KENYA

Days 1 – 8

Our first morning in Nairobi we are introduced to some special work being done to support Africa’s orphaned wildlife at Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage whilst viewing the baby elephant feed and play session and the rhino feed.  We also visit the Giraffe Park where we can hand feed graceful gentle giraffe in the beautiful grounds. We have our departure meeting and then enjoy a meal in a local restaurant in the capital to get to know our fellow travellers.

Next morning we are away on the bumpy ride to Kenya’s greatest wildlife reserve, the Masai Mara.

This park boasts all members of the “Big Five” being famous for its lion population in particular. Cheetah and leopard are also found here, Masai and common giraffe, as well as hyena, hartebeest, impala and topi. There are over 450 species of birdlife. On the months when the migration has arrived we are hoping to see the large herds of zebra, wildebeest and Thomson's gazelle on their dry season pasture. Wildebeest numbers reach into the millions. Hippopotomi wallow in the  Mara and Talek rivers, where crocodile also lie in wait for the arrival of the herds. Traditional Maasai live in this region and we visit a village whilst here. A balloon ride can  also be arranged over the world famous plains here or over the Serengeti.

Reaching Lake Naivasha visit Elsamere, home to Joy Adamson, and now a conservation centre. Joy and George's time with Elsa the lion was depicted in the well known movie 'Born Free'. We enjoy afternoon tea whilst the black and white colobus monkeys feed nearby on the lawns. From Naivasha with its abundant birdlife, we cycle into Hells Gate National Park with its extraordinary volcanic scenery. Alternatively we hike to Crater Lake or take a walking safari on Crescent Island to stretch our legs and get up close to Africa's wildlife including giraffe, zebra and gazelle.

And then to Nakuru National Park for a days game drives by the lake amongst acacia forest. The park's alkaline lake supports hippo and migratory waterfowl and waders, and particularly the beautiful greater and lesser flamingo. The park is also a sanctuary for black and white rhino, Rothschild's giraffe as well as defassa waterbuck, reedbucks, zebra, warthog and Grant's and Thomson's gazelle. Lion can be seen and if we are fortunate, we might spy a leopard, lounging in a tree. We camp overnight in the park enjoying breakfast the following morning at Baboon Cliffs with gorgeous views across the lake.

A stop over at Kembu homestead, named after the intriguing chameleon, is our next stop before travelling into the mountains to Eldoret and a stay at Raj's, reputedly 'the coolest bar in Africa' .

Please note the Mara and Lake Nakuru National Park safaris are included in the optional game park kitty including a visit to a Maasai village.

Optional excursions: Carnivores night out or similar, Sheldricks Elephant Sanctuary, Giraffe Park, ballooning, Hells Gate National Park, Crater Lake Sanctuary, Elsamere, Lake Nakuru National Park.

UGANDA

Days 9 – 19

We camp by the White Nile overlooking Bujagali Falls for two to three days. Here we can take to grade 5 rapids white water rafting amongst lush tropical vegetation on the world's longest river. Horse riding or quad biking to one of the local villages is also an option, as well as a bungee jump. There is also time to help in a local school and for village walks, kyaking and canoeing.  

We travel to the capital, Kampala, with the option to take a Sesse canoe across Lake Victoria to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary to view the 32 chimps now living on the island. Often difficult to spot in the wild, the chimps at Ngamba are habituated to human contact having been orphaned and then returned to live in a more natural setting on the island. We have a great chance to watch their antics as they come in for their daily supplementary feed. Chimps live in communities with the males often forming coalitions to remain in dominance. In the wild they will work together to ambush bush pig, and other smaller animals to augment their mainly vegetarian diet.

Leaving Kampala roadside stalls tempt some to market shopping and particularly to pick up a traditional drum. We cross the Equator and then head on to Queen Elizabeth National Park for game drives and a cruise on the Kazinga Channel. The cruise is a very special way to view wildlife in this park, as hippo lounge and elephant play in and by the water ways. The park also has lion, leopard and jackal, Uganda kob buffalo and waterbuck amongst other animals of the plain, as well as much bird life.

And then we are on our way to  the home of the mountain gorillas. Staying by the tranquil Lake Bunyoni crater lake, road conditions pending, we have the chance to canoe, spot otter and relax in one of the most peaceful settings on route.

We currently trek the endangered mountain gorilla in the Parc Nacional de Volcans where Dian Fossey worked with the mountain gorillas in Rwanda pausing on our journey to reflect at the Genocide Museum in Kigale. Alternatively permits are bought to trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda.

The trek to view the mountain gorilla brings you face to face with this critically endangered species in its natural habitat. Under the charge of the older dominant male, the silverback, who can weigh up to 350 pounds, the families eat, sleep, groom and play the day away in lush jungle, their environment being described as a giant 'salad bowl'. They spend the day foraging for bamboo, wild celery, nettles and other vegetation. The gorilla trek is a once in a lifetime opportunity to view this gentle and intelligent primate.

Please note Queen Elizabeth National Park is included in the main group kitty including the game cruise on Kazinga Channel.

Optional excursions: White water rafting, kyaking, canoeing, voluntary work in a local school, quad biking, horse riding, bungee jump, village walk, chimpanzees sanctuary, mountain gorilla trek.

TANZANIA

Days 20 – 25

We drop down into Tanzania below Lake Victoria, driving through to Arusha, the gate way to the world famous Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. The Serengeti plains are home to an immense array of wildlife- lion, cheetah, hyena, elephant, buffalo, hippo, topi and giraffe to name just a few, the vast savannah ecosystem combining with The Mara as the stage for the migration of the big herds of wildebeest, zebra and Thomson's gazelle who usually start to arrive back in the Serengeti during November. Collected by specially designed land cruisers we head off with local guides for game drives in the Serengeti and then onto the world's largest extinct volcano, 18 kilometres across and 2,000 feet deep - the Ngorongoro Crater. With a range of different habitats from Lake Migadi, its rim tinged pink by flamingo, to hippo pools, to the Lerai Forest, across open plains, abundant game roam the Crater floor and on hilly outcrops lions peruse the scene on look out for their next meal.

On our return, passing traditional Maasai herdsmen tending their cattle, we stop over at Mto Wa Mbu to mingle with the locals and haggle for curios. We can also visit a Maasai village and museum with displays outlining the social structures of traditional Maasai life and then enjoy a barbecue together.

Please note Ngorongoro Crater is included in the Optional Game Park kitty including a visit to a Maasai village.

Optional excursions: Serengeti National Park, ballooning, Olduvai Gorge Museum, village walk and museum.

Days 26 – 32

With a little good fortune we might spy the majestic Kilimanjaro on our journey south to Dar Es Salaam on the Indian Ocean coast from where we catch the ferry to the exotic Spice Island of Zanzibar.  

Arriving in the port of Stone Town, the capital of Zanzibar, explore the traditional capital - the winding, narrow streets and colourful bazaars by day and by night dine out at the bustling open air market for fresh seafood and snacks on the harbour front. With the sounds of African jazz, blues and island reggae, we enjoy fresh seafood and meals cooked with home grown spices. The following morning a spice tour introduces us to the fascinating history of the island.

There is also time for a snorkel trip to Prison Island to view giant land tortoise. We then spend three nights in beach cottages with time to relax on miles upon miles of white beaches, enjoy volley ball on the sand and swimming in azure blue waters. Dolphin boat trips can be organised to visit Jozani Forest's indigenous red colobus monkeys. Zanzibar also offers some of the best diving and snorkelling in Africa. Amongst colourful corals, a variety of fish species can be seen as well as whales, dolphins, huge rays and hammer head sharks. Zanzibar is the perfect island paradise to finish your safari.

Direct flights are available from Dar Es Salaam and Zanzibar to Nairobi. There are direct flights from Dar Es Salaam to Johannesburg and other destinations.

Optional excursion: Zanzibar Island.

Talk with us the special arrangements we can make for your stay in beach cottages and in the exotic capital, historic Stone Town.  

Other options on the Island include snorkelling excursions to Prison Island and to Mnemba Atoll, a dolphin boat trip, Jozani Forest visit to see the red colobus, scuba diving.

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