Masai Mara & Mountain Gorillas - Reverse

Day 1: Kigali

Today is an arrival day, so you may arrive at any time. Accommodation for the duration of the tour is based on twin share, so you will also meet your 'room mate' today. Those who have booked a single room for their pre accommodation will now be transferred to a twin room. A pre-departure meeting will take place 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 Kigali has to offer (own expense). It is vital to re confirm any flights in to Rwanda. These schedules change regularly and often by more than a few hours. These must be checked to save any problems with your arrival.

Day 2: Kigali - Ruhengeri

(Driving time: approx 2 hours) This morning we visit the Genocide Memorial, recently opened in 2004 to mark the tenth anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide. Whilst the genocide 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 memorial will be an emotionally moving and important way to understand the sheer courage and resilience of people of this beautiful, tiny nation. Leaving the Genocide Memorial we take a two hour drive through the verdant, rolling hills of Rwanda, travelling north-west to Ruhengeri. We set up our first camp in the shadow of the volcanoes that are home to mountain gorillas and prepare for our gorilla trek.

Day 3: Parc National des Volcans (Gorilla Trek) - Kisoro

(Driving time: approx 1 hour) 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 to the border, where we exit Rwanda and enter Uganda. Our campsite tonight is in Kisoro, where we have the chance to relive the events of the day over a well-earned meal and a celebratory drink.

Day 4-5: Queen Elizabeth National Park

(Driving time: approx 6 hours; game drive times variable) From Kisoro we travel to Kabale and on to Queen Elizabeth National Park. 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. This drive is only 80 kilometres, but takes about three hours as we have to negotiate two mountain passes. 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!

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park - Entebbe

(Driving time: approx 8 hours plus) Leaving Queen Elizabeth National Park we travel to Entebbe. Our drive takes us back south across the equator, although we cross again back into the northern hemisphere before reaching Entebbe. We pause at the equator for a photo opportunity and to learn all there is to know about being equidistant from the earth's poles. We arrive to our campground at Entebbe in the late afternoon.

Day 7: Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary - Jinja

(Driving time: approx 1 hour) From 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 take a packed lunch, as only drinks and dry snacks are available on the island. Remember to bring a hat, sunscreen and swimming gear. After leaving Ngamba Island we return northwards to Jinja and nearby Bujagali Falls, our campsite for the following two nights.

Day 8: Jinja - Nile River

Jinja is 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. Our campsite at Bujagali Falls is on the banks of the river, 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.

Day 9: Kericho - Kenyan Highlands

(Driving time: approx 8 hours plus) A long drive covering 350 kilometres takes us from the Nile River to the Kenyan Highlands. Leaving Jinja we pass lush banana and tea plantations before reaching Busia border post - one of the busiest in east Africa. From here we cross again into the southern hemisphere and pass through Kisumu and get our final glimpse of Lake Victoria. The road then continues into Kenya's western highlands, the agricultural heartland of the country. 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. Please note that the tea tour will be included if time permits. Time may be reduced according to road conditions, hours of daylight (season) and tour times of the tea factory.

Day 10: Kericho - East Africa Mission Orphanage

(Driving time: approx 2 hours) Today we travel down to the town of Nakuru to stock up on supplies before reaching the East Africa Mission Orphanage, where we camp on its grounds. 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 200 children ranging in age from 2 to 20 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. We are proud to help support the efforts of this family and their incredible orphanage, and are excited to be able to take clients right into the orphanage itself!

Day 11: Lake Nakuru National Park - East Africa Mission Orphanage

(Driving time: game drive times variable) 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.

Day 12: East Africa Mission Orphanage - Lake Naivasha

(Driving time: approx 2 hours) 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 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 and are at additional expense. Time may be reduced according to road conditions and hours of daylight (season).

Day 13-14: Lake Naivasha - Masai Mara National Reserve

(Driving time: approx 6 hours; game drive times variable) This morning we travel to the town of Narok and onto the Masai Mara region, where we spend two nights in a comfortable tented camp on the edge of the reserve - a welcome break from pitching our tents! 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 may experience the dancing and singing for which the Masai are renowned.

Day 15: Masai Mara National Reserve - Nairobi

(Driving time: approx 7 hours plus) Leaving the beauty of the Masai Mara behind we travel back through the Great Rift Valley and up the escarpment towards Nairobi. We pause at one of the viewpoints to gain a perspective on the size of the valley before continuing to Kenya's capital, Nairobi. You arrive in Nairobi in the late afternoon, where you are dropped off at the downtown hotel. If you are leaving Nairobi today, your on-going flight should not be booked to depart before 8pm. Transfers to Nairobi Airport are at an additional cost.

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