Designers of Discerning Holidays
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Awe-insiring gorillas & chimpanzees in their natural habitat, the Big 5, fascinating cultures, amazing scenery - this safari has it all! July, Sep, Oct departures available.
Also space on July departure
Day 1: Kampala
Arrive into Entebbe airport where you will be met and transferred to Kampala, Uganda's capital. The rest of the day is at leisure so you can relax after your flight. This evening you can dine at the hotel restaurant or go in to the city. You might also like to experience the night life of Kampala.
Accommodation: Silver Springs Hotel (H)
Day 2: Fort Portal
Leaving Kampala in the morning, we drive west to Fort Portal. This laid-back town is located in the heartland of lush tea-growing plantations. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Mountains of the Moon Hotel
Day 3 : Fort Portal
The Kibale Forest is 766 sq km and largely comprises of rainforest where 60 mammal and 335 bird species reside, as well as many different insects and plants. There are 13 primate species, of which the chimpanzees are a star attraction. Today you will be driven deep in to the forest to meet your guides who will escort you through the park to look for these fascinating primates in their natural habitat. Sometimes high up in trees, sometimes on the ground playing around – wherever you find a chimpanzee community – you will be left in awe of their strong family ties and their amazing agility. The rest of the day is free to relax at the hotel or explore the town and surrounds. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Mountains of the Moon Hotel
Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Uganda is often dubbed 'the pearl of Africa’. Our destination is Queen Elizabeth NP which is especially scenic, with two lakes connected by a channel overlooked by a high peninsula. We arrive after lunch and take an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. It is well worth the trip to see the thousands of hippo, the abundant bird life and busy fishing village. This evening we dine in the lodge’s scenic restaurant. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Mweya Lodge
Day 5: Kigali
We leave Queen Elizabeth NP in the morning and drive through to Rwanda, crossing the border at Gatuna. Once in Rwanda we will drive to the capital city of Kigali. Our hotel has a popular restaurant for you to enjoy this evening. (B,L)
Accommodation: Chez Lando Hotel
Day 6: Ruhengeri
A sobering few hours will be spent at the Genocide Museum in the morning, followed by a visit to the carving and curio markets. In the afternoon we will drive through stunning scenery and steep-terraced farmland to Ruhengeri where we base ourselves for the next two days. Our hotel has a lively rooftop bar and is only 5 minutes walk from the centre of town. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: The Pastoral Centre of our Lady Fatima
Day 7: Ruhengeri
Today you can do you what you like. Maybe a hike in to The Volcanoes National Park to visit Dian Fossey’s gravesite, a canoe trip down the Mukungwa River through rural Rwanda or a visit to The Gorilla Museum set up by The Diane Fossey Fund. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: The Pastoral Centre of our Lady Fatima
Day 8: Kisoro
A short drive this morning, back into Uganda through the border at Cyanika. You have a free afternoon to walk around town and also prepare your gear for the gorilla trek the following day. Dian Fossey often referred to The Travellers Rest Hotel as her second home. It is situated just outside of Kisoro town centre and offers a quiet setting with an amazing view of the Virunga volcanoes. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Travellers Rest Hotel
Day 9: Gorilla Trekking Day!
We will be picked up early in the morning and taken to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park entrance. From here we will be split into groups of 8 with a guide and park rangers, then begin our hike in the rain forest to see the magnificent mountain gorillas. Expect to trek between 1 to 5 hours through thick forest with overhanging vines, moss covered trees and Giant Lobelias that thrive in the tropical climate. Depending on where the gorillas are, you may have to go off the track and climb steeply through thick bush. After all the effort of your climb, you will be overawed when you finally come across a family of gorillas. There are around 900 mountain gorillas left in the world and nothing could be more of a privilege than to spend an hour watching them as they go about their daily routine of feeding, playing, cleaning and resting in their own territory. An unforgettable experience! After the trek you will be transferred to Lake Bunyonyi. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Bunyonyi Overland Resort
Day 10: Lake Bunyonyi
The Lake is reputed to be one of the deepest in Africa and is fantastic for swimming in. The surrounding hills are the home of the Bakiga people who are cultivators by tradition. We'll spend the morning visiting a local school then back to the truck for lunch followed by a leisurely afternoon boat cruise around the islands. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Bunyonyi Overland Resort
Day 11: Jinja
It is a reasonably long drive through to Jinja where we will spend the night on the banks of the Nile River close to the source of the Nile. The luxuriant vegetation covering the river banks, and the diversity of bird life attracted by the multitude of fish, complete a stunning vista. Enjoy a cold drink in the camp bar overlooking the Nile river. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Nile Porch
Day 12: Jinja Today is a day of leisure. Mountain Biking, Quad Biking, Horse Riding, Village Walks, Birding and Fishing on the Nile are just some of the things available for you to do here. (B,D) Accommodation: Nile Porch
Day 13: Kenyan Highlands
Today we cross into Kenya where we’ll stay up in the Kenyan highlands just outside of Eldoret. Our river camp is a laid-back resort with a pool, shady gardens and a very vibrant bar with unique furnishings. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Naiberi River
Day 14: Nakuru
This morning we travel down through the very picturesque Eldama Ravine to Nakuru, located in the Rift Valley. Our accommodation is in lovely cottages on a working farm with beautiful gardens and excellent facilities. You can spend the afternoon going on a farm walk and/or visit the Kenana knitters project. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Kembu Cottages
Day 15: Lake Nakuru
Today we enter Lake Nakuru National Park and spend the day game driving. This compact park is packed with wildlife. The soda lake has over 400 species of birdlife, including thousands of pink flamingos - an ornithologist’s paradise. It is also home to both the black and white rhino, and where some scenes from the movie "Out of Africa" were filmed. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Kembu Cottages
Day 16: Lake Naivasha
This afternoon we arrive at Lake Naivasha and take a boat ride on the lake viewing hippos, fish eagles and birdlife before arriving at Elsamere, the former home of the late Joy & George Adamson. Joy became world famous for her pioneering conservation work and relationship with the lioness Elsa, as told in her bestselling book and subsequent film, Born Free. After a video presentation on the life of the Adamsons, enjoy a delicious afternoon tea in the gardens. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Fish Eagle Lodge
Day 17: Masai Mara
Today we drive into the Masai Mara stopping along the way for lunch. As we get closer to the park you will see herds of goats & cows wandering in a cloud of dust through the vast plains dutifully watched by their Maasai owners. We enter the main gate by mid afternoon and drive through to Sekenani Camp, each tent is situated on a raised platform with en-suite bathroom complete with a full-length bathtub! (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Sekenani
Day 18: Masai Mara
We spend the day game driving around the park through vast herds of zebra, wildebeest and antelope. Hopefully we will also spot some of the The Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo & rhino).The Masai Mara is quite simply, one of the greatest wildlife attractions in the world and at this time of year (July to Oct) we should see the migration which is spectacular. We will stop at The Mara river for a short guided walk and see what animals might be around the river at the time. In the afternoon we will visit a Maasai village to meet the locals and learn about some of their age-old customs and the way they live their semi-nomadic lifestyle. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Sekenani
Day 19: Nairobi
Today we journey through the Rift Valley and up the escarpment where we stop for photo opportunities, before continuing on to Nairobi, Kenya’s capital. Our base for the next two nights is in the suburb of Karen, named after Karen Blixen - author of the popular book Out of Africa. (B,L)
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 20: Nairobi
Free day to kick-back, catch up on your washing, emails, shopping etc. There is a good choice of restaurants and bars close-by, plus a modern supermarket where you can stock up on personal supplies. Option to visit the nearby elephant orphanage at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. (B,D)
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 21: Karatu
Today we cross into Tanzania via the Namanga border and drive through Arusha and the northern highlands. After climbing the Manyara Escarpment, the vegetation becomes more lush and green, especially around the highlands of Karatu where we overnight. The extinct volcano of Ol Deani has gentle slopes and is a prominent feature of the landscape. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Kudu Lodge Day 22: Serengeti
You will be picked up this morning in 4WD vehicles and driven to The Serengeti National Park. It is the largest national park in Tanzania and is famous for its migratory herd of more than 1.5 million wildebeest, along with masses of zebra and of course their predators. This afternoon enjoy a game drive before arriving at our tented camp. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Kati Kati
Day 23: Serengeti - Ngorongoro
Morning game drive before travelling across the plains to Naabi Hill where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon we continue on to Ngorongoro where we overnight on the edge of the crater rim. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Rhino Lodge
Day 24: Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater is a huge volcanic caldera covering 264 sq km. Measuring over 16 km across and 610 metres deep it is home to many animals including black rhino, hyena, jackal and the densest lion population in the world. This morning we descend into the crater for a game drive then after lunch we will drive back to Karatu where we overnight. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Kudu Lodge
Day 25: Marangu
After breakfast we drive through to Arusha where there will be some free time for shopping. We’ll then visit Shanga River House. The Shanga Foundation was set up to provide locals with disabilities the chance to learn a craft and earn a living. You will be impressed with the unique, quality products, handmade from recycled materials. We will have our lunch here at the restaurant. Later this afternoon we arrive in Marangu which is situated on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. Our accommodation for the next two nights has magnificent views of the mountain. (B,D)
Accommodation: Marangu Hotel
Day 26: Marangu
Today you will learn about the Chagga people - Bantu speaking indigenous Africans and the third largest ethnic group in Tanzania. Enjoy a walk through the village with a local guide, wander through banana and coffee plantations, visit a picturesque waterfall where you are free to have a swim in the refreshing water and finally explore the caves – an elaborate system of underground tunnels and caves once used to hide the Chagga people and livestock from marauding Maasai. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Marangu Hotel
Day 27: Stone Town, Zanzibar
Today we will take a domestic flight from Kilimanjaro Airport to Zanzibar and transfer to Town.
Little has changed in the last 200 years in Stone Town. It is a place of winding alleys, bustling bazaars, mosques and grand Arab houses whose original owners vied with each other over the extravagance of their dwellings. This one-upmanship is particularly reflected in the brass-studded, carved, wooden doors - there are more than 500 different examples of this handiwork. The afternoon is free to explore the fascinating labyrinth of narrow streets and alleyways. Later watch the sun sink into the sea over a cocktail before dinner. (B)
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 28: Spice Tour/Nungwi
Fragrant cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper and many other spices brought the Sultans of Oman and the beginnings of the infamous slave trade to Zanzibar. Our half day tour will wow you with the sheer number of spices produced and their incredible value for many ailments. Later this afternoon we drive to Nungwi Beach at the northern end of the island. (B)
Accommodation: Amaan Bungalows
Days 29/30: Nungwi, Zanzibar
Two free days to relax and unwind on Nungwi Beach. Diving, fishing and sailing on a Dhow are just some of the optional activities you can do here. At the end of the day there are plenty of bars to enjoy a sunset cocktail and a variety of beachside restaurants to dine in. (B)
Accommodation: Amaan Bungalows (H)
Day 31: Stonetown, Zanzibar
After checking out of our hotel we head back to Stone Town where you will have free time to do some last minute shopping. Our last night together will be spent over a fine meal and refreshments whilst taking stock of our whole adventure! (B) Accommodation: Hotel
Day 32: Departure day
You will be transferred to Zanzibar Airport today for your onward flight. (B)
Departs:
25 July 2020
08 Sep 2020
18 Oct 2020
COST
NZ$13,500 per person twin share
NZ$1,950 Single supplement *
* If you are willing to share, we will endeavour to match you up with another same-gender solo traveller to share at the twin price. If we are unable to provide a share, you will need to pay the single supplement.
INCLUSIONS
EXCLUSIONS
MEALS
B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner
GORILLA TREKKING: A good level of fitness is required. You need to be sure-footed and be able to walk up rough terrain for up to 4 hours. The treks start at around 1500 metres above sea-level and can go up over 2500 metres so the affects of the high altitude often slows trekkers up. The trek will go at the pace of the slowest walker, stop for regular breathers, and at no time will you be made to rush. Walking sticks are provided. If you would like a porter to carry your day-pack, this is possible for a fee of approx US$10.
GROUP SIZE: Minimum 8, Maximum 18
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