East Africa Encompassed

A day-by-day breakdown of what to expect and where you'll be staying.

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Day 1, Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park

We travel via the Masai escarpment, providing spectacular views of the Great Rift Valley, to Lake Nakuru National Park.This park is famous for its large populations of Pink Flamingos as well as both Black and White Rhinos.

Day 2, Lake Nakuru National Park

After restocking our supplies in town we explore the Lake Nakuru National Park - a soda lake that is famous for the huge volumes of lesser and greater flamingos that flock here. A truly spectacular sight! We also keep an eye out for Black and White Rhino, Leopard, Buffalo, Giraffe, antelope and the occasional Hippo before spending the night at a bush camp within the Park.

Day 3, Lake Nakuru National Park to Kampala

Crossing the border into Uganda we travel via the lakeside town of Jinja before reaching Kampala, Uganda's capital.

Day 4, Kampala

A leisure day in Uganda’s capital can be spent exploring the local markets and museums, or taking a trip to the nearby Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary.

Day 5, Kampala to Lake Bunyoni

We travel out to the western part of Uganda where we stay at Lake Bunyoni which forms the base for most Gorilla treks.

Day 6, Lake Bunyoni

A day of leisure today. Visit the local village, hike, canoe, swim, catch up on writing your postcards... or relax, and sit back and enjoy the beautiful lake and its creatures. We have the whole day to enjoy the beauty of Lake Bunyoni and its surrounds.

Day 7, Lake Bunyoni to Kisoro

From Lake Bunyoni we head for Kisoro from where we will depart on the Gorilla trekking excursion.

Day 8 to 9, Kisoro

From our base in Kisoro and depending on permit availability and the location of the Gorillas, we have the option of joining a Gorilla trek in either Magahinga or Bwindi National Parks in Uganda, the Virunga in the DRC, or the Ruhengeri, Rwanda. An unforgettable experience! 100% of the gorilla permit cost is used to by the parks authorities to protect and promote these amazing creatures.

Day 10, Kisoro to Lake Bunyoni

After our gorilla trek it's now time for some downtime. We head for Lake Bunyoni, the deepest crater lake in Africa. We can camp on the shores and enjoy the peace and tranquility of this pretty lake. If you're lucky you'll spot some of the elusive otters or just enjoy the variety of birdlife present.

Day 11, Lake Bunyoni to Kampala

We return to Kampala after enjoying the peaceful surrounds of Lake Bunyoni. We cross the equator for the second time and there will be ample opportunity for photos at the Equator crossing. If you want to try out Kampala's night life then tonight is your chance!

Day 12, Kampala to Jinja

A short drive brings us to Jinja, at the Source of the River Nile. We have the option to either white water raft the Nile or visit Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary.

Day 13, Jinja

Spend the day taking up some of the adventure activities on offer such as rafting the Nile, visit the local community project or take part in a quad bike trip along the riverbank. If that is a bit too much effort then relax in the camp perched on the edge of the river!

Day 14, Jinja to Lake Naivasha

We head back to Kenya and on to Lake Naivasha where we explore and take part in the many optional excursions and activities. Lake Naivasha was famous for being Kenya's airport for flying boats from southern Africa where they could refuel on their way north.

Day 15 to 16, Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha is home to a multitude of bird life including the magnificent African Fish Eagle. Spend the day at leisure or take a trip to Elsamere, a boat ride to the Crescent Island Game Sanctuary or a bike ride around Hell’s Gate National Park.

Day 17, Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara

Entering Masai land we are likely to see these colourful locals tending their stock on the side of the road. Our overnight stop looks out across the Masai Mara National Reserve.

Day 18, Masai Mara

We will look for the infamous Big 5 as well as the plentiful plains game and birdlife on our game drives. You will see this 'garden of Eden' in a state nature intended it to be, rolling hills, huge plains, and an abundance of game matched no where else on earth. Buffalo, elephant, lion, cheetah, zebra, wildebeest, waterbuck just to name a few of the animals that inhabit this wild wonderland. Sitting around a campfire listening to the bush sounds, whilst watching the sun set is the perfect way to finish a day's game viewing in the Mara.

Day 19, Masai Mara to Nairobi

Leaving the Masai Mara, we head out of the surrounding area where we still catch a glimpse of the game that has migrated into the Masai land region. We reach Nairobi in the late afternoon.

Day 20, Nairobi

Today is spent at leisure to enjoy a variety of optional activities and attractions in this bustling African city.

Day 21, Nairobi to Amboseli National Park

Our next destination is Amboseli National Park where (on a clear day) we might get a very good view of Africa's Highest Mountain - Kilimanjaro.  Look out for abundant populations of Giraffe, Zebra and plains antelope as well as small numbers of Hyena, Lion and Jackal.

Day 22, Amboseli National Park to Arusha

Crossing the border into Tanzania we head to Arusha. Our route takes us through tribal Masai lands and along the western slopes of Mount Meru.

Day 23, Arusha to Serengeti National Park

From Arusha you have the option of visiting the famous Serengeti National Park. You will depart Arusha in the morning with your vehicles and guides, if you take up the two-night/three day option. From Arusha you drive through the Masai town of Mtu Wa Mbu (Mosquito River) and up into the Ngorongoro Nature Reserve for a glimpse of the Ngorongoro Crater. Then you descend down onto the vast plains of the Serengeti. The abundance of plains game has never stopped to suprise anyone entering this wildlife heaven. The afternoon will be spent game spotting before setting up camp in the midst of the park. A camp fire and the night time noises of the wildlife finish off a day in one of East Africa's most famous game parks!

Day 24, Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

An absolute 'must do' when in Tanzania. Pass through the 'Cradle of Mankind' and the Rift Valley whilst enjoying one of the best game viewing opportunities Africa has to offer. An early start takes us off for a full morning game drive in the Serengeti. We head back towards Ngorongoro where we sleep on the Crater's edge. We suggest you wear your winter woollies as it can get pretty cold on the rim of the crater during night times.

Day 25, Ngorongoro Conservation Area to Arusha

This morning we descend into the Ngorongoro Crater with its 600 metre walls. This Garden of Eden is 20-kilometre wide and a true natural wonder. The size of this caldera is only appreciated from the floor itself where the abundance of its animal inhabitants becomes apparent. It is home to nearly every species of African animal and offers great photo opportunities of most of East Africa's mammals, such as Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Hippo, Lion, and plain's game. After spending the morning in the Ngorongoro Crater you will return to our overnight stop near Arusha for the night.

Day 26, Arusha to Nairobi

Time for some shopping in Arusha this morning before a short drive returns us to Nairobi where our tour ends on arrival.

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Highlights included in your tour cost

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There are 14 optional activities available on this trip.

Prices shown are approximate

• $75 Arusha Camel Rides
• $20 Crescent Island Wildlife Sanctuary
• $10 Elsamere
• $600 Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
• $45 Hells Gate National Park
• $10 Jinja Guided Village Walk
• $70 Jinja Quad Bike Safari
• $5 Masai Cultural Village
• $435 Masai Mara Hot Air Balloon Ride
• $65 Nairobi National Park
• $60 Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
• $520 Serengeti National Park Hot Air Balloon Ride
• $25 Softpower Community Project
• $125 White Water Rafting on the Nile