East Africa: Safari Drives, Mountain Hikes & Chimp Trekking

From culture to wildlife to active adventures, Kenya has it all and has well-earned its reputation as one of the best places for safari in Africa. But this adventure goes way beyond that, bringing you a step further off the beaten path. Welcome to Nairobi and to Kenya, where we invite you to leave your hesitations behind and dive straight into the most exhilarating ten days you'll ever have.

Join your CEO and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing. Afterwards, head out for a delicious welcome dinner.

TRANSPORT: You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.

ACTIVITY: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Without a doubt the Maasai people have become the symbol of East Africa in many ways. North of Nairobi, south of Samburu, sits a very special lodge with a very special story. Il Ngwesi is owned and operated by the local Maasai community. The aim is to invite travelers to meet the community and feel completely immersed into your surroundings. It can be hard to really understand a culture when you are limited to a quick hour-long visit, and this experience at Il Ngwesi is the exact opposite. Spend plenty of time with your hosts, asking questions and discussing life. Join them on a bush walk to learn local techniques, or visit the village to learn how to craft some beautiful beadwork. With a laid back pace and a completely private experience, your stay at Il Ngwesi is completely worthy of its OMG status.

After a short flight from Nairobi to Laikipia, transfer to a vehicle to make your way north to Il Ngwesi. Keep your eyes peeled as you will be on safari some of the way to the lodge. Stretch your legs this afternoon and join your Maasai guides on a bush walk as they teach you different bird calls and how to spot elephant tracks in the bush.

TRANSPORT: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

TRANSPORT: Get a better view and take better snapshots aboard this off-road ride with a pop-up top.

ACTIVITY: A highlight of your stay at Il Ngwesi is the bush walk. Walking with the Maasai guides, the stories on the tracks and trails unfold around you as you learn to spot the different calls and habitats of the birds and animals. As you walk, you will hear the ancient tales as told by the Maasai people to explain the world around you.

ACTIVITY: Enjoy a truly unique stay at Il Ngwesi, an eco-lodge owned and operated by the Maasai community. Become immersed in the resident wildlife and Maasai culture, join your host on bush walks, learn more about traditional ways of hunting, watch the watering hole from a unique perch, and join in on some dancing to local music. The best part? Your stay is helping to support the nearby community while offering guests no barrier between each room and the vast savannah. Plus, the conservation efforts here have been instrumental in protecting a number of species only found in northern Kenya.

Awake this morning at Il Ngwesi and with no front wall whatsoever, the fresh air wafts in as the sun rises. Rooms are built in the traditional style using wood and earth to afford travelers the opportunity to feel connected to traditional Maasai life in a very unique way. The lodge has an incredible location, set away from other tourist spots, and your hosts and guides are the Maasai men and women from the nearby community. Though not quite as modern as other facilities in Kenya, Il Ngwesi brings you straight into the heart of a Maasai community who are keen to welcome you and engage with you from the moment you arrive. Head out on safari to start the day.

Begin the day with a safari drive led by your local guides. You can spot wildlife out at the watering hole directly from the main area of the lodge, but getting out in a safari vehicle brings you much closer to the action. The afternoon includes a visit to the Maasai village with your local hosts.

ACTIVITY: A safari game drive in the company of extremely knowledgeable Maasai guides, away from the tourist crowds and in some of Kenya´s most spectacular scenery, is the perfect time to grab your camera and ask plenty of questions of the knowledgeable staff.

ACTIVITY: Admire the exquisite beaded necklaces, bracelets and earrings worn by both the men and women, and watch expert bead makers in action. Learn about the traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation.

ACTIVITY: Enjoy a truly unique stay at Il Ngwesi, an eco-lodge owned and operated by the Maasai community. Become immersed in the resident wildlife and Maasai culture, join your host on bush walks, learn more about traditional ways of hunting, watch the watering hole from a unique perch, and join in on some dancing to local music. The best part? Your stay is helping to support the nearby community while offering guests no barrier between each room and the vast savannah. Plus, the conservation efforts here have been instrumental in protecting a number of species only found in northern Kenya.

Bid farewell to your Maasai hosts after an incredible two days of cultural discovery. Head south to Nanyuki where you will meet with 35 of your new best friends. While chimpanzees may not originate from Kenya, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy opened to ensure a safe, peaceful and lifelong refuge for orphaned and abused rescued chimpanzees. Habitat loss, disease and hunting are among the main reasons chimpanzees are endangered and why Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary opened their doors. Today you have a special opportunity to visit the furry residents here at Sweetwater and take a tour of the sanctuary.

Today we have the opportunity to visit The Sweetwater Chimpanzee Sanctuary supported by the Jane Goodall Institute. While visiting with the over 30 rescued Chimpanzees, discover how Ol Pejeta Conservancy is working to not only provide a safe place for these animals in need, but also to reduce the harm caused to primates across central and western Africa. In the afternoon, join a safari drive in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary aims to provide a refuge for chimpanzees rescued from the black market and is the only place in Kenya where our closest living relatives can be seen. The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary was established in 1993, with an agreement between the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the Jane Goodall Institute. The Sanctuary is now home to 35 chimps, divided into two large groups. These groups live in vast natural enclosures separated by the Ewaso Nyiro River.

ACTIVITY: Choose to go on an included but optional afternoon Game Drive through Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

Covered in afro-alpine flora and capped with glacier, Mt Kenya is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular landscapes in Africa. Experience another side of all that Kenya has to offer by hiking a portion of this impressive mountain. Starting from Sirimon Gate and trekking through 12 km of forested slopes, crossing rivers and enjoying wildlife filled panoramic views. Though you wont summit Mt Kenya, the views from the final viewpoint on the Sirimon route are undeniably breathtaking.

Mt Kenya is the second tallest peak in Africa and today is your chance to climb part of it. Channel your inner mountaineer as you hike 12 kilometers across this extinct volcano. We'll take the Sirimon Route, popular for its unique forest and wildlife viewing. Keep an eye out for zebras as your trek this gentle hike.

ACTIVITY: Hike through the moorland vegetation on the track crossing Ontulilli River before turning right, contouring through the Moorland and crossing Liki North River. Continue uphill to Mackinders Valley with panoramic views up the valleys. Here we stop for lunch before making our way back to the Old Moses camp. Packed Lunch en route.

Hosting the safari Big Five, the Great Migration and offering unparalleled wildlife encounters, the Mara is a destination you could easily spend weeks discovering. With some of the largest populations of lions, leopards and cheetahs in the world, Maasai Mara is one of the most legendary safari destinations. After your flight, waste no time before your first unforgettable safari out in its rugged grasslands.

If safari is what brought you to Africa, then get your binoculars ready. After a flight to Maasai Mara, we'll head out on safari in the national park renowned for having the highest concentration of big cats in the world. You'll be amazed how these giant cats are still master disguisers.

ACTIVITY: Maasai Mara is one of the world’s top safari destinations, known for its abundance of big cats – cheetahs, leopards and lions – as well as the two million wildebeest, Thomson’s gazelles and zebra that migrate annually across the vast grasslands in search of water. Set off on safari with our driver/guide and keep your eyes and ears peeled for movement and memories. Watch elephants and giraffe grazing, photograph zebras and wildebeest and, with a little luck, you'll even spot animals feasting on a recent kill.

TRANSPORT: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

Today you get to choose! Do you want to hike or do you want to ride? If hiking sounds right for you, you'll head off to the Oloololo Escarpment for a hike along the granite plateau. The escarpment receives more rain than any other place in the Mara triangle so picture thick, green vegetation and full watering holes that attracts thirsty wildlife. The hike takes around 3.5 hours and has an elevation gain of around 300 metres. If you're looking for something a little less green or less physical, choose to join your local guide on a morning safari drive. Both options allow for amazing safari time out on the grasslands. At night we continue our adventure in the wild savannah with a dinner in the bush.

Today might just be the best day of your trip. For your OMG Day, stay active on a 3 hour hike along the Oloololo Escarpment, or join your local guide on a safari drive. In the afternoon, you'll head out on an afternoon safari drive that concludes with dinner in the bush under the stars.

ACTIVITY: Option 1: Oloololo escarpment forms the western boundary of the Mara triangle running along a geological fault line forming the edge of a granite plateau that rises to a height of 400 metres from the bottom. The escarpment receives more rain than the rest of the Mara triangle and lots of fresh water streams radiate from its face, disappearing into the ground only to reappear in swamps lower down. As a result of the rains, a growth of thick vegetation is found to be growing along the escarpment. This terrain ranges from rocky crags, boulders strewn slopes and well-watered wetlands. The icing on the cake has to be the ability to enjoy endless plains of grass of the Mara Plains which are a site to see from atop the escarpment. There are several tracks here used by the Germans during WW1.

Option 2: Join a local Maasai Safari Guide on a morning drive. This area is famous for its high population of big cats and is also home to the Great Migration. Climb aboard your safari vehicle and head out in search of wildlife!

ACTIVITY: Maasai Mara is one of the world’s top safari destinations, known for its abundance of big cats – cheetahs, leopards and lions – as well as the two million wildebeest, Thomson’s gazelles and zebra that migrate annually across the vast grasslands in search of water. Set off on safari with our driver/guide and keep your eyes and ears peeled for movement and memories. Watch elephants and giraffe grazing, photograph zebras and wildebeest and, with a little luck, you'll even spot animals feasting on a recent kill.

ACTIVITY: Dinner in the savannah is one of those meals that is much less about what you eat, and more about where you eat. The food will be delicious, without question, but it's eating in the open air with the sights, smells and sounds of Africa all around that make this experience unforgettable. From the bush kitchen straight to your outdoor table, bon appetit!

You start to recognize familiar sounds of wildlife at dawn, the smell of the fire in the evenings after a day on safari and the feel of the vehicle as it treads through the bush. The exhilaration of spotting something new, witnessing some incredible display of Earth's diversity, is hard to give up once you've felt it. Luckily one final day of safari awaits. You can choose to begin at sunrise with an optional hot air balloon ride over the Mara.

After a morning on safari, we'll join a local reforestation project to plant native Acacia trees. This small exercise affords G Adventures travellers an opportunity to ensure the land and wildlife of the Mara is vibrant for years to come. While trees are planted on your behalf when you book an adventure with G, this morning you plant an extra special one in Kenya with your fellow travellers. Take a well-deserved break after lunch at the lodge before a final afternoon safari drive.

ACTIVITY: Spend the morning out on safari in Maasai Mara National Park. The dawn hours present optimal conditions for observing active and vibrant animal behavior, giving us a prime opportunity to witness the untamed beauty of the wilderness awakening to a new day.

ACTIVITY: Support a local reforestation project by planting acacia trees with your fellow travellers.

ACTIVITY: In the afternoon, head out on another safari in the Maasai Mara. As the setting sun casts mesmerizing, warm hues across the landscape, it creates stunning silhouettes whcih enhance the photographic allure of the wildlife. During the afternoon, many animals can become more active, engaging in their daily rituals and increasing the chances of encounters.

A final morning in the Maasai Mara brings the opportunity to capture a few final mental snapshots of your time on safari. Making your way north towards Nairobi, stop for a delicious lunch at Cafe Ubuntu, a social enterprise empowering women and families to provide for their communities through both the cafe and a crafts shop.

Once in Nairobi, join your CEO and fellow travellers for a final farewell meal.

TRANSPORT: Get a better view and take better snapshots aboard this off-road ride.

ACTIVITY: In the rural settlement of Maai Mahiu is the very special G Adventures for Good supported project, Ubuntu Café. A true social enterprise in the heart of Kenya, this initiative empowers the community, creating over 400 sustainable local jobs for mothers of children with disabilities, and supporting pediatric health and education programs in the region. Enjoy a delicious, organic farm-to-table lunch with tastes of quality coffee, breakfast tacos, soup, salad, freshly made pizzas, curry dishes and burritos.

ACTIVITY: Join your group for one last dinner together

From one East African gem to another, its onward to Tanzania. Arusha is the gateway to all of your Tanzania explorations. After touching down, your CEO will get you familiar with the city.

This morning, say goodbye to Kenya and hello to Tanzania. After your flight to Arusha, choose to rest or spend the day exploring the city. In the evening, join your fellow travelers and CEO for a welcome briefing and group dinner.

TRANSPORT: Included airport shuttle from Arusha Airport to your hotel

TRANSPORT: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

Millions of years ago when the volcano erupted, the world's largest intact and unfilled volcanic caldera was formed, creating Ngorongoro Crater. It is believed that animals like zebras, lions and rhinos fell into the crater almost 500,000 years ago and were trapped. The steepness of the crater is why you won't find a single giraffe inside. Travel to this incredible natural phenomenon after a day of cooking classes and a traditional lunch at your G for Good moment in Mto Wa Mbu.

Your first stop of the day is to Mto wa Mbu, your G for Good moment, where you'll participate in a cooking demonstration led by the women of the community. To understand this unique village more, we will take a walking tour through some of its most notable landmarks before enjoying a traditional lunch. Then head out in search of wildlife as you descend into Ngorongoro Crater on safari.

TRANSPORT: Get a better view and take better snapshots aboard this off-road ride with a pop-up top.

ACTIVITY: Enjoy a cooking demonstration with some of the women from Mto wa Mbu. Create a breakfast snack that will keep you full until lunch!

ACTIVITY: Take part in a cultural walk to learn about life in this East African town. Mto wa Mbu has attracted some 18,000 residents from 120 different tribes. During the two-hour tour, visit the village's local market, go right to the farmer's fields, see how huts are constructed and meet artisans in their shops.

Afterwards, sit down with our new friends and enjoy a traditional lunch of meat and plantains.

ACTIVITY: AFTERNOON Head down into the crater and to all the best spots to view wildlife. Spot zebras, gazelles, buffaloes and warthogs. The swamp and forest are home to hippos, rhinos, elephants, baboons and monkeys. Keep your eyes peeled and camera ready to capture a pride of lions or a lone leopard walking along the crater floor.

TRANSPORT: Get a better view and take better snapshots aboard this off-road ride with a pop-up top.

Safaris don't always have to involve being seated, so set out today on two feet. On your OMG Day, choose between two incredible hiking options. The opportunity to explore the crater on foot provides a connected and humbling experience unlike any other safari adventure. If you are ready for a physical challenge, hike to the peak of Mount Makarot, arguably the most stunning view over the Ngorongoro plains. For a more mellow adventure, take Mt Makarot's more gentle trail to ascend to a view of Lake Eyasi on a laid back hike surrounded by the Ngorongoro highlands.

No matter which way you choose to hike Mt Makarot, you are guaranteed to feel the vast grandness that is so unique to the East African landscape. Enjoy a well deserved afternoon at leisure before a delicious dinner at camp.

ACTIVITY: Option 1: For those seeking a more relaxed and less strenuous experience, while still capturing the essence of the Ngorongoro Highlands, option one is a scenic excursion that allows you to appreciate the beauty of Lake Eyasi from a distance. This option involves a leisurely ascent of less than 500 metres. It's a perfect choice for those who prefer a more laid-back adventure. As you ascend, you'll reach a vantage point that provides a stunning view of Lake Eyasi. The vastness of the lake, surrounded by the Highland's landscape, creates a captivating scene for photography and relaxation.

Option 2: Climbing Mt Makarot is the more physically challenging option today. Starting from camp, head out into the acacia canopy and climb a steep track upwards. With your Maasai guide and armed ranger, continue upwards, looking down at Maasai villages both near and far below. Your Maasai guides carry lunch and water and are experts in pointing out flora and fauna as you ascend. The elevation gain is approximately 800 metres, with Ngorongoro crater already sitting at around 2200m above sea level. Summit Mt Makarot at 3100m above sea level, and for your efforts you are rewarded with stunning views of the Ngorongoro Crater itself and the surrounding plains.

Ngorongoro Crater and The Serengeti are two of the world's most renowned safari destinations. Driving from one iconic spot to the next means three and a half hours of nonstop beauty, wildlife and adventure. But don't go anywhere, because your time in the Serengeti is just starting. So grab your binoculars and your camera and get ready to experience some of the most jaw dropping wildlife encounters.

Today is a full day out on safari as we keep our eyes peeled for wildlife on our drive out of the Ngorongoro Crater to Serengeti National Park. Your first safari in the Serengeti wouldn't be complete without a picnic. So set the blanket up, relax and enjoy your first moments in one of the most incredible parks in the world.

TRANSPORT: Get a better view and take better snapshots aboard this off-road ride with a pop-up top.

ACTIVITY: This is the reason you came to Africa. Charge your camera, grab your binoculars and set out on safari. Your eagle-eyed driver will keep an eye out for wildlife – buffaloes, elephants, lions, wildebeests, zebras and more. Enjoy the scenery, the vast expanse of the grasslands, the play of light and shadow and the up-close look at wild Africa.

The Serengeti is famed for its sheer numbers of wildlife. Millions of wildebeests, zebras and gazelles flock to this national park every year—accompanied by hungry predators. See for yourself how huge lions can blend into the golden backdrop of the savannah, or how giant giraffes can bend down so low that you don't see them until they're right in front of you.

What better way to spend your time in the Serengeti than a full day out on safari? Grab your camera and head out for your game drives. Have a picnic in the park and enjoy all the magic the Serengeti has to offer from sunup to sundown.

ACTIVITY: This is the reason you came to Africa. Charge your camera, grab your binoculars, and set out on a full day safari. Your eagle-eyed driver will keep an eye out for wildlife – buffaloes, elephants, lions, wildebeests, zebras, and more. Enjoy the scenery, the vast expanse of the grasslands, the play of light and shadow, and the up-close look at wild Africa.

The encounters you experience on safari are life changing and some are more rare than others. With so few places left on Earth that are home to wild chimpanzees, your trek into Gombe Stream National Park may be one of the most special moments on your Tanzania trip. Adventure to the national park where Dr Jane Goodall lived and conducted her groundbreaking research on chimpanzees. Her work there, and her lifelong commitment to conservation and the protection of animals, continues to inspire travellers to this day.

To arrive to this remote part of the world, we take a plane, a road transfer and a boat to our lakefront jungle lodge. Just like the gorillas of Rwanda, trekking to see an endangered wild animal like the chimpanzee requires special care and attention to ensure their environment remains safe and protected. Tonight with your group, learn all there is to know about ensuring the safety of yourself and the chimpanzees throughout your trekking experience.

TRANSPORT: Take a boat transfer from Kigoma to Gombe National Park

ACTIVITY: In following National Park regulations and to be a responsible traveler, there are certain rules and protocol we must follow to safely and respectfully see chimpanzees. Don't worry though, this helps prepare everyone and make sure the trek is as amazing as it can be.

TRANSPORT: Flight from Seronera Airstrip to Kigoma Airport

Spending an hour with a family of chimpanzees is a life changing event. With complex social hierarchies, intelligent communication and human-like behavior, it's easy to see why these are our closest relatives. Spend the day trekking to see the chimpanzees. With any luck, encounter them and spend an hour observing them in their natural habitat.

Today will be a magical day. Meet your guide and head out to Kasekela where you'll begin your chimp trek. Travel on foot as your guide uses their tracking skills to find where the chimpanzees are that day. Don't forget to bring your camera so you can remember this moment forever. In the afternoon, spend free time on Lake Tanganyika.

ACTIVITY: Free time on Lake Tanganyika

ACTIVITY: A chimpanzee trekking day in Gombe Stream National Park is a unique and humbling experience, offering you a glimpse into the world of these fascinating primates and the delicate ecosystem they inhabit. It's a day filled with discovery, wonder, and a deep connection to the wonders of nature. Don't miss the opportunity to be part of this incredible journey in one of Tanzania's most iconic wildlife destinations. Chimp trekking times can vary, depending on the location of the chimps. After breakfast, you'll gather at the camp, where you'll be introduced to your experienced guide. Their knowledge of the park, its inhabitants, and the nuances of chimpanzee behavior will prove invaluable throughout your trekking experience. With your guide and ranger leading the way, you'll set off on foot, venturing into the dense and captivating forest that serves as the chimpanzees' natural habitat. The forest is alive with the vibrant colors of birds, the rustling of leaves, and the distant echoes of chimpanzee calls, creating an immersive environment for your journey.
Chimpanzee Encounters: Gombe Stream is home to several habituated chimpanzee families, and your guide and ranger will use their tracking skills to take you to the areas where the chimpanzees were last seen. Your guide will remind you to maintain a respectful distance to ensure the chimpanzees' comfort and natural behavior. A maximum of one hour may be spent near the animals once they are spotted.

Since chimpanzees are gravely endangered, there are many efforts in place to help protect the species in Tanzania. Thankfully, there are legendary conservationists, like Dr. Jane Goodall, paving the way for their protection. Spend the day exploring some of Jane Goodall's most iconic spots. Visit her former house and the research station. Hike to Jane's Peak and take a moment to reflect on yesterday's adventures.

On the unusual occasion that you did not see chimps on your trek the day before, you have the option to go out on an early morning trek for a second attempt. After the day spent exploring, return to the town of Kigoma on a boat across Lake Tanganika.

ACTIVITY: If we did not see chimps on our trek the first day, our National Park pass allows us to re-enter the park for a second try early this morning. This way we are more likely to find the Kasekela chimp community. This is included, so you have the option to wake up early and join us to try again.

ACTIVITY: Hike to the point known as Jane's Peak. This place sits above the canopy and was the site of one of Dr. Goodall's major primatological discoveries.

ACTIVITY: Visit Jane Goodall's home in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania.

TRANSPORT: Take a boat from Gombe Stream National Park to Kigoma.

On your final day in Tanzania, spend time by the coast to rest your mind and body before the return home. After an epic 10 days spent discovering Tanzania's diverse beauty, the afternoon in Dar es Salaam's seaside coastal area is the perfect end to an incredible adventure.

Fly to the seaside city of Dar es Salaam and choose how you want to spend your last day. Join your CEO on an excursion to the tropical island reserve, Bongoyo Island. Or choose to explore the city, do some last minute souvenir shopping or relax at the hotel. In the evening join your group for a farewell dinner together.

TRANSPORT: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

ACTIVITY: If you would prefer to relax, do some souvenir shopping or explore Dar Es Salaam, you can opt to have free time today.

ACTIVITY: Join your group for a farewell dinner at a seaside restaurant.

Your adventure comes to an end, and you can depart at any time today.

ACTIVITY: Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.