Nairobi to Uganda  Gorilla/Game Adventure Trek

Our trip departs Nairobi and takes us into the heart of the Rift Valley to Lake Naivasha. We camp near the lake shore where Hippos Sometimes feed at night! Here you can walk to Elsamere, the house of Joy Adamson - of Elsa the Lion and Born Free fame, and enjoy a film of her life.

For a less active but enjoyable game viewing experience - visit the Crater Lake Game Sanctuary. Both offer excellent scenery and opportunities to spot hyrax, abundant bird and plant life along with several types of gazelle, impala and eland.

Next we travel to Lake Nakuru National Park - home to a wide variety of wildlife including Black Rhino, Hippo, Lion, Leopard, Hyena and Giraffe. Nakuru is a soda lake and most famous for its pink inhabitants, a flock of almost a million Pink Flamingos which feed noisily along the shoreline.

Airport Transfers aren't included in the cost but we can pre-book and arrange these so that you get a friendly welcome and a smooth transfer straight to the camp when you arrive.

Main Destination: Nakuru (City, Kenya)
Accommodation: Budget camping
In or near Nakuru

Meals & Drinks: All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Nakuru to Lake Bogoria
We then continue to Lake Bogoria 1hr 25min drive

We then continue west and travel to Uganda. A mountainous drive with spectacular scenery through the Nandi Hills brings us to our next stop at Eldoret. From here we cross the Kenya - Uganda border, and continue to camp near Jinja - Uganda's adventure playground. Here, on the edge of Lake Victoria, the Nile begins its 6700km journey to the sea. We spend the next few days downstream from the source of the Nile. This is a spectacular area and a superb place to go whitewater rafting or kayaking. You can also organise quad biking, horse riding or a visit to a local education project. A short drive takes us to the capital Kampala.

Kampala has had a turbulent past, but these days it is a friendly and safe city. We have a free day to spend in local cafes and night spots - where you can get to know the local people.

Main Destination: Lake Victoria (Uganda)
Accommodation: Budget camping
In or near Lake Victoria

Meals & Drinks: All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

The following day we pass through a number of small towns and villages including Mpigi and Kyazanga.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are home to several families of Highland Mountain Gorillas. One permit allows you to spend about 50 to 60 minutes with one of the gorilla families. The organisations and well-trained guides that continually monitor and protect the families are conscientious and responsible. We will base ourselves in the village of Kabale which will give you the opportunity to trek the Mountain Gorillas and visit the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi, where you will have the opportunity to visit a pygmy village.

(Due to the popularity of Trekking to the Mountain Gorillas and the limited availability of obtaining Trekking Permits, we may do the Gorilla trek in Rwanda in Volcanoes National Park, which may come at an additional cost - you will be advised in advance).

Main Destination: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Gorillas)
Best Time To Visit: June to August and December to January
High Season: June to September (Gorilla permits are scarce)
Best Weather: Jun to Aug and Dec to Jan (Less rainfall)
Wildlife in Mgahinga Gorilla NP: White Rhino

Accommodation: Budget camping
Outside Mgahinga Gorilla NP

Meals & Drinks: All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Passing over the mountain ranges we cross the border into Rwanda. The small, friendly town of Musanze is home to Musanze caves and several hiking trails. You can take a village tour through the area and see first-hand production of local Banana beer. As Musanze is the gateway to Volcanoes National Park, there is also the opportunity to take a guided trek to see the famous Golden Monkeys. Please mention to your tour leader if you are keen to do this as permits and bookings may need to be made in advance. After we leave Musanze we head to the capital of Rwanda, Kigali, where there we can visit the genocide memorial, which is a moving and humbling experience.

Main Destination: Kigali Genocide Memorial (Kigali, Rwanda)
Accommodation: Budget camping, In or near Genocide Memorial

Meals & Drinks: All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

We will leave Rwanda now and head back into Uganda. Our main highlight during this visit are the spectacular Sipi Falls. There are three waterfalls here on the Sipi River as it cascades into the Kyoga Basin from the slopes of Mount Elgon. The highest is just under 100m and there is an exciting abseiling option available here. After leaving the Sipi Falls we cross back into Kenya and visit the Kakamega Rainforest, a remnant of the ancient rainforest that stretched across Central Africa. This is a real contrast to other wild areas visited so far, and the forest is home to various mammals including colobus and Debrazzar monkeys, pottos, bush pigs and giant forest hedgehogs, as well as a great selection of colourful birdlife. Guided walks can be arranged during our stay here.

Main Destination: Kakamega Forest National Reserve (Kenya)

Finally, the group will all go on an afternoon and morning game drive in 4x4 safari vehicles with local guides in one of the world's most famous National Parks, the Maasai Mara. Here you will have the opportunity to look out for all its incredible wildlife before making our way back to Nairobi, arriving in the early evening.

Main Destination: Nairobi (City, Kenya)
Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks: Meals at own expense
Drinks not included

Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost