Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania Classic Safari

After a sumptuous breakfast, transfer to the Uganda Wildlife Education Center (Uwec) – still within Entebbe – for a behind-the-scenes experience with the resident animals. This is a great starting point to learn about the wildlife of Uganda, its dynamics, and the ecosystems they live in. Originally set up in the 1950s to accommodate orphaned and injured animals rescued from wildlife smugglers at the airport.

After the educational tour, take a boat cruise out on Lake Victoria (Africa’s largest lake) to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Upon arrival, you will be directed to the visitor’s center where you will be introduced to the Ngamba project, its history, the resident chimpanzees, and their plight. Established by Dr. Jane Godall and Debbie Cox, Ngamba looks after chimpanzees that have been rescued from poachers – on the verge of being sold on the black market in Congo, Sudan, and the Central African Republic. You will receive a personal orientation by a chimpanzee caregiver and view the feeding of the chimpanzees from a raised platform area along the edge of the sanctuary fence. You will also be treated to sights of monitor lizards, birds, and many other photographic opportunities. After the excursion, return to Protea for your overnight stay (Bed & Breakfast).

Transfer to Bwindi National Park. Overnight Engagi Lodge (FB) 

Bwindi National Park: Pre-dating the last ice age, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the richest ecosystems on the planet, and its diversity of species is among the highest in Africa with some 120 mammal and 350 bird species documented within its boundaries. It is also the only forest in the world to support both Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees.

Trek deep into the steaming Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for one of the greatest wildlife encounters on earth, an hour in the company of the highly endangered Mountain Gorillas. Overnight Engagi Lodge (FB).

Gorilla Trekking Excursion

Gorilla Tracking is the quintessential African safari experience that everybody should experience at least once in their lives. Nothing stimulates man’s imagination like coming face to face with these peaceful great apes as they go about their day-to-day business as if nobody’s watching. The disturbing fact is that there are now only 650 left in the world! The good thing is that through human intervention and activities like these controlled gorilla tracking activities, their numbers are climbing back up.

Expect to adventurously track through the Impenetrable Forest before you encounter any gorillas which are definitely worthwhile as you observe them closely while they eat, play with the young ones, rest and act like Humans. The Gorilla is a shy and peaceful animal and it is an unforgettable experience to watch and photograph them as they interact. There are always Park Guides with you who interpret the flora and fauna and the lifestyle of the Gorillas.

Kindly note* 

• The Gorilla tracking will take place Either in Rushaga, Nkuringo, Ruhija & Buhoma depending on the permit availability
• The tracking in search of the gorillas can take from 30 minutes to 7 hours. Depending on how far the Gorilla family you are tracking is. When you get to them, you will enjoy a 1-hour experience and encounter with them.
• Gorilla trekking takes place at altitudes 1160 to 2607m (3806 to 8553ft) above sea level. This means that moderate/average physical fitness is required.
• Tracking numbers per gorilla family is a Maximum of 8 people

This morning, start your journey towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will arrive just in time for the afternoon boat ride on Kazinga Channel. The boat cruise on Kazinga, a thread of water that joins lakes George and Edward, is simply breathtaking. The channel is both home and playground for the highest concentration of hippos in the world. Throw a lot of crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and some predators into that mix and the stage is set for some wild action. You will also encounter the majestic African Fish Eagle, Goliath Herons, Saddle-billed Storks, Egyptian Gees, different species of Egrets, and Cormorants among other bird species. Don’t forget to get your camera out for the magnificent sunset over the Mweya Peninsula. Transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay.

This morning you will embark on a very early game drive at around 6:30 am and return to your lodge for breakfast before checking out of your lodge. Transfer to the airstrip and fly to Entebbe for your connecting flight to Nairobi. On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met by our representative, who will transfer you to Nairobi Serena Hotel/Nairobi Safari Club (Bed & Breakfast)

After a relaxed breakfast, pick up from your Nairobi hotel and embark on a Nairobi City excursion offering you an opportunity to discover Nairobi’s beauty, and get to experience two of the most unique animal sanctuaries in the world. Firstly, visit David Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage and get to learn about the orphaned baby Elephants and the reintegration process of returning them to the wild. After this excursion, visit the Giraffe Center for a face-to-face encounter with the endangered Rothschild’s giraffes. Climb the feeding point and offer a giraffe a food pellet under the supervision of a trained staff member. Not only may (he or she) accept your offer; but you may also be rewarded with a kiss!

David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

David Sheldrick is a world-class conservation figure and the premier authority on the Successful raising of milk–dependent infant elephants. David Sheldrick’s Animal Orphanage can only be visited for an hour every day between 11 AM to 12 Noon. During this hour, the baby elephants are brought out to play and feed, and visitors can watch them from behind a rope. Wardens are on hand to explain the work of the Orphanage and to answer any questions.

Kindly Note* 

• David Sheldrick Orphanage visit time is strictly between 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Clients are recommended to arrive at 10:30 am to ensure minimum delays
• David Sheldrick’s slot is subjected to availability upon booking confirmation

Giraffe Center

The giraffe center is a wonderful and refreshing experience undertaken during your excursion in Nairobi. Founded in 1979 as part of the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW), Giraffe Center came about through the passion of Jock and Betty Leslie-Melville (the founders). The heroic founders discovered the plight of the critically endangered Rothschild giraffe and decided to take action to attempt to save the species, and brought two of the young Rothschild giraffes to their land in a suburb of Nairobi on the edge of Nairobi National Park. At that time, they founded the AFEW, and the history of the Giraffe Centre was born. After the morning unforgettable excursion, transfer to Tamambo Karen Blixen Restaurant for a lunch menu with a fusion of tamarind and tamambo dishes. After lunch, transfer to your other hotel for check-in and overnight stay.

Early morning pick up from your Nairobi hotel and begin your Kenya safari adventure to the world-famous Masai Mara game reserve. Drive through the stunning & scenic Great Rift Valley with a brief stopover to admire the breathtaking views and optional shopping at the curio shops. Enjoy another brief stop-over in Narok Town for refreshments and to use the restrooms before continuing your journey to Masai Mara with a short game drive en route before reaching the lodge. Arrive at the lodge in time for check-in and lunch. Day at Leisure to enjoy the facilities the lodge has to offer before heading out for a thrilling introductory evening game drive in the Magnificent Masai Mara. Overnight stay at Ashnil Mara Luxury Camp/Mara Sopa Lodge or similar (FB)

Early morning breakfast and depart the lodge with your packed lunch boxes for a full day of game viewing across the rich tree-studded grassland and rolling hills. At lunchtime, our guide will pick a scenic (and safe) spot where you will enjoy your lunch and hear animals howling, birds chirping and the mighty Mara River flowing across the savannah bringing life to the park. After watching more of the spectacle that never gets dull, transfer back to your lodge. Dinner and overnight stay in Masai Mara.

*Note*

On this day clients can choose to have AM & PM game drives this need to be organized with our driver guide the day before

EXTRA OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS MASAI MARA:

1. Masai Village Visit

A visit to a Maasai Boma (Masai village tour) is an interesting experience. On arrival at the village, you can expect to be greeted in the traditional manner, excited children and adults welcome you with song and dance, at certain times, and one of the dancers will jump up and down gracefully. The jumps are several feet high and as they jump higher the singers will raise the pitch of their voices. You will be invited to try jumping – (dancing), too. Thereafter receive a warm welcome into the unique oval, dome-shaped homesteads (called Manyatta). The homesteads are made of cow dung and clay plastered over stick frames with thatched roofs, it is the job of the Maasai women to build these sturdy dwellings. Get a wonderful opportunity to learn about the history, culture, and lifestyle of these Maasai. There is also the opportunity to learn about some of the customary practices, such as fire-making or beadwork, and to speak to the villagers in their homes.

Masai Village Visit Tour Supplement: $20 per person

After early morning breakfast, check out from your lodge and enjoy a final game drive en route to the Isebania border with packed picnic lunch boxes. Border formalities and thereafter pick up by our Tanzania team and transfer to your Serengeti lodge with game drive en-route. Check-in at your lodge and enjoy dinner and an overnight stay. Kati Kati Tented Camp (FB).

Wake before dawn for an unforgettable sunrise game drive. Marvel at how the sun sets fire to the savannah as you go in search of big cats on the hunt for their morning meal. After breakfast, spend an entire day out on the plains of the Serengeti searching for the Big Five among other animals. Weaving through kopje upon which lions sun themselves, you’ll see some of the world’s most iconic wildlife against the open plains and big sky of Tanzania’s crown jewel. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge in Serengeti.

OPTIONAL EXCURSION IN SERENGETI:

1. Serengeti Balloon Safari Experience:

The adventure begins just before dawn. Guests assemble at the launch site for a briefing as the flames from the hot air balloon burners light the darkness as the crews inflate their craft. As the dawn breaks the hot air balloon fills and then rises. Suspended in a basket beneath the rainbow-colored canopy, you’re off for a wildlife viewing adventure with an entirely different perspective. What amazes most first-time balloonists is the absolute stillness: the silence as you float above the plains and the forest of the Serengeti National Park. The flight lasts around an hour, drifting wherever the air currents take you. There are ample opportunities for photography and video filming. Then your Hot Air Balloon Safari adventure finishes with a flourish. Upon landing, celebrate in the traditional manner with champagne (well, an excellent sparkling wine) before sitting down to a full English breakfast prepared and served in the bush in African style with bone china, linen table cloths, kings silver, etc.

Balloon Safari Supplement: $599 per person

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast, check-out and drive via the beautiful high-lying farmland of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Head down into the crater for a day of exploration in the incredible Ngorongoro Crater with a packed picnic lunch. Late in the afternoon ascend 600 Meters and transfer to your Ngorongoro Lodge for check-in dinner and overnight stay.

After a relaxed breakfast, check out from the lodge and enjoy a final game drive en route to Arusha. Upon arrival in Arusha, transfer to JRO airport for departure to the United States of America.