25-Day Tanzania, Kenya & Uganda Overland Safari – Zanzibar to Gorillas
Experience the ultimate East African adventure on this Tanzania, Kenya & Uganda Overland Safari, taking you from the exotic beaches of Zanzibar to the forests of Uganda in search of Mountain Gorillas. With Adventure In The Wild Safaris, explore the region’s top wildlife reserves, cultural hotspots, and natural wonders across three countries.
Quick Itinerary Overview
Start your journey in Stone Town, Zanzibar, before enjoying beach time on the island’s coast. Continue to Tanzania’s renowned Northern Safari Circuit with game drives in Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. In Kenya, explore the iconic Masai Mara, and then cross into Uganda to experience the African Rift Valley, chimpanzee trekking, white-water adventures on the Nile, and unforgettable gorilla trekking before concluding in Nairobi.
Day 1: Stone Town, Zanzibar – Tanzania
Begin your 25-day Tanzania, Kenya & Uganda Overland Safari in the historic Stone Town. Wander through winding alleys lined with coral stone buildings and spice markets. Meet your group at 16:00 for orientation.
Meals: None
Day 2–3: Zanzibar Beach Resort – Tanzania
Enjoy a guided walking tour of Stone Town before heading to the beach. En route, visit spice plantations to see how Zanzibar’s famed spices are grown. Spend two nights relaxing on the beach or taking part in optional activities like dhow sailing, snorkeling, or diving.
Included: Stone Town Tour, Spice Tour
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner x2
Day 4: Zanzibar to Bagamoyo – Tanzania
Return to mainland Tanzania and travel to Bagamoyo. Once a significant slave-trading port, today it remains a center of dhow boat building.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Bagamoyo to Arusha – Tanzania
Travel north to Arusha, gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro and Tanzania’s top safari parks. Prepare for the upcoming Northern Safari Circuit.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Arusha to Karatu – Tanzania
Journey through the Great Rift Valley and visit the vibrant Mto wa Mbu Market. Arrive in Karatu, nestled in the Ngorongoro Highlands.
Included: Mto wa Mbu Market Visit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti – Tanzania
Embark on a thrilling 4×4 game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater, home to Africa’s Big Five and diverse ecosystems. Continue to Serengeti National Park for more wildlife viewing and your first night in a tented safari camp.
Included: Ngorongoro Safari, Serengeti Game Drive
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Serengeti National Park – Tanzania
Spend the day exploring the wildlife-rich central Serengeti (Seronera), famous for big cat sightings. Optional Hot Air Balloon Safari available (pre-booking required).
Included: Game Drive in Seronera
Optional: Hot Air Balloon Safari
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9: Serengeti to Arusha – Tanzania
Return to Arusha via the Great Rift Valley with unforgettable memories of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10: Arusha to Nairobi – Kenya
Cross into Kenya and travel to Nairobi. Take in views of Mount Kilimanjaro (weather permitting) and experience Kenya’s bustling capital. Prepare for the next part of your Tanzania, Kenya & Uganda Overland Safari with smaller overnight bags for the upcoming Masai Mara trip.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
25-Day Tanzania, Kenya & Uganda Overland Safari
Day 11 & 12: Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve – Kenya
Our adventure continues as we leave Nairobi in rugged 4×4 safari vehicles, heading southwest to the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve, one of Africa’s premier wildlife destinations. Along the way, admire Kenya’s rural charm and pass through Maasai homesteads before arriving at our scenic tented camp for the next two nights.
Day 12 is dedicated to a full-day wildlife safari in the Masai Mara, home to the Big 5 and the world-famous Great Migration. This rich ecosystem offers sightings of lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, and many more iconic African animals. The annual migration, although seasonal, is a spectacular event as herds cross the Mara River dodging crocodiles.
- Included Activity: Masai Mara Safari
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (x2)
Day 13: Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru National Park – Kenya
Departing Masai Mara, we journey towards Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for its seasonal flamingo populations and a sanctuary for black and white rhinos. Enjoy an afternoon game drive in this bird-rich park, also home to predators like lions and leopards, and large mammals like giraffes, buffalo, and hippos.
- Included Activity: Lake Nakuru National Park Game Drive
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 14: Nakuru to Jinja – Uganda
Crossing into Uganda, “The Pearl of Africa,” we travel towards Jinja, located at the source of the Nile River. We stop at the Equator for photos before reaching our rainforest campsite at the beautiful Kalagala Falls. Jinja is known for its adventure activities and sweet pineapples!
- Included Activity: Equator Crossing
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 15: Jinja to Masindi & Murchison Falls National Park – Uganda
Today we head northwest to the lush region around Murchison Falls National Park. En route, you may choose an optional guided walk at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track endangered rhinos on foot. We camp near Masindi, close to Budongo Forest.
- Optional Activity: Ziwa Rhino Walk
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 16: Budongo Forest & Chimpanzee Trek – Uganda
Join a guided chimpanzee trekking experience in Budongo Forest, East Africa’s largest mahogany forest. Afterward, enjoy a Nile River boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park, where you may spot elephants, buffaloes, and hippos along the riverbanks.
- Included Activity: Chimpanzee Trekking & Nile River Boat Safari
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 17: Masindi to Lake Kikorongo – Uganda
We travel to Lake Kikorongo, a crater lake near Queen Elizabeth National Park, surrounded by rolling hills and abundant wildlife. Relax at our scenic hilltop campsite with panoramic views of the lake.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 18: Lake Kikorongo to Lake Bunyonyi – Uganda
We cross the equator again en route to Lake Bunyonyi, one of Africa’s deepest lakes, famous for its birdlife and island-dotted waters. This serene location near the Rwanda border is our base for gorilla trekking. Tonight, we attend a detailed briefing on the Gorilla Safari.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 19 & 20: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi – Uganda
A highlight of our journey: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or nearby reserves in Rwanda or the DRC, depending on permit availability. Trek in small groups with experienced guides to spend an hour with a gorilla family in their natural habitat – an unforgettable wildlife experience.
The extra day allows flexibility and opportunities to enjoy Lake Bunyonyi through kayaking, hiking, cycling, or visiting local communities.
- Optional Activities: Gorilla Trekking, Kayaking, Pygmy Village Visit, Rwanda Day Tour
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (x2)
Day 21: Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo – Uganda
We continue to Lake Mburo National Park, known for its papyrus swamps, open savannah, and large variety of bird species including the rare shoebill stork. We camp near the park, enjoying sunset views and a tranquil natural setting.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 22 & 23: Lake Mburo to Jinja – Uganda
Return to Jinja for two nights of relaxation or adrenaline-packed activities. Popular options include white-water rafting on the Nile, river bugging, kayaking, quad biking, or boat cruises to Lake Victoria’s source of the Nile.
- Optional Activities: Rafting, Kayaking, Boat Cruise, Quad Biking, Bungee Jumping, Horse Riding
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (x2)
Day 24: Jinja to Eldoret – Kenya
We cross back into Kenya and reach Eldoret, a city famed for its high-altitude training grounds and Olympic athletes. Spend the night at a peaceful campsite as we prepare for the final leg of our overland safari.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overland Safari by Adventure In The Wild Safaris
This incredible 25-day East African journey is operated by Adventure In The Wild Safaris, specialists in immersive and affordable African safaris. Discover the best of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania with a trusted name in African travel.