Masai Mara & Gorilla Adventure

What's Included

• Accommodation
  Standard hotel (3 nts), simple furnished tents/rooms (8 nts).

• Meals
  11 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners

• G for Good Moment: Café Ubuntu 3-Course Farm-to-Table Lunch

  Enjoy a 3-course farm-to-table lunch at Café Ubuntu in Maai Mahiu.

• G for Good Moment: Nyamirambo Women's Centre, Local Lunch

  Experience a local lunch at the Nyamirambo Women's Centre in Kigali.

• Welcome Moment

  Meet your CEO and group for a welcome moment.

• Masai Mara National Reserve Wildlife Safari Drives

  Participate in wildlife safari drives in the Masai Mara National Reserve.

• Safari Camping Experience

  Enjoy a camping experience during the safari.

• Guest Farm Stay Near Kibale National Park

  Stay at a guest farm near Kibale National Park.

• Chimpanzee Trek

  Embark on a trek to see chimpanzees.

• Bigodi Community Lunch

  Enjoy a community lunch in Bigodi.

• Queen Elizabeth National Park Wildlife Safari Drives

  Participate in wildlife safari drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

• Guided Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

  Take part in guided gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

• Visit to Kigali Genocide Museum

  Visit the Kigali Genocide Museum to learn about Rwanda's history.

• All National Park Fees and Trekking Permits

  All national park fees and trekking permits are included.

• Internal Flight

  An internal flight is included in the tour.

• All Transport Between Destinations and to/from Included Activities

  All transport between destinations and to/from included activities is provided.

What's Not Included

• Tipping and Gratuities

  Tipping and gratuities are not included.

• International Travel

  International travel to and from the tour start and end points is not included.

Accommodation

Enjoy a mix of standard hotels and simple furnished tents
ooms throughout your journey, with 3 nights in hotels and 8 nights in tents. Experience the adventure of camping in the wilderness with shared bathroom facilities, offering a true taste of the African safari experience.

Meals Included

11 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners

Transport

7-seat 4x4 safari van, plane, private van, walking.

Group Size

Max 12, avg 10. The Masai Mara portion of the trip often runs at smaller group sizes and is limited to a maximum of 7.

Solo Travellers

We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price. ...more ...less

Meals

Shopping for food will be done before the trip departs, fresh vegetables and fruit will be bought along the route from supermarkets, local shops and markets. Breakfasts will generally be cereals, if time allows a warm breakfast may be prepared. Lunches will be either en route, in the wildlife park, or in camp, and will be light meals such as sandwiches or salads. All evening meals will be hot and will consist of a variety of continental and local dishes. Meals will be prepared by the crew with assistance from you if you would like to help cook, this is not compulsory. Vegetarian meals and other dietary requirements need to be specified prior to arrival. We do however ask you to wash your own dishes. Please note all bottled drinking water will be at your own expense. ...more ...less

Mode of Transport

Travel in style and comfort with a 7-seat 4x4 safari van, plane, private van, and walking. This diverse range of transportation ensures you can explore the stunning landscapes and wildlife of East Africa with ease and convenience.

Minimum Age

Minimum age of 15 years for this trip.

Important Notes

1. ACCOMMODATION

Much of the accommodation on the Uganda/Rwanda portion is in simple furnished tents with shared bathroom facilities.

Please remember that this is a developing area and as such, accommodations/service may not be of similar standard to which you are used to in your home country. As well, interruptions in electricity and water can be common. We appreciate your patience and understanding, as well as your sense of adventure.



Please be aware that properties we stay in with only two stories may not have elevators installed and climbing the stairs with your luggage will be necessary.



2. SLEEPING BAGS

Sleeping bags can not be rented on any of our Africa overland or safari trips



3. AGE RESTRICTIONS - Gorilla Trekking

Please note that all passengers must be aged 15 years or older (prior to start of travel) to go on this tour - there are no exceptions to this as it is for safety reasons and strictly controlled by the Government.



4. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT

This trip is rated a level 4 physical requirement - travellers should be in excellent physical condition, without any heart problems and prepared to spend strenuous days in humid rain forests, steep terrain and high altitude trekking for chimpanzee and gorillas, as well as other primates. Please ensure you meet the requirements as described under "physical rating".4. TRAVEL DAYS

Travelling can be difficult, as long drives and poor road conditions are the rule as opposed to the exception in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. A safari is about travelling to see animals, so we travel to the Masai Mara Game Reserve, and once there, we spend the majority of the time viewing wildlife while driving in the park. This translates to a lot of driving. Despite this, the diversity and scenery of the African landscape, the local culture and abundant wildlife are all well worth the experience.



5. COMBO TRIP

Please note that this tour is a combination of two G Adventures tours in two different countries. Due to local regulations, your local staff (driver/guide, cook) and vehicles will change halfway through the trip, and your group CEO and fellow passengers may also change.



6. YELLOW FEVER

Please be advised that it will be required to show a yellow fever certificate upon entering Uganda and Rwanda and it may be required for Kenya. Please check in with your local health expert for advice on Yellow Fever and other inoculations required for this area.



7. LUGGAGE COMPLICATIONS

It occasionally happens that luggage on international flights into Nairobi do not arrive, especially with, but not exclusive to, major airlines out of London-Heathrow or Schiphol (Amsterdam). Please be aware that this may happen, especially if you have a tight connection in either of these centres, are flying with different airlines with a connection, have a last minute flight change or re-route, or fly from or connect through another African centre. Please be prepared and keep all important documentation and valuables on your person. As well we recommend a change of clothes in your hand luggage. If unfortunately this does happen, and your luggage does not arrive, you should be entitled to a limited initial compensation from your airline. In Nairobi, the arrival of lost luggage normally takes between 48 and 72 hours after the initial plane’s arrival. The airlines technically should be responsible to forward your luggage to you, to your hotel or elsewhere in Kenya. You may find that your tour will begin, and you still have not received your luggage. Considering that the customer service standards in Kenya are different from home, and that we find that the airlines are not always pro-active in helping luggage in its care be reunited with its owner, it is recommended that you purchase locally a few needed items, begin your tour, and hire someone locally to persist with the your airline to retrieve your luggage. Your CEO or local representative will be able to help you organize this, and once your luggage is retrieved, it should be able to be forwarded to you – depending where you are. Please note that any costs that you may incur for luggage retrieval or sending luggage are not the responsibility of G Adventures, though we will always strive to assist you in any way possible. You should always keep all receipts and documentation, and contact your airline or insurance provider for reimbursement.



8. FLYING THROUGH LONDON-HEATHROW TO EAST AFRICA?

Please note that regardless of the rules in other centres, travellers flying from, or connecting in, London-Heathrow are currently only permitted one carry-on piece of luggage and one small personal bag (purse, laptop-size bag, briefcase) on board on flights to Nairobi. If you arrive to the security gate with 2 pieces, you will be forced to check-in one of them, which may result in complications noted above. This policy is in place as of the time of writing, though local rules and regulations may indeed change. It is thus advisable to contact your airline directly for the most up-to-date information.



9. ELECTRICITY

The power supply in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda is nominally 240VAC, 50hz. Variable voltage, spikes and sporadic, unexpected, unscheduled power cuts of varying duration can be expected.



10. WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS

G Adventures can never guarantee the sighting of wildlife, especially when it comes to mountain gorillas. However, the mountain gorilla trek is organized to ensure success. Before heading into the jungle, our local guides receive coordinates from trackers on the whereabouts of the gorillas, and the trackers stay with the gorillas until the group arrives.



11. MIGRATION

Tanzania and Kenya

The Seronera Plains, which lie in the southeast of the National Park and extend into the western Ngorongoro Conservation Area, form the main ungulate calving grounds of the Serengeti. The wildebeest typically disperse into the Seronera plains during the short rains, which fall in late November or early December, before calving in January, and staying put until the end of the long rains from January to early May. Towards the end of April the wildebeest start to congregate on the southern plains in the preparation for the 800km northward migration. The major obstacle faced by the wildebeest on this migration is the crossing for the Grumeti River through the western corridor, which typically occurs from June into early July. From July to October, the ungulates disperse again, with about half of them crossing the Mara River into Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve and the remainder spreading out through the northern and western Serengeti. By late October the animals have generally started to plod back southward to the Seronera Plains, to arrive there in late November when the cycle starts all over again.



12. ILLNESS

Please note that if you are unwell with anything contagious, even a common cold, you may be denied any of the treks to ensure the safety of the gorillas and chimps. This is a national park regulation, and trekking permits will not be refunded if you are denied entrance due to illness.



13. CAMERAS

As it is very dark and damp in the jungle; please ensure your camera equipment is appropriate for such conditions and that you bring dry bags to protect it.



14. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four areas; Rushaga, Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija. Depending on permit availability your group could be tracking gorillas from different areas of the park, it is all still part of Bwindi. ...more ...less

Group Leader

The CEO (Chief Experience Officer ) will be the group manager and leader. He/she organizes the trip, and will be there to assist you when needed. He/she will take care of the small things so you can concentrate on enjoying your adventure. Your leader may be from East Africa, or another country outside of the region, and will have a broad knowledge base of the region and wildlife. To round out the team, you will be joined by an expert driver/guide, and a camp cook. Your driver/guide is skilled and experienced driver and a certified safari guide, and is an integral part of the team. As well, your cook will prepare the camp meals and add some further local flavour to the trip.



During the trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, we use an experienced and certified tracking guide, and armed guards to accompany you for your safety



We also use local guides for some included activities where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting. ...more ...less

About Accommodation

Camping in Kenya is truly an adventure. You will be able to get off the beaten track to get a first-hand experience of the beautiful wilderness and nature. While camping, we stay at designated campsites inside of and nearby the national reserves and parks. These campsites generally are very basic, and we carry tents to pitch at the public campsites.



While camping at the Masai Mara, we stay at a basic permanent, private tented camp. The camp has simple walk-in “safari tents” with single beds & mattresses. There is no electricity for lights or charging batteries. The facilities here are basic, though there are flushing toilets and hot water (when the boiler is working).



Hotel accommodation will be in simple, but comfortable twin-share rooms. All rooms are equipped with adequate mosquito netting (with the exception of your hotel in Musanze, where mosquito nets are not needed due to high-altitudes).



Tented accommodation will be in simple furnished tents on wooden platforms, with shared bathroom facilities. All tents are large, walk-in tents with mosquito-netting, two beds and provided linens.



Please remember that this is a developing area and as such, accommodations/service may not be of similar standard to which you are used to in your home country. As well, interruptions in electricity and water can be common. We appreciate your patience and understanding as well as your sense of adventure. ...more ...less

What to Take

You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. Your baggage should be clearly labelled and restricted to one SOFT compact suitcase, sports bag, or backpack, no larger than 30cm(height) x 30cm(width) x 60cm(length), maximum 23kg, plus a daypack. Due to limited vehicle capacity, the cost of transporting any luggage beyond these restrictions is the responsibility of the client.



For our camping style tours we provide the walk-in “safari tents” with single beds, mattresses, small pillow and all bedding. You may bring your own sleeping bag, small pillow, and sleeping sheet (if you would like), but it is not required.



On this trip, you may experience several types of weather. It is important to pack clothes for warm days and cool evenings, as well as a warm jacket for early morning wildlife safari drives. Light, quick-drying, practical clothes are advisable for this trip. A set of smart casual clothes is also advisable for your time in Nairobi. Your clothes will in all likelihood get very muddy and may not recover to their original state - therefore take old clothing for trekking. Hard-wearing clothes, no bright colours, or no army camouflage clothing should be worn. Greens, khaki and similar neutral clothes are recommended. ...more ...less

Spending Money

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip. ...more ...less