Chimpanzees, Wildlife, & Beaches

Uganda is often dubbed ‘the Pearl of Africa’ and as we drive west this morning you will begin to see why. Fort Portal is a laid back town located in the heartland of lush tea-growing plantations. There are numerous walking and swimming opportunities through abundant flora and fauna, Lake Nyabikere and the Rwenzori Mountains which are all within easy reach of Fort Portal.

The Kibale Forest is 766 sq km and largely comprises rainforest where 60 mammal and 335 bird species reside, as well as many different insects and plants. There are 13 primate species, of which the chimpanzees are the star attraction. Today you will be driven deep in to the forest to meet your guides who will escort you through the park to look for these fascinating primates in their natural habitat. Sometimes high up in trees, sometimes playing on the ground, wherever you find a chimpanzee community you will be left in awe of their strong family ties and amazing agility. The rest of the day is free to relax at the hotel or explore the town & surrounds.

Today we’ll cross the Equator on our way to Queen Elizabeth NP. This Park is home to 95 species of mammals and is very scenic with a diverse habitat and two lakes connected by the Kazinga Channel. We arrive in time for lunch at Mweya Lodge which is perched on top of a peninsula overlooking the channel and two lakes. This afternoon is a boat cruise on The Kazinga Channel. Here you can see the abundant hippo and bird life, plus other animals on the banks of the river.

This morning we will take a game drive through the National Park. Afternoon to relax in the facilities of the Lodge.

It is a reasonably long drive through to Jinja where we will spend the night on the banks of the Nile River close to Bujagali and the source of the Nile. The luxuriant vegetation covering the river banks and the diversity of bird life attracted by the multitude of fish complete a stunning vista. Relax in the pool after our day on the road before enjoying a sundowner on the porch overlooking the Nile. Tonight we dine in the legendary Black Lantern Restaurant.

A free day today to relax or take part in activities such as quad or mountain biking, horse riding, village walks, birding, and fishing on the Nile.

Today we cross into Kenya where we’ll stay up in the highlands just outside of Eldoret. Our river camp is a laid-back resort with a pool shady gardens and a very vibrant bar with unique furnishings.

This morning we travel down through the picturesque Eldama Ravine to Nakuru, located in the Rift Valley. Our accommodation is in lovely cottages on a working farm with beautiful gardens and excellent facilities. You can spend the afternoon going on a farm walk and/or visit the Kenana knitters’ project.

Today we enter Lake Nakuru National Park and spend the day game driving. This compact park is packed with wildlife. The soda lake has over 400 species of birdlife and is an ornithologist’s paradise. It is also home to both the black and white rhino and where some scenes from the movie Out of Africa were filmed.

This afternoon we arrive at Lake Naivasha and take a boat ride on the lake viewing hippos, fish eagles, and other birdlife before arriving at Elsamere the former home of the late Joy & George Adamson. Joy became world famous for her pioneering conservation work and relationship with the lioness Elsa as told in her bestselling book and subsequent film, Born Free. After a video presentation on the life of the Adamsons, refresh yourself with a delicious afternoon tea & stroll in the lake-front gardens.

Today we drive into the Masai Mara stopping along the way for lunch. Nearing the park you will see herds of goats & cows wandering in a cloud of dust; the vast plains dutifully watched by their Maasai owners. We enter the main gate by mid-afternoon and drive through to Sekenani Camp where each tent is situated on a raised platform with ensuite bathroom complete with a full length bathtub.

We spend the day game-driving around the park through vast herds of zebra, wildebeest, and antelope. Lucky travellers will also spot some of The Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo). The Masai Mara is quite simply one of the greatest wildlife attractions in the world. After lunch by the Mara River with free time for photo opportunities, we continue to a Maasai village to meet the tribespeople and learn about some of their age-old customs and semi-nomadic lifestyle.

Today we journey through the Rift Valley and up the escarpment where we stop for photo opportunities before continuing on to Nairobi, Kenya’s capital. Our base for the next 2 nights at Wildebeest Eco Camp in Deluxe Safari Tents, which are spacious and have an ensuite bathroom.

Free morning to kick back, catch up on your washing, emails, shopping etc. The camp is a 10-15 minute drive to the Karen Shopping Centre. Option this afternoon to visit the nearby elephant orphanage at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Their Orphans’ Project has achieved world-wide acclaim through its hugely successful rescue & rehabilitation program.

Today we cross into Tanzania via the Namanga border and drive through Arusha and the northern highlands. After climbing the Manyara Escarpment, the vegetation becomes more lush and green especially around the highlands of Karatu where we overnight. The extinct volcano of Ol Deani has gentle slopes and is a prominent feature of the landscape.

You will be picked up this morning from Kudu Lodge in 4WD vehicles and driven to The Serengeti National Park. The largest national park in Tanzania, the Serengeti is famous for its migratory herd of more than 1.5 million wildebeest along with masses of zebra and their predators. This afternoon take a game drive before arriving at our tented camp.

Morning game drive before travelling across the plains to Naabi Hill where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon we continue on to Ngorongoro where we overnight on the edge of the crater rim.

Ngorongoro Crater is a huge volcanic caldera covering 264 sq km. Measuring over 16km across and 610 metres deep, it is home to many animals including black rhino, hyena, jackal, and the densest lion population in the world. This morning we descend into the crater for a game drive then after lunch drive back to Karatu for overnight accommodation.

After breakfast we drive through to Arusha where there will be some free time for shopping. We’ll then visit Shanga River House. The Shanga Foundation was set up to provide locals with disabilities the chance to learn a craft and earn a living. Here you can marvel at the unique and quality products which have been handmade from recycled materials. We will have lunch here at the restaurant. Later this afternoon we arrive in Marangu which is situated on the lower slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Our accommodation for the next two nights has magnificent views of the mountain.

Today you will learn about the Chagga people – Bantu speaking indigenous Africans and the third largest ethnic group in Tanzania. Take a walk through the village with a local guide, wander through banana and coffee plantations, visit a picturesque waterfall where you are free to have a swim in the refreshing water, and finally explore the caves – an elaborate system of underground tunnels and caves once used to hide the Chagga people and livestock from marauding Maasai.

Today we will take a domestic flight from Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar and transfer to Stone Town. Little has changed in the last 200 years – it is a place of winding alleys, bustling bazaars, mosques, and grand Arab houses whose original owners vied with each other over the extravagance of their dwellings. This one-upmanship is particularly reflected in the brass-studded carved wooden doors – there are more than 500 different examples of this handiwork. The afternoon is free to explore the fascinating labyrinth of narrow streets and alleyways. Later watch the sun sink into the sea over a cocktail.

The history of Zanzibar would be not be complete without the cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper, and many other spices which brought the Sultans of Oman and the beginnings of the infamous slave trade. Our guide on the guided morning walking tour wants to wow you with the sheer number of spices produced and their incredible value for many ailments. Later this afternoon we drive to Nungwi Beach at the northern end of the island.

Two free days to relax and unwind on the silky white sands of Nungwi Beach overlooking the iridescent blue waters of the Indian Ocean. Diving, fishing and sailing on a Dhow are just some of the optional activities you can do here – or simply just relax by the pool or on the beach. At the end of the day there are plenty of bars to partake in a sunset cocktail, and a variety of beachside restaurants to dine in.

You will be transferred to Zanzibar Airport this morning for your onward flight.

• 25 nights’ accommodation as indicated
• Meals as indicated
• Sightseeing as indicated
• Services of experienced driver/guide plus camp/cook assistant
• Fully equipped safari vehicle
• All road tolls vehicle taxes National Park entry fee
• Airport transfers on D1 & D26 between 0600-1800 hours
• Domestic flight & taxes Kilimanjaro – Zanzibar

• Chimpanzee permit (US$180 pp – includes booking fee)
• International airfares to/from New Zealand or Australia
• Travel Insurance
• Entry Visa to all countries (purchased at border – US$100 pp East Africa US$50 pp Tanzania)
• Items of a personal nature (e.g. drinks, souvenirs)
• Any other optional activities you choose to take yourself