Kenya to the Gorillas and Back

A day-by-day breakdown of what to expect and where you'll be staying.

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Day 1, Nairobi to Nanyuki

Leaving the hustle and bustle of Nairobi we head north, crossing the equator, before reaching the market town of Nanyuki. Nanyuki is home to the main base of Kenya’s Air Force and is popular amongst tourists because of it’s proximity to Mount Kenya, Kenya’s highest peak.

Day 2, Nanyuki to Samburu National Park

Leaving this old frontier town, we head to the Samburu National Reserve encountering the semi-nomadic proud Samburu along the way.

Day 3, Samburu National Park

The Samburu National Reserve is made up of a mixture of scrub, desert and open Savannah plains and is home to 4 of the Big 5. Spend the day searching for the Grevy’s Zebra, Beisa Oryx, Reticulated Giraffe and Somali Ostrich which make this area unique.

Day 4, Samburu National Park to Lake Nakuru National Park

Leaving the unique Samburu National Reserve,  we travel via Nanyuki heading west towards the Great Rift Valley. Nakuru is the fourth largest town in Kenya and also the capital of the Rift Valley.

Day 5, Lake Nakuru National Park

After restocking our supplies in town we explore the Lake Nakuru National Park - a soda lake that is famous for the huge volumes of lesser and greater flamingos that flock here. A truly spectacular sight! We also keep an eye out for Black and White Rhino, Leopard, Buffalo, Giraffe, antelope and the occasional Hippo before spending the night at a bush camp within the Park.

Day 6, Lake Nakuru National Park to Kampala

Crossing the border into Uganda we travel via the lakeside town of Jinja before reaching Kampala, Uganda's capital.

Day 7, Kampala to Kisoro

After passing through some beautiful countryside we arrive at Kisoro - our base for the Gorilla trekking adventure - in time to get organised for tomorrow.

Day 8, Kisoro

From our base in Kisoro and depending on permit availability and the location of the Gorillas, we have the option of joining a Gorilla trek in either Magahinga or Bwindi National Parks in Uganda, the Virunga in the DRC, or the Ruhengeri, Rwanda. An unforgettable experience! 100% of the gorilla permit cost is used to by the parks authorities to protect and promote these amazing creatures.

Day 9, Kisoro to Lake Bunyoni

After our gorilla trek it's now time for some downtime. We head for Lake Bunyoni, the deepest crater lake in Africa. We can camp on the shores and enjoy the peace and tranquility of this pretty lake. If you're lucky you'll spot some of the elusive otters or just enjoy the variety of birdlife present.

Day 10 to 11, Lake Bunyoni

With plenty to do in and around the lake you now have a couple of days to take up some of the optional activities on offer. Visit the local village, hike, canoe, swim, catch up on writing your postcards... or relax, and sit back and enjoy the beautiful lake and its creatures.

Day 12, Lake Bunyoni to Kampala

We return to Kampala after enjoying the peaceful surrounds of Lake Bunyoni. We cross the equator for the second time and there will be ample opportunity for photos at the Equator crossing. If you want to try out Kampala's night life then tonight is your chance!

Day 13, Kampala

A leisure day in Uganda’s capital can be spent exploring the local markets and museums, or taking a trip to the nearby Ngamba chimpanzee sanctuary.

Day 14, Kampala to Jinja

A short drive brings us to Jinja, at the Source of the River Nile. We have the option to either white water raft the Nile or visit Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary.

Day 15, Jinja

Spend the day taking up some of the adventure activities on offer such as rafting the Nile, visit the local community project or take part in a quad bike trip along the riverbank. If that is a bit too much effort then relax in the camp perched on the edge of the river!

Day 16, Jinja to Lake Nakuru National Park

We leave Uganda behind and  head in Kenya today where we overnight in Nakuru, capital of the Rift Valley Province, in preparation of our journey into Lake Nakuru National Park.

Day 17, Lake Nakuru National Park to Lake Naivasha

Moving east again we head to Lake Naivasha, home to the magnificent African Fish Eagle. At 1880 m this is the highest Rift Valley lake and time permitting we can spend the afternoon enjoying optional excursions close by. We spend our last night in a lovely campsite on the lakes edge.

Day 18, Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha is home to a multitude of bird life including the magnificent African Fish Eagle. Spend the day at leisure or take a trip to Elsamere, a boat ride to the Crescent Island Game Sanctuary or a bike ride around Hell’s Gate National Park.

Day 19, Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara

Entering Masai land we are likely to see these colourful locals tending their stock on the side of the road. Our overnight stop looks out across the Masai Mara National Reserve.

Day 20, Masai Mara

We will look for the infamous Big 5 as well as the plentiful plains game and birdlife on our game drives. You will see this 'garden of Eden' in a state nature intended it to be, rolling hills, huge plains, and an abundance of game matched no where else on earth. Buffalo, elephant, lion, cheetah, zebra, wildebeest, waterbuck just to name a few of the animals that inhabit this wild wonderland. Sitting around a campfire listening to the bush sounds, whilst watching the sun set is the perfect way to finish a day's game viewing in the Mara.

Day 21, Masai Mara to Nairobi

After a final game drive in the 'Mara' we travel back to Nairobi and the end of our trip.

Meals included in your tour cost

20 Breakfasts, 20 Lunches, 20 Dinners

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There are 14 optional activities available on this trip.

Prices shown are approximate

• $20 Crescent Island Wildlife Sanctuary
• $10 Elsamere
• $600 Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
• $600 Gorilla Trekking in the DRC
• $600 Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
• $45 Hells Gate National Park
• $10 Karen Blixen Museum
• TBA Lake Nakuru National Park
• $20 Langata Giraffe Centre Visit
• $65 Nairobi National Park
• $60 Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
• $10 Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Rhino Sanctuary
• $25 Softpower Community Project
• $125 White Water Rafting on the Nile