Itinerary days

1: Out of Nairobi, our first stop is the scenic Rift Valley lookout, 8,000 feet above sea level, overlooking Mount Longonot and Lake Naivasha. We pass the dramatic landscape of the Rift Valley to the highlands and spend our first night in Eldoret, you can end your day sipping beer in a tree house at Naiberi River Campsite.

2: We have an early start, crossing the Ugandan border at Malaba. The scenery changes to tropical rain forests and tea and sugar plantations. We catch our first glimpse of Lake Victoria on route to Uganda’s capital city, our overnight stop.

3: Stopping for photos as we cross the equator, we continue southwest to Kabale town, gateway to the Mountain Gorilla reserves. We spend this evening camped on the picturesque shores of Lake Bunyonyi the deepest crater lake in Uganda.

4: Climbing through terraced hills to Kisoro, there are panoramic views of this unique Ugandan landscape on every turn. From the road we have outlooks over three countries - Uganda, Republic of Congo, Rwanda; and the Virunga Mountains - ‘Mountains of the Moon’ the home of the rare mountain gorillas.

5/6: Kisoro is situated under the peaks of the Mufumbiro Mountains, and makes a stunning base for the next two days, which are set aside for trekking the famed mountain gorillas. It can also be used as a great spot from which to explore. Whether it be taking in the local markets; walking to nearby mountain lakes, or entering the Mgahinga National park for a day hike up a volcano or a guided nature trail.

7: Still on a high from our time spent with the gorillas, we meander back to Lake Bunyonyi meaning “place of little birds”. Known not only for its water birds but also for its fresh water crayfish population. Lake Bunyonyi is a great place to relax, or for the more energetic you can canoe to one of the many islands dotting the lake, swim, or take in the scenery on mountain bike.

8/9: We return to Uganda’s capital. Kampala is a modern bustling city leaving you no shortage of things to see and do. You may wish to visit the National Museum, the Kasubi Tombs of the Baganda people, or arrange a day trip via Entebbe, to Lake Victoria’s Ngamba Island, sanctuary for rescued chimps.

10: Crossing the Owen Falls dam we arrive at Jinja on the shores of Lake Victoria. Our campsite for the next three days above Bujagali Falls is a welcome reprieve from travelling, and we have a lazy afternoon to put up our tents on the grassy terraces overlooking the Nile River.

11: Spend an action-filled day white water rafting down the Nile. As well as grade 5’s, this river has a lot of bird and wildlife to view while relaxing between the rapids. The rafting is rounded off with a sunset BBQ and drinks, then back to camp to re-live it on video.

12: There is no shortage of other activities in Jinja. Head off on a quad bike, bungee jump, fish on Lake Victoria, take a guided village walk; or give up a day of your holiday to volunteer for the local community education project.

13: Leaving Uganda, we head back into Kenya and onto Nakuru Town, the capital of the Rift Valley Province. We spend the next two nights at Kembu Camp, a working farm. Visit the local weavery and school, take a tour of the farm and put your order in for farm fresh milk.

14: Rising early we enter Lake Nakuru, viewing game in a park famous for its soda lake surrounded by thousands, sometimes millions of pink flamingoes. The park is home to over 400 species of bird, and we may spot leopard or black and white rhino amongst the zebra, waterbuck, impala, giraffe and many more.

15: Return to Nairobi.

Please Note: Flexibility is required on this safari as the amount of gorilla permits are limited and it may not be possible to get bookings on the scheduled days. This could affect the above itinerary. We may visit the gorillas in Rwanda, Zaire (DR Congo) or Uganda depending on the availability of gorilla bookings.

Spending Money: We suggest you allow a minimum of £80 per week. This depends on how much you wish to eat out, drink spend on souveniers, and how many optional excursions you choose to do.

For our extended trip information click here
Optional prices click here
Gorilla pics click here