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Gorilla Trek & Kenya Safari
CAMPING SAFARI: Take in the highlights of Uganda and Kenya on this 18-day camping safari. Go on a captivating game drive through Lake Nakuru National Park before heading to Uganda's capital, Kampala. Trek to see the chimpanzees. Embark on a hike through steamy jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for an encounter with mountain gorillas, unwind alongside the majestic Nile River in Jinja, and end your adventure spotting the Big Five in Kenya's famed Masai Mara Reserve.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Download our Trip Notes
Accommodation Standard
Camping
Tour Overview
Duration
18 daysStarts
NairobiEnds
Return to NairobiRange
Overlanding AdventuresTour Guide
Yes - escorted by a tour leaderGroup Size
Min 4 / Max 18Minimum age
18 years (16 years from 2026 onward)Maximum age
75Departs
SaturdaysHotel Rating
CampingCountries
Kenya, UgandaPhysical Rating
ModerateDemands a higher level of physical effort, including extended walking, hiking, or more challenging terrain. You must be able to walk around 5-kilometres without stopping and on overland trips, you must be able to manage steps up into overland trucks.
Tour Pace
MediumA balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn’t visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Arrival Transfer
No - can be booked on requestDeparture Transfer
No - can be booked on requestMeals included
Breakfast: 17, Lunch: 16, Dinner: 15Choose your desired standard of accommodation. See Ships for more information
Passengers
$3,416.25
$400.00
Excellent
4.4 out of 5 based on
293 reviews
Accommodation Standard
Camping
Tour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Accommodation Standard
Camping
Itinerary
Day 1 - Nairobi to Lake Nakuru
Day 1 - Nairobi to Lake Nakuru
Nairobi - Lake Nakuru National Park. We leave Nairobi this morning and descend into the Great Rift Valley, home to some of Africa's most dramatic scenery. We stop at a lookout point to enjoy the view before arriving in Lake Nakuru National Park. Although small by African standards, this Kenyan reserve is home to all manner of wildlife, including lion, rhino, buffalo and leopard, not to mention the great flocks of flamingos which gather at the famous soda lake itself. We enjoy an included game drive in specialized safari vehicles in order to spot some of this wildlife for ourselves.
Please note: The pre-departure meeting is held at 18:00 on the evening prior to departure. The tour departs at 08:00 on Day 1 so please arrive in Nairobi the day before your tour. Refer to the Joining Instructions in the Trip Notes for more information. We can book accommodation and transfers on request.
Day 2 - Crossing the Equator
Day 2 - Crossing the Equator
Lake Nakuru National Park - Eldoret. Departing Nakuru this morning we journey to Eldoret, Kenya's fifth largest town and a region increasingly important to the country's economy. On our journey today we will cross the Equator, travelling from the Southern Hemisphere to the Northern Hemisphere. We will stop to enjoy some time and photo opportunities at the Equator itself. Arriving at our campsite on the outskirts of Eldoret, there is time for you to admire the nearby Sirikwa holes, primitive dwellings believed to have belonged to an ancient tribe.
Day 3 - Into Uganda
Day 3 - Into Uganda
Eldoret - Kampala (Uganda). Wave goodbye to Kenya for now as we cross into Uganda, a country once described by Sir Winston Churchill as the 'Pearl of Africa'. On our drive to Kampala you will see lush rolling hills, tribal villages and growing towns and cities. Our campsite tonight is in the country's capital, Kampala.
Day 4 - Journey to the Chimpanzee Trekking Area
Day 4 - Journey to the Chimpanzee Trekking Area
Kampala - Chimpanzee Trekking Area. Departing Kampala, we cross the Equator again and pass through fertile green hills, tangled forests. From our vehicle we witness herds of Ankole cattle with their incredible long curving horns roaming the roads and paddocks. Our first evening here is free to unwind and relax, take a walk in the surrounding areas and take in the local ambient of the community.
Day 5 - Chimpanzee trekking
Day 5 - Chimpanzee trekking
Kalinzu Forest or Kyambura Gorge. Today, we head out in search of chimpanzees. Unlike their larger cousins, the mountain gorillas, chimps primarily lives in the trees, making our viewing experience one of gazing up into the dense forest canopy. Unsurprisingly, witnessing humanity’s closest relative in its natural habitat is an unforgettable experience
Please note:Chimpanzee Trek permits are issued by the wildlife authority in small groups. Depending on our group size, we may trek on the afternoon of day 4, morning or afternoon of day 5, or morning of day 6.
Days 6-8 - Mountain gorilla trekking
Days 6-8 - Mountain gorilla trekking
Chimpanzee Trekking Area - Lake Bunyonyi. On day 6 we drive to Lake Bunyonyi, dotted with scenic islands and surrounded by lush forest and rolling hills. Over the next three days everyone in the group will enjoy their mountain gorilla trek, but we will split into smaller groups in order to avoid disturbing the gorillas. On the days when you are not trekking, you are free to take a boat trip to some of Lake Bunyonyi's islands, go bird-watching, visit a local village or hire canoes to paddle on the lake.
On the day of your trek, we gather in the early morning to meet our local guide and tracker. Walking in small groups, we trek into the thick rainforest. A decent level of fitness is required as we trek through the steamy jungle. Your guide will know the location of the nearest gorilla family.
Once we have located the gorillas, you will spend around an hour watching from a safe distance. Keep quiet, keep low to the ground and follow all the instructions of your guide - this is for your safety and for the welfare of the mountain gorillas. You are welcome to take photos, as long as there is no flash.
One of the world's most endangered creatures, mountain gorillas are heavily protected, with around 1,000 animals now living in the rainforests of central Africa. Numbers have increased remarkably due to effective protection in recent years - keep your eyes peeled for the giant silverback alpha male, and some of the adorable youngsters that represent the future of their species.
When it is time to leave the gorillas, we trek back to Lake Bunyonyi, where you can reflect on what is sure to be the highlight of your African adventure. The rest of your time here is at leisure, whilst the rest of our group completes their trek.
Day 9 - Return to Kampala
Day 9 - Return to Kampala
Lake Bunyonyi - Kampala. Leaving the mountain gorillas and Lake Bunyonyi behind, we return to Kampala, skirting around the northern edge of Lake Victoria. There is time this evening for you to head into the city and explore, meet the locals or try some of the local cuisine if you wish.
Day 10 - Jinja
Day 10 - Jinja
Kampala - Jinja. It's a short drive today as we make our way to Jinja, a city in southern Uganda on the banks of Lake Victoria, source of the River Nile. From here, the river flows for 5,584km, through 11 countries. It enters the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt, having provided life to millions and millions of people and animals on its journey!
Our campsite is beside the Nile, and there are numerous optional activities you can enjoy. Quad biking, white water rafting, Nile cruises, fishing trips and mountain biking are some of the options. You also have the opportunity to visit a local school initiative. Lend a hand with some painting, plastering or other labour to help improve the local schools around Jinja.
Days 11-12 - Free time by the Nile
Days 11-12 - Free time by the Nile
The next two days are completely free for you to unwind by the Nile. Enjoy some of the optional activities available, go for a long walk beside the river or simply relax at the campsite with a good book - the choice is yours!
Day 13 - Return to Kenya
Day 13 - Return to Kenya
Jinja - Eldoret (Kenya). Say goodbye to Jinja as we cross the border back into Kenya and return to Eldoret, where we will camp for the evening.
Day 14 - Eldoret to Nairobi
Day 14 - Eldoret to Nairobi
Eldoret - Nairobi. We complete our drive south through Kenya, arriving back in Nairobi in the late afternoon.
Day 15 - Exploring Nairobi
Day 15 - Exploring Nairobi
Today is free for you to spend at leisure. Explore the city or alternatively join one of the optional tours on offer today. Today offers you the freedom to explore both the city and its surrounding areas. Alternatively, the following optional excursions are available to book locally. Enjoy close encounters at the the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Centre, or discover the Karen Blixen Museum in the nearby town of Karen. Alternatively, you can opt for a day of relaxation and pure leisure, making the most of some well-deserved 'downtime'.
Day 16 - Nairobi to Masai Mara
Day 16 - Nairobi to Masai Mara
Nairobi - Masai Mara. We depart the city early and make our way across the Great Rift Valley to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, enjoying views of the vast vista en route. We travel in small, specialised safari vehicles that enable us to have a more intimate view of wildlife. We spend two nights camping on the edge of the Reserve with time to explore the park on morning and afternoon game drives.
Day 17 - The 'Big Five' in Masai Mara
Day 17 - The 'Big Five' in Masai Mara
Today we continue exploring the Masai Mara with morning and afternoon game drives. Forming part of the Serengeti ecosystem and adjacent to Tanzania's Serengeti National Park, the Masai Mara is perhaps Africa's most iconic wild place. Home to the Great Migration, it is possible to see millions of wildebeest, antelope, and zebra crossing the plains throughout the year, tracked all the way by the lions, leopards, and cheetahs which feed on them. Crocodiles wait for an easy meal as the herds cross the Mara River, and scavengers such as hyenas clear up the remains of any kills. With plenty of included game drives, you'll have a great chance at spotting many of these species, as well as elephants, buffalo, giraffe and more.
Day 18 - Return to Nairobi
Day 18 - Return to Nairobi
Masai Mara - Nairobi. Leaving the Mara, we travel back through the Great Rift Valley to Nairobi where our tour ends in the late afternoon.
Accommodation Standard
Camping
Tour Reviews
Accommodation Standard
Camping
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Pre and Post Tour Accommodation
Extend your tour with us by booking pre and post-accommodation, available at a per-person, per-night rate.
Post Tour Accommodation Nairobi - Hotel Boulevard
Double
Twin
Single
Pre Tour Accommodation Nairobi - Hotel Boulevard
Double
Twin
Single
Additional Excursions
Enhance your tour with these optional extras, helping you to get the most from your adventure.
Mandatory Gorilla & Chimpanzee Permit (to be paid at time of booking and non-refundable) (Acacia)
$995
per passengerAdd on: Nairobi Airport Transfer (1 person) (Acacia)
$55
per passengerAdd on: Nairobi Airport Transfer (max. 3 ppl) (Acacia)
$35
per passengerAccommodation Standard
Camping
Campsites
If you are interested in booking pre or post-tour accommodation, here are some of the hotels we typically use.
Accommodation Standard
Camping
Prices & Dates
Departures are guaranteed to operate when there are 6 persons booked on the tour. 'Twin' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a tent. 'Shared' prices are applicable to solo travellers, who will share a tent with another traveller of the same sex.
Please note, this tour has a non refundable Gorilla & Chimpanzee Permit: USD $995pp (or equivalent in your currency) - paid at time of booking in addition to the tour price.
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4.4 out of 5 based on 293 reviews