Jungle, Falls & Game Parks

Nairobi - Lake Nakuru National Park. We leave Nairobi this morning and descend into the Great Rift Valley, home to some of Africa's most dramatic scenery. We stop at a lookout point to enjoy the view before arriving in Lake Nakuru National Park. Although small by African standards, this Kenyan reserve is home to all manner of wildlife, including lion, rhino, buffalo and leopard, not to mention the great flocks of flamingos which gather at the famous soda lake itself. We enjoy an included game drive in specialized safari vehicles in order to spot some of this wildlife for ourselves.

Please note: The pre-departure meeting is held at 18:00 on the evening prior to departure. The tour departs at 08:00 on Day 1 so please arrive in Nairobi the day before your tour. Refer to the Joining Instructions in the Trip Notes for more information. We can book accommodation and transfers on request.

Lake Nakuru National Park - Eldoret. Departing Nakuru this morning we journey to Eldoret, Kenya's fifth largest town and a region increasingly important to the country's economy. On our journey today we will cross the Equator, travelling from the Southern Hemisphere to the Northern Hemisphere. We will stop to enjoy some time and photo opportunities at the Equator itself. Arriving at our camp on the outskirts of Eldoret, there is time for you to admire the nearby Sirikwa holes, primitive dwellings believed to have belonged to an ancient tribe.

Eldoret - Kampala (Uganda). Wave goodbye to Kenya for now as we cross into Uganda, a country once described by Sir Winston Churchill as the 'Pearl of Africa'. On our drive to Kampala you will see lush rolling hills, tribal villages and growing towns and cities. Tonight we stay in the country's capital, Kampala.

Kampala - Chimpanzee Trekking Area. Departing Kampala, we cross the Equator again and pass through fertile green hills, tangled forests. From our vehicle we witness herds of Ankole cattle with their incredible long curving horns roaming the roads and paddocks. Our first evening here is free to unwind and relax, take a walk in the surrounding areas and take in the local ambient of the community.

Kalinzu Forest or Kyambura Gorge. Today, we head out in search of chimpanzees. Unlike their larger cousins, the mountain gorillas, chimps primarily lives in the trees, making our viewing experience one of gazing up into the dense forest canopy. Unsurprisingly, witnessing humanity’s closest relative in its natural habitat is an unforgettable experience

Please note:Chimpanzee Trek permits are issued by the wildlife authority in small group. Depending on our group size, we may trek on the afternoon of day 4, morning or afternoon of day 5, or morning of day 6.

Chimpanzee Trekking Area - Lake Bunyonyi. On day 6 we drive to Lake Bunyonyi, dotted with scenic islands and surrounded by lush forest and rolling hills. Over the next three days everyone in the group will enjoy their mountain gorilla trek, but we will split into smaller groups in order to avoid disturbing the gorillas. On the days when you are not trekking, you are free to take a boat trip to some of Lake Bunyonyi's islands, go bird-watching, visit a local village or hire canoes to paddle on the lake.

On the day of your trek, we will hike for anywhere between 30 minutes and 6 or 7 hours into Bwindi National Park (or occasionally Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, this will be made clear to you in advance), depending on the location of the gorillas. A decent level of fitness is required as we trek through the steamy jungle. Your guide will know the location of the nearest gorilla family.

Once we have located the gorillas, you will spend around an hour watching from a safe distance. Keep quiet, keep low to the ground and follow all the instructions of your guide - this is for your safety and for the welfare of the mountain gorillas. You are welcome to take photos, as long as there is no flash.

One of the world's most endangered creatures, mountain gorillas are heavily protected, with around 1,000 animals now living in the rainforests of central Africa. Numbers have increased remarkably due to effective protection in recent years - keep your eyes peeled for the giant silverback alpha male, and some of the adorable youngsters that represent the future of their species.

When it is time to leave the gorillas, we trek back to Lake Bunyonyi, where you can reflect on what is sure to be the highlight of your African adventure. The rest of your time here is at leisure, whilst the rest of our group completes their trek.

Lake Bunyonyi - Kampala. Leaving the mountain gorillas and Lake Bunyonyi behind, we return to Kampala, skirting around the northern edge of Lake Victoria. There is time this evening for you to head into the city and explore, meet the locals or try some of the local cuisine if you wish.

Kampala - Jinja. It's a short drive today as we make our way to Jinja, a city in southern Uganda on the banks of Lake Victoria, source of the River Nile. From here, the river flows for 5,584km, through 11 countries. It enters the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt, having provided life to millions and millions of people and animals on its journey!

Our campsite is beside the Nile, and there are numerous optional activities you can enjoy. Quad biking, white water rafting, Nile cruises, fishing trips and mountain biking are some of the options. You also have the opportunity to visit a local school initiative. Lend a hand with some painting, plastering or other labour to help improve the local schools around Jinja.

The next two days are completely free for you to unwind by the Nile. Enjoy some of the optional activities available, go for a long walk beside the river or simply relax at the campsite with a good book - the choice is yours!

Jinja - Eldoret (Kenya). Leaving Jinja, we retrace our steps across the border into Kenya and onwards to Eldoret, where we will spend the night.

Eldoret - Nairobi. Day 14 & Day 15 offers you the freedom to explore both the city and its surrounding areas. Alternatively, the following optional excursions are available to book locally. Visit the National Museum of Kenya; chow down at Carnivore - a BBQ meat eater’s paradise; go on safari at Nairobi National Park; Visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Nursery, Giraffe Centre or check out the Karen Blixen Museum in the nearby town of Karen.

Nairobi - Masai Mara. Early this morning we depart Nairobi and drive to the Masai Mara. We will be travelling in specialised safari vehicles for this part of the tour to enjoy a more intimate wildlife-viewing experience. In the Masai Mara we spend two nights on the edge of the reserve in permanent en suite tents and spot wildlife on morning and afternoon game drives.

We go in search of the Big Five and other wildlife on a morning and afternoon game drive in the legendary Masai Mara today. Between July and October the Masai Mara plays host to The Great Migration, when giant herds of wildebeest, zebra, and other grazing animals migrate from the adjoining Serengeti plains, followed by predators and scavengers. The Masai Mara is excellent for game viewing at any time of year but the enormous congregation of wildlife during The Great Migration is simply spectacular.

Masai Mara - Nairobi. We leave the Masai Mara this morning and travel back across the Great Rift Valley to Nairobi where we spend the night.

Nairobi - Arusha (Tanzania). Bidding farewell to Kenya we board our overland truck and cross the border into neighbouring Tanzania today, travelling on to Arusha. Arriving in Tanzania's 'safari capital' late afternoon we stop to browse the curio markets before heading to our accommodation just outside the city. If time permits we enjoy a walk around a traditional Maasai village to gain an insight into their everyday life and traditions.

Arusha - Serengeti National Park. This morning we set out on an exciting two day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater excursion in designated safari vehicles. Entering the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, we drive around the rim of the crater and onto the vast, wildlife-rich plains of the Serengeti. Spot an enormous variety of grazing animals, predators and birdlife as we game drive to our unfenced campsite for the evening. Camping in the wilderness, with wildlife roaming nearby, is an experience you'll never forget!

Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Crater - Arusha. Day 21 sees us game-driving back out of the Serengeti and into the nearby Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This UNESCO-listed site is dominated by the Ngorongoro Crater, Africa's largest caldera. It is also home to some of the highest densities of wildlife on the entire continent. We spend the night camping on the rim (you may need a jacket; it can be cold at night due to the high altitude here), where wildlife also roams free.

On day 22 we descend the steep dirt road of the Ngorongoro Crater for a morning of game driving in this spectacular wildlife haven. All of the major mammals are present except giraffes (which cannot manage the steep slopes leading down onto the Crater floor). After our game drive, we return to our campsite on the rim for a final view over the Ngorongoro Crater, pack up our camp and have lunch before retracing our steps to Arusha.

Arusha - Bagamoyo. After a week of safari, it's time for some downtime! We head first to the port city of Bagamoyo, which is located on the Indian Ocean coast. It's a long drive, but we will be afforded views of snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro if the weather is clear. Our accommodation for the night is near the beach, and you are more than welcome to head out to explore.

Bagamoyo - Dar es Salaam. We make our way south along the coast to the bustling seaport city of Dar es Salaam today. We stay by the beach just outside the city, there's time to relax and take in the balmy Indian Ocean sea breeze before we travel to Zanzibar tomorrow.

Dar es Salaam - Zanzibar. Leaving our overland truck on the mainland we take the ferry to Zanzibar on the morning of day 25. Idyllic Zanzibar, with its sandy, palm-fringed beaches, romantic winding cobbled alleys and lush tropical forests, is our home for the next three nights.

In Zanzibar we stay in simple hotels, usually spending day 25 in Stone Town and days 26 and 27 at one of the northern beaches. Enjoy free time on the island or choose from a range of optional excursions. Opt for a tour of Stone Town's Slave Markets or a Spice Tour. Go snorkelling, scuba diving or simply relax on the tropical beaches. Please see the Trip Notes for more details about the optional activities available in Zanzibar.

Zanzibar - Dar es Salaam. Enjoy a final swim in the turquoise ocean before we board the ferry back to the mainland and return to our accommodation on the beach.

Dar es Salaam - Mikumi National Park area. Climb aboard our overland truck once more as we make our way back inland, heading for the Malawian border. Today we are driving through Mikumi National Park, and will stop if we see any exotic wildlife, such as a forest elephant, or herd of giraffes. Our accommodation tonight is on the edge of the reserve, and if time allows, you can opt for an extra game drive.

Mikumi National Park - Iringa. Continuing our journey south, we pass through Baobab Valley, home to many of these ancient, swollen baobab trees. Reaching the town of Iringa, we end our journey at the Kisolanza Farm. This family-run business supplies Dar es Salaam with organic meat and vegetables and is a well-known camping spot, located in the scenic Southern Highlands of Tanzania.

Iringa - Mbeya Region. As we head towards Malawi, we make a stop at the tranquil Utengule Coffee Lodge, nestled amidst the majestic Mbeya range in Southern Tanzania. We take in breathtaking views of the East African Rift Valley, unwind by the poolside, or enjoy activities like squash, tennis, pool, table tennis, and volleyball. For those of us interested in coffee, we have the option to join a guided tour through the coffee plantation, complete with a roasting demonstration and a delicious cup of home-grown coffee.

Mbeya Region - Chitimba Beach (Malawi). After our last night in Tanzania, we make our way to the Songwe border post and cross into Malawi. Lake Malawi, formerly known as Lake Nyasa, covers nearly a fifth of the country and is a vital source of livelihood for many Malawians. Fishermen, fish traders, and canoe and net makers all rely on the lake, and at dawn, we see fishermen in their Bwato (traditional dugout canoes) casting their nets as the sun rises over the water. The lake is also home to the highest number of endemic freshwater fish species in the world.

We have plenty of free time to relax on the beach, stroll through the village, and explore the local craft market, where we can try our hand at woodcarving and create our own souvenir. We also have the chance to learn the traditional game of Bao or test our bargaining skills while shopping for unique handmade treasures.

Chitimba - Nkhotakota Region. Lake Malawi is too much of a highlight for us to only visit one location along its never-ending shore! Today we take a nice scenic drive through rubber plantations to Mzuzu - the capital of the northern region and the third largest town in Malawi - where we stop for a short while to grab supplies and check out the markets, before arriving to Ngala Beach Lodge.

Day 34 is free to try some of the optional activities, such as hiring a kayak, snorkelling, village walk, waterfall hike, or simply relax and enjoy the warm, fresh waters of Lake Malawi.

Nkhotakota Region - Petauke (Zambia). Saying our goodbyes to ‘the Lake’, we drive through Nkhotakhota Game Reserve towards the border where we cross into Zambia. After completing the border formalities, we continue our journey to Petauke, a region known for agriculture, producing maize, cotton, sunflower, soya beans, and other crops.

Petauke - Lusaka. It's an early start today as we have a long drive to the Zambian capital, Lusaka. The scenery en route is stunning though: we'll take the Great Eastern Road, passing through lush countryside and crossing the rushing Luangwa River. Our campsite is at a tranquil farm outside Lusaka, which is Southern Africa's fastest-growing city.

Lusaka - Livingstone. Heading south we travel to Livingtone on day 37 and our accommodation at the Waterfront on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, just a few kilometres from Victoria Falls. This will be our home for the next four nights. During your stay in Livingstone a visit Mosi oa Tunya National Park to see the spectacular Victoria Falls is included. Don’t forget your raincoat to keep you and your camera dry!

Spend your time in Livingstone at leisure. There's plenty to keep you entertained! Explore Livingstone and perhaps cross the border to see the Zimbabwe side of the falls. You can also enjoy a whole range of optional activities which are available to book locally, such as rafting, bungee jumping, river cruises, and flights over the falls, to name a few.

Livingstone - Matobo (Zimbabwe). This morning we depart Livingstone and cross the border into Zimbabwe, passing through the town of Victoria Falls en route to Matobo. We stop in Bulawayo for supplies before heading to our campsite.

This morning we explore Matobo National Park on a half day open vehicle game drive and wilderness walk with a resident guide. This remarkable reserve has the largest concentration of Black and White Rhino in Africa and it also has the densest population of leopard and black eagle in the world. Knowledgeable guides will take us on a nature drive and wilderness walk, leading us on foot to some of the more concealed places in search of these incredible animals.

After the tour drive back to camp for an afternoon at leisure. Alternatively there's the option to upgrade to a full day tour (optional - pay locally). On the full day tour explore the wind-sculptured Matobo Hills, see the Bushman paintings and visit the grave of Cecil John Rhodes.

Matobo - Tshipise (South Africa). Today we continue our journey south, crossing Tshipise into South Africa at Beitbridge. Then we cross the mighty Limpopo River and travel on to the town of Tshipise, in the northern Limpopo province. Our accommodation for the night is adjacent to Honnet Nature Reserve and there are hot spring in the area, surrounded by dense woodland and Baobab trees.

Tshipise - Hazyview (Greater Kruger). From Tshipise we travel to Kruger National Park, southern Africa's flagship game reserve. Several years ago fences between the national park and surrounding private reserves were removed to form the Greater Kruger where an abundance of wildlife roams free. Almost every major Africa mammal can be found in Kruger including all of the Big Five and there's also prolific birdlife.

We stay at a hotel in Hazyview and enjoy an evening of Shangaan tribal dancing and singing. The following day we wake early, board 4x4 game viewing vehicles with a resident guide and set out on a full day in the national park itself. Going in search of the Big Five and other resident wildlife on a morning and afternoon game drive, with a break during the middle of the day to relax at a rest camp. Late afternoon we return to our hotel in Hazyview for the night.

Hazyview (Greater Kruger) - Pretoria. Bidding farewell to Kruger we make our way to Pretoria where our tour ends late afternoon / early evening.

Please note: We recommend that you plan to stay that evening in Pretoria. Post tour accommodation in Pretoria and a transfer to Johanessburg O.R. Tambo International Airport can be booked in advance or locally.