The Hakuna Matata Path - Reverse
-
Overview
We highly recommend putting The Lion King soundtrack on your iPod. When Elton starts belting out “Circle of Life” as the sun dips down over the savannah you'll thank us.
(Was Complete East Africa - 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 2-3 - Ruhengeri - Parc National Des Volcans - Kisoro
Erin, one of our copywriters, just came back from a gorilla trek. We asked her to describe it, but she got all sniffy and misty-eyed. We made out the words "goosebumps" and "incredible" before she descended into full-blown tears.
Day 2 (Approximate driving time: 2 hours)
- Visit the Genocide Memorial, recently opened in 2004 to mark the tenth anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide
- Drive through the verdant, rolling hills of Rwanda, travelling north-west to Ruhengeri
- Set up camp in the shadow of the volcanoes that are home to mountain gorillas and prepare for our gorilla trek
Day 3 (Approximate driving time: 5 hours)
- 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
- Relive the events of the day over a well-earned meal and celebratory drink
Please note: Gorillas are very susceptible to human diseases and you should advise your guide if you are suffering from a cold or anything similar. It would be irresponsible to risk the health of even one of the last 700 remaining mountain gorillas that are still living in their natural habitat.
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 4-5 - Queen Elizabeth National Park
(Approximate driving time: 5 hours)
It's rare to come across many other people here, which means you've basically got the animals to yourself. Break out the SPF 30+ on your boat ride along the Kazinga Channel.
- 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 and stuff.
- Optional boat excursion to Ngamba Island on Lake Victoria
- Visit a chimpanzee sanctuary - home to 39 orphaned chimpanzees
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 7-9 - Jinja - Kericho
A couple nights camping on the riverbank means activities like white-water rafting, kayaking, horse riding and quad biking.
Days 7-8 (Approximate driving time: 3 hours)
- 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
Day 9 (Approximate driving time: 8 hours)
- Set off on a long drive towards the Kenyan Highlands
- 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
The only thing the kids at EAMO will ask you for is a cuddle, but after chatting to Ralph and May Spinks you'll realise just how much more it takes to run an orphanage for 225 kids. We'll stay overnight so there's plenty of time for soccer, a tour, hair braiding and seeing how EAMO works.
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: 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)
Lake Naivasha is paradise for snorers. "What? Someone was snoring last night? It wasn't me. Must've been those pesky hippos."
- 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
Please note: Activities will be offered if time permits and are at additional expense. Time may be reduced according to road conditions and hours of daylight (season).
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 13-15 - Masai Mara National Reserve – Nairobi – Arusha
Visit a local Masai village and recreate your favourite "Oh, what a feeling" Toyota moment when you jump with the warriors.
Days 13-14 (Approximate driving time: 6 hours; game drive times variable)
- 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
Day 15 (Approximate driving time: 7 hours)
- Bid farewell to some of our fellow travellers who are ending their safari today in Nairobi
- Another pre-departure meeting will take place at approximately 6pm for those of you who are travelling to Tanzania
Please note: For those of you who will be saying goodbye, your tour finishes upon arrival at our downtown hotel in Nairobi in the early evening. Flights out of Nairobi tonight should not be booked before 9.00pm.Transfers to Nairobi Airport and/or post-tour accommodation is available at an additional cost.
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 16 - Nairobi - Arusha
(Approximate driving time: 8 hours)
Ever heard a giraffe moo? Keep your ears open (yes, that's a thing) because they've also been known to hiss, roar and whistle.
- Cross the border from Kenya to Tanzania before travelling on to Arusha - the Safari Capital of Tanzania, throbs with activity and you can expect to see several safaris heading off or returning after a week in the bush
- Set up for a first night of camping in Tanzania
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 17 - School of St Jude's
(Approximate driving time: 2 hours)
"The School of St Jude we love you so much (clap-clap), the School of St Jude we love you so much (clap-clap)." You'll have this stuck in your head for weeks.
- Visit The School of St Jude in Arusha, a school for orphans and very poor children of the area
- Take time to visit children in class, before joining them for lunch
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 18-19 - Serengeti National Park
(Approximate driving time: 8 hours; game drive times variable)
You can drive around the Serengeti for hours and not see another vehicle, because it covers a whopping area of about 14,763sq km. That's around 30,000 football stadiums.
- Stop on the top of the Rift Valley escarpment for an incredible view out over Lake Manyara
- Game drives within the Serengeti National Park
- Spend two days exploring the plains on game drives as well as checking out the rocky outcrops, or 'kopjes' - a favourite for predators
- Enjoy two nights camping inside the park - and be serenaded by the sounds of the African savannah
Please note: The campsites in Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater are national park campsites and are very basic. There are no fences surrounding the campsites and wildlife is free to roam at leisure. The toilets are basic flush toilets and there is limited water for cold showers or for washing up. As a result the water tank on the vehicle will be required for cooking. You will need to purchase bottled water at your own expense for this part of the tour.
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 20 - Ngorongoro Conservation Area
(Approximate driving time: 8 hours, including game drive)
One last game drive before we set up camp on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. Look out for the Masai with their herds of cattle on the roads. The more cattle, the wealthier the warrior and the more wives he's allowed to take.
- Traverse the southern part of Serengeti National Park and cross over into the adjacent Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Perhaps visit the small museum at Olduvai Gorge
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 21-22 - Ngorongoro Crater - Arusha - Nairobi
Bid farewell the rest of the group, this African escapade has come to an end. Weep.
Day 21 (Approximate driving time: 8 hours)
- Transfer into 4WD vehicles and head down to the crater floor
- Spend the morning exploring this outstanding wildlife sanctuary - be lucky to see the rare black rhinos
- Leave the crater and return to the campground in Arusha
Please note: National park regulations stipulate that vehicles are only allowed a maximum of six hours in Ngorongoro Crater.
Day 22 (Approximate driving time: 8 hours to Nairobi, excluding time spent at the border)
- The trip ends in Arusha after breakfast
Please note: You may choose to take a free transfer with the safari vehicle, as it continues back to our Nairobi hotel. If you are travelling with the vehicle back to Nairobi you will arrive in the late afternoon, where you will be dropped off at the downtown hotel. Flights out of Nairobi tonight should not be booked before 9.00pm. Transfers to Nairobi Airport are available and at an additional cost.
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner -
What to Know
What's Included
An experienced safari leader whilst on safari; local specialist guides join us for Ngorongoro Crater excursion and Gorilla Trek; all park fees; one pre-purchased gorilla permit; 17 nights camping, 2 nights budget hotels, 2 nights tented camp; transport by custom-built safari vehicle, boat and on foot.
Not Included
-
Map
Map Itinerary
-
Dates
Trip Dates and Prices
Start Date – End Date Trip Status Price Kitty Payment Total Price 02 Jun 2013 - 23 Jun 2013 0 Request US $3,315On Sale Sale: US $2,946 Promo code: 1355 US $800 US $3,746 Contact Us 07 Jul 2013 - 28 Jul 2013 2 Available US $3,650 US $800 US $4,450 Book Now 28 Jul 2013 - 18 Aug 2013 0 Request US $3,650 US $800 US $4,450 Contact Us 08 Sep 2013 - 29 Sep 2013 0 Request US $3,650On Sale Sale: US $3,231 Promo code: 1355 US $800 US $4,031 Contact Us 24 Nov 2013 - 15 Dec 2013 7+ Available US $3,650 US $800 US $4,450 Book Now 29 Dec 2013 - 19 Jan 2014 7+ Available US $3,650 US $800 US $4,450 Book Now 09 Feb 2014 - 02 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $3,650 US $800 US $4,450 Book Now 13 Apr 2014 - 04 May 2014 7+ Available US $3,315 US $800 US $4,115 Book Now 11 May 2014 - 01 Jun 2014 7+ Available US $3,650 US $800 US $4,450 Book Now 08 Jun 2014 - 29 Jun 2014 7+ Available US $3,650 US $800 US $4,450 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.
-
Reviews
Past Travellers' Ratings & Comments
There’s no feedback available on this trip yet. If you’ve been on this trip and would like to contribute a review, rating or simply make a comment then please get in touch.
Calendar
Trip Selected
Nuts+Bolts
#GACER
