GORILLAS AND MASAI MARA – 15 DAYS
KAMPALA TO NAIROBI

Starting in Kampala and ending in Nairobi, this 15-day safari takes in the region's two major highlights: the magnificent Masai Mara Game Reserve and the opportunity to observe rare mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The Virunga Volcanoes are their last refuge and the group will trek through dense forest for an audience with these gentle apes. The Masai Mara offers superb game viewing and pretty Lake Naivasha is home to hundreds of hippo.

	Location:	KAMPALA TO NAIROBI	Dates:	Departs twice a month
	Fees:	£435 - 15 days USD 230 - Local Payment	Payment:	£180 deposit at time of booking – balance due 8 weeks before departure
	Reference:	AT012

General Information

Start and finish points: Kampala to Nairobi
Countries visited: Kenya and Uganda
Departure Point Kampala:  Red Chilli Hideaway, Plot 82, Sunderland Ave, Mbuya
Check-in time: The day before departure (departs at 5am on start date)

Itinerary

DAYS 1- 2: 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 start.  Treks will depend on where trekkiing 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 price 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 an additional visa to enter either country will be necessary 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 - never to be forgotten! The park rangers monitor the gorillas on a daily basis and have a fairly good idea of their location.  However, they are free roaming animals, and their sighting cannot be guaranteed. In the unlikely event that these creatures are not seen, the authorities usually allow a second opportunity to trek them. However, this is purely at their discretion, subject to the availability of permits and 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 old.  The group will depart from camp in the early morning and, following 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 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 man's genes (and are therefore able to catch man's diseases), the maximum time permitted to spend with them is one hour.  There will be 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 worry 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 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 3: Kisoro to Lake Bunyoni

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

DAY 4 - 5: Lake Bunyoni

Day 4 is spent at leisure enjoying 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. 

DAY 6: Lake Bunyoni to Kampala

After enjoying peaceful Lake Bunyoni, the group will begin their 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 there is an opportunity to sample the night life! 

DAY 7: Kampala

Today is spent at leisure in Uganda’s capital city exploring the local markets and museums, or taking 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, one of the most appealing and interesting countries to visit. 

DAYS 8 - 9: 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 10: Jinja to Nakuru

The whole day will be spent driving back to Kenya with an overnight at a campsite in Nakuru. 

DAY 11: Nakuru to Lake Naivasha

This morning there will be 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 to make camp in peaceful surroundings beside the lake. 

DAY 12: Lake Naivasha

Moving south-east, the group will head 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. 

DAY 13: Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara

To-day the group will depart from Lake Naivasha and enter Masai land where these habitual pastoralists are often seen tending their cattle at the side of the road.  The group will pass through the town of Narok, before arriving 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 14: Masai Mara Game Reserve

The 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, the impressive herds of over one million wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelle may be witnessed in their Annual Migration.  Sitting around the camp fire, watching the sun set is the perfect way to end a day’s game viewing in this “Garden of Eden.” 

DAY 15: 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, Masai Mara Village Cultural Visit -$5

Kenya, Lake Naivasha - Crescent Island Sanctuary - $25

Lake Naivasha – Elsamere High Tea - $10

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

 

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 theTrip 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 trek and staff are always on hand to offer further advice and information via telephone and email before departure. The day prior to the trip 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 so 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 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.  Be sure to arrive in plenty of time for this trip, to allow for flights delays.  Help can be given in organising local accommodation if required. 

(There may be a number of ways to reach your 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