32-Day Wildlife & Cultural Experience in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania

32-Day Wildlife & Cultural Experience in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania 32 Days

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32-Day Wildlife & Cultural Experience in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania
32-Day Wildlife & Cultural Experience in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania
32-Day Wildlife & Cultural Experience in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania
32-Day Wildlife & Cultural Experience in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania
32-Day Wildlife & Cultural Experience in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania
32-Day Wildlife & Cultural Experience in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania
32-Day Wildlife & Cultural Experience in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania
32-Day Wildlife & Cultural Experience in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania
32-Day Wildlife & Cultural Experience in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania
32-Day Wildlife & Cultural Experience in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania
32-Day Wildlife & Cultural Experience in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania
32-Day Wildlife & Cultural Experience in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania
32-Day Wildlife & Cultural Experience in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania
32-Day Wildlife & Cultural Experience in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania
32-Day Wildlife & Cultural Experience in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania
32-Day Wildlife & Cultural Experience in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania
32-Day Wildlife & Cultural Experience in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania
32-Day Wildlife & Cultural Experience in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania
32-Day Wildlife & Cultural Experience in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania
32-Day Wildlife & Cultural Experience in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania
32-Day Wildlife & Cultural Experience in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania

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Overview

Highlights

Duration: 32 Days
Comfort: 66.6666666666667%
Language: English
Rating: 0%
Trip ID: 58716
Start Location: Kampala, Uganda
End Location: Ngambo, Tanzania

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Primary Activities: Local Culture & Cuisine, Wildlife, Walking Tour
Other Activities: Safari, Rainforest, Local Culture & Cuisine, Archaeology, Volcanoes, sightseeing, Gorillas, Urban Exploration, national parks, museums, boating
Activity Level: Basic

Experience the great diversity of East Africa on this mammoth, month-long tour through four incredible countries and partake in a momentous journey through exotic culture and nature. In Uganda's national parks, we find diverse ecosystems that house extensive ranges of biodiversity in the wetlands and we'll have occasion to snap pictures of countless species of bird and butterflies, elephant and buffalo, as well as to cruise the waters inhabited by the largest hippo population in Africa.

In the thick, lush forests of the Parc National des Volcans on the slopes of the Virunga Mountain Range in Rwanda, we track a family of mountain gorillas and find about the issues this endangered species faces with poachers before heading to the Genocide Museum in Kigali to learn about the this tragic period of time in the country's history. Kenya and Tanzania are each highly recommended destinations when it comes to touring East Africa and together they make for the ultimate safari.

Through more than half a dozen game parks and nature reserves, we find the best of East African nature; we see the world's second-highest peak -- Kilimanjaro -- 'The Big Five', the Serengeti Plains, volcanoes, waterfalls, mountain forests and the UNESCO-protected Ngorongoro Crater. Ending our tour with exploration of the island paradise of Zanzibar only adds that bit of extra spice to our adventure.

Note: This tour may require a mandatory single supplement charge of 1315 USD if twin-sharing accommodation is unavailable.

Seasonality and Weather

UGANDA/RWANDA: Temperatures average about 25 C (79°F) during the day and 15 C (60°F) at night. The hottest months are from December to February when the daytime range is 26-28 C (81 to 84°F). The rainy seasons in the south are from April to May and late October through November, the wettest month being April. Humidity is generally low outside of the wet seasons. KENYA/TANZANIA: Feb / Mar post-short rains with many migratory birds from Europe though high grass can make game spotting a challenge. Sept / Oct is often hot and dusty though game viewing is excellent due to short grass and animals congregating around water sources. Wildebeest herds usually present before annual trek south to Tanzania.

Transport and Travel Conditions

Some road journeys are very long and very rough, possibly dusty. We travel via well-maintained, rugged minivan with six passengers each, 4X4 in Tanzania. The same vehicles, with roofs that pop up, will be used for our game drives in parks and reserves. Please note that air-conditioned safari vehicles are non-existent in East Africa.

Accommodation

UGANDA/RWANDA have only re-emerged as tourist destinations in the last few years and their lodges and camps are not as luxurious as in some African countries. KENYA/TANZANIA hotels and lodges used are 4-5 star properties with hot water, electricity, mosquito netting, dining areas, bar, swimming pools. Remote lodges are not air-conditioned though many are at higher elevations where heat is not a factor. Hotel porter service is available throughout (see 'Inclusions'). Single rooms are limited and likely smaller than twins. Many lodges are quite spread out and you will need to be able to walk up to 10 minutes from public areas to your room.

Staff and Support

Tour Leader throughout, local drivers & guides.

Group Size

10 -21 (plus Tour Leader)

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive and meet in Entebbe: Today we arrive at Entebbe International Airport (the airport serving the capital) and transfer the short distance to Kampala.

Overnight in Kampala. Meal plan: Dinner, if required.
Day 2: From Kampala we head to Murchison Falls National Park: This morning we travel by road northwards passing through the famous Luwero Triangle stopping in Masindi for a lunch stop. We proceed to Murchison Falls.

The falls mark the spot where the River Nile, on its journey from its source at Lake Victoria to join Lake Albert, is suddenly channeled into a gorge only six meters wide and cascades 43 meters below. The earth literally trembles at Murchison Falls -- one of the world's most powerful natural flows of water. Named them after Sir Roderick Murchison, president of the Royal Geographical Society, the falls also lend their name to the surrounding Murchison Falls National Park.

Upon arrival we drive to the top of the falls for some magnificent scenery and breathtaking views of the raging Nile as it forces its way through a rocky gap.

Overnight in Murchison Falls. Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner.
Day 3: We have a cruise on the Nile River: We begin the day with an early morning game drive on the Buligi, Albert or Queens tracks north of the river Nile. Here we have the chance to observe those animals closely associated with the African savannah like lion -- leopard, giraffe, antelope, elephant, and warthog.

After lunch we have a cruise on the Nile River. The cruise takes to the bottom of the thundering falls where you will see huge crocodiles, hippo, buffalo, elephant and a variety of water birds like herons, cormorants, ducks, bee-eaters, kingfishers, skimmers, fish eagle and the rare shoebill.

We return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Overnight at Murchison Falls. Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner.
Day 4: This morning we travel by road to Kibale Forest National Park: This morning we travel by road to Kibale Forest National Park, famous for its families of habituated chimpanzees. The park it is home to an astonishing number of 12 species of primates, the highest density in the world!

This afternoon, on a guided walk, we'll hopefully encounter families of chimps and Red Colobus monkeys, all superb photographic opportunities. While in the vicinity of Kibale, we will visit a Jane Goodall Institute project. Here we will learn about snare removal programs and the way in which the researchers are working with the local communities to raise awareness of the problems of poaching and habitat destruction.

Overnight at Kibale. Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner.
Day 5: Have a guided walking tour in Queen Elizabeth II National Park: This morning we will have another guided walk, this time through the Bigodi Swamps. The Kibale Association manages the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for Rural and Environmental Organisation, formed in 1992 with the aim of achieving social and economic development for local communities. While on our guided walk around the swamps, we can distinguish many from the approximately 137 bird species found here, including the Snowy Headed Robin Cat, Black and White Casqued Hornbill, Emerald Cuckoo and a variety of weavers, warblers, greenbuls and sunbirds. There is also an abundance of butterflies, and rich in vegetation, such as wild palms, polita figs and the dominant papyrus.

We then depart Kibale by road for the Mweya Peninsula in Queen Elizabeth II National Park, dominated on its northern border by the snowcapped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains -- the famous 'Mountains of the Moon.' The varied ecosystems of this park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve for Humanity, support a wide variety of species including elephant, buffalo, lion and leopard.

Overnight at Queen Elizabeth II National Park. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 6: We cruise up the Kazinga Channel: Early this morning we cruise up the Kazinga Channel, a narrow band of water connecting lakes Edward and George. This is one of the most memorable experiences of a visit to Uganda, offering an opportunity to cruise amid members of Africa's largest hippo population. In addition to these giant semi-aquatic mammals, the launch affords unique opportunities to view other mammals and birds as they come to the water's edge to drink and bathe. Birding is excellent, and we expect to see species ranging in size from the tiny, brilliant Malachite Kingfisher to the giant Goliath Heron.

After a break for lunch and relaxation, we embark on an afternoon game drive in open savannah covered by acacia trees on the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley. We will search for the typical tree climbing Lions (among other things), a population which is found only in this part of the country. It is impressive to see the animals while they are resting on top of the fig trees.

Overnight at Queen Elizabeth II National Park. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 7: We have a morning road trip through the Ishasha Plains: We have a morning road trip through the Ishasha Plains and the East African Rift Valley via Fort Portal, to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with picnic lunches (+/-6 hours). We pass through high, forested hills and through deep-farmed valleys. The drive is reminiscent to what one would experience driving through central Europe -- indeed this region of Uganda is often referred to as "Little Switzerland."

Overnight at Bwindi. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 8: Exploring the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park: Bwindi, a World Heritage Park, is home to just over half of the world's last surviving mountain gorilla population of 600 individuals. Today's trek* can take from one to six hours, sometimes more, at elevations in excess of 2270 m (7,500 ft) and over rough terrain. Travellers should be aware that if they turn around do to fatigue, illness or any other reason the remainder of the group will go on. The returning traveller will be escorted by a local guide or porter. Although the hike can be PHYSICALLY DEMANDING, the anticipation of the exciting experience ahead is invigorating, and the beauty of the forest and its inhabitants is fascinating. For more info, go to www.uwa.or.ug. Your gorilla permits are included in the tour price ($500 per person).

The area around Buhoma is an excellent place for watching primates and birds and you may catch a glimpse of the noisy but evasive Chimpanzees or the beatiful Hornbills and Turacos. The forest is home to 120 species of mammals, 346 species of birds, 202 species of butterflies, and 163 species of trees, making it one of the richest ecosystems in Africa.

*NOTE: Group participants MUST have a medical questionnaire signed by a physician indicating their fitness to undertake such an activity. This form will be included with your confirmation package and MUST be returned to us before your final documents are issued.

Overnight at Bwindi. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 9: Today we travel by road +/- 6 hours via Kisoro to Parc National des Volcans: Today we travel by road +/- 6 hours via Kisoro to Parc National des Volcans, Rwanda, a journey that takes us through the beautiful terraced hillsides that characterize much of Rwanda's landscape.

"In the heart of Central Africa, so high up that you shiver more than you sweat," wrote the eminent primatologist Dian Fossey, "are great, old volcanoes towering up almost 15,000 feet, and nearly covered with rich, green rainforest - the Virungas". Situated in the far northwest of Rwanda, the Parc des Volcans protects the steep slopes of this magnificent mountain range--home of the rare mountain gorilla -- and a rich mosaic of montane ecosystems, which embrace evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp and heath.

Overnight near Parc National des Volcans. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 10: Parc National des Volcans: We drive to the park headquarters: Early this morning we drive to the park headquarters where we are briefed by the guides of the Parc des Volcans before we start our gorilla trek. This 13,000-hectare national park protects the Rwanda sector of the Virunga Mountains, a range of six extinct and three active volcanoes which straddle the border with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Bamboo forest is interspersed with alpine moorland, grassland and marsh.

Tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virungas is a magical experience. If you are lucky you will get to the gorillas, spend an hour with them, and be back at the base in time for a late lunch. Some gorilla families however are more elusive, and tracking can take a full day... especially when wet and muddy.

The Mountain Gorillas in the Parc National des Volcans are part of a worldwide population of just 740 individuals. The gorillas we are allowed to track belong to one of five habituated family groups. For up to five years each, these groups have undergone an extremely delicate process that has gradually brought them to tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day and allowed a few privileged visitors to interact with them in the wild.

The gorillas are by no means tame, and are completely wild animals. However, experienced guides will accompany us on our tracking, many of who have been involved in the habituation process themselves. The guides will use their knowledge of the gorillas' habits and information from the previous day to locate the group's whereabouts. Because of this, the time taken to track the gorillas varies enormously, from as little as 1 hour to as much as 8 hours before one returns to base. Once the gorillas are located, our group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them.

Please remember that the mountain gorillas are a wild animal and are not enclosed in any form and free to move as hey please. For this reason actual sightings of the gorilla groups cannot be guaranteed. For more information on gorilla tracking in Rwanda, go to www.ortpn.gov.rw.

Overnight near Parc National des Volcans. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 11: Take a trek up to the grave of Dian Fossey: Today is a day of options. You may choose to trek another gorilla family,* trek with Golden Monkeys (optional, US$115 per person) OR take a trek up to the grave of Dian Fossey and the remains of the Old Karisoke Research Station (optional, US$85 per person). It is strongly advised that these options are pre-booked and confirmed at time of purchase of the main tour to ensure availability.

For those who loved the book and/or the movie ''Gorillas In The Mist'' the Dian Fossey trek could be a good option. Over the course of the morning you follow in her footsteps as you trek to Dian Fossey's grave and the many graves belonging to the poached gorillas, including that of Digit. For a more leisurely experience, trekking to the Golden Monkeys is highly recommended. In June 2003 the National Parks department first allowed permits to trek theses rare primates. A short walk to the edge of the forest to see the endangered Golden Monkeys is a rare treat. Watching these unique primates play and perform in the forest is mesmerizing.

* An additional gorilla permit for a second day trekking is an optional expense of approx $750 US per person, payable in advance only and non-refundable if you change your mind after the first day's trek.

Overnight near Parc National des Volcans. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 12: From Parc National des Volcans we head to Kigali: Today we drive back to Kigali.

In Kigali we will have a brief look at Kigali and the Genocide Museum, opened in 2004 to mark the tenth anniversary of the Rwandan genocide. While the genocide occurred as a result of a complex series of factors, it can only be seen as an absolute tragedy to Rwanda and its people. Time spent at the Genocide Museum is moving and important in understanding the sheer courage and resilience of this beautiful, tiny nation.

Overnight in Kigali. Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner.
Day 13: We leave Kigali and head to Nairobi in Kenya: Today we fly from Kigali to Nairobi.*

Part of Maasai land when the British arrived, Kenya's modern capital grew with the development of the railway. Derived from a Maasai word meaning "Cold Water," Nairobi is a pleasant mix of colonial British with modern and traditional African influences.

* NOTE: This flight is included if you purchase your international air through Adventures Abroad. Land Only passengers can purchase this for an extra $350.

Overnight in Nairobi. Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner.
Day 14: Today we travel from Nairobi, through the White Highlands: Today we travel from Nairobi, through the "White Highlands," so called because of the large number of Europeans who settled here, northwards to the Samburu National Reserve arriving in the mid-afternoon. En route we stop for lunch on the lower slopes of Mt Kenya where we may catch a glimpse of the glaciers coating the summit of Africa's second highest mountain.

The Samburu Reserve is mainly semi-desert savannah plain with the seasonal Ewaso Nyiro River supporting a wide variety of game such as elephant, buffalo, cheetah, leopard and lion as well as dik-dik (a tiny antelope), and warthog. On our afternoon game drive you can almost certainly be guaranteed close-up sightings of elephant, giraffe and gazelle.

Overnight in the Samburu National Reserve. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 15: Have a full day of game viewing in Samburu National Reserve: Today we have a full day of game viewing in Samburu National Reserve where we have a good chance of seeing the so-called "Northerns" -- the Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe and the blue-legged Somali ostrich -- species of animals found only in this dry area of Kenya. In addition, crocodiles can often be seen along the river bank.

This afternoon we may have an opportunity to pay a visit to a nearby Samburu village (optional cost). The Samburu are semi-nomadic pastoralists well-known for their proud adherence to traditional tribal customs and elaborate personal adornment.

Overnight in the Samburu National Reserve. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 16: Tonight we overnight at a Tree-Style lodge: This morning we will depart for the lower slopes of Mt Kenya, rising to 5199 m (16,728 feet), Africa's second highest peak. Our drive will take us into the Central Highlands, the heartland of the Kikuyu people. This is a very fertile region, well-watered, intensively cultivated, and thickly forested. The land was coveted by the Europeans who began arriving in ever-increasing numbers once the railway through the area was completed. The settlers established coffee and tea plantations on the eastern slopes of Mt Kenya and cultivated wheat on the western slopes. The higher regions of the slopes are left to the leopard, buffalo, lion and elephant.

Tonight we overnight at a "Tree-Style" lodge, uniquely designed and situated to provide one with a close-up view of a wide variety of wild animals as they come to drink and cavort. We highly recommend an optional guided nature walk (approx USD 30, payable locally) offered by the lodge. All rooms have a waterhole view and en suite facilities.

Overnight in Mt Kenya Conservation area. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 17: This morning we travel to Lake Nakuru, a shallow soda lake in the Rift Valley: The Rift Valley was created millions of years ago under the strain of enormous volcanic eruptions which resulted in a giant split in the earth's surface from Syria to Mozambique. Lava flowed into the valley, forming escarpments on either side of the gigantic trough which can be up to 80 km (50 miles) wide, big enough to be visible from space. At the lake, depending on the water levels, we may have the opportunity to see up to two million flamingos, in addition to the over 340 species of birds that have been recorded in the Rift Valley!

Lake Nakuru is very shallow and can fluctuate up to five metres (12 feet) each day. When the water is low, you can see a white band of crystallized soda along the shoreline. This is also one of the best places in Kenya to view the rare White Rhino as we explore the park on our afternoon game drive.

Overnight in Lake Nakuru National Park. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 18: Continue our journey through the Rift Valley: Early this morning we depart from Lake Nakuru National Park and continue our journey through the Rift Valley, passing by Lake Naivasha and nearby Mount Longonot, a relatively young volcanic reminder of the Rift's violent past. We arrive at our lodge (via bad road) in the Maasai Mara National Reserve in time for lunch.

The Maasai Mara is a natural extension of the Serengeti eco-system and has an amazing concentration of wildlife. The largest population of lions in Kenya is found here, along with large herds of plains game. The Maasai Mara may also be the best place in Kenya to view cheetah. Later this afternoon we enjoy another game drive.

Overnight in the Maasai Mara. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 19: Enjoy a full day game drive in Africa's most famous game park: The Maasai Mara National Reserve consists of rolling grassland and is located at the northern end of the Serengeti Plain. Considered the best of Kenya's parks, it is on the pathway of the yearly wildebeest migration, which comes north from Tanzania about the end of June and returns to Tanzania around the end of September. "The Mara" sustains all of the "Big Five" -- lion, elephant, leopard, rhinoceros and buffalo -- as well as an astonishing wealth of herding animals and other wildlife. You can see the stately Maasai men and youth along the road tending their cattle and goats.

In the Mara you will have an optional opportunity to ascend over the northern Serengeti at daybreak in a hot air balloon (optional expense). From over 300 m (984 feet) above, you will be able to view the vast land and the myriad animals that inhabit the Maasai Mara. During our stay in the Mara we enjoy a full day game drive in Africa's most famous game park.

Overnight in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 20: We visit the Karen Blixen Museum: After breakfast we depart for Nairobi. En route, just outside the capital, we visit the Karen Blixen Museum. Baroness Karen Blixen-Finecke emigrated from Denmark to Kenya in 1918 and, in 1937, wrote under the pseudonym, Isaac Dineson, "Out of Africa." The novel tells the tale of the Baroness's experiences on a Kenyan farm. Her home is now a museum, restored to the style in which she maintained it.

Overnight in Nairobi. Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner.
Day 21: Today we travel south from Nairobi to the Amboseli National Park: Just across the border from Tanzania, this park is situated on the African plain at the foot of snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, the continent's tallest mountain at 5894 m (19,300 feet). Here the cone-shaped mountain seems to hover majestically over the shimmering African plains.

The Amboseli National Park is also famous for its large herds of elephants. Here they cover themselves in red dust, giving them an even more imposing appearance. On this afternoon's game drive we hope to view animals grazing on the open plain with Mt Kilimanjaro providing the classic backdrop (weather permitting).

Overnight in the Amboseli National Park. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 22: We will have an afternoon game drive in the park: This morning we cross the border into Tanzania and travel to Lake Manyara National Park via the town of Arusha, the starting point for the northern safari routes of Tanzania.

Manyara is the smallest of the northern parks in Tanzania (330 sq km, of which two thirds is the actual lake) hosting a wide variety of vegetation, ranging from savannah to ground water forest to riparian habitats. The park is host to thousands of pelicans, ibis and flamingo that can be heard from afar. Other common visitors to this beautiful lake are hippos and the majestic African fish eagle, which can be seen swooping down from its perch to snatch a fish from the still waters of the lake.

After lunch at our lodge we will have an afternoon game drive in the park, located at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment and comprising of forest, woodland, grasslands, and swamps. Wildlife interest at Lake Manyara is not confined to bird life only; animals such as buffalo, elephant, giraffe, impala, hippo and a great variety of smaller animals also inhabit the park.

Overnight at Lake Manyara. Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner.
Day 23: We'll stop at a viewpoint overlooking the crater: This morning we enter the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a beautiful rolling landscape with periodic views over the Ngorongoro Crater. Before descending onto the Serengeti Plain, we'll stop at a viewpoint overlooking the crater.

The name "Serengeti" derives from a Maasai word meaning "Land-without-end." This is a land of superlatives, both in the vast landscape that surrounds you and the incredible biodiversity it supports. It is here that you have a chance to witness one of the most compelling natural dramas on earth -- the annual migration, a sight unparalleled anywhere in the natural world. Our afternoon game drive provides an excellent introduction to this fantastic landscape and the biodiversity it supports.

Overnight in the Serengeti National Park. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 24: Today we have a full day of game viewing on the Serengeti National Park: We will visit the "kopjes," a series of low, incongruous hills dotting the open landscape that often provide a vantage point for hungry predators contemplating the endless stream of hoofed animals parading past them. Depending on the season and the timing of the rains, up to 1.5 million wildebeest and a half a million zebra embark on a single-minded and perilous quest for water and grazing land. Following this spectacle, of course, are the meat-eating opportunists, hoping to capitalize on the physical toll this journey exacts on the desperate grazers. Even outside of "migration" time, large herds are still seen as they bear their young and feed, gaining strength for their annual return to the park's northern reaches. Resident species that do not migrate make for rewarding animal viewing in any season.

It may be possible to take an optional hot-air balloon safari over the plains at daybreak. Speak to your booking agent at the time of reservation.

Overnight in the Serengeti National Park. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 25: Today we make a stop at Olduvai Gorge: Travelling back to Ngorongoro today we make a stop at Olduvai Gorge, site of the Leakey excavations in the 1960s and 70s that established this region as the prehistoric habitat of some of the earliest species of hominids with some finds dating back 1.8 million years. Experts in the life sciences have argued that the Olduvai contribution to the story of human origins remains unsurpassed by any other prehistoric site in the world. A small museum on site outlines the unique geological and human history of the area.

Called the 'eighth wonder of the world' and stretching across some 8300 sq km, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area boasts a blend of landscapes, wildlife, people and archaeology that is unsurpassed in Africa. The volcanoes, grasslands, waterfalls and mountain forests are home to an abundance of animals and to the Maasai. Ngorongoro Crater is one of the world's greatest natural spectacles and its magical setting and abundant wildlife never fail to enthrall visitors.

Balance of the day at leisure to enjoy our lodge overlooking the crater.

Overnight in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 26: Enjoy a half-day tour in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area: Today we enjoy a half-day tour in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.* After an early breakfast we descend into the crater far below for a game drive in this incredible setting, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We explore the Ngorongoro Crater, 20 km (13 miles) wide and 700 m (2,300 feet) high where we may see the "Big Five" as well as many herbivores like wildebeest, gazelle, zebra and hippopotamus, as well as thousands of flamingos on Lake Magadi.

* In order to reduce congestion and stress on wildlife, the Tanzanian government limits visitors to half-day visits of the crater. Depending on what time "window" we are assigned, our excursion may take place first thing in the morning, or later in the afternoon (both of which are equally advantageous for game viewing, given the relatively mild climate at this altitude).

Overnight in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 27: We pass through the town of Mto Wa Mbu: This morning we descend the Ngorongoro Highlands, retracing our steps back to Arusha via a lunch stop at Gibb's Farm. Founded during German colonial times and still privately owned, Gibb's Farm is now a small hotel perched on the outer slopes of the Ngorongoro Highlands, surrounded by coffee plantations with long views over lush and beautiful agricultural country.

We pass again through the town of Mto Wa Mbu ('Mosquito Creek'), famous for its lively cosmopolitan atmosphere and red bananas, which taste the same as regular bananas but their skins are a startling bright red.

We arrive back in Arusha later this afternoon.

Overnight in Arusha. Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 28: This afternoon we have a walking tour of Stone Town: This morning we fly to Zanzibar and transfer to our hotel in Stone Town.

Zanzibar is an archipelago made up of Zanzibar and Pemba Islands, and several islets. Zanzibar Island is 96 km (60 miles) long and 32 km (20 miles) wide, occupying a total area of approximately 1040 km sq (650 sq miles). It is characterised by beautiful sandy beaches with fringing coral reefs, and the magic of historic Stone Town -- said to be the only functioning ancient town in East Africa.

Zanzibar's local people are an incredible mixture of ethnic backgrounds, indicative of her colourful history. Islam is the dominant religion, and practiced by most Zanzibaris, although there are also followers of Christianity and Hinduism. Population is estimated at 800,000, with the largest concentration being Zanzibar City, which has approximately 100,000 inhabitants. Zanzibaris speak Swahili (known locally as Kiswahili), a language spoken extensively in East Africa. Many believe that the purest form is spoken in Zanzibar as it is the birthplace of the language.

This afternoon we have a walking tour of Stone Town, the old city and cultural heart of Zanzibar, little 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. Our tour takes us to the House of Wonders, the Palace Museum (People's Palace), the old slave market, the Arab Fort, and the Hamamni Persian Baths. Stone Town has some excellent gifts shops with plenty of souvenirs and handicrafts to choose from.

NOTE: The exact order of our Zanzibar sightseeing may vary depending on variables such as weather and other logistical considerations.

Overnight on Zanzibar (Stone Town). Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner.
Day 29: This afternoon is free to enjoy Stone Town: This morning we visit the Jozani Natural Forest Reserve located in the central east region of Zanzibar Island, home to the rare red colobus monkey, endemic to Zanzibar. These monkeys are full of character and roam freely. They can also be seen at very close quarters just outside the reserve's perimeter and are incredibly photogenic. Jozani is home to other species including Syke's monkeys, small buck and bushpigs.

This afternoon is free to enjoy Stone Town. Most of the houses that can be seen today were built in the 19th Century when Zanzibar was one of the most important trading centres in the Indian Ocean region. The coraline rock of Zanzibar was a good building material, but it is also easily eroded. This is evident by the large number of houses that are in a bad state of repair. Several buildings have already been renovated and the Stone Town Conservation Authority has been established to coordinate the restoration of the town to its original magnificence.

Overnight on Zanzibar (Stone Town). Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner.
Day 30: Our morning tour includes opportunities to dazzle the senses with fresh spices: The history of Zanzibar would be incomplete without a 'spice tour.' Cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper and many other spices were as important to the Sultans of Oman as the infamous slave trade. They can be seen in the plantations just outside Zanzibar town, and our morning tour includes opportunities to dazzle the senses with fresh spices. A detailed description is given about a variety of spices and their uses in cooking and cosmetics. It is fascinating the sheer number of spices produced and their incredible value for many ailments and culinary applications.

We then travel to our resort-style hotel located on a beach outside of Stone Town.

Overnight on Zanzibar. Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner.
Day 31: Zanzibar: East Coast Resort: A day at leisure to enjoy the beach and to rest up after our journey.

Overnight on Zanzibar. Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner.
Day 32: Departure back home: We usually have some free time this morning before our afternoon departure from Zanzibar.

SAFARI NJEMA! Meal plan: Breakfast.

Nuts & Bolts

Trip Includes

Most meals included (local restaurants and hotels).
All accommodation, transport, sightseeing and entrance fees for sites noted as 'visited' in the detailed itinerary, including 2 gorilla permits.
Gratuities for driver-guides, restaurant staff, porters.
Airport transfers for land & air customers and for early arriving / late departing land & air customers who book their extra hotel nights through us.

Trip Excludes

Tour Leader gratuities, one lunch, drinks, personal items (phone, laundry, etc), international (if applicable) and domestic air taxes, visa fees, and any excursions referenced as 'optional'.
Airport transfers for Land Only customers.
Optional trip cancellation insurance.
Our post-reservation trip notes offer further guidance on shopping, visas, and locally payable departure taxes.

Trip ID#: 58716

CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

Operator

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