After meeting our crew and fellow passengers, we head out early to catch our ferry to Zanzibar Island from Dar es Salaam. After arriving at the ferry port we make our way to our hotel located in Stone Town.

Included Highlight: Zanzibar Extension

Overnight: All Seasons Hotel

Boasting a rich history this busy port was once a landmark on both the Slave and Spice trade routes. This morning we will travel by road to the north of the island, Nungwi and our base for the next 2 nights. Before our arrival in Nungwi, we will stop along the way to enjoy a guided walking spice tour, which passes through villages and spice plantations. You will be able to witness first-hand how spice farm workers climb the trees and seek out specific plants and will have the opportunity to purchase fresh spices directly from these farms.

Optional Activity: Fishing, Snorkelling, Scuba Diving, Turtle Sanctuary Visit, Village Tours, and more

Included Highlight: Prison Island boat trip/ Walking Spice Tour

Overnight: Amaan Bungalows

Today is a free day to enjoy some of the many attractions and activities on offer. Water sports are the order of the day and Nungwi offers fishing, snorkelling, scuba diving and a variety of ocean safari options. Whatever it is you choose to do today, you will have ample opportunity to create some island memories. Rent a scooter and explore the many attractions on offer or simply relax on the beach and soak up the sun.  

Overnight: Amaan Bungalows

We bid farewell to the island and board our return ferry, on arrival back at the Dar es Salaam port, we reunite with our truck and return to Bagamoyo where we spend the night. 

Overnight: Bagamoyo Travellers Lodge

Heading north this morning we travel across the northern reaches of Tanzania, our destination tonight is the bustling town of Arusha. Northern Tanzania is home to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Kilimanjaro. You will be briefed this evening by our local guide on what to prepare for the coming days.

Overnight: Meru Mbega Lodge

Although it is short distance to Karatu, we will spend most of the day commuting closer to the Ngorongoro Crater. Upon arrival in Karatu, our guide will brief us on our overnight excursion into the crater.

Optional Activities: Local Brewery Tour, Karatu Iraqw Market, local coffee plantation tour

Overnight: Kudu Camp

We rise early and will be collected from our camp and transferred to the Ngorongoro Crater in 4×4 safari type vehicles. We will spend the bulk of our day exploring the crater floor in search of the animals which roam the plains. In the afternoon, we will arrive at our overnight camp in the Seronera region, located in the heart of the Serengeti National Park. The camp is surrounded by spectacular views and abundant wildlife and this evening, while sipping on a cold beverage, we will enjoy the sights and sounds of nature passing right in front of your meru style tent.

Included Highlight: Full day 4×4 excursion to Ngorongoro Crater and afternoon drive into Seronera

Overnight: Private Tented Camp

This morning we rise early to enjoy our time game driving through Serengeti National Park. Famous for the abundant wildlife that exists in the park, we will spend most of our day in search of the animals that reside here. We will arrive back in Karatu in the late afternoon and will spend our evening reminiscing about our encounters of the past two days.

Included Highlight: Game Drive through Seronera, Serengeti National Park

Overnight: Kudu Camp

Returning to Arusha, tonight we will reunite with our fellow travellers who opted for the optional Serengeti excursion and we share our experiences of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. 

Overnight: Meru Mbega Lodge

We cross the border into Kenya this morning and make our way to Nairobi.

Border Post:   Tanzania: Namanga
                        Kenya: Namanga
Overnight: Hotel Boulevard

Today is free for you to explore the streets of Nairobi. A number of optional day trips can be booked including a visit to the Giraffe Centre and the Nairobi National Park.

Optional Activities: Giraffe Centre / Nairobi National Park.
Overnight: Hotel Boulevard

We leave the capital of Nairobi and travel to the Masai Mara, world renowned for its endless plains of wild animals and spectacular beauty. The visit to the Masai Mara is operated in safari type vehicles and not the overland safari truck. For this reason, you are asked to pack a small overnight bag to travel with. You will need your towel, clothes, toiletries and camping essentials.

Included Highlight: Masai Mara Excursion

Overnight: Masai Mara Excursion

The rolling grasslands of the Masai Mara offer ideal game viewing and photographic opportunities. Some of the animals that could be found here include elephant, black rhino, buffalo, leopard, cheetah, wildebeest, zebra and gazelle. Hippo and crocodile abound in the muddy brown waters of the rivers, which traverse this reserve. Today we will spend the entire day game driving through the Mara in search of all the animals.

Included Highlight: Masai Mara Excursion

Overnight: Masai Mara Excursion

This morning we bid the Mara farewell before heading to Lake Nakuru National Park where we will enjoy an afternoon game drive through the park. Lake Nakuru is home to large flocks of flamingos and pelicans as well as black & white rhino, leopard, lion and numerous buck. Originally created as a bird sanctuary, Lake Nakuru was upgraded to National Park status in 1968.

Included Highlight: Lake Nakuru National Park Game Drive

Overnight: Waterbuck Hotel

A short distance from Kampala, Jinja offers many exciting activities and your guide will assist you to plan for this day. Most activities are focused around the waters of the Nile and these include rafting, kayaking and a variety of cruises on Africa’s largest river. While those who may be less inclined to water sports can enjoy horse riding or a quadbike adventure on dry land.

Included Highlight: Crossing of the Equator

Overnight: Kalagala Falls Tented and Overland Camp

A quick stop in the city of Kampala and then we head in the direction of The Murchison Falls National Park. Also referred to as the Kabaraga Falls. Murchison Falls is a waterfall found on the course of the great Nile and is located within the Murchison National Park. In short, the park is recognized as one of the best National Parks in Uganda. After settling into our accommodation in Masindi, your guide will brief you on the activities for the following day.

Optional Activity: Ziwa Rhino Walk (USD$50) (Highly recommend)

Overnight: Kabalega Resort

Budongo Forest is the biggest Mahogany forest found in the whole of East Africa and is home to the largest number of chimpanzees throughout Uganda. It is believed that there are between 600 – 700 chimpanzees in Budongo and this morning we will meet up with our chimp guide who will take us on our trek through the forest in search of the chimps. After that, we will enjoy a boat cruise in the park.

Note: As the Chimp trekking is limited to 12 guests per trek, should there be more than 12 guests on a tour the trekking will be split between the morning and the afternoon. Therefore you may find that you will first do the game drive activity followed by the Chimp trekking or vice versa. So please allow for flexibility.

Included Highlight: Chimp trekking (half day) / Nile River Cruise

Overnight: Kabalega Resort

This morning we depart Masindi and transfer towards the edges of the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Our accommodation for the night is nestled atop a hill overlooking Lake Kikorongo.

Overnight: Simba Safari Camp

Crossing the Equator once more we travel south to the beautiful scenery of Lake Bunyonyi. With eager anticipation, we prepare for the upcoming Gorilla trekking excursion. Most importantly, tonight we will receive a briefing on what to expect.

Overnight: Lake Bunyonyi Overland Resort

To clarify, as permits granting permission to visit the gorillas are extremely limited, we require flexibility in both the tour itinerary and where we actually visit them. The home of the mountain gorillas is completely at odds with man-made borders and so their range encompasses Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Whenever possible we choose to make use of the National Park in Uganda, but this depends on the availability of permits. Should we not obtain permits to visit the mountain gorillas in Uganda then we will inform all passengers beforehand that the tour will travel to Rwanda or DRC.
On your free day in Bunyonyi, you will have the opportunity to participate in certain optional activities. On the other hand, you may want to explore the area on a mountain bike.

Optional Activity: Gorilla Trekking, Pygmy visit, Rwanda day tour

Overnight: Lake Bunyonyi Overland Resort

Although there are 2 days allocated to Gorilla Trekking you will, however, only spend one day on the trek. Consequently, the other days are there to provide a large enough window in which to obtain permits and to allow the entire group to trek if there are more than 6 of you on the tour.

Optional Activity: Gorilla Trekking, Pygmy visit, Rwanda day tour

Overnight: Lake Bunyonyi Overland Resort

This morning we set off on our return journey to Kampala and make a third crossing of the Equator along our way. Tonight your guide will brief you on the activities available in Jinja so that you can plan your day tomorrow. We overnight in Kampala.

Overnight: Hillside Plaza Hotel

A short distance from Kampala, Jinja offers many exciting activities and your guide will assist you to plan for this day. Most activities are focused around the waters of the Nile and these include rafting, kayaking and a variety of cruises on Africa’s largest river. While those who may be less inclined to water sports can enjoy horse riding or a quadbike adventure on dry land.

Optional Activity: Quad biking, kayaking, rafting

Overnight: Kalagala Falls Tented and Overland Camp

Returning to Kenya we visit Eldoret, the country’s 5th largest city. The Great Rift Valley is still the dominant geographical feature of this region and the altitude at Eldoret is 2100 metres above sea level.

Border Post:   Kenya: Busia
                        Uganda: Malaba

Overnight: Naiberi River Camp – two per room with en-suite

Returning to Nairobi this afternoon we reflect on many memories that we have gathered together and brace ourselves for a return to the busy streets of Nairobi. Your tour ends upon arrival at Hotel Boulevard in Nairobi.