This fantastic adventure starts in Nairobi in Kenya and finishes in Kigale in Rwanda.  It costs only £370 with a local kitty payment of USD$460.  The local kitty payment is made in country on day 1 of your adventure.

Day 1 - 5: Kenya

We spend our first day in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya where we have our predeparture meeting. Today we also visit Sheldrick's elephant orphanage for the baby elephant play session and feeding, and then spend time with the rare Rothschild's giraffe in the manor grounds at the Langatta Giraffe Park where we can hand feed giraffe from a raised wooden platform. Enjoying a night out in a Nairobi restaurants, we can get to know our fellow travellers, before retiring to our tents for a good nights sleep.

Rising early the following morning we travel to the wilds of the Masai Mara, stopping over at the Rift Valley Look out . Here on the famous plains we have a great chance to see much of the wildlife we came to Africa to see and on certain months the opportunity to perhaps see the world famous migration. The Mara is well known for its cat population particularly lion and cheetah, and we can also hope to see elephant, giraffe as well as rhino, buffalo, eland, hyena and warthog. On the months of the migration from around July the vast bleating herds of wildebeest, gazelle and zebra arrive onto the grassy plains making the treacherous crossings of the Mara and Talek rivers on their way. They stay on the Mara grasslands until late October/early November when the park starts to dry out. We take morning and afternoon game drives in the park and visit a traditional Maasai village whilst we are here. An early morning balloon safari can also be organised.

Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake, it is home to an immense amount of bird life. The name derives from the local Maasai name Nai'posha, meaning "rough water" because of the sudden storms which can arise on the lake.

Naivasha is our camp for two nights. Whilst here we can enjoy afternoon tea on the lawns at Elsamere whilst being entertained by the black and white colobos monkeys. The following day we can then hire mountain bikes to cycle through Hells Gate National Park amongst a variety of bird and animal life to view zebra, Thomson's gazelle, baboon and even the occasional cat in stunning scenery created by the region's past volcanic history. Alternatively take a guided walk on the nature trail to the green Crater Lake at the bottom of a small volcanic crater on the western shore of Lake Naivasha where we can see flamingo. We can also enjoy a hippo cruise on the lake with a fish eagle demonstration.

Please note the Mara and Lake Nakuru National Park safaris are included in the Optional Game Park kitty including a Maasai village visit.

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

Day 6-9: Kenya-Uganda

Deep in the wilds of Nakuru National Park we set up camp the following night. Nakuru is one of several shallow soda lakes in the region, and particularly famous for its flamingo populations, both lesser and greater. Game drives take us to the lakeside to observe the immense flocks of waterbird as well as through thick acacia and candelabra euphorbia forests hoping to spy leopard in particular. Across the grasslands we often view rhino as well as eland, lion, giraffe, warthog, waterbuck and buffalo.

Leaving the park we relax at Kembu Campsite, famous for its chameleon population. We can also visit in the local village and school, before climbing into the mountains to stay at Raj's zany bar and campsite at Naiberi in Eldoret, known as the "coolest bar" in Africa. From here we cross the border into Uganda, the "pearl of Africa". 

Day 9-16: Uganda

Arriving at The source of the mighty Nile we pitch camp at Bujagali Falls at Jinja to relax a few days at this lovely campsite enjoying stunning views of the Nile. We have the opportunity to white water raft on grade 5 rapids, quad bike along the tracks in the lush forest to visit local villages, do the Nile high bungee jump over the river, and visit a local orphanage school to help out for the day. The kids are sure to give you a very warm welcome.

On leaving Jinja we head for Kampala, the capital, then onto Entebbe situated on the shores of Lake Victoria, Africa's biggest lake. We take a Sesse canoe across the lake to visit Ngamba island, home to over 30 chimps. The chimps come out of the forest on the island at feeding time and are easily viewed from a raised platform at this time. Many of them have been rescued from local villages where they were being kept as pets often in pitiful conditions. We will be given a talk on the lives of the chimps and have a traditional lunch prior to returning to the mainland. Those not wishing to do this option can spend time in the vibrant city of Kampala during the day.

We make our way to Queen Elizabeth National Park situated under the massive Ruwenzori mountains in the equatorial heart of Africa. On the way we stop to browse in the drum markets and maybe pick up a traditional drum to take home. We game drive in this enchanting park which is home to most of the big 5. The highlight is the boat trip up the Kazinga channel where large Nile crocodile, hippos, waterbuck, the aquatic sitatunga antelope and often elephant can be spotted as they come to drink at the waters edge along with a myriad of other birds and animals. After a night camping in the park we head for Lake Bunyoni and Kabale.

Please note Queen Elizabeth including the game cruise is included in the main group kitty.

Optional excursions: White water rafting, kyaking, helping out in a local school, quad biking, horse riding, cycling, bungee jumping and chimpanzee sanctuary. 

Day 17-20: Uganda - Rwanda

Crossing into Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills, we arrive in the modern capital of Rwanda, Kigale. The following morning we spend time in the genocide museum, before driving through to Ruhengeri to relax in a simple lodge before our gorilla trek.

The trek to see the gorillas is a once in a lifetime experience, and the highlight of this safari. It is a chance to come face to face with this gentle giant in its misty, cold home in the Albertine Rift montane cloud forests in the Virunga Volcanoes. Most of the gorillas are found dwelling on the slopes of three of the dormant volcanoes Karisimbi, Mikeno, and Visoke, in thick vegetation. The hike can take the better part of a day or just a few hours. Once with them you are allowed an hour to observe them as they feed, play and sleep their days away in what has been described as a "giant salad bowl". The gorillas are primarily herbivores, the majority of their diet being composed of the leaves, shoots and stems of 142 plant species, as well as bark, roots, flowers and fruit found in the bamboo and hagenia forests as well as the giant senecio zone of their home.

We return to celebrate that night in one of the fun simple restaurants in Ruhengeri, for our final night together.

The safari finishes the following morning in Kigale where transfers
can be arranged to Kigale's international airport.

Optional excursions: Gorilla trek, golden monkey trek.

Please note safari itineraries are given as a guide only and are subject to change.

If you have any questions on this adventure or would like the Full Trip Notes sent over (itinerary, what to pack, arrivals, departures etc) then just get in touch on team@madventurer.com or 0845 121 1996