Gorillas, Chimps & Game Parks

Visiting: Kenya, Uganda

Gorillas, Chimps & Game Parks

Meet Rwanda's gorillas on a mountain trek, Cruise into hippo heaven in the Kazinga Channel, Marvel at swirling rapids near Bujagali Falls - the source of the Nile, Discover the wilderness of Lake Mburo National Park, Be a part of the lively atmosphere in Nairobi city, Spot the Big Five in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Track playful chimps in Kibale Forest

A close encounter with gentle giants on a gorilla safari in Rwanda is an extraordinary African experience that will always stay with you - and it's just one of the many wildlife spottings this unforgettable African overland adventure has to offer. Roam the verdant plains, rainforests, papyrus-fringed lakes and acacia woodlands of Kenya and Uganda's game parks to spot lions, rhinos, chimps, antelope, hippos, leopards, flamingos and more in their natural habitats. The staggeringly beautiful African countryside will provide memories that last a lifetime.

Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 1.

You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until this important meeting; please ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If your flight arrives too late, we recommend that you consider arriving a day early and book a night's accommodation prior to the trip so you are able to attend. If you are going to be late please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your kitty, insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting so please ensure you have all details on hand to provide to your leader.

Nairobi - which takes its name from a Maasai phrase meaning 'place of cool waters' - has a cosmopolitan atmosphere. There are plenty of good bars and restaurants, while markets and shops have most things you could want or need, as well as various arts and crafts from the region.

If you arrive early, you can head out and explore the National Museum of Kenya, the Karen Blixen Museum (author of Out of Africa) or Bomas of Kenya where traditional homesteads of several Kenyan tribes are displayed in an outdoor village.

Stay in a simple hotel with swimming pool, restaurant and en suite bathrooms.

Optional Activities

Bomas, Nairobi - USD10.00

Carnivore Restaurant, Nairobi - KES2000.00

Karen Blixen museum, Nairobi - USD14.00

Nairobi National Park safari walk, Nairobi - USD20.00

National Museum, Nairobi - USD10.00

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt)

!item

Our journey to Lake Nakuru National Park takes usnorth-west past great views of the Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha and Elementaita (170 km, approx 3-4 hrs).

Along the way we stop in the town of Gilgil where we'll learn more about one of our foundation projects, the Saidia Children's Home Project. This project isn't just about the children - they also have a 'Grannie' project which helps elders too. More info is on their website: www.saidia-gilgil.org.uk/.

Lake Nakuru National Park's small and compact area, based around a flamingo-filled lake, makes it a great location for spotting wildlife. Along with the other members of the Big Five, Lake Nakuru harbours many rhinos and will be the best chance to get a great picture of these magnificent beasts.

Arrive in time for a short evening game drive along the shore of the lake.

Tonight's campground is beautifully located - but it's very basic, having drop toilets and basic showers.

Included Activities

Lake Nakuru - Game drive

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)

!item

The morning starts early with just tea or coffee before going back into the park for a morning game drive. We then return to camp for brunch before driving to Eldoret (200 km, approx 5-6 hrs).

One of Kenya's fastest growing towns, Eldoret is home to some of Kenya's most famous runners due to its high altitude. We camp on the outskirts of Eldoret.

Cross the border into Uganda and travel on to its capital city, Kampala (390 km, approx 8-9 hrs).

Kampala is the capital of landlocked Uganda. With a population of over 30 million, it's one of the five countries that make up the East African Community. It's a country of great cultural diversity and in recent years has been one of the most progressive in the region in terms of health education relating to HIV.

Once the heart of the Buganda Kingdom, Kampala is a bustling city spread over several hills and valleys.

Camp on the outskirts of the city.

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (2 nts)

!item

The morning starts early with just tea or coffee before going back into the park for a morning game drive. We then return to camp for brunch before driving to Eldoret (200 km, approx 5-6 hrs).

One of Kenya's fastest growing towns, Eldoret is home to some of Kenya's most famous runners due to its high altitude. We camp on the outskirts of Eldoret.

Cross the border into Uganda and travel on to its capital city, Kampala (390 km, approx 8-9 hrs).

Kampala is the capital of landlocked Uganda. With a population of over 30 million, it's one of the five countries that make up the East African Community. It's a country of great cultural diversity and in recent years has been one of the most progressive in the region in terms of health education relating to HIV.

Once the heart of the Buganda Kingdom, Kampala is a bustling city spread over several hills and valleys.

Camp on the outskirts of the city.

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (2 nts)

!item

We start our day with a drive to Kampala City. If time allows, it's a great place to wander around on foot, exploring many of its markets and shops. 

Travel on to Kibale Forest National Park (350 km, approx 6-7 hrs).

The most accessible of Uganda's major rainforests, Kibale Forest National Park is home to the highest concentration of primates in the world, with twelve different species recorded. The main attractions are the park's 500 chimpanzees, which have been habituated to human visitors. More closely related to humans than any other living creature, the chimpanzees are a delight to watch as they squabble and play in fruiting trees.

We'll take a 2-4 hour walking safari that gives us the amazing opportunity to watch the way the chimps feed, climb trees, respond to humans and care for their young ones. It's a phenomenal experience and a real highlight. This is a guided walk through thick hilly jungle. You'll need to take water bottles, raincoats, good walking boots and perhaps a walking stick.

There's plenty for you to see and do in this beautiful area, including walks to villages, tea plantations, rivers, lakes or just relaxing around the campsite.

Camp in a basic campground that has showers and flush toilets.

Included Activities

Chimpanzee Trekking Kibale National Park

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (2 nts)

!item

We start our day with a drive to Kampala City. If time allows, it's a great place to wander around on foot, exploring many of its markets and shops. 

Travel on to Kibale Forest National Park (350 km, approx 6-7 hrs).

The most accessible of Uganda's major rainforests, Kibale Forest National Park is home to the highest concentration of primates in the world, with twelve different species recorded. The main attractions are the park's 500 chimpanzees, which have been habituated to human visitors. More closely related to humans than any other living creature, the chimpanzees are a delight to watch as they squabble and play in fruiting trees.

We'll take a 2-4 hour walking safari that gives us the amazing opportunity to watch the way the chimps feed, climb trees, respond to humans and care for their young ones. It's a phenomenal experience and a real highlight. This is a guided walk through thick hilly jungle. You'll need to take water bottles, raincoats, good walking boots and perhaps a walking stick.

There's plenty for you to see and do in this beautiful area, including walks to villages, tea plantations, rivers, lakes or just relaxing around the campsite.

Camp in a basic campground that has showers and flush toilets.

Included Activities

Chimpanzee Trekking Kibale National Park

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (2 nts)

!item

Our journey to the Queen Elizabeth National Park is around 200 km and takes approx 5.5 hrs. We take a game drive on our way to the camp

During our time in the park we hope to see elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, Ugandan kobs and waterbucks.

Take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, well-known for pelicans, eagles and other wonderful birdlife, as well as its healthy population of hippos.

Stay at a basic camp on the grounds of a lodge which has drop toilets and basic showers.

Included Activities

Kazinga Channel boat cruise

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)

!item

Our journey is around 250km and takes approx 6-7 hours.

If time allows, one of the best ways to admire the landscape is from on the lake itself by hiring a traditional dugout canoe (mokoro). They can be hard to master at first but great fun.

Our campground has flush toilets with basic showers.

Optional Activities

Mokoro hire (per day), Lake Bunyonyi - USD12.00

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)

!item

Cross the border into Rwanda and travel toward Ruhengeri, via Kigali (200 km, approx 6-7 hrs).

Rwanda's capital, Kigali, is a great place to explore on foot - from its market areas to the infamous Hotel Rwanda.

Visit Kigali's very moving genocide memorial. We may visit the memorial on the way to Ruhengeri or on our return.

Ruhengeri is the gateway to Volcanoes National Park.

We allow two days for gorilla visits as you are assigned a trekking group/time on your permit. The group may be split up into different trekking groups during the day, or even over two days, depending on the time of permit issue and group size. There is a maximum group size of eight on each gorilla visit.

This region is one of the last remaining sanctuaries for the mountain gorilla. No more than eight per day can visit any one habituated family and visits are strictly controlled to minimise the possibility of disturbance or transmission of disease to the animals.

Tracking gorillas in the dense forest can sometimes be wet, muddy and uncomfortable. The terrain is by no means easy either, so it can be pretty strenuous and often humid, but the sheer thrill in coming across a habituated group of gorillas, dominated by a great male silverback, more than outweighs any difficulty. You need to be prepared and fit enough to walk up to 4 hours - up and down hill. We can usually get very close to the mountain gorillas, who are placid and gentle, and watching their movements is like seeing a mirror image of yourself. Your visit with the gorillas will last one unforgettable hour.

When you are waiting for, or have completed, your gorilla visit, your leader will provide you with options and ideas on how you can spend your time in the area around Ruhengeri.

Stay in dormitories at a local church mission.

Included Activities

Kigali - Genocide Memorial

Mountain gorilla trek & permit

Optional Activities

Diane Fossey Memorial, Volcanoes National Park - USD75.00

Golden monkeys, Volcanoes National Park - USD100.00

Mt Bisoke hiking (full day), Ruhengeri - USD75.00

Nature walk Rwanda, Ruhengeri - USD55.00

Accommodation

Dormitory (3 nts)

!item

Cross the border into Rwanda and travel toward Ruhengeri, via Kigali (200 km, approx 6-7 hrs).

Rwanda's capital, Kigali, is a great place to explore on foot - from its market areas to the infamous Hotel Rwanda.

Visit Kigali's very moving genocide memorial. We may visit the memorial on the way to Ruhengeri or on our return.

Ruhengeri is the gateway to Volcanoes National Park.

We allow two days for gorilla visits as you are assigned a trekking group/time on your permit. The group may be split up into different trekking groups during the day, or even over two days, depending on the time of permit issue and group size. There is a maximum group size of eight on each gorilla visit.

This region is one of the last remaining sanctuaries for the mountain gorilla. No more than eight per day can visit any one habituated family and visits are strictly controlled to minimise the possibility of disturbance or transmission of disease to the animals.

Tracking gorillas in the dense forest can sometimes be wet, muddy and uncomfortable. The terrain is by no means easy either, so it can be pretty strenuous and often humid, but the sheer thrill in coming across a habituated group of gorillas, dominated by a great male silverback, more than outweighs any difficulty. You need to be prepared and fit enough to walk up to 4 hours - up and down hill. We can usually get very close to the mountain gorillas, who are placid and gentle, and watching their movements is like seeing a mirror image of yourself. Your visit with the gorillas will last one unforgettable hour.

When you are waiting for, or have completed, your gorilla visit, your leader will provide you with options and ideas on how you can spend your time in the area around Ruhengeri.

Stay in dormitories at a local church mission.

Included Activities

Kigali - Genocide Memorial

Mountain gorilla trek & permit

Optional Activities

Diane Fossey Memorial, Volcanoes National Park - USD75.00

Golden monkeys, Volcanoes National Park - USD100.00

Mt Bisoke hiking (full day), Ruhengeri - USD75.00

Nature walk Rwanda, Ruhengeri - USD55.00

Accommodation

Dormitory (3 nts)

!item

Cross the border into Rwanda and travel toward Ruhengeri, via Kigali (200 km, approx 6-7 hrs).

Rwanda's capital, Kigali, is a great place to explore on foot - from its market areas to the infamous Hotel Rwanda.

Visit Kigali's very moving genocide memorial. We may visit the memorial on the way to Ruhengeri or on our return.

Ruhengeri is the gateway to Volcanoes National Park.

We allow two days for gorilla visits as you are assigned a trekking group/time on your permit. The group may be split up into different trekking groups during the day, or even over two days, depending on the time of permit issue and group size. There is a maximum group size of eight on each gorilla visit.

This region is one of the last remaining sanctuaries for the mountain gorilla. No more than eight per day can visit any one habituated family and visits are strictly controlled to minimise the possibility of disturbance or transmission of disease to the animals.

Tracking gorillas in the dense forest can sometimes be wet, muddy and uncomfortable. The terrain is by no means easy either, so it can be pretty strenuous and often humid, but the sheer thrill in coming across a habituated group of gorillas, dominated by a great male silverback, more than outweighs any difficulty. You need to be prepared and fit enough to walk up to 4 hours - up and down hill. We can usually get very close to the mountain gorillas, who are placid and gentle, and watching their movements is like seeing a mirror image of yourself. Your visit with the gorillas will last one unforgettable hour.

When you are waiting for, or have completed, your gorilla visit, your leader will provide you with options and ideas on how you can spend your time in the area around Ruhengeri.

Stay in dormitories at a local church mission.

Included Activities

Kigali - Genocide Memorial

Mountain gorilla trek & permit

Optional Activities

Diane Fossey Memorial, Volcanoes National Park - USD75.00

Golden monkeys, Volcanoes National Park - USD100.00

Mt Bisoke hiking (full day), Ruhengeri - USD75.00

Nature walk Rwanda, Ruhengeri - USD55.00

Accommodation

Dormitory (3 nts)

!item

Our journey starts with a drive to the border with Uganda where we'll complete the border formalities. It's possible for most nationalities to purchase a re-entry visa at this land crossing but please check before travelling. Then head to Lake Mburo (420 km, approx 9-10 hrs).

The flora of Lake Mburo National Park is acacia woodland, different to most other parks in East Africa, which means its fauna is also different to other reserves. It's the best place in the country to see the gigantic eland antelope and has about 68 different species of mammals including zebras, impalas, buffalo, leopards, hyenas and jackals. There are five lakes within the park which are home to hippos, crocodiles and a variety of waterbirds, while the papyrus swamps provide cover for the sitatunga antelope and red, black and yellow papyrus gonalek. This small park is less well-known among tourists so it's much quieter than some of the more famous East African parks.

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)

!item

Our day starts with a two-hour guided walking safari through the Lake Mburo National Park allowing us to see some of the animals and spectacular birdlife. We then travel from Lake Mburo to Jinja via Kampala, stopping en route at the equator (340 km, approx 7-8 hrs).

Camp at a scenic riverside retreat with showers and flush toilets.

Included Activities

Lake Mburo Entrance & walking safari

Optional Activities

Bungee Jump, Kampala - USD95.00

Jet Boat, Kampala - USD75.00

River Nile rafting (full day), Jinja - USD125.00

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (2 nts)

!item

Our day starts with a two-hour guided walking safari through the Lake Mburo National Park allowing us to see some of the animals and spectacular birdlife. We then travel from Lake Mburo to Jinja via Kampala, stopping en route at the equator (340 km, approx 7-8 hrs).

Camp at a scenic riverside retreat with showers and flush toilets.

Included Activities

Lake Mburo Entrance & walking safari

Optional Activities

Bungee Jump, Kampala - USD95.00

Jet Boat, Kampala - USD75.00

River Nile rafting (full day), Jinja - USD125.00

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (2 nts)

!item

The journey to Eldoret is about 300 km, approx 7-8 hrs. We continue on to Nairobi early the next morning (370 km, approx 7-8 hrs).

On arrival in Nairobi we'll be dropped at our finishing point hotel. No accommodation is provided for tonight, but we are able to book you additional accommodation in Nairobi. Please ask at time of booking.

Important: Please don't book any international flights until after 9pm this evening.

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)

!item

The journey to Eldoret is about 300 km, approx 7-8 hrs. We continue on to Nairobi early the next morning (370 km, approx 7-8 hrs).

On arrival in Nairobi we'll be dropped at our finishing point hotel. No accommodation is provided for tonight, but we are able to book you additional accommodation in Nairobi. Please ask at time of booking.

Important: Please don't book any international flights until after 9pm this evening.

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)

!item

@variation

Key: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner