoni. Options for the restless and curious include visiting the local village or church, simply taking it easy, and canoeing or swimming in the tranquil Bunyoni. Yet more energetic amongst us can enjoy a hike in the surrounding hills.

DAY 9 - From Lake Bunyoni to Kampala, Uganda (Breakfast / Lunch/ Dinner)

After soaking up the serenity of Lake Bunyoni, we start driving back to Kampala.  We then cross the Equator for the second time on our safari and stop to capture the must-have "one foot in each hemisphere" classic photo.  We overnight in Kampala, possibly for a sample of the nightlife it has to offer.

DAY 10 - From Kampala to Jinja, Uganda (Breakfast / Lunch/ Dinner)

Today we have the option of visiting the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary or transferring to Jinja for activities. In Jinja the selection of adventure activities includes that of white water rafting at the source of the White Nile, quad biking or volunteering at a community project.  We then spend the afternoon relaxing on the river's banks spotting many of the wide variety of water birds found in this area.

DAY 11 - From Jinja to Nakuru, Kenya (Breakfast / Lunch/ Dinner)

With the ‘Pearl of Africa' behind us we return to Kenya. Back in Kenya we sleep over in one of the country's largest towns and the capital of the Rift Valley Province, Nakuru.

DAY 12 - In Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya (Breakfast / Lunch/ Dinner)

This morning we stock up on supplies in Nakuru Town before beginning our exploration of the Lake Nakuru National Park. This park is famous for the thousands of lesser and greater flamingos that flock to the edge of its soda lake. The flamingo numbers vary depending on the level of the water. This is a spectacular sight with the lake almost turning pink when the water is low. We spend the day looking for the frequently sighted black and white rhino. The park was established as a sanctuary for the resident rhino species. We also search for the more elusive leopard, seeing giraffe, buffalo, antelope varieties and occasionally hippos too. We spend the night at a bush camp inside the Lake Nakuru Park.

DAY 13 - From Lake Nakuru National Park to Lake Naivasha, Kenya (Breakfast / Lunch/ Dinner)

Heading further east, we reach the highest of the Rift Valley lakes, Lake Naivasha, at 1880 m. If time allows we spend the afternoon enjoying optional excursions. Excursion choices include visits to Elsamere (the former home to Joy & George Adamson of Born Free fame), a bike ride in Hell's Gate National Park or a boat ride to the Crescent Island Game Sanctuary. Our last night is spent on the banks of Lake Naivasha in a lovely campsite.

DAY 14 - In Lake Naivasha to Nairobi, Kenya (Breakfast)

After sharing breakfast we head back to Nairobi, meeting in the early afternoon at Hotel Boulevard.  We exchange contact details with clients ending their trip here before heading for our campsite for the night.

DAY 15: Nairobi to Arusha (Tanzania) (Lunch / Dinner)

This morning we collect the passengers who'll be joining us on the next leg of our trek. We travel south crossing the border into Tanzania at Namanga. Tonight we stay in a lovely campsite in Meserani on the outskirts of Arusha, before heading out on our Optional Excursions to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.

DAY 16 - 18: Arusha to Serengeti National Park (OPTIONAL) (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

The pleasant town of Arusha is located at the base of Mount Meru and serves as the starting point for the optional excursions to Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti. The excursions are run in locally operated 4WD vehicles that have been adapted for our African safari drives.

If you choose not to visit the Serengeti National Park or the Ngorongoro Crater various options are available to you. The town of Arusha lies nearby for those wishing to explore. You can also explore the Masai Cultural Museum, Meserani reptile park, or the surrounding villages and craft markets over the next 2 days.

The Optional Ngorongoro/Serengeti excursion goes to Karatu via the Masai town of Mtu Wa Mbu (Mosquito River) lying adjacent to Lake Manyara National Park. We journey up the Rift Valley Escarpment to Karatu, which is a higher lying village with spectacular views over the surrounding hills. Karatu has many well-established wheat farms adding to its idyllic scenery. After a pleasant night at the campsite in Karatu we depart early the following morning for the Ngorongoro Crater. We drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation area and deeper into the bush of the Ngorongoro Crater with its rich wildlife. The crater is a World Heritage Site boasting some of the best game viewing in Africa. Excellent game viewing opportunities include seeing the elusive Black Rhino.

We take a game drive in the Crater, and move on down the rim of the crater passing the ‘Cradle of Mankind' en route to the Serengeti National Park. We cross the open African plains on the game drive through the southern and central areas of the Serengeti park. We camp in the heart of the bushveld surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness at night. Next morning, we take a morning game drive and get to explore the surrounding landscape on the look out for game in the area. If we are lucky we get to see the famous ‘Big 5' (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion & leopard) of Africa on our game drive. After the morning drive, we retrace our steps crossing over the plains and across the lush Ngorongoro Crater rim. Back in Arusha we spend the evening recounting our thrilling tales of wildlife encounters on the plains. 

DAY 19: Arusha to Pangani (B / L / D)

After a morning spent exploring Arusha and its vibrant craft markets, we head south towards Dar es Salaam. On the way we drive through the town of Moshi. Moshi is the base for Mount Kilimanjaro climbing expeditions, and weather permitting; we may even catch a glimpse of this magical mountain's snowy summit - a photo opportunity not to be missed! We pass through vast sisal plantations surrounded by The Usambara and Pare Mountain ranges, before reaching our lovely campsite nestled between these mountains, midway between Arusha and Dar es Salaam.

DAY 20: Pangani to Dar es Salaam (B / L / D)

Today we continue on to Dar es Salaam. Travelling through lush scenery and palm trees, we near the warm Indian Ocean. On arrival in Dar es Salaam we make our way to our lovely seaside campsite and prepare for our departure to Zanzibar the next morning.

DAY 21: Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar (B)

From Dar es Salaam we take a ferry ride to the "Spice Island," where we have the choice of spending 3 nights. Zanzibar has a rich history being one of the major starting points for the bulk of explorations undertaken to discover new territories in East Africa. New passengers may join us, as some travel companions might opt to leave once we return fro the Zanzibar excursion.

KINDLY NOTE:  The Zanzibar accommodation and meals costs go onto your own account, as experience has shown that visitors prefer exploring the island unguided. Zanzibar hosts a wide selection of restaurants offering a variety of tasty meals. The Trip Leader joins you and can help with arranging accommodation.

DAYS 22 and 23 - On Zanzibar Island

Zanzibar has a lot to offer visitors, from quiet sightseeing to pleasant activities. The quiet streets of the old Stone Town of Zanzibar have retained traces of their Arabic history, from Medina-style shops to the impressive palaces that once belonged to powerful Sultans.

An excursion on one of the spice plantation is an interesting experience in Zanzibar, famous for its spices.  Things to do include a trip to the pristine beaches of Prison Island, home to giant tortoises. A full days outing of scuba diving in Nungwe is well worth it as is the experience of fishing in a traditional dhow.  

The various restaurants offer a fantastic variety of the fresh seafood straight from the ocean, with crayfish being a popular speciality. You can mingle with the locals enjoying dinner at the seafront market of Forodhani Gardens, where inexpensive yet delicious seafood is available.

DAY 24 - From Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Leaving Zanzibar, we return to Tanzanian shores where our trip ends.

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