Please Note:

This itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road & weather conditions, political situations and group decisions.

All prices & Local Payments are subject to change with prior notice.

Due to Tourism Laws in some of the countries we visit, there may be a truck and crew change during the trip.

 

 

DAY 1:  Nairobi to Nanyuki (L / D)

Leaving the hustle and bustle of Nairobi we 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 60’s an exclusive club whose members included Winston Churchill, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope.

 

DAY 2:  Nanyuki to Samburu National Reserve (B / L / D)

Leaving this old frontier town, we head north-west through the Kikuyu area around Mt Kenya to the Samburu National Reserve.  We’ll 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.  It is a remote, hence unspoilt, reserve and attracts a wide range of animals because of the Ewaso Ng’iro River (brown water) that runs through it.

 

DAY 3:  Samburu National Reserve (B / L / D)

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 we’ll spend the day searching for these unique animals.

 

DAY 4:  Samburu National Reserve to Nakuru (B / L / D)

Leaving the unique Samburu National Reserve, we head west towards the Great Rift Valley and the 4^th largest town in Kenya and the capital of the Rift Valley Province, Nakuru.  We overnight here before entering Lake Nakuru National Park tomorrow.

 

DAY 5:  Lake Nakuru National Park (B / L / D)

Today we head into 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.  We spend the day 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 (B / L /D)

Today, we cross the border into Uganda and 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 (B / L /D)

After an early morning departure from Kampala we drive west into the depths of Uganda to our base in Kisoro. 

 

Kisoro is the base from which the optional Gorilla trek takes place. Dependant on where trekking permits are available, we trek in 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 prices of trekking permits fluctuate and may change without prior notice – currently they are priced between US$375 and US$500 depending on where we trek. There is a local transport fee of US$20 to US$25 per person. For trekking in the DRC or Rwanda, we will also have to purchase an additional visa to enter either country, as well as renewing our Ugandan visa upon re-entry. Please budget accordingly.

 

Trekking Procedures: The mountain gorilla (Gorilla Gorilla Berengei), of which there are still only about 700 remaining, are one of our closest living relatives.  A visit to these gentle giants in their natural environment is a unique and wonderful experience - one you’ll never forget.  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 can not be guaranteed.  In the unlikely event of these creatures managing to completely elude us, the authorities usually allow us a second opportunity to trek them.  However, this is purely at their discretion and subject to the availability of permits, and they will not confirm this in writing.  As a major supplier of gorilla trekkers to each park and as such have a high success rate of procuring gorilla permits and then of actually seeing these beautiful animals.  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. We depart from our camp in the early morning and after border formalities 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 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.

 

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.

 

DAY 9: Kisoro to Lake Bunyoni (B / L /D)

A short drive through arguably some of the most picturesque scenery in Africa brings us to Lake Bunyoni. Lake Bunyoni is the deepest Crater Lake in Africa and is home to a large number of bird and fish species as well as otters.

 

DAY 10 & 11: Lake Bunyoni (B / L /D)

The next two days are spent at leisure to enjoy 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 (B / L /D)

After enjoying the peaceful surrounds of Lake Bunyoni we drive to Kampala for the next two nights stay, and perhaps the chance to sample the nightlife.  Today we will cross the equator for the second time and there will be ample opportunity for photos at the Equator crossing.

 

DAY 13: Kampala (B / L /D)

Today is spent at leisure in Uganda’s capital and can be spent 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 regain 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.

 

DAY 14 & 15: Kampala to Jinja (B / L /D)

After a short drive to the Lakeside town of Jinja, you have 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. Our overnight camp is right on the edge of the Nile River where there is an abundance of resident bird life & some truly amazing photo opportunities from right outside your tent!

 

DAY 16: Jinja to Nakuru (B / L /D)

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

 

DAY 17: Nakuru to Lake Naivasha (B / L /D)

This morning we have the option to take a game drive in the Lake Nakuru National Park or head into Nakuru town. In the afternoon, we drive to Lake Naivasha where we make camp in peaceful surroundings beside the lake.

 

DAY 18: Lake Naivasha (B / L /D)

Moving south-east, we 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; we spend the afternoon enjoying optional excursions like Elsamere (former home to Joy & 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 (B / L /D)

We depart from Lake Naivasha and enter Masai land where these habitual pastoralists are often seen tending their cattle from the side of the road.  We pass through the town of Narok, before arriving at our campsite, Acacia Camp. Acacia Camp 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 20: Masai Mara Game Reserve (B / L /D)

We spend the day driving through nature as it was intended to be - huge plains, rolling hills and an abundance of game matched no where else on earth.  We keep an eye open for the Big 5 - elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion & leopard.  If travelling between July and October, we may get to witness the impressive herds of over 1 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 (B / L)

After breakfast, we head back to Nairobi.  On arrival, we head to the Hotel Boulevard, where we deliver the passengers who’ll be ending their trip here, before heading to our campsite for the night.

 

DAY 22:  Nairobi to Arusha (Tanzania) (L / D)

This morning we collect the passengers who’ll be joining us on the next leg of our trek.  We travel south crossing the border into Tanzania at Namanga.  Tonight we stay in a lovely campsite in Meserani on the outskirts of Arusha, before heading out on our Optional Excursions to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.

 

DAY 23-25:  Arusha to Serengeti National Park (OPTIONAL) (B / L / D)

Arusha is a pleasant town situated at the base of Mount Meru and is the starting point for the optional excursions to Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti.  We conduct these excursions in locally operated 4WD vehicles, which are adapted for safari use.  Depending on which option you choose, you will be away from the Arusha campsite for either one or two nights

 

For those not opting to visit the Ngorongoro Crater or Serengeti National Park, the next 2 days are spent at leisure enjoying the Meserani reptile park, Masai Cultural Museum and the surrounding villages and craft markets. Alternatively the town of Arusha is close by to explore.

 

The Optional Ngorongoro/Serengeti excursion takes us via the Masai town of Mtu Wa Mbu (Mosquito River) that lies adjacent to the Lake Manyara National Park and up the Rift Valley Escarpment to the higher lying village of Karatu. Karatu offers magnificent views over the surrounding hills and has many well established wheat farms that add to the picturesque panoramas. We spend the evening at a pleasant campsite in Karatu. The following morning we depart early for the Ngorongoro Conservation area and head into the wildlife rich Ngorongoro Crater. This World Heritage Site boasts some of the best game viewing in Africa – including the elusive Black Rhino. Those on the 1 night option will transfer back to Meserani after the game drive.

 

After our game drive in the Crater, we head down the Crater rim and past the ‘Cradle of Mankind’ on our way to the Serengeti National Park. We cross the vast plains as we game drive through the southern and central areas in the park. Tonight we camp in the bushveld surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness. In the morning, we head off for another game drive and explore the landscape in search of the resident game. With some luck, we may see some of Africa’s ‘Big 5’!

 

After our morning drive, we head back across the plains and the lush Crater rim to our truck at Arusha, where we spend the evening musing over our thrilling wildlife experience.

 

DAY 26:  Arusha to Pangani (B / L / D)

After a morning spent exploring Arusha and its vibrant craft markets, we head south towards Dar es Salaam.  On the way we drive through the town of Moshi.  Moshi is the base for Mount Kilimanjaro climbing expeditions, and weather permitting; we may even catch a glimpse of this magical mountain’s snowy summit - a photo opportunity not to be missed!  We pass through vast sisal plantations surrounded by The Usambara and Pare Mountain ranges, before reaching our lovely campsite nestled between these mountains, midway between Arusha and Dar es Salaam.

 

DAY 27:  Pangani to Dar es Salaam (B / L / D)

Today we continue on to Dar es Salaam.  Travelling through lush scenery and palm trees, we near the warm Indian Ocean.  On arrival in Dar es Salaam we make our way to our lovely seaside campsite and prepare for our departure to Zanzibar the next morning. 

 

DAY 28:  Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar (B)

A ferry from Dar es Salaam takes us to the "Spice Island,” where we have the option to spend the next 3 nights.  Zanzibar is steeped in history and was one of the major starting points for most East African explorers in their quest for new lands.  New passengers may join us to replace those that’ll leave us at the end of our excursion to Zanzibar.

PLEASE NOTE:  Accommodation and Meals are for your own account whilst on Zanzibar, as it is our experience that passengers prefer to explore the island on their own.  The Trip Leader joins you and can arrange your accommodation, while meals can be enjoyed from a wide selection of restaurants.

 

DAYS 29 & 30:  Zanzibar

History aside, Zanzibar offers a wealth of experiences for the visitor.  Today the quiet streets of the old Stone Town still retain their Arabic influence, from the Medina-like shops to the palaces of the Sultans, who founded their vast empires on the spoils of the slave and ivory trade.  The island is famous for its spices and an excursion around a spice plantation is always a fascinating experience.  Other options include a trip to the beautiful beaches and giant tortoises of Prison Island, a full day scuba dive in Nungwe or a fishing trip in a traditional dhow.  Mopeds are available for hire if you’d like to explore the more remote areas of the island.  Zanzibar is a seafood lover’s paradise.  Numerous restaurants offer a great variety of the freshest catch from the ocean - crayfish being a popular speciality.  Alternatively, mingle with the locals for dinner at the Forodhani Gardens seafront market, where delicious, inexpensive seafood is on offer.

 

DAY 31:  Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam (D)

Leaving Zanzibar, we return to the mainland where we exchange addresses and part ways, having just experienced a trip of a lifetime!

 

 

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS

 

Below is a selection of Optional Excursions available on this trip.

 

Please Note    

- these prices are approximate and are subject to change

- where activities occur away from your base, there may be an additional transfer cost.

 

*Although traveller’s cheques are accepted for the Serengeti/Ngorongoro Excursions, they are subject to a surcharge of at least 5%.

 

 

FREE TRIP

 

When you book this trip, you are entitled to receive a FREE 3 Day Masai Mara Safari the Thursday before your trip begins. The Local Payment is still applicable for the trip.  This fantastic offer must be taken up at the same time you book this trip.  Conditions apply.

The staff and management look forward to welcoming you aboard and trust that you will enjoy your trip with us.

 

“Safari Njema”

 

Important: Before you travel please check your Tour Voucher and Arrival Information for the latest joining instructions. This will be sent to you upon receipt of final payment.

All itineraries are subject to change without prior notice.