This is one of our most popular trips, and rightly so as it includes some of the world’s most phenomenal wildlife viewing opportunities. There are 2 nights in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and the only park in Uganda that is home to the ‘Big 5’. It’s also here that you will see where the roaring, tumbling waters of the Nile squeeze through a 7m wide gorge before plunging over 40 metres into the river below – the Murchison Falls. We’ve also added a visit to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where, since 2005, black and white rhino are being bred and raised in a secure area before eventually being released to re-populate the country’s national parks. The sanctuary is also home to over 20 other species including monkeys, hippo and crocodile. The trip also includes safaris in Lake Nakuru and the QEII National Parks, the opportunity to go white water rafting and camping on the banks of both the White Nile and stunning Lake Bunyonyi. However, the real highlight of the trip has to be the incredible trek into the jungles of Rwanda to see the majestic Mountain Gorillas; this is a truly breath-taking experience and one that will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Whats Included?
Kenya
- Overnight in Kenya's capital, Nairobi
- Safari in Lake Nakuru National Park
- Overland through western Kenya and the Rift Valley
Rwanda
- 2 nights to explore Ruhengeri and the surrounding area
- Mountain gorilla tracking Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park
Uganda
- 2 nights in Jinja camping next to the swirling currents of the mighty White Nile
- Overnight stay at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- 2 nights at Budongo forest staying at an eco tourism site
- Trek on foot in search of Habituated chimpanzees
- 2 nights at Murchison falls National Park for excellent game viewing
- Launch cruise on the rive Nile from Murchison Falls
- Overnight stay on the outskirts of Ugandas bustling city of Kampala
- Walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park
- Camping on the shores of the stunning and remote Lake Bunyonyi
- Safari in QEII National Park including a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel
- NNP Animal orphanage & Safari walk, Nairobi
- Karen Blixen Museum, Nairobi
- Giraffe Centre, Nairobi
- Carnivore Restaurant, Nairobi
- Bomas of Kenya, Nairobi
- National Museum, Nairobi
- Kenyan colonial farm visit
- Tour of tea plantation and stay at the Tea Hotel in Kericho in Western Kenya
- Full Day rafting, Jinja
- Bungee Jumping, Jinja
- Rhino Tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Forest walks, Budongo Forest
- Bird Watching, Budongo Forest
- Dugout Canoe hire, Lake Bunyoni
- Golden monkeys, Ruhengeri (Cost does not include park fees & entrance to NP)
- Diane Fossey's Memorial, Ruhengeri (Cost does not include park fees & entrance to NP)
- Mountain hiking Visoke (full day), Ruhengeri (Cost does not include park fees & entrance to NP)
- Nature walk, Ruhengeri
DAY 1 - After an initial group meeting at the Kivi Milimani Hotel at 18:00 Hrs to help clear away any doubts regarding the whats, wheres and the hows, we will have some free time to head out to explore the National Museum of Kenya or the Karen Blixen Museum (author of Out of Africa), or Bomas which displays the traditional homesteads of several Kenyan tribes in an outdoor village. We'll meet back at the hotel and head off in the truck to our well equipped Campsite situated in the suburb of Karen. Tonight we have the option of going out for a group meal.
DAY 2 - After breakfast we make our way to Nakuru approximately 160 kms from Nairobi. The Lake Nakuru National Park is overflowing with wildlife and not to mention Lake Nakuru itself, the view of which from Babboon is stunning. Tonight we will stay at a beautiful camp site located on a dairy farm on the outskirts of Nakuru Town and depending on what time we arrive we may have the option of a farm visit.
DAY 3 - This morning we will head into Nakuru National Park for a game drive in Jeeps. We will most likely have lunch in the area before driving onto Kericho this afternoon (approx. 150 kms). Tonight we will stay at a well equipped campsite with the opportunity of an optional tea plantation tour.
DAY 4 & 5 - We'll leave Kenya behind, and after a full day driving and crossing the border into Uganda, we will travel towards its adventure capital - Jinja, covering a distance of approximately 360 kms. We will base ourselves for two nights at a well equipped campsite with stunning views of the White Nile. It is from here that we can organise optional activities such as white water rafting.
DAY 6 - We will head approximately 220Kms north of Kampala to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary close by to the town of Nakitoma. Over here, we will stay at the campsite within the Rhino Sanctuary.
DAY 7 - We will spend the morning at the sanctuary for optional Rhino trekking and learn more about the programme. After lunch we'll head to Kaniyo Pabidi in Budongo Forest for an afternoon of Chimpanzee trekking. Kaniyo Pabidi forest covers an area of about 8 kms within the heart of the Kichumbanyobo gate of Murchison Falls National Park and thus apart from Chimpanzees we will see a host of other wildlife too! Tonight we will stay in dorm rooms.
DAY 8 - There maybe more Chimpanzee trekking in the morning depending on whether the whole group trekked the day before. We will cross to the north of the Nile River for an afternoon game drive in Delta. Depending on the time, we will either wild camp in the delta or head to an established campsite at Paraa on the southern banks of the River Nile in the heart of the park.
DAY 9 - On the second day here, we will head off for more game driving, however, after lunch we will embark on a launch cruise on the Nile to Murchison Falls - the real reason for visiting this stunning part of Uganda. After the cruise we will meet back at the truck and head to the outskirts of the park to camp at the Murchison River Lodge.
DAY 10 - We set off early today as we have a rather long drive day ahead of us aiming to get to Kampala, a bustling city on the outskirts of central Uganda, by the late afternoon (approximately 285 Kms). Tonight we will stay in a well equipped campsite.
DAY 11 - In the morning we will drive to Lake Mburo National Park (approximately 250 kms). After having some lunch we will set off on a two hour guided walking safari through the Lake Mburo National Park allowing us to see some of the animals and spectacular bird life. Tonight we will camp on the shores of the lake at a stunning location surrounded by wildlife. While tonight's campground is beautifully located, it is very basic, with drop toilets and basic showers.
DAY 12 - The initial part of the day will be spent on traveling on towards Lake Bunyonyi (approximately 275 kms). Lake Bunyonyi, meaning 'place of many little birds', is in the south west of Uganda and home to some of the most picturesque scenery in the whole of Uganda. Depending on when we arrive at the lake, if time allows then 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. Tonight's campground has flush toilets with basic showers.
DAY 13 & 14 - Leaving Uganda behind, we will cross the border entering Rwanda and then travel toward the Ruhengeri, approx. 220Kms, the gateway to the Volcanoes National Park. We will travel via the capital city of Kigali where we will organise a visit to the very moving genocide memorial. Ruhengeri will be our base for the next two nights. Whilst in Ruhengeri we will stay in dormitories at a local church mission, if we overnight in Kigali on the third night, we will be camping in the grounds of a hostel. When visiting the Gorillas you will be assigned a trekking group/time on your permit. The group may be split up into different trekking groups during the day. 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 minimize 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!
DAY 15 - Leaving Rwanda behind, we will cross the border entering Uganda once again (approx. 100 kms).
DAY 16 - In the morning we will head over to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, beautifully set between the Great Rift Valley lakes of Edward and George, undertaking a game drive on our way to the camp (200 kms, approx. 5.5 hours). We will take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, well-known for pelicans, eagles and other wonderful bird life as well as its healthy population of hippos. During our time in the park we also hope to see elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, Ugandan Kobs and Waterbucks. The night will be spent in a camp. The campground is basic and has drop toilets with basic showers.
DAY 17 - We will have Breakfast and then head off on a morning game drive.
In the afternoon we will drive to Mbarara (approx. 160 kms) where we will stay in a hotel for the night.
DAY 18 - In the morning there might be an optional game drive before we set off for our drive to Jinja. We will camp at scenic riverside retreat with showers and flush toilets.
DAY 19 - Leaving Uganda behind, we will head back over the border into Kenya, approx. 300 kms to the cheese town of Eldoret. We will spend the night at the Naiberi River Campsite. Naiberi is considered to be nature’s own creation, designed to take it’s guests as far back as the stone age with a little touch of modern day luxury. It is created on a hilly forest tribal land, which was once home to members of the ancient Sirikwa tribe. Preserved on the site are excavations with stone sides, commonly called Sirikwa holes, which are believed to have been roofed and occupied by the inhabitants of a bygone age. The campsite is Indian owned and so in the night we will feast on an included Indian Dinner.
DAY 20 - This morning we have a little free time before making our way back to Nairobi to our well equipped Campsite situated in the suburb of Karen.
DAY 21 - This would be the final day of this section, however if you are continuing your journey there will be a group meeting this morning at 10am for the next section of your journey of which your leader will give you instructions about.
