14 Days Gorillas & Masai Mara Overland Camping Safari

This East African journey starts in Nairobi, leaving the capital on the morning of the first day.

Travel into the Rift Valley enjoying sweeping views along the way. On our drive through rural Kenya, via Narok, we see the renowned Maasai people herding livestock in their colourful attire. Keep your eyes open for wildlife on the last section of the drive to our camp.

The camp lies in the Meguarra hills separated from the Masai Mara National Reserve by a rivulet.

• Lunch & Dinner

We wake up early setting off on our first game viewing drive in one of the world’s most famous game reserves. Masai Mara Reserve is the idyllic African safari landscape of films. Hosting the Big Five of Africa – lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant, this wildlife Mecca is known for its big cats.

This is also where the Great Wildebeest Migration occurs every year. Dubbed the most spectacular wildlife phenomenon on earth, during the Great Migration millions of hoofed animals run across the plains between Serengeti in Tanzania and Masai Mara, attracting an abundance of predators.

After our game viewing adventure we have the option of stopping in at a Manyatta to see the traditional ways of the Maasai in the small village. Then, sit back at the end of the day, enjoying a beautiful sunset in the bush and listening to the sounds of untamed nature.

At extra cost you can arrange to do a hot-air balloon ride over Masai Mara, including a champagne breakfast.

• Included Activity: Masai Mara Game Drive
• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Early today we set off from Masai Mara Nature Reserve, travelling through the Kericho highlands and rural Kenya to Eldoret.

• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

On day four we drive to Kampala, the capital city of Uganda – known as The Pearl of Africa.

• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Early this morning we leave Kampala making our way southwest to scenic Lake Bunyoni.

Lake Bunyoni serves as our base for African Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi National Park or Magahinga. We may trek gorillas in Virunga National Park (DRC), or Ruhengeri National Park (Rwanda) if permits in Uganda are not available. If trekking in the DRC or Rwanda, extra visas will be required at additional cost.

The price of the permit for gorilla trekking is currently about US$600, but is subject to change. The permit fee contributes to conservation, helping to protect the gorillas against poaching. A fee is also charged per person for the return transfer and Wildlife Authority fees. Tips for guides are also recommended.

The permit fees are payable in USD cash, at the start of this safari. At the start of the safari your guide will brief you on the particulars of the gorilla trek and help with online visa arrangements for Rwanda if required. Please budget for extra visa costs if you plan to go gorilla trekking.

• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Gorilla Trekking Procedures:

With only about 700 mountain gorillas remaining, gorilla trekking is a rare and unforgettable experience.

If you have flu symptoms or any transferable disease you will not be allowed to trek gorillas, and a minimum age restriction of 16 years applies. The number of daily visitors allowed on the gorilla treks is limited, thus we trek in small groups over 3 to 4 days.

The rangers lead you into the rainforest to find a family of gorillas. Sightings cannot be guaranteed, but the gorillas are monitored improving chances of seeing the gorillas. Gorilla trekking can take between 45 minutes to 8 hours depending on the location of the gorillas. Spend a maximum of one hour with the mountain gorillas, to ensure that the animals do not get too accustomed to humans and to protect them from any of our diseases. The visit allows enough time to watch the gorillas up close and take photographs. Your ranger will be able to tell you more about the gorillas.

The entire cost of the gorilla trekking permits is used by the national park to fund conservation and promote awareness.

After trekking wild Mountain Gorillas in the rainforests we return to Uganda’s capital, Kampala.

We pause at the Equator to take photos where the Northern and Southern Hemispheres meet. Enjoy a night out on the town or rest after a long day on the road.

• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Choose between Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary or adventure activities in Jinja. Go white water rafting on the White Nile, volunteer at a community initiative or go quad biking in Jinja. Then relax in the natural setting at camp.

• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

n day 11 we make our way back into Kenya, heading to Nakuru town.

This is our base for exploring the Lake Nakuru National Park.

• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Spend the day game viewing in the scenic Lake Nakuru National Park. Here we may see black and white rhinos, giraffes, zebras, buffalos and tree-climbing lions, as well as leopards. We are sure to see hippos and plenty of birds, including huge flamingo flocks when conditions are favourable.

You also have the option of visiting the children at the local orphanage in the afternoon.

• Included Activity: Lake Nakuru National Park Game Viewing
• Optional Activity: Visit Local Orphanage
• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today we travel up to Lake Naivasha, located 1880 m above sea level and hosting an abundance of birds.

Optional activities at Lake Naivasha, include a visit to Elsamere, where Joy and George Adamson lived and a boat ride to the Crescent Island Game Sanctuary or a bike ride around Hell’s Gate National Park.

• Included Activity: Visit Lake Naivasha
• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

On the final day of this Gorillas & Masai Mara Overland Camping Safari we have breakfast and drive back to Nairobi, bringing our journey to a close early in the afternoon.

• Breakfast