Description

The stunning beauty of East Africa’s steamy rainforests and sprawling savanna is a breathtaking backdrop for an adventure into the habitat of the magnificent gorillas and majestic rhinos. Trekking through some of Uganda’s most dense areas of jungle is a challenging, but incredibly rewarding experience and coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is a moment that will remain imprinted on the memory for years to come. Matched with cruising along the Kazinga Channel, and game drives through some of east Africa’s most iconic national parks, this trip provides a lottery-win on the wildlife front. Along the way, encounter local people whose friendly smiles and sense of community is a warm welcome to East Africa.

Highlights

• Search for gorillas near the border of Rwanda.
• Learn a dark history at the Genocide Museum.
• Taste traditional African cuisine.
• Spot wildlife in Nakuru National Park.
• Trek through the dense Ugandan rainforest.
• Find rhinos in the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

Itinerary

Day 1 Nairobi

Arrive in Nairobi to the sounds of the bustling population and explore this fast paced capital.

Day 2 Nakuru National Park

Head to Nakuru and camp overnight on a dairy farm.

Day 3 Kericho

Spend time mingling with eager students before taking an optional tea plantation visit at Kericho.

Days 4-5 Jinja

Cross the border into Uganda, set up camp near Lake Victoria and prepare for two days of adventure. For adrenaline junkies, why not try some whitewater rafting.

Day 6 Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Visit Uganda’s Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, an important organisation that helps to reintroduce rhinos back into the wild. Join a local ranger and observe these impressive beasts in their natural habitat.

Day 7 Kaniyo Pabidi Forest

Venture to the Budongo Forest for an afternoon of chimpanzee trekking in Kaniyo Pabidi.

Days 8-9 Murchison Falls National Park

Take an afternoon game drive in the delta – home to plenty of elephants, buffalo, giraffes and antelopes.

Day 10 Bush Camp

Head towards Queen Elizabeth National Park and camp in the heart of the great outdoors.

Day 11 Queen Elizabeth National Park

Descend into the Great Rift Valley and embark on a game drive through this stunning national park. In the afternoon, take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, well known for its healthy population of hippos.

Day 12 Lake Bunyonyi

Make tracks to Lake Bunyonyi - home to some of the most picturesque scenery in Uganda.

Days 13-15 Kigali/Ruhengeri/Gorilla trek

Cross into Rwanda, stopping at Kigali for a visit to the moving Genocide Memorial. Continue on to Ruhengeri and make a memorable trek into one of the last remaining sanctuaries of the mountain gorilla.

Day 16 Lake Mburo National Park

Camp on the shores of the stunning Lake Mburo, surrounded by an amazing array of wildlife.

Day 17 Jinja

Travel to Jinja, via Kampala, stopping at the equator. Camp overnight by the riverside.

Day 18 Eldoret

Cross back into Kenya and visit Eldoret – a high altitude retreat that is an ideal training ground for Kenya’s endurance athletes.

Day 19 Nakuru National Park

Frolic around a flamingo-filled lake and camp overnight on a dairy farm near Nakuru National Park.

Days 20-21 Nairobi

Return to Nairobi, where this incredible tour of Africa comes to a close.

Group Size

Maximum of 22 travellers per group

Accommodation

Bush camp (no facilities), Camping (with facilities), Hostel

Transport

Overland vehicle

Important notes

1. This trip requires an additional non-refundable deposit ( AUD1000, USD1000, EUR800, NZD1250, GBP650, CAD1000, ZAR8000, CHF900 ) in order to secure a gorilla permit. We also require a scanned copy of your passport at time of booking. Please see trip notes (Important notes) for more details.2. Please note that this trip requires minimum numbers to depart, and may be cancelled up until 56 days prior to departure. The places showing on the dates and availability page are an indication only so please contact Intrepid to check if your preferred date will depart before making any final arrangements, such as booking non-changeable flights.