14 Day Gorillas & Masai Mara

Day 1 – Masai Mara National Reserve

We leave the capital of Nairobi and travel to the Masai Mara, world renowned for its endless plains of wild animals and spectacular beauty.  The visit to the Masai Mara is operated in safari type vehicles and not the Adventure Truck. For this reason, you are asked to pack a small overnight bag to travel with. You will need your towel, clothes, toiletries and camping essentials.

Accommodation Facilities:

• Accommodated: Permanent tent with shared ablutions
• Camping:  Permanent tent with shared ablutions

Route: Nairobi to Masai Mara

Included Highlights: Masai Mara Excursion

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 2 – Masai Mara National Reserve

The rolling grasslands of the Masai Mara offer ideal game viewing and photographic opportunities. Some of the animals that could be found here include elephant, black rhino, buffalo, leopard, cheetah, wildebeest, zebra and gazelle. Hippo and crocodile abound in the muddy brown waters of the rivers, which traverse this reserve. Today we will spend the entire day game driving through the Mara in search of all the animals.

Accommodation Facilities:

• Accommodated: Permanent tent with shared ablutions
• Camping:  Permanent tent with shared ablutions

Included Highlights: Masai Mara Excursion

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3 – Lake Nakuru National Park

This morning we bid the Mara farewell before heading to Lake Nakuru National Park, where we are reunited with our truck and we will enjoy an afternoon game drive through the park. Lake Nakuru is home to large flocks of flamingos and pelicans as well as black & white rhino, leopard, lion and numerous buck. Originally created as a bird sanctuary, Lake Nakuru was upgraded to National Park status in 1968.

Accommodation Facilities:

• Accommodated: Two per room with shared ablutions
• Camping:  Two per room with shared ablutions

Route: Masai Mara Reserve to Lake Nakuru National Park

Included Highlights: Lake Nakuru NP Game Drive

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4 – Jinja

This morning we not only cross the border into Uganda, but shortly after setting out this morning we cross the Equator on our way to Jinja. Jinja is Uganda’s second largest city and most famous as the point where the Nile (officially the Victoria Nile) flows out of Lake Victoria and begins the 6695 kilometre journey to Egypt and the Mediterranean.

Accommodation Facilities:

• Accommodated: Two per room with shared ablutions
• Camping:  Campsite with shared ablutions

Route: Lake Nakuru to Jinja

Included Highlight: Crossing of the Equator

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5 – Masindi – Murchison Falls National Park

After a quick stop in the city of Kampala, we head in the direction of The Murchison Falls National Park.   Also referred to as the Kabaraga Falls, Murchison Falls is a waterfall found on the course of the great Nile and is located within the Murchison National Park. The park is recognized as one of the best National Parks in Uganda. After settling into our accommodation in Masindi, your guide will brief you on the activities for the following day.

Accommodation Facilities:

• Accommodated: Two per room with shared ablutions
• Camping: Campsite with shared ablutions

Route: Jinja to Masindi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6 – Masindi – Budongo Central Forest Reserve

Budongo Forest is the biggest Mahogany forest found in the whole of East Africa and is home to the largest number of chimpanzees throughout Uganda. It is believed that there are between 600 – 700 chimpanzees in Budongo and this morning we will meet up with our chimp guide who will take us on our trek through the forest in search of the chimps.  We will also enjoy a boat cruise in the park. Note: As the Chimp trekking is limited to 12 guests per trek, should there be more than 12 guests on a tour the trekking will be split between the morning and the afternoon. Therefore you may find that you will first do the game drive activity followed by the Chimp trekking or vice versa. Please allow for flexibility.

Accommodation Facilities:

• Accommodated: Two per room with shared ablutions
• Camping:  Campsite with shared ablutions

Included Highlight: Nile River Boat cruise (half day) in Murchison Falls National Park, Chimp trekking (half day)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7 – Lake Kikorongo

This morning we depart Masindi and transfer towards the edges of the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Our accommodation for the night is nestled atop a hill overlooking Lake Kikorongo

Accommodation Facilities:

• Accommodated: Two per room with En-suite bathroom
• Camping:  Two per room with En-suites bathroom

Route: Masindi to Lake Kikorongo

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8 – Gorillas (Lake Bunyonyi)

Crossing the Equator once more we travel south to the beautiful scenery of Lake Bunyonyi. With eager anticipation we prepare for the upcoming Gorilla trekking excursion and tonight we will receive a briefing on what to expect.

Accommodation Facilities:

• Accommodated: Two per room with En-suite bathroom
• Camping:  Campsite with shared ablutions

Route: Kampala to Lake Bunyonyi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9 – Gorillas (Lake Bunyonyi)

The mountain gorilla is extremely endangered and while exact numbers vary it is widely assumed that there are only around 650 left. Visiting the gorillas is a great way to support their future on earth as the money spent on permits is used for their protection. An extremely important part of the future conservation of the remaining gorillas rests in the community development work – as local communities change their attitudes towards wildlife and start to protect rather than poach, the future of the mountain gorilla is assured.

As permits granting permission to visit the gorillas are extremely limited we require flexibility in both the tour itinerary and where we actually visit them. The home of the mountain gorillas is completely at odds with man-made borders and so their range encompasses Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Whenever possible we choose to make use of the National Park in Uganda, but this depends on the availability of permits. Should we not obtain permits to visit the mountain gorillas in Uganda then we will inform all passengers beforehand that the tour will travel to Rwanda or DRC.

On your free day in Bunyonyi you will have the opportunity to participate in certain optional activities. You can also go hiking or explore the area on a mountain bike.

Accommodation Facilities:

• Accommodated: Two per room with En-suite bathroom
• Camping:  Campsite with shared ablutions

Route: Lake Bunyonyi National Park to the starting point of the gorilla trek (in safari or smaller vehicles)

Optional Activity: Gorilla Trekking, Pgymy visit, Rwanda day tour

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 10 – Gorillas (Lake Bunyonyi)

Although there are 2 days allocated to Gorilla Trekking you will only spend one day on the trek. The other days are there to provide a large enough window in which to obtain permits and to allow the entire group to trek if there are more than 6 of you on the tour.

Accommodation Facilities:

• Accommodated: Two per room with En-suite bathroom
• Camping:  Campsite with shared ablutions

Optional Activity: Gorilla Trekking, Pgymy visit, Rwanda day tour

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 11 – Lake Bunyonyi – Kampala

This morning we set off on our return journey to Kampala and make a third crossing of the Equator along our way. Tonight your guide will brief you on the activities available in Jinja so that you can plan your day tomorrow. We overnight in Kampala.

Accommodation Facilities:

• Accommodated: Two per room with En-suite bathroom
• Camping:  Two per room with En-suite bathroom

Route: Lake Bunyonyi to Kampala

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 12 – Jinja

A short distance from Kampala, Jinja offers many exciting activities and your guide will assist you to plan for this day. Most activities are focussed around the waters of the Nile and these include rafting, kayaking and a variety of cruises on Africa’s largest river.  While those who may be less inclined to water sports can enjoy horse riding or a quadbike adventure on dry land.

Accommodation Facilities:

• Accommodated: Two per room with shared ablutions
• Camping:  Campsite with shared ablutions

Route: Kampala to Jinja

Optional Activity: Quad biking, kayaking, rafting

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 13 – Kenya – Eldoret

Returning to Kenya we visit Eldoret, the country’s 5th largest city. The Great Rift Valley is still the dominant geographical feature of this region and the altitude at Eldoret is 2100 metres above sea level.

Accommodation Facilities:

• Accommodated: Two per room with shared ablutions
• Camping:  Campsite with shared ablutions

Route: Jinja to Eldoret

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 14 – Nairobi

Returning to Nairobi this afternoon we reflect on many memories that we have gathered together and brace ourselves for a return to the busy streets of Nairobi. Your tour ends upon arrival in Nairobi.

Accommodation: Own Arrangements / Post tour accommodation can be booked through Planet Africa.

Route: Eldoret to Nairobi

Meals: Breakfast

What’s included

• Accommodation
• Meals (Breakfast x 14 / Lunch x 13 / Dinner x 13)
• Qualified crew
• Transport in the Adventure truck
• Included highlights as per the itinerary.

What’s excluded

• Items of a personal nature (snacks, alcohol, bottled water, soft drinks, tips)
• Entrance fees (associated with optional activities)
• Souvenirs
• Activity packages and optional activities

Countries Visited

Kenya, Uganda.

Maximum Number of Passengers – 20

Arrival / Departure

Please be sure to arrive 1 day before your tour is due to depart. This will avoid any unforeseen problems.

We also highly recommend that you book your flights to depart the day after the tour officially ends to allow for delays and changes.

Pre and Post Tour Accommodation

If you require accommodation before or after your tour we can arrange this for you. We can also arrange airport transfers – contact your travel agent or Planet Africa to make these bookings.

Tour departure point

7.00am – Harry Thuku Road, Nairobi, Kenya

Please ensure you arrive at the departure point at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

Tour ending point

Harry Thuku Road, Nairobi, Kenya

All information provided in this tour dossier is subject to change without prior notice.  Changes would always be in consideration of your safety first and a better quality experience where possible.  Overnight accommodation stops can change without prior notification, depending on road or weather conditions or any unforeseen circumstances. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the properties listed in this dossier, these are to be used as a guideline only. We recommend that you download the most up to date version of this tour dossier one week prior to your tour departure date, however, changes are possible within 7 days prior to your tour departure.

Partaking in an adventure tour in Africa involves covering hundreds if not thousands of kilometres and our tours are as much about this journey as they are about the destinations we visit. Use your time during these drives to talk to your fellow travellers, have a drink and take note of the world passing by your window. Some roads you travel on will be smooth and easy while others could take up to an hour to cover 1 kilometre. There is just no telling what could happen with road, weather, traffic and other conditions that may exist that will either increase or decrease the amount of time you spend on the road so take your watch off, put your iPad away, turn off your phone and just relax. An average day could take anything from 5 to 14 hours, it all depends on the day… and that’s only an “average”!