WEEK ONE: KENYA & Uganda
Leaving Nairobi we descend into the Great Rift Valley and stop for a couple of nights at Lake Naivasha, well known for its hippo population that come ashore every night to graze. Close by is Hell's Gate National Park where you can hire bikes to take you around the park and see the herds of zebra, buffalo and antelope. There is some spectacular scenery here, red cliffs, grassy plains and rock towers made of hardened lava, the remains of ancient volcanoes. Also on the lake is Elsamere, once the home of Joy Adamson and Elsa the lion of 'Born Free' fame. Elsamere is now the centre of the Born Free Foundation and you can find out more about their work, see the rare colobus monkeys and take afternoon tea in the gardens.
We travel west out of the rift valley towards Uganda . Before leaving Kenya we stop at the town of Kisumu on Lake Victoria . In its heyday it was a bustling port, nowadays Kisumu is much quieter and a pleasant, laid back town to visit.
Travelling past Lake Victoria , we enter Uganda . Jinja is at the source of the River Nile and we can watch it begin its 4000 mile journey north from Lake Victoria through the Owen Falls Dam. Further upriver at Bujagali Falls you can go whitewater rafting on the White Nile 's tumultuous rapids or, if you're after a more relaxing time, just sit back and watch the local fishermen glide by in their dug-out canoes.
Stage highlights:
Lake Naivasha, Hell's Gate National Park, Elsamere, Lake Victoria
Stage duration:7 Days
|
WEEK TWO: UGANDA
Passing through Uganda 's capital, Kampala , we head to the west of the country. This hilly region is characterised by terraced fields on steep slopes and we drive slowly up and downhill along the winding gravel roads. As the landscape changes from agriculture to forest, we reach the habitat of the mountain gorilla on the edge of the Ruwenzori Mountains.
In groups of 6 to 8 people with two guides we trek deep into the forest to find one of the gorilla families. The trek is an experience in itself, following your guides as they cut a path through the thick vegetation. The guides track the gorillas almost every day but even so, sometimes it can take several hours to find them. You will be rewarded though by the sight of these human-like giants playing with their young, feeding, grooming and staring curiously back at you. We spend an hour observing these amazing animals - remember to bring plenty of camera film.
As the groups going to the gorillas are small, it takes a couple of days for everyone to do the trek. Whilst others are searching for the great apes, you can take walks around the surrounding countryside or just chill out with a beer and a book. Leaving the slopes of the Ruwenzoris behind, we return to the farmers and their fields. We stop at Lake Bunyoni where local men in their dug-out canoes glide out of the morning mists.
Stage highlights:
Kampala, Gorillatrek, Bujagali Falls, Lake Bunyoni
Stage duration:7 Days
|
WEEK THREE: KENYA
Kampala is a lively city with plenty of places to eat out or have a beer and the open-air nightclubs are an experience not to be missed.
Back in Kenya we stop at Kembu Camp; a working farm in the old settlers area of Kenya. From the camp we visit Lake Nakuru National Park which has the largest herd of black rhino in East Africa , over a million pink flamingos and more than 400 other bird species. 'Nakuru' means 'place of the waterbuck' in Swahili and these antelope abound in the park as well as impala, buffalo and warthog.
We spend two days visiting the Masai Mara Game Park , camping on the edge of the park with frequent forays into the park to spot the wealth of wildlife in this Eden on the plains. The sweeping plains evoke a picture of East Africa that most people hold in their minds and they are rarely disappointed when confronted with the real thing. We are likely to see amongst others, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, impala, buffalo, elephant and of course the big cats - lion, cheetah and if we're lucky, leopard.
En route back to Nairobi we stop at lookouts with some amazing views over the Great Rift Valley.
THIS NIGHT'S ACCOMMODATION DOESN'T COME OUT OF KITTY SO YOU CAN CHOOSE WHERE YOU'D LIKE TO STAY.
Stage highlights:
Lake Nakuru National Park, Masai Mara Game Park, Great Rift Valley
Stage duration:7 Days
|
WEEK FOUR: TANZANIA
Into Tanzania we arrive in Arusha where you take a trip to the Serengeti National Park and Ngorogoro Crater, you can wander the markets or take a boat out on to Lake Duluti.
A days drive from Arusha brings us to Dar es Salaam on the Indian Ocean coast. Over the centuries trade between Africa and Arabia has resulted in the blending of Arabs and Africans into a beautiful Swahili (coastal) culture with wooden sailing dhows crossing the ocean, coconut plantations and fishing villages with mosques on the beaches.
From Dar es Salaam you can take the ferry to Zanzibar Island. Here is the old stone Capital of the Omani Sultanate, sandy beaches, spice tours, snorkelling, diving and trips to other nearby islands. Zanzibar is a fascinating place to visit - you have a day or two here at the end of the trip but we would recommend a longer stay for a really good look around.
Stage highlights:
Arusha, Lake Duluti, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar Island.
Stage duration:7 Days
|
Cost includes:-
The tour cost includes transport in fully equipped expedition truck, road taxes and tolls, ferries, services of the driver-leader, use of camping and cooking equipment, and entrance to gameparks as specified.
Cost Excludes:-
The price does not include flights, visas, personal insurance, side trips, lunches and meals out. There are a number of optional side trips that you can choose from and pay for on the way.
Departure dates:-
16/02/2004, 15/03/2004, 12/04/2004, 10/05/2004, 07/06/2004, 05/07/2004, 02/08/2004, 30/08/2004, 27/09/2004, 25/10/2004, 22/11/2004, 20/12/2004, 17/01/2005
Baggage Limits:-
One daypack
Age Limits:-
Minimum Age:- 16 Maximum Age:- 45
Passenger Limit:-
20
What to bring along:-
The less you take the less you have to pack, wash, lug home and you'll always pick up extras along the way. You'll be travelling in the heat and camping in the cool, so bring clothes for all climates, rough stuff is best. The best type of carrier is a rucksack (with an internal frame) or a kit bag.
Price:-
The cost of the 28 Days Nairobi to Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam is GBP 400.00
Local Payment:-
USD 340.00
Convert this price to: |