Gorilla & game park safari to Kenya & Rwanda
| country: | Kenya, Rwanda |
| departures: | Departures every Sunday except April and May |
| price: | From £2280 (11 days) excluding flights, single supplement available. We can arrange flights from the UK |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Our short journey starts in Rwanda, deep in the heart of Africa, where we spend a day trekking to see endangered mountain gorillas in Parc National des Volcans - an overwhelming experience.
Gorilla trekking in Parc National des Volcans Kigali city tour & genocide museum Samburu National Reserve Menengai Crater Lake Nakuru National Park Masai Mara National Reserve
A further free day allows us to choose between a series of optional treks, including another one to see the gorillas, one in search of rare golden monkeys or one to Dian Fossey’s grave and research station. We return to Kigali before continuing to Kenya, home of some of the best wildlife reserves in the world with large numbers of animal life inhabiting vast tracts of lands that are easily accessible from Nairobi.
Our classic safari features three very different habitats, with the opportunity to observe a variety of unusual species common only to this part of Africa. The ecosystems, landscapes and wildlife highlight the diversity of this region and our guide will be happy to explain to us all the intricacies of this fascinating area. Utilising lodges and an atmospheric permanent tented camp are also key features of this safari. Throughout this safari we travel in safari vehicles where the pop-top roof system ensures excellent game viewing, and the use of 4WD vehicles rather than minivans ensures excellent comfort and access to off-the-beaten-track places. Our specialist local guides not only share with us their incredible wildlife knowledge, but also their passion for their homeland.
A further free day allows us to choose between a series of optional treks, including another one to see the gorillas, one in search of rare golden monkeys or one to Dian Fossey’s grave and research station. We return to Kigali before continuing to Kenya, home of some of the best wildlife reserves in the world with large numbers of animal life inhabiting vast tracts of lands that are easily accessible from Nairobi.
Our classic safari features three very different habitats, with the opportunity to observe a variety of unusual species common only to this part of Africa. The ecosystems, landscapes and wildlife highlight the diversity of this region and our guide will be happy to explain to us all the intricacies of this fascinating area. Utilising lodges and an atmospheric permanent tented camp are also key features of this safari. Throughout this safari we travel in safari vehicles where the pop-top roof system ensures excellent game viewing, and the use of 4WD vehicles rather than minivans ensures excellent comfort and access to off-the-beaten-track places. Our specialist local guides not only share with us their incredible wildlife knowledge, but also their passion for their homeland.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | (Sat) Arrive in Kigali and transfer to Ruhengeri. |
| Day 2: | Trek in Parc National des Volcans to see mountain gorillas. |
| Day 3: | Optional treks – second gorilla trek, trek to Dian Fossey’s grave or trek to see golden monkeys. Drive to Kigali. |
| Day 4: | Morning city tour including Genocide Museum. Transfer to Kigali Airport and fly to Nairobi (flight not included). |
| Day 5-6: | Drive to Samburu National Reserve. Safari in search of reticulated giraffe and Grevy's zebra. |
| Day 7-8: | Drive to Nakuru. Afternoon nature walks in Menengai Crater. Full-day game drives in Lake Nakuru National Park. |
| Day 9-10: | Two nights in tented camp in Masai Mara and enjoy day and night game drives. |
| Day 11: | Game walk in private reserve adjoining Masai Mara before driving to Nairobi, where trip ends (Tue). |
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.highly commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
 Search for endangered wildlife in Kenya and Rwanda with the help of local eyes, as your tour leaders in both countries give you a first-hand insight into the rich and colourful array of animals that can be found in this veritable Garden of Eden. From looking for magnificent mountain gorillas in tropical jungles to admiring the numerous species to be found on the savannah, you are introduced to the rich tapestry of the region. This amazing experience ensures that travellers become acutely aware of the importance of conservation and also become ambassadors for the continual protection of wildlife and wilderness the world over, so that future generations can continue to appreciate them. Of course Africa is as much about the people as the wildlife and on this trip a visit to a local Masai village gives an important insight into the unique lifestyle of these people, in the hope of fostering an awareness of the need to preserve their customs and traditions in the face of a world that is becoming rapidly homogenised. This operator proudly support a tented camp in Lake Nakuru, where all profits are used to support the Ujima Foundation. This is a training institute that prepares poor young adults for employment in Nakuru. The foundation strictly targets orphaned youngsters between the ages of 17 and 23 years and take care of their siblings. Most of the trainees are women who have no meaningful education or job experience. The program takes one year and gives these youngsters a chance to become self-reliant. The trainees actually hone their skills in the permanent tented camp that we stay in. Ujima is an old Kiswahili word, which means 'achieved with the help of others'. This operator has made the conscious decision to exclusively employ local tour leaders in the belief that by offering a steady income through employment, tourism can ultimately make a real positive difference to local communities. Regular training is provided to all local tour leaders on a variety of issues, from environmental awareness to First Aid. This is not only important to the overall conduct of the tour but also provides local people with important life skills. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |