14 Day Gorilla & Game Parks Safari
Nairobi to Nairobi
(Trip Code: NN14 - 2009) Departs roughly every 2nd Sunday
Rate till 30 Sep
2010 Tour Price: R6 800 &
Local payment: US$370
14 Day Gorilla & Game Parks Safari
Nairobi to Nairobi
(Trip Code: NN14 - 2009) Departs roughly every 2nd Sunday
Rate till 30 Sep
2010 Tour Price: R6 800 &
Local payment: US$370
This trip starts in Nairobi and travels through Kenya, Uganda finishing back in Nairobi, Kenya.In order to view the Gorillas we may do so in one of the countries bordering Uganda, I .e.. Rwanda or The Democratic Republic of Congo.
Please note that this trip departs Nairobi on a Sunday, early morning. Should you wish to spend extra time there an earlier arrival should be planned and additional accommodation booked.
Pre Departure Meeting: Held at departure point at 5:00pm the day before your departure.
Departure Point: Nairobi, Boulevard Hotel, Harry Thuku Road.
DAY 01: Nairobi to Masai Mara game Reserve
Check In Time: 8:45am
Departure Time: 9:30amHIGHLIGHTS
Masai Mara game Reserve
Kenya - Nakuru
Uganda - Kampala
Kisoro - Gorilla viewing
Lake Bunyoni
Ngamba Chimp Sanctuary
Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake NaivashaITINERARY
We will depart from the Boulevard Hotel and leave the hustle and bustle of Nairobi and climb the escarpment to our first viewpoint stop over looking the Great African Rift Valley. Descending into the Rift valley we enter Masai land, and these habitual pastoralists are seen quite regularly on the side of the road as they tend their cattle. We will arrive at our campsite – Acacia Camp - early evening in time to enjoy sunset on the Masai Mara. (L, D)
DAY 02: Masai Mara
Game drives through the Mara find us looking for the infamous big 5 as well as giving us the opportunity to see this ‘ garden of Eden’ in a state nature intended it to be, huge plains, rolling hills and an abundance of game matched no where else on earth. Elephant, lion, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, waterbuck just to name a few of the animal that inhabit this wonderland. Sitting around a campfire and watching the sunset is the perfect way to finish a day’s game viewing in the Mara. (B, L, D)
DAY 03: Masai Mara to Nakuru
Departing the Masai Mara early we will pass through the third largest town in Kenya, Nakuru, where we will stop for the night to re supply and shop. (B, L, D)
DAY 04: Nakuru to Kampala
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.
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. (B, L, D)
DAYS 05 & 06: Kampala to Kisoro
After an early morning departure from Kampala we drive further west on into the depths of Uganda and arrive at our base in Kisoro. (B, L, D)
From our Kisoro base, depending on where the gorilla permits are available, and where the gorillas are located, we will be viewing them in either the Magahinga or Bwindi National Parks in Uganda, the Virunga National Park in the DRC or at Ruhengeri in Rwanda. Due to the nature of the gorillas and their habits, viewing cannot be guaranteed. The gorillas themselves can tend to move around the locality quite a distance and the trek can be quite arduous. The cost to trek the gorillas differs from park to park and can range from US$275 to US$375, per 1 hour viewing. There is usually a park entry fee as well of approx. US$15. There is also a cost for the local transport to take you to & from the starting point to trek the gorillas. This cost is normally US$10 to US$15 per person. Please note that Africa Travel Co is not in control of the price of gorilla permits and thereforee cannot be held responsible for any increases in fees levied by the relevant authorities. National parks usually allow clients who fail to see the gorillas, a second chance to re-trek the next day if time and availability allows or they may refund your trekking fee. This is purely at their discretion. Although this is the general situation, the respective National Parks authorities will not put this in writing to any tour operator. Again the respective park authorities say that you are paying to trek the gorillas, not view them. Africa Travel Co is considered to be the main tour operator within the overland industry and we have a very high success rate of getting in and actually seeing these magnificent animals.
Please note: This is an optional excursion and visas to the DRC and Rwanda can be obtained at the border.
The mountain gorilla (Gorilla Gorilla Berengei) of whom only about 600 still exist, is one of our closest living relatives, yet ironically, it is mankind that poses the greatest threat to its survival. To visit these noble creatures in there own environment is an experience you will never forget. Accompanied by a park guide and a bush cutter, we track these gorillas through the rain forest. The gorilla families have been habituated to tourists and their whereabouts are monitored daily by the guides and park officials.
It may be necessary to trek for quite a while through the dense forest vegetation (up to 5 hrs) in order to reach the family designated for your visit.
As gorillas are sensitive to human diseases, the park authorities will not allow anyone they consider to be in poor health to visit the gorilla groups and children under 15 years of age are not allowed to visit.
You need not feel that you are exploiting these animals - for years they have been ruthlessly hunted for their hands and heads, which have been sold as souvenir ashtrays and lampshades. In addition, large numbers have been killed whilst trying to stop poachers stealing babies for sale to zoos, where they have never lived long. As a result, the ever-growing number of tourists to see them is an important factor in their survival. The gorilla fees help to set up and finance patrols that are instrumental in protecting the gorillas from poachers and their lethal snares.
DAY 07: Kisoro to Lake Bunyoni
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. (B, L, D)
DAY 08: Lake Bunyoni
Today we have the whole day at leisure to enjoy the beauty of Lake Bunyoni. There is the option to swim, visit the local villages or just sit back, relax and enjoy the tranquil surrounds. A well deserved rest day! (B, L, D)
DAY 09: Lake Bunyoni to Kampala
After enjoying the peaceful surrounds of Lake Bunyoni we drive to Kampala for another overnight 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. (B, L, D)
DAY 10: Kampala to Jinja
Today we have the option to either white water raft the Nile or visit Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary. For the adventurous, you will be collected from Kampala and transferred to Jinja where you will experience some of the best white water rafting in Africa. For the less adventurous, you will have the morning at leisure or the option to take a full day excursion to visit Ngamba Chimp Sanctuary before our departure to Jinja.
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! (B, L, D)
DAY 11: Jinja to Nakuru
Today will be a full day driving back towards Kenya, we will cross the border before lunch and stop for supplies en route. Tonight we will overnight again in Nakuru. (B,L,D)
DAY 12: Lake Nakuru National Park
Today we move onto Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for the thousands of flamingo that inhabits the Lake's edge. The numbers vary depending on the level of the lake, and are more numerous when the water level is low. The Park has also been established as a sanctuary for black and white rhino, which are frequently seen in the Park, along with buffalo, giraffe, waterbuck, various antelope, leopard and the occasional hippo. After entering the park in the morning we will spend the rest of the day game driving. (B,L,D)
DAY 13: Lake Nakuru National Park to Lake Naivasha
Moving further east, we drive to Lake Naivasha where we make camp in peaceful surroundings beside the lake. The highest of the Rift Valley lakes, Naivasha lies at about 1880m again the lake is home to a multitude of bird life, pride of place must go to the African Fish Eagle. The afternoon is spent at leisure here and you have the opportunity (time permitting) to enjoy some optional excursions, such as a boat ride to the Crescent Island Game Sanctuary, Hell's Gate National Park or Elsamere, the retirement home of Joy Adamson ("Born Free"). (B,L,D)
DAY 14: Lake Naivasha to Nairobi
After breakfast, we leave Naivasha and return to Nairobi, arriving in the early afternoon. The truck will stop at the Boulevard Hotel for those staying there, and then continue to our campsite to finish the trip. (B)
Local Payment: US$370
Optional Excursion:
White Water Rafting, River Nile US$95
Gorilla trek US$275 – US$375
(Prices subject to change)Please note: This itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road conditions, weather, political situations, and group decisions. Due to new tourism laws in some of the countries we operate in there may be a truck and crew change during the trip. All prices & Local Payments are subject to change with prior notice.
Free Trip
Please note that when you book this trip you are entitled to receive a free 3 day Masai Mara Safari. The Local Payment is still applicable for the trip. This offer must be taken up when booking your main trip. Please ask your travel agent or the tour operator for details. Conditions apply.
2009/10 DEPARTURES
Gorillas & Game Parks NN14 Price R 6 800 Local Payment U$ 290 START FINISH NBO NBO SUN SAT 31 Aug 08 13 Sep 08 14 Sep 08 27 Sep 08 28 Sep 08 11 Oct 08 12 Oct 08 25 Oct 08 26 Oct 08 08 Nov 08 09 Nov 08 22 Nov 08 23 Nov 08 06 Dec 08 07 Dec 08 20 Dec 08 21 Dec 08 03 Jan 09 04 Jan 09 17 Jan 09 18 Jan 09 31 Jan 09 01 Feb 09 14 Feb 09 15 Feb 09 28 Feb 09 01 Mar 09 14 Mar 09 15 Mar 09 28 Mar 09 29 Mar 09 11 Apr 09 12 Apr 09 25 Apr 09 26 Apr 09 09 May 09 10 May 09 23 May 09 24 May 09 06 Jun 09 07 Jun 09 20 Jun 09 21 Jun 09 04 Jul 09 05 Jul 09 18 Jul 09 19 Jul 09 01 Aug 09 02 Aug 09 15 Aug 09 16 Aug 09 29 Aug 09 30 Aug 09 12 Sep 09 13 Sep 09 26 Sep 09 27 Sep 09 10 Oct 09 11 Oct 09 24 Oct 09 25 Oct 09 07 Nov 09 08 Nov 09 21 Nov 09 22 Nov 09 05 Dec 09 06 Dec 09 19 Dec 09 20 Dec 09 02 Jan 10 03 Jan 10 16 Jan 10 17 Jan 10 30 Jan 10 31 Jan 10 13 Feb 10 14 Feb 10 27 Feb 10 28 Feb 10 13 Mar 10 14 Mar 10 27 Mar 10 28 Mar 10 10 Apr 10 11 Apr 10 24 Apr 10 25 Apr 10 08 May 10 09 May 10 22 May 10 23 May 10 05 Jun 10 06 Jun 10 19 Jun 10 20 Jun 10 03 Jul 10 04 Jul 10 17 Jul 10 20 Jun 10 03 Jul 10 18 Jul 10 31 Jul 10 01 Aug 10 14 Aug 10 15 Aug 10 28 Aug 10 29 Aug 10 11 Sep 10 \
