19 Day East Africa Overland Adventure: Kampala to Zanzibar

Welcome to Uganda! Settle into Kampala, meet your fellow adventurers at a crucial welcome meeting (ensure all visas are ready!), and consider an optional local dinner to kick off your epic Uganda to Tanzania overland safari.

Today you’ll cross the equator as you travel from Kampala to Lake Bunyonyi. Known as the “place of many little birds,” the lake is dotted with 29 islands and framed by steep, terraced hillsides. On arrival, enjoy some free time to explore the area or take a refreshing swim in the calm waters.

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 full day at leisure on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi. You can choose from a range of optional activities, including swimming, hiking, canoeing, birdwatching, or a motorboat cruise around the lake. In the evening, regroup at the lodge and unwind together.

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 you’ll travel back across the equator into Uganda, one of the few places where this famous line can be crossed by land. En route, stop for lunch at the G Adventures–supported AidChild Equation Café & Gallery. Continue on to Jinja, arriving in the evening.

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.

Embark on a thrilling shuttle journey across the semi-arid plains of the Maasai people in Kenya, culminating in the vibrant Tanzanian town of Arusha. Witness the awe-inspiring sight of Mount Kilimanjaro looming in the distance while enjoying captivating conversations with fellow travelers. This unforgettable road trip promises a unique blend of cultural immersion, breathtaking scenery, and shared camaraderie

Following breakfast, we start our adventure into the Serengeti National Park and the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater – two of Africa’s leading wildlife regions. Your 3-day and 2-night excursion starts as you hop on the specialised 4×4 safari vehicle which leads us on an incredible game drive through the park by expert driver/guides. The trucks we use have sliding windows and a big, pop-up roof that is ideal for fantastic game viewing.

With an area of 14,763 square kilometres, the Serengeti is incredibly vast. We camp and spend time game viewing in the central Serengeti ‘Seronera’ region, which is situated in the southeast of the park. You can expect to see a variety of wildlife such as buffaloes, lions, zebras, wildebeest, elephants along with many other animals.

Due to the size of the reserve, certain areas will not be available to visit during our stay here. As we travel through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and into the Serengeti National Park, you will begin to realize the enormity of this region, admiring the huge populations of wildlife that roam the acacia-spotted plains.

We will continue to experience the Serengeti on more game drives in the morning. When we return to the campsite we will pack up and journey to the Ngorongoro Crater for spectacular views of the rim populated with a variety of wildlife where we will camp for the night.

Some of you may have pre-booked a Serengeti Balloon Safari in which case this activity will likely take place today. In this case you will miss the morning game drive.

The time has come for you to experience “Africa’s Garden of Eden” up close. A final safari experience awaits the group today on the crater floor. If you want to see wildlife, make sure your camera is charged! Because of the crater walls and the enclosed nature of the crater, its own ecosystem has been created, including grasslands, swamps, acacia forests, and Lake Makat. With full camera rolls the group will exit the crater in the late morning and travel back to Arusha. While cruising along, swap stories, pull out your favorite photos from earlier, or simply sit back and take it all in.

Depart Arusha early this morning in your private vehicle and travel toward Dar es Salaam. Take in the changing Tanzanian landscapes along the way, with glimpses of the Indian Ocean as you near the coast. You’ll spend the night in this bustling port city before continuing on to the beaches of Zanzibar.

If you have booked the Zanzibar Express, you will transfer to the airport this morning for your flight to Zanzibar. Upon arrival in Stone Town enjoy a free day of shopping, relaxing or wandering through the markets. Meet with the group again tomorrow.

Spend the day discovering the heart of Zanzibar at your own pace. Wander through winding streets, explore bustling squares, and sample local treats from street vendors. Later, the group will continue to the tropical paradise of Jambiani for the next few days.

Enjoy a relaxing morning on this island paradise. Africa meets Arabia and the Indian Ocean is the cherry on top of this great cultural crossroads. Whether you want to go diving, snorkeling, sailing, or just lazing on the beach, the day is yours. Located in the East African Indian Ocean, Zanzibar is known for its tropical setting, unique culture, and active beach-party scene.