East Africa Overland: Kampala to Stone Town (Self-Launched)
20 days · Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania
G Adventures charges £2,900
No-markup version: ~£2,160 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A 20-day independent version of G Adventures' "East Africa Overland" (trip code DUAE): mountain gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda, the source of the Nile at Jinja, crossing into Kenya and Tanzania, Maasai cultural visits, camping safaris in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, and finishing on Zanzibar's beaches. You replicate the same route using public buses, shared shuttles, local safari operators you book directly, and hostel/guesthouse camping — no group vehicle, no participation cooking, and roughly half the price of the tour. Note gorilla and chimp permits plus safari days are the big fixed costs and are priced at realistic 2024-25 rates; book permits well in advance.
Day-by-day
Arrive Kampala
Kampala, Uganda
Fly into Entebbe International and make your own way to Kampala — an airport taxi is around US$30-40 (or the cheaper public route via Entebbe town for US$2). Settle into a budget guesthouse in the Kololo or Ntinda area, change money, pick up a Ugandan SIM (MTN/Airtel data bundle ~£4), and sort gorilla/chimp permits if not already booked.
🚌Airport taxi from Entebbe, ~£28-32
🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel, Kampala (~£15-20)
- →Airport transfer to Kampala
- →SIM card and cash setup
- →Evening walk and local dinner
Kampala to Kalinzu Forest Reserve
Kalinzu Forest Reserve, Uganda
Take a public bus or shared taxi from Kampala toward Bushenyi/Queen Elizabeth area; Kalinzu Forest sits just off the main road. This mirrors the tour's travel day. Book a bed at a forest-edge guesthouse or bandas and arrange the chimp tracking slot for tomorrow morning with the Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger post.
🚌Public bus Kampala-Bushenyi area, ~£8-10
🛏Forest lodge bandas or basic guesthouse, Kalinzu (~£15-20)
- →Long-distance bus across western Uganda
- →Arrange chimpanzee tracking permit
- →Forest-edge evening walk
Chimpanzee Tracking & Tea Plantation
Kalinzu & Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda
Early-morning chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu Forest Reserve (permit ~US$60-80, book direct with UWA or via your lodge). Afterwards visit a nearby tea plantation, then head on to Lake Bunyonyi — one of Africa's deepest lakes — via Kabale, using a shared taxi or boda.
🚌Shared taxi/local bus to Kabale and boat or boda to Bunyonyi, ~£8
🛏Lakeside hostel or banda, Lake Bunyonyi (~£15-20)
- →Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu Forest
- →Tea plantation visit
- →Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Mountain Gorilla Trek, Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
The big one: a guided mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Arange your permit in advance (US$800 for foreign non-residents — the single biggest cost of the trip) and base yourself at Buhoma or Rushaga. Rangers and trackers guide you to a habituated family; expect steep, muddy rainforest hiking. Carry gardening gloves, neutral clothing and a rain jacket.
🚌Shared 4x4 or boda to trailhead, ~£10
🛏Budget lodge/banda near Bwindi gate (~£20-25)
- →Guided mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi
- →Ranger and tracker briefing
Free Day at Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda
A rest day on the lake. Swim off the dock, rent a dugout canoe (~US$10), walk the terraced hillsides, or take a motorboat tour of the islands (~US$40). Hostels here arrange activities directly at reception — no group needed.
🚌Walking and local boat
🛏Lakeside hostel, Lake Bunyonyi (~£15-20)
- →Swimming and canoe rental
- →Hillside nature walk
- →Optional Rwanda day trip
Lake Bunyonyi to Kampala via the Equator
Kampala, Uganda
Return to Kampala by bus via Kabale, stopping at the Equator crossing at Kayabwe for the classic photo and lunch. The café/gallery at the Equator is an easy independent stop just off the main road. Back to the capital for the night.
🚌Public bus Kabale-Kampala, ~£10
🛏Budget guesthouse, Kampala (~£15-20)
- →Equator crossing photo stop at Kayabwe
- →Bus journey back to Kampala
Kampala to Jinja
Jinja, Uganda
Bus east to Jinja, the town at the source of the Nile, about 2-3 hours from Kampala. Check into a backpacker-friendly hostel on the river, then explore the main street, markets and riverside viewpoints. Book your rafting or kayaking for tomorrow directly with a local operator.
🚌Public bus or shared taxi Kampala-Jinja, ~£3-5
🛏Riverside hostel, Jinja (~£12-18)
- →Bus to Jinja
- →Source of the Nile viewpoints
- →Local market wander
White Nile Rafting / Adventure Day
Jinja, Uganda
Full-day white-water rafting on the White Nile — the grade 5 section is world-renowned and bookable directly with local rafting companies (full day ~US$140 including lunch). Alternatives: Nile kayaking, bungee jumping (~US$145), quad biking (~US$105) or a sunset cruise (~US$30).
🚌Operator pickup from hostel
🛏Riverside hostel, Jinja (~£12-18)
- →White Nile rafting
- →Optional bungee jump, kayaking or sunset cruise
Cross into Kenya: Jinja to Eldoret
Eldoret, Kenya
A long travel day. Bus from Jinja to Malaba border, complete Kenyan e-visa/exit formalities, then continue by matatu or bus to Eldoret. Budget for border, snacks and patience — roads are slow and bumpy. Overnight in a simple guesthouse in Eldoret.
🚌Bus Jinja-Malaba (~£5) + matatu/bus Malaba-Eldoret (~£5)
🛏Basic guesthouse, Eldoret (~£15-20)
- →Cross Malaba border into Kenya
- →Long-distance bus travel
Eldoret to Nairobi
Nairobi, Kenya
Bus south through the Rift Valley to Nairobi (5-6 hours). Settle into a hostel in Westlands or Karen area and enjoy a well-earned meal out. Optional evening at the carnivore-style restaurants or a Nairobi night out.
🚌Public bus Eldoret-Nairobi, ~£8
🛏Budget hostel/hotel, Nairobi (~£18-25)
- →Bus across the Kenyan highlands
- →Nairobi evening out
Nairobi to Arusha
Arusha, Tanzania
Take the shared Nairobi-Arusha shuttle across the Namanga border — the standard budget route, bookable the day before or via your hostel (~US$25-35). Cross into Tanzania, sort your visa on arrival, and arrive in Arusha in the afternoon. Use the evening to book your safari with a local operator (compare quotes for Serengeti/Ngorongoro camping safaris).
🚌Shared shuttle Nairobi-Arusha, ~£22-28
🛏Backpacker hostel, Arusha (~£15-22)
- →Nairobi-Arusha shared shuttle
- →Namanga border crossing
- →Compare local safari quotes
Maasai Village & Mto wa Mbu Cultural Visit
Mto wa Mbu / Arusha, Tanzania
Visit a Maasai village in the Monduli District — book directly through a local guide or your Arusha hostel rather than through a tour company; many families run cultural visits with village walk, cattle-herding insights and lunch. Afterwards head to Mto wa Mbu for a village cycling tour and local lunch (~US$35).
🚌Local bus or shared 4x4 Arusha-Mto wa Mbu, ~£5
🛏Camp/lodge in Mto wa Mbu area (~£15-20)
- →Maasai village cultural visit
- →Mto wa Mbu village cycling tour and lunch
Into the Serengeti
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Start a 3-day camping safari with a local Arusha operator (package ~US$550-700, including park fees, guide, 4x4, camp gear and meals). Drive through Ngorongoro conservation area into the Serengeti, game-viewing en route: buffalo, elephants, lions, wildebeest and zebra. Overnight in a public campsite inside the park.
🚌4x4 safari vehicle with local operator
🛏Safari camp inside Serengeti (included in safari package)
- →Game drives in Serengeti
- →Overnight camping in the park
Serengeti Full-Day Safari
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Full day of game drives following the migration and big cat territories. Optional hot-air balloon safari (~US$450-550) can be arranged through your operator with a day's notice. Sunrise and sunset game drives make for spectacular light. Same campsite in the park.
🚌4x4 safari vehicle
🛏Safari camp inside Serengeti (included)
- →Full-day game drives
- →Optional balloon safari
Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater Rim
Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania
Leave the Serengeti for the rim of Ngorongoro Crater, game-viewing en route. Camp on the crater rim — very basic facilities, but the early start tomorrow is worth it. Bring warm layers, the rim sits at ~2,300m and gets cold at night.
🚌4x4 safari vehicle
🛏Camp on Ngorongoro rim (included)
- →Drive to Ngorongoro
- →Sunset on the crater rim
Ngorongoro Crater Safari Drive
Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Descend into the crater floor for a full-morning game drive — a good chance of rhino, lions, hippos, elephants and flamingos. Return to Arusha in the afternoon, completing the safari. Pay your operator and settle into your hostel.
🚌4x4 safari vehicle back to Arusha
🛏Backpacker hostel, Arusha (~£15-22)
- →Ngorongoro Crater game drive
- →Return to Arusha
Fly to Zanzibar & Stone Town
Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Fly from Arusha (Kilimanjaro/ARK) to Zanzibar — regional carriers like Precision Air or Coastal Aviation run this route for around £80-130. Arrive in Stone Town, check into a guesthouse in the old town, and join a self-bookable Stone Town walking tour (~US$15) covering the Old Slave Market, Christ Church Cathedral and Sultan's Palace Museum.
🚌Domestic flight ~£80-130; airport minibus or dala-dala, ~£5
🛏Guesthouse in Stone Town (~£20-30)
- →Internal flight Arusha-Zanzibar
- →Stone Town walking tour
- →Old Slave Market & Cathedral visit
Stone Town to Nungwi Beach
Nungwi, Zanzibar
Spend the morning exploring Stone Town's spice markets and carved doors, then take a dala-dala or shared minibus north to Nungwi for the beach finish. Check into a beach bungalow or hostel; sunset over the Indian Ocean is mandatory.
🚌Dala-dala or shared minibus Stone Town-Nungwi, ~£3-5
🛏Beach bungalow/hostel, Nungwi (~£20-30)
- →Spice market and old town wander
- →Transfer north to Nungwi
- →Beach sunset
Nungwi Beach Day
Nungwi, Zanzibar
Lazy day on the north coast. Optional add-ons bookable directly on the beach: snorkelling or diving (~US$40-130), a sailing dhow trip or the Safari Blue day trip (~US$60-100), or a Nungwi village tour. Swim at high tide, eat grilled seafood, do nothing.
🚌Walking
🛏Beach bungalow/hostel, Nungwi (~£20-30)
- →Beach day
- →Optional snorkelling, diving or dhow sailing
Last Swim & Departure
Zanzibar, Tanzania
Morning swim and breakfast, then a minibus or taxi back to Zanzibar airport for your onward flight. Remember the USD48 airport departure tax payable in cash at the desk — and if you're continuing, ferries to Dar es Salaam leave from Stone Town.
🚌Minibus/taxi to Zanzibar airport, ~£15-25
🛏N/A (departure day)
- →Morning beach time
- →Transfer to Zanzibar airport
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£2,160 | £2,900 |
| Duration | 20 days | 20 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £740 per person (26%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£2,160
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does East Africa Overland: Kampala to Stone Town (Self-Launched) cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £2,160 per person for 20 days in Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £2,900 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £2,160 — a saving of roughly £740 (26%) per person.
How long is the Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania trip?+
This itinerary runs 20 days, covering 20 day-by-day stops through Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, wildlife, hiking trip through Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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