Day 1

Nairobi, Kenya

Upon arrival in this stunning geographical country, you will be greeted with the words of “jambo” (hello) or “hakuna matata” (no problem) by the friendly locals. With a population of almost 42 million and land area of more than 580 000 sq km Kenya is home to an abundance of animals and vibrant tribes, creating the perfect escape for a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Meals Included: No meals

Day 2

Nairobi – Masai Mara, Kenya

Departing from the bustling Nairobi, we climb the escarpment to our first destination, a viewpoint that overlooks a portion of the remarkable Great Rift Valley. We then descend into the Rift Valley, entering the Masai territory where these habitual farmers are often seen tending to their livestock on the roadside. Passing through the town of Norak, we continue our drive possibly getting a glimpse of some gorgeous wildlife along the way. We arrive at our campsite in the late afternoon. Acacia Camp overlooks the Meguarra hills as well as the stream that creates a natural border to the Masai Mara National Reserve.

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

Masai Mara, Kenya

We leave shortly after sunrise on a game drive into the Masai Mara Reserve. This reserve is famous for being one of East Africa’s top National Reserves and is home to a wide variety of wildlife species. It is perhaps most well-known for hosting the magnificent Annual Migration, consisting of massive herds of over one million wildebeest, zebra, and Thomson’s gazelle that cross over from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania; the Masai Mara is most visited between the months of July and October, when these impressive herds feast on the fresh grazing here. Africa’s predators are usually close behind these herbivores and are frequently seen at a kill during this period. We game drive some more through a section of the park in search of the ‘Big 5’ along with the many other species of animals, reptiles and birds who make this wilderness their home.

Following our day of game spotting, we have the opportunity to pay a visit to one of the close by Masai Manyattas. These are family compounds where the Masai live in their traditional way. The evening is spent sitting around an open campfire, watching the sun set over this ‘Garden of Eden’.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activity: Masai Mara National Reserve

Day 4

Masai Mara – Eldoret, Kenya

Departing early from the Masai Mara, we make our way out of Masai Land, passing through the picturesque tea plantations of Kericho before descending the Rift Valley Plateau and arrive at Eldoret.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

Eldoret – Kampala, Uganda

Today we cross the Ugandan border where we spend the night in the capital city of Kampala. Uganda is a small country with stunning scenery. The landscapes of Uganda vary, from the luscious green regions around the northern shores of Lake Victoria to the snowy-capped Ruwenzori Mountains in the west as well as the desert-like area in the north. The unstable politics of Uganda has had a surprisingly positive effect in the country, leaving it free of the over commercialism so common in other areas of Africa. President Museveni’s administration has devoted a large amount of effort and funds in order to return Uganda to it’s former status as one of the continent’s most flourishing, and from a tourist’s perspective, one of the most attractive and intriguing countries to visit.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 -9

Kampala – Lake Bunyonyi (optional Gorilla Trekking), Uganda

We leave Kampala early morning and head west to our base at the serene Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda. Lake Bunyonyi is the deepest Crater Lake in Africa and is home to a large and varied number of beautiful birds. It is also the base from which the optional Gorilla trek takes place. Depending on where trekking permits are available, we trek in the Magahinga or Bwindi National Parks in Uganda, the Virunga National Park in the DRC, or the Ruhengeri National Park in Rwanda.

Please Note:

The prices of trekking permits fluctuate and may change without prior notice. Currently the permits are priced from about US $600 (subject to change) plus US $105 for bank fees and both amounts are to be prepaid. There is a local transport fee of about US $200 per vehicle (with a minimum of 8 people) to be paid on the day of the trekking (this covers the return public transfer the Wildlife Authority’s booking fee). For trekking in the DRC or Rwanda (the trip leader will advise at the pre-departure meeting as to where the permits have been secured, and will assist with the online visa application for Rwanda en-route if needed), we will also have to purchase an additional visa to enter either country, as well as renewing our Ugandan visa upon re-entry. We also advise budgeting a little extra for tips for the local guides and rangers. Please budget accordingly as payment for the permit must be made in US$ cash at the pre-departure meeting.

Mountain Gorillas

Known to be highly sociable animals, Mountain Gorillas live in fairly stable groups, which are held together by long term bonds between the male and female. They are come across as strong and powerful creatures, yet they remain the shy and gentle giants of Africa.

Trekking Procedures: The mountain gorilla (Gorilla Berengei), of which there are still just around 700 remaining, are one of our nearest living relatives. A visit to these gentle giants in their natural environment is a novel and superb experience – one you’ll always remember. The park rangers monitor the gorillas on a daily basis and have a fairly good idea of where they are. However, they are free roaming animals, and their sighting cannot be guaranteed. As the gorillas share much of our DNA, anyone with even the slightest cold or transferable illness will not be permitted to trek. Trekking is also only open to people over 16 years old.

Due to the restrictions on the daily numbers of visitors to these incredible animals, we depart from our base in Bunyoni in small groups over 3-4 days, depending on the group size. We wind our way through arguably some of the most picturesque scenery in Africa en-route to the National Park. Dependant on where permits are available, we may spend a night in either Kisoro or in Rwanda. The following morning, after packing our picnic lunch, we are transferred to a ranger’s station where the trek commences. Your rangers will lead you through the cultivated lands and then into the dense rain forest and on to a gorilla family. Trekking can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 8 hours (not including transfer time) and it can be quite strenuous, so a reasonable level of fitness is required. To ensure the gorillas do not get too used to the presence of humans and because they share many of our genes (and therefore able to catch our diseases), the maximum time permitted to spend with them is 1 hour. You will have plenty of time to watch their activity and to take photographs. The rangers will be able to provide you with a background to the family you are visiting. Once your hour is up, you trek back out of the rain forest to your meeting point where you will be transferred back to the Lake Bunyoni campsite.

You needn’t feel like you’re exploiting these animals. The ever-growing number of tourists trekking them each day play a vital role in their survival. For years they have been ruthlessly hunted for their hands and heads, which have been sold as ashtrays and lampshades! In addition, large numbers have been killed whilst trying to stop poachers stealing the babies for sale to zoos, where they have never lived long. 100% of the gorilla permit cost is used to by the parks authorities to finance patrols that are instrumental in protecting the gorillas from poachers  and their lethal snares and on promoting these wonderful animals.

Depending on where the trek takes place you may also pass through some of the local villages that have settled in this region due to the high number of refugees fleeing from the Rwandan Genocide, or from the continued unrest in the DRC. The villagers in this area are mostly subsistence farmers, and families that farm against the slopes of the volcanoes. It is impressive to see how they have ploughed, planted and harvest their crops in such an unlikely landscape.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

GORILLA TREKKING IS OPTIONAL
Please note that the transfer fee is not included in the trekking price

Day 10

Lake Bunyonyi – Kampala, Uganda

After admiring the encounters we have experienced with the gorillas and enjoying the peaceful Lake Bunyonyi, we commence our travels back to Kampala. Crossing the Equator for the second time on this trip, we pull over for the ‘one foot in each hemisphere’ photographic opportunity. Tonight we camp in Kampala and have the opportunity to sample it’s night life.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11

Kampala – Jinja, Uganda

Today we have the option of visiting the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary or visiting Jinja for a variety of adventurous activities, including white water rafting in the White Nile, quad biking or visiting a volunteering community project. Spend the afternoon unwinding on the riverbanks or spotting the wide selection of beautiful water birds that frequent this area.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12

Jinja – Nakuru, Kenya

We leave in the morning and make our way back to Kenya, stopping on the way to gather supplies and to enjoy a delicious lunch. We spend the night outside of Nakuru at a charming campsite situated on a local farm. Kenya’s fourth biggest town and the capital of the Rift Valley Province, Nakuru lies adjacent to the relatively small Lake Nakuru National Park that is small but surprisingly rich in wildlife.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13

Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya

In the morning, we start explore Lake Nakuru National Park. . The park was initially established as a sanctuary for black and white rhino, which are often seen. We spend our day searching for these orgeous creatures as well as the elusive leopard, while along the way coming into contact with buffalo, giraffe, numerous antelope and the occasional hippopotamus. We head to camp after our game drive and arrive in the late afternoon.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14

Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha, Kenya

Lake Naivasha is home to a wide variety of bird life (the most spectacular being the African Fish Eagle with his regal cry). This is the highest of the Rift Valley lakes at 1800 metres. Our day is spent partaking in Optional Excursions such as an outing to Elsamere (former home to George and Joy Adamson of the Born Free Foundation), a boat trip to the Crescent Island Game Sanctuary or just a bicycle ride around Hell’s Gate National Park.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15

Lake Naivasha – Nairobi, Kenya

Following a scrumptious breakfast, we make our way back to Nairobi, where we usually arrive in the early afternoon. Upon our arrival at camp, we swap contact details, say our goodbyes and part ways the the people with whom we have just shared an incredible life-changing experience.

We have the remainder of the day to take part in some of the various options offered to us in this lively city. Visit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust where you can watch the orphaned baby elephants during feeding time, head to the Giraffe Centre in Langata, embark on another day trip of game viewing or, if you haven’t quite completed your souvenir collection, hop on a Matutu to one of the local curio markets nearby the campsite. Tonight why not try the fair on offer at the famous Carnivores restaurant.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Important Touring Tips:

• The itinerary is a guide ONLY and is subject to change
• There is a mix of different nationalities, ages and cultures on every tour
• Space in the truck is limited – PLEASE DON’T BRING TOO MUCH LUGGAGE!
• The tours are high adventure tours, so don’t expect European Coach tours or lodge safaris
• The tours are often created in a circular route i.e. where one tour ends, another begins
• The rate is the same throughout the year
• All meals are served from the truck unless specified otherwise
• Should you be travelling to Kenya. The Kenya government has instituted a Zero Tolerance on usage of All Plastic Bags. On the spot fines (USD) are being issued.