GORILLAS AND KENYAN WILDLIFE – 21 DAYS
KENYA, UGANDA

This comprehensive three week trip offers the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to observe rare mountain gorillas in their natural habitat and explores Kenya's most popular game parks. The gorillas can be found in the misty rain forests on the slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes and it's a thrilling experience to sit with them in the undergrowth. The Masai Mara offers superb game viewing on the vast plains, Samburu Game Reserve is good for elephant, while scenic Lake Nakuru is famous for its large flocks of flamingos and pretty Lake Naivasha is home to hundreds of hippo. 

	Location:	KENYA, UGANDA	Dates:	Departs regularly
	Fees:	£495 - 21 days USD 500 - Local Payment	Payment:	£180 deposit at time of booking – balance due 8 weeks before departure
	Reference:	AT027

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 at 9.30am)
Pre-Departure Meeting: 5.00 pm the day before at the departure point

Itinerary

DAY 1: Nairobi to Nanyuki

Leaving the hustle and bustle of Nairobi the group will head north, crossing the equator, before reaching the market town of Nanyuki.  Founded in 1907 by English settlers, Nanyuki is home to the main base of Kenya’s Air Force.  It’s popular amongst tourists because of it’s proximity to impressive Mount Kenya, Kenya’s highest peak at 5199 m.  It’s also home to the Mount Kenya Safari Club, now a hotel, but in the 1960’s an exclusive club whose members included Winston Churchill, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope.

DAY 2: Nanyuki to Samburu National Reserve

Leaving this old frontier town, the group will head north-west through the Kikuyu area around Mt Kenya to the Samburu National Reserve where it will encounter the Masai’s distant relatives, the semi-nomadic proud Samburu, tending their cattle along the way.  The Samburu National Reserve is a relatively small reserve at just 104 km2, remote and hence unspoilt, which attracts a wide range of animals because of the Ewaso Ng’iro River (brown water) that runs through it.

DAY 3: Samburu National Reserve

The Samburu National Reserve is made up of a mixture of scrub, desert and open Savannah plains interspersed with small rugged hills.  It is home to most of the Big 5 (except the rhino, which has been decimated by poachers).  What makes this reserve unique is its populations of Grevy’s Zebra, Beisa Oryx, Reticulated Giraffe and Somali Ostrich and the day will be spent searching for these unique animals.

DAY 4: Samburu National Reserve to Nakuru

Leaving the unique Samburu National Reserve, the group will head west towards the Great Rift Valley and Nakuru, the fourth largest town in Kenya and the capital of the Rift Valley Province, where an overnight stop will be made before entering Lake Nakuru National Park tomorrow.

DAY 5: Lake Nakuru National Park

Today the group will head into 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.

DAY 6: Nakuru to Kampala

Today, the border into Uganda is crossed for travel via the lakeside town of Jinja (the Source of the Nile) before reaching Kampala, Uganda's capital, for an overnight stay.  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-covered Ruwenzori Mountains in the west and the semi-desert parts of the north facing the border of Sudan.

DAYS 7 - 8: 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 which the optional gorilla trek takes place.  Treks will depend on where permits are available, but could 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 also 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, are 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 where they are 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 departure from camp is early in the morning and, after border formalities, the group is 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 anywhere 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 then trek back out of the rain forest to the meeting point.  Participants do not need to feel that they are exploiting these animals.  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 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 9: Kisoro to Lake Bunyoni

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

DAYS 10 - 11: Lake Bunyoni

The next two days are spent at leisure enjoying the beauty of Lake Bunyoni. There are the options to swim, canoe, hike, visit the local villages or just sit back, relax and enjoy the tranquil surrounds.  Well deserved rest days!

DAY 12: Lake Bunyoni to Kampala

After enjoying the peaceful surrounds of Lake Bunyoni the group drives to Kampala for the next two nights and perhaps the chance to sample the nightlife.  A second crossing of the equator will be made and there will be ample opportunity for photos at the crossing.

DAY 13: Kampala

Today is spent at leisure in Uganda’s capital and can be used to explore the local markets and museums, or take a trip to the nearby Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary. The political instability that haunted Uganda over a period of years has had the positive effect of leaving the country free of the over-commercialism so common in other parts of Africa.  The current administration, under President Museveni, has devoted considerable effort and funds to regaining Uganda's former glory as one of Africa's most prosperous and, from a tourist’s point of view, most appealing and interesting countries to visit.

DAYS 14 -15: Kampala to Jinja

After a short drive to the Lakeside town of Jinja, there is the option, over the next day and a half, to raft the Nile, visit the local community project or take part in a quad bike trip along the riverbank.  The overnight camp is right on the edge of the Nile River where there is an abundance of resident bird life and some truly amazing photo opportunities from right outside the tent!

DAY 16: Jinja to Nakuru

Today will be a full day driving back to Kenya with an overnight stop at a campsite in Nakuru.

DAY 17: Nakuru to Lake Naivasha

This morning there is the option to take a game drive in the Lake Nakuru National Park or head into Nakuru town.  In the afternoon, the group will drive to Lake Naivasha where camp will be made in peaceful surroundings beside the lake.

DAY 18: Lake Naivasha

Moving south-east, heading to Lake Naivasha, home to a multitude of bird life, the most magnificent being the African Fish Eagle with his regal cry. At 1880m, this is the highest of the Rift Valley lakes.  If time permits 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.

DAY 19: Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara

The group will depart from Lake Naivasha and enter Masai land where these habitual pastoralists are often seen tending their cattle from the side of the road.  After passing through the town of Narok the group will arrive at Acacia Camp which looks on to the Meguarra hills.  The stream that meanders by on the bottom end forms a natural border to the Masai Mara National Reserve.

DAY 20: Masai Mara Game Reserve

To-day is 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 21: Masai Mara to Nairobi

After breakfast, the group will leave the Masai Mara and return to Nairobi, arriving in the late afternoon. On arrival addresses will be exchanged and everyone will part ways, having just experienced a trip of a lifetime!

Optional Excursions

Kenya, Lake Naivasha - Crescent Island Sanctuary - $25
Kenya, Lake Naivasha – Elsamere High Tea - $10
Uganda, Jinja - Softpower Community Project - $25
Uganda, Jinja - White Water Rafting on The Nile - $125
Uganda, Jinja – Quad Bike (2 Hour) - $60
Uganda, Kampala - Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary - $50
Uganda, DRC or Rwanda - Gorilla Trekking Permit - $500
Kenya, Nakuru – Lake Nakuru National Park Game Drive - $100
Kenya, Masai Mara - Masai Village Cultural Visit - $5

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 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 the expedition 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 in 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.  All 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 will be provided.  Fresh fruit and vegetables are purchased from market stalls, supported by a bulk purchase of goods 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 with organising local accommodation can be given 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