Overland Tour East Africa and Mountain Gorillas, Africa
The Adventure travel | Group travel | Overland tours | Road trips programmes in Africa and Kenya and Tanzania
From Price: 1,790.00EUR / GBP1,496.00
One of our most popular Africa tours. The East African Adventure tour with a trip to visit the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda. Taking in incredible countries and game parks and meeting the last of the great apes.
East Africa and Mountain Gorillas Overland Tour Essential Info
COUNTRIES VISITED: ZAMBIA, MALAWI, TANZANIA, ZANZIBAR, KENYA, UGANDA
East Africa and Visit Mountain Gorillas Overland Tour High Lights:
This gap year tour takes in the following exciting African highlights. Victoria falls, Luwawa Forest, Lusaka, White sandy beaches, Trip in Serengeti, Hell's gate NP, Gorilla's, Queen Elisabeth NP, Lake Nakuru, Masaai Village, Kampala, Masai mara, Zanzibar, Game drive south Luangwa NP
Xtreme Gap's overland truck Africa adventure tours are ideal for the budget conscious traveller, will a strong craving for adventure! The Tour comprises of an all inclusive experience, with integrated cultural interaction, game viewing, and social interaction, with the opportunity to book additional adrenaline based experiences such as white water rafting, Skydiving, walking with lions and swimming with dolphins!
Accommodation
The tour is fully accommodated and based and twin shared tent and hostels.
Price and Dates
€1790, plus a local payment of 1200 US Dollar.
Contact us for details and availability.
Included
Services of a tour leader
All transportation by private adventure vehicle
42 nights camping fees & equipment
Most Meals: B x 31, L x 30, D x 27
Excluded
Flights
Visas
Insurance.
Gorilla Permit US $500-$600
THIS TRIP CONTAINS A LOCAL PAYMENT OF US$ 1200 (The amount this is subject to fluctuations)LP covers expenses including national park entrance fees, flights,, and ensures a reliable amount of hard currency during the tour. Fee subject to changes, although these are very rare.
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We run lots of different Africa over landing tours each trip is different depending on how much time you have to devote to the trip.
Itinerary
DAY 1 ZIMBABWE, VICTORIA FALLS TO ZAMBIA, LUSAKA
Leaving behind the excitement of Victoria Falls we begin our expedition. The journey towards the bustling Zambian capital of Lusaka takes us along an interesting route.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2 CHIPATA
We begin today with some shopping in Lusaka before heading northeast towards Chipata. This is an interesting area full of friendly locals.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3 / 4 SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK
Early in the morning we drive from Chipata to the border of the South Luangwa NP where we spend two nights on the riverbank. The next day we visit the community run tribal textile project and a local village. Later this afternoon we enjoy a guided sunset game drive in South Luangwa NP. On occasion, in the rainy season it is impossible or inadvisable to attempt to reach South Luangwa NP, if this happens an alternative itinerary will be chosen. Optional Activities: Guided Morning Game Walk in South Luangwa NP
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5/6 MALAWI, LUWAWA FOREST
Today we cross the Zambia-Malawi border after leaving South Luangwa NP in the early morning. Heading north we enter the highlands of Malawi and spend the night at Luwawa Forest. Optional Activities: Fishing, Mountain Biking, Hiking.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 LAKE MALAWI
We will spend the next couple of carefree days relaxing on the white sandy beaches. For the more adventurous there are endless leisure and water sport activities. Alternatively, soak up the atmosphere and relax in one of the most memorable holiday destinations. Optional Activities: Scuba diving, parasailing, windsurfing, fishing, canoeing, horse riding
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 11 TANZANIA, IRINGA
As we ascend out of the Great Rift Valley through some spectacular mountain passes, we pass the vast tea plantations in the highlands to our camp outside Iringa.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 12 IRINGA TO DAR ES SALAAM
It is a long drive from Iringa to the historical port city of Dar es Salaam. We actually transit through Mukumi NP, but we do not have time to stop and explore.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 13 / 14 / 15 ZANZIBAR
A local ferry will take us from Dar es Salaam (where we leave the truck) to Stone Town, the capital of Zanzibar. We spend the first night in Stone Town where you will have time to explore the markets and unique architecture. The following day we take a transfer to the northern part of the Island where we will spend 2 days relaxing on the beach. Optional Activities: Meals, Spice Tours, Dolphin Tours, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 16 ZANZIBAR- DAR ES SALAAM
Today you leave Zanzibar and catch a late ferry (or flight) back to Dar es Salaam and return to the campsite.
Meals: Dinner
DAY 17 DAR ES SALAAM - ARUSHA
Today we take a long and scenic drive to Arusha, the safari capital of Tanzania. After arriving in Arusha, those who are going to explore the Serengeti National Park, prepare for their excursion.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 18 / 19 SERENGETI / NGORONGORO
Today we have the opportunity to go on a three-day trip into the Serengeti. For those not going to the parks, take this time to relax and absorb some of the fascinating local culture. Optional Activities: Serengeti & Ngorongoro Excursion.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 20 ARUSHA
Today we visit a local Masaai village. Tonight we enjoy a final meal around the truck and talking about the adventures we have had together.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 21 KENYA, NAIROBI
After crossing the border into Kenya we continue to travel towards Nairobi . Although our tour has ended for some passengers groups like to spend this evening at local restaurant. Optional Activities: Dinner at Carnivore Restaurant
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 22 NAIROBI TO MARA
The Masai Mara National Reserve is the Kenyan side of the Serengeti National Park (located in Tanzania). Today the tour will be entering this huge area of spectacular game viewing to photograph some of Africa�s most abundant wildlife. Famous for the annual migration of around 1.5 million wildebeest, the Masai Mara is also home to many other plains animals, including lions. We will only arrive after lunch, but in time for an afternoon game drive.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 23 MARA TO NAIVASHA
In addition to what we hope will be a successful day�s game viewing, cultural interaction with Kenya�s native Masaai people will round off your experience. After lunch we will leave the Mara to travel to Lake Naivasha.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 24 NAIVASHA (HELLS GATE NP) TO NAKURU NP
Today we will spend the morning at Hell�s Gate NP. The interesting name comes from the huge red-coloured cliffs that form the entrance to the geothermal interior. This is the only National Park where you can go hiking and activities include game and bird watching. The park entry fees are included and one of the more popular optional activities is to go game viewing from a bicycle. In the afternoon the tour will travel towards Lake Nakuru, the home of the greater and lesser flamingo. White Rhino inhabit the transitional savanna area surrounding the lake and if you are lucky you will get some great pictures. Optional Activities: Bicycle Hire
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 25 LAKE NAKURU TO ELDORET
We will spend a relaxed morning at Lake Nakuru before driving across the equator to Eldoret. When crossing the equator today there will be opportunity for photography. Eldoret is the 5th largest city in Kenya and is currently the fastest growing. The Great Rift Valley is still the dominant geographical feature of this region and the altitude at Eldoret is 2100 metres above sea level.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 26 ELDORET TO KAMPALA, UGANDA
Today we cross the border in to Uganda. Border crossings require patience as they can take much longer than one may expect. In the afternoon we will enter Uganda�s capital city, Kampala. This evening we have the opportunity to dine out at one of the local restaurants. Optional Activities: Dinner Out
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 27 KAMPALA - CRESCENT ISLAND EXCURSION
Although officially this day is set aside for everyone to explore Kampala most people use this day to take an optional day trip to the Chimpanzee Sanctuary of Ngamba Island. This non-profit eco-friendly project was set up in 1998 to care for orphaned chimpanzees. Ngamba Island is situated 23 km from Entebbe (near Kampala) on Lake Victoria and is only accessible by boat.
The Chimpanzee Sanctuary & Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT) manages the project and, as only one third of their operating costs are covered by visitors� fees, all interested parties are encouraged to join �Friends of the Sanctuary�. Should the weather be unfavourable, or the lake too rough for this excursion, there are many other activities available in Kampala. Optional Activities: Ngamba Chimpanzee Excursion, Kampala Markets, Dinner Out.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 28 / 29 / 30 KAMPALA TO GORILLAS
The Mountain Gorilla is extremely endangered and while exact numbers vary it is widely assumed that there are only 650 left. Visiting the Gorilla�s is a great way to support their future on earth as the money spent on permits is used for their protection. An extremely important part of the future conservation of the remaining Gorilla�s rests in the community development work � as local communities change their attitudes towards wildlife and start to protect rather than poach the future of the Mountain
Gorilla�s is assured.
As permits granting permission to visit the gorillas are extremely limited we require flexibility in both the tour itinerary and where we actually visit them. The home of the Mountain Gorillas is completely at odds with man-made borders and so their range encompasses Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Whenever possible we choose to make use of the NP in Uganda, but this depends on the availability of permits. Please note that each permit is only valid for one day. It is normal that the group will be split and will trek on different days; it all depends on the availability of the permits.
Should we not obtain permits to visit the Mountain Gorillas in either Bwindi or Mgahinga NP in Uganda then we will inform all passengers beforehand that the tour will travel to Rwanda or DRC. Visas for all nationalities are available on the DRC and Rwandan borders.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 31 / 32 GORILLAS TO QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
Today we will leave the Gorillas behind and visit some of Uganda�s other wild animals at Queen Elizabeth National Park. Many game species are to be found in this mainly Wetland Park including the (elsewhere elusive) giant forest hog, and the legendary tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha Sector. The 1995 square kilometers of exceptional bio-diversity contain over 600species of birds and nearly 100 mammals. Game is best viewed from the water and we recommend a sunset cruise on the Kasinga channel. Optional Activities: Kasinga Channel Sunset Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 33 / 34 QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK NP TO JINJA
We depart early for the long drive to Jinja where we will spend the entire following day. Jinja is Uganda's second largest city and is famous as the point where the Nile (officially the Victoria Nile) flows out of Lake Victoria and begins the 6695 kilometre journey to Egypt and the Mediterranean. If you do not want to go rafting, why not volunteer for the day at Soft Power Education, a UK registered charity that is doing a wonderful job with the education of Jinja's youth. Spending your day helping out will not only assist their projects, but will also afford you the opportunity to spend a day at grass-root level helping Africa's youth. Optional Activities: White Water Rafting, Soft Power Education Project
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 35 JINJA TO NAIROBI
It is a very long drive to Nairobi. The city of Nairobi was originally founded as a camp for the Mombassa-Uganda railway in 1899 and had since become the largest city in both Kenya and the East Africa region. As this is the last evening the group may choose to dine together at Nairobi�s famous Carnivore Restaurant, where vegetarians are catered for, but not encouraged� Optional Activities: Meal out in Nairobi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
NB: The itinerary is flexible and can be changed without notice in order to accommodate the best possible viewing of the Gorillas. The Permit price to visit the Gorillas can also change without notice.
