27 days tour

Beaches, Game Parks & Gorillas (21 Destinations)

$ 7,695 .00 USD

Total price per person

Reserve with $7,695.00

Beaches, Game Parks & Gorillas (21 Destinations)

This tour includes:

Guide

On this trip you will be accompanied by three crew members - Group Leader, Cook and Driver who will usually be Kenyan. Your Group Leaderโ€™s role involves organizing the overall operation and smooth-running of the trip, managing trip logistics, coordinating the tipping kitty (where applicable) and will form work groups to take turns cooking, cleaning and shopping. (From time to time your leader may drive as well) Your Group Leader will work towards making the trip as safe and enjoyable as possible for all travellers. Intrepid trips are built around the coโ€“operation and participation of all the group members under the supervision of the group leader. The group leader will show the group how to set up and use the equipment. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting, especially when tracking and identifying game - we think itโ€™s the best of both worlds. Regardless of the country of origin, our Group Leaders are chosen for their leadership skills and are wonderful ambassadors for our company and our beautiful continent and its people. Your Cook is responsible for the cooking and will help to coordinate the work groups for preparing the meals and washing up! Cooks are also responsible for organizing food shopping (they are always happy to have you on board) and most importantly, they make sure high hygiene standards are kept at all times while camping. Your Driverโ€™s main responsibility is to get you to your destination safely; they are also responsible for the maintenance of the vehicles along the way. Everyone is expected to participate and carry their share of the workload/duties, making camp chores easier. The duties Rota system is adopted where all members share in general camp duties โ€“ cooking, shopping, washing up etc. If the whole group participates it will be quicker, easier, and more fun. We endeavour to provide the services of an experienced leader and crew; however, situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders.

Meals

25 breakfasts, 17 lunches, 22 dinners

Transport

Our trucks are purpose-built, self contained safari vehicles. Our fleet of vehicles varies depending on your group size, trip route and style. Your vehicle type may differ from those listed above. It is also important to note that our overland vehicles are not air-conditioned, but all vehicles have windows that can be opened to allow for fresh air. Each seat will have access to a power socket to charge your devices. This outlet will use a UK/K: enyan 3 pronged outlet. There are many early starts with long hours spent driving on rough roads on all African itineraries. While most people love the chance to watch the changing landscape and daily village life, feedback shows that long periods of inactivity does not appeal to all clients. We provide the approximate distance covered each day and how many hours this normally takes to drive so that you can choose the safari experience that is right for you. African conditions are extremely tough on vehicles. While we fastidiously maintain our vehicles at our workshops, you should not expect Africa to be your traditional touring experience. While itโ€™s certainly our aim to avoid them, itโ€™s important that you set off on your trip knowing that the occasional breakdown can happen and are best treated as part of the African adventure. Due to wet weather there may be times when we have to take an alternative route which will mean longer travel times. Overland vehicle , 4x4 Safari Vehicle , Ferry , Minibus

Others

Irente - Lushoto hike Irente - Local lunch Ngorongoro Forest - Elephant Cave Trek Karatu - Home-Cooked Dinner Karatu - Coffee Farm Tour Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive Serengeti National Park - 4x4 Game Drive Mto Wa Mbu - Village walk & local dinner Lake Nakuru - Overland Vehicle Game Drive Lake Nakuru - Morning Overland Vehicle Game Drive Queen Elizabeth National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive Bwindi National Park - Mountain Gorilla Permit & Trek Kericho - Tea plantation visit Masai Mara National Reserve - 4x4 Game Drive Loita Hills - Maasai Village Visit Masai Mara National Reserve - Full Day 4x4 Game Drive

Accommodation

Accommodation on this trip is mainly in two-person canvas dome tents with camping mattresses supplied. The type and variety of accommodation are determined by conditions on each of our routes. Each route is different - on some, we use a mixture of campsites and wild camps; on others, we also use hotels. In Africa, itโ€™s not usually practical to camp when staying in towns and cities, so we use hotel accommodations and eat out in local restaurants. There may be the occasional night stop when we stay on the grounds of a hotel or at a campsite, which may also have rooms/cabins available. In this case, there may be a choice of camping or upgrading to a room. Rooms cost approximately USD : 40-100 per room per night for a twin room and cannot be pre-booked. Standards of these rooms vary greatly, and we recommend viewing the room before purchasing the nightโ€™s accommodation. The day-by-day itinerary advises when upgrades may be possible (subject to availability). Keep in mind that if we are staying in dormitory accommodation, you may have to share with other passengers or be split into same-sex rooms. Campsites do have facilities, but they usually arenโ€™t to the same standard you would find in Western countries. For example, the bathroom facilities can be very basic. Toilet paper is rarely provided, and shower facilities can be as simple as a hose pipe spurting out cold water. Wild camps have no facilities at all. At times, there may be spare tents in the vehicles. Unfortunately, these cannot be used without the purchase of a single supplement. This is to ensure the tents avoid wear and tear or are clean and ready for the customers arriving on the next section of the trip. Hotel (3 night), Bunglow (2 nights), Camping (with basic facilities) (2 nights), Camping (with facilities) (17 nights), Camping (with basic facilities) (2 nights), Hotel with shared facilities (1 night)

Not included:

Others

Other activities and services are not included

Insurance

Travel Insurance is not included

Flights

International flights are not included

Optional

Other activities and services are not included

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Beaches, Game Parks & Gorillas (21 Destinations)

  • Day 1 Day 1: Stone Town
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Stone Town

      Catch a ferry to Africaโ€™s โ€™Spice Islandโ€™ of Zanzibar. Filled with pristine white-sand beaches, winding cobblestone alleyways and fragrant bazaars, Zanzibar has had a colourful history โ€“ everything from slave traders to Arabian sultans and fruit exporters. The sight of traditional dhows sailing along the coast evokes what the island must have been like in centuries ago. The old part of Zanzibarโ€™s main city is known as Stone Town, and the best way to see this is on foot, exploring the markets, shops, mosques, palaces and courtyards. Explore the many charms of Stone Town, the historic part of Zanzibarโ€™s main city, with a local guide. Taste the local delicacies and gain insight into daily local life living on Zanzibar. When the sun is setting, why not grab a drink from a bar overlooking the seafront. A seafood curry at a local restaurant is also a great choice. Youโ€™ll spend the night in Stone Town at a basic inn.

  • Day 2 Day 2: Zanzibar Northern Beaches
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: Zanzibar Northern Beaches

      Once checked out of your Stone Town accommodation, consider booking in to an optional guided tour of the islandโ€™s spice plantations, learning all about the history of this townโ€™s spice trade. You will have the opportunity to smell and taste various spices, such as cinnamon, vanilla and ginger, plus sample some teas made with these spices too. After lunch, head to the Northern Beaches, where white sands and sparkling blue seas await. This is the Indian Ocean at its best.

  • Day 3 Day 3: Zanzibar Northern Beaches
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: Zanzibar Northern Beaches

      Enjoy free time in this beautiful archipelago today. There are many ways you can spend your day โ€“ perhaps talk to your leader for any recommendations they might have. Snorkelling in search of exotic fish is an excellent option, or you could take a traditional dhow boat on the water. You might also like to feast on a sumptuous lunch of grilled local seafood, or just relax in a hammock underneath a coconut tree with a good book. Itโ€™s totally up to you!

  • Day 4 Day 4: Stone Town / Bagamoyo
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: Stone Town / Bagamoyo

      Today you will be picked up and taken back to Stone Town to meet your new leader and travel group at an 11 am welcome meeting to discuss the next stage of your itinerary and meet your new fellow travellers. After this important meeting, catch the ferry to Dar es Salaam. There youโ€™ll meet your driver and cook, board your overland vehicle and take a short drive to your camp at Bagamoyo, a lovely spot by the beach.

  • Day 5 Day 5: Usambara Mountains
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Usambara Mountains

      If you wake early, you can make an optional excursion to the historical slave trade markets that once operated in Bagamoyo. After, itโ€™s time to travel into the remote Usambara Mountains.This unspoilt area of Tanzania attracts very few tourists, making it the perfect place to soak in your surroundings. The forests stretch across the mountains and are ideal for easy hikes and guided walks. You base is the old German colony of Lushoto, where youโ€™ll stay on the grounds of one of the earliest hotels in Africa.

  • Day 6 Day 6: Usambara Mountains
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: Usambara Mountains

      Today, explore the beautiful Usambara Mountains and experience this areaโ€™s gentle hospitality on a visit to some of its small communities. From your base, hike to the gorgeous Irente viewpoint. Itโ€™s best to pack some water and snacks in a day pack for this trip. On your way back, visit a local cultural project based at Irente farm and enjoy a cooking demonstration and a picnic lunch.

  • Day 7 Day 7: Arusha
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: Arusha

      Get ready for is a full day of travel as you board your truck once again and venture towards Tanzaniaโ€™s national parks. Your destination is the sprawling gateway town of Arusha. Arrive at your campsite on the outskirts of the town and settle in for the evening.

  • Day 8 Day 8: Karatu
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8: Karatu

      After breakfast this morning, head to Karatu, the gateway to the Ngorongoro Crater. Here, youโ€™ll hike through the Ngorongoro Reserve Forest to Elephant Caves and the Endoro waterfalls along the way. Rich with calcium, the Elephant Caves got their name as elephants would come here and break off pieces of rock, eating the dust to receive important minerals. Todayโ€™s trek, accompanied by an expert local guide and armed ranger, is the perfect way to stretch your legs after a few days of overland travel. Youโ€™ll hike through Ngorongoro rainforest as your local guide explains the ins and outs of the area here and points out interesting animal tracks and footprints. Marvel at the wild landscape and spot beautiful birdlife as you walk. After, head to Karatu village for a tour of the local coffee farm. Here, youโ€™ll see the innovative farming practices from the locals and learn about the farming activities that sustain the coffee, bean, maize, banana, soya and pea crops. Tonight, enjoy a traditional dinner with a local Tanzanian family in their home, who will cook you a few different dishes to try. Learn about the local culture with educational stories from a locally trained guide. What a night!

  • Day 9 Day 9: Ngorongoro Crater / Serengeti National Park
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 9: Ngorongoro Crater / Serengeti National Park

      Get up early, put your camping and personal gear into a six-person jeep and head out for an excursion into the Serengeti via the Ngorongoro Crater. Enjoy a safari in the crater, spending between 3 and 4 hours exploring this perfectly intact volcanic crater. Watch for black rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, impalas, zebras and hippos. Next, move on to the open plains of the Serengeti. Green after the rains, brown and burnt in the dry season, this is perhaps the quintessential image of Africa โ€“ the home of thousands of hoofed animals and fierce predators. Your campsite is within the Serengeti itself, so listen out for the sounds of nocturnal animals as you drift off to sleep.

  • Day 10 Day 10: Serengeti National Park
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 10: Serengeti National Park

      Wake at dawn and embark on a game drive. You will head out while the animals are at their most active, then go back to camp for brunch at around 11 am. After spending the middle of the day relaxing, just like the animals do, head out again as the day begins to cool. Youโ€™ll return from this second game drive in time for dinner. Thereโ€™s also the option today of a balloon ride over the park (in place of a portion of the morning game drive). If you have pre-booked this activity you will be picked up before dawn and driven to the launch site. After a safety briefing, you will glide through the dawn, sometimes at tree height, which provides amazing photo opportunities. After landing, youโ€™ll be treated to a five-star bush breakfast, then be returned to your camp.

  • Day 11 Day 11: Mto Wa Mbu
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 11: Mto Wa Mbu

      Rise with the sun and enjoy another game drive as you exit the Serengeti and head for Mto wa Mbu. When you arrive, youโ€™ll learn how to prepare a Swahili dish and enjoy a crafting session with local women. Learn about the farmer and artisan co-op that operates at the local market. Enjoy your food creations for lunch. Tonight, youโ€™re free to rest and recharge.

  • Day 12 Day 12: Nairobi
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 12: Nairobi

      This morning youโ€™ll make your way to Nairobi for another welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. When you arrive, maybe head out and explore the National Museum of Kenya, the Karen Blixen Museum or the highly recommended Bomas of Kenya, where traditional homesteads of several Kenyan tribes are displayed in an outdoor village.

  • Day 13 Day 13: Lake Nakuru National Park
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 13: Lake Nakuru National Park

      Take in spectacular views of the Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha and Elementaita on the drive north-west to Lake Nakuru National Park, situated in the heart of the Great Rift Valley. Youโ€™ll arrive in time for a short evening game drive along the shore of the lake. Lake Nakuru National Park is a small and compact area based around a lake that makes a great location for spotting wildlife. Along with the other members of the Big Five, Lake Nakuru harbours many rhinos and will be the best chance to get a great picture of these magnificent beasts.

  • Day 14 Day 14: Eldoret
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 14: Eldoret

      Rise early this morning for tea or coffee before going back into the park for a morning game drive. Return to camp for brunch before driving north-west to Eldoret, one of Kenyaโ€™s fastest growing towns. Due to its high altitude, the town is an ideal training ground for middle- and long-distance athletes and is home to some of Kenyaโ€™s most famous runners. Tonight, enjoy a traditional dinner at your campsite located just outside of Eldoret town.

  • Day 15 Day 15: Kampala
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 15: Kampala

      Today you will leave Kenya behind and cross the border into landlocked Uganda, travelling on to its capital city, Kampala. With a population of over 30 million, Uganda is a country of great cultural diversity and is one of the five countries that make up the East African Community. As today is a long travel day, take a break from setting up camp with a stay at a hotel. After your long drive enjoy a dinner prepared by the hotel before settling in for a good night rest.

  • Day 16 Day 16: Kalinzu Forest
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 16: Kalinzu Forest

      Travel to Kalinzu Forest National Park today. Some of its inhabitants include chimpanzees, black and white colobuses, baboons, red-tailed monkeys, both blue and red duikers, bushbucks, waterbucks, giant forest hogs, buffalo and elephants. When you arrive, settle into your camp and perhaps stretch your legs and explore your surroundings with the rest of the group.

  • Day 17 Day 17: Queen Elizabeth National Park
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 17: Queen Elizabeth National Park

      This morning, you have the option to take an excursion to see the chimpanzees of Kalinzu Forest. More closely related to humans than any other living creature, the chimpanzees are a delight to watch as they squabble and play in fruiting trees. You can also choose to soak in the sounds of the forest from the comfort of your tent. Later, take the short drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Once camp is set up, thereโ€™s an option to take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel โ€“ well-known for pelicans, eagles and other birdlife, as well as a healthy population of hippos.

  • Day 18 Day 18: Kisoro
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 18: Kisoro

      Today, drive out of the Queen Elizabeth National Park on your way to the southwest tip of Uganda. On this short game drive, cross your fingers and look out for elephants, buffalo, Ugandan kobs and waterbucks. When you arrive at the corner of Uganda, where the border touches Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, youโ€™ll be based in Kisoro, which provides access to seven different gorilla groups located in Mgahinga, Nkuringo, Rushaga and Nshongi.

  • Day 19 Day 19: Gorilla Trek
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 19: Gorilla Trek

      Joined by a local ranger and gorilla trackers, climb through the rugged mountain terrain of Bwindi National Park to encounter rare gorillas. No more than eight people per day can visit any one habituated family and visits are strictly controlled to minimise disturbance or the chances of transmission of disease to the animals. Tracking gorillas in the dense forest can sometimes be wet, muddy and uncomfortable. The terrain is by no means easy either, so it can be quite strenuous and often humid, but the sheer thrill in coming across a habituated group of gorillas, dominated by a great male silverback, more than outweighs any difficulty. You need to be prepared and fit enough to walk up to four hours โ€“ up and down hills. You can usually get very close to the mountain gorillas, who are placid and gentle, and watching their movements is like seeing a mirror image of yourself. Be mesmerised as you watch them eat, sleep, groom and play โ€“ the giant silverback surveying the scene as the smaller ones laze in the trees or play like children. Your visit with the gorillas will last one unforgettable hour.

  • Day 20 Day 20: Gorilla Trek
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 20: Gorilla Trek

      If you didnโ€™t get to complete your gorilla visit yesterday, youโ€™ll head out today. With your free day, your leader will provide you with options and ideas on how you can spend your time in the area around Kisoro. You can head out on more rainforest hikes to see monkeys, take some nature walks, or perhaps take a day excursion over the border to Rwanda to visit the genocide memorial, art museum and Nyamirambo womenโ€™s center. However, please ensure you have a Rwanda or East Africa visa.

  • Day 21 Day 21: Mbarara
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 21: Mbarara

      Farewell the lands of the gorilla and turn back towards the capital, Kampala. Youโ€™ll break up the journey at the pit-stop town of Mbarara for the night. Youโ€™ll be honest โ€“ thereโ€™s not a great deal to do here, however itโ€™s a great opportunity to spend the afternoon and evening relaxing at the camp, or even to have a leisurely look around the town.

  • Day 22 Day 22: Jinja
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 22: Jinja

      Today youโ€™ll continue your journey inland, travelling towards Jinja. The Jinja region is one of the highlights of any visit to Uganda, a riverside retreat at the source of the Nile but also the adventure capital of Uganda. Tonight, camp at a scenic riverside site and enjoy a good nightโ€™s rest ready for tomorrowโ€™s adventures.

  • Day 23 Day 23: Jinja
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 23: Jinja

      Located at the source of the Nile as it leaves Lake Victoria, Jinja is a place for the adventurer, the adrenaline junkie and the eco-traveller. Youโ€™ll enjoy two days here at your own pace, with a bunch of optional activities to choose from (at extra cost) if you want. Maybe get active with some whitewater rafting or kayaking. Alternatively take a boat cruise to the source of the Nile or to enjoy the river and quench a thirst.

  • Day 24 Day 24: Kericho
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 24: Kericho

      Farewell Uganda and begin the journey back to Kenya and Nairobi, stopping overnight at the town of Kericho โ€“ one of Kenyaโ€™s most popular towns due to its tranquil surroundings, blanketed by thick tea plantations and evergreens. Sitting at the edge of the South-Western Mau National Reserve and is known for its vast tea estates. When you arrive, visit a tea plantation and learn about the tea farming process from the locals themselves.

  • Day 25 Day 25: Masai Mara National Reserve
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 25: Masai Mara National Reserve

      This morning, drive to the famous Masai Mara National Park. Stop in Loita Hills on the way, home of the traditional Maasai people, and visit Tepesua Village. Youโ€™ll be welcomed by Maasai Warriors through traditional song and dance. Meet your Maasai hosts and enjoy a fascinating talk, full of insights into this remarkable and ancient culture. Take a walk to the community village which was founded for widows who had lost their cows due to drought and can never remarry. The village offers support, safety and economic growth through the Tepesua Widows Income Project. Here the women are engaged in making handicrafts and sewing eco-friendly handbags and backpacks to sell to visiting travellers and locals. Travel on to the Masai Mara, a quintessential African experience, with sparse open plains, dramatic skies and the worldโ€™s most iconic animals living within its boundaries. Explore this diverse environment and view a multitude of wildlife on an early evening 4WD game drive with expert local driver guides.

  • Day 26 Day 26: Masai Mara National Reserve
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 26: Masai Mara National Reserve

      Venture into the Masai Mara National Reserve with expert local driver guides for a day-long 4WD game drive. Youโ€™ll explore this diverse environment and most likely see a multitude of wildlife. Plus, an optional balloon ride over the Mara at sunrise is an unforgettable experience. If you have pre-booked this activity you will be picked up before dawn and driven to the launch site for a safety briefing from your pilot. Youโ€™ll then glide through the dawn skies, sometimes at tree height, which provides amazing photo opportunities. Sometimes you will ascend, getting an overview of the enormity of the plains and of the early morning movements of the teeming herds. After landing, youโ€™ll be treated to a bush breakfast before returning to your campsite.

  • Day 27 Day 27: Nairobi
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 27: Nairobi

      Return to the bustling metropolis of Nairobi. When you arrive, youโ€™ll be dropped at your finishing point hotel, where your trip ends. If youโ€™d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Basic

Almost everyone is fit for these activities. Every hike or physical exercise last less than 30 minutes, such as paragliding and horseback riding. Please ask about specific conditions.

Age range

Age range

Min: 15 / Max: 99

Age range allowed for this experience.

Select a country to define if the visa is required