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The group flight usually arrives into Nairobi this afternoon and will be met and transferred to the start hotel. Land Only clients should aim to arrive at the hotel this afternoon. This evening's welcome briefing is the perfect opportunity to meet your guide and get to know your fellow travellers. Accommodation: Kenya Comfort Suites or similarStandard Hotel
After loading our things onto the overland vehicle we depart Nairobi and travel approximately 7 hours into the Masai Mara, one of the most famous ecosystems in the world. This vast grassland is teeming with life; plains game including wildebeest, gazelle, topi, zebra and buffalo abound in the rolling savannah, and never far away lay the predators; cheetah, lion and hyena. Between mid-August to late October one of the greatest spectacles on Earth takes place in the Mara - the annual migration of thousands of wildebeest, gazelle and zebra trampling their way across the long grass. Nothing is guaranteed on safari, but with the help of our brilliant guides you should see and learn a huge amount about the Masai Mara's resident wildlife as we game drive through the park this afternoon. Accommodation: Mountain Rock or similarComfortable Camping
A full day game drive in the Masai Mara to increase our chances of encountering many of the wildlife species found in the reserve. We find a quiet spot inside the park to enjoy lunch by our vehicle, looking out across the plains. There is also an optional Hot Air Balloon Safari in time for sunrise (including champagne and breakfast).Accommodation: Mountain Rock or similarComfortable Camping
We depart the Masai Mara in the morning after breakfast and drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, one of the finest small parks within Kenya, where we have an afternoon game drive. Protected by an electric fence, the park is widely known for its impressive population of Black and White rhino which are relatively easy to spot on game drives in the open savannah. Fever trees line the park and are a well-known spot for leopards to laze in, whilst one of the most impressive sights is the vast flamingo population. Owing to flooding the alkaline content of the lake has changed in recent years and as a result the flamingos no longer tend to be found in such large numbers, but this can change depending on the rainfall. Accommodation: Alps Hotel Nakuru or similar Standard Hotel
This morning we once again go in search of wildlife on a game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park. After lunch inside the park, we have a journey of around 3 hrs as we drive to Eldoret, one of Kenya's larger cities, where we spend the night.Accommodation: Greenwood Resort or similarStandard Hotel
Today there is a long drive of about 250km to Jinja, which should take about 8 hours, including a border crossing into Uganda. The border crossing can be slow but we leave plenty of time for this and you'll no doubt find the experience interesting! Located on the shores of Lake Victoria, Jinja is the adventure capital of Uganda and the source of the River Nile. The area is most famous for grade IV and V white-water rafting excursions but there are plenty of other adrenaline fuelled activities here.Accommodation: Nile Village Hotel & Spa or similarComfortable Camping
Today is free to choose from a range of optional activities. White-water rafting in Jinja is considered to be amongst the best in the world, with a half or full day route that varies from quiet pools and forested islands to thunderous rapids and drops. There are several grade V rapids to navigate including 'Big Brother', 'Overtime' and 'Silverback'. If rafting doesn't appeal, you can join a village walk, learn about a vibrant community project known as Soft Power which supports education, or visit the source of the White Nile. Accommodation: Nile Village Hotel & Spa or similarComfortable Camping
We leave Jinja and drive to Murchison Falls National Park, a journey which should take us 6 hrs. Murchison Falls N.P. is the largest of Uganda’s national parks and covers an area of 5081 sq kms, with rolling grasslands and wooded savannah. Tomorrow we visit the top of the falls, where the river narrows from 50 metres to crash through a 7 metre gorge, falling 45 metres to the rocks below. A truly impressive sight!Accommodation: Sambiya River Lodge or similarComfortable Camping
This morning we have an early morning game drive in search of wildlife in Murchison Falls N.P. We transfer by ferry to the north side of the Nile where we embark our game drive. Murchison Falls N.P. is home to elephants, giraffe, buffalo and Uganda kobs, as well as the predators: lions and leopards. After lunch we travel by boat up the Nile, passing hippos and crocodiles, searching for elephants and waterbuck that come to the river to drink. The cruise lasts about 3 hrs, and will travel upstream to the bottom of the falls, stopping near the ‘Devil’s Cauldron’, the place where the water bursts through the narrow gorge and creates an outstanding rainbow. Accommodation: Sambiya River Lodge or similar Comfortable Camping
We depart early this morning for Budongo Forest, which is home to the largest numbers of chimpanzees in Uganda; we will go on a trek in search of chimpanzees and other wildlife. The walking is fairly easy due to the well-maintained trails and reasonably flat terrain. Whilst trekking in the depths of the lush green forest, you will be surrounded by bird song and hope to see both Velvet and Colobus monkeys, wild pigs and of course the chimpanzee. Once a chimpanzee family is found, we will have an hour with these fascinating creatures, to watch them interact and play with each other.Accommodation: Sambiya River Lodge or similar Standard Hotel
Today we a long drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP). The drive goes south along the eastern length of the Rwenzori Mountains, where, weather permitting, we can see the glaciated peaks. We gently descend into The Great Rift Valley and QENP. The park resides in a fertile, equatorial area and has beautiful scenery. It is Uganda’s most popular and accessible savannah reserve, with a total area of 1978 square kilometres. It is primarily associated with grassy savannah plains, but this impressive park also includes within its boundaries leafy rainforests, dense papyrus swamps and natural volcanic crater lakes. As a result it has one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any game reserve in the world, including a total of 95 recorded mammal species and more than 610 species of birds. Accommodation: Parkview Lodge or similarStandard Hotel
This morning we will explore QENP on a game drive in search of wildlife including elephants, lions, buffalo, leopard, hyena, jackal, topi, kob, bush buck and various others. In the afternoon there is an optional boat trip of about two hours along the Kazinga Channel to view some of the largest concentration of hippo in the world (reported to be about 30,000) and other game with excellent birding. The game drive will continue in the afternoon for those who do not join the boat trip.Accommodation: Parkview Lodge or similarStandard Hotel
We have a final early morning game drive in QENP and depart after breakfast, heading for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the Mountain gorillas. The journey is 300kms and takes 5-6 hours including stops along the way.Accommodation: Mulehe Gorilla Lodge or similarStandard Hotel
You will probably remember today for the rest of your life as we spend a full hour in the company of a family of Mountain gorillas! Owing to the nature of the terrain and the need to explore to find the gorillas, our trek doesn't follow a path and instead our guides will cut a route through the undergrowth. After a safety briefing, we are assigned to a gorilla family group and begin our trek. You should expect a minimum of three hours walking on irregular terrain in order to find the gorillas; steep ascents and descents over muddy slopes are the norm. Strong footwear is essential and we recommend hiring a local porter to help you carry your bag/camera equipment and provide a steady, supportive hand (porters will be arranged and paid for locally on the day).Seeing wild Mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is an experience you will never forget. An adult male can weigh up to 195kg, a female up to 100kg, and a male can reach 1.7m in height. They are almost exclusively vegetarian and quite destructive eaters, which makes them unpopular with the farmers lower down the mountain slopes as they have been known to wreck a whole field of crops just to eat one plant. For this reason, and also because of poaching, the gorillas are very carefully protected. Gorillas are gentle creatures and are not known to attack unless very severely provoked. The family groups that we trek to see are habituated to human presence but to prevent over familiarisation our time with them is limited to one hour. The minimum distance that we must keep is 8 metres - we are not permitted any closer because gorillas are very susceptible to human disease. Please note that anyone with a cold or any similar ailment may not be permitted to join the trek.Accommodation: Mulehe Gorilla Lodge or similarStandard Hotel
We depart early in the morning and transfer to Kigali airport. Our trip comes to an end in the afternoon when we bid our group goodbye.
8 nights hotels/lodges and 6 nights permanent tented campsTravel by
specialist overland vehicle, 4WD and on footSome long drives on rough roads
and early starts
Virtually all meals are included; most will be provided by the various hotels
and lodges we use while some will be provided by our well trained cook who is
adept at catering for large groups of hungry travellers!Breakfasts will
usually include cereal, toast and hot food such as porridge or eggs. Lunches
tend to feature a range of sandwich options as well as a selection of fruit.
Dinners usually feature soup, main (a mix of local and international cuisine)
and dessert (typically fruit salad). You will have time to stock up on snacks
and drinks along the journey.For meals not included, it would be a good idea
to allow a further US$100 to cover these.
8 nights hotels/lodges and 6 nights permanent tented campsTravel by
specialist overland vehicle, 4WD and on footSome long drives on rough roads
and early starts
This trip has been graded 2 (Leisurely/Moderate) with a safari rating of 4.
The grading of moderate applies specifically to the gorilla trek and the
Chimpanzee tracking. The rest of the itinerary is graded as leisurely in
relation to the activity level only (however, this is not a leisurely trip in
relation to the early starts and long drives). Gorilla Trek: Owing to the
nature of the terrain and the need to explore to find the gorillas, the trek
doesn't always follow a path in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and instead the
guides will cut a route through the undergrowth. You should expect a
minimum of three hours walking on irregular terrain, with the possibility of
climbing up to 2607m, in order to find the gorillas; steep ascents and
descents over muddy slopes are the norm. Strong footwear is essential and
we recommend hiring a local porter to help you carry your bag/camera
equipment and provide a steady, supportive hand (porters will be arranged and
paid for locally on the day).Transport is in a specialist overland vehicle
with good visibility and 4WD vehicles in the Masai Mara. There will be
several early morning starts especially to view the wildlife, and several
long drives as this trip covers the highlights of three countries. Although
the distances are not always very long, some of the roads are quite poor and
bumpy especially after the rainy season. We include breaks for toilet
facilities, shopping, photos and meals. There are a few days where the
journey time (including stops) can be over 7 hours and the longest drive can
take approximately 9 hours. The spectacular scenery and glimpses of village
life when travelling make the journeys enjoyable, as well as the chances to
get to know your fellow travel companions. Come prepared with a sense of
adventure and a sense of humour and you're sure to have the holiday of a
lifetime.Certain areas in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda are not recommended for
travel on the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development website. Please note that
we do not visit any of these areas on our itinerary and keep continually
abreast of changes to FCDO advice.BOOKING CONDITIONSPlease note that at the
time of booking a minimum of £700 (or equivalent in booking currency)
non-refundable deposit is required to cover the cost of the gorilla permits.
If for any reason we have to cancel the trip, you will of course receive a
full refund.
Hotels, Lodges & Tented CampsOn these departures we spend 8 nights in hotels/lodges and 6 nights in
permanent tented camps.All the hotels/lodge accommodation is en suite and
relatively comfortable, though not luxurious. We have selected, whenever
possible, properties in or near the national parks we visit to enrich the
wilderness experience of this trip.The tented camps that we use are typically
at well-equipped resorts with walk in tents, beds and usually shared bathroom
facilities. Most of these resorts have additional facilities such as a
swimming pool, bar and sometimes WiFi.On some nights we have more than one
accommodation option. This can mean that where we stay differs to what has
been listed for the day. The accommodation that we select around Bwindi
Impenetrable National Park is dependent on the gate we are using to access
the park.Single supplement is available.
Virtually all meals are included; most will be provided by the various hotels
and lodges we use while some will be provided by our well trained cook who is
adept at catering for large groups of hungry travellers!Breakfasts will
usually include cereal, toast and hot food such as porridge or eggs. Lunches
tend to feature a range of sandwich options as well as a selection of fruit.
Dinners usually feature soup, main (a mix of local and international cuisine)
and dessert (typically fruit salad). You will have time to stock up on snacks
and drinks along the journey.For meals not included, it would be a good idea
to allow a further US$100 to cover these.
Transport is in one of Exodus' specialist overland vehicles. The vehicle
seats 24 passengers but there is a maximum of 18 passengers on this
itinerary. The seating is mostly forward facing and the windows are large and
easy to open. People are expected to move around to permit everyone a chance
to have a window seat. The vehicle carries all camping equipment and has a
large drinking water tank for you to fill up a smaller bottle. There is a
6-plug 240 volt invertor that can recharge camera/cellphone/laptop batteries
when it is being driven. For game viewing in the Masai Mara we use smaller
4WD vehicles.
Travelling flight inclusive from London: 17 daysThe group flight from London
is an overnight flight departing the day before Day 1 of the
itinerary.Flights from LondonWe normally use the scheduled services of
Ethiopian Airlines or Qatar Airways (depending on availability). As flight
timings and schedules change regularly we recommend you call one of our
specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm up‐to‐date timings.
Please note timings may change at a later date and cannot be confirmed until
approximately two weeks before departure.Travelling land only: 15 days
starting in Nairobi and ending in KigaliYour trip normally starts at our
accommodation in Nairobi in the afternoon of Day 1 of the itinerary. Details
of how to reach the start point are provided in the Final Joining
Instructions ‐ sent approximately two weeks before departure.
Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note
that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight,
even if Exodus has booked it. If you require airport transfers, you may (by
prior arrangement only) be able to join the group transfer. Transfers are
arranged to coincide with the arrival time of the group flight ‐ please
check the group flight details 2 weeks before departure. If you do not take
this transfer, or miss it, you must make your own way to the joining point
at your own expense.The cost of a taxi is likely to be approx. US$17‐$30
should you decide to make your way independently.
Although this part of East Africa lies in the tropics, the temperature
depends more on altitude than on season. Kenya has temperatures ranging from
18 - 28ºC in March and dropping to 15 - 21ºC in August. The long rains,
during which we do not operate these tours, occur in April and May, and there
are intermittent 'short rains' between November and early December, though
these normally have no great effect on the safari.In western Uganda, the
rainy season is also in April and May, with intermittent rains during
November and December, and daytime temperatures of between 15 - 25ºC. Parts
of Uganda are very wet and rain can be expected at any time.In Rwanda, the
rainy season is also in April and May, with intermittent rains during
November. December to February is quite dry, and June through October is the
driest season. Temperatures do vary, in the southern parts of Rwanda the
temperatures are between 18 - 30ºC, while in the northern part, temperatures
are between 12 - 28ºC.
This trip encounters a range of temperatures so come prepared. Most of the
time light cotton clothing will be most comfortable, but you should bring a
sweater and a warm windproof jacket as it can get cold at night, in the
mornings and in the back of the truck. Avoid bright colours when on
safari.Walking boots: for the gorilla trek as conditions under foot can be
tough.Long socks: for Gorilla trek to protect against jungle ants.Gloves: for
the gorilla trek as there can be stinging and sharp vegetation on the trek.
Gardening gloves would be fine.Daypack or small bagWater bottle (minimum
size required for gorilla trek is 1.5 litres, or take 2 bottles)Head torch
and spare batteriesMosquito repellentSun hat, suncream and sunglassesRucksack
or holdall: please do not bring a suitcase or hard-bottomed bag on these
trips. We advise you to bring a soft holdall/rucksack and a day pack.
Everyone has a large locker (30 inches deep, 19 inches long and 10 inches
high) to store his or her belongings and personal items in. We recommend
you also take a combination padlock to lock the locker. Shoes can be stored
separately at the back of the vehicle.Please note: In a move praised by
conservation groups and health organisations, Kenya has taken the lead in
banning the use of plastic carrier bags and certain other plastic bags.
Included in the ban are the following items that travellers might carry:▪
Duty free carrier bags▪ General shopping bags▪ Bin liners (sometimes used
to protect luggage during rain)▪ Dry cleaning bags (commonly wrapped around
clothing)Travellers arriving into Kenya via airports, sea ports or land
borders will be required to leave any bags deemed to be on the banned list at
the point of entry. Travellers will not be fined so long as they surrender
any prohibited bags.Uganda has banned electronic cigarettes.
If you are interested in animal photography then take a camera with a good
optical zoom.BinocularsWet wipesTravel towelHand gel washToilet
rollGaitersLaundry:Laundry facilities are limited outside the major cities
but it will be possible to do some hand washing at the campsites or using
water from rivers or lakes. You should bring a small supply of washing powder
with you for this purpose. We ask you to be careful when washing clothes in
rivers and lakes as this water may well be the main supply for villages
further along. Always use a washing bowl and discard used water away from the
river or lake. Take environmentally friendly detergents and shampoos for hand
and hair washing, and use as little as possible. This will help to keep
valuable fresh water supplies, rivers, streams and the sea free from
pollution.
We recommend that you take most of your money in US Dollars cash. Any US
dollars cash should be clean, unmarked notes and should be dated no earlier
than 2009. It is advisable to bring a mix of denominations including some
small notes.There are a great variety of souvenirs on sale. We encourage
buying items which benefit the local economy and avoiding expensive shopping
malls where most of the money will go abroad or to large businesses.
Bargaining is the norm for much souvenir buying. Don't accept the first price
offered unless the shop or stall clearly works on fixed prices, but also
remember that you are probably much better off than most local people, so
please do not generate ill-feeling by bargaining too hard. Similarly, you
should not bargain for items which you have no intention of buying. Optional
Excursions:NairobiFor the excursions in Nairobi, these can only be done if
you arrive earlier than the group flight. As the leader will not yet be
with you in this case, you need to book these through our local partners on
the ground on +254 733 523 813.Karen Blixen Museum - US$14 per personGiraffe
Centre- US$12 per personNNP Animal orphanage - US$25 per person (Entry
only)Safari walk - US$25 per personCarnivore Restaurant- US$30-35 per
personBomas - US$10 per personNational Museum - US$14 per personTransfers
to/from all of these excursions - price will vary depending on the type of
vehicle and the number of clients and may include waiting chargesMasai
MaraSunrise Balloon Safari in Masai Mara - can be booked locally at a price
of US$495 per person or higher. Includes champagne and a full English
breakfast in the bush.JinjaFull Day rafting, Jinja - US$140 per personHalf
Day Rafting, Jinja – US$125Visit to the source of the White Nile - US$25
per personWe suggest that these excursions be paid for in cash.Queen
ElizabethKazinga Channel boat trip - US$30Bwindi Impenetrable ForestMgahinga
Hike - US $80 per person (depending on location of
accommodation) Forest
walk- US $70 per person (depending on location of
accommodation)
Batwa Experience - US $80 per person (depending on location of
accommodation)
Birding walk - US $70 per person (depending on location of
accommodation)
If you feel that your leader and crew have performed well over the course of
your trip, you may want to show your appreciation of their services. The sum
you choose to give is entirely personal, but as a guide we suggest that you
budget:Approximately US$50-$70 for your tour leader.Approximately US$25-$35
for each of the other 3 crew members on this trip.It is also courteous to tip
any extra guides/ drivers you may have over the course of the trip, though
certainly not compulsory. Shortly after arrival the leader will suggest to
the group that they donate a sum of approx. 25 GBP (approx. US$ 30) per
person towards a kitty. This money is then used for tipping local guides,
hotel porters, drivers etc and will be distributed by the leader. Any money
left at the end of the trip will be refunded to the group on equal basis.
Travel insuranceSingle accommodation (available on request)Visas or
vaccinations
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.