Gorillas, East Africa & the Zambezi

Border information: Exit Zimbabwe at Victoria Falls, enter Zambia at Victoria Falls.

Today we start our journey with a short drive over the border into Zambia! We will head to the town of Livingstone, on the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 3

Today we have a full day drive across southern Zambia to our well equipped campsite on the banks of the Lower Zambezi. 

Tonight we will meet our guides who will take us on our two-day canoeing expedition on the Lower Zambezi on the following day - they will give us a full briefing about the canoeing trip when we arrive.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 10

Today we head out on our 2-day/2-night canoeing trip on the Lower Zambezi river.

This is a fully participatory expedition - everyone will pair up, go out in 2-person canoes and paddle themselves, following the lead boat! Everyone also gets involved in setting up the camps and cooking. All of our gear will be carried in a supply canoe, and wild camps are erected on islands in the river along the way.

This is a fantastic way to see the river, the scenery and some of the wildlife in the area!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping without facilities

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping without facilities

After breakfast, we have an early morning transfer from our second island wild camp on a fast barge back to the truck, and then continue our journey to the bridge over the River Luangwa.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 9

Today our journey continues to the stunning South Luangwa NP, where we will stay for 2 nights.

If we make good enough time on the drive to the campsite, then there may be opportunity for an optional extra game drive upon arrival tonight.

South Luangwa NP is a hidden gem on the safari circuit; it is rarely visited due to its remote setting, but has some incredible populations of wildlife and is one of the only parks in Southern Africa that is open for night driving with spotlights when many of the big game is at its most active.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 9

Today we will have an included early morning game drive and an included evening game drive, both in open-sided safari vehicles.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Border information: Exit Zambia at Mchinji, enter Malawi at Mchinji.

Today we will cross the border into Malawi and head to the capital Lilongwe. Hopefully we will arrive by mid-afternoon so that we have the chance to explore the city, its markets and its shops.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7

Today we will travel from Lilongwe to Kande beach on the western shore of Lake Malawi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7

Today we will have a free day on Kande beach to relax or to get involved in some of the optional activities available here - there are watersports on the lake, horse riding through the forests and on the beaches, and village walks to see a little bit of the life of the local Tonga people.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today we continue north along the coast of Lake Malawi to Chitimba, an equally beautiful campsite on the shore of the lake. If we arrive in good time, we may have to chance for a short village walk or a woodcarving lesson!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7

Border Information: Exit Malawi at Songwe, enter Tanzania at Songwe.

Today is a long travel day as we enter Tanzania and drive through its southern highlands.

We will stay on a working ranch 52kms south of the town of Iringa.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 12

Today we will continue our journey north to the small village of Mikumi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 8

Border Information: If joining at Zanzibar, you will most likely enter Tanzania from Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (IATA code: ZNZ).

There will be an informal meet-and-greet and orientation of Stone Town with our local Zanzibar guide at 6:00pm - please meet at the reception of the joining hotel at this time if you wish to take part in this orientation. Please note that you will not usually meet your regular crew tonight, as they will be arriving in Dar es Salaam this evening and will travel to Zanzibar with members of their previous group tomorrow.

Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Zanzibar before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Zanzibar.

In Stone Town we will stay in a good local hotel.

Please note that the first 4 days of this trip overlap with our "YDF - Victoria Falls to Zanzibar" trip, so some of the group that come to Zanzibar will leave before we take the ferry to Dar es Salaam. This is because Zanzibar is part of both trips, so it means customers going all the way through do not follow our Zanzibar itinerary twice!

Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

Today will be a free day to explore Stone Town, the atmospheric old town on the exotic and beautiful island of Zanzibar!

Your crew will arrive on Zanzibar this afternoon, and there will be an important meeting at 6:00pm at the joining hotel - there will then be the option going for sunset drinks at Africa House and heading out to the night markets for a local dinner.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

On our second day on Zanzibar we will join our local guide for a very interesting and informative tour around the sights of Stone Town and learn about the history of the island. We will then head away from town and take in a tour of a spice plantation, enjoy a local lunch with our guide, then head to Nungwi beach at the very north of the island. Nungwi is the Indian Ocean at its best - bright white sand, sparkling blue sea outstanding seafood and a fantastic chilled atmosphere.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

On our third day on Zanzibar, we will have free time to enjoy Nungwi beach and relax, or to try snorkeling, diving, or other beach activities, or maybe go further afield looking for Red Colobus monkeys in the Jozani Forest.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

Today we will return to Stone Town and then take a ferry from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam, before travelling on the local commuter barge from the city centre to the suburb of Kigamboni. The ferry will take about 2 hours and 30 minutes. The rest of the afternoon will be free to relax at the campsite.

In Dar es Salaam we stay on the southern side of the bay across from the city.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today we join our overland truck and set off early to beat the morning trafiic in Dar es Salaam. We have a full day's drive to Lushoto, where we have a nightstop camping in the grounds of a beautiful colonial hotel at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7

After breakfast we head west to the town of Arusha, where we will stop for food shopping in preparation for our excursion to the Serengeti NP. On the drive to Arusha we will go past the whole length of Mount Kilimanjaro where we'll hope for clear skies and fantastic views from the road.

We will then head to our campsite on the outskirts of Arusha. On arrival we should have time to go on an optional walk to a nearby Maasai village, or visit a reptile house and snake-bite clinic that are run by the campsite. We will also prepare and re-pack for the Serengeti excursion starting the following day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7

Today we will be met by our fleet of 6-person 4x4 jeeps - we will load the jeeps with our camping and personal gear, and then head out for our 4-day excursion to the Tarangire NP, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, leaving our truck behind.

We will also be leaving our large bags behind (where they will be stored in a secure location), and advise you to bring along a smaller daypack for your personal gear for this trip that will need to be packed soon after the group meeting before we set off. You should pack clothing for 4 days (including a warm jumper or fleece and long trousers), a waterproof jacket, toiletries (including sun screen and insect repellent), your camera and charger, a small towel, a head torch, a water bottle (as there are no single use plastics or bottles available during this excursion), books and personal snacks, etc.

We will have a safety talk with our safari guides and then on to a day drive within Tarangire NP followed by a treetop walkway in the afternoon. You should have many oportunities for photographs so remember your cameras!

Once we make it into our camp site we will have our evening meal before the opportunity for a night game drive to Lake Manyara.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

This morning we will make our way down into the plains of the Serengeti. We will take an evening game drive around the savanna before heading to our campsite - the area is one of the world's premier spots for wildlife viewing and we hope to able to find elephants, lions, leopards, giraffe and other big game during our time here!

Tonight we will stay at a campsite within the Serengeti NP. The camp where we stay is very basic (with showers and flush toilets, but no other facilities) but is located right in the middle of the plains, surrounded by animals and their nocturnal noises! Your leader will outline the basic safety rules to be followed when camping in an unfenced location where wild animals are present.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

The next morning we will get up very early and we set off in our jeeps for an early morning game drive in the heart of the Serengeti plains. The early morning is the best time of day for wildlife viewing, as many of the animals are at their most active while it is still cool.

There is an option this morning to take a hot air balloon flight over the Serengeti instead of the game drive - demand is high for this activity, so this must be pre-booked at the time that you booked your trip with us.

We will return to our campsite for lunch, and then aim to exit the Serengeti early afternoon. We will head back through the conservation area to our next campsite, on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, where we will arrive in the early evening.

Again, the campsite tonight is very basic and unfenced. It can often be quite cold on the crater rim so it is recommended that you take some warm clothes for this night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

This morning we will have another early start to descend into the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater for a morning game drive. Again, the Ngorongoro Crater is an outstanding area for wildlife spotting, often described as a 'natural wildlife enclosure'. This is the best chance on the excursion to spot black rhinos as well as a myriad of other big game.

We will spend as long as our entry tickets allow in the Ngorongoro Crater before departing, which will usually give us about 3-4 hours of game driving. We will then be dropped off at our campsite back in Arusha, where we are re-united with our truck.

We will have a well-deserved free afternoon to relax at our excellent campsite or to do some of the optional activites on offer here.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Border Information: Exit Tanzania at Namanga, enter Kenya at Namanga.

Today we will head to Amboseli NP. Here you can experience the iconic view of the African plain with Mount Kilimanjaro standing majestically in the background. We will drive through the park in our truck keeping a keen eye out for all of the animals we will pass.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 5

Welcome to Nairobi, the final stop on our trip!

You will have time to explore Nairobi fully - possible activities include visiting the Karen Blixen Museum, the National Museum and the Langata Giraffe Centre. Your tour leader will let you know some of our reccommendations however you are more than welcome to move through the city independently for the day!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6

Border Information: If joining the trip in Nairobi, you will most likely enter Kenya at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (IATA code: NBO).

Welcome to Kenya! There will be a group meeting at the joining hotel at 6:00pm. Please do not be alarmed if there is no welcome note, as this will often be a travelling day for the crew who will be joining you.

Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Nairobi before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Nairobi.

Accommodation: Camping

This morning we will drive on to Kericho, throughout this drive you will have sights of the world famous tea plantations in the area.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6

Border Information: Exit Kenya at Busia, enter Uganda at Busia.

Today we have a full day's drive across the border into Uganda as we travel to Jinja, the adventure capital of East Africa!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 10

Today we will have a free day to get involved in the many optional adventure activities available here, such as white water rafting, bungee jumping and boat trips on the White Nile!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today we continue our journey and head north to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary close to the town of Nakitoma. Here we will have the chance to track rhinos on foot with a local ranger!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7

Today we continue to Kaniyo Pabidi in the Budongo Forest, in the southern part of the Murchison Falls NP. Here we will head out for our included chimpanzee tracking walk in the afternoon!

Please note that for conservation reasons the maximum group size to track the chimpanzees is 12 people, so if we have a large group we will split in half, one half going on the walk this afternoon and the other half going tomorrow morning.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Multishare Hostel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 3

If we had to split the group for chimpanzee tracking, the other half of the group will head out for the walk this morning. When we are ready to continue, we will drive to the central region of Murchison Falls NP to reach our campsite.

Please note that the roads leading into and around Murchison Falls are very poor and can be hazardous in wet conditions. If there has been heavy rain recently, it may not be possible to go into the NP beyond Kaniyo Pabidi - this is firstly for safety reasons on the drive in, and secondly due to the risk of extreme bogging that could cause us to miss the gorilla treks further along in our trip. We will always endaevour to reach the NP as per the itinerary; but when this is occasionally not possible, please respect the tour leader's decision in this matter. On these occasions we will be able to utilise this time with spending longer in Lake Bunyonyi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 3

Today, we will head out early in the truck for a included morning of game driving around the northern area of the NP - we will take a local vehicle barge to get over the Nile and pick up a ranger to show us around in search of wildlife!

We will return to our campsite for lunch, and then embark on an included launch cruise on the Nile to spot wildlife from the water and to see the spectacularly-powerful Murchison Falls.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 2

This morning we will make our way out of the NP and head South to Mpanga Forest via Kampala. This is a chance to experience a new environment as we camp in the forest near traditional communities. We will hopefully be able to visit the Mpambire drum making village to experience their ancient traditions and culture.  

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 10

This morning we travel to the Queen Elizabeth NP, beautifully set between the Great Rift Valley lakes of Lake Edward and Lake George, undertaking a game drive on our way to the campsite. 

During our time in the park we hope to see elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, Ugandan kobs and waterbucks. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 12

This morning we are up early to go on a full day game drive making our way the visit the volcanoes and salt mines onthe edge of the park. We will experience areas of the NP that are impossible to reach without a full days excursion!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7

Here we will go on what is undoubtedly the highlight of the trip - trekking to see the Mountain Gorillas in their natural forest habitat. 

This region is one of the last remaining sanctuaries for the mountain gorilla. No more than 8 people per day can visit any one habituated family, and visits are strictly controlled to minimise the possibility of disturbance or transmission of disease to the animals. 

Tracking gorillas in the dense forest can sometimes be wet, muddy and uncomfortable. The terrain is by no means easy either, so it can be pretty strenuous and often humid; however, the sheer thrill of coming across a habituated group of gorillas, dominated by a great male silverback, more than outweighs any difficulty. You need to be prepared and fit enough to walk at least 4 hours - uphill and downhill. We can usually get very close to the mountain gorillas, who are placid and gentle, and watching their movements is like seeing a mirror image of yourself! Once you find them, you will stay with the gorillas for one unforgettable hour!

When visiting the gorillas you will be assigned a trekking group and time on your permit. The group may be split up into different trekking groups during the day.

In Bwindi we will stay in a campsite that occasinally has some very special visitors, the incredible mountain gorillas!

Please note that the gorilla permits are paid for in full by the trip kitty - however, we have to purchase the permits in advance on the customers' behalf, so a higher deposit is charged on the trip price to protect us from losing this money in the event of cancellation - please see the notes at the end for further detail.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

This morning we will make our way into the stunning Lake Mburo NP. This drive will take us across the equator - a prime moment for some photos!

In the afternoon we may have time for a walking safari or even a boat trip on Lake Mburo.

We will stay in an incredible campsite close to the lake where you may be lucky enough to see hippos leaving the water in the evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping without facilities

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 9

After waking up in the beautiful Lake Mburo NP it is time to head back to Jinja and all of the comforts that it has to offer. You may even have time for an evening activity here.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 8

Border Information: Exit Uganda at Malaba, enter Kenya at Malaba.

This is our base for tomorrow's excursion into Nakuru NP. If we make good time on the drive we may have the opportunity to take a walk around the working dairy farm where our campsite is, and to visit a local women's knitting collective.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 9

This morning we head into Nakuru NP for an included half-day game drive in local safari trucks. Nakuru is a beautiful park with a large lake and many forested areas - it is teeming with wildlife and there is an excellent chance to see both black and white rhinos.

In the afternoon we will have the opportunity to take a walk around the working dairy farm where our campsite is, and to visit a local women's knitting collective.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today we will be met by our 6-person 4x4 jeeps that will take us on our 2-night excursion to the Maasai Mara. We will load the jeeps with our personal gear and camping equipment and then head off to Maasai Mara, leaving our truck behind.

We will also be leaving our large bags behind (where they will be stored in a secure location in Nairobi), and advise you to bring along a smaller daypack for your personal gear for this trip that will need to be packed soon after the group meeting before we set off. You should pack clothing for 3 days (including a warm jumper or fleece and long trousers), a waterproof jacket, toiletries (including sun screen and insect repellent), your camera and charger, sleeping mat, sleeping bag, a small towel, a head torch, a water bottle, books and personal snacks, etc.

On arrival, we will have the chance for a short evening game drive in the Maasai Mara NP before heading to our campsite. The Maasai Mara is an incredibly scenic area and is one of the world's greatest places for wildlife spotting which is absolutely teeming with giraffe, buffalo, zebra, elephants, lions, cheetah, leopards, and other big game!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 5

Today we will go out for the full day game driving in the NP before returning to our campsite for a second night. There is also the opportunity for a balloon flight over the savannah - demand for this activity is very high so you must reserve this at the time of booking your trip to avoid disappointment.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today we will have a final game drive in the Maasai Mara in the early morning, before heading back to Nairobi and our campsite in Karen, arriving at about 4:00pm or 5:00pm. This is where we will meet our overland truck and start using the truck's camping equipment.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6

Border Information: if you are leaving the trip in Nairobi, you will most likely exit Kenya at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (IATA code: NBO).

Today is this is the final day of this section - if you are leaving here (or continuing northbound with us to Ethiopia) you will have a free day in Nairobi. If you are continuing your trip with us southbound towards Tanzania then there will a new group meeting at 10:00am for the next section of your journey, before heading away from Nairobi - your leader will give you detailed instructions about this.

Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Nairobi. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight - please contact the Sales Team if you are interested in booking extra nights of accommodation in order to fully explore and take part in some of the optional activities available.

Meals: Breakfast