Itinerary

Days 1-2:Nairobi And Lake Nakuru National Park.
We depart Nairobi at 10.00am to Lake Nakuru National Park. This journey goes via the Masai escarpment, which provides spectacular views of the Great Rift Valley. Lake Nakuru National Park is famous for it’s large population of pink flamingos, which featured in the movie “Out of Africa”. Aside from flamingos Lake Nakuru boasts a sizeable population of rhinos, both black and white. The more sociable white rhino is a common sight seen grazing on the open plains, however its less sociable cousin, the black rhino often remains hidden in the dense bush. Although not native to this park they were introduced here because the park offered good security from poachers and they are being used in a breeding program to maintain and improve the rhino population and gene pool. This park also has lion, leopard, buffalo, plains game (gazelle, antelope, zebra, impala and giraffe) and a large diverse bird population; which was the original reason the park was established. We camp in the Park, which gives us the thrill of hearing the night sounds of some of Africa’s famous wild beasts.

Days 3-4:Jinja, Source Of The Nile And Kampala.
Leaving Lake Nakuru we head for Uganda and Kampala, via the Malaba border with its hundreds of transport trucks awaiting customs clearance. Scenery along the way consists of local villages, sugar and tea plantations and as much of this drive is at altitudes around 2000 metres above sea level you will also see fields of pyrethrum, distinguishable by its white and yellow flowers. The juice from the pyrethrum plant is a natural insect repellent and is harvested commercially and used to treat materials such as mosquito netting and clothes. After entering Uganda we cross the Nile River at its source near Jinja, on the shores of Lake Victoria before arriving in Kampala, Uganda’s capital. Kampala is a large modern city that has been rebuilt after its decimation by Idi Amin and the chaos of his rule.

Days 5-6:Kampala-Kibale And Lake Bunyoni.
From Kampala we head out to the western part of the country where we see the gorillas. We set up camp at Lake Bunyoni and use this as a base for the gorilla visits. Lake Bunyoni is a great place to spend a few days swimming, walking and canoeing (in traditional dug out canoes - not as easy as it looks!) whilst looking forward to your trip to the gorillas or reflecting on the time you have spent with them. The fact that permits to see the gorillas are restricted means that it will take a few days for everyone to see them.

Days 7-9: Lake Bunyoni And Gorilla Visit.
From our base at Lake Bunyoni, passengers wishing to trek the Mountain Gorillas will transfer by small vehicle/minibus to the relevant national park.  Please note that the transfers are not included in your gorilla permit, tour cost or local payment.  Depending on the location of the trek, additional visas may also be required.  This transfer will usually take place the night before the actual trek.  Gorilla permits allow visitors to spend up to one hour with a family of gorillas each day.  In order to safeguard the gorillas, only 6-8 people may visit each day.  In the interests of the gorillas, people with colds, flu or other contagious diseases will not be permitted to trek.  Gorilla trekking may be very strenuous and walking boots are recommended.  The area is often shrouded in mist and frequent downpours are common at all times of year.  A waterproof jacket can be very useful.  Accompanied by your guides and trackers you will follow simple pathways into the cloud forest.  The terrain is hilly and can be muddy and slippery, however the views of the Virunga mountain range are spectacular and more than make up for the tough inclines.  As you walk, you may see signs and tracks of other animals as well as enjoying bird, monkey and insect sounds of the jungle.   Following their spore and night nests, your guides will lead you to the gorilla group. Some gorilla groups may be a 5 hour walk away from base camp, whilst other groups can be located within an hour.  It is difficult to predict where the gorilla group might be and this adds to the excitement and unpredictability of the trek.  After encountering a gorilla family your guides will settle you down and enable you to watch the group interactions.  Visitors are not allowed to get closer than 5 metres to the gorillas, but sometimes the gorillas themselves forget this and come very close indeed! Family groups are generally made up of several females, their playful young and one or two mature silverbacks.  Young gorillas are extremely entertaining and enjoy showing off their climbing, tumbling and play-fighting antics.  Mothers watch on and silverbacks generally maintain a respectful distance whilst keeping a protective eye on their family.  Depending on their daily pattern, gorillas may be encountered resting in a sunny or shady spot or on the move as they travel from one feeding patch to another.   Whatever else they are doing, gorillas are usually also eating and it is fascinating to watch them in the giant salad bowls which make up their habitat. Photographing gorillas is allowed, but flash photography is prohibited.  Anyone wishing to use a video camera must pay for a special permit. After your time with the gorilla group you will return to base camp and then rejoin the truck at Lake Bunyoni.  For up to date information regarding securing a permit and the current prices please contact your nearest Kumuka office. Those who opt not to partake in the Gorilla trek will be based at Lake Bunyoni where, as noted on days 5-6 there are plenty of activities to keep you busy. As well as swimming, walking and canoeing there are village and craft centre tours available, visits to the nearby Pygmy Island, and bird watching, time to soak up the sites and sounds of Uganda.

Days 10-11: Kampala And Bujagali Falls/Jinja.
Leaving Lake Bunyoni we head back to Kampala, the following day we take a short drive, (approx 3 hours) to Bujagali Falls near Jinja where we have the optional excursion of white water rafting on the Nile River, quad biking or taking part in the Soft Power Education Program. There are some excellent walks either by the Nile or in the local villages or just chill out and enjoy the view. Days 12-14: Naivasha to Nairobi. From Bujagali Falls/Jinja we head back to Kenya en-route to Naivasha, Lake Naivasha was briefly Kenya’s airport as flying boats from southern Africa stopped to refuel on their way north. On Day 14 we will travel back to Nairobi, the tour ends on arrival in Nairobi and we expect to be there by mid-afternoon. We do not recommend booking flights that leave prior to 7pm if you need to leave on this day.

Included

Leader and Driver, All Meals Whilst Camping, All Activities, Sightseeing and Entrance Fees as Per Itinerary, National Parks and Reserve Entrance Fees as Per Itinerary, All Tolls and Taxes

Accommodation: Camping (13 Nights)

Transport: Overland Truck, On Foot

Max Group Size: 20 pax

Excluded

All optional excursions, visas and meals unless otherwise stated in the itinerary.

Optional Activities

Kenya
Masai Mara - Masai Dancing & Cultural Talk - $10
Masai Mara - Masai Village - $10
Masai Mara - Hot Air Ballooning - $425
Lake Naivasha - Crescent Island Boat - $35
Lake Naivasha - Horse Riding - $5
Hells Gate National Park - Entrance Fee - $35
Nairobi - David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Visit - $65
Nairobi - Langatta Giraffe Centre Entry - $15
Uganda
Uganda - Gorilla Trek - $520
Uganda - Transfer to Gorillas - $50
Uganda - Whitewater Rafting (Nile) - $130
Uganda - Quad Biking - $60
Uganda - Soft Power Community Donation - $20
Uganda - Source of Nile Visit - $5
Uganda - Bungee Jump - $55 Uganda - Horse Riding - $50

Departures

Starts: Daily

Finishes: Daily

Departure Dates
Sun 15 Jan 12    -    Sat 28 Jan 12
Sun 05 Feb 12    -    Sat 18 Feb 12
Sun 26 Feb 12    -    Sat 10 Mar 12
Sun 25 Mar 12    -    Sat 07 Apr 12
Sun 08 Apr 12    -    Sat 21 Apr 12
Sun 22 Apr 12    -    Sat 05 May 12
Sun 13 May 12    -    Sat 26 May 12
Sun 03 Jun 12    -    Sat 16 Jun 12
Sun 01 Jul 12    -    Sat 14 Jul 12
Sun 15 Jul 12    -    Sat 28 Jul 12
Sun 29 Jul 12    -    Sat 11 Aug 12
Sun 19 Aug 12    -    Sat 01 Sep 12
Sun 09 Sep 12    -    Sat 22 Sep 12
Sun 07 Oct 12    -    Sat 20 Oct 12
Sun 28 Oct 12    -    Sat 10 Nov 12
Sun 25 Nov 12    -    Sat 08 Dec 12
Sun 16 Dec 12    -    Sat 29 Dec 12

2013
Sun 06 Jan 13    -    Sat 19 Jan 13
Sun 13 Jan 13    -    Sat 26 Jan 13
Sun 03 Feb 13    -    Sat 16 Feb 13
Sun 03 Mar 13    -    Sat 16 Mar 13
Sun 24 Mar 13    -    Sat 06 Apr 13
Sun 14 Apr 13    -    Sat 27 Apr 13
Sun 21 Apr 13    -    Sat 04 May 13
Sun 12 May 13    -    Sat 25 May 13
Sun 09 Jun 13    -    Sat 22 Jun 13

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