American breakfast (B) daily, 11 lunches (L), and 10 dinners (D); private safari vehicle and experienced driver/guide throughout Kenya; experienced driver/guide in Uganda; sightseeing and game drives as outlined in the day-by-day itinerary (inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE).
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Nairobi, Kenya. Welcome to Africa! Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.
Day #2 Nairobi–Samburu National Reserve Area. Today, drive to SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE, home to a diverse population of animals. Enjoy a GAME DRIVE this afternoon where you have the chance to see animals unique to this part of Kenya. These animals are referred to as the Samburu “Special 5” and consist of the Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx, and the gerenuk, a long-necked antelope that feeds while standing on its hind feet. (B,L,D)
Day #3 Samburu. Today, enjoy MORNING AND AFTERNOON GAME DRIVES. You have a great chance to see the mighty Nile crocodile and lions along the Ewaso Ng’iro River. The park is also home to cheetah, leopard, and over 300 species of birds, so keep your cameras ready! Between game drives, take advantage of leisure time to relax. (B,L,D)
Day #4 Samburu–Lake Nakuru National Park Area. Today, drive to LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK, known for its population of pink flamingos that feed in the alkaline water of the lake. In the afternoon, enjoy a GAME DRIVE where you have your best chance to see the white rhinoceros, which are commonly spotted here. Other animals you may see include waterbuck, giraffe, and impala. (B,L,D)
Day #5 Lake Nakuru–Maasai Mara National Reserve Area. Today, drive south to the famed MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE, Kenya’s most famous game area. The Maasai Mara is part of the Serengeti ecosystem and boasts a strong permanent population of game. When the Great Migration of zebra, gazelle, and wildebeest arrives, typically in early August, the population enlarges by almost 2 million. This provides a great food source for predators such as lion, cheetah, leopard, and hyena. Enjoy a GAME DRIVE before settling in for the evening. (B,L,D)
Day #6 Maasai Mara. Today, enjoy MORNING AND AFTERNOON GAME DRIVES. Keep your eyes out for elephant, rhino, Cape buffalo, gazelle, and many others. (B,L,D)
Day #7 Maasai Mara–Nairobi–Amboseli National Park Area. Take a short GAME DRIVE on the way to the airstrip, where you will board a plane for the quick flight to Nairobi. After a short break, grab your picnic lunch and drive to AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK, located at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. (B,L,D)
Day #8 Amboseli. Today features MORNING AND AFTERNOON GAME DRIVES. Be sure to watch for Cape buffalo, zebra, wild dog, and other animals. (B,L,D)
Day #9 Amboseli–Nairobi. Transfer back to Nairobi this morning. Overnight at the Ole Sereni Hotel close to the airport. (B,L)
Day #10 Nairobi–Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. Rise early this morning for your flight to BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK via Entebbe. At Entebbe, a Local Host will meet you to assist in transferring between flights. Upon arrival at Bwindi, transfer to your lodge and enjoy some time at leisure before dinner this evening. (B,D)
Day #11 Bwindi. Two full days are set aside for GORILLA TREKKING, a truly memorable experience. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to almost half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas. With an experienced guide, you will trek through the forest in search of one of the “habituated” family groups. This process takes several years of dedicated work before gorillas will allow people to get close to them. Finding the gorillas can take a few minutes or several hours but once they are located, you are allowed a maximum of one hour with them. (B,L,D daily)NOTE: The forest terrain is difficult—and often wet—with steep slopes and dense vegetation, so a certain level of physical fitness is required. Also, there are a limited number of permits issued on a daily basis, so booking early is recommended.
Day #12 Bwindi. Two full days are set aside for GORILLA TREKKING, a truly memorable experience. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to almost half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas. With an experienced guide, you will trek through the forest in search of one of the “habituated” family groups. This process takes several years of dedicated work before gorillas will allow people to get close to them. Finding the gorillas can take a few minutes or several hours but once they are located, you are allowed a maximum of one hour with them. (B,L,D daily)NOTE: The forest terrain is difficult—and often wet—with steep slopes and dense vegetation, so a certain level of physical fitness is required. Also, there are a limited number of permits issued on a daily basis, so booking early is recommended.
Day #13 Bwindi–Entebbe–Homebound Flight. This morning, fly back to Entebbe. Upon arrival, transfer to your day room at the Laico Lake Victoria Hotel. Later, transfer back to Entebbe International Airport for your late-evening flight. Book homebound flights after 3 pm. (B)