Gorilla | Uganda | Africa
FROM: USD $2,785 pp

Start your East African overland adventure with a taste of the tropics on the beautiful island of Zanzibar. Go wild on safari in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and the Masai Mara. Explore the Great Rift Valley Lakes and trek in search of mountain gorillas in Uganda. Taking in the best of Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda in 25 days.

Inclusions
Itinerary
Prices & Dates
Campsites
COVID SAFE GUIDE

Trip Highlights

Gorilla trekking - trek into the dense jungle of Uganda and watch a group of endangered mountain gorillas from a safe distance
Masai Mara - search for Africa's iconic Big Five (lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, buffalo) in one of the continents most famous game reserves
Zanzibar - spend two full days relaxing on the beach, exploring Stone Town or participating in optional activities, including a sunset dhow cruise
Lake Bunyoni - unwind on the shore of the deepest crater lake in Africa, which is home to a large number of bird species
Kampala - cross the Equator and stand with a foot in each hemisphere before arriving in the Ugandan capital
Serengeti National Park - spot incredible wildlife as you game drive through Tanzania's best known national park, home to the amazing annual migration
Ngorongoro Crater - explore the UNESCO-listed crater, which has one of the highest densities of wildlife of any African national park
Lake Nakuru - see the shallow soda lake and spot both black and white rhinos in the small but biodiverse Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Naivasha - watch the rare African Fish Eagle swooping over the lake, as well as a myriad of other bird life found at the African great lake
Nairobi - end your African adventure in the bustling Kenyan capital and opt to extend your stay to further explore

Included

Arrival transfer from Dar es Salaam Airport on day 1
A fully equipped overland truck for transportation and game drives
All camping fees and appropriate equipment
Park entry - Lake Naivasha NP. Park entry and game drives - Lake Nakuru NP, Masai Mara, Ngorongoro NP, Serengeti NP
All road taxes and tolls
1st night banda (beach hut) accommodation at Kipepeo Campsite, Dar es Salaam (upgrade available) and 20 nights camping. Tents and sleeping mats provided
Services of 3 person crew (leader, driver, cook)
19 breakfasts, 18 lunches and 19 dinners
3 night Zanzibar Excursion including ferry transfer, accommodation, Spice Tour and Dhow Sunset Cruise

Not Included

Gorilla Permit and transfer fee: Please note that Gorillas often move across the border, between the national parks in Rwanda and Uganda, therefore itineraries often have to be changed at short notice in order to track the Gorillas in whichever National Park they have migrated to. For this reason the cost of the Gorilla Permit and relevant transfers varies, as do the applicable visa costs, dependent upon which country we need to travel into. Permits are subject to availability and need to be booked in advance.
Sleeping bag - please bring your own
Optional activities
Local Payment: $1850pp, paid in USD
International flights and visas
Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
Entrance Fees: Gorilla Permit + Transfer aprox USD$805pp, paid in USD

Itinerary

Day 1

Dar es Salaam

Wednesday. Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival at Dar es Salaam Airport you will be met and transferred to your campsite on the coast. There will be a pre-departure meeting at 17:00 hours today where you will meet your tour leader.
Overnight: Dar es Salaam

Days 2-4

Zanzibar excursion

Dar es Salaam - Zanzibar. Today we travel by local ferry to the ‘Spice Island’ of Zanzibar for three nights. Whilst on the island we will take the popular Spice Tour in Stone Town and once up at the beaches we will take a sunset show cruise, as well as have the opportunity to participate in an array of optional activities including a trip to Prison Island.
Overnight: Zanzibar

Day 5

Zanzibar

Zanzibar - Dar es Salaam. Leaving Zanzibar in the afternoon, we return to the mainland for a night at our campsite in Dar es Salaam.
Overnight: Dar es Salaam  |  Dinner

Days 6-7

Arusha

Dar es Salaam - Pangani - Arusha. Today we continue north as we travel through vast sisal plantations and African bushveld to Arusha (stopping for a night in the coastal town of Pengani to break the journey). Once in Arusha we stay in Meserani before heading out to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater the following morning.
Overnight: Pangani (1) Arusha (1)  |  Breakfast x 2, Lunch x 2, Dinner x 2

Days 8-10

Serengeti & Ngorongoro

Arusha - Karatu - Serengeti & Ngorongoro. Today we visit the Meserani Reptile Park and Masai Cultural Museum before we meet our Tanzanian guides and transfer into locally operated 4WD that have been adapted for safari use and allow excellent viewing and photographic opportunities through the opening roof hatches.

We spend the evening at a pleasant campsite in Karatu and depart for the Ngorongoro Conservation area and crater the following morning. This World Heritage Site boasts some of the best game viewing in Africa – including the elusive Black Rhino.

After our game drive we continue past the ‘Cradle of Mankind’ on our way to the Serengeti crossing the vast plains as we game drive through the park.

Tonight we bush camp (no ablutions) in the wild surrounded by the sounds of the wild. The following morning, we take another game drive in search of Africa’s ‘Big 5’! before returning to Arusha for the evening.
Overnight: Karatu (1) Serengeti (1) Arusha (1)  |  Breakfast x 3, Lunch x 3, Dinner x 3

Day 11

Nairobi

Arusha - Nairobi (Kenya). We have an early start today as we head to the Tanzania/ Kenyan border and the small border town of Namanga. We travel to Nairobi for the night.
Overnight: Nairobi  |  Breakfast

Days 12-13

Masai Mara

Nairobi - Masai Mara. Leaving the city behind we drive to a viewpoint overlooking a section of the spectacular Great Rift Valley. From here we begin to enter Masai land and you often see them tending their cattle as we travel along. We arrive at Acacia Camp near the Masai Mara National Reserve in the late afternoon.

Just after sunrise the following day we begin our game drive into the Masai Mara. We drive through a section of the park in search of the ‘Big 5’ along with many other species of animals, reptiles and birds who make this wilderness home.

Afterwards we can visit one of the nearby Masai Manyatta’s – a traditional hamlet where the Masai still live in their traditional way.
Overnight: Masai Mara  |  Breakfast x 1, Lunch x 2, Dinner x 2

Day 14

Eldoret

Masai Mara - Eldoret. Leaving early we depart Masai Land and journey through the scenic tea plantations of Kericho before descending the Rift Valley Plateau, on our way to Eldoret for the evening.
Overnight: Eldoret  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15

Kampala

Eldoret - Kampala (Uganda). Today we cross the border into neighbouring Uganda for our overnight stay in the capital city, Kampala.
Overnight: Kampala  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 16-19

Lake Bunyoni & Gorilla Trekking

Kampala - Lake Bunyoni. Today we drive west to our base for the gorillas at Lake Bunyoni. Dependent on where our trekking permits are available, we trek in the Magahinga or Bwindi National Parks in Uganda.

Please note: Gorilla permits need to be purchased in advance, please ask your reservations consultant or visit our Gorilla trekking travel guide.
Overnight: Lake Bunyoni  |  Breakfast x 4, Lunch x 4, Dinner x 4

Day 20

Kampala

Lake Bunyoni - Kampala. Today we drive back to Kampala crossing the Equator for the second time and stop for the necessary photo opportunities.
Overnight: Kampala  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 21

Jinja

Kampala - Jinja. Today we have the option of visiting the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary before heading to Jinja for a selection of adventure activities including white water rafting, quad biking or visiting a community project.
Overnight: Jinja  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 22

Lake Nakuru

Jinja - Lake Nakuru (Kenya). Departing early, we head back to Kenya, stopping for lunch and supplies en route. We then make our way to Nakuru - Kenya’s 4th largest town and capital of the Rift Valley Province and lies adjacent to the small but wildlife rich Lake Nakuru National Park. We overnight outside Nakuru at a lovely campsite.
Overnight: Lake Nakuru  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 23-24

Lake Naivasha

Lake Nakuru - Lake Naivasha. On the morning on day 23 we explore Lake Nakuru National Park looking for rhino, as well as the elusive leopard, buffalo, giraffe and various antelope. Afterwards we continue to Lake Naivasha.
Overnight: Lake Naivasha  |  Breakfast x 2, Lunch x 2, Dinner x 2

Day 25

Nairobi

Saturday. Lake Naivasha - Nairobi. After breakfast, we return to Nairobi usually arriving by late morning or early afternoon.
Breakfast

GORILLA TREKKING PERMITS

Please note: Uganda Gorilla trekking permits need to be purchased in advance, and are subject to availability. Due to the limited availability of the trekking permits, we are unable to guarantee your permit upon receipt of payment. Should we be unable to obtain your permit you will receive a full refund. Please click here for further details on Gorilla permits.

Prices & Dates

Departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 6 persons. Prices are per person when there are 2 people sharing a tent. Solo travellers will be matched up and share a tent with another solo traveller of the same gender.

Local payment - $1850pp, paid in USD

Please note that this is payable locally on day 1 of your trip in the currency specified.

Available
Contact us to book
Not Available
2022
Twin Share
Single Room
USD $3,265
N/A
USD $3,265
N/A
USD $3,075
N/A
USD $3,075
N/A
USD $3,075
N/A
2023
Twin Share
Single Room
USD $2,785
N/A
USD $3,075
N/A

Hotels

The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.

Kipepeo Village , Dar es Salaam

Our Category: Simple   |   Regional Category: Campsite

The Tanzanian bush meets the blue waters of the Indian Ocean at Kipepeo Beach & Village, situated on the south coast of Dar Es Salaam. The campsite is right on the beach itself and is a popular destination for watersports adventures or simple relaxation. Facilities include a beach bar and restaurant.Upgrades are available to the twenty elevated ensuite chalets, built in the bush and decorated in traditional Swahili style, provide a stunning ocean views.

Wildebeest Eco Camp, Nairobi

Our Category: Simple   |   Regional Category: Campsite

Wildebeest Eco Camp is a distinctive starting point from which to explore Nairobi and beyond. The camp offers a shaded campsite for budget travellers, or luxury ensuite tents for those looking to splurge a little on their safari experience. Located in the vibrant Langata area, Nairobi National Park and the Galleria Shopping Centre are among the attractions just 10 minutes' drive away. After a long day of travelling, indulgences such as an infinity pool and guest library are available, as are free Wi-fi and laundry service.

Red Chilli Hideaway, Kampala

Our Category: Simple   |   Regional Category: Campsite

Located on a purpose-built, 5-acre site in a peaceful suburb, the Red Chilli Hideaway offers affordable accommodation ranging from a campsite which we use for our overland safaris to private ensuite rooms for upgrades. Settle down for the day at the Hideaway's saltwater pool, self-catering kitchen, or restaurant & bar. The camp supports sustainable tourism and operates the Steve Willis Memorial Fund, whose proceeds go to providing clean drinking water in the Murchison Falls region.

In Brief

Range
Trip Type
Starts
Dar es Salaam
Ends
Nairobi
Departs
Wednesdays
Group Size
Min 6 / Max 30
Hotel Rating
Camping
Local Payment
$1850pp, paid in USD
Tour Guide
Yes - escorted by a tour leader
Meals
Breakfast: 19, Lunch: 18, Dinner: 19
Visiting
Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Nairobi, Kampala, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Zanzibar, Masai Mara
Countries
Click to play videoZanzibar Highlight
Masai Mara tribespeople standing in a row wearing colourful clothes
Hippos in the water at Lake Naivasha

Extra Tour Info

Gorilla Trekking
Close encounters with these gentle giants of the jungle
Updated
3rd November 2021

The tour was fantastic as well as the guide and the rest of the crew. They have done everything they could to make sure the whole group spent a memorable holiday. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in travelling to East Africa. Ps: please add gloves in the what to bring section as this is necessary for the gorilla trekking. We all had to use hand socks (!)

Marlene Bogard
OTG000562Gorilla Trek & Tanzania Northbound - 25 daysAfricaOverlandingAfricafalse0Tanzaniahttps://www.onthegotours.com/Zanzibar/Gorilla-and-Game-Trek-Northbound-25-Dayshttps://www.onthegotours.com/repository/Bucket-List--Animal-Encounters-Main-Image-277701449836707_crop_flip_300_300_f2f2f2_center-center.jpgOverland_Camping_Safaris