Gorillas, Game Parks & Beaches

Jambo! Welcome to Kenya. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm in Nairobi. If you arrive early, why not head out and soak up the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the city. There are plenty of good bars and restaurants, as well as markets and shops packed with arts and crafts from the region. After the meeting tonight, maybe join your new travel companions for a welcome dinner and get to know each other.

Take in the spectacular views of the Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha and Elementaita on the drive north-west to Lake Nakuru National Park – situated in the heart of the Great Rift Valley. You’ll arrive in time for a short evening game drive along the shore of the lake. Lake Nakuru National Park is a small and compact area based around a lake that makes a great location for spotting wildlife. Along with the other members of the Big Five, Lake Nakuru is home to many rhinos and will therefore be the best chance to get a snap of these magnificent beasts.

Rise early, have some breakfast, break up camp and head out on an overland game drive as you leave the park. Eat lunch at the gate before driving northwest to Eldoret – one of Kenya's fastest-growing cities. Tonight, enjoy a traditional dinner at your campsite located just outside Eldoret.

Today, you’ll leave Kenya behind and cross the border into landlocked Uganda, travelling on to its capital city, Kampala. With a population of over 45 million, Uganda is a country of great cultural diversity and is one of the five countries that make up the East African Community. As today is a long travel day, take a break from setting up camp with a stay at a hotel tonight. After your long drive, sit down for a dinner prepared by the hotel before settling in for a good night’s rest.

Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park today. On arrival, look out for elephants, buffalo, Ugandan kobs and waterbucks on an overland vehicle game drive before making your way to camp. This evening there's an option to take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel – well-known for pelicans, eagles and other birdlife, as well as a healthy population of hippos.

This morning, enjoy a second leisurely overland vehicle game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park before the short drive to Kalinzu Forest National Park. Some of its inhabitants include chimpanzees, black and white colobuses, baboons, red-tailed monkeys, both blue and red duikers, bushbucks, waterbucks, giant forest hogs, buffalo and elephants. You'll have the option to trek to spot the chimpanzees of Kalinzu Forest. More closely related to humans than any other living creature, the chimpanzees are a delight to watch as they squabble and play in fruiting trees. You can also choose to soak in the sounds of the forest from the comfort of your tent.

This morning, make your way to the southwest tip of Uganda, where the border touches Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. You’ll spend the night in Kisoro at a camp on the shore of Lake Mutanda, with views of the Virunga Mountain range. Tonight, relax and soak up the views, go for a swim off the small dock or go hunting for a glimpse of local weaver bird nests and African clawless otters.

Rise bright and early, put your camping and personal gear into a six-person jeep and head out for an excursion into the Serengeti via the Ngorongoro Crater. During your safari through this impressively intact volcanic caldera, watch for black rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, impalas, zebras and hippos. The crater floor offers excellent wildlife viewing all year round (some 30,000 animals live here!) and the photo opportunities are unparalleled. Next, it's on to the wide open plains of the Serengeti. Green after the rains, brown and burnt in the dry season, this is perhaps the quintessential image of Africa – the home of thousands of hoofed animals and fierce predators. Your campsite is located within the Serengeti itself, so listen out for the sounds of nocturnal animals as you drift off to sleep.

Wake up at dawn and head out on safari at a time when the animals are at their most active. Then, head back to camp for brunch at around 11 am. You’ll have the middle of the day to relax at the campsite, then you’ll head out again as the day begins to cool. You'll return from your second safari in time for dinner. You might also opt to take a balloon safari over the park this morning. If you have booked this activity, you will be picked up before dawn and driven to the launch site. After a safety briefing, take off and glide through the dawn sky, sometimes at tree height, getting some amazing photo opportunities. Sometimes you'll ascend higher, giving you an overview of the vastness of the plains. After landing, celebrate with a glass of champagne before tucking into a special bush breakfast.

Rise with the sun and go out on another game drive. Then, leave the Serengeti behind and jump back into your overland vehicle, bound for Mto Wa Mbu. When you arrive, set up camp, then you’ll take a guided stroll through the local homes and farmlands, getting to know the local community and their way of life. Later, you’ll enjoy a local dinner in town.

Prepare yourself for a long travel day as you head for the Usambara Mountains. Stretch your legs during a brief supply stop in Arusha, then jump back in the vehicle and watch the ever-changing scenery, read your favourite book or take the chance to get to know your fellow travellers better. Your base in the Usambara Mountains will be Lushoto – home to the Wasambaa people. This highland town sits at an elevation of approximately 1400 m. This evening, you'll camp on the grounds of one of the oldest hotels in Africa.

Explore the striking landscapes of the Usambara Mountains today. Unlike the coast and the north, far fewer tourists visit this part of Tanzania. As beautiful as the surrounding mountains and rainforests are, however, the real highlights here are the local people and villages. You'll experience the local hospitality on a visit to a small community. You’ll also take a walk out to the Irente Viewpoint. It's best to pack some water and snacks in a day pack for this trip. On your way back, visit a local cultural project where you’ll also stop for lunch.

Leaving the mountains behind, travel further south to the coastal town of Kipepeo Beach in Dar es Salaam. Your camp is by the beach, so make the most of it – maybe take a stroll along the shore after you arrive and settle in.

Catch a ferry to Zanzibar, Africa’s famous ‘Spice Island.’ On arrival, enjoy some free time to discover Zanzibar City at your own pace. Lose yourself in the maze of cobblestone alleyways in Stone Town, admire the mix of Arabic, African and European architecture, or soak up the bustling atmosphere of Darajani Bazaar. This afternoon, you’ll have another welcome meeting at 2 pm to meet the new travellers joining you on the next leg of your adventure. After your meeting, perhaps head out together for dinner at a local restaurant – your leader will have the best recommendations.

Once checked out of your Stone Town accommodation, consider booking in to an optional guided tour of the island's spice plantations, learning all about the history of this town's spice trade. You will have the opportunity to smell and taste various spices, such as cinnamon, vanilla and ginger, plus sample some teas made with these spices too. After lunch, head to the Northern Beaches, where white sands and sparkling blue seas await. This is the Indian Ocean at its best.