GORILLAS AND GAME PARKS SAFARI – 14 DAYS
KENYA, UGANDA

Mountain gorillas inhabit the rain forests of Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda on the high slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes and to track them and find them among the tangled vines and giant trees is a spine-tingling experience.  Other highlights of this trip are the memorable countryside of Uganda, known as the 'Pearl of Africa', and searching for the 'big five' in the Masai Mara.  Lake Nakuru National Park is home to black and white rhino, flamingo and leopard, while Lake Naivasha harbours large pods of hippo.

	Location:	KENYA, UGANDA	Dates:	Departs twice a month
	Fees:	£435 - 14 days US$370 - Local Payment	Payment:	£180 deposit at time of booking – balance due 8 weeks before departure
	Reference:	AT028

General Information

Start and finish point: Nairobi
Countries visited: Kenya and Uganda
Departure Point Nairobi:  Boulevard Hotel, Harry Thuku Road
Check-in time: 8.45am (departure 9.30am)
Pre-Departure Meeting: 5.00 pm the day before at the departure point

Itinerary

DAY 1: Nairobi to Masai Mara

Leaving the hustle and bustle of Nairobi the group will travel up the escarpment to the first stop, a viewpoint overlooking the spectacular Great Rift Valley and then descend into the Valley and Masai land where these habitual pastoralists are often seen tending their cattle from the side of the road. The town of Narok will be passed before arriving at Acacia Camp which looks on to the Meguarra hills, and the stream that meanders by on the bottom end forms a natural border to the Masai Mara National Reserve.

DAY 2: Masai Mara

The day will be spent driving through nature as it was intended to be - huge plains, rolling hills and an abundance of game matched nowhere else on earth.  Eyes should be kept open for the Big 5 - elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard.  If travelling between July and October, it may be possible to witness the impressive herds of over one million wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelle in their Annual Migration.  Sitting around the camp fire, watching the sun set is the perfect way to finish a day’s game viewing in this “Garden of Eden.”

DAY 3: Masai Mara to Kisumu

Leaving the Masai Mara early in the morning, the group will pass through the scenic tea plantations of Kericho before descending the Rift Valley Plateau, on the way to Kisumu - Kenya’s harbour town on the banks of Africa’s largest lake, Lake Victoria where the night will be spent and supplies replenished. 

DAY 4: Kisumu to Kampala (Uganda)

Today, the border into Uganda will be crossed and an overnight stop made in the capital city, Kampala.  Uganda is a small country of striking physical beauty.  Its landscapes vary from the fertile green areas around the northern shores of Lake Victoria to the snow capped Ruwenzori Mountains in the west and the semidesert region in the north.  The political instability that has haunted Uganda in the past has actually had the positive effect of leaving the country free from the over-commercialism so common in other parts of Africa.  The current administration, under President Museveni, has devoted considerable effort and funds to returning Uganda to its former status as one of Africa's most prosperous and, from a tourist’s point of view, most appealing and interesting countries to visit.

DAYS 5 - 6: Kampala to Kisoro

After an early morning departure from Kampala the group will drive west into the depths of Uganda to the base in Kisoro from where the optional gorilla trek will take place.  Treks will depend on where permits are available, but might include the Magahinga or Bwindi National Parks in Uganda, the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, or the Ruhengeri National Park in Rwanda. The cost of trekking permits fluctuates and may change without prior notice – currently they are priced at US$500 depending on the trek. There is a local transport fee of US$20 to US$25 per person. For trekking in the DRC or Rwanda, it will be necessary to purchase an additional visa to enter either country, as well as renewing the Ugandan visa upon re-entry.  Please budget accordingly.

Trekking Procedures:  The mountain gorilla (Gorilla Gorilla Berengei), of which there are only about 700 remaining, is one of man's closest living relatives.  A visit to these gentle giants in their natural environment is a unique and wonderful experience - one never to be forgotten.  The park rangers monitor the gorillas on a daily basis and have a fairly good idea of their location at any time.   However, they are free roaming animals, and their sighting cannot be guaranteed.  In the unlikely event of a non-sighting the authorities usually allow a second opportunity to trek them.  However, this is purely at their discretion and subject to the availability of permits, and is not confirmed in writing.  As the gorillas share much of man's 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 of age.   The group will depart from camp in the early morning and, after border formalities, are transferred to a ranger’s station where the trek commences.  The rangers will lead the group through the cultivated lands and then into the dense rain forest and on to a gorilla family.  Trekking can take anything from forty-five minutes to eight hours and as it can be quite strenuous, 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 man's genes (and therefore able to catch man's diseases), the maximum time permitted to spend with them is one hour. This is plenty of time to watch their activities and to take photographs. The rangers will be able to provide a background to the family being visited.  Once the hour is up, the group will trek back out of the rain forest to the meeting point.  Participants do not need to feel that they are exploiting these animals in any way.  The ever-growing number of tourists trekking them each day plays 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 protect their babies from the poachers stealing them for sale to zoos, where they have never lived long.  One hundred percent of the gorilla permit cost is used by the park authorities to finance patrols that are instrumental in protecting the gorillas from poachers and their lethal snares and on promoting these wonderful animals.

DAY 7: Kisoro to Lake Bunyoni

A short drive through some of the most picturesque scenery in Africa brings the group to awesome Lake Bunyoni which is the deepest crater lake in Africa and is home to a large and varied number of beautiful birds.

DAY 8: Lake Bunyoni

Today is a day of leisure to enjoy the beauty of Lake Bunyoni. There is the option to visit a local village or church, hike in the surrounding hills, canoe or just spend the day relaxing or swimming in this tranquil lake. A well deserved rest day!

DAY 9: Lake Bunyoni to Kampala

After enjoying peaceful Lake Bunyoni, the group will begin the drive back to Kampala, crossing the Equator for the second time and stopping for the classic “one foot in each hemisphere” photo opportunity.  An overnight stop is made in Kampala where it will be possible to sample the nightlife!

DAY 10: Kampala to Jinja

Today there is the option of visiting the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary or transferring to Jinja for a selection of adventure activities including white water rafting at the source of the White Nile, quad biking or volunteering at a community project.  The afternoon can be spent relaxing on the banks of the river, or ticking off the wide variety of water birds in this area.

DAY 11: Jinja to Nakuru (Kenya)

Today the group will head back to Kenya, stopping for lunch and supplies en route.  An overnight stop is made in Nakuru, Kenya’s fourth largest town and capital of the Rift Valley Province.

DAY 12: Lake Nakuru National Park

This morning the group heads to Nakuru Town to stock up on supplies before beginning the exploration of the Lake Nakuru National Park - famous for the thousands of lesser and greater flamingos that flock to this soda lake’s edge.  The numbers vary depending on the water level, and when it’s low, the lake almost turns pink.  A truly spectacular sight!  The park was established as a sanctuary for black and white rhino, which are often seen.  The day is spent searching for these pre-historic looking beasts as well as the elusive leopard, encountering buffalo, giraffe, various antelope and the occasional hippo along the way.  An overnight stop is made at a bush camp within the Park.

DAY 13: Lake Nakuru National Park to Lake Naivasha

Moving south-east, the group heads to Lake Naivasha, home to a multitude of bird life, the most magnificent being the African Fish Eagle with his regal cry. At 1880 m, this is the highest of the Rift Valley lakes.  Time permitting the afternoon will be spent enjoying optional excursions such as Elsamere (former home to Joy and George Adamson of Born Free fame), a boat ride to the Crescent Island Game Sanctuary or a bike ride around Hell’s Gate National Park. The night is spent at a lovely campsite on the banks of the lake.

DAY 14: Lake Naivasha to Nairobi

After breakfast, the group will head back to Nairobi where, on arrival, addresses will be exchanged and everyone will part ways, having just experienced a trip of a lifetime!

Optional Excursions

Kenya, Masai Mara - Masai Village Cultural Visit - $5
Uganda, Jinja - Softpower Community Project - $25
Uganda, Jinja - White Water Rafting on The Nile - $125
Uganda, Kampala - Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary - $50
Uganda, DRC or Rwanda - Gorilla Trekking Permit - $500
Kenya, Lake Naivasha - Crescent Island Sanctuary - $25
Kenya, Lake Naivasha – Elsamere High Tea - $10

All prices are in US dollars.  For a more comprehensive list of things to do before, during or after the trip, please email or call Amanzi Travel on 0117 904 1924. 

Please note - these prices are approximate and are subject to change, and where activities occur away from the base, there may be an additional transfer cost. 

Support

Support and advice is available from the Trip Guides whilst on the expedition and from the UK Amanzi Travel Team.
Find out more about Amanzi Travel support.

Orientation

A comprehensive information pack will be sent upon booking this adventure and staff are always on hand to offer further advice and information via telephone and email before departure.  The day before the trip begins, there will be a full orientation at 5.00 pm at the departure point including information on the current status of the overland trip.  The pre-departure meeting is not essential but it is recommended, and is a great opportunity to meet trip companions.

Accommodation and Meals

These are camping trips, and spacious 2-person tents with sewn in ground sheets and a separate fly sheet are provided.   Most nights will be spent at organised campsites which usually have hot water showers and extra facilities such as a bar or swimming pool.  Increasingly these places have simple roomed accommodation, so on occasion there may be the choice, at extra cost, to upgrade to a bed if wished.  Occasionally, when it is not possible to drive any further or when there is no local campsite available, it may be necessary to bush camp.  The vehicles are completely self-sufficient for this purpose and camping out in the middle of the African bush can be a memorable experience.

 

The safari cook does all the cooking on the trip, although group members may have to participate in the preparation of the meals on a rota basis.  Meals and menus vary depending on what is available locally, but three healthy square meals a day on the road are provided.  Fresh fruit and vegetables are purchased from market stalls, supported by a bulk purchase of supplies prior to departure.  In the towns and cities there is the optional alternative of sampling the local restaurants.

Getting There

The most convenient airport to fly into for this trip is the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. Participants should ensure that they arrive in plenty of time for this trip, to allow for flight delays.  Help can be given with organising local accommodation if required. 

(There may be a number of ways to reach the destination airport – for further information or advice please contact Amanzi Travel)
Let Amanzi Travel arrange your flights for you

Project Fees

What is included

• Fully equipped expedition truck/vehicle

• All cooking and camping equipment

• Meals

• Game park fees and excursions as detailed in the itinerary

• Trip leader and safari cook

What is excluded

• Sleeping bag and mat

• Personal travel insurance

• Visas

• Items of a personal nature

• Optional excursions as detailed above

• Restaurant meals and drinks