Day 1
We depart Nairobi driving through the lush farmlands of Kenya
and into the Great Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National
Park, famous for the thousands of flamingo that inhabits the lake's
edge. The numbers vary depending on the level of the lake, and are more numerous
when the water level is low. The park has also been established as a sanctuary
for black and white rhino, which are frequently seen in the park, along with
buffalo, giraffe, waterbuck, various antelope, leopard and the occasional hippo.
Following an afternoon game drive, we overnight at one of the campsites within
the park.
Day 2
After a morning game drive, we head westwards towards Uganda
and camp overnight amongst the tea plantations of Kericho.
Situated in the western highlands, this is the heart of Kenya's tea plantation
area and the climate is perfect for the growing of this particular crop.
Alternatively,
and if time permits, we may drive a little further and use a campsite on the
shores of Lake Victoria at Kisumu, Kenya's
third largest town.
Days 3 to 4
Today, we cross the border into Uganda and travel via the lakeside town of Jinja
(the Source of the Nile) before reaching Kampala,
Uganda's capital, for an overnight stay.
Uganda is a small country of striking physical beauty. Its landscapes vary from the fertile green areas around the northern shores of Lake Victoria to the snow-covered Ruwenzori Mountains in the west and the semi-desert parts of the north facing the border of Sudan.
The
political instability that haunted Uganda over a period of years has had the
positive effect of leaving the country free of the over-commercialism so common
in other parts of Africa. The current administration under President Museveni
has devoted considerable effort and funds to regain Uganda's former glory as
one of Africa's most prosperous and, from a tourists point of view, one of the
most appealing and interesting countries to visit.
After an early morning departure from Kampala we drive further west on into the depths of Uganda and arrive at our base in the picturesque region of Lake Bunyoni.
Days 5 to 7
From our Lake Bunyoni base, depending on where the gorilla
permits are available, and where the gorillas are located, we will be viewing
them in either the Mgahinga or Bwindi National Parks
in Uganda, the Virunga National Park in the DRC
or at Ruhengeri in Rwanda. Due to the nature
of the gorillas and their habits, viewing cannot be guaranteed. The gorillas
themselves can tend to move around the locality quite a distance and the trek
can be quite arduous. The cost to trek the gorillas differs from park to park
and can range from us$175 to us$250, per 1-hour viewing. There is usually a
park entry fee as well of approx us$15. Please note that Worldwide Adventure
is not in control of the price of gorilla permits and therefore cannot be held
responsible for any increases in fees levied by the relevant authorities. National
parks usually allow clients who fail to see the gorillas, a second chance to
re-trek the next day if time and availability allows or they may refund your
trekking fee. This is purely at their discretion. Although this is the general
situation, the respective National Parks authorities will not put this in writing
to any tour operator. Again the respective park authorities say that you are
paying to trek the gorillas, not view them. Worldwide Adventure is considered
to be the main tour operator within the overland industry and we have a very
high success rate of getting in and actually seeing these magnificent animals.
Please note: This is an optional excursion and visas to the DRC and Rwanda can
be obtained at the border.
The
mountain gorilla (Gorilla Berengei) of whom only about 600 still exist, is one
of our closest living relatives, yet ironically, it is mankind that poses the
greatest threat to its survival. To visit these noble creatures in there own
environment is an experience you will never forget. Accompanied by a park guide
and a bush cutter, we track these gorillas through the rain forest. The gorilla
families have been habituated to tourists and their whereabouts are monitored
daily by the guides and park officials.
It may be necessary to trek for quite a while through the
dense forest vegetation (up to 5 hrs) in order to reach the family designated
for your visit.
As gorillas are sensitive to human diseases, the park authorities will not allow
anyone they consider to be in poor health to visit the gorilla groups and children
under 15 years of age are not allowed to visit.
You need not feel that you are exploiting these animals - for years they have been ruthlessly hunted for their hands and heads, which have been sold as souvenir ashtrays and lampshades. In addition, large numbers have been killed whilst trying to stop poachers stealing babies for sale to zoos, where they have never lived long. As a result, the ever-growing number of tourists to see them is an important factor in their survival. The gorilla fees help to set up and finance patrols that are instrumental in protecting the gorillas from poachers and their lethal snares.
It is also important to note that, although the groups have been habituated, they have not been tamed and their behaviour is not demonstrably different from that of the non-habituated groups. Nobody forces them to stay with us for the allotted hour, and they can fade into the forest as you appear, if they wish to do so.
Days 8 to 9
After enjoying the peaceful surrounds of Lake Bunyonyi we drive to Kampala for
another overnight stay, and perhaps the chance to sample the nightlife. Continuing
on we arrive at Jinja, the source of the Nile, where you have the opportunity
to enjoy some of the best whitewater rafting in Africa.
Days 10 to 12
Descending into the rift valley we enter Masai land, and these
habitual pastoralists are seen quite regularly on the side of the road as they
tend their cattle. Game drives through the Mara find us looking
for the infamous big 5 as well as giving us the opportunity to see this "Garden
of Eden" in a state nature intended it to be, huge plains, rolling
hills and an abundance of game matched no where else on earth. Elephant, lion,
cheetah, giraffe, zebra, waterbuck just to name a few of the animal that inhabit
this wonderland. Sitting around a campfire and watching the sun set is the perfect
way to finish a days game viewing in the Mara.
Day 13
Moving further south, we drive to Lake Naivasha where we make
camp in peaceful surroundings beside the lake. The highest of the Rift Valley
lakes, Naivasha lies at about 1880m. again the lake is home to a multitude of
bird life, pride of place must go to the African Fish Eagle. The afternoon is
spent at leisure here and you have the opportunity (time permitting) to enjoy
some optional excursions, such as a boat ride to the Crescent Island
Game Sanctuary, Hell's Gate National Park or Elsamere,
the retirement home of Joy Adamson ("Born Free").
Day 14
After breakfast, we leave Naivasha and return to Nairobi, arriving
in the early afternoon. The truck will stop at the Boulevard Hotel for those
staying there, and then continue to our campsite to finish the trip.
Please note: for your convenience, we can
arrange all your transfers, flights, onward travel arrangements and accommodation
before and after your tour.
The above tour is an example of what we have to offer. We have numerous options,
prices and departure dates to suit your individual needs.
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