Zanzibar to the Gorillas - North  

  Duration25 Days

Please note: This itinerary is flexible and can be changed without notice. A detailed, up-to-date dossier itinerary is available to download. Be aware it can also be changed without notice in order to accommodate the best possible viewing of the Mountain Gorillas. The Permit price to visit the Gorillas can also change without notice. 

Day 1 – Stone Town (Zanzibar)

Today is your arrival day in Zanzibar and is free for you to explore the city.  We recommend that you announce yourself to the crew at 16h00 at the Maru Maru Hotel, who will sign you in and give you a short orientation of what to expect in the coming days.  Please note that a walking city tour of Stone Town is included in your tour the following day.

Day 2 – Zanzibar Beaches

Boasting a rich history this busy port was once a landmark on both the Slave and Spice trade routes.  Our morning begins with a walking tour of Stone Town to discover the more well-known landmarks, including the birthplace of Freddy Mercury.  After our city tour, we travel by road to our base for the next 2 nights. Before our arrival, 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.  

Day 3 – Zanzibar Beaches

Today is a free day to enjoy some of the many attractions and activities on offer. Water sports are the order of the day.  Whatever it is you chose to do today, you will have ample opportunity to create some island memories. Explore the many attractions on offer or simply relax on the beach and soak up the sun.

Day 4 – Bagamoyo

We bid farewell to the white-sand beaches and turquoise waters of Zanzibar. We board the ferry back to the mainland, arriving in the port city of Dar es Salaam, reunite with our truck and hit the road, heading north along the coast toward Bagamoyo. Once a major hub of East Africa’s trade routes, Bagamoyo is steeped in history and Swahili culture. The drive offers a glimpse into the energy of city life before giving way to more laid-back coastal scenery. We arrive in Bagamoyo by late afternoon and settle into our accommodation.

Day 5 – Moshi

From the coastal lowlands of Bagamoyo, the landscape gradually shifts to rugged highlands as we pass through vibrant towns, remote villages, and stretches of open savannah. Along the way, we’ll witness the rhythms of daily life and enjoy the raw beauty of Tanzania’s countryside.  If time permits this afternoon, book an optional activity to a local coffee plantation or a guided cycling tour.

Day 6 – Karatu

Although it is relatively short distance to Karatu, we will spend most of the day commuting closer to the Ngorongoro Crater.  Before our arrival in Karatu, we will visit the Mto wa Mbu Market which is situated in the little village of Mto wa Mbu.  Known for crops such as rice and their distinctive red bananas, the town sits on the main road that leads directly to the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater Conversation Area.   Tonight, our guide will brief us on our 2-night excursion.

Day 7 – Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti National Park (Seronera) Excursion

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 morning exploring the crater floor in search of the animals which roam the plains.  In the afternoon, we will arrive at our 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.

Day 8 – Serengeti

This morning, we rise early to enjoy a full day’s game drive 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. 

Day 9 – Arusha

We depart the Serengeti National Park with amazing memories and make the return journey to Arusha where we will spend the night reminiscing about our experiences of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. 

Day 10 – Kenya – Nairobi

We cross the border into Kenya this morning and make our way to Nairobi where we will overnight.  You will have the afternoon free to repack your bags in preparation for your excursion into the Masai Mara.  The visit to the Masai Mara is operated in safari type vehicles and not the Nomad 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.

Day 11 – Masai Mara National Reserve

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 Nomad 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.

Day 12 – Masai Mara National Reserve

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.

Day 13 – Lake Nakuru National Park

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 antelope Originally created as a bird sanctuary, Lake Nakuru was upgraded to National Park status in 1968.

Day 14 – Jinja

This morning, we cross the border into Uganda and make our our way to Jinja. Jinja is Uganda’s second largest city and most famous as the point where the Nile (officially the Victoria Nile) flows out of Lake Victoria and begins the 6695-kilometre journey to Egypt and the Mediterranean.

Day 15 – Masindi – Murchison Falls National Park

After a quick stop in the city of Kampala, 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. 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.               

Day 16 – Masindi – Budongo Central Forest Reserve

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.  We will also 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 boat cruise activity followed by the Chimp trekking or vice versa. Please allow for flexibility.

Day 17 – Lake Kikorongo

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. 

Day 18 – Gorillas (Lake Bunyonyi)

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 and tonight we will receive a briefing on what to expect.                

Day 19 – Gorillas (Lake Bunyonyi)

The mountain gorilla is extremely endangered and while exact numbers vary it is widely assumed that there are only around 650 left. Visiting the gorillas is a great way to support their future on earth as the money spent on permits is used for their protection. An extremely important part of the future conservation of the remaining gorillas rests in the community development work – as local communities change their attitudes towards wildlife and start to protect rather than poach, the future of the mountain gorilla is assured.

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. You can also go hiking or explore the area on a mountain bike.

Day 20 – Gorillas (Lake Bunyonyi)

Although there are 2 days allocated to Gorilla Trekking you will only spend one day on the trek. 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. 

Day 21 – Lake Mburo

We depart the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi for another of Uganda’s beautiful water bodies – Lake Mburo. Lake Mburo is situated in the Ankole sub-region of Uganda, near the town of Mbarara, and spans an area of approximately 260 square kilometers and is surrounded by rolling hills, open grasslands, and patches of woodland. With over 350 recorded bird species, Lake Mburo National Park is a paradise for birdwatchers. The park’s diverse ecosystems, which include acacia woodlands, savannahs, and wetlands, provide optimal habitats for numerous bird species, including the rare and odd-looking shoebill stork.

Day 22 – Jinja

This morning, we leave the Ankole region and set off on our return journey to Jinja. Jinja offers many exciting optional activities which are focussed on 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.

Day 23 – Jinja

Jinja offers many optional activities for the adventurous and for the not so adventurous. While most of today is at leisure, your guide will assist you to plan for this day as in the afternoon, we will enjoy an included river cruise together, watching the sun as it sets over the shores of Lake Victoria and the River Nile. 

Day 24 – Kenya – Eldoret

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.

Day 25 – Nairobi

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 in Nairobi.