London Heathrow (LHR) - Entebbe (EBB) - Entebbe
Fly from London Heathrow (LHR) (or selected other UK airports) to Entebbe (EBB), the leafy suburb of Uganda's capital.
Upon arrival, you clear customs and immigration, obtain your visa and collect your luggage. You are met by your private professional English-speaking driver-guide and private 4WD vehicle and transferred to the Karibu Guesthouse near the airport where you will stay for 1-Night in 1x Double Room on a Bed & Breakfast Basis.
Entebbe - Kisoro - Lake Mutanda - Nkuringo, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After an early breakfast, you are met and transferred back to Entebbe Airport (EBB) in time to catch your domestic scheduled flight to Kisoro (approx. 07:00 - 08:10).
On arrival at Kisoro, you are met and transferred to the scenic Nkuringo, on the fringes of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (an approx. 1½hr drive). En-route, you have the opportunity of visit the stunningly rural Lake Mutanda, which houses stunning views of the Virunga Volcanoes. Situated in the shadow of the Virunga Mountains, the lake and its surrounding diverse lakeside forests, wetlands and farmland habitats boast some of Africa’s most beautiful wildlife. You move through the communities and local farms and notice that the pace around here is somewhat slower. Your guide will enlighten you further regarding the ethnic groups of people and aspects of rural life.
Overnight at the wonderful Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge where you will stay for 3-Nights in 1x Double Private Cottage on a Full-Board Basis. The rest of the day is yours spent enjoying the vistas and gentle walks around the local area.
Accommodation: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Uganda Gorilla Trek!
Today, you enjoy your awe-inspiring trek to see the mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (viewing time with the gorillas, 1hr max).
After signing in and a thorough briefing, you join a team of experienced ranger guides into the national park to start your mountain gorilla adventure. The guides are extremely experienced, and use their knowledge of the gorillas' habits and information from the previous day to locate the group's whereabouts. This therefore means that the time taken to track the gorillas varies enormously, from as little as a 3hr trip back to camp (hopefully including 1hr with the gorillas), to a 9hr return trip (hopefully including 1hr with the gorillas). Once the gorillas are located, the group will be allowed a maximum of 1hr with them. This is one of the world's truly memorable experiences – a once-in-a-lifetime awe-inspiring moment.
You don’t have to be an athlete to complete a gorilla trek, but you do have to be prepared to track on fairly steep, rough and uneven terrain for a long period of time. That said, the rangers and porters always go at the speed of the slowest walker, and you will enjoy many drink/food breaks. The rest of the day is yours to relax at leisure.
Accommodation: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Uganda Gorilla Habituation Experience!
Today, you enjoy your once in a lifetime Gorilla Habituation Experience. Once you reach the gorillas, enjoy up to 4hrs in the presence of this gorilla family group standing 6 meters away. After tracking, you will return to the lodge. This activity can take unto 10hrs of trekking, and it is important to note that this group of Gorillas is in the Habituation stage, and still wild.
Accommodation: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Nkuringo, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Kigali
After a leisurely breakfast, you enjoy a leisurely scenic drive over the Uganda/Rwanda border to Kigali, Rwanda's pretty capital city and onto the Heaven Restaurant & Boutique Hotel where you will stay for 1-Night in 1x Double Standard Room on a Bed & Breakfast Basis.
Accommodation: Heaven Boutique Hotel
Kigali - Nairobi - Maasai Mara
This morning, you are transferred the short distance to Kigali Airport (KGL) in time to catch your international flight to Kenya's Nairobi Airport (NBO).
On arrival, you are met and transferred to Nairobi Wilson Airport (WIL) in time to catch your domestic flight into the Kichwa Tembo Airstrip bordering the remote western section of the Mara National Reserve.
On arrival, you are met and transferred to andBeyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp in the Kichwa Tembo private concession (leased from Masai landlords) enjoying a game drive en-route, where you will stay for 4-Nights in 1x Superior Tent on a Full-Board Basis.
Accommodation: Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp
Safari Activities!
You have a full day to enjoy shared day and night game drives and bush walks along the Mara River or Oloololo Escarpment, with chances of spotting resident big cats including lion, cheetah and leopard, as well as Grant’s gazelle, topi, eland, impala and large herds of buffalo.
Accommodation: Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp
Safari Activities!
You have a full day to enjoy shared day and night game drives and bush walks along the Mara River or Oloololo Escarpment.
Accommodation: Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp
Safari Activities!
You have a full day to enjoy shared day and night game drives and bush walks along the Mara River or Oloololo Escarpment.
Accommodation: Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp
Maasai Mara - Nairobi - Nairobi Airport (NBO)
Today, you enjoy a final morning activity. After lunch, you are transferred back to the Kichwa Tembo Airstrip, game driving en-route in time to catch your domestic flight back to Nairobi Wilson Airport (WIL).
Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to the Ole Sereni Hotel (or similar) where you can relax and enjoy dinner. Finally, you are met and transferred back to Nairobi Airport (NBO) in time to check-in for your overnight international flight back to London Heathrow (LHR) (or other selected UK airports).
Arrival
Arrive back into London Heathrow (LHR) (or selected other UK airports).
Pricing Information & Dates
11 day tour, from £4890 per person
Price Includes:
- Flights
- Accommodation
- Transfers
- Guide
Price Includes
International return flights (economy class) from London Heathrow (or selected other UK airports)
Domestic return flights from Entebbe to Kisoro
All accommodation & meals as per the itinerary
All transfers & transportation
Services of a professional experienced English-speaking driver/guide
All excursions & activities as per the itinerary, incl.
1x Uganda Gorilla Habituation Experience Permit per person (£1,200 per person)
1x Uganda Gorilla Tracking Permit per person (worth £480 per person)
National park permits/fees
Bottled mineral water
Price Excludes
Uganda Visa (US$ 50, must be applied for online in advance), and Rwanda Visa (US$ 30, purchased upon arrival into Kigali Airport)***
Kenya Visa (US$ 50, can either be applied for online in advance, or at NBO airport upon arrival)
Drinks (unless specified above)
Any meals not specified
Laundry
Travel insurance, gratuities
Items of personal expenditure (tips, phone calls)
***You might prefer to apply for an 'East Africa Tourist Visa' this costs US$ 100 and it must be applied for online, in advance from the Rwanda High Commission/Embassy
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