Tour of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania
The best of Equatorial Africa
If you are already going to Equatorial Africa and you have about three weeks of time, it is not wrong to make a circuit around three neighboring countries: Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. This circuit is a combination of both high-altitude hiking, including climbing Kilimanjaro, and visiting beautiful safaris and ending with a swim in Zanzibar. Due to the very expensive entrances to the national parks, it is unfortunately not a low cost tour at all
1 day
From Nairobi below Mount Kenya
The start of this circuit is in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. It depends on how much you arrive, but the city itself is half a day, so it is ideal to move by bus to Chogorie under Mount Kenya in the afternoon.
Visit of Nairobi
Gateway to equatorial Africa
If you plan to travel around the countries of eastern equatorial Africa, you will most likely begin your journey in Nairobi (1 670 m asl) – the capital city of Kenya. This city of three million people with poor reputation cannot unfortunately offer much interesting places to see. So do not schedule here more time than you have to. Worth seeing is perhaps only the outlook from the roof of Kenyatta International Conference Centre and local colorful markets. With increasing distance from the center also significantly grows the likelihood of robbery or theft. continue reading
Day 2 - 5
Mount Kenya massif crossing
Probably the most famous and beautiful trek in Kenya, crossing its highest mountains. The disadvantage is the expensive entrance fee calculated in addition to the entrance but the number of days + little opportunity to acclimatize to high altitude
Crossing of Mount Kenya
Across icy mountain at the equator
The crossing of the highest mountain in the country – Mount Kenya is certainly the most interesting and famous trek in Kenya. There is a wide range of possible ways in the local national park that can be used for the walk. One of the best combinations is Chogoria – Sirimon including the ascent to Point Lenana (4,985 m asl), which is the highest „tourist“ point on this mountain range. On this trek you will enjoy a walk across several vegetation bands from the mountain tropical forest up to the remnants of glaciers in the surroundings of the highest peaks of this volcanic massif. continue reading
6th - 7th day
Over the next two days, you can see the best of Lake Nakuru and Masai Mari. After leaving Mount Kenya, you will first go off-road to the city of Nanyuki and from there by bus to about 200 km distant Nakuru, where it is not easy to arrange another day of safari. So on the sixth day you will see Nakuru in the morning, in the afternoon you will cross to Masai Mary. On the seventh day, a morning safari awaits you in the famous Masai Mara.
Safari around Lake Nakuru
Animal paradise surrounded by civilizati
Just 160 kilometers north from the capital of Kenya – Nairobi is located town Nakuru (1,800 meters asl), next to which is one of the jewels of the local nature – alkaline lake of the same name, in which live thousands of birds, especially flamingos, pelicans and storks marabou. Apart from these, you can see here rhinos (the largest population in Kenya), giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, etc. It is one of the best safaris in Kenya, since you will really see here a lot of animals in a small area during a half day. continue reading
Safari in Masai Mara
Paradise not only for migrating wildebee
Masai Mara is certainly one of the most popular safaris in Kenya. In picturesque savannah landscape with rounded hills is incredible abundance of wildlife. If you are lucky, you will see all species of "African Big Five' (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard). But safari is the most famous by huge wildebeest migration, about which countless number of natural history films have already been filmed. The Masai culture is also very interesting. You can make a trip here just for a half day or for a few days, if you are a photographer or you really want to see all the species living here. continue reading
Day 8 - 9
Via Kampala to Fort Portal
After a morning safari in the Masai Mara, it pays to move a little further. We managed to reach the provincial city of Kisii, where you really do not interfere with the tourist, so you can enjoy a real African atmosphere. The next days are quite tiring and especially about transfers. First, take a bus to the border with Uganda and drive to Kampala in the evening. On the eighth day, a short city tour and a long drive to Fort Portal
Day 10
Trip to Semuliki National Park
Fort Portal is an ideal starting point for the lowland rainforest that occupies most of the neighboring state of Congo. Its promontory falling into Uganda falls into the Semuliki National Park. In the afternoon, you can head to Lake Nkuruba, one of the many crater lakes in the area
Trip to Semuliki NP
Lowland tropical forest under Ruwenzori
National park Semuliki is for average tourist not as attractive as large group of hippos in Queen Elizabeth National Park or mountain gorillas in Mgahinga NP, but the tropical forest on swampy border between Uganda and Congo definitely has its charm. There is a great variety of birds and monkeys species. In addition, you will see here also small hot springs and the path from Fort Portal through the foothills of Ruwenzori itself is also well worth it. continue reading
Safari around Lake Nkuruba
Small kingdom of monkeys
The Great Rift Valley stretching through the entire East Africa has around Fort Portal character of small crater lakes covered with lush vegetation that is the home to many species of monkeys and birds. From several dozen of these lakes is the most accessible Lake Nkuruba just about 20 kilometers from this town. Unlike other sites in western Uganda, this trip is not so attractive, but anyway quite satisfactory for spending a nice afternoon. continue reading
Day 11
Crossing the equator and the Kazinga Canal
The next day you will find your way south with crossing the equator. You will drive along the eastern edge of the mighty Ruwenzori Mountains, which would also be worth a sin if you have enough time. If you want to see lots of hippos and other animals, stop for another safari in the Kazinga Canal. In the afternoon, continue around the interesting canyon – Kyambura gorge, which, thanks to the presence of chimpanzees, would be worth a day visit. The last stop is the interesting Kitagata Hot Springs. Accommodation is in Kabala, a short walk from Lake Bunyonyi
Day 12
Lake Bunyonyi and Kisoro
In the morning, explore the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi. In the afternoon you will find a trip to the striking town of Kisoro, the starting point for the Mgahinga National Park
Trip to Lake Bunyonyi
The most beautiful lake in Uganda
In the southwest of Uganda you will find the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi (1,948 m above sea level). According to some sources, it is said to be up to 900 meters deep. The lake is best reached from the town of Kabale, only about ten kilometers away. There are many islands on the lake that can be explored by boat continue reading
Day 13
Ascent to Sabyinyo
Mgahinga National Park is famous for watching mountain gorillas, but you can go on one perfect ascent – to the Sabyinyo volcano, which is also interesting because it has a tri-border at its top. So you can step into Rwanda and Congo
Ascent to volcano Sabyinyo
Mountain on the border of three states
Most tourists come to National Park Mgahinga because of the very rare mountain gorillas. But you can also hike here on the local volcanoes. Although the highest mountain in the National Park is four thousand high Mount Muhabura (4 127 m asl), far more popular ascent is to Sabyinyo (3 645 m asl), whose peak lies directly on the border of three countries: Uganda, Rwanda and DRC Congo. During the ascent you will enjoy beautiful sceneries looking into all three states and also lush vegetation on the slopes of this mountain. continue reading
Day 14
Road to Tanzania
The second week of the journey ends, so it is necessary to move further down the ground. From Kisora there is a nice way through the mountains to Kabbalah and from there by bus across the border to Bukoba lying on Lake Victoria
Drive Kisoro - Kabale
Picturesque way through Kanaba Gap
The main road from Kabale to Kisoro (about 70 km) and on to the border with Congo is not only an important connection between this part with the rest of the country, but also very scenic route, on which you overcome mountain pass Kanaba Gap (2 344 m asl), from where are beautifully visible the border volcanoes. continue reading
15th - 16th day
Road from Bukoba to Arush
In the morning you can go to Lake Victoria and relax a bit before the rough drive from Bukoba to Arush. You will not forget these more than 1000 kilometers of dirt roads for the rest of your life. In Arush, all you have to do is arrange a trek to Kilimanjaro and prepare a little for a few days at heights.
17th - 21st day
Ascent to Kilimanjaro
The highlight of this expedition is an interesting trek to the highest mountain on the continent – Kilimanjaro. After the previous ascents, you have at least a little acclimatization, but even so, it is quite a demanding business
Ascent to Kilimanjaro
Ascent along the classic Marangu route
Tanzania attracts travelers mainly to its world-famous safaris. However, there is also the highest mountain in all of Africa, Kilimanjaro, which in turn attracts tourists and trekkers. In fact, Kilimanjaro is not the name for the summit, but for the whole mountain massif containing three volcanoes: Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira. The highest peak of the Kibo – Uhuru volcano (5,895 m above sea level) is the highest point. A number of hiking trails lead through this extensive volcanic mass. The most accessible variant of the output is the so-called Marangu route. On this trek you will go through several vegetation zones so that you can finally get to the rest of the glacier on the roof of Africa continue reading
Day 22
Road to Dar es Salaam
From Kilimanjaro, you will drive more than 500 km to the Tanzanian capital Dar es Salaam, where the journey ends. So if you have more days, you can relax after that challenging circuit in Zanzibar
Swimming in Kigomani and Matemwe
Beaches in the northeast of Zanzibar
The beaches in Kigomani and Matemwe have a really relaxed atmosphere. There are no large resorts just small bungalows with a great distance from each other. The beach is really snow-white and life in the surrounding fishing villages is still as it was years ago. The only disadvantage is the large low tide, which unfortunately prevents all-day swimming. continue reading
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