Best of East Africa

On arrival in Nairobi, you are met and transferred to your hotel. Upon arrival in our Nairobi hotel our local representative will meet you to ensure that all is well. This representative will also provide details of a trip briefing to be held in the evening at the hotel, as well as any additional tours or activities that you may wish to enjoy whilst in Nairobi. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Please note this is an arrival day, so you may arrive at any time. Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, was established at the turn of the century by the Europeans as a stores depot during the building of the East African Railway. Without plan or design it established itself as the capital of the British protectorate, and today has a population of around three million comprising a mixture of African, Asian and European. While the predominant tribe is the Kikuyu, the city does not have one single dominating ethnic group. Its accidental choice as capital, virtually located on the meeting territories of three important tribes, has been diplomatically fortunate for the economic growth of the country. If you have spare time before the tour there are many places to visit in and around Nairobi. Options include Daphne Sheldrick's Elephant Orphanage, the Karen Blixen Museum, Langata Giraffe Centre and a meal at the famous Carnivore Restaurant, where meat lovers can taste a variety of barbecued game meat.

We head south-west to our next destination, the Masai Mara - arguably one of the finest game reserves in Africa. The area is known for its rolling green plains and riverine woodlands, and amongst the many species of game, we may be lucky to observe black-maned lion, leopard and cheetah. These predators find an abundant food supply in the massive herds of wildebeest, zebra, Thomson's and Grant's gazelle that roam the grasslands. We arrive at the park in time to enjoy lunch and settle in. In the afternoon we embark on another game drive before heading back to our tented camp in the early evening. As dusk falls we may see a variety of animals in the vicinity and listen to the sounds of the African night from our lodge. The next day we explore the park on morning and afternoon game drives and witness the wonderful procession of wildlife that inhabit this area. Wildebeest, zebra and gazelle are plentiful and, with luck, we may spot the predators keeping a casual eye on their movements. Elephant, giraffe and eland are also commonly sighted, along with plenty of bird life.

We depart the Masai Mara and drive along the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley to reach Lake Nakuru National Park, stopping for a picnic lunch along the way.  The centrepiece of the park is the lake itself. Lake Nakuru is a soda lake which is home to massive numbers of flamingos - up to two million on occasion - and thousands of other birds. It has been described as the world's greatest ornithological spectacle and, at times, the lake is literally a sea of pink. In addition, the park itself also boasts substantial numbers of other species, including waterbuck, reedbuck, kudu and gazelle. Perhaps we may also be fortunate enough to encounter one of Africa's most endangered animals - the rhinoceros. There is quite a good chance of seeing white rhinos, whilst black rhinos may prove to be more elusive. After spending the afternoon in the park, we check in to our accommodation which has spectacular views over the crater.

We leave Lake Nakuru and head for the shores of Lake Victoria. En route we drive through the fertile tea-growing region of Kericho where we stop for a morning tea break. Lake Victoria is immense; at around 70,000 square kilometres, it is Africa’s largest lake and borders three countries - Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Lake Victoria is also widely thought to be the main source of the Nile with rivers from western Kenya, northern Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda all gathering here to begin the long journey through Uganda, Sudan and Egypt. We arrive at our lodge in time to enjoy lunch whilst overlooking the lake. During our stay at this great hideaway, we enjoy a short cruise on the lake with 'sundowner' drinks at dusk to complete the experience. There are also opportunities to take nature walks around the area or indulge in massage and spa treatments.

After breakfast we travel to Kisumu by road and stop for a picnic lunch along the way, before continuing on to the Busia border post - one of the busiest in east Africa. We then continue past lush banana and tea plantations before reaching Jinja, located at the point where Lake Victoria empties into the Victoria Nile, which merges with the Albert Nile to later become the White Nile River. We spend two nights here in this spectacular spot, situated near raging rapids, forested islands and an abundant bird life. These falls have become east Africa's adventure centre and we can be enticed by optional activities such as whitewater rafting, kayaking, horse riding and quad biking. There are also plenty of options for dining in Jinja as well as a couple of bars which occasionally have live music. Our tour leader will be on hand with recommendations about what to do.

From Jinja we pass through some of Uganda's most scenic and little-visited countryside on the way to Kibale Forest. We stop en-route to eat our packed lunch, before continuing via Fort Portal to our destination. Kibale National Park covers an area of 766 square kilometres and is Uganda's newest national park, although it has been renowned for decades as a worldwide centre for serious primate research. The equatorial rainforest here contains the highest concentration of primates in the world, including 13 species of primates. Approximately 500 chimpanzees live here, making it a perfect place for researching these gregarious apes.

We set off trekking in Kibale National Park in the hope we may spot some chimpanzees. Whilst 13 primate species inhabit the park, it is undoubtedly these apes that attract the most attention. A sustainable ecotourism initiative that allows people to visit this park has been running since 1992 and has ensured that many of Kibale's chimpanzees are now habituated to human visitors. They are easily sighted at times when the sticky fruit of the huge fig trees ripen, whilst at other times our local guide will know where to find them. As we walk through the ancient and pristine rainforests, the extraordinary abundance and exotic diversity of life is revealed to us. Broad buttress roots anchor trees that reach over 50 metres high, creating thick treetop canopy and draping vines that are ideal adventure playgrounds for chimpanzees. Our time is spent looking out for good sightings, as they crash and bound through the treetops and along the forest floor. This afternoon is at your leisure. (Please note that on certain departures, it may be necessary to split into two trekking groups - one in the morning and another in the evening.)

From Kibale we take the short journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a stunning reserve that covers almost 2000 square kilometres and includes an array of habitats. 100 different types of mammals and over 600 different species of birds that have been identified in the park. This national park certainly has one of the highest biodiversity ratings in the world! We arrive in time for lunch (own account) at Kingfisher Lodge, which has sweeping views across the national park and down to the channel. There is time here also to check internet and purchase souvenirs as you have an afternoon of leisure, set on a high ridge and affording uninterrupted views down to the park below. The following morning is spent on a safari drive in the park. Whilst rhino, giraffe, zebra and impala are not encountered here, the other main species are all present along with some rare ones such as Ugandan kob, sitatunga, giant forest hog and topi. In the afternoon we have a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel. The boat trip is sure to be a highlight of our visit to the park as the Kazinga Channel is known to have the largest concentration of hippos in Africa. We may also get excellent sightings of elephants as they bring their families down to drink by the water's edge. After the Cruise we head back to the lodge to watch the sunset over the Park.

This morning we leave Queen Elizabeth, as we embark on what is likely to be the longest travelling day, including a border crossing into Rwanda. However the scenery is spectacular, revealing glimpses of rural Ugandan life and we are sure to be greeted by many 'waves' from the children on the roadsides along the way. The drive from Kabale to Kisoro is only 80 kilometers, but takes about three hours as we have to negotiate two mountain passes. From Kisoro we reach the border and cross into Rwanda, the 'Land of 1000 Hills’. Please make sure you've read the visa information for Rwanda on your pre-departure information before you depart as you're required to apply for your visa before arrival. After completing immigration formalities we enter a new world, switching to driving on the right hand side of the road and hearing French being spoken, as it is the predominant language in Rwanda. Travelling to our Ruhengeri we catch glimpses of the endless mountain ranges and enjoy breathtaking views, which the country is renowned for. We spend the next two nights in Ruhengeri - an excellent base from which we head in to the nearby mountains for our trek. Our Lodge offers comfortable and attractive rooms, with open fireplaces and ensuite bathrooms, hot and cold water and a friendly atmosphere and has wonderful views of the volcanoes and the beautiful hills beyond.

This morning a short drive takes us to the park headquarters, where you are briefed on your gorilla trek by the guides of the Parc des Volcans. This 13,000 hectare national park protects the Rwanda sector of the Virunga Mountains, a range of six extinct and three active volcanoes that straddle the border with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Bamboo forest is interspersed with alpine moor, grassland and marsh. In this park, there are ten different gorilla families and the park authorities will assign you to a gorilla trekking group. Gorilla trekking is highly controlled with only 80 gorilla trekking permits available each day. Once a trekking group encounters one of the gorilla families, only one hour is granted to be in the presence of the majestic gorillas before all trekkers must, always very reluctantly, leave the gorilla family. The trek can be strenuous and may reach altitudes of 3000 metres above sea level. The walk will be slippery and the paths are never defined, but the end result is one you will cherish forever. To stand before these amazing mammals is a truly emotional experience. To gaze into the liquid-brown of a gorillas eyes is to be invited into the depths of their souls and you will not be unchanged by the experience. The period of time trekking is extremely variable and unpredictable - you can trek anywhere from 40 minutes to between two and five hours to reach the gorilla family that you are looking for. The trackers have already set out and located the gorilla family by the time you start the trek, so the actual time spent walking can be predicted before you start your trek. More often than not, the gorilla group is met within a couple of hours after setting out. A good level of fitness and mobility is required for those taking on this trek. As lunch can only be taken upon return to the lodge it is recommended that you bring a few snacks to keep you going throughout the morning. At the end of the trek the comforts of the lodge beckons and here we have the chance to reflect on this incredible day. As these primates are wild animals and are living in their natural habitat, their sightings cannot be guaranteed.

We leave Ruhengeri and drive to Rwanda's capital, Kigali. We are then taken on a city tour of Kigali including the Genocide Memorial, which was opened in 2004 to mark the tenth anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide. Whilst the genocide occurred as a result of a complex series of factors, it can only be seen as an absolute tragedy to Rwanda and its people. Time spent at the memorial is sure to be emotionally moving, but it is an important way to understand the sheer courage and resilience of the people of this beautiful, tiny nation. We enjoy a final lunch together at a local restaurant where we are able to sample such Rwandan dishes as tilapia fish, 'umutsima' (a dish made from cassava and corn), 'mizuzu' (fried plantains) and of course the favourite local brew, Primus. Our hotel is well located to enjoy Kigali's restaurant scene and our leader can suggest a range of restaurants and bars this evening should you wish to venture into the city for dinner.

Our tour ends after breakfast in Kigali. If you would like to extend your stay in Kigali, additional accommodation and transfers can be pre-booked.