East Africa In-Depth
16 days
From
$ 5999
Duration16 days
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.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 16 daysService level: Standard
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Physical Grading: Demanding
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Ages: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.
Arrive at any time.
Day 2: Nairobi/Samburu National Reserve
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.
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.
Travel to Samburu National Reserve in time for an afternoon wildlife safari drive. Visit a Samburu village en route.
End place: Samburu Game Reserve
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Samburu National Reserve
Start place: Samburu Game Reserve
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.
Spend a full day on safari in search of Samburu's special five.
End place: Samburu Game Reserve
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Samburu National Reserve/Lake Nakuru National Park
Start place: Samburu Game Reserve
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.
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.
Descend into the Great Rift Valley enjoying stunning views of the escarpment on the way.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Lake Nakuru National Park
Embark on a safari within Lake Nakuru National Park, in search of the resident black rhino, buffalo, impala, and the elusive leopard.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Lake Nakuru National Park/Masai Mara
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.
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.
Travel to the Masai Mara National Reserve. Search for the "big five" on an afternoon wildlife safari drive.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Masai Mara
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.
Opt to go for a balloon safari for a new perspective over the beautiful landscape.
Enjoy a day on safari. Opt to take to the skies on a balloon safari.
If you have pre-booked a Masai Mara Balloon Safari, your flight will be in the morning. You will miss the morning wildlife safari drive with the group, but you will have spectacular views from above.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 8: Masai Mara/Nairobi
Enjoy one last opportunity to spot the "big five".
Visit the G for Good supported Ubuntu Cafe for lunch, before heading back to Nairobi.
In Nairobi there's some time to buy local handicrafts or check out a bit of the city.
Visit the G for Good supported Ubuntu Cafe for lunch, before heading back to Nairobi.
In Nairobi there's some time to buy local handicrafts or check out a bit of the city.
Enjoy a final wildlife safari drive before the journey back to Nairobi.
Meals: B, L
Day 9: Nairobi/Kampala
Travel from one bustling East African capital city to another. Relax in Kampala and await the second part of this epic adventure.
Meals: B
Day 10: 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.
Accommodation in Fort Portal is on a farm in simple furnished tents with shared bathroom facilities.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 11: Kibale National Park
Opt to venture deep into the wetlands to spot more wildlife on a guided walk through the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary.
Explore the evergreen rainforest and trek to spot chimps in the morning or afternoon. Enjoy a traditional lunch in the Bigodi Community.
A traditional meal in the Bigodi Community.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 12: Kibale NP/Queen Elizabeth NP
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.
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.
Accommodation in Queen Elizabeth NP is in simple furnished tents with shared bathroom facilities.
Meals: B, D
Day 13: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Enjoy a wildlife safari drive with possible sightings of buffaloes, waterbucks, warthogs, lions, leopards, hyenas, giant forest hogs, and elephants.
Take an early morning wildlife safari drive and enjoy lunch inside the park. Opt for an evening cruise along the Kazinga Channel.
Enjoy lunch inside the park.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 14: 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.
Accommodation at Bwindi Impenetrable NP is in simple furnished tents/rooms with ensuite bathroom facilities.
End place: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Meals: B
Day 15: Gorilla Trekking
Start place: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
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.
Rise early for the tour's main highlight – gorilla trekking!
End place: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Meals: B
Day 16: Bwindi/Kigali
Start place: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
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. Tour ends on arrival at hotel.
Meals: B, L
Inclusions
Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Café Ubuntu , Maai Mahiu Your G for Good Moment: Nyamirambo Women's Centre, Local Lunch, Kigali Your 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
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Transport
7-seat 4x4 safari van, Plane, Private van, Walking -
Accommodation
Standard hotel (3 nts), Full-service camping (4 nts), Simple furnished tents/rooms (8 nts)