Gorillas, Game Parks & Zanzibar | 25 Days Dar es Salaam to Nairobi

Tanzania’s natural environment and geographical features have made it one of the best tourist destinations in Africa. Being the biggest country in east Africa, Tanzania has heaps to offer her visitors, including 13 game reserves and national parks. Tanzania also forms part of the world’s largest animal’s movements, the great migration. Inland are the vast Serengeti National Park and the animal-packed Ngorongoro Conservation areas, and thousands of people every year fulfil their lifetime achievement of climbing to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, which is the highest mountain in Africa. On the coast, Zanzibar is exotic, intriguing and steeped in the unique Swahili culture.

DAY 1: Dar Es Salaam (No meals)

Our trip starts in the busy city of Dar Es Salaam. Tonight we stay in beach bandas at Kipepeo Beach & Village (or similar).

DAY 2 & 3: Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar (Breakfast)

A ferry from Dar es Salaam takes us to the "Spice Island,” where we spend the next 3 nights. Zanzibar is steeped in history and was one of the major starting points for most East African explorers in their quest for new lands.

History aside, Zanzibar offers a wealth of experiences for the visitor. Today the quiet streets of the old Stone Town still retain their Arabic influence, from the Medina-like shops to the palaces of the Sultans, who founded their vast empires on the spoils of the slave and ivory trade. The island is famous for its spices and an excursion around a spice plantation is always a fascinating experience. Other options include a trip to the beautiful beaches and giant tortoises of Prison Island, a full day scuba dive in Nungwe or a fishing trip in a traditional dhow. Mopeds are available for hire if you’d like to explore the more remote areas of the island. These two nights we stay in twin-share rooms at Amaan Bungalows (or similar).

PLEASE NOTE: Meals are for your own account whilst on Zanzibar, as it is our experience that passengers prefer to explore the island on their own, and in accordance with their own budget. The Trip Leader joins you and will arrange your activities, while meals can be enjoyed from a wide selection of restaurants. Zanzibar is a seafood lover’s paradise. Numerous restaurants offer a great variety of the freshest catch from the ocean - crayfish being a popular speciality. Alternatively, mingle with the locals for dinner at the Forodhani Gardens seafront market, where delicious, inexpensive seafood is on offer. There are also a wide variety of optional excursions on offer.

DAY 4: Zanzibar (Breakfast)

Today we travel back to the main town & tonight we stay in twin-share rooms at Swahili House (or similar).

DAY 5: Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam (Breakfast)

Leaving Zanzibar in the afternoon, we return to the mainland and another night in Dar es Salaam. Arrival back to camp is usually in the late afternoon, or early evening. Tonight we stay in beach bandas at Kipepeo Beach & Village (or similar)

Day 6: Dar Es Salaam to Pangani (Breakfast / Lunch)

This morning we leave early and leave the hustle and bustle of this major Tanzanian city, and head towards the farmlands of this beautiful country. Today is used as a transit day to get us closer to Serengeti. Tonight we stay in twin-share rooms at the Highway Hotel (or similar).

DAY 7: Pangani to Arusha (Breakfast / Lunch/ Dinner)

From Dar es Salaam we have a long day’s drive through vast sisal plantations and African bushveld to Arusha. On the way, we pass The Pare and Usambara Mountain ranges before driving through the town of Moshi. Moshi is the base for Mount Kilimanjaro climbing expeditions and weather permitting; we may even catch a glimpse of this magical mountain’s snowy summit. Tonight, we camp at a campsite called Meserani Snake Park (or similar) on the outskirts of Arusha, before heading out to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater tomorrow.

DAY 8: Arusha to Karatu (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

This morning we visit the Meserani Reptile Park and Masai Cultural Museum. A few minutes’ walk from the campsite is a gallery selling the bright and iconic Tinga Tinga paintings. Alternatively, the town of Arusha is nearby to explore. After breakfast we head off to Karatu on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation area. Tonight we camp at the Kudu Lodge and campsite (or similar).

DAY 9: Karatu to Serengeti National Park (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

This morning we depart early and transit through the Ngorongoro Conservation area and on into the Serengeti National Park. We cross the vast plains as we game drive through the southern and central areas in the park. Tonight, we camp Seronera campsite (or similar) in the bushveld surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness.

DAY 10: Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation, to Arusha (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

In the morning, we head off for another game drive and explore the landscape in search of the resident game. With some luck, we may see some of Africa’s ‘Big 5’! Following our morning drive, we retrace our journey back across the plains and along the lush Crater rim.

The Ngorongoro Crater is the largest unbroken, unflooded caldera in the world. Comprising of open savannahs, acacia forests and both soda and fresh water lakes, the Ngorongoro Crater is truly a miniature ‘Garden of Eden’. This World Heritage Site boasts some of the best game viewing in Africa – including the elusive Black Rhino.

Back in Arusha we spend the evening musing over our thrilling wildlife experience, camping at Meserani Snake Park (or similar).

Upon entering this beautiful east African country, you may be greeted with the words of “jambo” (hello) or “hakuna matata” (no problem) by the friendly locals. With a population of nearly 42 million and land area of more than 580 000 sq km Kenya is home to an abundance of animals and colourful tribes people, making it the perfect getaway for a once in a lifetime safari.

DAY 11: Arusha to Nairobi (Kenya) (Breakfast)

We set off early this morning and make our way to the Tanzania/ Kenyan border and the small border town of Namanga. After completing the border formalities, we continue on our journey to the Capital City Nairobi and our campsite Karen Camp (or similar) on the outskirts of the city.

DAY 12: Nairobi to Masai Mara (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Leaving the hustle and bustle of Nairobi we climb the escarpment to our first stop, a viewpoint overlooking a section of the spectacular Great Rift Valley. Descending into the Rift Valley, we enter Masai land where these habitual pastoralists are often seen tending their cattle from the side of the road. We pass through the town of Narok, and continue our drive possibly getting a glimpse of some wildlife along the way. We arrive at our tented campsite, Mara Springs Safari Camp (or similar) in the late afternoon.

DAY 13: Masai Mara (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

We depart shortly after sunrise on our game drive into the Masai Mara Reserve. The Masai Mara is well known as one of East Africa’s best National Reserves and is home to a wide variety of wildlife species. Most famous for the Annual Migration, that consists of the impressive herds of over 1 million wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelle that cross over from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania; the Masai Mara is most popular between July and October when these vast herds feast on the fresh grazing here. Following these herbivores are Africa’s predators that are often seen at a kill during this period. We game drive through a section of the park in search of the ‘Big 5’- elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion & leopard; along with the many other species of animals, reptiles and birds who make call this wilderness home.

After our game drive, we have the option to visit one of the nearby Masai Manyatta’s – this is a traditional hamlet where the Masai still live in their traditional way. This evening we sit around the camp fire, and watch the sun set over this “Garden of Eden”. Tonight we will again stay at Mara Spring Safari Tented Camp (or similar).

DAY 14: Masai Mara to Eldoret (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Leaving the Masai Mara early, we head out of Masai Land pass through the scenic tea plantations of Kericho before descending the Rift Valley Plateau, on our way to Eldoret. Tonight we camp at Naiberi River Campsite and Resort (or similar).

The “Pearl of Africa’ as it is referred to by its people, is home to some of Africa’s major attractions. This country contains four of Africa’s seven great lakes, including Lake Victoria which is the second largest body of fresh water in the world. Lake Bunyonyi is one of these spectacular lakes with its mythical landscapes and hidden bays. The source of the Nile at Jinja allows you the opportunity to tame the mighty waters with some of the world’s best white water rafting. And to top it all, this breath-taking country has the largest population of primates anywhere in Africa.

DAY 15: Eldoret to Kampala (Uganda) (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

This morning, we cross the border into Uganda where we overnight it the capital city, Kampala. Uganda is a small country of striking physical beauty. Its landscapes vary from the fertile green areas around the northern shores of Lake Victoria to the snow-capped Ruwenzori Mountains in the west and the semi-desert region in the north. The political instability that has haunted Uganda in the past has actually had the positive effect of leaving the country free of the over commercialism so common in other parts of Africa. From a tourist’s point of view, one of the most appealing and interesting countries to visit. Tonight we will camp at the Red Chilli Hideaway (or similar).

DAYS 16 - 19: Kampala to Lake Bunyonyi (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

After an early morning departure from Kampala we drive west into the depths of Uganda to our base at the tranquil Lake Bunyoni.

Lake Bunyoni, the deepest Crater Lake in Africa and home to a large and varied number of beautiful birds, is the base from which the optional Gorilla trek takes place. Dependant on where trekking permits are available, we trek in the Magahinga or Bwindi National Parks in Uganda, the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, or the Ruhengeri National Park in Rwanda.

The prices of trekking permits fluctuate and may change without prior notice – currently they are priced from US$825, with transport costs ranging from U$53- U$120 per person, depending on the number of clients trekking. For the next 4 days we stay at Bunyoni Overland Resort (or similar) in cottages.

Trekking Procedures: The mountain gorilla (Gorilla Berengei), of which there are still only about 700 remaining, are one of our closest living relatives. A visit to these gentle giants in their natural environment is a unique and wonderful experience - one you’ll never forget. The park rangers monitor the gorillas on a daily basis and have a fairly good idea of where they are. However, they are free roaming animals, and their sighting cannot be guaranteed. As the gorillas share much of our DNA, anyone with even the slightest cold or transferable illness will not be permitted to trek. Trekking is also only open to people over 16 years old.

Due to the restrictions on the daily numbers of visitors to these incredible animals, we depart from our base in Bunyoni in small groups over 3-4 days, depending on the group size. We wind our way through arguably some of the most picturesque scenery in Africa en-route to the National Park. Dependant on where permits are available, we may spend a night in either Kisoro or in Rwanda. The following morning, after packing our picnic lunch, we are transferred to a ranger’s station where the trek commences. Your rangers will lead you through the cultivated lands and then into the dense rain forest and on to a gorilla family. Trekking can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 8 hours (not including transfer time) and it can be quite strenuous, so a reasonable level of fitness is required.

To ensure the gorillas do not get too used to the presence of humans and because they share many of our genes (and therefore able to catch our diseases), the maximum time permitted to spend with them is 1 hour. You will have plenty of time to watch their activity and to take photographs. The rangers will be able to provide you with a background to the family you are visiting. Once your hour is up, you trek back out of the rain forest to your meeting point where you will be transferred back to the Lake Bunyoni resort.

You needn’t feel like you’re exploiting these animals. The ever-growing number of tourists trekking them each day play a vital role in their survival. For years they have been ruthlessly hunted for their hands and heads, which have been sold as ashtrays and lampshades! In addition, large numbers have been killed whilst trying to stop poachers stealing the babies for sale to zoos, where they have never lived long. 100% of the gorilla permit cost is used to by the parks authorities to finance patrols that are instrumental in protecting the gorillas from poachers and their lethal snares and on promoting these wonderful animals.

DAY 20: Lake Bunyoni to Kampala (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

After marvelling at the experience of our gorilla encounters and enjoying the peaceful Lake Bunyoni, we begin our drive back to Kampala. We cross the Equator for the second time and stop for the classic “one foot in each hemisphere” photo opportunity. We overnight in Kampala and have the opportunity to sample its night life! Tonight we camp at the Red Chilli Hideaway (or similar).

DAY 21: Kampala to Jinja (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Today we have the option of visiting the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary or heading to Jinja for a selection of adventure activities including white water rafting at the source of the White Nile, quad biking or visiting a volunteer and community project. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the banks of the river, or ticking off the wide variety of water birds in this area. Tonight we camp at Adrift Uganda (or similar).

DAY 22: Jinja to Nakuru (Kenya) (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Departing early, we head back to Kenya, stopping for lunch and supplies en route. We overnight outside Nakuru. Nakuru is Kenya’s 4th largest town and capital of the Rift Valley Province and lies adjacent to the small but wildlife rich Lake Nakuru National Park. Tonight we stay at Punda Milias Tented camp (or similar).

DAY 23: Lake Nakuru National Park (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

This morning we begin our exploration of the Lake Nakuru National Park - famous for the thousands of lesser and greater flamingos that flock to this soda lake’s edge. The numbers vary depending on the water level, and when it’s low, the lake almost turns pink. A truly spectacular sight! The park was established as a sanctuary for black and white rhino, which are often seen. We spend the day searching for these pre-historic looking beasts as well as the elusive leopard, encountering buffalo, giraffe, various antelope and the occasional hippo along the way. After our game drive, we head to our campsite, arriving in the late afternoon. Tonight we stay at Punda Milias tented camp (or similar) again.

DAY 24: Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Lake Naivasha, is home to a multitude of bird life, the most magnificent being the African Fish Eagle with his regal cry. At 1880 m, this is the highest of the Rift Valley lakes. We spend the day enjoying optional excursions like Elsamere (former home to Joy & George Adamson of Born Free fame), a boat ride to the Crescent Island Game Sanctuary or a bike ride around Hell’s Gate National Park. Tonight we camp at Naivasha Crescent Camp (or similar).

Optional Activity: Elsamere

Optional Activity: Boat Ride to Crescent Island Game Sanctuary

Optional Activity: Bike ride around Hell’s Gate National Park

DAY 25: Lake Naivasha to Nairobi (Breakfast)

After breakfast, we head back to Nairobi usually arriving by late morning, or early afternoon. On arrival, we exchange addresses and part ways, having just experienced a trip of a lifetime!

The rest of the day is yours at leisure to enjoy some of the many options available in this bustling city; visit The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, where you can view the orphaned baby Elephants at feeding time, or head to the Giraffe Centre in Langata, if you haven’t had your fill of game viewing, then Nairobi National Park offers some great day trips or if you haven’t quite got all those souvenirs you wanted, take a “Matatu” to the local curio markets. This evening why not try the fair on offer at the famous Carnivores restaurant.