Experience East Africa like you never imagined on this 16-day tour that gets you close to the land, wildlife, and communities that make this part of the world so unique. Camp at the edge of Lake Nakuru National Park and learn about tribal life and customs by spending time with villagers. Your time isn't complete here without a safari drive (or five) and there are plenty of opportunities for that in this itinerary, including a gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and chimp trekking in Kibale National Park. Dream vacations are made of this.
Travel Style
Classic
Service Level
Standard
Physical Grading
4 - Demanding
What's Included
Your G for Good Moment: Amani Ya Juu Lunch, Nairobi
Your G for Good Moment: Nyamirambo Women's Centre, Local Lunch, Kigali
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group. Samburu village visit and wildlife safari drives. Safari in Lake Nakuru National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve. Guest farm stay near Kibale National Park. Chimpanzee trek. Bigodi Community lunch. Queen Elizabeth National Park wildlife safari drives. Guided gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Visit to Kigali Genocide Museum. All national park fees and trekking permits. Internal flight. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Explore the Masai Mara National Reserve, visit a Samburu village, take in views of the Great Rift Valley, admire a family of mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, trek to see chimpanzees in Uganda, keep your eyes peeled for the plentiful elephant and hippo populations in Queen Elizabeth National Park
How large will the group be?
Max 14, avg 10
What meals are included in this trip?
15 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 10 dinners
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
7-seat 4x4 safari van, plane, private van, walking.
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Standard hotel (3 nts), full-service camping (4 nts), simple furnished tents/rooms (8 nts).
Itinerary
Nairobi
Arrive at any time. There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.
Nairobi/Samburu National Reserve
Travel to Samburu National Reserve in time for an afternoon wildlife safari drive. Visit a Samburu village en route. Depart Nairobi and drive north through the farmlands of the Kikuyu people, passing Mt Kenya, Africa's second highest mountain (5199m/17,060ft).
Just outside the national reserve, visit a local Samburu village. Similar in appearance to the Masai but less known, the Samburu are a proud warrior tribe. Watch traditional Samburu dancing, and learn about Samburu tribal life and customs. The walk within the village is run by Samburu tribesmen for the benefit of the community.
Continue to Samburu National Reserve, a wildlife haven to many species rarely found elsewhere.
Enjoy an afternoon wildlife safari drive in search of large elephant and big cat populations living within this wild part of Kenya.
Samburu National Reserve
Spend a full day on safari in search of Samburu's special five. A full day wildlife safari drive to spot a group of animals only seen north of the equator, such as the beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, Grevy's zebra, the majestic reticulated giraffe, and the long-necked gerenuk, a graceful antelope that stands upright on its hind legs to feed on tall bushes.
Samburu National Reserve/Lake Nakuru National Park
Descend into the Great Rift Valley enjoying stunning views of the escarpment on the way. Nakuru, meaning “dusty place” in the Maasai language, is a cheerful and vibrant agricultural town with a variety of colourful local markets.
Camp outside the town at the edge of Lake Nakuru National Park, the area’s principal highlight and best natural attraction. Time and weather permitting, there may be an opportunity to visit a local tea farm and see how the tea is grown, picked and produced.
Lake Nakuru National Park
Embark on a safari within Lake Nakuru National Park, in search of buffalo, impala, and the elusive leopard.
Lake Nakuru National Park/Masai Mara
Travel to the Masai Mara National Reserve. Search for the "big five" on an afternoon wildlife safari drive. Depart for the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve. With its vast open plains and distinctive flat-topped acacia trees, no visit to Kenya would be complete without a visit to this reserve.
Arrive in the afternoon and get settled at the permanent tented camp, the base for exploring the Mara.
Head into the reserve for an afternoon wildlife safari drive.
Masai Mara
Enjoy a day on safari. Opt to take to the skies on a balloon safari. Rise early for a wildlife safari drive during the best time to spot animals and criss-cross the rolling hills of the African savannah. With a full day to explore the area, we can cover a lot of ground. If time allows, visit the Mara River area.
Opt to go for a balloon safari for a new perspective over the beautiful landscape.
Masai Mara/Nairobi
Enjoy a final wildlife safari drive before the journey back to Nairobi. Enjoy one last opportunity to spot the "big five".
Visit the G for Good supported Amani ya Juu for lunch.
In Nairobi there's some time to buy local handicrafts or check out a bit of the city.
Nairobi/Kampala
Travel from one bustling East African capital city to another. Relax in Kampala and await the second part of this epic adventure.
Kampala/Fort Portal
Take the scenic route to Fort Portal at the edge of Kibale National Park. Spend the night on a guest farm listening to the sounds of monkeys and birds.
Kibale National Park
Explore the evergreen rainforest and trek to spot chimps in the morning or afternoon. Enjoy a traditional lunch in the Bigodi Community. Opt to venture deep into the wetlands to spot more wildlife on a guided walk through the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary.
Kibale NP/Queen Elizabeth NP
Continue on to Queen Elizabeth NP, stopping at the equator. Head out on a wildlife safari drive in the afternoon. Keep your eyes peeled for warthogs, elephants, buffalo, five different species of primates, and hippos. Queen Elizabeth National Park is characterized by open savannah, large areas of swamp around Lake George, the extensive Maramagambo Forest in the southeast, and the forested Kyambura Gorge along the border with Kyambura Game Reserve.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Take an early morning wildlife safari drive and enjoy lunch inside the park. Opt for an evening cruise along the Kazinga Channel. Enjoy a wildlife safari drive with possible sightings of buffaloes, waterbucks, warthogs, lions, leopards, hyenas, giant forest hogs, and elephants.
Queen Elizabeth NP/Bwindi Impenetrable NP
Enjoy the scenic drive south, with views of forests, volcanoes and lakes. Spend the night on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Gorilla Trekking
Rise early for the tour's main highlight – gorilla trekking! Head into Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to meet the park ranger/guide for orientation. Embark on the trek, which can vary in length and difficulty, depending on the location of the gorilla family that's being visited. Spend 1 hr (max) observing these beautiful and endangered creatures, a truly privileged experience. Trek back and return to town. Enjoy free time in the afternoon.
Bwindi/Kigali
Cross the border into Rwanda, then head to the capital city, Kigali. Visit the genocide museum to learn more about the dark history of this fascinating country. Enjoy lunch at the G Adventures supported Nyamirambo Women's Centre.
Is travel insurance required for my trip?
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
