This 21 day tour is designed to give an in depth and unhurried view of East Africa. The wildlife viewing opportunities particularly for rhino are excellent with a visit to Nakuru NP. In Uganda there's a further 2 nights in Queen Elizabeth NP, a walking tour across Mburo NP and 2 days in the beautiful Murchison Falls NP. The tour includes searching for Chimpanzees at Budongo, visiting Bwindi Impenetrable Forest looking for Mountain Gorillas and 2 nights in Kenya's Masai Mara. It ticks all the boxes for wildlife lovers and is also great for adrenalin seekers with rafting the stunning White Nile. It is also an amazing way to explore two of East Africa's most iconic countries, Uganda and the highlands and Rift Valley of Kenya.
There's a relaxing pace on this trip to ensure a full wildlife experience. Camping is mainly in campsites with facilities and there's some wild camping. Nothing too challenging, but do expect some long drive days.
Launch cruise on the River Nile to the mighty Murchison Falls
Border Information: If joining the trip in Nairobi, you will most likely enter Kenya at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (IATA code: NBO).
Welcome to Kenya! There will be a group meeting at the joining hotel at 6:00pm. Please do not be alarmed if there is no welcome note, as this will often be a travelling day for the crew who will be joining you.
Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Nairobi before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Nairobi.
Accommodation: Camping
Optional Activities
Visit the David Sheldrick animal orphanage
Entrance donations: 500 KES
Learn all about the different tribal groups of Kenya at the Bomas of Kenya cultural centre in Nairobi
Entrance: 10 USD
Visit the Langata Giraffe Centre in Nairobi
Entrance: 1,000 KES
Explore the museum at the site of the former home of Karen Blixen, the author of 'Out of Africa'
Entrance: 1,200 KES
Discover some of Kenya's ancient hominids at the National Museum in Nairobi
Entrance: 1,200 KES
Head out on a guided safari walk in Nairobi National Park
Entrance and walk: 50 USD
This morning we will drive on to Kericho, throughout this drive you will have sights of the world famous tea plantations in the area.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6
Border Information: Exit Kenya at Busia, enter Uganda at Busia.
Today we have a full day's drive across the border into Uganda as we travel to Jinja, the adventure capital of East Africa!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 10
Today we will have a free day to get involved in the many optional adventure activities available here, such as white water rafting, bungee jumping and boat trips on the White Nile!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Optional Activities
Go on a boat trip to discover the source of the Nile where the river outflows from Lake Victoria
1.5 hours: 20 USD
Head out horse riding along the banks of the White Nile
3 hours: 80 USD
Full Day rafting Jinja
Full day tour: 140 USD
Shoebill tour with the Ugandan Rhino Fund
Shoebill: 35 USD
Today we continue our journey and head north to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary close to the town of Nakitoma. Here we will have the chance to track rhinos on foot with a local ranger!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Basic Hotel
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7
Optional Activities
Bird watching tour in Ziwa searching for shoebills
3hrs: 35 USD
Nakitoma Ziwa Night Walk
Night Safari: 35 USD
Rhino tracking with the Ugandan Rhino Fund
2hrs: 45 USD
Today we continue to Kaniyo Pabidi in the Budongo Forest, in the southern part of the Murchison Falls NP. Here we will head out for our included chimpanzee tracking walk in the afternoon!
Please note that for conservation reasons the maximum group size to track the chimpanzees is 12 people, so if we have a large group we will split in half, one half going on the walk this afternoon and the other half going tomorrow morning.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Multishare Hostel
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 3
Included Activities
If we had to split the group for chimpanzee tracking, the other half of the group will head out for the walk this morning. When we are ready to continue, we will drive to the central region of Murchison Falls NP to reach our campsite.
Please note that the roads leading into and around Murchison Falls are very poor and can be hazardous in wet conditions. If there has been heavy rain recently, it may not be possible to go into the NP beyond Kaniyo Pabidi - this is firstly for safety reasons on the drive in, and secondly due to the risk of extreme bogging that could cause us to miss the gorilla treks further along in our trip. We will always endaevour to reach the NP as per the itinerary; but when this is occasionally not possible, please respect the tour leader's decision in this matter. On these occasions we will be able to utilise this time with spending longer in Lake Bunyonyi.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 3
Today, we will head out early in the truck for a included morning of game driving around the northern area of the NP - we will take a local vehicle barge to get over the Nile and pick up a ranger to show us around in search of wildlife!
We will return to our campsite for lunch, and then embark on an included launch cruise on the Nile to spot wildlife from the water and to see the spectacularly-powerful Murchison Falls.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 2
Included Activities
Launch cruise on the River Nile to the mighty Murchison Falls
This morning we will make our way out of the NP and head South to Mpanga Forest via Kampala. This is a chance to experience a new environment as we camp in the forest near traditional communities. We will hopefully be able to visit the Mpambire drum making village to experience their ancient traditions and culture.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 10
This morning we travel to the Queen Elizabeth NP, beautifully set between the Great Rift Valley lakes of Lake Edward and Lake George, undertaking a game drive on our way to the campsite.
During our time in the park we hope to see elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, Ugandan kobs and waterbucks.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 12
This morning we are up early to go on a full day game drive making our way the visit the volcanoes and salt mines onthe edge of the park. We will experience areas of the NP that are impossible to reach without a full days excursion!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Included Activities
Optional Activities
Queen Elizabeth NP Night Safari
Cost per vehicle: 100 USD
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7
Here we will go on what is undoubtedly the highlight of the trip - trekking to see the Mountain Gorillas in their natural forest habitat.
This region is one of the last remaining sanctuaries for the mountain gorilla. No more than 8 people 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; however, the sheer thrill of 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 at least 4 hours - uphill and downhill. 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! Once you find them, you will stay with the gorillas for one unforgettable hour!
When visiting the gorillas you will be assigned a trekking group and time on your permit. The group may be split up into different trekking groups during the day.
In Bwindi we will stay in a campsite that occasinally has some very special visitors, the incredible mountain gorillas!
Please note that the gorilla permits are paid for in full by the trip kitty - however, we have to purchase the permits in advance on the customers' behalf, so a higher deposit is charged on the trip price to protect us from losing this money in the event of cancellation - please see the notes at the end for further detail.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Included Activities
This morning we will make our way into the stunning Lake Mburo NP. This drive will take us across the equator - a prime moment for some photos!
In the afternoon we may have time for a walking safari or even a boat trip on Lake Mburo.
We will stay in an incredible campsite close to the lake where you may be lucky enough to see hippos leaving the water in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping without facilities
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 9
Optional Activities
Boat trip on Lake Mburo
2 hours: 15 USD
Walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park
2 hours: 30 USD
After waking up in the beautiful Lake Mburo NP it is time to head back to Jinja and all of the comforts that it has to offer. You may even have time for an evening activity here.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 8
Border Information: Exit Uganda at Malaba, enter Kenya at Malaba.
This is our base for tomorrow's excursion into Nakuru NP. If we make good time on the drive we may have the opportunity to take a walk around the working dairy farm where our campsite is, and to visit a local women's knitting collective.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 9
This morning we head into Nakuru NP for an included half-day game drive in local safari trucks. Nakuru is a beautiful park with a large lake and many forested areas - it is teeming with wildlife and there is an excellent chance to see both black and white rhinos.
In the afternoon we will have the opportunity to take a walk around the working dairy farm where our campsite is, and to visit a local women's knitting collective.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Included Activities
Safari in Lake Nakuru National Park
Optional Activities
Walk to explore a colonial dairy farm and visit a local women\'s knitting collective
Entrance: 5 USD
Today we will be met by our 6-person 4x4 jeeps that will take us on our 2-night excursion to the Maasai Mara. We will load the jeeps with our personal gear and camping equipment and then head off to Maasai Mara, leaving our truck behind.
We will also be leaving our large bags behind (where they will be stored in a secure location in Nairobi), and advise you to bring along a smaller daypack for your personal gear for this trip that will need to be packed soon after the group meeting before we set off. You should pack clothing for 3 days (including a warm jumper or fleece and long trousers), a waterproof jacket, toiletries (including sun screen and insect repellent), your camera and charger, sleeping mat, sleeping bag, a small towel, a head torch, a water bottle, books and personal snacks, etc.
On arrival, we will have the chance for a short evening game drive in the Maasai Mara NP before heading to our campsite. The Maasai Mara is an incredibly scenic area and is one of the world's greatest places for wildlife spotting which is absolutely teeming with giraffe, buffalo, zebra, elephants, lions, cheetah, leopards, and other big game!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 5
Included Activities
Head out on a phenomenal safari in 4x4s into the Maasai Mara - one of the best areas in Africa for wildlife and scenery
Today we will go out for the full day game driving in the NP before returning to our campsite for a second night. There is also the opportunity for a balloon flight over the savannah - demand for this activity is very high so you must reserve this at the time of booking your trip to avoid disappointment.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Optional Activities
Take a hot air balloon flight to see the sunrise over the incredible scenery of the Maasai Mara (alternative to the scheduled game drive). This must be pre-booked through your sales consultant.
Balloon: 595 USD
Today we will have a final game drive in the Maasai Mara in the early morning, before heading back to Nairobi and our campsite in Karen, arriving at about 4:00pm or 5:00pm. This is where we will meet our overland truck and start using the truck's camping equipment.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Camping
Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6
Border Information: if you are leaving the trip in Nairobi, you will most likely exit Kenya at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (IATA code: NBO).
Today is this is the final day of this section - if you are leaving here (or continuing northbound with us to Ethiopia) you will have a free day in Nairobi. If you are continuing your trip with us southbound towards Tanzania then there will a new group meeting at 10:00am for the next section of your journey, before heading away from Nairobi - your leader will give you detailed instructions about this.
Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Nairobi. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight - please contact the Sales Team if you are interested in booking extra nights of accommodation in order to fully explore and take part in some of the optional activities available.
Meals: Breakfast
Show only available departures
$4,302 USD
Was: $4,780 USD
Save: $478 USD
$4,302 USD
Was: $4,780 USD
Save: $478 USD
$4,302 USD
Was: $4,780 USD
Save: $478 USD
$4,329 USD
Was: $4,810 USD
Save: $481 USD
$4,329 USD
Was: $4,810 USD
Save: $481 USD
$4,379 USD
Was: $4,865 USD
Save: $486 USD
$4,379 USD
Was: $4,865 USD
Save: $486 USD
$4,379 USD
Was: $4,865 USD
Save: $486 USD
$4,379 USD
Was: $4,865 USD
Save: $486 USD
$4,379 USD
Was: $4,865 USD
Save: $486 USD
$4,925 USD
Status: Open$4,925 USD
Status: Open