Meet mountain gorillas and other amazing wildlife on this overland adventure. Search for the “big five” in the Masai Mara, spot chimpanzees in Kalinzu Forest, and join experienced trackers while travelling deep into the Ugandan forests for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spot endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Our Landos (overland adventure vehicles) are an adventurous and affordable way to see the highlights while wilderness camping will keep you in the thick of the action. Experience a world apart as you encounter the colourful cultures and wild landscapes of Kenya and Uganda.
Inclusions
- 14 night camping adventure for 18-Thirtysomethings (options for all available in 2025)
- Basic hotel (1 nt, single or twin-share), permanent tented camp (2 nts), participation camping (11 nts)
- 13 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 10 dinners (Allow USD115-150 for meals not included)
- Highlights: Discover Jinja. Wildlife safari drives in Masai Mara National Reserve. Safari in Lake Nakuru National Park. Guided mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi with permits. Entrance and chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu Forest Reserve. Tea plantation visit. Visit Café Ubuntu , Maai Mahiu, AidChild Equation Cafe & Gallery, Kayabwe
- All transportation between destinations and to/from included activities.
- Transportation on 7-seat 4×4 safari van, Lando (overland adventure vehicle), minibuses, walking.
- Small Group Small group experience; Max 22, avg 20.
| Nov 8, Dec 6, 2024 | from |
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| Jan 3-May 23, 2025 | from $5579 | |
| Jul 18, Aug 8, 2025 | from $6749 | |
Per person based on shared accommodation
My own room add $349 – please note, you will receive your own single accommodation for all night stops, with the following exceptions: Days 2-3
Extra Nights in Nairobi add $120 per night
Day 1 Nairobi
Arrive in Nairobi at and transfer to your hotel
Prepare for tomorrow’s early morning by checking out the hotel bar with your newest friends. Travelling can take a lot out of you so sit back, fill those food and drink needs, and spend a chill night becoming familiar with your group and Travel Director (CEO).
Grab those cameras and jump in the safari vehicle with your driver/guide to spot wildlife in the Masai Mara National Reserve. Listen to your guide describe the African bush as you traverse one of the world’s top safari destinations. Masai Mara is known for its abundance of big cats and wildebeest (see if you can capture a picture of one)
Day 4 Masai Mara/Lake Nakuru National Park (B/D/L)
Awake to the sounds of the bush as your alarm clock before jumping in your 4×4 safari vehicle. Today, the group is heading to Lake Nakuru, known for harbouring flocks of pink flamingos and a rich variety of bird species.
Before reaching the safari lodge inside Lake Nakuru National Park, you’ll stop at the G Adventures-supported Ubuntu Cafe where you will meet up with the Lando, enjoy a meal, and have the opportunity to shop for locally and internationally sold products as memorable and impactful souvenirs.
Later, the group will go on an afternoon wildlife drive through the area.
Day 5 Lake Nakuru National Park/Eldoret (B/L/D)
Another day, another chance to see more wildlife and live your African safari dream. After your morning safari drive around Lake Nakuru keeping your eyes wide open in search of buffalo, impala, and the elusive leopard. The group will bump along in the Lando sharing photos of your day on the road to Eldoret.
Day 6 Eldoret/Kampala (B/L/D)
It’s time to cross another country off of those travel lists as you cross the border from Kenya into Uganda. Drive along reminiscing on inside jokes and experiences from the trip before camping in Kampala (the country’s capital) where you will arrive in the late afternoon.
Day 7 Kampala/Lake Bunyonyi
Even though you get to do something pretty awesome everyday you’re going to cross the equator today in the Lando (which we think is a pretty cool thing to be able to add to a travel resume) and head off to Lake Bunyonyi.
The name Bunyonyi means ‘place of many little birds’ and it is undoubtedly the loveliest lake in Uganda. It’s winding shores encircle 29 islands and its surrounded by steep terraced hillsides that will have you wondering if you are somewhere in Asia. But the best part is that Lake Bunyonyi is a croc and hippo free lake (unlike many lakes in East Africa) so you can swim in its calm waters as much as you like… such bliss!
Day 8 Gorilla Trek (B/L/D)
Today’s the day that some of your dreams may just come true because you are going on a guided mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (so insanely cool!) So get ready to embark on an unforgettable hike deep into the jungle through volcano forests alongside a park ranger to search for mountain gorillas. The treks can vary in length and difficulty so be prepared for a challenge, but know that if you spot these majestic creatures (we share 98% of our DNA with them) it will all be worth it.
Note: Ugandan authorities are fiercely protective of this natural treasure, and currently permit only a maximum of eight people, per day, to visit a given gorilla family. The group will be split into different sub-groups for the trek, and depending on the number of travellers, different sub-groups may do their trek on different days.
Day 9 Lake Bunyonyi (B/D)
Let’s give Lake Bunyonyi some love today. Explore this magical place as the morning mist rises off of the gently lapping waters. With tons of optional activities to choose from like, swimming, hiking, canoeing, bird watching, or a motorboat tour of the lake there’s no time to be bored. Then relax together at the lodge in the evening talking about your group gorilla experiences.
Day 10 Lake Bunyonyi/Kalinzu Forest Reserve (B/L/D)
Sit back, relax, and watch the Ugandan countryside slip past on today’s journey to Kalinzu Forest Reserve further north in the country.
The forest reserve is adjacent to Queen Elizabeth National Park and is characterized by open savannah, large area of swamp around Lake George, and the extensive Maramagambo Forest in the southeast. There’s a lot of landscapes to experience so what are you waiting for? Get started!
Day 11 Kalinzu Forest Reserve/Lake Mburo National Park (B/L/D)
You know that saying, “the early bird gets the worm” well in this case the early bird gets to see chimpanzees. Get up early for an included chimpanzee tracking excursion and explore the verdant Kalinzu Forest Reserve with a ranger while being on the lookout for these chimpanzee families.
Afterwards, the group will visit a tea plantation before setting off to Lake Mburo. Once you arrive there you can choose to book an afternoon boat cruise on the lake, or explore the local area on foot.
Day 12 Lake Mburo National Park/Jinja (B/L/D)
Head back across the equator today in the Lando; Uganda is one of the few countries in the world where you can cross this imaginary geographical line on land.
Observe how water swirls in opposite directions on either side of the equator and then stop to enjoy a meal at the G Adventures-supported AidChild Equation Café & Gallery. With full stomachs and even more full hearts the group will continue on to Jinja, the adventure capital of Uganda.
Day 13 Jinja
Get out there, get active, and have some fun! Explore Jinja today solo or with your group by participating in the plethora of outdoor and adventure activities they have to offer.
Choose to raft down the White Nile River, break a sweat mountain biking up and down the hills surrounding the town, or for a more laid back day check out the local market. Keep your eyes ready to spot monkeys and other wildlife that can wander to the outskirts of this town.
Day 14 Jinja/Eldoret
Today is a bit of a travel day but you won’t mind because you could use the rest. The group will be leaving Uganda and crossing over into Kenya and travel to Eldoret. Hang out together as a group and enjoy a nice evening camping under the stars.
Day 15 Eldoret/Nairobi
After your adventurous experiences yesterday you’ll be glad to have a more low key travel day to replenish your energy before the journey home. So sit back and enjoy the ride as the group transfers through to the Kenyan countryside to Nairobi. We’re thinking naps, story time, and then maybe a mini dance party in the Lando to get you through the day. (Toto’s Africa song anyone?)
Tour ends on arrival in Nairobi
Jinja River Rafting – From $192.00
Looking for a change from wildlife to simply something wild? Wake up early and head out on the Nile River for a full-day navigating the whitewater. Enjoy an exciting day testing your paddling skills in the rapids while waves crash over into your eight-person raft. This activity is suitable for rafters of all experience levels. Enjoy an included meal and drinks with your group after conquering the rapids.
Maasai Mara Balloon Safari – From $608.00
The adventure begins just before dawn and lasts an hour in the sky. Fly over the Mara River, plains, and forests of the Maasai Mara. Toast your return to earth with a champagne breakfast, cooked wherever you land.
Please note that single passengers can book on this activity, the balloon will require a minimum of two passengers to take flight. In the rare case that this minimum is not reached by the time of your flight, passengers will be refunded for this activity.
Visas and Entry Requirements
All countries require travellers to have a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity), and you are required to acquire the entry visas for each of the countries visited.
Health *When travelling outside Canada, you may be at risk for a number of vaccine preventable illnesses. You should consult a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic preferably six weeks before you travel. Due to limited supply of selected vaccines, consider visiting earlier. Some countries require proof of immunization in order to enter. It is prudent to assess your personal health status with a travel clinic or your family doctor before booking vacation, some immunizations have restrictions.
IMPORTANT NOTE
It may be required to show a Yellow Fever certificate upon entering the country(s) visited. Please check in with your local consulate and health expert for advice on Yellow Fever and other inoculations required for this area.
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Kenya
The Kenyan Government has introduced an electronic visa process. Travellers wishing to enter Kenya need to visit www.ecitizen.go.ke and follow instructions for processing their electronic visa in advance of their arrival into Kenya. As this measure was introduced with little advance notice, there is a grace period where travellers may continue to apply upon arrival into Kenya for their visa. You can obtain a visa for US$50. Please note that Kenya is now strictly enfor cing a “blank pages, condition of entry”. All those requiring a visa on arrival must have at least two blank pages available in their passports. Failure to meet this requirement could mean that entry will be refused.
Border crossing from Kenya to/from Uganda through Malaba Border Post.
** Please be advised that a valid yellow fever vaccination card may be required for entry into Kenya.
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Uganda
Visas for Uganda for most nationalities must be obtained through an Electronic Visa application online in advance, and a payment of $50 USD cash will have to be made upon arrival to the border.
LIST OF COUNTRIES WHOSE NATIONALS DO NOT REQUIRE TO PAY FOR A VISA TO ENTER UGANDA:
Angola, Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Burundi, Comoros, Cyprus, Eritrea, Fiji, Gambia, Grenada, Italy (Diplomatic Passport holders only), Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Madagascar, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Swaziland, Tanzania, Vanuatu, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Nationals of these countries are issued gratis (free of charge) visas upon their arrival.
** Please be advised that a valid yellow fever vaccination card is mandatory for entry into Uganda.
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East Africa Tourist Visa
An East Africa Tourist Visa allows the holder to move freely between Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda with only one Visa, and is valid for a period of 90 days. It also acts as a multiple entry Visa, so if you leave any of the above countries, you do not need a new Visa to re-enter (provided it is within the 90 day validity period). These need to be applied for in advance, and you should contact the foreign Embassy (of the country you will be entering through) for more details. The cost is 100USD.
Please see below for more information:
http://www.immigration.go.ke/types-of-visas/
** Please note that travellers looking to participate in the Rwanda Day Tour from Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda are encouraged to purchase the East Africa visa for entry into Rwanda.
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This information is accurate at the time of writing, and please contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements and costs, regarding these, and the other countries visited, or see your travel agent. It is your responsibility to have the correct travel documentation.
