Day 1 – 2

Nairobi – Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

We leave Nairobi today and travel to the Masai Mara Reserve – a vast region rife with incredible wildlife that allows for spectacular photographic opportunities. Our visit to the Mara will be in safari type vehicles and not in the overland truck. Please pack a small overnight bag containing basic essentials such as your towel, clothing, toiletries.

The Masai Mara is famous for being the Greatest Wildlife Reserve of Africa, renowned for its profusion of lion, the Great Wildebeest Migration and the Masai people who are well-known for their distinguishing customs and dressing styles. The Masai Mara is by far one of Africa’s truck popular and beautiful safari destinations. Spreading over 1530 square kilometres of land and is bound by the Serengeti Park at the south, the Siria slopes to the west and the Masai pastoral ranches to the north, east and west. The reserve’s landscape is mainly vast savannah grassland with occasional rivers that come and go according to the seasons. The Great Migration is one of the most remarkable natural phenomenons of the world, encompassing around 1.5 million wildebeest, 360,000 Thomson’s gazelle and approximately 191,000 zebras. These various travelling animals are shadowed closely on their yearly circular course by a wide assortment of ravenous predators, namely lions and hyena.

All animals comprising Africa’s Big 5 can be spotted in the Masai Mara, though the number of black rhino is extremely threatened with a population of a mere 37 (recorded in 2000). Hippo can be found in big gatherings in the Masai Mara and in the Talek rivers. Cheetah are also found, but their population too is threatened. In addition to this, more than 450 species of bird have been identified in the Park, including marabou storks, secretary birds, hornbills, crowned crane, ostriches, long-crested eagles and African pygmy-falcons.

Accommodation: Camp: Masai Mara Excursion
Facilities: Shared Ablutions Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered
Route: Nairobi to Masai Mara ±240 km
Meals: Breakfast x1, Lunch x2, Dinner x2
Included Highlight: Masai Mara Excursion

Day 3

Masai Mara – Lake Nakuru, Kenya

We depart from the Masai Mara and journey north to Lake Nakuru where we devote our afternoon to game driving. First established as a bird sanctuary, Lake Nakuru was developed into a National Park in 1968. White rhino roam frequently through the savannah area that surrounds the lake, providing us with incredible photo opportunities.

Lake Nakuru National Park inherited it’s name from the alkaline lake that surrounds it. Nakuru means ‘dry or dusty place’ in the Masai language. Though the Park was initially created as a bird sanctuary, it is now inhabited by an immense number of various animal species, including the Big Four – lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo (unfortunately the Park is not home to any elephants). Famous for its enormous flocks of flamingos that gather around the edges of its shores due to the abundance of algae in the waters, Lake Nakuru is also a haven for black and white rhino and, and has recently been extended in order to provide protection for these majestic, endangered creatures.

Accommodation: Camp: Kivu Lodge
Facilities: Shared Ablutions (Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered)
Route: Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru National Park ±220 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Lake Nakuru NP Game Drive

Day 4

Jinja, Uganda

We say goodbye to Lake Nakuru and make our way across the equator towards Uganda’s second largest city – Jinja. Jinja is famous for being the place where the Nile River flows out of Lake Victoria and initiates the 6695 kilometre adventure to Egypt and finally, the Mediterranean Sea.

Originally a fishing village that profited from being situated on long-distance trading courses, Jinja was established as a city in 1901 by the British as an administrative centre for the Provincial Government Headquarters for the Busoga area. This took place around the same time that Lake Victoria’s significance in transport heightened due to the Uganda Railway joining Kisumu – a Kenyan town located on the lake with Mombasa on the Indian Ocean, 1,400 kilometres away. Jinja was able to increase it’s size due to cotton-packing, nearby sugar estates and access to the railway. In 1906 a street layout was established and Indian traders began to inhabit the area from around 1910.

At one point in time, Jinja contained a massive East Indian community up until they were forced out of Uganda by Idi Amin in 1971/1972. Most of the architecture in Jinja is Indian-influenced, although the intricate shop-fronts and buildings were not well-maintained after the departure of the Indians. Local industrial concerns collapsed and the majority of the East Indians who are presently heading back to Uganda have decided to start up businesses again.

Accommodation: Camp: Eden Rock Resort
Facilities: Shared Ablutions Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.
Route: Lake Nakuru to Jinja ±430 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Crossing of the Equator

Day 5

Masindi – Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda

We make a brief stop in Kampala before making our way to Murchison National Park – Recognized as one of the best National Parks in Uganda. Once settled in at your accommodation, a briefing will be given on the various activities available for the upcoming day.

Accommodation: Camp: Kabalega Resort Hotel
Facilities: Shared Ablutions Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.
Route: Jinja to Masindi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activity: Ziwa Rhino Walk

Day 6

Masindi – Budongo Central Forest Reserve, Uganda

Today you will participate in a Chimpanzee trek in the Budongo Forest as well as a boat cruise in the Murchison Falls Nation Park. The Budongo forest is the biggest Mahogany forest found in the whole of East Africa. Enjoy a game drive through the forest where you can spot other wildlife.

Note: If there are more than 12 guests on the tour, the group will be split into two between the morning and the evening. We ask that you please allow for flexibility.

Accommodation: Camp: Kabalega Resort Hotel
Facilities: Shared Ablutions Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Chimp trekking (half day) / Nile River Cruise

Day 7

Lake Kikorongo Region, Uganda

We leave Masindi in the morning and are then transferred to the edges of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Our overnight this evening is located at the top of a hill overlooking Lake Kiborongo.

Accommodation: Camp: Simba Safari Camp 
Facilities: Shared Ablutions Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered
Route: Masindi to Lake Mburo ± 435 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8

Gorillas (Lake Bunyonyi), Uganda

A small, but beautiful lake with steep banks and plentiful birdlife, Lake Bunyonyi is circled by mountains and is most famous for its abundant otter population and picturesque surrounds. We take this day to unwind in this stunning spot the evening prior to our drive to the gorillas.

Lake Bunyonyi, or ‘place of many little birds’, is situated on the Rwandan border. At 25 kilometres long and 7 kilometres wide, the Lake spreads over 61 square kilometres, whilst it’s depth is said to deviate between 44 and 900 metres. It is one of the rare lakes in the area that is bilharzia-free and safe for swimming. All 29 of its islands are clustered in the central part of the region.

Accommodation: Camp: Lake Bunyonyi Overland Resort
Facilities: Shared Ablutions Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered
Route: Kampala to Lake Bunyonyi ±420 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 – 10

Gorillas (Lake Bunyonyi), Uganda

The mountain gorilla is extremely endangered and although the precise numbers of it’s population vary, it is largely believed that there are just around 650 of the gentle giants remaining. Paying a visit to the gorillas is a lovely way to support their future on earth as the money you spend on your gorilla permit contributes towards their protection. A crucial part of conserving the gorillas that are still left lies within the community development work. As local communities adjust their attitude towards nature and wildlife, and begin to protect rather than poach, the future of the beautiful mountain gorilla looks promising.

Because permits granted to visit the gorillas are extremely limited, we will require some flexibility on both our travel itinerary and the location where will actually get to see them. The mountain gorillas reside in man-made borders, therefore, their range includes Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC. Whenever it is possible, we will be making use of the National Park in Uganda, but this is dependent upon the availability of permits. If we do not manage to obtain permits for our Gorilla Trek, all passengers will be notified beforehand that our journey will travel to Rwanda or the DRC.

On our free day spent in Bunyonyi, we will have the chance to partake in Optional Activities. You can opt to go hiking or to explore the region via mountain bike.

PLEASE NOTE: Although there are 2 days allocated to Gorilla Trekking you only spend one day on the trek. The other day is there to provide a time period in which to obtain permits and to allow the group to trek if there are more than 6 of you on the tour.

Accommodation: Camp: Lake Bunyonyi Overland Resort
Facilities: Shared Ablutions Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered
Route: Lake Bunyonyi National Park to the starting point of the gorilla trek ±125 km (in safari or smaller vehicles)
Meals: Breakfast x2, Lunch x2, Dinner x2
Optional Activity: Gorilla Trekking, Pygmy visit, Rwanda day tour

Day 11

Lake Bunyonyi – Kampala, Uganda

Today we head back from the Gorilla Trekking at Lake Bunyonyi to Uganda’s capital, Kampala. This evening you will be briefed on the following days activities. We spend the evening in Kampala.

Accommodation: Two Per Room: Hillside Plaza Hotel
Facilities: En-suites Bathroom Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered
Route: Lake Bunyonyi to Kampala ±420 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12

Jinja, Uganda

We leave early in the morning for Jinja and our final night in Uganda where you will be able to relax and have the afternoon to enjoy some activities such as rafting, kayaking or swimming around the Nile. If you do not enjoy water activities you can enjoy horse riding or quad biking.

Accommodation: Camp: Eden Rock Resort
Facilities: Shared Ablutions Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered
Route: Kampala to Jinja ±230 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activity: Quad biking, kayaking, rafting

Day 13

Kenya – Eldoret, Kenya

On our way back to Kenya, we stop by the country’s 5th biggest city, Eldoret. The main geographical characteristic of this area is the Great Rift Valley and the altitude at Eldoret varies from 2,100 metres above sea level.

Eldoret is a Kenyan town established by Afrikaners in 1910. The town was initially known to the locals as 64 or Sisibo due to it being set up at the 64th mile post on the wagon course from Londiani. In the year 1908, Afrikaans speaking South Africans who journeyed there from Nakuru following a trek from South Africa by sea and by rail from Mombasa settled in Eldoret. Briefly following this, further settlers and traders of European and Asian descent started to arrive. When the governor chose to set up an administrative centre in 1912, the town became officially known as ‘Eldoret’.

When the town become an administrative centre, a massive increase in trade took place and as a result a bank and a few shops were built. Eldoret is the hometown of many well-known Kenyan runners, the most famous of whom is Kipchoge Keino. The elevation of Eldoret makes for a prime training ground for plenty of middle and long distance sportsmen. The athletes from this town have contributed immensely to Eldoret’s economy by sharing their winnings from races won all around the world.

Accommodation: Camp: Naiberi River Camp
Facilities: Shared Ablutions Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered
Route: Jinja to Eldoret ± 290 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Border Post: Kenya: Busia 09256 454 3482, Uganda: Malaba

Day 14

Nairobi, Kenya

Ending in Nairobi in the late afternoon. Most travellers choose to spend the evening at Nairobi’s restaurants spending time with travellers who are leaving the trip. Tour Ends

Route: Eldoret to Nairobi ±350 km
Meals: Breakfast

Onward Travel Plans

Due to circumstances beyond our control while on tour (such as border crossings, traffic, breakdowns and delays, etc), the end time on the last day cannot be guaranteed. Therefore we strongly recommend you stay the night and fly out the next day. Please consult with your booking consultant.