Our first morning on tour we are up close and personal with some of Africa’s most famous residents, the baby elephants at Sheldrick’s Orphanage, and then at the Giraffe Park we can hand feed rare Rothschild giraffe from a specially elevated viewing platform.

We also have a shopping stop, and then our Departure meeting. It’s early to bed in preparation for an early
start tomorrow.

Distance: 0 kms
Est. Drive Time: 0 hours
Meals: X1 Dinner

Included wildlife activity: The Giraffe Park
Optional excursion: Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage

Leaving the capital, we head to the Loita Hills where we are welcomed with songs and dances by the Maasai. We stop overnight to stay with the Maasai, East Africa’s most renowned ancient people who proudly retain so many of their traditional ways.

This afternoon we walk in the hills with the warriors to learn about traditional life in the bush. We will also visit a women’s village and the local hot springs. Traditional dancing is performed, and in the evening we spend time around the fire with some of the warriors and find out more about the Maasai culture.

Distance: 261 kms
Est. Drive Time: 7 hours Incl. stop at Rift Valley Viewpoint and for shopping
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Up early we have time for some “warrior training” this morning before we say goodbye to our Maasai hosts heading for the Masai Mara. The Mara is Kenya’s premier game park and we now have the special treat of two days of game drives in safari vehicles with a local guide. En route we marvel at the magnificent panoramic views of the Kenyan countryside as we approach the reserve.

The Masai Mara is Kenya’s most acclaimed nature reserve. The reserve teems with wildlife, and especially when the big herds of over two million wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelle arrive.

Our first game drives on the rolling savannah plains of the Mara are scheduled for this afternoon. Then we camp tonight in the wild.

Distance, Day 3: 60 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 3: 2 hours to the park gate, game drive throughout the afternoon
Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Included wildlife activity: X1 morning and X2 afternoon game drives in the Masai Mara
Vehicle for game drives: 4×4 open landcruiser with pop up roof

Optional excursion: Balloon safari

We head out early for morning game drives. Some enjoy a dawn balloon safari as well. A visit to a Maasai village is also arranged where we can watch a traditional jumping dance before being shown around the village to learn a little about traditional ways.
The Maasai continue to live their traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle.

We are then on our way to Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake in the Rift Valley. Arriving by the Lake shore we can chill out with the black and white colobus monkeys and take high tea on the lawns at Elsamere, the home of Joy Adamson. Camping near the lake, the grunts of hippos punctuate the night. During the days they laze in the lake, then at night they come out and graze on the lawns at camp.

A cycling safari in Hell’s Gate National Park is a great opportunity to stretch your legs and get some exercise in the wilds of Africa amidst zebra, gazelle, eland and impala and the clear evidence of past volcanic activity. Guided walks to the Crater Lake Game Sanctuary are an alternative for today, and a hippo cruise can also be arranged to really enjoy the wildlife of the lake.

Distance, Day 5: 258 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 5: 6 hours to Naivasha camp
Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Included wildlife activity: Morning game drive in the Masai Mara
Vehicle for game drive: 4×4 open landcruiser with pop up roof

Optional excursions: Elsamere for afternoon tea, cycling in Hell’s Gate National Park, guided walk to Green Crater Lake

Our next highlight is Nakuru National Park, a small game park close to Nakuru town. Game drives in Lake Nakuru National Park take us through acacia forests, grasslands and candelabra euphorbia stands. There is the chance to see both black and white rhino, zebra, giraffe, eland and, with a little luck, lion and leopard. The soda lake can be pink with greater and lesser flamingo. Numerous other waterbirds can also be seen in and by the Lake as well.

Distance, Day 7: 70 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 7: 3 hours
Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Included wildlife activity: Full days game drives in Nakuru National Park
Vehicle for game drives: 4×4 minivan with pop up roof

In the morning we drop into Nakuru town to have a look around and do shopping, then we drive further west into the Nandi Hills, past Eldoret to Raj’s campsite, with its amazing bar. The next day we cross into Uganda and arrive into the tranquil campsite in Jinja to relax for a few nights by the White Nile.

Distance over two days: 420 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 9: 5 hours Incl. lunch and shopping stop
Est. Drive Time, Day 10: +/- 7.5 hours (depending on the border) Incl stops for lunch and shopping

Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X1 Dinner

After several days on the road these two days are a welcome break from travelling.

Enjoy the many activities on offer. Hit grade 3 to 5 rapids white water rafting amidst lush tropical vegetation in the equatorial sunshine. Kayak, bungee jump, quad bike, swim, fish, horse ride and take a village walk. Many people enjoy volunteering at one of the community projects in the local villages.

Distance: 0 kms
Est. Drive Time: 0 hours
Meals: None

Optional excursions: Whitewater rafting, bungee jump, kayaking, boat trips and cruises, incl. fishing trips, sups, voluntary work in a local school, quad biking, horse riding, mountain biking.

Leaving Jinja, we travel to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where we can see rhinos. Here there is the option in the afternoon to go for a rhino trek on foot or do a boat trip in the park.

Distance: 225 kms
Est. Drive Time: 4 hours
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Optional excursions: Rhino trek, boat ride

Leaving Ziwa, we travel to Kampala, the capital of Uganda. The next day we leave the camp and head into the lush countryside of Uganda. We stop off at a local drum and craft market, and at the Equator stop there is time for a photo shoot. We camp near the hillside forest of Kalinzu on the edge of the Rift Valley and Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Distance, Day 14: 170 kms
Distance, Day 15: 355 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 14: +/- 3 hours
Est. Drive Time, Day 15: +/- 8 hours Incl. a stop for a photo at the Equator, for shopping and lunch

Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

The option of an early morning chimpanzee trek is scheduled in the beautiful Kalinzu Forest. Be prepared for an energetic hike in the Ugandan jungle as the chimps can travel fast and are often high up in the forest. The vegetation is thick on the trails and the chimps can be elusive. The chimps here are wild and whilst these chimps are habituated to human contact, there is an element of luck here as to whether they will be seen. Some trips we have some good viewing, other times no.

Following our morning set aside for chimpanzee trekking we travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park for an afternoon game cruise on the Kazinga Channel to sit back and enjoy the company of hippo from the safety of a boat. There is also buffalo for company and the occasional Nile crocodile lying disarmingly motionless nearby, blending into the surroundings. Watch kingfishers diving behind us to catch small fish disorientated by the slowly passing boat. There are also elephant, lion, hyena and leopard in the park.

Distance: 40 kms
Est. Drive Time: 1 hour
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Included wildlife activities: Game cruise on the Kazinga Channel, Queen Elizabeth National Park. Slow transit afternoon drive, Queen Elizabeth
Vehicle for game drive: Overland truck

Optional Excursion: Chimpanzee trek in Kalinzu Forest

This morning we head again into the park for an early morning game drive where hopefully we find some surprises in amongst the bushes. The park is a haven for around 600 species of bird and the thousands of migratory Ugandan Kob.

We then make our way to Kisoro, passing through Kabale to stock up with gorgeous views of the Virunga Mountains on our drive. Arriving in Kisoro we settle into our very simple rural guesthouse for the next three nights in the border town on the edge of the gorillas’ mountain home.

Distance: 293 kms
Est. Drive Time: 9 – 10 hours Incl. stops for lunch and shopping

Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Included wildlife activity: Morning game drive, Queen Elizabeth National Park
Vehicle for game drive: Overland truck

We are now in the land of the endangered mountain gorilla. We spend the next few nights at our hostel in the border town of Kisoro which is surrounded by the Virunga Mountains.

A trek to spend time with the endangered mountain gorillas in their Afromontane forest home is regularly regarded as one of the greatest wildlife experiences on the planet. On the trek we head out early on a relatively set trek. Depending on the group we head through a local village that backs on to the forest often through a flower farm, before moving onto the misty slopes of the volcanoes in search of the gorillas. The gorillas are usually found on the ground in a family group which can comprise up to 25 individuals currently in Bwindi, led by one dominant older adult male, a silverback. Young ones particularly though might be seen moving around and swinging from the trees. They can be very curious about their daily human visitors.

Our main highlight is the gorilla trek. There are several other excursions on offer here though apart from the trek. For another view of the gorilla forest head out to trek a troup of golden monkeys in the lower reaches of the forest. The golden monkey is a sub species of the blue monkey and is named for its vibrant colouring.

Alternatively a tour to an indigenous group of Batwa or Pygmy can also be organised in Kisoro, this group of local peoples sadly having being relocated away from their traditional life in the forest. Alternatively a Pygmy dance troupe are invited to our camp to entertain with some traditional drumming.

Distance: 0 kms
Est. Drive Time: 0 hours

Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Optional excursions: Mountain gorilla Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Uganda). Golden monkeys trek or orphanage visit. Batwa (Pygmy) village visit or coffee tour. Lake Mutande.

NB: Please let us know well ahead of time if you wish to gorilla trek in Rwanda, as distinct from Uganda.

Today we leave the beautiful scenery of Uganda and head into Rwanda, the “land of a thousand hills.”
Rolling pastures and thickets of trees predominate over deep valleys and steep slopes on our drive. The camp has established a very simple cultural centre where you can get involved in traditional basket weaving and banana beer making. Alternatively a cycle tour in the local area can be arranged.

Distance: 51 kms
Est. Drive Time: 3 hours (depending on the border)

Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Optional excursions: Banana beer making, Basket weaving, cycle tour, village tour.

Today we head to the capital of Rwanda, Kigali.

Those wishing to head out on the steep trek to see Fossey’s grave spend time this morning in the Rwandan forest. On the trek you can also see Digit’s grave one of her most favourite gorillas, and the Karisoke Reseach Centre. Dian is world famous for her research work and passionate commitment to the mountain gorillas’ survival. Transfers at the end are arranged to catch the group up in Kigali.

Rwanda is a country with a quite recent turbulent history culminating in the 1994 genocide during which ethnic differences between Hutu and Tutsis exploded in an unparalleled level of hatred and bloody violence. We visit the Genocide Memorial in the capital Kigali this afternoon. This memorial is a sobering commemoration of the atrocities of 1994. There is also time whilst in Kigali if you wish to visit the Nyamata Church Memorial, or a Women’s Centre, Hotel Milles Colline (well known from the movie Hotel Rwanda), or to wander in the local markets.

Distance, Day 21: 115 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 21: 3 hours

Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Optional excursions: Trek to Dian Fossey’s gravesite, Banana beer making, Basket weaving, cycle tour, village tour, Genocide Memorial and Museum, Nyamata Memorial

We take the road to the Rusomo border to cross into Tanzania heading off the beaten track for the next few days.

Arriving into the small town of Nyakanazi late in the afternoon, we check into a simple African guesthouse for the evening. This first night in Tanzania is the chance for a traditional rural African experience, and we receive a warm welcome from the village and owners of the guesthouse.

The second day’s drive finds us on back roads heading for the south side of Lake Victoria to our camp in the city of Mwanza which we reach by ferry. Our camp is set by Lake Victoria.

Distance over 2 days: 535 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 23: +/- 10.5 hours (depending on the border)
Est. Drive Time, Day 24: 9 hours Incl. ferry journey, lunch and shopping stop

Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Reaching Bunda we prepare for the exciting last days of our tour, our visit the world famous Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, ecosystems boasting the Big Five. There is time this afternoon to stretch our legs on a hill walk near camp offering wonderful views.

We pass through the Grumeti Reserve on our drive to Ikoma Gate where we enter The Serengeti in our overland truck for game drives. The famous migration often passes this area year in, year out in search of fresh grazing anytime from late April through to August.

The Serengeti is Tanzania’s oldest national park. Home to The Big Five, it is famous for the annual migration when more than 200,000 zebra and 300,000 Thomson’s gazelle join the wildebeests’ trek. Even when the migration is quiet, the Serengeti is home to resident large herds of buffalo, elephant herds and giraffe, as well as thousands upon thousands of eland, topi, kongoni, impala and Grant’s gazelle. Hippo pods can be found lazing in water pools, and the park is also home to the big cats – lion, leopard and cheetah and has fabulous birdlife including ostrich and secretary birds. On our slow game drive through the park this afternoon we regularly have wonderful viewing including of the big cats and much other wildlife.

Distance to Bunda, Day 25: 156 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 25: 3 – 4 hours incl. lunch stop
Distance to Ikoma Gate, Serengeti, Day 26: 160 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 26: 5 hours to Ikoma Gate incl. slow transit through Grumeti.

Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Included wildlife activity: Afternoon game drive, Serengeti National Park
Vehicle for game drive: Overland truck

Optional excursion: Hill walk

Rising early we head out on morning game drives in the Serengeti, before entering the Ngorongoro Conservation Area around lunchtime. For the best vantage point though to see the sun rise, a balloon safari can be arranged in advance. A balloon safari allows you to drift in silence over the immense Serengeti plains offering this panoramic landscape from an entirely different perspective.

The semi-nomadic Maasai tribespeople can be found throughout the region still living their traditional lifestyle and can be regularly seen herding their cattle dressed in their distinctive red check. Shunning modern ways, they dye their hair with ochre and live on a diet of milk and cattle blood. We stop so that you have another chance to visit a traditional Maasai boma before leaving the park later today. During the visit the Maasai perform a march-past and the traditional adamu or ‘jumping dance’ for us.

Our landscape changes as we climb above the Ngorongoro Crater to make camp with sweeping views across the Crater. This is another night camped in the wilds under African stars.

Distance: 161 kms
Est. Drive Time: 5 hours

Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Included wildlife activities: Morning game drive, Serengeti. Afternoon slow transit drive, Ngorongoro
Conservation Area
Vehicle for game drive: Overland truck

Optional excursions: Balloon safari, Maasai boma visit, Olduvai Gorge Museum depending on road
conditions. Please note if you wish to visit Olduvai Museum you must let the office know prior to the tour departure

The actual Ngorongoro Crater is just a small portion of the 8,288 square kilometer Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Twenty kilometers across with walls 600 meter high it is a perfectly intact volcanic caldera. From the lookout at the rim we can watch birds ride the thermals, and mists and clouds roll back to reveal a landscape of lakes and forests.

Our land cruisers take us down the steep winding tracks 2,000 feet onto the Crater floor for our last morning on safari. The Crater boasts upwards of 25,000 large mammals, and is a virtual Noah’s ark being home to all the wildlife you would want to see – rhino, hippo, lion, elephant, spotted hyena, golden and black-back jackals, buffalo, zebra, impala, wildebeest, cheetah, monkey, ostrich and flamingo – all resident on the Crater floor. Hippo can be found here lazing in the pools, and depending on the time of year Lake Magadi can have a pink fringe created by flocks of flamingo feeding here.

During the day today we usually have time to purchase traditional beads, carvings and special artwork at a market stall before travelling to Arusha, where we have our final group barbecue together.

Distance: 195 kms
Est. Drive Time: 3 – 4 hours

Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Included wildlife activity: Morning game drive, Ngorongoro Crater
Vehicle for game drive: 4×4 landcruiser with pop up roof

We say farewell to our fellow travellers and head back to Kenya on the lunchtime shuttle bus.

Distance: 278 kms
Est. Drive Time: 6 – 7 hours (depending on the border)

Meals: X1 Breakfast

Please note safari itineraries are given as a guide only. A safari is a journey and true journeys in Africa unfold and are of an adventurous nature. The unexpected can arise, so do allow for this.