14 Days 13 Nights Kampala - Queen Elizabeth National Park Friends Vacation Package

Camp 3

We depart Nairobi early and descend into the /‘Great Rift Valley/’, an enormous cleft in the Earth/’s surface stretching from the Red Sea to Madagascar but with particularly marked escarpments here in Kenya. We stop at a lookout point to take in the magnificent views. Our overnight stop is Lake Nakuru National Park, a relatively small park (by African standards) however prolific in wildlife, sited on the Great Rift Valley floor. The shallow soda lake attracts a huge variety of bird life /– especially flamingos, which may gather in such numbers that (when viewed from above) they form a strikingly pink /‘fringe/’ around the lake-shore. However Lake Nakuru is not simply a bird sanctuary, it is also home to buffalo, lion, rhino (black and white), leopard, warthog, baboon, antelope, and a variety of smaller animals. A delightful introduction to East Africa/’s wildlife diversity that we search for in an afternoon game drive making use of local guides and smaller safari vehicles for a more intimate experience.

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From Nakuru we continue northwest and climb in altitude towards the town of Eldoret en route to the Ugandan frontier. We cross from the Southern Hemisphere to the Northern Hemisphere today over the Equator, enjoy some time here learning a little about its significance and taking photos before moving onward to Eldoret. The name /‘Eldoret/’ is based on the Maasai word /‘Eldore/’ meaning stony river due to the stony bed of the nearby Sosiani River. The town is the 5th largest in Kenya and is the fastest growing with a population of approx. 194,000. We camp outside of the town in a unique campsite. It is created on a hilly forest tribal land, which was once home to members of the ancient Sirikwa tribe. Preserved on the site are excavations with stone sides, commonly called Sirikwa holes, which are believed to have been roofed and occupied by the inhabitants of a bygone age.

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We cross into Uganda, Winston Churchill/’s /‘Pearl of Africa/’, a country with beautiful natural scenery and a rich mosaic of tribes and cultures. Travelling through Uganda you will be captivated by its sheer overwhelming beauty and friendly people. Our first night we camp in the capital city Kampala, which is an attractive hilly city, bustling with roadside traders, markets and busy matatu (mini-bus taxi) stands.

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From Kampala, we travel west towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, across the Equator again, through fertile green terraced hillsides, lush banana plantations, steep mountains and tangled forests with herds of Ankole cattle with their incredible long curving horns roaming the roads and paddocks. We camp a short distance from the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here you will have the opportunity to relax and unwind, take a walk in the surrounding areas and mingle with the local community.

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This morning we enter the Queen Elizabeth National Park and take in the magnificent views of the mountains that separate Uganda from central Africa as well as Lake Edwards and Lake George. Queen Elizabeth National park has over 500 species of bird and 100 species of mammals making it one of the most bio diverse national parks in the world and if we are lucky, we may get to spot these animals en route to Kyambura Gorge for the trek to see the chimpanzees. Unlike their larger cousins the mountain gorilla, chimps live mostly in the trees and so our viewing is usually peering high into the forest canopy. However, the experience of seeing man/’s closest relative in the wild is a memorable one.

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We leave the picturesque hills of the national park and make our way to the lush and stunning /‘Lake Bunyonyi/’ (/‘Place of many little birds/’). This lake is 27 km long, 7 km wide and at an elevation of 1950 meters above sea level is surrounded by undulating hills between 2200 m to 2478 m high. With a depth of nearly 900 m in parts this lake is the second deepest lake in Africa (the deepest being Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania). With twenty-nine islands that can be visited by local boats, the lake is a great place to unwind, relax and explore on the days that we don/’t trek to see the mountain gorillas.

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If not trekking, today is free to explore the surrounding area, discover the Islands by boat on Lake Bunyonyi or relax back at camp catching up on some well-deserved rest and relaxation.

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Today is a trek day or a day at leisure to enjoy the many optional activities in Lake Bunyonyi. Whether relaxing on the shores of this deep Crater Lake with a good book or heading out to the village and orphanage to gain an insight into the everyday life of Ugandans in this area - you/’ll no doubt wish you could stay in this beautiful part of Africa for longer.

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Leaving Lake Bunyonyi we make our way back across the Equator (stopping for a photo opportunity if we did not stop on route to Queen Elizabeth National Park) through lush pasture lands and the northern reaches of Lake Victoria (largest lake in Africa) to Kampala where we will overnight. Kampala is a hot spot for great food and entertainment. If time allows, take the night out and try the local cuisines and enjoy the hospitality and friendliness of the local Ugandans.

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Leaving Kampala we drive the short distance to the town of Jinja on the banks of Lake Victoria and the Nile. It was in 1862 that the British explorer John Hanning Speke recognized Lake Victoria as the /‘source of the Nile/’ settling a long running dispute about Africa/’s (and the world/’s) longest river. From this modest monument the Nile begins its 4132 mile course through Uganda, Sudan and eventually Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea.

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Enjoy a free day in this magical place and the many optional activities on offer. Adrenaline lovers can head to the world class rapids and try rafting - an exciting day out for those enjoying the thrill of /‘white-water/’. Those seeking a more relaxing day can visit the local community or simply just relax at camp.

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Enjoy a last day on the banks of the Nile exploring the surrounding community, the town of Jinja and discover the beauty of the river Nile as you relax on its banks or indulge in the many optional activities on offer.

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After our refreshing stop at Jinja, we retrace our steps across the border to the Kenya/’s frontier and onward to Eldoret, where we will camp for the evening. Tonight, you can celebrate the last evening of your Gorilla Encounter with your fellow travelers and exchange stories, emails and laughter around the campfire one last time.

This morning we make our way south to the Capital city /‘Nairobi/’ where our tour ends on arrival in the late afternoon.