Gorilla & Wildlife Encounter

22 Days - from $3575

This is the big one - combining the 'Gorilla Express' with the 'East Africa Safari'. East Africa's premier three countries, (Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania) are explored, showcasing the best of east Africa's wildlife, scenery and people, over a magical 22 days.

Over the first week we spend time with the rare mountain gorilla, on the slopes on Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, before visiting a chimpanzee sanctuary on a small island, on Lake Victoria. Seeing these endangered gorillas in their own environment is a real privilege and an experience that is sure to be indelibly etched in your memory. The intimacy of contact with these giant apes is, for many, a deeply moving experience. Quite simply, trekking to visit the mountain gorillas is one of those 'must-do' things in your life and Uganda offers an incredible opportunity to achieve this. Having the services of a local tour leader to give us valuable insights into the cultural aspects of the country, as well as getting opportunities to meet local Ugandans, admiring incredible landscapes and visiting the deepest crater lake in Africa, all amount to a first week packed with highlights!

After travelling across to Nairobi, two incredible weeks are spent enjoying a traditional safari through the best areas of east Africa. The vast grasslands of Kenya and Tanzania support the largest concentration of wildlife in the world, where massive herds of wildebeest and zebra roam through the Serengeti Plains and the Masai Mara, along with elephant, giraffe and many predators. Ngorongoro Crater is considered by many to be Africa's 'jewel in the crown', being home to an amazing variety of wildlife, including the highly endangered black rhinoceros. We spend six days in parks and conservation areas to ensure our game viewing opportunities and experiences are diversed and incredible! We also allow time to partake in further activities - on foot or by mountain bike. We also have the opportunity to interact with some special children at a Kenyan orphanage and a Tanzanian school, as well as meet various tribal groups. We travel deep into spectacular wildlife arenas, down into the Great Rift Valley, up through highlands and tea estates, along lakeshores and into traditional tribal communities. We visit some worthwhile community projects that we support. By participating in this tour, you are helping to support two worthy causes - the East African Mission Orphange in Kenya and the School of St Jude in Tanzania.

Highlights

• Mountain Gorilla Trek
• Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
• Gorilla Trekking - Bwindi Forest
• Lake Bunyoni
• Bushara Island
• Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
• East Africa Mission Orphanage
• Lake Nakuru National Park
• Lake Naivasha
• Masai Mara National Reserve
• Lake Victoria
• Serengeti National Park
• Ngorongoro Conservation Area
• Ngorongoro Crater
• Masai Village
• Lake Manyara National Park
• School of St Jude

Itinerary:

1 Entebbe2-3 Kabale - Bwindi Impenetrable Forest4 Gorilla Trekking (Bwindi - Uganda)5-6 Bushara Island Camp - Lake Bunyoni7-8 Entebbe - Chimpanzee Sanctuary - Kampala9 Private transfer Kampala - East Africa Mission Orphanage, Nakuru10 Lake Nakuru National Park11 Lake Naivasha12-13 Masai Mara National Reserve14-15 Kenyan Highlands - Lake Victoria16-17 Serengeti National Park18 Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Conservation Area19 Ngorongoro Crater - Mto Wa Mbu20-21 Masai Village Visit - Arusha - School of St Jude22 Arusha - Nairobi

Included: An experienced driver/guide (Days 1-8) and an experienced driver, safari guide and a camp cook (Days 9-22); local specialist guides join us for the gorilla trek, in Ngorongoro Crater and in Masai village; park fees and one confirmed gorilla permit; 4 nights budget hotels, 2 nights island camp, 2 nights tented bush camp, 2 nights bungalows, 11 nights camping; private vehicle transfer from Kampala to Narok; transport in custom-built safari vehicle, 4WD vehicles, motorboat and on foot.
Not Included: International flights, local payment, arrival and departure transfers, airport/departure taxes, visas, pre-tour or post-tour accommodation, all other meals, drinks, sleeping bag, pillow, all optional additional tours or activities during free time, transfers outside of the tour program, travel insurance, tips and items of a personal nature, laundry and flights (unless specified).
Meals: Allow up to $80 for additional meals not included.
Valid From: 1/11/2008
Starts/Ends: Entebbe/Arusha or Nairobi
Notes: • A non-refundable payment is due at time of booking to secure gorilla permit. Gecko's pre-purchases all gorilla permits to ensure that you will have a confirmed gorilla permit.
Trip Reference: GAGW