East Africa Overland: Serengeti & Safari Drives
19 days
From $ 4449
Duration19 days

From the incomparable wildlife of Uganda to the source of the Nile and onto the sunny beaches of Zanzibar, journey overland across East Africa on this thrilling 19-day adventure. Track mountain gorillas through remote forest for a once-in-a-lifetime experience and pursue the elusive "big five" across open savannah on unforgettable wildlife safari drives. The Landos (overland adventure vehicles) are an adventurous and affordable way to see the highlights while wilderness camping will bring you closer to the region’s wildlife. Discover the diversity of wildlife, landscape, and people on your journey through these fascinating countries.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 19 days
    Service level: Camping
  • Physical Grading: Demanding
  • Ages: 18+
East Africa Overland - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Kampala
Arrive at any time. Please make sure you have all of the necessary visas for this tour by the time of the welcome meeting. It is very important to read the visa section in our trip details to confirm which visas you will need, if any. Please note: not all nationalities are able to obtain a visa on arrival.
Meals: D
Day 2: Kampala/Lake Bunyonyi
Get comfortable, as we cross the equator and head off to Lake Bunyonyi.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Gorilla Trek
Enjoy a guided mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Depending on the date of our permits, it's possible that the gorilla trek will take place on the second full day in Lake Bunyonyi.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Lake Bunyonyi
Enjoy free time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Lake Bunyonyi.
Meals: B, D
Day 5: Lake Bunyonyi/Kalinzu Forest Reserve
Watch the Ugandan countryside pass by on the day's journey.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Kalinzu Forest Reserve/Lake Mburo National Park
Get up early for an included chimpanzee tracking excursion, then visit a tea plantation before setting off for Lake Mburo. Opt for an afternoon boat cruise on the lake, or explore the local area on foot.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Lake Mburo National Park/Jinja
Head back across the equator and enjoy a meal at the G Adventures supported AidChild Equation Cafe. Continue on to Jinja, Uganda's adventure capital.
Meals: B, L
Day 8: Jinja
Pre-book your rafting adrenaline rush on the checkout page to include the Jinja River Rafting optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Explore Jinja, known for its outdoor and adventure activities. Opt to raft down the White Nile River, mountain bike up and down the hills or check out the local market.
Day 9: Jinja/Eldoret
Cross over into Kenya for a night in Eldoret. This is an overnight stop in between two long driving days.
Meals: B, L
Day 10: Eldoret/Nairobi
Sit back and enjoy the ride on a transfer through the Kenyan countryside to Nairobi.
Meals: B
Day 11: Nairobi/Arusha
Travel south and cross the border into Tanzania.
Meals: B
Day 12: Arusha/Serengeti National Park
Enjoy a wildlife safari drive en route to the central Serengeti. Spend the night at a basic bush camp and enjoy the starry African skies. The Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater portion of the trip will make use of specialized 4x4 7-seater safari vehicles, with experienced safari driver/guides, who will ensure wonderful wildlife encounters. The safari vehicles each have sliding windows and a large pop-up roof, perfect for viewing animals and scenery. The group will split up among several vehicles and your CEO will spend time in each vehicle over the next three days.

End place: Serengeti National Park

Meals: B, L, D
Day 13: Serengeti National Park/Ngorongoro

Start place: Serengeti National Park

Before leaving the Serengeti, enjoy a morning safari drive to see the animal kingdom come to life in this incredible expanse of grassland savannah. Then return and break camp, and journey to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, famous for Africa's best wildlife viewing. The views from the Ngorongoro Crater rim are stunning, and there is an ever-present abundance of wildlife, due to the permanent water supply on the crater floor. Arrive at the campsite at the crater rim in the late afternoon.
Set off on a wildlife safari drive on the way out of the Serengeti. Camp on the Ngorongoro Crater's rim. Please note: if you have pre-booked the Serengeti Balloon Safari, today's the day for this activity! The CEO will give the final confirmation, as it is subject to change. You will miss the included morning wildlife safari drive with the group, but you will have a much better view from above! If you have not yet pre-booked, add it to your checkout page, or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.

Please note that due to the high-altitude location of our camp, temperatures can drop at night. We recommend bringing extra layers to wear during the evening and following morning.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 14: Ngorongoro/Arusha
Venture down to the crater floor, and take in a final safari experience viewing the high concentration of wildlife bound by the crater walls. On the way back to Arusha, stop at Mto wa Mbu village to visit the G for Good project, including a guided cultural walk and traditional lunch with a local family.
Meals: B, L
Day 15: Arusha/Dar es Salaam
Leave Arusha early and be on the lookout for the majestic Mt Kilimanjaro, on the road towards Dar es Salaam. The city started as a fishing village in the mid-19th century before becoming a port and trading centre.

Want to cut travel time in half and spend more time in Stone Town? Pre-book the Zanzibar Express on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour.
Hit the road, and enjoy the varied landscapes on the way to the Indian Ocean coast. Zanzibar Express; transfer this morning from your Arusha hotel to the airport for a scenic flight to Zanzibar. Arrive in Stone Town and spend the afternoon exploring on your own. Enjoy an extra night in Stone Town and meet back up with the group the following day. Only breakfast included.
Meals: B, D
Day 16: Dar es Salaam/Stone Town
Catch the ferry to Zanzibar. Enjoy an orientation walk with your CEO in historic Stone Town, and opt to continue on for a longer walking tour, or explore on your own. Zanzibar is a Muslim society. Immodestly dressed women or men in shorts will get harassed and cause great offence in Stone Town. On the beach, customs are a little more relaxed, but travellers are encouraged to be respectful of the island's culture and cover up when walking around. Never try to take a photograph without asking permission.
Meals: B
Day 17: Zanzibar Beach Resort
Transfer to the white-sand beaches and turquoise waters of Zanzibar's beautiful coast.
Meals: B
Day 18: Zanzibar Beach Resort
Enjoy free time to lounge on the beach, snorkel, or tour the island.
Meals: B
Day 19: Stone Town
Morning group transfer to Stone Town. Tour ends in the late morning.
Meals: B

Inclusions

Included

  • Your G for Good Moment: AidChild Equation Cafe & Gallery, Kayabwe Your G for Good Moment: Mto wa Mbu Village Visit and Lunch, Mto wa Mbu Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Jinja
  • Guided mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi with permits
  • Entrance and chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu Forest Reserve
  • Tea plantation visit
  • Transfer from Jinja to Nairobi
  • Entrances and wildlife safari drives in Serengeti National Park and in Ngorongoro Crater
  • Ferry to Zanzibar
  • Stone Town orientation walk
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
  • Transport

    Lando (overland adventure vehicle), 4x4 safari vehicles, Minibus, Walking, Shared shuttle, Private shuttle, Tuk-tuk, Ferry
  • Accommodation

    Basic hotel (2 nts), Participation camping (9 nts), Full-service camping (2 nts), Multishare/hostels (5 nts)

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