Day 1: Nairobi - Masai Mara National Reserve
Today travel from Nairobi, the capital city to the famous Masai Mara National Reserve. This National Reserve is perhaps the only region left in Kenya where the visitor may see animals in the same super-abundance such as existed a century ago. Famous for the annual migration of around 1.5 million wildebeest, the Masai Mara is also home to many other animals including Lions, Buffaloes, Leopard, Cheetah, Elephants and other plain’s game. Itcovers some 1530 square km and is bounded by the Serengeti Park to the south, the Siria escarpment to the west and Maasai pastoral ranches to the north, east and west. The terrain of the reserve is primarily open savannah grassland with seasonal riverlets.
Arrive and check into your camp. Cultural interaction with Kenya’s native Masaai people completes our experience. Dinner and overnight at Masai Mara.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Masai Mara - Lake Naivasha – Hell’s Gate National Park
Today after breakfast, travel north to Lake Naivasha and thence to Hell’s Gate National Park.
Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake forming part of the Great Rift Valley, and lays North West of Nairobi. The name derives from the local Maasai name Nai'posha, meaning "rough water" because of the sudden storms which can arise. Home to a variety of wildlife, over 400 different species of bird have been reported as being here. There is also sizeable population of hippos in the lake.
Just south of Lake Naivasha lies Hell’s Gate National Park. It is mainly comprised of a savannah ecosystem which harbors a wide variety of wildlife. Some of the frequently observed animal species include lions, leopards, and cheetahs. There are over 100 species of birds in the park, including vultures, Verreaux's Eagles, Augur Buzzards, and swifts. African buffalo, zebra, eland, hartebeest, Thomson's gazelle, and baboons are also common. The park is also home to klipspringer antelope and Chanler's mountain reedbuck. One of the more popular optional activities in Hell’s Gate NP, is to go game viewing on a bicycle.
Overnight at Lake Naivasha.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Lake Naivasha – Lake Nakuru National Park
Today after breakfast, travel towards Lake Nakuru NP. Although it was initially established as a bird sanctuary, it is now home to a surprisingly large number of animal species, including the Big 4 – lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo, but sadly there are no elephants in the park.
Lake Nakuru is famous for the vast flocks of flamingoes that line its shores, attracted by the abundance of algae. It is also a sanctuary for black and white rhino.
Arrive and check into your camp. Dinner and overnight at Lake Nakuru.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Lake Nakuru - Kampala
Leaving Lake Nakuru, drive to the Uganda border. Here stop for a photo at the equator. Later, arrive in Uganda’s capital and largest city, Kampala.
Before British colonials arrived in Uganda, the Buganda King, Kabaka, had chosen the area that was to become Kampala as one of his favorite hunting grounds. This was made up of numerous rolling hills and lush wetlands, an ideal breeding ground for various antelopes - particularly impala. When the British arrived they called the area the “Hills of the Impala”, which eventually came to be called Kampala.
Arrive and check into your camp. Dinner and overnight at Kampala.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Kampala
Today enjoy a day free at Kampala. Explore the city which was once called as the “hills of the Impala” by the British. Those interested in art and history should check out the Uganda Museum and Nommo art gallery. Visit the Wamala tombs, where the remains of some of the earlier Buganda kings were buried including Kabaka Ssuuna 11 (1836-1856). During his time he had 148 wives and produced 218 children! Enjoy a good view of the city from the Rubaga and Namirembe Cathedrals.
Or take in an optional day trip to the Chimpanzee Sanctuary of Ngamba Island. Every year in Africa, approximately 5 000 chimpanzees are killed by poachers for the bush meat trade. As a by product of this illegal practice, dozens of infant chimpanzees are left orphaned in the wild and are unable to survive on their own.
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary was established in October 1998 to care for these orphaned chimpanzees that have been rescued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The Sanctuary supports a rich diversity of natural wildlife and provides a variety of natural foods for the chimpanzees.
Return to your camp. Overnight at Kampala.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6: Kampala - Lake Bunyoni
This morning depart for Lake Bunyoni. Lake Bunyoni, also known as "Place of many little birds", lies to the border with Rwanda and is a small but attractive lake with steep sides and abundant birdlife. The depth of the lake is rumoured to vary between 44 m and 900 m, which if true would make the lake the second deepest in Africa. It is one of the few lakes in the region that is free of bilharzia and safe for swimming.
Ringed by mountains, the lake is best known for its dense Otter population and stunning scenery. Arrive and check into your camp. Relax. Take in the stunning scenery. Share some of your trekking experiences with your fellow travellers.
Dinner and overnight at Lake Bunyonyi.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 7 - 9: Bwindi – Gorillas Sightings
Today travel to Bwindi from where you can go on a trek to sight the elusive mountain gorillas, the highlights of this trip! The next 2 -3 days are dedicated to this trek in the quest of Gorilla Sighting.
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.
Proceed through the thick rainforest, filled with the sounds of different animals and birds. If you are lucky, you may get your sighting of the elusive gorilla today itself.
Return to your camp after a hard days’ trek. Dinner and overnight at Bwindi.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Pls note: If trekking won’t be done on day 9, this day will be spent at Lake Bunyoni to ensure a shorter drive on day 10.
Day 10: Bwindi – Lake Bunyoni - Queen Elizabeth National Park
Today return to Lake Bunyoni from where you travel forth to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Established in 1954 and Uganda’s most visited game reserve, this national park has many game species including the (elsewhere elusive) giant forest hog, and the legendary tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha Sector.
It lies in the west of the nation and occupies 5 000 square km from Lake George to Lake Edward around the Kazinga Channel connecting them. You can opt for a sunset cruise on the Kazinga Channel.
Known for its abundant wildlife, earlier many animals were killed by poachers and in the Uganda-Tanzania War. Now protected, many species have recovered, including hippopotamus, elephant, leopard, lion and chimpanzees; and it is now home to 95 species of mammal and over 500 species of birds. The park is also famous for its volcanic features, comprising volcanic cones and deep craters, many with crater lakes such as Lake Katwe, from which salt is extracted.
Arrive and check into your camp. Dinner and overnight at Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 11 - 12: Queen Elizabeth National Park - Jinja
The morning is spent on further game viewing. Afternoon, check out and travel to Jinja. Jinja is Uganda’s second largest city and is 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. Local attractions include white-water rafting, the "Source of the Nile", and a large brewery. There is an animal sanctuary at Buwenge, 30 kilometres (19 mi) north of Jinja on the highway to Kamuli.
Some of Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were scattered into the source of the White Nile. There is a small memorial garden at the spot. There is an active Hindu temple near Jinja, which has a bronze bust of Gandhi. There is also a Buddhist temple.
Arrive and check into your camp. Dinners and overnight at Jinja.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: Jinja - Eldoret
Today after breakfast, return to Kenya where you 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.
Eldoret is the hometown of numerous legendary Kenyan runners, the most renowned of whom is Kipchoge Keino. The high altitude is an ideal training ground for many middle and long distance athletes.
Arrive and check into your camp. Dinner and overnight at Eldoret.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14: Eldoret - Nairobi
Today return to Nairobi, the largest city in the East Africa region, where your tour ends.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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