Nairobi To Nairobi (19 Days) Gorillas & Gameparks
Nairobi To Nairobi (19 Days) Gorillas & Gameparks
20 Days Starting and ending in Nairobi, Kenya
Visiting: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda
Tour operator:
Tour code:
450
Specialist Group:
Singles Solo
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 10
Age range:
18-80
Special diets catered:
Please advise requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable 19-day adventure from Nairobi to Nairobi, exploring the stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife of Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. This camping safari takes you through Lake Nakuru National Park, where you can spot black and white rhinos, and Lake Naivasha, where hippos roam. Cycle through Hells Gate National Park, raft or kayak on the Nile, and trek to see the majestic Mountain Gorillas. Pay tribute at the Kigali Genocide Memorial and search for the Big 5 in the Masai Mara. With comfortable camping accommodations and the Oasis truck as your base, this tour promises an immersive and active experience.
Highlights
Itinerary
After our pre-departure meeting - our trip departs Nairobi and heads north into one of Africa's greatest natural features, the East African Rift Valley. Stretching from the Dead Sea in Jordan down to Mozambique in Southern Africa, our first view is from the top of a steep escarpment. Overland trips through East Africa will allow you to experience some of the most dramatic scenery in the world, and the Rift Valley is a definite highlight. The valley floor seems to sweep on forever and is dotted with volcanic peaks, shimmering lakes, and countless springs. Our journey takes us into the heart of the Rift Valley to Lake Naivasha. We camp near the lake shore where Hippos sometimes feed at night! Here you can walk to Elsamere, the house of Joy Adamson - of Elsa the Lion and Born Free fame and enjoy a film of her life - and cream teas! You can also hire mountain bikes and cycle or walk-through Hells Gate National Park - the only game reserve in Kenya in which you are permitted to do so.
Or for a less active but equally enjoyable game viewing experience - visit the Crater Lake Game Sanctuary. Both offer excellent scenery and opportunities to spot hyrax, abundant bird, and plant life along with several types of gazelles, impala, and eland.
Next, we travel to Lake Nakuru National Park - home to a wide variety of wildlife including Black Rhino, Hippo, Lion, Leopard, Hyena and Giraffe. However, Nakuru is a soda lake and most famous for its pink inhabitants, a flock of almost a million Pink Flamingos which feed noisily along the shoreline.
DAY 5-7: NAKURU TO KAMPALA
We then continue west and travel to Uganda. A mountainous drive with spectacular scenery through the Nandi Hills brings us to our next stop at Eldoret. From here we cross the Kenya - Uganda border and continue to camp near Jinja - Uganda's adventure playground. Here, on the edge of Lake Victoria, the Nile begins its 6700km journey to the sea. We spend the next few days downstream from the source of the Nile. This is a spectacular area and a superb place to go whitewater rafting or kayaking. You can also organise quad biking, horse riding or a visit to a local education project. A short drive takes us to the capital Kampala.
Kampala has had a turbulent past, but these days it is a friendly and safe city. We have a free day to spend in local cafes and nightspots - where you can get to know the local people.
DAY 8-10: KAMPALA TO KABALE
The following day we have a long drive as we head west through swamps, patches of forest and fertile green countryside. As we travel through Uganda, we'll pass through a few small towns and villages; Mpigi, where you will see roadside stalls manufacturing and selling traditional musical instruments; Kyazanga, where we can buy fresh rotisserie and roasted meat and vegetables, as well as roasted plantain bananas. We will also be able to make a photo stop where our route crosses the Equator.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are home to several families of Highland Mountain Gorillas. Getting up close to these amazing creatures is truly a once in a lifetime experience and one of the highlights of the trip. You can trek to see the Gorillas in Uganda (bookable as an Add on). It is estimated that only around 700 of these gentle giants remain. This mountainous area on the borders of Rwanda, Uganda, and Zaire (now renamed Democratic Republic of Congo) is their only natural habitat and they are periodically threatened by poachers and political instability in the area. One permit allows you to spend about 50 to 60 minutes with one of the gorilla families. Trekking to find them in groups of 8 people can take anywhere from half an hour to 5 hours. The organisations and well-trained guides that continually monitor and protect the families are conscientious and responsible. We will base ourselves in the village of Kabale which will give you the opportunity to trek the Mountain Gorillas and visit the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi, where you will have the opportunity to visit a pygmy village.
(Due to the popularity of Trekking to the Mountain Gorillas and the limited availability of obtaining Trekking Permits, we may do the Gorilla trek in Rwanda in Volcanos National Park, which may come at an additional cost - you will be advised in advance).
DAY 11-13: KABALE TO KIGALI
Passing over the mountain ranges we cross the border into Rwanda. The small, friendly town of Musanze is home to Musanze caves and several hiking trails. You can take a village tour through the area and see first-hand production of local Banana beer. As Musanze is the gateway to Volcanoes National Park, there is also the opportunity to take a guided trek to see the famous Golden Monkeys. Please mention to your tour leader if you are keen to do this as permits and bookings may need to be made in advance. After we leave Musanze we head to the capital of Rwanda, Kigali, where there we can visit the genocide memorial, which is a moving and humbling experience.
DAY 14-19: KIGALI TO NAIROBI
We will leave Rwanda now and head back into Uganda. Our main highlight during this visit are the spectacular Sipi Falls. There are three waterfalls here on the Sipi River as it cascades into the Kyoga Basin from the slopes of Mount Elgon. The highest is just under 100m and there is an exciting abseiling option available here. After leaving the Sipi Falls we cross back into Kenya and visit the Kakamega Rainforest, a remnant of the ancient rainforest that stretched across Central Africa. This is a real contrast to other wild areas visited so far, and the forest is home to various mammals including colobus and Debrazzar monkeys, pottos, bush pigs and giant forest hedgehogs, as well as a great selection of colourful birdlife. Guided walks can be arranged during our stay here.
Finally, the group will all go on an afternoon and morning game drive in 4x4 safari vehicles with local guides in one of the world's most famous National Parks, the Maasai Mara. Here you will have the opportunity to look out for all its incredible wildlife before making our way back to Nairobi, arriving in the early evening
What's Included
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Accommodation
Accommodation is 100% camping, using roomy three-person tents shared between two people.
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Lake Nakuru National Park
Includes a game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park.
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Lake Naivasha
Visit to Lake Naivasha.
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Masai Mara
Includes game drives in the Masai Mara.
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Meals
Approximately 60% of meals are included.
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Transport
All transport on Oasis Expedition Truck is included.
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Camping and Cooking Equipment
Camping and cooking equipment are provided.
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Services of Oasis Crew
Services of the Oasis Crew are included.
What's Not Included
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Visas
Visas are not included.
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Local Payment
A local payment of USD 675 (2023-24) is payable at the start of the trip.
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Gorilla Trekking Permit
Gorilla Trekking Permit is bookable as an add-on and not included.
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Optional Excursions
Optional excursions as listed in the Pre-Departure Information are not included.
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Flights
Flights are not included.
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Airport Taxes and Transfers
Airport taxes and transfers are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included.
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Meals
Approximately 40% of meals are not included.
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Drinks
Drinks are not included.
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Tips
Tips are not included.
More Info
Enjoy the beauty of some of the best gameparks in three incredible East African countries. You will visit soda and fresh water lakes abundant in bird and wildlife, trek through rainforests of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, or marvel at the Virunga Mountains and search for the protected Mountain Gorilla. Try your hand at quad biking, kayaking and whitewater rafting - making this an action packed and diverse adventure trip that you will never forget!
Mode of Transport
The Oasis truck will be your new home giving you a comfortable, secure base with which to experience your trip. As part of the adventure you will be expected to have an active involvement in the day to day running of the trip, be part of the group and get stuck in and help with various tasks, whether it's cooking meals over open fires, pitching your tent or keeping the truck clean and tidy. Seatbelts All Oasis Overland trucks are fitted with seatbelts. For your own safety and security we recommend that travellers wear these at all times whilst the vehicle is moving. Our overland trucks in Africa also have a ‘beach area’ which is a chill out zone to be used when the truck is not moving.
Accommodation
Camping - Oasis uses roomy three-person tents but only for two people. They are specially made for us to meet the tougher conditions of an overland trip and have mosquito netting sewn into the door and windows. Tents are shared (between two people of the same sex from your group unless you are a couple). We spend some nights bush or desert camping and the rest of the time in campsites. Facilities and standards at campsites vary, some are well equipped and managed and some are very basic. At bush camps you will be living off the truck, so there will be no showers or en-suite facilities! At certain campsites there is the opportunity to upgrade to a private room at your own expense if you are missing your bed. Lodges / Hostels - At some locations we will stay in lodges and hostels that are small, locally run establishments. The accommodation will vary depending on the rooming available, from dormitory style rooms, to twins/doubles or triple rooms. Upgrades may be available on arrival, but cannot be reliably pre-booked. Please refer to the individual trip inclusions for the percentage break up of your accommodation.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of involvement is expected from participants during the trip?
Participants are expected to have an active involvement in the day-to-day running of the trip. This includes tasks such as cooking meals over open fires, pitching tents, and keeping the truck clean and tidy.
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour primarily involves camping, with roomy three-person tents shared between two people. Some nights will be spent bush or desert camping, while others will be at campsites with varying facilities. Occasionally, the group will stay in lodges or hostels, which may offer dormitory-style rooms, twins/doubles, or triple rooms.
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Are there opportunities to upgrade accommodation during the tour?
Yes, at certain campsites, there is the opportunity to upgrade to a private room at your own expense. Upgrades may also be available at lodges and hostels, but they cannot be reliably pre-booked.
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What activities are available at Lake Naivasha?
At Lake Naivasha, you can walk to Elsamere, the house of Joy Adamson, and enjoy a film of her life and cream teas. You can also hire mountain bikes to cycle or walk through Hells Gate National Park or visit the Crater Lake Game Sanctuary for game viewing.
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What can I expect during the Gorilla Trekking experience?
Gorilla Trekking involves trekking to see the Highland Mountain Gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda. One permit allows you to spend about 50 to 60 minutes with a gorilla family. Trekking can take anywhere from half an hour to 5 hours, and it is conducted in groups of 8 people with well-trained guides.
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What activities are available in Jinja, Uganda?
In Jinja, you can go whitewater rafting or kayaking on the Nile. Other activities include quad biking, horse riding, or visiting a local education project.
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What can I do in Musanze, Rwanda?
In Musanze, you can explore Musanze caves, take a village tour to see local Banana beer production, or take a guided trek to see the famous Golden Monkeys in Volcanoes National Park.
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What is the significance of the Kigali Genocide Memorial?
The Kigali Genocide Memorial is a moving and humbling experience where visitors can pay tribute to the victims of the Rwandan genocide.
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What wildlife can I expect to see in Lake Nakuru National Park?
Lake Nakuru National Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including Black Rhino, Hippo, Lion, Leopard, Hyena, Giraffe, and a flock of almost a million Pink Flamingos.
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What is the 'beach area' on the Oasis Overland trucks?
The 'beach area' on the Oasis Overland trucks is a chill-out zone that can be used when the truck is not moving.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes, if you are travelling solo. On our Overland Adventures and Ultimate Expeditions, we will pair you up with a tent buddy of the same sex when we camp and the same goes for twin & shared rooms in hostels, so there is no need to go it alone! If you specifically would like to request your own single room whilst on the trip, this may be requested subject to availability and additional fee.
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How many people do you take on your Trips?
On most of our Overland Adventures and Ultimate Expeditions our vehicles can carry a maximum of 24 travellers, the average however is around 16-20 on any one trip. Our Small Group Adventures have a maximum of 18 people per Tour Leader, although again the average is around 10-14 people.
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Low Deposit
Oasis Overland requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of oasis overland charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 33% of booking price.
At 45 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.