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Gorillas & Masai Mara
NAIROBI TO NAIROBI SAFARI
Kenya, Uganda
20 days: 19 nights camping
Distance: 3,500km

Gorillas and Masai Mara Safari takes in some of the natural wonders of the world - Mountain Gorillas, of which there are only 655 left in the World and the Masai Mara Game Park - named in December 2006 as one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. These two main highlights are complimented with an array of activities to give you a true African experience.



BOOK THIS TRIP AND GET 2 FREE GAME DRIVES AND OVERNIGHT CAMP IN NAKURU GAME PARK VALUED AT $90!!!

Land Price: £440, Local Payment £200

* Although not guaranteed the Great Migration can occur from Serengeti to Masai Mara in between mid-July to beginning of September – 1 million Wildebeest crossing the Mara River.




HIGHLIGHTS: Gorillas and Masai Mara Safari
  • Great Rift Valley, biggest valley in the World
  • Lake Naivasha
  • High Tea at Elsamere, home of Born Free
  • Green Crater Lake, walking safari
  • Trek Mountain Gorillas in their natural environment
  • White Water Rafting (Grade 5) the mighty Nile
  • Soft Power Community Project
  • Lake Nakuru Game Park, game viewing
  • Hand feed Giraffe at the Centre, Nairobi
  • David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, play time, Nairobi
  • Feast at Carnivores Restaurant
  • Masai Mara 4 day/3 night safari
  • Safari Walk, Nairobi National Park



ITINERARY: Gorillas and Masai Mara Safari

Day 1:
Our journey begins in Nairobi, the buzzing Capital of Kenya. From Nairobi we drive to Lake Naivasha at the bottom of the famous Rift Valley for High Tea at Joy Adamson's House - Elsamere. Joy and George Adamson became famous for their unique work with lions, the most famous being 'Elsa'. The movie 'Born Free' was about Elsa's life. We enjoy High Tea overlooking Lake Naivasha while Colobus monkeys try to steal scones from our plates! We camp on the shores of Lake Naivasha. It is not unusual for hippos to come onto the shore and graze at night.

Day 2:
We have the option to start the day with a gentle walking safari around the Green Crater lake. This is one of the very few game parks in Africa without predators making it safe to walk. A rare opportunity to get very close to giraffes, zebra, antelope, flamingos and warthogs to name a few.

Day 3 - 4:
Continuing our journey through the Kenyan western highlands, this area is famous for producing Olympic running champions. We make our way along the top of the Rift Valley, stopping enroute to take photos of the biggest Valley in the World (6,000km long). We spend the night in Eldoret before crossing the border to Uganda and the welcoming Capital, Kampala.

Day 5:
We continue our journey toward western Uganda, stopping enroute to enjoy freshly baked muffins and filter coffee at the Equator. Continuing along through the Ugandan highlands to our night stop at Lake Bunyoni, an ancient crater lake. We arrive in good time to enjoy sundowner's overlooking the lake and the Mgahinga Volcanoes from our wooden platform.

Day 6:
A short drive to the base of the Mgahinga Volcanoes, the border to Congo and Rwanda. This is where we trek Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat. We have the afternoon to make our final arrangements and prepare for the trek.

Day 7 - 8:
Few people in the world get this unique opportunity to trek endangered Mountain Gorillas. The day starts early in the morning with an extensive briefing about the Mountain Gorillas and trekking protocol. We then board our 4x4 vehicles and head up into the mountains to the Base Camp from here we continue on foot through the rain forest. We are accompanied with professional guides and trackers on our trek. The trek can last between 1 hour and 6 hours depending on where the gorillas are at that time. We have 1 hour to sit and observe the gorillas in their natural environment. Most people explain the experience as a mix of disbelief and excitement in watching our closest relative in the wild. We return to our base, enjoy a locally prepared meal and chat about our day.

We return to Lake Bunyoni and time permitting we have the afternoon free to hire dugout canoes, go bird watching or visit a local pygmy settlement.

Day 8:
We leave the rich rain forest area home to Mountain Gorillas for Entebbe, the former Colonial capital of Uganda on the shores of Lake Victoria.
Day 9 - 11:
Jinja, the Adventure Capital of East Africa. Jinja is situated at the source of the longest river in the World - the mighty Nile River. A perfect place to relax and enjoy a cold beer while overlooking the Nile. Jinja is a paradise for adrenalin junkies - white water rafting, quad-biking, bungee jumping and horse-riding.

There is also the option to spend the day with Soft Power Community Project, an opportunity to explore the real rural Africa. Opportunities to help paint schools, teach football to the kids, or simply spend the day exploring and learning from these remarkable kids.

We spend 3 nights in Jinja to ensure you have enough time to indulge in the activities you desire.

Day 12 - 13:
Crossing back into Kenya we take a relaxing game drive through Nakuru Game Park famous for white Rhino, leopard, and flamingos. The park also has giraffe, warthogs, lions, buffalo, zebra, antelope, numerous bird species and baboons. The central point of the park is Lake Nakuru, littered with thousands of pink flamingos – the perfect back drop for a group photo.

Day 14:
We arrive back in Nairobi in time to shower and pull our going out clothes out of our backpacks and get ready for a night of feasting and dancing at the world famous Carnivores Restaurant (followed by a mandatory visit to Carnivores Nightclub!).

Day 15:
We spend the day visiting the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. The baby elephants are allowed out to play every morning, an hour of entertainment watching the babies play in mud pools, kick a soccer ball around and slurp massive bottles of formula. This not a zoo but a place where orphaned elephants are bought and hand-reared before being re-educated and released back into the wild to start their own families. It is possible to adopt a baby elephant or rhino - the perfect gift for animal lovers back home.

After lunch, how about hand feeding Rothschild giraffes at the Nairobi Giraffe Centre? Amazing photo opportunities from the custom built platform (eye level to the giraffes!). Rothschild Giraffes are rare in East Africa with only a few left in some of Kenya's northern parks. The centre not only boasts friendly giraffes but also an extensive education centre.

Day 16-19:
We pack our bags and board our 4x4 vehicles and head out across the Great Rift Valley to the Masai Mara - Kenya's greatest concentration of game. The Masai Mara is Kenya's most famous park; bordering Tanzania and the Serengeti; it boasts the famous Migration and the well documented Mara River crossing of wildebeest and zebras seen between July and August each year.

We spend 4 days on safari taking our time to stop and watch the animals as they cohabitate together. While game driving we will stop to photograph wildlife like: leopard, wildebeest, lion, rhino, warthog, cheetah, gazelle, zebra, giraffe, elephant, buffalo plus many more. At night we camp amongst the animals, nestled around the open fire we listen to the sounds of Africa and fall asleep under the great African skies.

On the 4th day we depart the Masai Mara and head back to Nairobi.

Day 20:
The final day of safari is a free day to relax, wash our clothes or take in the city of Nairobi. For those who still want to see some African animals can visit Nairobi National Park and head out on the Safari Walk - a part of the park dedicated to house orphaned animals rescued from Kenyan game parks.





OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
Gorillas and Masai Mara Safari
  • High Tea Elsamere US$10
  • Crater Game Walk US$25
  • Gorilla Trek Permit US$570
  • Lake Bunyoni dug out canoes US$5
  • White Water Rafting grade 5 full day US$95
  • Bungee jump over the Nile US$45
  • Quad-biking 3 hours US$80
  • Soft Power Community Project US$20
  • Horse-riding along the Nile US$70
  • Carnivores Restaurant US$50 (all meat you can feast on)
  • Giraffe Centre, Nairobi US$15
  • David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage US$15
  • Masai Mara Safari 4 day Safari US$450
  • Safari Walk, Nairobi National Park US$40
Take all the hassle out of your holiday. It is possible to pre-pay all the optional activities and get some great benefits also! Click here for more information.


Departs Nairobi Arrives Nairobi
21 Jan 2008 - FULL
3 March 2008 - FULL
14 April 2008 - FULL
5 May 2008
15 June 2008
25 Aug 2008
15 Sept 2008
6 Oct 2008 - FULL
3 Nov 2008
9 Feb 2008
22 March 2008
3 May 2008
24 May 2008
4 July 2008
13 Sept 2008
4 Oct 2008
25 Oct 2008
22 Nov 2008


Questions, Queries, Bookings? don't hesitate, we also speak German, Italian and French... contact us
To avoid being blocked, don't forget
to add us to your address book




VISA COSTS
Visas for Kenya are available at the airport upon entering; Uganda visa is available at the point of entry.

Kenya: US$ 50
Uganda: US$ 50

(Sth African, Malaysian, Singapore passport holders are free for Kenya if staying 30 days or less. Irish, Malaysian and Singapore passport holders are free for Uganda; however these are subject to change without notice).



TOUR MEETING INSTRUCTIONS:
Gorillas and Masai Mara Safari


The Tour starts 10am sharp on day of departure from:

Indaba Campsite
16 Muiri Lane (just past Bomas of Kenya),
off Langata Road,
Nairobi, Kenya

The campsite is situated near Bomas of Kenya and Nairobi National Park. Muiri Lane is off Langata Road diagonally opposite Mobil Service Station.

A taxi from the airport costs approx. 1,500 Ksh (US$ 25) and 1,000 Ksh (US$ 15) from the city centre. This is per taxi, not per person!!!

An airport pickup and drop-off can be arranged in advance by contacting Anita +41(0)919760777 with your flight details. An airport pick-up costs US$ 30 per person.

Note: Taxis do not have meters, it is essential to bargain over the price prior to getting into the taxi.


Come and take the much of photo's you want but
leave your footprints in Africa with joy

The travel operator of this trips where
your booking is made with...

Adventure Fantasy Tours (abbrev... AFTours)
Via delle Scuole 7   -   6900 Lugano-SWITZERLAND

    Let peace reign in Africa