Safari + Gorilla Trekking
Visit Kenya, a country of contrasting savannah, lakelands and mountain highlands, and Uganda, one of only three places on Earth to track the endangered mountain gorilla. Come face-to-face with primates, observing their social structures and humanlike behaviors and wondering what they're thinking as they stare right back at you.
At Travel Beyond, we believe your trip should be designed just for you, not for the masses. Our travel consultants create a custom itinerary for each client, offering recommendations for places and experiences that best fit your style. The itinerary below was planned for a past client, but we’re sharing it for travel inspiration and as an example of what a trip to Kenya and Uganda might look like. To further paint the picture, take a look at the accompanying video! Let us know when we can design a trip just for you!
Welcome to Africa! Upon arrival in Nairobi, you will be met by a Travel Beyond representative for your transfer to the House of Waine where you will spend two nights. This luxury boutique hotel, situated near Nairobi’s top attractions, blends elegance and indulgence with the spirit of modern Africa.
House of WaineMeals: N/A
Today you will enjoy a full day of touring in Nairobi, visiting the Karen Blixen Museum, the Out of Africa author’s former home; the Giraffe Center, caring for orphaned or injured giraffes; Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, a sanctuary for rescued elephants, rhinos and other animals; and Utamaduni Craft Center for an even wider selection of local crafts.
House of WaineMeals: Breakfast
This morning, you will be met by a Travel Beyond representative for your transfer to the Nairobi Wilson Airport for your shared light aircraft flight to Lewa Safari Camp, where you will spend three nights in a large tented suite within the vast wilderness. This afternoon, meet your guide and other guests for a shared game activity and sundowners overlooking the Laikipia plains.
Lewa Safari CampMeals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
On safari! Enjoy morning and afternoon shared game activities – game drives, guided bush walks and bush picnics amongst the lion, leopard and jackal which thrive on the rich diversity of prey. You may choose to take a day trip to Ngare Ndare forest, embark on a camel ride or horseback safari across the fertile grasslands or visit a local school.
Lewa Safari CampMeals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
This morning you will be transferred to the airstrip for your shared light aircraft flight to Elephant Pepper Camp, where you will spend four nights. Enjoy an evening activity with your guide and other camp guests.
Elephant Pepper CampMeals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
On safari! Each day, enjoy morning and afternoon shared game activities in the conservancy which allows year-round game viewing. Don’t miss going on a night drive before dinner to open your eyes to a new world of nocturnal predators!
Elephant Pepper CampMeals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Today you will be transferred to the airstrip for your shared light aircraft flight to the Nairobi Wilson Airport. Upon arrival in Nairobi, you will be transferred to the international airport for your commercial flight to Entebbe, Uganda.
Upon arrival in Entebbe, you will be met by a Travel Beyond representative and transferred to Karibu Hotel, where you will spend one night. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.
Karibu HotelMeals: Breakfast
This morning you will be met by a Travel Beyond representative and assisted with check-in for your shared light aircraft flight to Kihihi. Upon arrival at the airstrip, you will be transferred to Bwindi Lodge, where you will spend three nights overlooking the incredible Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure as you prepare for your upcoming gorilla trek!
Bwindi LodgeMeals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Enjoy a gorilla trek in Uganda today. After meeting early this morning at the Park HQ, you will set out to begin your trek through the park’s dense vegetation, traveling up and down its steep slopes in search of groups of mountain gorilla. There are three distinct gorilla family groups in this region, and only 8 visitors per family group are allowed to view the gorillas on any given day, so your experience will be both unique and awe-inspiring.
The mountain gorillas in Bwindi have undergone an extremely delicate process which has gradually brought them to tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day, and which has allowed a few privileged visitors to interact with them in the wild. Many of the experienced guides who accompany you have been involved in the habituation process themselves. These guides use their experience, knowledge of the gorillas’ habits, and information from the previous day to locate the group’s whereabouts. Return to camp following your trek for the remainder of your day at leisure.
Bwindi LodgeMeals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Enjoy your second gorilla trek today, visiting a different gorilla family group. Each family is headed up by an adult male silverback gorilla and may be comprised of a collection of black backs, sub-adults, juveniles, and infants of both sexes. The gorillas are completely wild and unpredictable animals. (They often wander into the lodge!) Because of this, the time taken to track the gorillas varies enormously, from as little as half an hour to as long as nine hours. Once the gorillas are located, you can spend one magical hour with them. Return to camp following your trek for the remainder of your day at leisure.
Bwindi LodgeMeals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
This morning after checkout, you will be transferred to the airstrip for your shared light aircraft flight to Entebbe. You will then check in for your commercial flights home. Safe travels!
Overnight FlightMeals: Breakfast
