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Complete East Africa
Local Payment: USD 700
Tour Code: GACE
Tour Duration: 22 days
Countries Visited: Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda
The Masai Mara is an area of incredible natural beauty and also home to a plethora of flora and fauna, making it one of the greatest natural wildlife theatres in the world. It is a great place to begin our safari and to get our first taste of game viewing African style. From here two of Kenya's Great Rift Valley lakes await - the freshwater Lake Naivasha and the alkaline Lake Nakuru. Camping on the shores of Lake Naivasha we quickly become aware of the immense numbers of hippos and variety of bird life that resides here. There are a great range of optional activities available here and time is set aside to enjoy these. Nearby Lake Nakuru forms the centrepiece of Lake Nakuru National Park, best known for the millions of flamingoes that carpet the lake with a soft pink colour. This park is excellent for white rhino sightings and is also home to the usual array of grazing animals. Gecko's is proud to support the work of the East Africa Mission Orphanage (EAMO) and we get to experience the daily life at this very special project. Sharing dinner with the children and spending time with them at school will provide us with many touching memories.
Uganda, often referred to as 'The Pearl of Africa', offers many treasured highlights and memories. Our exploration begins in Jinja, located at the point where the Victoria Nile River flows out of Lake Victoria. Here we have our chance to get our adrenalin fix by participating in some optional adventurous activities, but the more cautious amongst us can just explore some neighbouring villages and get a taste of Ugandan life. Our close relatives at the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary provide some interesting insights into our own human behaviour and the trip out to the island also incorporates some superb scenery. Queen Elizabeth National Park is a true wildlife haven that we explore in-depth on game drives and also on an awesome afternoon boat trip on the Kazinga Channel.
Leaving Uganda we then spend time with the majestic mountain gorillas on the slopes of Parc National des Volcans. Coming face to face with endangered gorillas in their own environment is a real privilege and an experience that will be indelibly etched in our minds. There is no real way to describe the intimacy of getting close to these giants – for many, it is a deeply moving experience. Quite simply trekking to visit mountain gorillas is one of those ‘must do’ things and Rwanda offers the best opportunity to achieve this. Unlike most other companies Gecko’s pre-purchases gorilla permits from the Rwandan authorities to ensure that we are able to offer them for each departure. When you have paid the trip deposit and the gorilla permit fee in full and have provided Gecko's with the necessary information, then your gorilla permit is guaranteed. Please note that the Rwandan government may revoke or change permit conditions at any time (including after purchase) without prior notice. Gecko’s Adventures does not accept responsibility for loss of enjoyment or compensation resulting from any changes beyond our control. Our final stop is the Genocide Museum, a sobering but extremely moving experience where we learn of the recent atrocities in Rwanda, but also gain respect for the way the people have chosen to move forward.
Today is an arrival day, so you may arrive at any time. A pre-departure meeting takes place at 6pm at the hotel. You may choose to eat at the hotel restaurant this evening or venture out to one of the many fine restaurants that Nairobi has to offer (own expense).
Day 2: Arusha
We depart Nairobi at 9am and cross the border at Namanga to enter Tanzania, before travelling on to Arusha. Arusha, also known as the Safari Capital of Tanzania, throbs with activity and we can expect to see several safaris heading off – or returning after a week in the bush. Here, we set up for our first night of camping in Tanzania.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
This morning we visit a very special school in Arusha. The School of St Jude was founded in 2002 by Gemma, a young Australian woman, for orphans and very poor children of Arusha. The school was founded on Gemma's belief that not only was a good and accessible education a right for all children in the world but without it, Africa's rate of development would continue to lag behind the rest of the world. Under the banner of 'Fighting Poverty through Education' the school provides a totally free education to over 90% of the pupils, including supplying transport, uniform, stationery, snacks, water and a hot meal. The opportunity for sponsorship at St Jude is given to the brighest and most ambitious children of extremely poor families, after a series of tests designed to measure potential and poverty levels. Whilst on a guided tour of the school we are given more information on how it operates and the success that it has achieved. We have time to visit children in class, before joining them for morning tea and lunch. We may hear some singing and see some of the children displaying special skills. This is a morning that is certain to touch our souls and fill us full of optimism. Leaving Arusha we will travel on to Meserani where will stop for lunch. There is the opportunity to explore a snake park or visit an excellent Masai museum, as well as purchase crafts from the local Masai women (time permitting). We will then continue on to our campsite at Mto Wa Mbu.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Continuing toward Ngorongoro, we stop on the top of the Rift Valley escarpment for an incredible view out over Lake Manyara before continuing to the Serengeti Plains. These massive grasslands seem to stretch as far as the eye can see, and beyond! Over a million wildebeest roam through the park, along with a multitude of antelope species and significant populations of lion and cheetah. We spend two days exploring the plains on game drives as well as checking out the rocky outcrops, or ‘kopjes’, which are a favourite resting spot for the predators. We spend two nights camping inside the park - perfectly situated for the opportunity to hear the night time serenade of the African savannah. Please note that the campsites in Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater are national park campsites and have no shower facilities. These are the only public campsites available and the facilities are basic in the extreme. There are no fences surrounding the campsites and wildlife is free to roam at leisure. The toilets are pit toliets and are not cleaned regularly. As mentioned, there is no water for showers or for washing up. As a result the water tank on the vehicle will be required for cooking. You will need to purchase bottled water at your own expense for this part of the tour. However the opportunity to camp in the middle of the Serengeti Plains and on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater are real highlights and incredible experiences that you are unlikely to forget.
Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
We enjoy a final early morning game drive, before heading back to break down camp. We then traverse the southern part of Serengeti National Park and cross over into the adjacent Ngorongoro Conservation Area. On the way to our campsite there is the option of visiting the small museum at Olduvai Gorge (time permitting), which documents the discovery of 1.8 million year old human-like fossils. We arrive at our campsite on the rim of the crater in the early evening – be warned that it gets very cold up here! This campsite is another government campsite and has equally primitive facilities, but is often frequented by buffalo, elephant and zebra.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
At the heart of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is the crater, which is a volcanic caldera some 20 kilometres wide that contains an abundance of wildlife and bird life. Ngorongoro is often referred to as a microcosm of Africa, with forest and grasslands, as well as freshwater and soda lakes. We transfer into Land Rovers and head down to the crater floor, where we spend the morning exploring this outstanding wildlife sanctuary. The crater is home to several black rhinos and, with luck, we may have the opportunity to seeing some of these highly endangered animal. (National park regulations stipulate that vehicles are only allowed a maximum of six hours in Ngorongoro Crater.) After an exciting morning in the crater we head through Karatu to Mto Wa Mbu and return to our campground in Arusha, where a hot shower and cold drink awaits!
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
This morning we bid farewell to some of our fellow travellers who are ending their safari in Arusha. We retrace our path back to Namanga to exit Tanzania and re-enter Kenya. We should arrive back at our Nairobi hotel in the mid afternoon. After checking in you have time to relax by the pool or catch up on some emails in the business centre. A pre-departure meeting takes place at 6pm at the hotel. This meeting will cover the next fourteen days of the tour and provide us with a chance to meet our new fellow travellers.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Leaving Nairobi we travel down into the Great Rift Valley and the Masai Mara region, where we spend two nights and enjoy a full day's safari. As dusk falls we may see a variety of animals in the vicinity and listen to the sounds of the African night from our camp. We explore the park on morning and afternoon game drives and witness the wonderful procession of wildlife that inhabit this area. Wildebeest, zebra and gazelle are plentiful and, with luck, we may spot lion or cheetah keeping a casual eye on their movements. Elephant, giraffe and eland are also commonly sighted, along with plenty of bird life. Whilst in the region, we also have time to experience some of the Masai culture and you may choose to visit a local village, where you can experience the dancing and singing for which the Masai are renowned.
Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
This morning we depart the Masai Mara and head to the nearby freshwater Lake Naivasha, where we set up camp on the banks of the lake. Tonight we can fall asleep to the sound of grunting hippos! This afternoon is at leisure to take in one of the optional activities of the area. You may choose to visit Elsamere, the former home of writer Joy Adamson of ‘Born Free’ fame, and learn about her life and work, before enjoying a sumptuous afternoon tea. Alternatively you can take a cycling tour into Hell's Gate National Park, to try game viewing on two wheels! Another great option is a nature walk in Crescent Island Sanctuary to see just how close you can get to the resident animals such as giraffe, zebra and wildebeest, on foot. Please note that these activities will be offered if time permits. Time may be reduced according to road conditions and hours of daylight (season).
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
This morning we have time for another optional activity in Lake Naivasha before lunch. We then travel to the town of Nakuru to stock up on supplies before reaching the East Africa Mission Orphanage, where we 'bush camp' on its farmland. There are only be basic facilities here (pit toilets and no showers), but the cause is certainly an exceptional one! This afternoon we will be able to meet the children and this evening we share dinner with them at the orphanage. They love to practice their English skills and also are excited to know more about the world - be warned they will have lots of questions for you over dinner! The East Africa Mission Orphanage looks after more than 100 children ranging in age from just a few days old to 15 years of age. The complete needs of the children, including full school education, are provided for by the orphanage. This orphanage is actually the result of the dream of one family, who arrived in Kenya in 1997 with nothing more than two suitcases each. It is a charitable institution, registered with the Kenyan Government for the purposes of caring for the thousands of homeless orphans, who would end up either dying a premature death through malnutrition, walking the streets in search of food or turning to prostitution as a means of survival. The orphanage is taking up the challenge to reach out to these children before they have to fend for themselves out in the streets. Gecko's is proud to help support the efforts of this family and their incredible orphanage, and is excited to be able to take clients right into the orphanage itself!
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
This morning we travel to the nearby Lake Nakuru National Park for a full day of game driving. Lake Nakuru is particularly noted for its populations of white and black rhino, Cape buffalo and the elusive leopard. Many other animals abound here including the Masai giraffe, which is often sighted quite close to the many roads in the park. Lake Nakuru is one of several soda lakes in the Rift Valley. Rich in algae, it attracts large quantities of flamingos and at times the surface of the lake resembles a moving carpet of pink feathers. In the evening we return to our camp in the orphanage.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
This morning we spend time with the children of the orphanage in their classrooms. We get to sit in on class with the children and join some of them in their lessons. The children are taught by paid, qualified local teachers, according to the curriculum of the Kenyan school system. However they also receive the additional benefit of having all their classes conducted in both English and Swahili, which assists them to learn English fluently. After packing up camp, we bid farewell to the children of the orphanage and head up to the western highlands, which is the agricultural heartland of Kenya. Vast tea plantations cover the region around Kericho and our campsite is located in the midst of an actual plantation. In the afternoon we have the opportunity to learn more about the tea industry in Kenya and how the crop is cultivated.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
A long drive of 350 kilometres takes us from the Kenyan Highlands to the Ugandan Riverina. Leaving Kericho we cross the equator into the northern hemisphere before passing through Kisumu and getting our first sighting of Lake Victoria. From there the road continues onto Busia border post - one of the busiest in east Africa. We then continue past lush banana and tea plantations before reaching Jinja, located at the point where Lake Victoria empties into the Victoria Nile, which merges with the Albert Nile to later become the White Nile River. John Hanning Speke proclaimed Jinja to be the source of the Nile in 1858, but this was disproved in 2004 and the true source of the Nile is now accepted to be a small stream in Nungwe, Rwanda. We spend two nights camped at Bujagali Falls, on the banks of the river. This is a spectacular spot, situated on a section with raging rapids, forested islands and an abundance of bird life. These falls have become east Africa's adventure centre and we can be enticed by optional activities such as whitewater rafting, kayaking, horse riding and quad biking.
Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
We leave the Nile River and retrace our path to Lake Victoria before circling part way around the lake to Entebbe. At Entebbe we travel by boat to Ngamba Island on Lake Victoria, where we visit a chimpanzee sanctuary. Covered by rainforest, this island is home to 39 orphaned chimpanzees and here we have the opportunity to observe these cheeky primates close to their natural habitat. We suggest you arrange a packed lunch from your hotel the night before, as only drinks and dry snacks only are available on the island. Remember to bring a hat, sunscreen and swimming gear. After leaving Ngamba Island we head on to our campground at Entebbe.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
From Entebbe we journey on to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a stunning reserve that covers almost 2000 square kilometres and includes an array of habitats. On arrival we embark on an afternoon game drive in search of some of the 100 different types of mammals and over 600 different species of birds that have been identified in the park. This national park certainly has one of the highest biodiversity ratings in the world! We spend two nights camped in the Mweya area, located on the edge of the Kazinga Channel.
The following morning is spent game driving, whilst our afternoon is set aside for enjoying a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel. Whilst rhino, giraffe, zebra and impala are not encountered here, the other main species are all present along with some rare ones such as Ugandan kob, sitatunga, giant forest hog and topi. The afternoon's boat trip on the Kazinga Channel is a highlight for all, but especially so for birdwatchers. Many species can be sighted including the bizarre looking shoebill (or whale-headed) stork, which stands over one metre in height! The Kazinga Channel is said to contain the world's largest concentration of hippoptamuses, but interestingly not many crocodiles!
Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
This morning we leave Queen Elizabeth National Park for the long drive to Rwanda. Our drive to Kabale reveal glimpses of rural Ugandan life and we are sure to be greeted by many 'waves' from the children on the roadsides along the way. The drive from Kabale to Kisoro is only 80 kilometers, but takes about three hours as we have to negotiate two mountain passes. From Kisoro we reach the border and cross into Rwanda, the 'Land of 10,000 Hills’. After completing immigration formalities we enter a new world, switching to driving on the right hand side of the road and hearing French being spoken, as it is the predominant language in Rwanda. Travelling to our campsite we catch glimpses of the endless mountain ranges and enjoy breathtaking views, which the country is renowned for. We spend the next two nights on the outskirts of Ruhengeri.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
This morning we check in at the headquarters of the Parc National des Volcans for our gorilla trek. The Parc National des Volcans cover an area where a chain of volcanoes link to form a natural border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Bamboo and rainforest covers the slopes of the park, providing the perfect sanctuary for the endangered mountain gorillas. After a brief safety talk we set off with our guide in search of these magnificent apes. Our guide is fluent in English and will pass on information to us that will ensure we understand more about the gorillas and how they live. The gorilla families may either be close or further afield and they may also be on the move, whilst we are trekking. Be prepared for what can be a long and tough climb in damp and humid conditions, and our guides may have to use their machetes to cut paths for us to pass through. We are likely to get within metres of the family we are tracking and will be able to spend an hour observing these magnificent primates. Please note that gorillas are very susceptible to human diseases and you should advise your guide if you are suffering from a cold or anything similar. It would be irresponsible to risk the health of even one of the last 700 remaining mountain gorillas that are still living in their natural habitat. Returning to base we travel back to our campsite, where we have the chance to relive the events of the day over a well-earned meal.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Leaving Ruhengeri we begin our two hour drive through verdant, rolling hills of Rwanda as we travel south-east to the capital, Kigali. Our final activity is a visit to the Genocide Museum, recently opened in 2004 to mark the tenth anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide. Whilst this disaster occurred as a result of a complex series of factors, it can only be seen as an absolute tragedy to Rwanda and its people. Time spent at this museum will be an emotionally moving and important way to understand the sheer courage and resilience of people of this beautiful, tiny nation. After the museum our tour comes to an end upon arrival at our hotel in Kigali. Please note that accomdation for tonight is not included, but can be booked separately If you are flying out of Kigali today, you should not be booked your flight to depart before 2.30pm. Transfers to Kigali Airport are also available at additional cost.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Occasionally it may be necessary to amend this itinerary for reasons beyond our control such as weather and road conditions. This safari ends in Kigali on the morning of Day 22. If you plan to fly out of Kigali on this day, you should not book your flight to depart prior to 3pm.
For those dates where the School of St Jude’s is closed due to school holidays (dates indicated in the brochure) the group will instead pay a visit to Meserani Snake Park & Masai Museum. The Snake Park is home to a variety of snakes common to East Africa, from the black mamba to the African Python, as well as monitor lizards, tortoises and crocodiles.
The adjoining Masai Museum centres around the culture, customs and dress of the Masai tribes. The Meserani project works closely with the local community, providing antidote treatment for snake bites and other basic health service, free of charge, to the local Masai communities
Tour Grade: Active
These trips involve some activity and occasional hard travelling days. Accommodation can sometimes be quite basic. Physical preparation is important and a flexible, open-minded approach is essential. On treks you may be hiking up to six hours a day through steep terrain, sometimes at altitude, and a good level of physical fitness is required.
Valid from 1 November 2008
| Start Date | End Date | Local_Payment | Price |
| 08 Nov 2008 | 29 Nov 2008 | USD 700 | $2775 |
| 20 Dec 2008 | 10 Jan 2009 | USD 700 | $2775 |
| 31 Jan 2009 | 21 Feb 2009 | USD 700 | $2775 |
| 14 Mar 2009 | 04 Apr 2009 | USD 700 | $2775 |
| 25 Apr 2009 | 16 May 2009 | USD 700 | $2775 |
| 06 Jun 2009 | 27 Jun 2009 | USD 700 | $2775 |
| 18 Jul 2009 | 08 Aug 2009 | USD 700 | $2775 |
| 29 Aug 2009 | 19 Sep 2009 | USD 700 | $2775 |
| 10 Oct 2009 | 31 Oct 2009 | USD 700 | $2775 |
| 21 Nov 2009 | 12 Dec 2009 | USD 700 | $2775 |
| 02 Jan 2010 | 23 Jan 2010 | USD 700 | $2775 |
| 13 Feb 2010 | 06 Mar 2010 | USD 700 | $2775 |
| 27 Mar 2010 | 17 Apr 2010 | USD 700 | $2775 |
| 08 May 2010 | 29 May 2010 | USD 700 | $2775 |
Local Payment: USD 700
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