Travel through the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, and immerse yourself in the heart of the African savannah. Enjoy a stop at Lake Nukuru, where you can witness millions of flamingos painting the lake shores pink. From there, head into Uganda to explore Murchinson Falls National Park, and Queen Elizabeth National Park, both boasting unique flora and fauna. Embark on a thrilling gorilla trekking adventure in the mist-shrouded forests, coming face-to-face with these gentle giants. After your wildlife encounters, head over to the serene Lake Bunyoni, where you can relax on the tranquil waters and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding hills. Finally, return to Nairobi, where you can reflect on your unforgettable African safari.
MARA & GORILLAS OVERLAND TOUR
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Start:
Nairobi, Kenya
End:
Nairobi, Kenya
Duration:
15 Days
Price: From $4,090
Multi-Directional:
Available in reverse
Tour Highlights
Top Highlights of this Tour:
MURCHINSON FALLS
Witness the Nile's power as it surges through a narrow gorge, creating one of Africa's most spectacular waterfalls.
LAKE NAKURU
Marvel at flocks of flamingos, endangered rhinos, and breathtaking views around this serene Rift Valley lake.
GORILLA TREKKING
Venture into lush forests to encounter mountain gorillas up close in their natural habitat.
MASAI MARA GAME DRIVE
Explore vast savannahs teeming with wildlife, including the Big Five, and experience the iconic African safari.
CHIMPANZEE TREKKING
Discover playful chimpanzees in the wild, observing their fascinating behavior in tropical forests.
Tour Destinations
Kenya | Uganda
Begin your journey in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve, driving through its iconic savannahs teeming with wildlife. Continue northwest to Lake Nakuru, where flocks of flamingos transform the shoreline into a vivid pink spectacle. Cross into Uganda and travel to Murchison Falls National Park, home to dramatic waterfalls and diverse wildlife, before heading south to Queen Elizabeth National Park for more remarkable encounters.
Venture into the misty forests for an unforgettable gorilla trekking experience, then relax at the tranquil Lake Bunyonyi, surrounded by lush, rolling hills. Conclude your adventure with a drive back to Nairobi, reflecting on the incredible sights and experiences of your African safari.
15 Day Itinerary
Journey from Nairobi through Uganda and back to Nairobi.
DAY 1-2
Journey from Nairobi to the iconic Masai Mara, where you’ll spend your first night in the heart of Kenya’s wildlife paradise. The following day, immerse yourself in the Mara’s rich biodiversity with a game drive, spotting the Big Five and other incredible wildlife.
Included Highlight: Game drive in the Masai Mara
DAY 3-4
After exploring Masai Mara, continue on to Lake Nakuru, famous for its flocks of flamingos and diverse wildlife. Enjoy a game drive around the lake before crossing the border into Uganda and arriving in Jinja for a restful evening.
Included Highlight: Game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park
DAY 5-7
Head towards Masindi, visiting the awe-inspiring Murchison Falls, where the Nile’s power creates a dramatic cascade. Continue your adventure to Budongo Central Forest for a chimpanzee trek, then journey on to Lake Kikorongo for an overnight stay amidst nature’s beauty.
Highlight: Chimpanzee Trekking
Optional Activity: Ziwa Rhino Walk
DAY 8-10
Travel to Lake Bunyoni, known for its scenic beauty and tranquil atmosphere. Spend your time trekking for mountain gorillas in the nearby forest, and explore the surrounding area, soaking in the views of the stunning lake and its islands.
Highlight: Gorilla Trekking
DAY 11-13
From Lake Bunyoni, head to Lake Mburo for a day of wildlife exploration in this peaceful national park. Then cross the Equator and make your way to Jinja, where you can discover the Source of the Nile, try rafting, or simply relax by the river and enjoy the town’s charm.
Optional Activities: Quad Biking, Kayaking, Rafting
DAY 14-15
Cross back into Kenya and stop in Eldoret for a restful night before continuing your journey to Nairobi. This marks the end of an unforgettable trip, filled with stunning landscapes, wildlife encounters, and cultural experiences.
These overland tours are only available as an add-on to a project.
Contact us to add this to your trip.
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Important Logistics and Ground Support
Everything you need to know about this project in one place!
Flights & Departure
If you’re flying into Kenya, Nairobi International Airport (NBO) is your best bet. It’s recommended to arrive the day before your tour if you are not on a project before departure. If you are on project you will need to be near the meeting point in time for departure. We can help arrange your accommodation before and after the tour if necessary.
Accommodation
Your accommodation on tour will vary between lodges, permanent tents, and campsites. In most cases, you’ll share a room with another traveller. Bathrooms are either shared en-suites or communal, depending on the location and accommodation type. If you’re camping, you’ll need to bring a sleeping bag and pillow; camping mattresses are provided.
Meals
Meals are prepared by the tour cook and served buffet-style. Breakfast typically includes cereals, yogurt, fruit, and occasionally a hot option. Lunch is usually a picnic with filling sandwiches and salads. Dinner is the main meal, varying between BBQs, stews, Bobotie (a traditional minced dish), or a fish or chicken dish, typically served with vegetables and a carbohydrate. We can accommodate certain dietary requirements, but please inform us well in advance. In some areas, gluten-free, lactose-free, or vegan options may be limited, and you may need to bring your own or purchase your own on the road.
Communication
Travelling through Africa can be a breathtaking experience, but it’s important to be prepared for areas with limited or no cellular signal. While popular accommodations often offer Wi-Fi, it’s wise to invest in an eSIM for reliable internet access on the go. This will help you to stay connected, navigate, and share your adventures.
Safety
You will be accompanied by a professional guide throughout your tour. The guide holds ultimate authority on tour decisions, particularly those concerning the safety of all guests. It is crucial to inform the Tour Leader or a crew member before leaving any overnight accommodation. Given the remote nature of certain tour locations, comprehensive travel insurance, including helicopter evacuation coverage, is strongly recommended.
Tour FAQs
WHAT IS AN OVERLAND TOUR?
It is an off-the-beaten-track safari, and you will see and experience parts of Africa that most tourists never do. The route and accommodations may also change due to unforeseen circumstances, as conditions on the road can change rapidly. Instead of limiting the experience to transportation and accommodation, the tours aim to provide a more inclusive experience. This includes cultural immersion, safari experiences, social interaction, and opportunities to book adrenaline-pumping activities like white-water rafting and skydiving.
WHO IS THIS SUITABLE FOR?
These tours host people of all ages and backgrounds, and are a great way to meet and interact with new people who are like-minded. The average age of the campers is 20-45, and the accommodated guests vary between 35-65 years old. Travellers under 18 will need a letter of permission from their guardian.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EAST AFRICA AND SOUTHERN AFRICA?
The Southern Africa tours included more popular tourist destinations, and shorter drive times. The East Africa tours involve longer drive times and are generally more rustic in the experience.
WHAT ABOUT VISAS AND PASSPORTS?
Your passport must have enough pages for all visas, at least 2 pages free for every country that you’ll be visiting. South Africa insists having 2 clear pages available when you enter the country. Keep this in mind if you are going to fly home from South Africa after completing a tour to multiple African countries. As visa requirements vary considerably depending on your nationality, please contact the various embassies or visa service agencies to re-check visa requirements at least four weeks prior to departing for your tour. If your itinerary includes Mozambique and you require a visa, please ensure that you apply for this before coming on tour with us as this visa in particular takes a long time to process at the border. All visitors to Kenya are required to pre-apply for their visas online http://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html.
