Maasai Mara & the White Nile

Nairobi - Kampala

13 days through Kenya, Uganda

FROM: $3120 USD

Transport:

Overland Expedition Vehicle, Jeep, Private Bus, Boat

Crew:

Two Dragoman Crew Members, Local Guides where necessary, African Camp Master

Accom:

Camping 10 nights
Camping without facilities 1 night
Multishare Hostel 1 night

Meals:

Breakfasts x 12, Lunches x 11, Dinners x 12

Physical:

Lifestyle:

Code:

YNM

Deposit:

$260 USD per person

Foreign Travel Advice

TRIP OVERVIEW

This 2-week overland trip gives a reasonably quick but thorough insight into East Africa and two of its most iconic countries, Uganda and Kenya.

There are excellent wildlife viewing opportunities and we hope to spot big games such as cheetah, leopard, lion and buffalo in Samburu National Reserve, both Black and White rhino in Nakuru National Park and herds of zebra and wildebeest among the rolling grasslands of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

While in the Samburu region spend a night in a Samburu village; the Samburu are a sub-tribe of the Maasai which has stuck more keenly to their ancient traditions. We camp in the heart of the village, seeing traditional dancing and learning about their way of life and customs.

We also visit Jinja, famous as the historic source of the Nile River and now the adventure activity capital of East Africa, offering white-water rafting, bungee jumping, quad-biking and horse-riding all in a beautiful natural setting.

HIGHLIGHTS

3 night wildlife safari in the Maasai Mara

Take an optional sunset hot air balloon ride over Maasai Mara

Look for big cats and other amazing wild animals

Explore the lower slopes of Mount Kenya

Overnight around the camp fire with Samburu villagers

Wildlife safari in Samburu Reserve

Hope to spot Black and White rhinos in Nakuru NP

Visit Jinja, the adventure activity capital of East Africa

WHAT TO EXPECT

This is a reasonably challenging trip on which we'll be camping throughout, sometimes with limited facilities - but the pace is fairly easy-going to allow for time to really immerse ourselves in the wildlife viewing and culture of the places we're travelling through.

ITINERARY

EXPAND ALL CLOSE ALL

Day 1 - Nairobi (8th December 2021)

Border Information: If you are joining the trip in Nairobi, you will most likely enter Kenya at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (IATA code: NBO).

Welcome to Nairobi! If you would like to explore Nairobi fully, we advise you arrive a day earlier to give yourself the time to see some of the highlights in the city - possible activities include visiting the Karen Blixen Museum, the National Museum and the Langata Giraffe Centre. 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.

There will be a group meeting today at our joining hotel at 10:00am - your tour leader will meet you at the hotel reception. Your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where this important meeting will take place.

After the group meeting, 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 (but we will not need our 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, 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: Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Day 2 - Masai Mara (9th December 2021)

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 sunset 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

Day 3 - Masai Mara (10th December 2021)

Today we will have a final game drive in the Maasai Mara in the early morning, before heading to Nairobi and our campsite, 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, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Day 4 - Naro Moru (11th December 2021)

Today we will head through the hills of central Kenya through the area's beautiful scenery and tea plantations, to arrive at the small village of Naro Moru at the base of Mount Kenya.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 5

Day 5 - Naro Moru (12th December 2021)

Today we will have a free day in Naro Moru to take optional walks around the lower slopes of Mount Kenya, explore the nearby Mau Mau caves, or take an optional game drive in the nearby Sweetwaters National Reserve.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Day 6 - Samburu Village (13th December 2021)

Today we will travel to the Samburu region near to the small town of Archer's Post, where we will visit a Samburu village. Here we will be shown around the village and their homes, play with the children and learn all about the way of life here for the Samburu people!

We will camp in the village in the heart of the community tonight, where there are no toilet or washing facilities.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping without facilities

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 5

Day 7 - Samburu National Reserve (14th December 2021)

Today we will get up early and enter the Samburu National Reserve, where we will head out for the entire day for game drives in the truck (breaking for a long lunch during the heat of the day).

Samburu is a stunning National Reserve and is a great opportunity to spot big game such as cheetah, leopards, lions, and buffalo. The Reserve is also home to other animals rarely seen in the NPs further south, such as Grevy's zebras, Somali ostriches and gerenuk ('giraffe-necked antelopes').

Please note that during very wet conditions we may need to use locally chartered 4x4 jeeps rather than our truck to get a good game drive in - in this instance we may make this option available at extra cost.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Day 8 - Nakuru NP (15th December 2021)

Today we will make our way to Nakuru, 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): 8

Day 9 - Nakuru NP (16th December 2021)

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.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Day 10 - Jinja (17th December 2021)

Border Information: Exit Kenya at Malaba, enter Uganda at Malaba.

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

Day 11 - Jinja (18th December 2021)

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

Day 12 - Kampala (19th December 2021)

Today we make our way to Kampala and have plenty of time to explore this bustling African city. There are many optional activities on offer here this afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Multishare Hostel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 3

Day 13 - Kampala - End Date (20th December 2021)

Border information: If you are finishing in Kampala, you will most likely exit Uganda at Entebbe International Airport.

Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Kampala. Please note, there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight - please contact the Sales Team if you are interested in booking an extra night of accommodation in order to fully explore the area.

Meals: Breakfast

DATES, PRICES & TRIP NOTES

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Departing

Finishing

Total Price (USD)

08 Dec 21 Nairobi

20 Dec 21 Kampala

$3,120 USD

Status: Open

Trip Notes:

Trip Itinerary

Essential Info:

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Duration: 13 days Add to basket

07 Dec 22 Nairobi

19 Dec 22 Kampala

$3,220 USD

Status: Open

Trip Notes:

Trip Itinerary

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Essential Info.

Duration: 13 days Add to basket

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Maasai Mara & the White Nile

Nairobi - Kampala

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