ITINERARY
We meet at the hotel at 9am on the first day of the trip. We recommend you arrive in Nairobi at least the day before, however if you're there with a few days to spare there's lots to see and do around the city. Close to the hotel is the National Museum, there are markets in and around Nairobi or you can venture further afield to Karen Blixen's house, Langata Giraffe Centre or even Nairobi National Park for a first glimpse of African wildlife.
Stage highlights: Spend some time in and around Nairobi.
Stage duration: This is up to you.
Day 1 & 2: - Kenya
Leaving Nairobi we descend into the Great Rift Valley and stop for a couple of nights at Lake Naivasha, well known for its hippo population that come ashore every night to graze. Close by is Hell's Gate National Park where you can hire bikes to take you around the park and see the herds of zebra, buffalo and antelope. There is some spectacular scenery here, red cliffs, grassy plains and rock towers made of hardened lava, the remains of ancient volcanoes. Also on the lake is Elsamere, once the home of Joy Adamson and Elsa the lion of 'Born Free' fame. Elsamere is now the centre of the Born Free Foundation and you can find out more about their work, see the rare colobus monkeys and take afternoon tea in the gardens.
Stage highlights: Lake Naivasha, Hell's Gate National Park, Elsamere Museum
Stage duration: 2 Days
Dat 3 & 4: - Lake Victoria
We travel west out of the rift valley towards Uganda . Before leaving Kenya we stop at the town of Kisumu on Lake Victoria . In its heyday it was a bustling port, nowadays Kisumu is much quieter and a pleasant, laid back town to visit.
Stage highlights: Lake Victoria
Stage duration: 2 Days
Day 5 - 7: - Uganda
Travelling past Lake Victoria , we enter Uganda . Jinja is at the source of the River Nile and we can watch it begin its 4000 mile journey north from Lake Victoria through the Owen Falls Dam. Further upriver at Bujagali Falls you can go whitewater rafting on the White Nile 's tumultuous rapids or, if you're after a more relaxing time, just sit back and watch the local fishermen glide by in their dug-out
Stage highlights: Jinja, Bujagali Falls and white water rafting.
Stage duration: 3 Days
Day 8 - 10:- Uganda
Passing through Uganda 's capital, Kampala , we head to the west of the country. This hilly region is characterised by terraced fields on steep slopes and we drive slowly up and downhill along the winding gravel roads. As the landscape changes from agriculture to forest, we reach the habitat of the mountain gorilla on the edge of the Ruwenzori Mountains
Stage highlights: Drive through Uganda's country side.
Stage duration: 3 Days
Day 11 - 13:- Gorillas
In groups of 6 to 8 people with two guides we trek deep into the forest to find one of the gorilla families. The trek is an experience in itself, following your guides as they cut a path through the thick vegetation. The guides track the gorillas almost every day but even so, sometimes it can take several hours to find them. You will be rewarded though by the sight of these human-like giants playing with their young, feeding, grooming and staring curiously back at you. We spend an hour observing these amazing animals - remember to bring plenty of camera film.
Stage highlights: Trek to the gorillas.
Stage duration: 3 Days
Day 14 & 15:- Kampala
Kampala is a lively city with plenty of places to eat out or have a beer and the open-air nightclubs are an experience not to be missed.
Stage highlights: Kampala
Stage duration: 2 Days
Day 16 & 17: - Kenya
Back in Kenya we stop at Kembu Camp; a working farm in the old settlers area of Kenya From the camp we visit Lake Nakuru National Park which has the largest herd of black rhino in East Africa , over a million pink flamingos and more than 400 other bird species. 'Nakuru' means 'place of the waterbuck' in Swahili and these antelope abound in the park as well as impala, buffalo and warthog.
Stage highlights: Lake Nakuru
Stage duration: 2 Days
Day 18 - 20: - Masai Mara
We spend two days visiting the Masai Mara Game Park , camping on the edge of the park with frequent forays into the park to spot the wealth of wildlife in this Eden on the plains. The sweeping plains evoke a picture of East Africa that most people hold in their minds and they are rarely disappointed when confronted with the real thing. We are likely to see amongst others, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, impala, buffalo, elephant and of course the big cats - lion, cheetah and if we're lucky, leopard
Stage highlights: Masai Mara.
Stage duration: 3 Days
Day 21: - Nairobi
En route back to Nairobi we stop at lookouts with some amazing views over the Great Rift Valley . We finish in Nairobi.
Stage highlights: Goodbye's to new found friends.
Stage duration: 1 Day
Cost includes:- The tour cost includes transport in fully equipped expedition truck, road taxes and tolls, ferries, services of the driver-leader, use of camping and cooking equipment, and entrance to gameparks as specified.
Cost Excludes:- The price does not include flights, visas, personal insurance, side trips, lunches and meals out. There are a number of optional side trips that you can choose from and pay for on the way.
Departure dates:- 11/04/2005, 09/05/2005, 06/06/2005, 04/07/2005, 01/08/2005, 29/08/2005, 26/09/2005, 24/10/2005, 21/11/2005, 19/12/2005
Baggage Limits:- One backpack and one daypack
Age Limits:- Minimum Age:- 16 Maximum Age:- 45
Passenger Limit:- 24
What to bring along:- Please see the pre-departure information dossier.
Price:- The cost of the 21 Days Gameparks and Gorillas is GBP 350.00
Local Payment:- USD 300.00
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