Itinerary
- Day 1
Zanzibar
You'll arrive in Zanzibar and meet your group leader at a 2 pm welcome meeting. After that, the rest of the day is yours to explore Stone Town at your own pace. Wander through the cobblestone alleyways, check out the markets and mosques, or find a spot with a view of the seafront for a drink. Head to a local restaurant for dinner and settle into your basic inn for the night.
Optional Activities
- Stone Town self-guided exploration
- Stone Town Tour - Dharajani Market, Joseph's Cathedral, Palace Museum, Forodhani Food Market (USD20)
- Prison Island Tour (USD25)
- Dhow Trip (USD35)
Landmarks Stone Town Dharajani Market Joseph's Cathedral Palace Museum Forodhani Food Market 
- Day 2
Zanzibar to Northern Beaches
Check out of your Stone Town accommodation and head to the Northern Beaches. There's an option to book a guided spice plantation tour beforehand where you'll learn about the island's spice trade and try cinnamon, vanilla, ginger and various spice-infused teas. After lunch, you'll have the white-sand beaches and sparkling blue seas of the Northern Beaches waiting for you to settle in.
- Meals
- Lunch
Optional Activities
- Spice plantation tour with tasting (USD25)
- Snorkelling (USD50)
Landmarks Northern Beaches - Day 3
Northern Beaches
You have the full day to enjoy Zanzibar's coastline however you like. Take a swim if you want, relax beneath the palms, or try seafood dinner by the water. This day is really about slowing down and soaking in island life at your own pace.
Optional Activities
- Swimming
- Beach relaxation
- Seafood dinner by the water
Landmarks Northern Beaches - Day 4
Northern Beaches to Bagamoyo
Spend your final morning relaxing on the sandy northern beaches before heading back to Stone Town to catch the ferry to Dar es Salaam. Once you arrive, you'll meet your driver and cook, then take a short drive to your camp at Bagamoyo, which sits nicely by the beach.
Included Activities
- Ferry to Dar es Salaam
Landmarks Bagamoyo - Day 5
Bagamoyo to Lushoto
You'll travel into the remote Usambara Mountains, about 7 hours of driving. This area doesn't get many tourists, so you'll have a chance to really take in the surroundings. Your base is Lushoto, an old German colony where you'll stay on the grounds of one of Africa's earliest hotels.
Landmarks Usambara Mountains Lushoto - Day 6
Lushoto
From your Lushoto base, explore the Usambara Mountains with a local guide. You'll hike to the Irente viewpoint, so bring water and snacks in a day pack. On the way back, visit the local cultural project at Irente farm and enjoy lunch that's been prepared locally.
- Meals
- Lunch (Locally prepared lunch at Irente farm)
Included Activities
- Irente viewpoint hike with expert local guide
- Irente local cultural project visit
- Locally prepared lunch at Irente farm
Landmarks Irente Viewpoint Irente Farm - Day 7
Lushoto to Arusha
Leave the scenic Usambara Mountains behind and travel to Arusha, which serves as the gateway to the northern safari circuit. There are no planned activities today, so you'll enjoy the drive through Tanzania's landscapes. By evening, you'll settle into your campsite on the outskirts of town.
Landmarks Arusha - Day 8
Arusha to Karatu
After breakfast, you'll head to Karatu and hike through the Ngorongoro Reserve Forest to Elephant Caves and Endoro waterfalls. Your expert local guide and armed ranger will point out wildlife tracks and birdlife. Later, visit a local coffee farm in Karatu village to learn about their farming practices. Tonight, a local Tanzanian family will cook a traditional dinner in their home and an educated guide will share insights about local culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional home-cooked dinner with local Tanzanian family in their home)
Included Activities
- Hike through Ngorongoro Reserve Forest to Elephant Caves and Endoro waterfalls with expert local guide and armed ranger
- Karatu coffee farm tour
- Traditional home-cooked dinner with local Tanzanian family
- Cultural education session with locally trained guide
Landmarks Ngorongoro Reserve Forest Elephant Caves Endoro Waterfalls Karatu - Day 9
Karatu to Serengeti
Get up early and head out in a six-person jeep for a safari through the Ngorongoro Crater, which takes 3 to 4 hours. You might see black rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, impalas, zebras and hippos. Then you'll move to the open plains of the Serengeti, green after rains or brown and burnt in dry season, home to thousands of hoofed animals and fierce predators. Your campsite is within the Serengeti itself.
Included Activities
- 4x4 game drive in Ngorongoro Crater (3-4 hours)
- Serengeti National Park morning 4WD safari
Landmarks Ngorongoro Crater Serengeti National Park 
- Day 10
Serengeti
Wake at dawn for a game drive when animals are most active, then return to camp around 11 am for brunch. Spend the middle of the day relaxing like the animals do, then head out again as it cools for a second game drive before dinner. There's an optional pre-booked hot air balloon ride at sunrise if you want an aerial view with a five-star bush breakfast afterwards.
- Meals
- Brunch
Included Activities
- Morning game drive
- Brunch
- Afternoon/evening game drive
Optional Activities
- Hot air balloon ride over Serengeti at sunrise with five-star bush breakfast (USD800 - from price, must be pre-booked)
Landmarks Serengeti National Park - Day 11
Serengeti to Mto wa Mbu
Rise with the sun for one last game drive as you leave the Serengeti. Jump back into your overland vehicle and head for Mto wa Mbu. After setting up camp, take a guided stroll through the farming areas and local homes to learn how the community lives. Enjoy a locally prepared dinner in town.
- Meals
- Dinner (Locally prepared dinner in town)
Included Activities
- Morning game drive leaving Serengeti
- Guided village walk through farming areas and local homes
- Locally prepared dinner in town
Landmarks Mto wa Mbu - Day 12
Mto wa Mbu to Nairobi
Travel to Nairobi, the bustling capital of Kenya, and settle into your hotel. Spend the evening at your leisure, then attend a second welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet your new group.
Landmarks Nairobi - Day 13
Nairobi to Lake Nakuru
Drive north-west to Lake Nakuru National Park in the heart of the Great Rift Valley, taking in views of the Rift Valley and Lakes Naivasha and Elementaita on the way. You'll arrive in time for a short evening game drive along the lake shore where you have a good chance to spot rhinos, one of the Big Five.
Included Activities
- Evening game drive at Lake Nakuru along the shore
Landmarks Rift Valley Lake Naivasha Lake Elementaita Lake Nakuru National Park - Day 14
Lake Nakuru to Eldoret
Rise early, have breakfast and break camp. Head out on an overland game drive as you leave the park. Eat lunch at the gate before driving north-west to Eldoret, one of Kenya's fastest-growing cities. Tonight, you'll enjoy a traditional dinner at your campsite just outside town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at the gate of Lake Nakuru), Dinner (Traditional dinner at campsite)
Included Activities
- Morning overland vehicle game drive leaving Lake Nakuru
Landmarks Eldoret - Day 15
Eldoret to Kampala
Leave Kenya and cross the border into Uganda, traveling to its capital Kampala. Uganda has a population over 45 million and is one of the five East African Community nations. Since this is a long travel day, you'll stay at a hotel instead of camping. The hotel will prepare dinner for you before you settle in for the night.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner prepared by hotel)
Landmarks Kampala - Day 16
Kampala to Kalinzu Forest
Travel to Kalinzu Forest National Park, which is home to chimpanzees, black and white colobuses, baboons, red-tailed monkeys and various other wildlife including forest hogs and elephants. Upon arrival, settle into camp and explore the forest with the rest of your group.
Optional Activities
- Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu Forest (USD205)
Landmarks Kalinzu Forest National Park - Day 17
Kalinzu Forest to Queen Elizabeth National Park
This morning you can choose to take an excursion to see the chimpanzees of Kalinzu Forest, or relax and soak in the forest sounds from your tent. Later, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Once camp is set up, there's an option to take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel to see pelicans, eagles, hippos and other birdlife.
Optional Activities
- Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu Forest (USD205)
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise (USD30)
Landmarks Queen Elizabeth National Park Kazinga Channel - Day 18
Queen Elizabeth National Park to Kisoro
Drive out of Queen Elizabeth National Park toward the south-west tip of Uganda where the border touches Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. On this short game drive, look out for elephants, buffalo, Ugandan kobs and waterbucks. You'll arrive at Kisoro and stay at a camp on Lake Mutanda shore with views of the Virunga Mountain range. Relax and soak up the views, go for a swim, or look for local weaver bird nests and African clawless otters.
Landmarks Lake Mutanda Virunga Mountains Kisoro - Day 19
Kisoro
With a local ranger and gorilla trackers, you'll climb through the rugged mountain terrain of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a rare chance to encounter gorilla families. No more than eight people visit any one family per day to minimize disturbance. The terrain can be strenuous, but spotting a great male silverback with his family eating, sleeping, grooming and playing makes it worthwhile.
Included Activities
- Mountain Gorilla Permit and Trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with local ranger and gorilla trackers
Landmarks Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Day 20
Kisoro
If you didn't complete your gorilla visit yesterday, head out today. With your free day, your leader will suggest options for spending time around Kisoro. You can do rainforest hikes to see monkeys, take nature walks, or perhaps take a day excursion over the border to Rwanda to visit the genocide memorial, art museum and Nyamirambo women's center. A Rwanda or East Africa visa is required for any Rwanda trip.
Optional Activities
- Rainforest hikes to see monkeys
- Nature walks
- Golden Monkey Trekking (USD160)
- Batwa Village Visit (USD35)
- Coffee Farm Tour (USD35)
- Rwanda Day Excursion including genocide memorial, art museum and Nyamirambo women's center (from USD75)
Landmarks Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Day 21
Kisoro to Mbarara
Turn back toward Kampala on a travel day. You'll break the journey at Mbarara for the night. There's not much to do around Mbarara, so tonight is a good opportunity to recharge, get into a book or simply relax at camp.
Landmarks Mbarara - Day 22
Mbarara to Jinja
Continue inland toward Jinja, one of Uganda's highlights and a riverside retreat at the source of the Nile and the adventure capital of the country. Tonight you'll camp at a scenic riverside site and get good rest ready for tomorrow's activities.
Landmarks Jinja Source of the Nile - Day 23
Jinja
You have the full day at the source of the Nile as it leaves Lake Victoria. Jinja is a place for adventurers, adrenaline junkies and eco-travellers. Explore at your own pace with plenty of optional activities available. Get active with whitewater rafting, float along the river on a kayak, or take a boat cruise to the source of the Nile to see the river from a new perspective.
Optional Activities
- Whitewater rafting on the River Nile (full day) (USD140)
- Kayaking on the river
- Nile Boat Cruise (USD40)
- Source of River Nile tour (USD45)
Landmarks Source of the Nile - Day 24
Jinja to Kericho
Leave Uganda and begin the journey back to Kenya and Nairobi. Stop overnight at Kericho, one of Kenya's popular towns due to its tranquil surroundings blanketed by thick tea plantations. When you arrive, visit a local tea plantation and learn about the tea farming process from the locals themselves.
Included Activities
- Tea plantation visit and learning session with local farmers
Landmarks Kericho South-Western Mau National Reserve - Day 25
Kericho to Maasai Mara
Drive to the famous Maasai Mara National Park. Stop in Loita Hills to visit Tepesua Village and be welcomed by Maasai warriors through traditional song and dance. Meet your Maasai hosts, learn about their ancient culture and community projects promoting education and women's empowerment. Meet the women who make eco-friendly handbags and backpacks. Travel on to Maasai Mara with sparse open plains and the world's most iconic animals. An early evening 4WD game drive with expert local driver guides follows.
Included Activities
- Maasai Village visit at Tepesua Village with traditional welcome, Maasai warriors, and cultural insights
- Visit to women's eco-friendly crafts project
- Maasai Mara 4WD Safari - early evening game drive with expert local driver guides
Landmarks Loita Hills Tepesua Village Maasai Mara National Park - Day 26
Maasai Mara
This morning you have the option to take a pre-booked hot air balloon ride over the Mara at sunrise for great photo opportunities from tree height. You'll get picked up before dawn, receive a safety briefing, glide through the skies and enjoy bush breakfast before meeting the group. Today you'll venture into Maasai Mara National Reserve with expert local driver guides for a full day 4WD safari viewing wildlife.
Included Activities
- Full day Maasai Mara National Reserve 4WD safari with expert local driver guides
Optional Activities
- Hot air balloon ride over the Mara at sunrise with bush breakfast (USD470 - from price, must be pre-booked)
Landmarks Maasai Mara National Park - Day 27
Maasai Mara to Nairobi
Return to Nairobi, the bustling capital. You'll be dropped off at your finishing point hotel where your trip ends. If you'd like to extend your stay in Nairobi, speak to your booking agent about options.
Landmarks Nairobi
