19 Day Unforgettable East Africa: Gorillas, Safaris & Zanzibar

We being our adventure starts in Kampala. Take advantage of this first night out with your group to get to know one another. In light of the fact that you will be camping for the duration of this portion of the trip, you will be enjoying yourself at the Red Chilli Bar. Have a conversation with your fellow travelers on the poolside bar or on the beer terrace. If you wish to relax and make some friends before embarking on your next adventure, there are plenty of communal areas where you can do so with a beer in hand.

Despite the fact that you get to do something pretty awesome every day, you will be crossing the equator today (which we think is an impressive accomplishment to add to your travel resume) and going to Lake Bunyonyi. There is no doubt that Bunyonyi is the most beautiful lake in Uganda and its name means ‘place of many little birds’. With its winding shorelines and steep terraced hillsides, this island seems to be somewhere in Asia,encircling 29 islands. There are no crocs or hippo in Lake Bunyonyi (unlike many lakes in East Africa), so you can swim in its crystal-clear waters at your leisure.

Our time in this lush, magical, mountainous region of Uganda is spent on unforgettable guided trek deep into the forest-sloped volcanoes for a wild encounter of a family of mountain gorillas (Gorilla Permits Included). Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the home to approximately half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas, the world’s most endangered ape. One of Africa’s major highlights, a close encounter with these amazing animals is simply breathtaking.

The terrain is rough and at times muddy and slippery. It can rain at a moment’s notice; hence waterproof clothing is essential along with protective bags for your camera and film. We also suggest dressing in ‘layers’ as often it’s chilly at first until you start trekking. We also suggest long sleeves and long pants to protect you from stinging nettles found in the forests. The trek can last up to 6 hours, exceeding altitudes of 2500m. It is essential to keep hydrated at all times. About 98% of the trekking is successful but we cannot guarantee that there will be gorillas seen as they are always moving around. For the remainder of your time here, you have the chance to participate in optional activities. You will be sub-divided into groups of 8 to protect the Gorillas from too much exposure or disruption.

Enjoy a day of leisure or partake in one or two of the activities listed below.

Lake Bunyonyi – Kalinzu Forest Reserve, Uganda

Journey through Uganda’s picturesque countryside to Kalinzu Forest Reserve, nestled adjacent to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This northern gem offers diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife, promising thrilling encounters. Spend your afternoon at leisure, immersing yourself in the tranquil beauty of this remarkable Ugandan wilderness.

Accommodation: Craters Campsite or similar (1 Night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner
Optional Activity: Boat Cruise 40 USD per person
Distance: ± 155 km
Travel Time: ± 3 hours

An early morning rise will enable us to go on a chimpanzee tracking excursion after which we will visit a tea plantation where a local guide will inform you about the varieties of tea and the farming process before making our way to Lake Mburo. Enjoy an optional boat cruise on the lake in the afternoon.

Today we make our way back across the equator to Jinja, our next destination for the following two nights.

Spend time exploring Jinja and taking part in activities such as Quad Biking along the banks of the Nile or sip on some G&T’s while lying on a hammock floating down the Nile. Watch a spectacular sunset while cruising on a boat. Jinja has something for everyone.

We will cross over into Kenya for a night in Eldoret which is an overnight stop to break the long driving days.

Your energy will be replenished by a more relaxed travel day today following your adventurous experiences yesterday. Hence, feel free to relax and take in the scenery as the group transfers through the Kenyan countryside to Nairobi. To get you through the day, we are planning naps, story time, and possibly a mini dance party in the overland vehicle. Is anyone familiar with Toto’s Africa song?

As you travel to Arusha, Tanzania, hop on the shuttle and experience the semi-arid lands of the Maasai people. You will have the opportunity to marvel at the majestic views of Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance and share stories with your fellow travelers!

Now is the time to experience the Africa you have all imagined, the experience you have seen over and over again in books, movies, and television. The Serengeti National Park is one of the most famous national parks in Africa, so grab those cameras, purchase a quirky bucket hat, and join a wildlife safari drive into one of the most famous national parks in the region. Enjoy abundant wildlife, thorny acacia trees, and hippo-filled rivers as you embark on a 3-day and 2-night excursion to the park itself and Ngorongoro Crater. A portion of the trip will be spent in the Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater using specialized safari vehicles, accompanied by experienced safari drivers/guides who ensure wonderful wildlife encounters. In addition to sliding windows, each safari vehicle is equipped with a large pop-up roof, which makes it easy to view the animals and scenery from inside. The group will be divided into several vehicles and your guide will spend time in each vehicle over the next three days.

Embark on a last morning safari in the Serengeti with your friends. Before returning to break down camp, watch the animal kingdom come to life as the sun rises higher in the sky. In the afternoon, we will travel to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which is renowned for its best wildlife viewing in Africa. Prepare yourself for epic views from the crater rim as you observe animals meandering around below, drinking water from the crater floor’s permanent supply. The camp site will be set up in the late afternoon at a location near the crater rim and you can then enjoy one of the world’s most beautiful wildlife habitats for the rest of the day. We would like to remind you that if you have pre-booked the Serengeti Balloon Safari, today is the day for this activity. Final confirmation will be given by the guide, since it is subject to change. As a result, you will not be able to participate in the morning wildlife safari, but you will have a better view from above. It is recommended that you pre-book if you have not already done so or contact your guide for assistance. Our camp is located at a high altitude, and temperature drops at night as a result. For the evening and the following morning, we recommend bringing extra layers of clothing.

Let’s experience “Africa’s Garden of Eden” up close and personal. Today, the group will embark on a final safari experience on the crater floor. Don’t forget to charge your cameras as this is the place to see wildlife (and we are so excited for you)! The crater walls bind the animals to this area, and it has created an ecosystem unique to the region that includes rich grasslands, swamps, acacia forests, and Lake Makat. As soon as the group has completed their camera rolls, they will exit the crater in the late morning and return to Arusha. Enjoy the passing scenery as you cruise along, or exchange stories along the way.

Watch the Tanzanian countryside pass by and enjoy the blue waters of the Indian Ocean as you leave Arusha early in the morning. Look out for the mighty Mt Kilimanjaro while traveling towards Dar es Salaam. Before becoming a port and trading center, the city began as a fishing village in the mid-19th century. There will be an overnight stay here before the group embarks for Zanzibar’s island beaches. Would you like to reduce your travel time in half and spend more time in Stone Town? You may pre-book the Zanzibar Express on the checkout page in order to include this optional activity in your itinerary. Take the scenic flight to Zanzibar this morning from your Arusha hotel via the Zanzibar Express. Enjoy an afternoon of exploration in Stone Town after arriving. Spend an additional night in Stone Town before rejoining the group the following day. The only included meal is breakfast.

Having been on a jam-packed trip for the last few days, what you are about to do is going to be just what you need. Upon waking in Dar es Salaam, you will board the ferry to Zanzibar, a tropical paradise. You will be captivated by the picturesque island beaches that will make you wish you lived off the grid here. This Tanzanian archipelago is one of the most enticing and exotic places on the planet, so be prepared to enjoy it, take a lot of pictures, and relax in a place that has long attracted backpackers and adventurers. In Zanzibar, the majority of the population is Muslim. In Stone Town, women and men who are immodestly dressed will be harassed and cause great offense. In the vicinity of the beach, customs are a little more relaxed, but it is still recommended that visitors adhere to local customs and cover up when walking around the island. Taking photographs without permission is never a good idea.

The heart of Zanzibar awaits you this morning in Stone Town. Explore the historic unpaved alleyways of Stone Town, passing wooden carved doors and balconies on the way. The streets and squares are a delight to explore, where you will find pavement vendors selling potent coffee and tiny cafes selling sweetmeats. There are many things to see and do in the region, such as tinga-tinga paintings, antique shops, beautifully printed cloths (kangas and kikois worn by locals), little carved chests with copper inlays, and spices, all of which would make wonderful gifts or souvenirs to take home. The group will transfer to Jambiani, a tropical haven, for a few relaxing days.

Get ready to seize the day as you wake up in this island paradise. Imagine Africa meeting Arabia, adding the Indian Ocean to the mix as the cherry on top, and you would have explored one of the world’s great cultural crossroads. Spend your day as you wish; go diving, snorkeling, hopping aboard a sailing trip, or simply lying on the beach and relaxing. As one of the most enjoyable East African Indian Ocean destinations, Zanzibar offers a tropical setting, unique culture, and a lively beach party scene.

Taking yourself away from Jambiani’s beauty will be your most challenging task today. Explore the heart of Zanzibar by traveling back to Stone Town on the other side of the island. Your tour comes to an end today.