Animals Like You - Reverse
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Overview
The only difference between us and the animals is our opposable thumbs. And the fact that you won't find any animals wandering around the Masai Mara signing 'I bless the rains down in Africa, gonna take some time to do the things we never ha-a-aa-aaaave.'
(Was Masai Mara & Mountain Gorillas Reverse)
Itinerary
Day 1 - Kigali
What's the difference between Kigali and the city you live in? Probably a hell of a lot, so spend some time getting to know this place.
- A pre-departure meeting will take place at approximately 6pm
- You may choose to eat at the hotel restaurant this evening or venture out to one of the nearby restaurants (own expense)
- It is vital to re confirm any flights in to Rwanda. These schedules change regularly and often by more than a few hours. These must be checked to save any problems with your arrival.
Day 2 - Ruhengeri
(Approximate driving time: 2 hours)
You'll feel shocked, angry and sad during your time at the genocide memorial but it will put your time in Africa into perspective. It's a sombre note to start the trip on, but will make sure Africa stays firmly in your heart when your backpack is gathering dust under your bed.
- Take in the Genocide Memorial, opened in 2004 to mark the tenth anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide
- Travel to the campsite and catch glimpses of the endless mountain ranges
- Camp on the outskirts of Ruhengeri
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 3 - Parc National des Volcans (Gorilla Trek) - Kisoro
(Approximate driving time: 5 hours)
The trek can be tough (between 1-4 hours) but once you spot your first gorilla it will seem like a distant memory. Don't forget tissues if you're the emotional sort, and be sure to grab one of the free walking sticks at the start of the trek.
- Check in at the headquarters of the Parc National des Volcans for the gorilla trek
- Take a brief safety talk and set off with our guide in search of the magnificent apes
- Get within metres of a gorilla family we are tracking and spend an hour observing them
- Cross the border from Rwanda to Uganda
- Get an insight into rural Ugandan life and be greeted by waving children along the way
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 4-5 - Queen Elizabeth National Park
(Approximate driving time: 6 hours; game drive times variable)
You'll find a few big name animals here including elephants, Ugandan kobs and maybe lions, but the boat ride on Kazinga Channel is the real winner.
- Journey on to Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Embark on an afternoon game drive in search of some of the 100 different types of mammals and over 600 different species of birds
- Spend two nights camped in the Mweya area, located on the edge of the Kazinga Channel
- Spend a morning game driving
- Take a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel - a highlight for birdwatchers (and hippopotamus watchers)
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 6 - Uganda Wildlife Education Centre - Entebbe
(Approximate driving time: 8 hours)
It started out as an animal orphanage in 1952, then it was a regular zoo and now it's a place where you can go to learn about animals - the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre awesome.
- Optional boat excursion to Ngamba Island on Lake Victoria
- Visit a chimpanzee sanctuary - home to 39 orphaned chimpanzees
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 7-8 - Jinja
(Approximate driving time: 3 hours)
Our camp on the Nile River is a Geckos favourite, thanks to a bar overlooking the water. Don't be alarmed when you hear screams, they're probably just coming from the bungee jumping tower 100m down the river.
- Spend two nights camped on the banks of the river Nile
- Camp near raging rapids, forested islands and an abundance of bird life
- Optional activities abound, including whitewater rafting, kayaking, horse riding and quad biking.
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 9 - Kericho
(Approximate driving time: 8 hours)
Back in the truck we head to Kericho, home to some of the world's best tea. Wherever you go, a fresh cuppa is never far away. Pinkies out!
- Enjoy the opportunity to learn more about the tea industry in Kenya
- Camp in the midst of a tea plantation
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 10-11 - Kericho - East Africa Mission Orphanage (EAMO) - Lake Nakuru National Park
This is the best place to see rhinos, but there are also baboons and flamingos everywhere. Head to EAMO for a soccer match with the kids. NB: you don't stand a chance - even Messi would struggle to get one past these guys.
Day 10 (Approximate driving time: 2 hours)
- Head to the East Africa Mission Orphanage and camp on its grounds
- Meet the children and share dinner with them at the orphanage
- Answer the children's questions about the wider world over dinner
Please note that the tea tour will be included this morning if time permits. Time may be reduced according to road conditions, hours of daylight (season) and tour times of the tea factory.
Day 11 (Game drive times variable)
- Travel to the nearby Lake Nakuru National Park for a full day of game driving
- Perhaps spot populations of white and black rhino, Masai giraffe, Cape buffalo and the elusive leopard
- View flamingos on the lake, which sometimes resembles a moving carpet of pink feathers
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 12 - East Africa Mission Orphanage - Lake Naivasha
(Approximate driving time: 2 hours)
Get your hippo fix at Lake Naivasha. If you don't spot one, our mate Harrison Ford said he'll give you $50 (we don't know Harrison Ford).
- Enjoy spending time with the children in their classrooms
- Head to the freshwater Lake Naivasha and set up camp on the banks of the lake
- Why not take a cycling tour into Hell's Gate National Park - a safari on two wheels
- Optional nature walk in Crescent Island Sanctuary
- Fall asleep to the sound of grunting hippos
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 13-14 - Masai Mara National Reserve
(Approximate driving time: 6 hours; game drive times variable)
Best bits of the Mara: optional hot air balloon at sunrise, thousands of buffalo and wildebeest, lions, leopards, elephants and giraffes.
- Spend two nights in the Great Rift Valley and the Masai Mara region
- Head out on a full day's safari
- Explore the park on morning and afternoon game drives
- Witness wildebeest, zebra, elephant, giraffe and gazelle, and with luck, even lions or cheetahs
- Perhaps choose to visit a local village, where you can experience Masai dancing and singing
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 15 - Nairobi
(Approximate driving time: 7 hours)
Nairobi is huge, and you can see it all from the top floor of the Kenyatta International Conference Centre.
- The trip ends on arrival in Nairobi
- Flights should not be booked to depart Nairobi before 8pm
- Departure transfers can be booked through Geckos at an additional cost
Breakfast -
What to Know
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Map
Map Itinerary
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Dates
Trip Dates and Prices
Start Date – End Date Trip Status Price Kitty Payment Total Price 02 Jun 2013 - 16 Jun 2013 0 Request US $2,605 US $500 US $3,105 Contact Us 07 Jul 2013 - 21 Jul 2013 2 Request US $2,605 US $500 US $3,105 Book Now 28 Jul 2013 - 11 Aug 2013 0 Request US $2,605 US $500 US $3,105 Contact Us 08 Sep 2013 - 22 Sep 2013 5 Available US $2,605 US $500 US $3,105 Book Now 24 Nov 2013 - 08 Dec 2013 6 Available US $2,605 US $500 US $3,105 Book Now 29 Dec 2013 - 12 Jan 2014 7+ Available US $2,605 US $500 US $3,105 Book Now 09 Feb 2014 - 23 Feb 2014 7+ Available US $2,605 US $500 US $3,105 Book Now 11 May 2014 - 25 May 2014 7+ Available US $2,395 US $500 US $2,895 Book Now 08 Jun 2014 - 22 Jun 2014 7+ Available US $2,605 US $500 US $3,105 Book Now 06 Jul 2014 - 20 Jul 2014 7+ Available US $2,605 US $500 US $3,105 Book Now Kitty payment is required in cash. It needs to be paid before the end of your trip, in the local stated above. It is generally paid on Day 1, and covers most on-ground expenses. Kitty payments calculated using exchange rates valid on 1 Jan 2012.
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