Indepth Overland Nairobi, Gorill... (AUZ)

Nairobi 16 Dec 2012

Border Information: If Joining in Nairobi, enter Kenya at Nairobi Airport.

Group meeting at the Kivi Milimani Hotel at 10.00am

Kivi Milmani Hotel

Milimani Road

Nairobi

PO Box 20681

After the meeting you have some free time to head out to explore the National Museum of Kenya or the Karen Blixen Museum (author of Out of Africa), or Bomas which displays the traditional homesteads of several Kenyan tribes in an outdoor village. 

We meet back at the hotel and head off in the truck to our well equipped Campsite situated in the suburb of Karen. Tonight we have the option of going out for a group meal.

Nakuru National Park 17 Dec 2012

After breakfast we make our way to Nakuru approx. 160Km from Nairobi. 

Tonight we will stay at a beautiful camp site located on a dairy farm on the outskirts of Nakuru Town and depending on what time we arrive we may have the option of a farm visit.

Kericho 18 Dec 2012

 before having lunch and heading on to Kericho, approx. 150Kms. 

Tonight we stay at a well equipped campsite with the opportunity of an optional tea plantation tour.

Jinja 19 Dec to 20 Dec 2012

Border Information: Exit Kenya at Busia. Enter Uganda at Busia

We leave Kenya behind, crossing the border into Uganda as we travel towards its adventure capital - Jinja, approx. 360Kms.

We base ourselves for two nights at a well equipped campsite with stunning views of the White Nile.  It is from here that we can organise optional activites such as white water rafting.

Landlocked Uganda, with a population of over 30 million, is one of the 5 countries that make up the East African Community. It is a country of great cultural diversity and in recent years one of the most progressive countries in the region in terms of health education relating to HIV.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary 21 Dec 2012

We head approx 220Kms north of Kampala today to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary close by to the town of Nakitoma. 

Tonight we will stay at the campsite within the Rhino Sanctuary.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Kaniyo Pabidi 22 Dec 2012

Today we spend the morning at the sanctuary for optional Rhino trekking and learn more about the programme.  After lunch we head to Kaniyo Pabidi in Budongo Forest for afternoon Chimpanzee trekking.  Kaniyo Pabidi forest covers an area of about 8km within the heart of Kichumbanyobo gate of Murchison Falls National Park.

Tonight we stay in a dorm rooms.

Murchison Falls National Park 23 Dec 2012

There maybe more Chimpanzee trekking this morning depending on whether the whole group trekked the day before. 

Today we will cross to the north of the Nile River for an afternoon game drive in Delta.

Depending on timing tonight we will either wild camp in the delta or head to an established campsite at Paraa on the southern banks of the River Nile in the heart of the park.

Murchison Falls National Park 24 Dec 2012

Today we head off for more game driving however after lunch we embark on a launch cruise on the Nile to Murchison Falls - the real reason for visiting this stunning part of Uganda.  After the cruise we meet back with the truck and head to the outskirts of the park to camp at the Murchison River Lodge.

Kibale 25 Dec 2012

We set off early today as we have a rather long drive day ahead of us.  We are aiming to get as close to Queen Elizabeth II National Park as possible.  

Our night stop may well be at Kibale, approx. 350Kms from Murchison Falls NP, staying in a well equipped campsite.

Queen Elizabeth National Park 26 Dec 2012

We travel to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, beautifully set between the Great Rift Valley lakes of Edward and George, undertaking a game drive on our way to the camp (200 km, approx. 5.5 hours). 

We take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, well-known for pelicans, eagles and other wonderful birdlife as well as its healthy population of hippos. During our time in the park we also hope to see elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, Ugandan kobs and waterbucks. 

Tonight we camp. The campground is basic and has drop toilets with basic showers.

Lake Bunyoni 27 Dec 2012

Today we travel on to Lake Bunyonyi (250 km, approx. 6-7 hours). 

Lake Bunyonyi, meaning 'place of many little birds', is in the south west of Uganda and home to some of the most picturesque scenery in the whole of Uganda.

Depending on when we arrive at the lake, if time allows then one of the best ways to admire the landscape is from on the lake itself by hiring a traditional dugout canoe (mokoro). They can be hard to master at first but great fun. 

Tonight's campground has flush toilets with basic showers.

Ruhengeri & Volcanoes National Park, Kigali 28 Dec 2012

Border Information: Exit Uganda at Kamuganguzi, enter Rwanda at Gatuna.

Leaving Uganda behind, we cross the border entering Rwanda and travel toward the Ruhengeri, approx. 220Kms, the gateway to the Volcanoes National Park.

We will travel via the capital city of Kigali where we will organise a visit to the very moving genocide memorial.

Ruhengeri is our base for the next three nights however if all the Gorilla trekking permits are issued for the group to trek on the same day we may decide to use our third night to stay in Kigali instead in which case the visit to the Genocide Memorial will take place then instead.

Whilst in Ruhengeri we stay in dormitories at a local church mission, if we overnight in Kigali on the third night this will be camping in the grounds of a hostel.

Ruhengeri & Volcanoes National Park 29 Dec to 30 Dec 2012

We allow two days for gorilla visits as you are assigned a trekking group/time on your permit. The group may be split up into different trekking groups during the day or even over two days depending on time of permit issue and group size. There is a maximum group size of 8 on each gorilla visit. 

This region is one of the last remaining sanctuaries for the mountain gorilla. No more than eight per day can visit any one habituated family and visits are strictly controlled to minimise the possibility of disturbance or transmission of disease to the animals. 

Tracking gorillas in the dense forest can sometimes be wet, muddy and uncomfortable. The terrain is by no means easy either, so it can be pretty strenuous and often humid, but the sheer thrill in coming across a habituated group of gorillas, dominated by a great male silverback, more than outweighs any difficulty. You need to be prepared and fit enough to walk up to 4 hours - up and down hill. We can usually get very close to the mountain gorillas, who are placid and gentle, and watching their movements is like seeing a mirror image of yourself.

Your visit with the gorillas will last one unforgettable hour!

Lake Mburo National Park 31 Dec 2012

Border Information: Exit Rwanda at Cyanika. Enter Uganda at Cyanika.

Today we travel to the border with Uganda where we will complete the border formalities. It is possible for most nationalities to purchase a re-entry visa at this land crossing but please check before travelling. We will then head to Lake Mburo, approx. 420 km.

Tonight we will camp on the shores of the lake at a stunning location surrounded by wildlife. While tonight's campground is beautifully located, it is very basic, having drop toilets and basic showers.

Jinja 01 Jan 2013

Before breakfast today we have a two hour guided walking safari through the Lake Mburo National Park allowing us to see some of the animals and spectacular birdlife. Afterwards we travel from Lake Mburo to Jinja via Kampala, stopping at the equator, approx. 340 km.

We camp at scenic riverside retreat with showers and flush toilets.

Eldoret 02 Jan 2013

Border Information: Exit Uganda at Malaba. Enter Kenya at Malaba.

Today we leave Uganda behind as we head back over the border into Kenya, approx. 300kms to the cheese town of Eldoret. 

We stay tonight at the Naiberi River Campsite.  Naiberi is considered to be nature’s own creation, designed to take it’s guests as far back as the stone age with a little touch of modern day luxury. It is created on a hilly forest tribal land, which was once home to members of the ancient Sirikwa tribe. Preserved on the site are excavations with stone sides, commonly called Sirikwa holes, which are believed to have been roofed and occupied by the inhabitants of a bygone age.  The campsite is Indian owned and so tonight we will feast on an included Indian Dinner.

Nakuru National Park 03 Jan 2013

After breakfast we make our way to Nakuru approx. 200Km from Eldoret. 

Tonight we will camp on the outskirts on the town. 

Nairobi, Nakuru National Park 04 Jan 2013

We are up very early this morning as we head out in safari vehicles for an early morning game drive of Nakuru National Park . 

After lunch the truck meets us and we head back to our camp site in Nairobi arriving early evening.

Nairobi, Masai Mara National Reserve 05 Jan 2013

Border Information: If Joining in Nairobi, enter Kenya at Nairobi Airport.

Group meeting today at the Kivi Milimani Hotel at 10.00am.

Kivi Milmani Hotel

Milimani Road

Nairobi

PO Box 20681

Your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where this important meeting will take place.

After the group meeting we will head off in our land cruisers to the Masai Mara for our 2 night 3 day trip.

Both nights are spent in the same camp. Facilities are ready-made tents with twin beds (Including bedding so no need to bring any sleeping gear), toilet and shower areas and a bar serving soft drinks. Camera / phone charging facilities are available at an extra cost for a few hours each evening.

We will be leaving our large bags behind (where they will be stored in a secure location in Nairobi). We advise you to bring along a smaller daypack for this trip that will need to be packed soon after the group meeting. A guideline of what to pack is below and it will be very helpful if all members of the group are able to prepare this small day pack either in advance or soon after the group meeting.

Clothing for 3 days (Including a warm jumper or fleece and long trousers)
A waterproof jacket
Toiletries (Including Sun screen, insect repellent)
Camera & charger
Small towel
head torch
water bottle
books/journal/playing cards etc
personal snacks

Masai Mara National Reserve 06 Jan 2013

After an early breakfast we head off in our landcruisers for a full day of game driving. 

There is an option this morning for the hot air balloon flight which must be pre booked at the time of booking.

Tonight we stay at the same campsite.

Nairobi 07 Jan 2013

We start the day today with an early morning game drive after breakfast before heading out of the Masai Mara to return back to Nairobi for the night.

We will stay tonight in a well equipped campsite.

Arusha 08 Jan 2013

 Border Information: Exit Kenya at Namanga, enter Tanzania at Namanga.

Back on the truck today is a full day drive of approx. 300Kms crossing the border to Tanzania to Arusha.

Tonight we stay in a well equipped campsite on the outskirts of Arusha where we will prepare ourselves for heading into the Serengeti.

Serengeti National Park 09 Jan 2013

Today we are up very early, leaving our truck behind, putting our camping and personal gear into 6 person jeeps and heading out for our three day excursion.

Tonight we will stay at one of the camps within the Serengeti National Park.  The camp where we stay is very simple (showers and flush toilets) but is located right in the middle of the plains, surrounded by animals and the nocturnal noises - something to experience. Your leader will outline the basic safety rules to be followed when camping in an unfenced location where wild animals are present.

Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park 10 Jan 2013

Today we are up very early as we set off in our jeeps for an early morning games drive.  There is an option this morning for the hot air balloon flight which must be pre booked at the time of booking. 

We then aim to exit the Serengeti around lunch time and head back through the conservation area to our campsite on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater.

Again tonight the campsite is very basic and your leader will outline the basic safety rules to be followed when camping in an unfenced location where wild animals are present.  It can often be quite cold on the crater rim so it is recommended that you take warm clothes for this night.

Ngorongoro Crater, Mto Wa Mbu 11 Jan 2013

We are up with the sun this morning as we make an early descent into the world famous Ngorongoro Crater where we will spend approx. 3 hours game driving int the crater.

Departing the crater we return to Mto Wa Mbu and participate in a community village project before finally heading back to camp for an evening relaxing at the campsite's bar reliving our safari experience.

Tonight we stay at a campsite with flush toilets and showers.

Marangu, Mto Wa Mbu 12 Jan 2013

If we didn't get chance the previous day then after breakfast this morning we will participate in the local community village program before getting back on board our truck to head high onto the slopes of Kilimanjaro to the village of Maranagu approx. 230 km.  We will most likely make a stop for shopping in Arusha town this day also.

Our camping area is the grounds of a beautiful colonial hotel with views of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Dar Es Salaam 13 Jan 2013

Leaving cool of the slope of Kilimanjaro behind we have a long travel day today we travel further south towards the coastal city of Dar es Salaam , approx. 560Kms.

Once in Dar es Salaam, we set up camp on a balmy beach outside of the city. The camp is on the grounds of a hotel and has flush toilets and showers. Feel free to jump in the ocean and have a swim before dinner.

Dar Es Salaam 14 Jan 2013

Today is a free day for optional activities or simply relaxing on the beach.

Tonight we will stay at the same campsite.

Zanzibar, Dar Es Salaam 15 Jan 2013

Today we catch a ferry to the "Spice Island" of Zanzibar (approx 90 minutes). 

Our first night is spent in the exotic port town of Stone Town in a basic inn with double/twin share rooms. 

Zanzibar 16 Jan to 17 Jan 2013

On our second and third days here we take a guided tour of the sights Stone town and the spice plantations before head to the northern beaches for plenty of optional activities and relaxation.

Our accommodation in Zanzibar is in twin share rooms.

Dar Es Salaam 18 Jan 2013

Border Information: Exit Tanzania at Dar es Salaam airport.

Today we transfer back to the ferry (approx. 90 minutes) and return to our campsite by the beach outside Dar es Salaam arriving in the late afternoon.