18 to 35s Epic East Africa: Gorillas, Chimps and Safaris

Ki kati! Welcome to Uganda. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm in Entebbe, where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. Located near Kampala on the shores of Lake Victoria, Entebbe has a relaxed vibe. If you arrive early, maybe stretch your legs with a stroll through Entebbe Botanical Garden or shop for souvenirs at Entebbe Craft Village. After the meeting tonight, why not head out for dinner and get to know your new travel buddies?

Today, begin your journey from Entebbe to Jinja. One of the highlights of any visit to Uganda, Jinja is a riverside retreat at the source of the Nile and is considered the adventure capital of the country. When you arrive, settle into your accommodation or relax on the banks of the nearby Nile River. If you’re keen to start exploring right away, maybe head to the Jinja Farmer’s Market and try some fresh jackfruit or local snacks.

Tonight, your leader can show you where the best spots are to grab some dinner with your group.

Jinja is the place for adventurers, adrenaline junkies and eco-travellers, and you’ll enjoy a full free day here to explore at your own pace. Maybe get active with some whitewater rafting or hire a bike to see Jinja on two wheels. You can also opt for a boat cruise along the source of the Nile, to enjoy the river from a new perspective.

Head out in search of some rolex (chapati rolled around an egg omelette, usually with added vegetables) to start the day. This is a popular street food in Uganda and is even more delicious than it sounds! You’ve got a long travel day ahead of you, so make sure you have your favourite playlists, podcasts or some travel games queued up for the drive. Travel to Fort Portal, where you’ll spend the night. When you arrive, settle into your accommodation and relax – you’ve got an exciting day of wildlife encounters ahead of you tomorrow.

Begin your journey to Kalinzu Forest this morning. On the way, you’ll go on a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park, home to elephants, buffalo, antelope and so much more.

This afternoon, led by expert trackers, you’ll set off into the dense rainforest of Kalinzu in search of chimpanzees. This hike can be challenging at times, with muddy paths and thick vegetation, but the reward of seeing these amazing creatures in their natural habitat is well worth it. Watch as they play, feed and communicate with each other in the trees high above.

Later, return to your accommodation for a free evening. Maybe grab a drink or two with your new friends and toast to the incredible day of adventure.

Continue your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Take in the scenery as you pass rolling green hills, tea plantations and crater lakes, or simply relax with a book or chat with your group. You’ll also pass through a local village where you’ll have the chance to stop for lunch and coffee. Maybe get to know the Batooro and Bakiiga communities that live here with an optional local village visit, then carry on to Bwindi. When you arrive, settle in and prepare for what will be one of the highlights of your trip tomorrow – gorilla trekking!

This morning, join a local guide and experienced trackers as you climb through the rugged, mountainous terrain of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in search of mountain gorillas. Your first glimpse of these creatures will be a truly beautiful moment, and visits are strictly controlled to minimise disturbance. Tracking gorillas is not an easy feat (it's called Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a reason!). It can be wet, muddy, strenuous and uncomfortable, but the indescribable feeling of coming across a group of gorillas is worth the effort. Spend a mesmerising hour with the gorillas as they eat, sleep, groom and play as the male silverback watches over them. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the lush wilderness of the rainforest, then return to camp where you can freshen up with a hot shower.

In the afternoon, you’ll also have the chance to go on an optional visit to the Batwa community to learn about their forest heritage.

Tonight, enjoy a hearty dinner by the crackling fire.

Say goodbye to Bwindi and begin the journey to Lake Mburo. This is Uganda’s smallest savanna park, but it packs a punch with its variety of landscapes, from woodlands and rolling hills to wetlands and lakes.

This afternoon, you’ll have the option to join a safari, where you might spot zebras, hippos, buffalo and even impalas.

Rise early and begin the drive back to Entebbe, stopping for a game drive in Lake Mburo along the way. You might spot herds of zebras (there are more than 5000 in this national park!), impalas or hippos. After, you’ll continue to Entebbe, where you’ll spend the night.

Today, you’ll be transferred to Entebbe Airport for your flight to Nairobi. You’ll have a second welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet your new leader and the travellers joining you for the next leg of your trip. After the meeting, maybe head out for an optional dinner with your new fellow travellers.

Depart Nairobi this morning, stopping in Narok along the way for some food shopping. Today's drive crosses the Great Rift Valley – Africa's huge divide – to the remote region of Loita Hills. This is the home of the Maasai people. When you arrive, you’ll grab some lunch and then visit the Maasai, known for their dazzling red dress and elaborate jewellery. Gain an insight into the culture and ancient ways of this proud East African community. A local elder will deliver a fascinating talk, and you'll be shown around a traditional Maasai home and see where the resident cattle are kept.

Travel from Loita Hilla to the Maasai Mara National Reserve today. The Maasai Mara is one of those classic African experiences – wide open plains, perfect blue skies and some of the world's great wild animals. After setting up camp, sit down to some lunch. Then, it's time to jump aboard your 4WD and go for a safari through the wilderness of the Mara.

Adventure into the reserve for a full-day 4WD safari. You'll explore this diverse environment and most likely see a lots of different wildlife like lions, elephants, leopards and rhino. If you’re up for an early start, an optional balloon ride over the Mara at sunrise is highly recommended. If you have pre-booked this activity, you’ll be picked up before sunrise and driven to the launch site for a safety briefing from your pilot. Then, glide through the dawn, sometimes at tree height, which provides amazing photo opportunities. Sometimes you’ll ascend, getting an overview of the enormity of the plains and the early morning movements of the teeming herds. After landing, you'll be treated to a bush breakfast, then return to your campsite to meet up with your group.

Travel towards the Kenya-Tanzania border and to the shores of Lake Victoria. This is not only Africa's biggest lake – it's the largest tropical lake in the world. It shares its shores with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. You'll arrive in the late afternoon, with time to chill out lakeside with a cold drink at sunset. Make the most of the ATM and local market to stock up for your next three days of adventures in the wilderness. You’ll be camping on the shores of the lake tonight, at one of its least visited campgrounds on the outskirts of a small town called Musoma, far from the tourist track.

Today, you’ll travel from Lake Victoria to the gate of Serengeti National Park on a smooth road. Stop for a picnic lunch on the way, then enter the Serengeti and start your overland vehicle safari on the way to your campsite. These plains – green after rain and brown and burnt in the dry season – are home to thousands of hoofed animals and fierce predators, so see how many you can spot! Your campsite is right in the action, within the park itself, so listen out for the sounds of nocturnal animals as you drift off to sleep tonight.

Embark on a full-day 4WD safari adventure in the Serengeti. Spend the day venturing out in search of rhinos, leopards, lions, hippos, elephants, impalas and zebras. You'll return to your campsite in time for dinner. There's the option of an early-morning balloon ride here too, so if you didn't take one in the Mara, today's your chance!

Rise and shine for a final chance to spot Serengeti wildlife as you make your way out of the park this morning. At the Naabi gate, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater. This vast, impressively intact volcanic crater is home to some 30,000 animals. Among these are endangered black rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, impalas, zebras and hippos. The crater floor is great for wildlife viewing all year round and the photo-ops here are next level. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the crater before heading back out on safari all afternoon. After, travel on to Karatu town, arriving at camp for a freshly prepared dinner with your group.

Take it easy this morning with a relaxed breakfast at camp. Maybe set off for Mto Wa Mbu for an optional guided village walk or take a bike ride around the farming areas, spotting milling machines, local homes and farmlands. Mto Wa Mbu offers a snapshot of small-town East African life. Then, hit the road to Arusha where you'll spend your final night together.

Your adventure comes to an end this morning, but that doesn’t mean you can’t continue to explore East Africa. A departure transfer can be booked at an additional expense, to either Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK). Alternatively, you can join the overland truck and travel back to Kenya to finish your trip in Nairobi at around 5 pm. If you need to organise additional accommodation, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.