Africa Wildest Parks and Island Vacation - 24 Days

24-days Gorillas, Game Parks and Zanzibar overland-ing tour,Tourist combination of two of our most popular overland-ing trips sees traveling explorers experience the varying faces of Africa, from gorilla viewing in the rain forests of Uganda to the island paradise beaches of Zanzibar.

Overlanding Route

This overland-ing group trip starts in Nairobi and travels through Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, finishing in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. In order to view the Gorillas we may do so in one of the countries bordering Uganda, ie. Rwanda or The Democratic Republic of Congo.

Please note that this trip departs Nairobi on a Sunday, early morning. Should you wish to spend extra time there an earlier arrival should be planned and additional accommodation booked.

Pre Departure Meeting

• Held at departure point at 5:00pm the day before your departure.

Overland-ing Departure Point

• Nairobi, Boulevard Hotel, Harry Thuku Road.

Check In Time

• 8:45am

Departure Time

• 9:30am

Itinerary

The memory of the gorilla trek and viewing these amazing creatures as they meander and feed in their ever-diminishing natural habitat will remain with you forever. The game parks of East Africa are renown for their unspoiled natural beauty and prolific game, from the predatory lion and cheetah to the magnificence of the African elephant.

From a feast of game viewing intermingled with meeting and experiencing local traditions and cultures, to the uniqueness of Zanzibar. This island will see you soak up its traditions during the day and at night it will see you explore the nightlife of its restaurants and bars.The overland-ing group will be caught up in a way of life, which is hard to leave. We know, we came and stayed!

Please Note: This itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road conditions, weather, political situations, and the overland-ing group decisions. Due to new tourism laws in some of the countries we operate in there may be a overlanding truck and crew change during the trip.

Day 01: Nairobi to Masai Mara Game Reserve
The overland-ing group will depart from the Boulevard Hotel and leave the hustle and bustle of Nairobi and climb the escarpment to our first viewpoint stop over looking the Great African Rift Valley. Descending into the Rift valley the overland-ing group enter Masai land, and these habitual pastoralists are seen quite regularly on the side of the road as they tend their cattle. We will arrive at the overland-ing group campsite – Acacia Camp - early evening in time to enjoy sunset on the Masai Mara. (L, D)

Day 02: Masai Mara
Game drives through the Mara find us looking for the infamous big 5 as well as giving us the opportunity to see this ‘ garden of Eden’ in a state nature intended it to be, huge plains, rolling hills and an abundance of game matched no where else on earth. Elephant, lion, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, waterbuck just to name a few of the animal that inhabit this wonderland. Sitting around a campfire and watching the sunset is the perfect way to finish a day’s game viewing in the Mara. (B, L, D)

Day 03: Masai Mara to Nakuru
Departing the Masai Mara early the overland-ing group will pass through the third largest town in Kenya, Nakuru, where the overland-ing group will stop for the night to re supply and shop. (B, L, D)

Day 04: Nakuru to Kampala
Today, the overland-ing group cross the border into Uganda and travel via the lakeside town of Jinja (the Source of the Nile) before reaching Kampala, Uganda's capital, for an overnight stay. Uganda is a small country of striking physical beauty. Its landscapes vary from the fertile green areas around the northern shores of Lake Victoria to the snow-covered Ruwenzori Mountains in the west and the semi-desert parts of the north facing the border of Sudan.

The political instability that haunted Uganda over a period of years has had the positive effect of leaving the country free of the over-commercialism so common in other parts of Africa. The current administration under President Museveni has devoted considerable effort and funds to regain Uganda's former glory as one of Africa's most prosperous and, from a tourist’s point of view, one of the most appealing and interesting countries to visit. (B, L, D)

Days 05 & 06: Kampala to Kisoro
After an early morning departure from Kampala we drive further west on into the depths of Uganda and arrive at our base in Kisoro. (B, L, D). From our Kisoro base, depending on where the gorilla permits are available, and where the gorillas are located, we will be viewing them in either the Magahinga or Bwindi National Parks in Uganda, the Virunga National Park in the DRC or at Ruhengeri in Rwanda. Due to the nature of the gorillas and their habits, viewing cannot be guaranteed. The gorillas themselves can tend to move around the locality quite a distance and the trek can be quite arduous. The cost to trek the gorillas differs from park to park and can range from US$500 to US$550, per 1-hour viewing.. There is also a cost for the local transport to take you to & from the starting point to trek the gorillas. This cost is normally US$15 to US$20 per person. Please note that Claudious Tours and Safaris is not in control of the price of gorilla permits and therefore cannot be held responsible for any increases in fees levied by the relevant authorities. National parks usually allow clients who fail to see the gorillas, a second chance to re-trek the next day if time and availability allows or they may refund your trekking fee. This is purely at their discretion. Although this is the general situation, the respective National Parks authorities will not put this in writing to any tour operator. Again the respective park authorities say that you are paying to trek the gorillas, not view them. Claudious Tours and Safaris is considered to be the main tour operator within the overland industry and we have a very high success rate of getting in and actually seeing these magnificent animals.

Please note: This is an optional excursion and visas to the DRC and Rwanda can be obtained at the border.

The mountain gorilla (Gorilla Gorilla Berengei) of whom only about 600 still exist, is one of our closest living relatives, yet ironically, it is mankind that poses the greatest threat to its survival. To visit these noble creatures in there own environment is an experience you will never forget. Accompanied by a park guide and a bush cutter, the overland-ing group track these gorillas through the rain forest. The gorilla families have been habituated to tourists and their whereabouts are monitored daily by the guides and park officials.

It may be necessary to trek for quite a while through the dense forest vegetation (up to 5 hrs) in order to reach the family designated for your visit.

As gorillas are sensitive to human diseases, the park authorities will not allow anyone they consider to be in poor health to visit the gorilla groups and children under 15 years of age are not allowed to visit.

You need not feel that you are exploiting these animals - for years they have been ruthlessly hunted for their hands and heads, which have been sold as souvenir ashtrays and lampshades. In addition, large numbers have been killed whilst trying to stop poachers stealing babies for sale to zoos, where they have never lived long. As a result, the ever-growing number of tourists to see them is an important factor in their survival. The gorilla fees help to set up and finance patrols that are instrumental in protecting the gorillas from poachers and their lethal snares.

Day 07: Kisoro to Lake Bunyoni
A short drive through arguably some of the most picturesque scenery in Africa brings us to lake Bunyoni. Lake Bunyoni is the deepest crater lake in Africa and is home to a large number of bird and fish species as well as otters. (B, L, D)

Day 08: Lake Bunyoni
Today the overland-ing group have the whole day at leisure to enjoy the beauty of Lake Bunyoni. There is the option to swim, visit the local villages or just sit back, relax and enjoy the tranquil surrounds. A well deserved rest day! (B, L, D)

Day 09: Lake Bunyoni to Kampala
After enjoying the peaceful surrounds of Lake Bunyoni the overland-ing group drive to Kampala for another overnight stay, and perhaps the chance to sample the nightlife. Today the overland-ing group will cross the equator for the second time and there will be ample opportunity for photos at the Equator crossing. (B, L, D)

Day 10: Kampala to Jinja
Today the overland-ing group have the option to either white water raft the Nile or visit Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary. For the adventurous, you will be collected from Kampala and transferred to Jinja where you will experience some of the best white water rafting in Africa. For the less adventurous, the overland-ing group will have the morning at leisure or the option to take a full day excursion to visit Ngamba Chimp Sanctuary before our departure to Jinja.

Our overnight overlanding camp is right on the edge of the Nile River where there is an abundance of resident bird life & some truly amazing photo opportunities from right outside your tent! (B, L, D)

Day 11: Jinja to Nakuru
Today will be a full day driving back towards Kenya, the overland-ing group will cross the border before lunch and stop for supplies en route. Tonight the overland-ing group will overnight again in Nakuru. (B,L,D)

Day 12: Lake Nakuru National Park
Today the overland-ing group move onto Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for the thousands of flamingo that inhabits the Lake's edge. The numbers vary depending on the level of the lake, and are more numerous when the water level is low. The Park has also been established as a sanctuary for black and white rhino, which are frequently seen in the Park, along with buffalo, giraffe, waterbuck, various antelope, leopard and the occasional hippo. After entering the park in the morning we will spend the rest of the day game driving. (B,L,D)

Day 13: Lake Nakuru National Park to Lake Naivasha
Moving further east, the overland-ing group drive to Lake Naivasha where we make camp in peaceful surroundings beside the lake. The highest of the Rift Valley lakes, Naivasha lies at about 1880m again the lake is home to a multitude of bird life, pride of place must go to the African Fish Eagle.

The afternoon is spent at leisure here and you have the opportunity (time permitting) to enjoy some optional excursions, such as a boat ride to the Crescent Island Game Sanctuary, Hell's Gate National Park or Elsamere, the retirement home of Joy Adamson ("Born Free"). (B,L,D)

Day 14: Lake Naivasha to Nairobi
After breakfast, the overland-ing group leave Naivasha and return to Nairobi, arriving in the early afternoon. The truck will stop at the Boulevard Hotel for those staying there, and then continue to the overland-ing group campsite for the night. (B)

Day 15: Nairobi to Arusha
The overland-ing group depart Nairobi and drive south, crossing the border into Tanzania at Namanga and continue to Arusha. This is a pleasant town situated at the base of Mount Meru and is the starting point for your optional excursion to Ngorongoro Crater and/or Serengeti.

The overland-ing group conduct these excursions in locally operated Land Rovers, which are specially adapted for safari use. Depending on which option you choose, the overland-ing group will be away from the Arusha campsite for either one or two nights. (L, D)

Day 16: Serengeti (Optional)
If you take up the two-night/three day option the overland-ing group will depart Arusha in the morning with their vehicles and guides. The drive to the Serengeti National Park takes us through the Masai town of Mtu Wa Mbu (Mosquito River) and up into the Ngorongoro Reserve for a glimpse of the Ngorongoro Crater before descending down onto the plains of the Serengeti. The abundance of plains game in this area is truly astounding. The afternoon will be spent game viewing before setting up camp in the midst of the national park. With some luck the overland-ing group will be able to listen to the nighttime noises of the wildlife! (B, L, D)

Day 17: Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Crater
After a full morning game drive in the Serengeti we will return to pull down camp and head back towards the Ngorongoro. Here the overland-ing group travel up to Ngorongoro Crater’s edge for our campsite for the evening. We suggest you pack your winter woollies as it can get very cold on the rim of the crater during night times.

For those taking the one-night/two day option you will be collected from Arusha today in the afternoon and transferred to the town of Karatu for the evening. Tomorrow the overland-ing group will join the rest of the the overland-ing group for your Ngorongoro game drive. (B, L, D)

Day 18: Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha
This morning the overland-ing group descend into the Ngorongoro Crater with its 600 metre walls and 20-kilometre width is a natural wonder, and offers a spectacular view from the rim. The true size of this caldera is only appreciated from the floor itself and the abundance of its animal inhabitants becomes apparent. It is home to nearly every species of African animal and offers a chance to view an incredible concentration of East African mammals, such as elephant, rhino, buffalo, hippo, lion, and plain’s game. After spending the full morning in the crater you will return to the campsite near Arusha for another night. Both optional excursions will follow the same schedule today. (B, L, D)

Day 19: Arusha to Pangani
The overland-ing group leave Arusha and head towards the warm Indian Ocean. Travelling through the town of Moshi overland-ing group cross the southern slopes of the highest mountain in Africa, Kilimanjaro. There is also an opportunity to view the snowy summit, weather dependant. This calls for a photo stop! Continuing south we pass the Usambara Mountains where we encounter vast sisal plantations on our way to Dar es Salaam. (B, L, D)

Day 20: Pangani to Dar es Salaam
Today is another long days drive through beautiful lush scenery and palm trees. The overland-ing group sent up camp for the night. On arrival in Dar es Salaam, we spend the night at a beach hotel/campsite that is situated to the north of the city, and prepare for the overland-ing group departure to Zanzibar the next morning. (B, L, D)

Day 21: Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar
A ferry from Dar es Salaam takes us to the "Spice Island", where the overland-ing group will spend three nights on this legendary island. Zanzibar is steeped in history and was one of the major starting points for most East African explorers in their quest for new lands. (B)

Please note: From our experience our clients have felt the need to explore the island on their own, therefore accommodation and food is for client’s own account whilst on Zanzibar, but the overland-ing trip leader accompany clients to the island and will be able to book accommodation and tours on the island

Days 22 & 23: Zanzibar
History aside, Zanzibar offers a wealth of experiences for the visitor. Today the quiet streets of the old Stone Town still retain their Arabic influence, from the Medina-like shops to the palaces of the Sultans, who founded their vast empires on the spoils of the slave and ivory trade. The island is still famous for its spices, and tours around a spice plantation can be organised. Other options include a trip to the nearby Prison Island with its giant tortoises, and beautiful beaches to enjoy. Or perhaps the overland-ing group would enjoy the opportunity to hire a motorbike and explore the more remote areas of the island.

Zanzibar is a seafood lover’s paradise. Numerous restaurants offer a great variety of the freshest catch from the ocean - giant lobsters being a popular speciality. Alternatively, joining the locals for dinner in the waterfront market is an experience not to be missed. The market stalls offer an unusual selection of fast food African style at a very reasonable cost.

Day 24: Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam
Leaving Zanzibar, the overland-ing group take the ferry back to the mainland and Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania's first city with its colonial buildings and palm-lined port, where the overland-ing group end our safari.