Itinerary
- Day 1
Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park
Start early from Nairobi and head down into the Great Rift Valley. There's a lookout point where you'll stop to take in the views before arriving at Lake Nakuru National Park. During the game drive in specialized safari vehicles, you'll have chances to see lions, rhinos, buffalo, and leopards. The soda lake here draws massive flamingo flocks that create a striking sight across the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park in specialized safari vehicles
Landmarks Lake Nakuru National Park Great Rift Valley 
- Day 2
Lake Nakuru to Eldoret
Travel from Lake Nakuru toward Eldoret, Kenya's fifth largest town. Along the way, you'll cross the Equator with photo opportunities at the marker. After that, stop at the Sirikwa holes, which are ancient primitive dwellings from a tribe whose history remains somewhat mysterious. It's a brief but interesting cultural stop.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Equator crossing photo stop
Optional Activities
- Visit Sirikwa holes
Landmarks Equator Sirikwa holes 
- Day 3
Eldoret to Kampala
Cross into Uganda, often called the Pearl of Africa. The drive takes you through lush rolling hills with tribal villages and growing towns scattered throughout. By late afternoon you'll reach Kampala, Uganda's capital, where you'll stay overnight and get settled in.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 4
Kampala to Chimpanzee Trekking Area
After leaving Kampala, cross the Equator again as you head through fertile green hills and forests. Watch for herds of Ankole cattle with their distinctive long curving horns grazing in the landscape. The evening is yours to unwind, take walks around the surrounding areas, and connect with the local community.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walk in surrounding areas
- Explore local community
Landmarks Equator - Day 5
Chimpanzee Trekking
Start your search for chimpanzees in either Kalinzu Forest or Kyambura Gorge. Since chimps spend their time in the trees rather than on the ground like mountain gorillas, you'll be looking up through the dense forest canopy to find humanity's closest relative in the wild. Your guide will help you track their movements and calls through the woodland.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Kalinzu Forest or Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee trekking with expert guides
Landmarks Kalinzu Forest Kyambura Gorge - Days 6 - 8
Chimpanzee Trekking Area to Lake Bunyonyi
Drive to Lake Bunyonyi, which sits surrounded by lush forest and rolling hills with scenic islands dotting the water. Over the next three days, you'll split into smaller groups for individual mountain gorilla treks into Bwindi National Park (occasionally Volcanoes in Rwanda). Non-trekking days offer optional boat trips, bird-watching, village visits, or canoe paddling. Trek days mean 30 minutes to 6-7 hours hiking through steamy jungle, finishing with roughly one hour watching gorillas from a safe distance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Mountain gorilla trek with expert guides in Bwindi National Park (or Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda)
Optional Activities
- Boat trip to Lake Bunyonyi islands
- Bird-watching
- Visit local village
- Hire canoes to paddle on lake
Landmarks Lake Bunyonyi Bwindi National Park Volcanoes National Park - Day 9
Lake Bunyonyi to Kampala
Leave Lake Bunyonyi and head back to Kampala, taking a route that skirts around the northern edge of Lake Victoria. Once you arrive, the evening is free to explore the city, meet locals, and try local cuisine. It's a good chance to experience Kampala's food scene and atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore Kampala city
- Meet locals
- Try local cuisine
Landmarks Lake Victoria - Day 10
Kampala to Jinja
Short drive to Jinja, which sits on the banks of Lake Victoria at the source of the River Nile. The river flows 5,584km through 11 countries before reaching the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt. You'll camp beside the Nile with numerous optional activities available if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Quad biking
- White water rafting
- Nile cruises
- Fishing trips
- Mountain biking
- Visit local school initiative with painting, plastering, or labour assistance
Landmarks River Nile Source Lake Victoria - Days 11 - 12
Jinja
Two completely free days to unwind by the Nile. Spend time with optional activities, take walks beside the river, or simply relax at the campsite. It's a good opportunity to rest and recharge before continuing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Optional activities by the Nile
- Long walk beside the river
- Relax at campsite
Landmarks River Nile - Day 13
Jinja to Eldoret
Leave Jinja and retrace your steps across the border into Kenya, heading toward Eldoret. It's mostly a driving day to reposition for the next stage of the journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 14
Eldoret to Nairobi
Continue south by crossing the Equator heading toward Nairobi. You'll arrive at your accommodation in the city by late afternoon or early evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Equator 
- Day 15
Nairobi
You have the day to explore Nairobi at your own speed, checking out the city and areas nearby on your schedule. If you want guided tours while you're here, several optional excursions are available that you can book locally once you arrive.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit the National Museum of Kenya
- Dine at Carnivore - a BBQ meat eater's paradise
- Go on safari at Nairobi National Park
- Visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Nursery
- Visit the Giraffe Centre
- Visit the Karen Blixen Museum in Karen
Landmarks National Museum of Kenya Nairobi National Park Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Nursery Giraffe Centre Karen Blixen Museum - Day 16
Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve
Leave Nairobi early and travel to the famous Masai Mara National Reserve, which sits adjacent to the Serengeti and forms one of the world's last surviving great wildernesses. Ride in specialized safari vehicles for intimate wildlife viewing. You'll camp in pre-erected en suite tents positioned on the edge of the reserve.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning and afternoon game drives in Masai Mara National Reserve in specialized safari vehicles
Landmarks Masai Mara National Reserve Serengeti - Day 17
Masai Mara National Reserve
Continue exploring Masai Mara with morning and afternoon game drives to different park areas. Search for the Big Five and spot other species including hyenas, vultures, warthogs, and endangered African wild dogs. Break at midday for lunch back at camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning and afternoon game drives in Masai Mara National Reserve in specialized safari vehicles
Landmarks Masai Mara National Reserve - Day 18
Masai Mara to Nairobi
Travel back across the Great Rift Valley from Masai Mara toward Nairobi for overnight. It's a longer driving day, so expect to be on the road for several hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Great Rift Valley - Day 19
Nairobi to Arusha
Cross into Tanzania at the Namanga frontier and drive to Arusha, Tanzania's safari capital, arriving late afternoon. The town sits in the shadow of Mount Meru and stays close to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Stop to browse local markets and take a guided walk around a traditional Masai village before reaching Meserani Snake Park for accommodation.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Maasai Village Walk with resident guide
Optional Activities
- Browse local markets
Landmarks Mount Meru Serengeti National Park Ngorongoro Crater Meserani Snake Park 
- Day 20
Arusha to Serengeti National Park
Leave the overland truck and transfer to designated safari vehicles for a two-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro excursion. Drive around the Ngorongoro Crater rim and onto the wildlife-rich plains of the Serengeti, one of the last great wildernesses. Millions of wildebeest, zebra, and antelope migrate here followed by lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Head to an unfenced campsite where you can listen to bush sounds and observe nearby wildlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Game drive in Serengeti National Park with resident guide in purpose-built safari vehicle
Landmarks Ngorongoro Conservation Area Serengeti National Park - Days 21 - 22
Ngorongoro Crater - Arusha
Continue game driving through the Serengeti searching for any species not yet spotted, then travel to the Ngorongoro Crater, camping on the rim of this UNESCO-listed natural caldera. Next morning, drive down a steep road into the crater itself for an unforgettable game drive where you'll spot every major African animal except giraffes (they can't manage the steep descent). Return to camp for lunch, pack up, and journey back to Arusha.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Game drive in Serengeti National Park with resident guide
- Game drive in Ngorongoro Crater with resident guide in purpose-built safari vehicle
Landmarks Serengeti National Park Ngorongoro Crater - Day 23
Arusha to Bagamoyo
Wake early and head south via Moshi to Bagamoyo. Pass Mount Kilimanjaro en route with potential for magnificent views of Africa's highest mountain if weather cooperates. Bagamoyo, founded in the late 18th century, was an important East African trading port. Today it's a centre for dhow boat building, with many boats sent to Zanzibar and nearby areas. Stay on the outskirts near palm-fringed beaches of the Indian Ocean.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- View Mount Kilimanjaro
Landmarks Mount Kilimanjaro Moshi Bagamoyo - Day 24
Bagamoyo to Dar es Salaam
It's a relatively short drive heading south along the coast to reach Dar es Salaam. Tanzania's main port city is hot, humid, and busy with high rises, colorful markets, and Arab-influenced architecture along the waterfront. You'll stay at a beach location just outside the city for the night and have time for a swim if you want to cool off.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Swim at the beach
Landmarks Dar es Salaam - Days 25 - 27
Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar
Morning ferry to Zanzibar, leaving the overland truck on the mainland. Zanzibar is evocative with idyllic sandy palm-fringed beaches, romantic winding cobbled alleys, and lush tropical forests. Spend day 25 in Stone Town exploring historic sites. Days 26-27 move to one of the beautiful northern beaches for Indian Ocean relaxation. Optional activities include spice plantation visits, snorkeling, tropical beach time, massages, yacht trips, and sunset dhow cruises.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ferry from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar
Optional Activities
- Explore historic Stone Town
- Visit spice plantation
- Snorkelling at coast
- Beach time
- Massage services
- Yacht trips
- Sunset dhow cruise
Landmarks Stone Town Zanzibar - Day 28
Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam
Final morning with time for last-minute shopping or one last swim before catching the ferry back to the African mainland and Dar es Salaam where the tour finishes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam
Optional Activities
- Last-minute shopping
- Final swim
Landmarks Dar es Salaam Zanzibar
