Gorillas and Game Safari of East Africa

GORILLAS AND GAME SAFARI OF EAST AFRICA - A 10 DAY SAFARI - FROM £3,600 PER PERSON

Day 1

Arrival in Kigali (suggested flight KQ472 12:30/12:55 cost not included) Met at airport and transfer with private vehicle & driver/guide to Parc National des Volcans (PNV) (approx 2½ hrs drive).

Overnight: Virunga Lodge - This is very a comfortable eco-lodge located on a hillside overlooking the Virunga Volcanoes and Lakes Ruhondo and Bulera. With breathtaking views this is one of the top lodge locations in. Eight bandas with private verandas offer views over the lakes and volcanoes; open fire places in the lounge and dining room make for a warm welcome after a days tracking the mountain gorillas. The Volcanoes Virunga Lodge is built around eco-friendly concepts with solar lighting, bush showers and self composting toilets and is approximately a 30-40 minute driver from the gorilla park of (D)

Day 2

Today it’s an early start to begin your gorilla safari experience. After being designated your group you then set off into the foothills to track the endangered mountain gorillas. Trekking through the lush green vegetation surrounded by spectacular views is an incredible experience. Coming across these amiable primates in their natural surroundings is awe-inspiring; you have an hour to watch them (which goes much too quickly!). Return to the lodge in the early/late afternoon (depending on how long your gorilla tracking takes, it can take between 4 to 6 hours), to rest and relax back at your lodge. If you return early there is also the option to explore the surrounding villages and lakes region.

Overnight: Virunga Lodge - (B/L/D)

Day 3

Again it’s an early start for your second day of gorilla tracking. These massive primates are extremely rare, with approximately 700 remaining in the wild. You will get within metres of the family and it’s a real privilege to spend time amongst them (this is strictly limited to 1 hour with the family group). The trekking can be fairly strenuous (it is at relatively high altitude); through lush green vegetation and up steep and sometimes muddy terrain! It is, however, the experience of a lifetime. In the afternoon you will transfer back to a central hotel to relax and take in the adventures of the last few days…

Overnight: Serena - The top hotel offering all the facilities and services you would expect. The hotel is set in its own tropical gardens with a swimming pool (B/L/D)

Day 4

After breakfast,  and depending on time, you have the option of a city tour and visit to the Genocide Memorial Centre at Gizozi before transferring to Kigali airport in time for international flight departure to Kenya (suggested flight KQ473 13:45/16:15). Met at Nairobi International Airport (JKIA) and transfer to Nairobi Hotel.

Overnight: Fairview Hotel (B)

Day 5

After breakfast, met at your hotel and depart to drive south to Selenkay Conservation Area (a 4 hour journey of 102 miles), arriving at Porini Camp before lunch for the start of your Kenya Safari. Following some time to relax and afternoon tea, you will be escorted on a walk by Maasai warriors to a village to get an insight into their fascinating culture and way of life. Return to camp for a shower and dinner.

Overnight: Amboseli Porini Camp - The Amboseli Porini Camp is located within the exclusive Selenkay Conservancy, in the Amboseli eco-system, an important wildlife dispersal area and rangeland for wildlife moving out of the National park. The camp facilities include 9 spacious guest tents, comfortably furnished and with en suite bathrooms including shower, wash basin and flush toilet. Tents have solar-powered electric lighting. The camp is small and is on the lines of the traditional luxury safari camp, but with more comfortable bathroom arrangements than were available to the big game hunters of earlier years! The camp provides an exclusive experience and all transport on this safari is in a specially designed open-sided Landrover 4 wheel drive safari vehicle (B/L/D)

Day 6

Awake to the call of the birds and the sounds of the African savannah. After an early breakfast, you will drive through the bush on the camps private track into Amboseli National Park for a full morning of game viewing. Following a picnic lunch in the park, you will return to the Porini Camp later in the afternoon. In the evening you will go on a game drive in Selenkay Conservancy, stopping for a sundowner at a scenic viewpoint, followed by a night game drive to look for nocturnal animals such as aardvarks, serval cats, caracals, bat-eared foxes, African wild cats, and other species. Return to camp for dinner and an evening beside the campfire.

Overnight: Amboseli Porini Camp - (B/L/D)

Day 7

Again awake to the natural sounds and calls of the local birdlife. After breakfast transfer for lunch at the famous Carnivore Restaurant. Then transfer to Wilson Airport for the afternoon flight to the Mara, arriving around 15:45hrs. Transfer to Mara Porini Camp. Afternoon game drive, followed by a sundowner and night game drive on the way back to Camp. Dinner and campfire drinks.

Overnight: Mara Porini Camp: Mara Porini Camp has recently been set up in the exclusive wildlife conservancy of Ol Kinyei, one of the most beautiful wilderness areas in the Serengeti-Mara eco-system. This is pristine wilderness with open savannah plains, riverine forest, springs, streams and rivers, rolling hills and spectacular views across the Mara. Ol Kinyei belongs to a Maasai community who have recently set aside the conservancy as a sanctuary for wildlife. The conservancy holds a wide variety of the animal species for which the Mara is famous including a large resident pride of lions. The Porini camp has 6 guest tents sited in the shade of Yellow-barked Acacia trees along the banks of the Laetoli, a permanent spring within Ol Kinyei . The tents are spacious and each has an en-suite bathroom with flush toilet and safari shower. Food is excellent with home baked bread, fresh salads and high quality meals prepared by the Chef (B/L/D)

Day 8

Optional Balloon Safari and Champange Breakfast. The Balloons lift off at dawn (0615) after coffee and a flight briefing. The one hour flight will give you a birds eye view, of the best East Africa has to offer, in the magnificent setting of the Great Rift Valley. A champagne breakfast in the bush after you land, adds to the buzz you will get from the early morning air and the sights and sounds, that only an eagle ever sees. Early morning is the ideal time to see wild animals on the plains. In the Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya it is an experience you will never forget. (Must be booked in advance and cost not included). A full day in the Masai Mara with game drives in 4x4 vehicles.

Overnight: Mara Porini Camp (B/L/D)

Day 9

Game drives in 4x4 vehicles within the game rich Mara ecosystem. As you drive through the Mara’s magical savannah plains you never know what you might spot on the way – plains game abound and the cats are never far away. After a late lunch you can relax in this peaceful spot before head out for an afternoon/evening game drive followed by a sundowner.

Overnight: Mara Porini Camp (B/L/D)

Day 10

Early morning walk in the Conservancy with Maasai warriors, followed by breakfast. Then transfer mid-morning to the airstrip for the flight back to Nairobi, arriving around 12.15 pm. End of safari (B)