Itinerary
- Day 1
Stone Town
You'll arrive in Zanzibar at 2 pm to meet your group leader and other travelers. After that, the rest of the day is yours to explore Stone Town at your own pace. Walk through the markets, check out the shops, and wander the cobblestone alleyways. You can visit the mosques and palaces scattered throughout, then grab a drink at one of the seafront bars or try a local seafood curry for dinner.
Optional Activities
- Explore Stone Town markets, shops, mosques and palaces on foot
- Seafood dinner at a local restaurant
- Drink at a bar overlooking the seafront
Landmarks Stone Town 
- Day 2
Zanzibar Northern Beaches
Check out of your Stone Town accommodation in the morning. There's an optional guided tour of the spice plantations where you can smell and taste cinnamon, vanilla, and ginger, plus sample spice teas. After lunch, you'll head to the Northern Beaches for white sand and blue water to relax on.
- Meals
- Lunch
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of island spice plantations with tasting of cinnamon, vanilla, ginger and spice teas
Landmarks Zanzibar Northern Beaches - Day 3
Zanzibar Northern Beaches
This is a full day to relax along Zanzibar's coast. You can take a swim in the water, stretch out on the beach under the palms, or have some seafood by the shore. There's nothing scheduled, so you can just ease into the day and enjoy the island rhythm.
Optional Activities
- Swimming at the beach
- Relaxation on the beach
- Seafood dinner by the water
Landmarks Zanzibar Northern Beaches - Day 4
Bagamoyo
Spend your final morning relaxing on the 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 drive to your camp at Bagamoyo by the beach.
Included Activities
- Ferry transfer from Stone Town to Dar es Salaam
Optional Activities
- Morning relaxation on northern beaches
Landmarks Bagamoyo - Day 5
Usambara Mountains
You'll travel into the remote Usambara Mountains for about 7 hours to reach Lushoto, an old German colony. This area doesn't get many tourists, and there are forests perfect for easy hikes and guided walks. You'll base yourself at one of Africa's earliest hotels.
Optional Activities
- Easy hikes and guided walks through Usambara Mountains forests
Landmarks Usambara Mountains Lushoto - Day 6
Usambara Mountains
Explore the Usambara Mountains and experience the gentle hospitality of small communities. Hike to the Irente viewpoint (bring water and snacks), then visit a local cultural project at Irente farm where you'll have a lunch prepared by locals.
- Meals
- Lunch (Locally prepared lunch at Irente farm)
Included Activities
- Hike to Irente viewpoint
- Visit to local cultural project at Irente farm
- Locally prepared lunch at Irente farm
Landmarks Irente Viewpoint Irente Farm - Day 7
Lushoto to Arusha
You'll leave the scenic Usambara Mountains and drive to Arusha, the gateway to Tanzania's northern safari circuit. The drive takes you through beautiful Tanzanian landscapes. There are no planned activities, so you can unwind at your campsite on the outskirts of town and prepare for the safari adventures ahead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Scenic drive through Tanzania's landscapes
Landmarks Arusha - Day 8
Karatu
After breakfast, head to Karatu and hike through Ngorongoro Reserve Forest with an expert local guide and armed ranger. You'll reach Elephant Caves and Endoro waterfalls, spotting birdlife and animal tracks along the way. Later, visit a local coffee farm to learn about their farming practices, then have a traditional home-cooked dinner with a local Tanzanian family.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional 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
- Coffee farm tour in Karatu village
- Traditional dinner with local Tanzanian family in their home
Landmarks Elephant Caves Endoro Waterfalls Ngorongoro Reserve Forest - Day 9
Ngorongoro Crater - Serengeti National Park
You'll start early and head out in a six-person jeep to explore the Serengeti through Ngorongoro Crater. Spend 3 to 4 hours in the volcanic crater looking for black rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, impalas, zebras and hippos. Then move to the open plains of the Serengeti and camp within the park.
Included Activities
- Safari in Ngorongoro Crater (3-4 hours)
Landmarks Ngorongoro Crater Serengeti National Park 
- Day 10
Serengeti National Park
Wake at dawn for a game drive while animals are most active, then return to camp for brunch around 11 am. You'll have time to relax during the afternoon heat, then head out again as temperatures cool. There's an optional hot air balloon ride available if you pre-booked it, departing before dawn for a safety briefing and a glide through the dawn skies, followed by a bush breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Dawn game drive in Serengeti
- Brunch at camp
Optional Activities
- Hot air balloon ride over the park (pre-booking required, replaces portion of morning game drive) with five-star bush breakfast
Landmarks Serengeti National Park 
- Day 11
Serengeti National Park to Mto wa Mbu
Rise early for a game drive as you leave the Serengeti. Get back in your overland vehicle and head to Mto wa Mbu. After setting up camp, you'll take a guided walk through farming areas and local homes to meet the community and learn their way of life. Dinner will be locally prepared and served in town.
- Meals
- Dinner (Locally prepared dinner in town)
Included Activities
- Game drive leaving Serengeti
- Guided walk through farming areas and local homes
- Locally prepared dinner in town
Landmarks Mto wa Mbu - Day 12
Mto wa Mbu to Nairobi
You'll travel back to Nairobi, a bustling city. Once you arrive at your hotel, settle in and spend the evening however you like. There's a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you'll meet your new group for the next part of your journey.
Landmarks Nairobi - Day 13
Lake Nakuru National Park
Drive northwest to Lake Nakuru National Park through the Great Rift Valley, taking in views of the Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha and Elementaita. You'll arrive in time for a short evening game drive along the lake shore to spot rhinos and other wildlife.
Included Activities
- Evening game drive along Lake Nakuru shoreline
Landmarks Lake Nakuru National Park Great Rift Valley Lake Naivasha Lake Elementaita 
- Day 14
Lake Nakuru National Park to Eldoret
Eat breakfast early, then break camp and head out on a game drive as you leave the park. Grab lunch at the gate before driving northwest to Eldoret, one of Kenya's fastest-growing cities. You'll have a traditional dinner at your campsite just outside town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at the gate of Lake Nakuru National Park), Dinner (Traditional dinner at campsite)
Included Activities
- Game drive leaving Lake Nakuru
Landmarks Eldoret - Day 15
Eldoret to Kampala
Cross the border from Kenya into Uganda and travel to Kampala, the capital. Since this is a long travel day, you'll stay at a hotel tonight instead of camping. After your drive, enjoy a hotel-prepared dinner and get a good night's rest.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner prepared by the hotel)
Landmarks Kampala - Day 16
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Once camp is set up, you have the option to take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which is known for pelicans, eagles, hippos and other birdlife.
Optional Activities
- Boat cruise along Kazinga Channel to see pelicans, eagles, hippos and birdlife
Landmarks Queen Elizabeth National Park Kazinga Channel - Day 17
Queen Elizabeth National Park to Kalinzu Forest
Enjoy a leisurely game drive in your overland vehicle looking for elephants, buffalo, Ugandan kobs and waterbucks. Later, drive to Kalinzu Forest National Park. Settle into camp and explore the area with the rest of your group.
Included Activities
- Overland vehicle game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Optional Activities
- Exploration of Kalinzu Forest surroundings
Landmarks Kalinzu Forest National Park 
- Day 18
Kalinzu Forest to Kisoro
This morning you can choose to see the chimpanzees of Kalinzu Forest if you want (they're more closely related to humans than any other living creature), or you can stay at your tent and listen to the forest sounds. Either way, you'll then travel to the southwest tip of Uganda where the borders touch Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. You'll spend the night at a camp on Lake Mutanda's shore with views of the Virunga Mountains.
Optional Activities
- Chimpanzee excursion in Kalinzu Forest
- Swimming off the small dock at Lake Mutanda
- Hunting for glimpses of local weaver bird nests and African clawless otters
Landmarks Lake Mutanda Virunga Mountains - Day 19
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Gorilla Trek
With a local ranger and gorilla trackers, you'll climb through the rugged mountain terrain of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to see gorilla families. No more than eight people per day can visit any one habituated family. You'll watch them eat, sleep, groom and play as the male silverback watches over the scene.
Included Activities
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with mountain gorilla permit
Landmarks Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Day 20
Kisoro
If you didn't complete your gorilla visit yesterday, you'll head out today. You also have a free day where your leader will suggest options for spending your time around Kisoro. You can do rainforest hikes to see monkeys, take nature walks, or take a day trip over the border to Rwanda to visit the genocide memorial, art museum and Nyamirambo women's center.
Optional Activities
- Gorilla trek completion if not finished on Day 19
- Rainforest hikes to see monkeys
- Nature walks
- Day excursion to Rwanda to visit genocide memorial, art museum and Nyamirambo women's center
Landmarks Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Day 21
Kisoro to Mbarara
You'll turn back towards Kampala for a travel day. The group will stop in Mbarara for the night to break up the journey. There's not much to do around Mbarara, so you can recharge, read, or just relax at the camp.
Landmarks Mbarara - Day 22
Mbarara to Jinja
Continue inland towards Jinja, Uganda's adventure capital and a riverside retreat at the source of the Nile. Camp at a scenic riverside site and settle in for the night before tomorrow's activities.
Landmarks Jinja Source of the Nile - Day 23
Jinja
Jinja sits at the source of the Nile as it leaves Lake Victoria and it's perfect for adventurers and eco-travelers. You have a full free day to explore at your own pace with optional activities including whitewater rafting, kayaking along the river, or a boat cruise to the source of the Nile.
Optional Activities
- Whitewater rafting
- Kayaking along the river
- Boat cruise to the source of the Nile
Landmarks Source of the Nile Lake Victoria - Day 24
Jinja to Kericho
Leave Uganda and head back to Kenya and Nairobi, stopping in Kericho for the night. This town is blanketed by tea plantations and evergreens and sits at the edge of the South-Western Mau National Reserve. On arrival, you'll visit a tea plantation and learn about tea farming from the locals.
Included Activities
- Tea plantation visit and learning about tea farming process
Landmarks Kericho South-Western Mau National Reserve - Day 25
Kericho to Maasai Mara National Reserve
Drive to the famous Maasai Mara National Park, stopping in Loita Hills to visit Tepesua Village on the way. Maasai warriors will welcome you with traditional song and dance. You'll meet your Maasai hosts and learn about their culture and community projects that support women and youths, plus see women making eco-friendly handbags. Later, travel to Maasai Mara for an early evening game drive.
Included Activities
- Maasai village visit at Tepesua with traditional song and dance welcome
- Early evening 4WD game drive in Maasai Mara
Landmarks Maasai Mara National Reserve Loita Hills Tepesua Village - Day 26
Maasai Mara National Reserve
This morning, you can take an optional hot air balloon ride over the Mara at sunrise if you pre-booked it. You'll get picked up before dawn for a safety briefing and glide through the dawn skies at tree height for great photo opportunities, followed by a bush breakfast. Later, venture into the Maasai Mara with expert local driver guides for a full day safari exploring the landscape and spotting wildlife.
Included Activities
- Full day 4WD safari in Maasai Mara National Reserve with expert local driver guides
Optional Activities
- Hot air balloon ride over Maasai Mara at sunrise (pre-booking required) with bush breakfast
Landmarks Maasai Mara National Reserve - Day 27
Maasai Mara to Nairobi
Return to Nairobi today. You'll be dropped off at your finishing point hotel where your trip ends. If you'd like to extend your stay, speak to your booking agent.
Landmarks Nairobi
