Safari Quick Facts

Leaving Lake Nakuru we head for Uganda and Kampala, via the Malaba border with its hundreds of transport trucks awaiting customs clearance. Scenery along the way consists of local villages, sugar and tea plantations and as much of this drive is at altitudes around 2000 meters above sea level you will also see fields of pyrethrum, distinguishable by its white and yellow flowers. The juice from the pyrethrum plant is a natural insect repellent and is harvested commercially and used to treat materials such as mosquito netting and clothes. After entering Uganda we cross the Nile River at its source near Jinja, on the shores of Lake Victoria before arriving in Kampala, Uganda’s capital. Kampala is a large modern city that has been rebuilt after its decimation by Idi Amin and the chaos of his rule.

See day 3 for Itinerary

From Kampala we head out to the western part of the country where we see the gorillas. We set up camp at Lake Bunyoni and use this as a base for the gorilla visits. Lake Bunyoni is a great place to spend a few days swimming, walking and canoeing (in traditional dug out canoes - not as easy as it looks!) whilst looking forward to your trip to the gorillas or reflecting on the time you have spent with them. The fact that permits to see the gorillas are restricted means that it will take a few days for everyone to see them.

See day 5 for Itinerary

From our base at Lake Bunyoni, passengers wishing to trek the Mountain Gorillas will transfer by small vehicle/minibus to the relevant national park. Please note that the transfers are not included in your gorilla permit or tour cost (cost U$50-100). Depending on the location of the trek, additional visas may also be required.
Gorilla permits allow visitors to spend up to one hour with a family of gorillas each day. In order to safeguard the gorillas, only 6-8 people may visit each day. In the interests of the gorillas, people with colds, flu or other contagious diseases will not be permitted to trek.
Gorilla trekking may be very strenuous and walking boots are recommended. The area is often shrouded in mist and frequent downpours are common at all times of year. A waterproof jacket can be very useful. Accompanied by your guides and trackers you will follow simple pathways into the cloud forest. The terrain is hilly and can be muddy and slippery, however the views of the Virunga mountain range are spectacular and more than make up for the tough inclines. As you walk, you may see signs and tracks of other animals as well as enjoying bird, monkey and insect sounds of the jungle.
Following their spore and night nests, your guides will lead you to the gorilla group. Some gorilla groups may be a 5 hour walk away from base camp, whilst other groups can be located within an hour. It is difficult to predict where the gorilla group might be and this adds to the excitement and unpredictability of the trek.
After encountering a gorilla family your guides will settle you down and enable you to watch the group interactions. Visitors are not allowed to get closer than 5 meters to the gorillas, but sometimes the gorillas themselves forget this and come very close indeed! Family groups are generally made up of several females, their playful young and one or two mature silverbacks. Young gorillas are extremely entertaining and enjoy showing off their climbing, tumbling and play-fighting antics. Mothers watch on and silverbacks generally maintain a respectful distance whilst keeping a protective eye on their family. Depending on their daily pattern, gorillas may be encountered resting in a sunny or shady spot or on the move as they travel from one feeding patch to another. Whatever else they are doing, gorillas are usually also eating and it is fascinating to watch them in the giant salad bowls which make up their habitat.
Photographing gorillas is allowed, but flash photography is prohibited. Anyone wishing to use a video camera must pay for a special permit. After your time with the gorilla group you will return to base camp and then rejoin the truck at Lake Bunyoni.
For up to date information regarding securing a permit and the current prices please contact your nearest Kumuka office.
Those who opt not to partake in the Gorilla trek will be based at Lake Bunyoni where, as noted on days 5-6 there are plenty of activities to keep you busy. As well as swimming, walking and canoeing there are village and craft centre tours available, visits to the nearby Pygmy Island, and bird watching, time to soak up the sites and sounds of Uganda.

See day 7 for Itinerary

See day 7 Itinerary

Leaving Lake Bunyoni we head back to Kampala, the following day we take a short drive, (approx 3 hours) to Bujagali Falls near Jinja where we have the optional excursion of white water rafting on the Nile River, quad biking or taking part in the Soft Power Education Program. There are some excellent walks either by the Nile or in the local villages or just chill out and enjoy the view.

See day 10 Itinerary

From Bujagali Falls/Jinja we head back to Kenya en-route to Naivasha, Lake Naivasha was briefly Kenya’s airport as flying boats from southern Africa stopped to refuel on their way north. At Lake Naivasha there are lots of optional excursions you can enjoy. You may wish to visit Elsamere named after the lioness in “Born Free”. This was the home of Joy Adamson who was the inspiration for the movie “Born Free” along with her husband George. You also have the option of going trekking or cycling in Hells Gate National Park, one of the few parks in Africa where it is possible to do walking safaris. For the less energetic, Crescent Island (actually the rim of an old crater still attached to the mainland) is a much more leisurely walk and you are almost certain to come within meters of giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and several species of gazelle.

See day 12 for Itinerary

See day 12 for Itinerary

From Lake Naivasha we head into the Masai Mara, one of Africa’s premier game parks. The Masai Mara has large herds of plains game (gazelle, antelope, and giraffe) which in turn attract large numbers of carnivores (lion, cheetah, hyena and the ever elusive leopard). In the Masai Mara we do two game drives, one evening drive and one early the following morning. In most national parks it is forbidden to drive at night so all game viewing is done as early and as late as possible to get the best conditions. Looking for game in a National park is not always easy. This is one of the advantages of using a truck, which has superior height making it easier to see over the surrounding terrain. Game parks are places where the enthusiast tends to use a lot of film or memory so it’s advisable to have some extra on hand.

See day 15 for Itinerary

See day 15 for Itinerary

From the Masai Mara we head back to Nairobi, normally arriving at approximately 18.30pm. Please do not book flights for that evening, should there be an unforeseen delay you may miss the flight. Accommodation is NOT included on Day 18.