CAMPING SAFARI: Start your East African overland adventure with a taste of the tropics on the beautiful island of Zanzibar. Go wild on safari in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and the Masai Mara. Explore the Great Rift Valley Lakes and trek in search of mountain gorillas in Uganda. Taking in the best of Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda in 25 days.
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Dar es Salaam
Wednesday. Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival at Dar es Salaam Airport you will be met and transferred to your campsite on the coast. There will be a pre-departure meeting at 17:00 hours today where you will meet your tour leader.
Overnight: Dar es Salaam
Zanzibar excursion
Dar es Salaam - Zanzibar. Today we travel by local ferry to the ‘Spice Island’ of Zanzibar for three nights. Whilst on the island we will take the popular Spice Tour in Stone Town and once up at the beaches we will take a sunset show cruise, as well as have the opportunity to participate in an array of optional activities including a trip to Prison Island.
Overnight: Zanzibar | Breakfast x 3
Zanzibar
Zanzibar - Dar es Salaam. Leaving Zanzibar in the afternoon, we return to the mainland for a night at our campsite in Dar es Salaam.
Overnight: Dar es Salaam | Breakfast, Dinner
Arusha
Dar es Salaam - Pangani - Arusha. Today we continue north as we travel through vast sisal plantations and African bushveld to Arusha (stopping for a night in the coastal town of Pengani to break the journey). Once in Arusha we stay in Meserani before heading out to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater the following morning.
Overnight: Pangani (1) Arusha (1) | Breakfast x 2, Lunch x 2, Dinner x 2
Serengeti & Ngorongoro
Arusha - Karatu - Serengeti & Ngorongoro. Today we visit the Meserani Reptile Park and Masai Cultural Museum before we meet our Tanzanian guides and transfer into locally operated 4WD that have been adapted for safari use and allow excellent viewing and photographic opportunities through the opening roof hatches.
We spend the evening at a pleasant campsite in Karatu and depart for the Ngorongoro Conservation area and crater the following morning. This World Heritage Site boasts some of the best game viewing in Africa – including the elusive Black Rhino.
After our game drive we continue past the ‘Cradle of Mankind’ on our way to the Serengeti crossing the vast plains as we game drive through the park.
Tonight we bush camp (no ablutions) in the wild surrounded by the sounds of the wild. The following morning, we take another game drive in search of Africa’s ‘Big 5’! before returning to Arusha for the evening.
Overnight: Karatu (1) Serengeti (1) Arusha (1) | Breakfast x 3, Lunch x 3, Dinner x 3
Masai Mara
Nairobi - Masai Mara. Leaving the city behind we drive to a viewpoint overlooking a section of the spectacular Great Rift Valley. From here we begin to enter Masai land and you often see them tending their cattle as we travel along. We arrive at Acacia Camp near the Masai Mara National Reserve in the late afternoon.
Just after sunrise the following day we begin our game drive into the Masai Mara. We drive through a section of the park in search of the ‘Big 5’ along with many other species of animals, reptiles and birds who make this wilderness home.
Afterwards we can visit one of the nearby Masai Manyatta’s – a traditional hamlet where the Masai still live in their traditional way.
Overnight: Masai Mara | Breakfast x 2, Lunch x 2, Dinner x 2
Eldoret
Masai Mara - Eldoret. Leaving early we depart Masai Land and journey through the scenic tea plantations of Kericho before descending the Rift Valley Plateau, on our way to Eldoret for the evening.
Overnight: Eldoret | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Kampala
Eldoret - Kampala (Uganda). Today we cross the border into neighbouring Uganda for our overnight stay in the capital city, Kampala.
Overnight: Kampala | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lake Bunyonyi & Gorilla Trekking
Kampala - Lake Bunyonyi. Today we drive west to our base for the gorillas at Lake Bunyonyi. Dependent on where our trekking permits are available, we trek in the Magahinga or Bwindi National Parks in Uganda.
Please note: Gorilla permits need to be purchased in advance, please ask your reservations consultant or visit our Gorilla trekking travel guide.
Overnight: Lake Bunyonyi | Breakfast x 4, Lunch x 4, Dinner x 4
Kampala
Lake Bunyonyi - Kampala. Today we drive back to Kampala crossing the Equator for the second time and stop for the necessary photo opportunities.
Overnight: Kampala | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Jinja
Kampala - Jinja. Today we have the option of visiting the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary before heading to Jinja for a selection of adventure activities including white water rafting, quad biking or visiting a community project.
Overnight: Jinja | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lake Nakuru
Jinja - Lake Nakuru (Kenya). Departing early, we head back to Kenya, stopping for lunch and supplies en route. We then make our way to Nakuru - 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. We overnight outside Nakuru at a lovely campsite.
Overnight: Lake Nakuru | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lake Naivasha
Lake Nakuru - Lake Naivasha. On the morning on day 23 we explore Lake Nakuru National Park looking for rhino, as well as the elusive leopard, buffalo, giraffe and various antelope. Afterwards we continue to Lake Naivasha.
Overnight: Lake Naivasha | Breakfast x 2, Lunch x 2, Dinner x 2
Nairobi
Saturday. Lake Naivasha - Nairobi. After breakfast, we return to Nairobi usually arriving by late morning or early afternoon.
Breakfast
GORILLA TREKKING PERMITS
Please note: Uganda Gorilla trekking permits need to be purchased in advance, and are subject to availability. Due to the limited availability of the trekking permits, we are unable to guarantee your permit upon receipt of payment. Should we be unable to obtain your permit you will receive a full refund. Please click here for further details on Gorilla permits.
Prices & Dates
Please note: Due to logistical reasons we are unable to take new bookings for our gorilla trekking tours in 2023 and 2024.
Local payment - $1950pp paid in USD
Please note that this is payable locally on day 1 of your trip in the currency specified.
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Kipepeo Beach Village , Dar es Salaam
The Tanzanian bush meets the blue waters of the Indian Ocean at Kipepeo Beach & Village, situated on the south coast of Dar Es Salaam. The campsite is right on the beach itself and is a popular destination for watersports adventures or simple relaxation. Facilities include a beach bar and restaurant.Upgrades are available to the twenty elevated ensuite chalets, built in the bush and decorated in traditional Swahili style, provide a stunning ocean views.
Wildebeest Eco Camp, Nairobi
Wildebeest Eco Camp is a distinctive starting point from which to explore Nairobi and beyond. The camp offers a shaded campsite for budget travellers, or luxury ensuite tents for those looking to splurge a little on their safari experience. Located in the vibrant Langata area, Nairobi National Park and the Galleria Shopping Centre are among the attractions just 10 minutes' drive away. After a long day of travelling, indulgences such as an infinity pool and guest library are available, as are free Wi-fi and laundry service.
Red Chilli Hideaway, Kampala
Located on a purpose-built, 5-acre site in a peaceful suburb, the Red Chilli Hideaway offers affordable accommodation ranging from a campsite which we use for our overland safaris to private ensuite rooms for upgrades. Settle down for the day at the Hideaway's saltwater pool, self-catering kitchen, or restaurant & bar. The camp supports sustainable tourism and operates the Steve Willis Memorial Fund, whose proceeds go to providing clean drinking water in the Murchison Falls region.
At a Glance
Extra Tour Info
The tour was fantastic as well as the guide and the rest of the crew. They have done everything they could to make sure the whole group spent a memorable holiday. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in travelling to East Africa. Ps: please add gloves in the what to bring section as this is necessary for the gorilla trekking. We all had to use hand socks (!) ”
