Zanzibar, Tanzania, Kenya & Uganda Wildlife and Gorillas…

This is an unforgettable tour combining two highly popular trips allowing you to experience the ever changing faces of Africa that will leave you wanting more.

From the island paradise beaches of Zanzibar surrounded by warm tropical waters to 5 star gorilla viewing in the rain forests where you come face to face with these gentle primates in their natural surroundings.

Uncover the exotic secrets of Zanzibar the ‘Spice Island', and go in search of Africa's "Big 5" in the National Parks on Tanzania and Kenya.

The memory of the Gorilla Trek and observing them as they roam and feed in their ever-diminishing habitat will remain with you forever, your trek will contribute to the ongoing battle to help the gorillas survive in there ever diminishing habitat.

This journey ends back in Kenya's colourful capital Nairobi where you can re-accustom yourself to civilization again by visiting the markets and becoming a part of the hustle and bustle of every day African Life.

DAY 1 - From Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar Archipelago (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 2 and 3 - On Zanzibar Island (No Meals)

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 4 - From Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (Dinner)

Leaving Zanzibar, we return to Tanzanian shores and spend the night in Dar es Salaam town.

DAY 5 - From Dar es Salaam to Arusha, Tanzania (Breakfast / Lunch/ Dinner)

From Dar es Salaam we pass through expansive sisal plantations reaching Arusha.  We pass The Pare and Usambara Mountain ranges before driving through Moshi town.  Moshi is a great place from which to catch a glimpse and photo of the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro on a clear enough day. The town of Moshi forms the base for climbing expeditions up Mount Kilimanjaro slopes to its snowy summit. The night is spent camping in scenic Meserani on the outskirts of Arusha. We then have the option of taking an excursion to the Serengeti and legendary Ngorongoro Crater.

DAYS 6 to 8 - Arusha / Ngorongoro Crater (optional) / Serengeti Trip (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 9 - From Arusha to Namanga, Kenya

(Breakfast / Lunch/ Dinner)
The morning is set aside for exploring the city centre of Arusha with its bustling and vibrant craft markets. For lunch we head just out of town and after that we travel 120 km to reach the Tanzanian border with Kenya. We camp at Namanga on the Kenyan side of the border after completing the formalities.

DAY 10:  Namanga to Nairobi, Kenya (Breakfast)

Still heading north this morning we travel 180 km to the capital city of Kenya, Nairobi.  Upon arrival, some passengers leave the group at the Hotel Boulevard, while the rest of us move on to our campsite for the night.

DAY 11 - From Nairobi to the Masai Mara, Kenya (Lunch / Dinner)

Next morning we collect the new passengers, joining us on the last part of our safari trip. 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 12 - 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 13 - 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 14 - 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 15 and DAY 16 - From Kampala to Kisoro, (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 17 - 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 18 - 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 19 - 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 20 - 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 21 - 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 22 - 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 23 - 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 24 - In Lake Naivasha to Nairobi, Kenya (Breakfast)

On the last day, after sharing breakfast we head back to Nairobi, meeting in the early afternoon at Hotel Boulevard.  We exchange contact details and bid farewell to the friends and travel companions who shared the safari trip of a lifetime taking with us the precious memories!

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