All Inclusive Overland Tour

15 Day Masai Mara & Gorillas Tour from Nairobi

Explore the wild mountains of Uganda on our Masai Mara & Gorillas overland tour to find the treasured mountain Gorillas, an undoubtedly unforgettable experience. Along the way you will also experience the endless plains of the wild and spectacular beauty in the Masai Mara National Park.

*The Masai Mara & Gorillas Tour is available in both accommodated and camping variations.

The Masai Mara is home to many species of animals including elephant, black rhino, buffalo, leopard, cheetah, wildebeest, zebra and gazelle. Hippos and crocodiles abound in the muddy brown waters of the rivers, which traverse this reserve. We take in the spectacle of Lake Nakuru National Park – a great place to spot flamingos.

Track down the resident Gorilla troop inhabiting the rain forests of Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda on the slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes. Visitors have an ever-diminishing opportunity to view these gentle giants in their natural surroundings.

On the Masai Mara & Gorillas Tour we also journey through the memorable countryside of Uganda, the “Pearl of Africa”, and search for the “big five” in the Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru National Park. Explore Kampala or visit a Chimpanzee sanctuary. After a visit to the Murchison Falls National Park we’ll head up to Budongo Forest, the biggest Mahogany forest found in East Africa and is home to the largest number of chimpanzees throughout Uganda. We will meet up with our chimp guide who will take us on our trek through the forest in search of the chimps. Our next stop is at Lake Bunyon where we prepare for the upcoming Gorilla trekking excursion.

The mountain gorilla is extremely endangered and visiting them is a great way to ensure their survival as each permit raises money for their conservation.

Gorilla Trekking is part of this tour, however the cost of the Gorilla Trekking Permit is not included in your tour price or this booking. Gorilla permits cost $730 to $830. If you book this tour, a consultant will contact you to confirm the availability of the permit and arrange payment.

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Masai Mara National Reserve
  • City of Kampala
  • Lake Bunyoni
  • Lake Nakuru National Park
  • Great Rift Valley
  • Optional Gorilla Trekking excursion

For detailed information on this tour:
Download 2024 Dossier

Pre and Post-Tour Accommodation: If you require accommodation before or after your tour we can arrange this for you. We can also arrange airport transfers – contact us to make these necessary arrangements.

More Multi-Country Overland Tours

Summary

All Meals Included

14 Nights / 15 Days
Adventure Truck

Multi Country
DAY 1 Masai Mara National Reserve We leave the capital of Nairobi and travel to the Masai Mara, world renowned for its endless plains of wild animals and spectacular beauty.  The visit to the Masai Mara is operated in safari type vehicles and not the Nomad truck. For this reason, you are asked to pack a small overnight bag to travel with. You will need your towel, clothes, toiletries and camping essentials. Accommodation: Masai Mara Excursion Meals: Lunch, Dinner Included Highlight: Masai Mara Excursion DAY 2 Masai Mara National Reserve The rolling grasslands of the Masai Mara offer ideal game viewing and photographic opportunities. Some of the animals that could be found here include elephants, black rhinos, buffalo, leopards, cheetahs, wildebeest, zebras and gazelle. Hippos and crocodiles abound in the muddy brown waters of the rivers, which traverse this reserve. Today we will spend the entire day game driving through the Mara in search of all the animals. Accommodation: Masai Mara Excursion Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included Highlight: Masai Mara Excursion DAY 3 Lake Nakuru National Park This morning we bid the Mara farewell before heading to Lake Nakuru National Park, where we are reunited with our truck and we will enjoy an afternoon game drive through the park. Lake Nakuru is home to large flocks of flamingos and pelicans as well as black & white rhinos, leopards, lions and numerous bucks. Originally created as a bird sanctuary, Lake Nakuru was upgraded to National Park status in 1968. Accommodation: Waterbuck Hotel Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included Highlight: Lake Nakuru NP Game Drive DAY 4 Jinja This morning we not only cross the border into Uganda, but shortly after setting out this morning we cross the Equator on our way to Jinja. Jinja is Uganda’s second largest city and is most famous as the point where the Nile (officially the Victoria Nile) flows out of Lake Victoria and begins the 6695-kilometre journey to Egypt and the Mediterranean. Accommodation: Kalagala Falls Tented and Overland Camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner DAY 5 Masindi – Murchison Falls National Park After a quick stop in the city of Kampala, we head in the direction of The Murchison Falls National Park.   Also referred to as the Kabaraga Falls, Murchison Falls is a waterfall found on the course of the great Nile and is located within the Murchison National Park. The park is recognized as one of the best National Parks in Uganda. After settling into our accommodation in Masindi, your guide will brief you on the activities for the following day. Accommodation: Kabalega Resort Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Optional Activity: Ziwa Rhino Walk DAY 6 Masindi – Budongo Central Forest Reserve Budongo Forest is the biggest Mahogany forest found in the whole of East Africa and is home to the largest number of chimpanzees throughout Uganda. It is believed that there are between 600 – 700 chimpanzees in Budongo and this morning we will meet up with our chimp guide who will take us on our trek through the forest in search of the chimps.  We will also enjoy a boat cruise in the park. Note: As the Chimp trekking is limited to 12 guests per trek, should there be more than 12 guests on a tour the trekking will be split between the morning and the afternoon. Therefore you may find that you will first do the game drive activity followed by the Chimp trekking or vice versa. Please allow for flexibility. Accommodation: Kabalega Resort Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included Highlight: Chimp trekking (half day) / Nile River Cruise DAY 7 Lake Kikorongo This morning we depart Masindi and transfer towards the edges of the Queen Elizabeth National Park.  Our accommodation for the night is nestled atop a hill overlooking Lake Kikorongo. Accommodation: Simba Safari Camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner DAY 8 Gorillas (Lake Bunyonyi) Crossing the Equator once more we travel south to the beautiful scenery of Lake Bunyonyi. With eager anticipation, we prepare for the upcoming Gorilla trekking excursion and tonight we will receive a briefing on what to expect. Accommodation: Lake Bunyonyi Overland Resort Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner DAY 9 Gorillas (Lake Bunyonyi) The mountain gorilla is extremely endangered and while exact numbers vary it is widely assumed that there are only around 650 left. Visiting the gorillas is a great way to support their future on earth as the money spent on permits is used for their protection. An extremely important part of the future conservation of the remaining gorillas rests in the community development work – as local communities change their attitudes towards wildlife and start to protect rather than poach, the future of the mountain gorilla is assured. As permits granting permission to visit the gorillas are extremely limited we require flexibility in both the tour itinerary and where we actually visit them. The home of the mountain gorillas is completely at odds with man-made borders and so their range encompasses Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Whenever possible we choose to make use of the National Park in Uganda, but this depends on the availability of permits. Should we not obtain permits to visit the mountain gorillas in Uganda then we will inform all passengers beforehand that the tour will travel to Rwanda or DRC. On your free day in Bunyonyi you will have the opportunity to participate in certain optional activities. You can also go hiking or explore the area on a mountain bike. Accommodation: Lake Bunyonyi Overland Resort Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Optional Activity: Gorilla Trekking, Pygmy visit, Rwanda day tour DAY 10 Gorillas (Lake Bunyonyi) Although there are 2 days allocated to Gorilla Trekking you will only spend one day on the trek. The other days are there to provide a large enough window in which to obtain permits and to allow the entire group to trek if there are more than 6 of you on the tour. Accommodation: Lake Bunyonyi Overland Resort Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Optional Activity: Gorilla Trekking, Pygmy visit, Rwanda day tour DAY 11 Lake Mburo We depart the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi for another of Uganda’s beautiful water bodies – Lake Mburo. Lake Mburo is situated in the Ankole sub-region of Uganda, near the town of Mbarara, spans an area of approximately 260 square kilometres and is surrounded by rolling hills, open grasslands, and patches of woodland. With over 350 recorded bird species, Lake Mburo National Park is a paradise for birdwatchers. The park's diverse ecosystems, which include acacia woodlands, savannahs, and wetlands, provide optimal habitats for numerous bird species, including the rare and odd-looking shoebill stork. Accommodation: Leopard Rest Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner DAY 12 Jinja This morning we leave the Ankole region and set off on our return journey to Jinja. Jinja offers many exciting optional activities which are focussed around the waters of the Nile and these include rafting, kayaking and a variety of cruises on Africa’s largest river. Those who may be less inclined to water sports can enjoy horse riding or a quadbike adventure on dry land. Accommodation: Kalagala Falls Tented and Overland Camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included Highlight: Crossing of the Equator Optional Activity: Quad biking, kayaking, rafting (time-dependent, could happen the following day) DAY 13 Jinja Jinja offers many optional activities for the adventurous and for the not-so-adventurous. Today you’ll have at your leisure, and your guide will assist you to plan for this day. Accommodation: Kalagala Falls Tented and Overland Camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Optional Activity: Quad biking, kayaking, river rafting, source of the Nile Cruise DAY 14 Kenya – Eldoret Returning to Kenya we visit Eldoret, the country’s 5th largest city. The Great Rift Valley is still the dominant geographical feature of this region and the altitude at Eldoret is 2100 metres above sea level. Accommodation: Naiberi River Camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner DAY 15 Nairobi Returning to Nairobi this afternoon we reflect on many memories that we have gathered together and brace ourselves for a return to the busy streets of Nairobi. Your tour ends upon arrival in Nairobi. Accommodation: Own Arrangements / Post-tour accommodation can be booked through Getaway Africa Meals: Breakfast The Itinerary is flexible and can be changed without notice in order to accommodate the best possible viewing of the Mountain Gorillas. The Permit price to visit the Gorillas can also change without notice.

15 Day Gorillas & Masai Mara Tour

 In South African Rands Tour Rate Single Supplement
Camping
2024 R 53,950 pp sharing R 2,500
Accommodated
2024 R 60,150 pp sharing R 5,050
Excluded from rates: Gorilla Permit $730 - $830 pp
Included:
  • Transport in a 4x4 adventure truck
  • English speaking guide, driver and safari cook
  • Qualified crew
  • Filtered water
  • Meals and accommodation according to the itinerary
  • Accommodation in lodges, chalets or permanent tents (if Accommodated is booked)
  • Camping Equipment including tents, sleeping mattresses and campsites with shared ablution facilities (if Camping is booked)
  • All national park fees and road tolls
  • Included highlights as per the itinerary
Excluded:
  • Sleeping bag (if camping option is booked)
  • Flights
  • entrance fees (associated with optional activities)
  • Alcoholic and soft drinks
  • Visa fees
  • Tips
  • Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
  • Items of a personal nature (snacks, alcohol, soft drinks)
  • Travel insurance
Prices are subject to change due to airfare increases, currency exchange, fluctuations and any unforeseen circumstances, without prior notice.
 
2024 Departure Dates
Camping Accommodated
January 18 18
February 17 17
March
April 13 13
May 11 11
June 8 8
July 6 6
August 3, 31 3, 31
September 28 28
October 26 26
November 23 23
December 7, 21 7, 21
Guaranteed Departures in bold German Translator   Italian Translator 
 
Child Policy on Tour on Overland Tours We do accept children on our tours The following age policies will apply: 8 Years: No children under 8 years of age 8 –9 Years: Children between the ages of 8 –9 years will be accepted to travel on a request basis only. 10 –15 Years: Tours will accept a maximum of four children between the ages of 10 to 15 years on any tour without requesting permission from clients. If more children want to join a tour once the maximum has been reached, this will be allowed on a request basis. 17 –18 Years: Guests of this age may travel with us with a letter of permission from their guardian; they do not require a parent to travel with them. Any traveler between the ages of 8 –16 must be accompanied by a parent, unless specific authorization had been obtained from Getaway Africa. Due to our alcohol laws in South Africa –No children under the age of 18 are permitted to partake in activities involving wine tasting. Age restrictions may apply to certain items listed in the respective tour activities. It is important that you are aware of these restrictions prior to confirming children on tour. Travelers over 65 yrs of age 65+ Years: Guests 65 and older will be required to complete a medical questionnaire and return to us before we will be able to confirm their participation in the tour. Accommodation on tour We have done all that we can to keep our fantastic low prices on these tours so the accommodation is not luxury but you can expect 2 –3 star twin / double accommodation and the majority of it is en-suite. In some places, we also make use of permanent safari tents which are considered "accommodation". We have selected accommodation that is in line with the areas we visit so there is a good variety. It is important to note that general accommodation standards are higher in Southern Africa than they are in East Africa. Please bring along your own towel as these are not always provided. Single Travelers If you are interested to share a room with the same-sex guest, we will charge you the single supplement upfront and if successful in pairing you up, will refund your single supplement upon completion of the tour. Medical Insurance Medical insurance is compulsory and you will be asked for your policy number before embarking on tour. Please make sure that your travel and medical insurance covers cancellation as well as being airlifted in case of a serious illness or injury as our tours often travel a long way from good hospital facilities. If credit card insurance is taken out, this often does not provide sufficient cover therefore a separate travel insurance policy is recommended Pre/Post tour Accommodation and Transfers, and Onward Travel We are more than happy to assist with booking accommodation and transfers for you before and after your tour. The properties that we use are generally at the tour departure point and we offer this service to make life easier for you. We offer a good value for money transit from Vic-Falls to Johannesburg which you can add to your tour. Do not book your onward travel or flights on the day your tour is scheduled to end (unless the last day of tour does not involve any traveling and ends after breakfast). We could be running late for a number of reasons. This also puts a lot of unnecessary pressure on your fellow travelers and guides and turns the last day of tour into a rush. Getaway Africa will not be held accountable if you have booked flights out on the last day of tour and you are not able to get to the airport on time. Visas - very important! 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. Please note that visas are the responsibility of the traveler and that Getaway Africa will not be held responsible for clients being denied entry should they not be in the possession of the relevant visas. Should the adventure tour you are joining be re-entering a country, be sure to have a multiple entry visa that enables you to re-enter the country. Arranging VISAS is not our specialty and due to this we do not always have the most updated information as these regulations change regularly. We suggest that you contact Relocation Online who will be able to provide accurate information or alternatively check with the local embassy. www.relocation-online.com Traveling in our purpose built Overland Trucks The transportation on tour is a major component of all our tours. These tours are road trips and incorporate long drives, bumpy roads and possible mechanical problems, also, digging your truck out of mud is sometimes a considered a highlight. We have the newest and most modern fleet around. While there are similarities between our vehicles, our camping/accommodated trucks have 24 seats and additional packing space for camping equipment. Ideal for small or large groups, we also have a club area, ideal for playing cards or socializing. Our camping and accommodated tours are not city to city coach liner trip and there is no air-conditioning or toilets on these trucks Participation and Interaction, what's expected of you Although we do most of the work, the nature of these tours is not that of a beach holiday. A little assistance from the group can make a real difference as it means that the guides have more time for you and more time to make the tour amazing so getting involved definitely enhances the tour experience. This is an adventure, not a holiday. All camping & accommodated overland tours are limited participation tours and what we would like your assistance with is:
  • Assist with washing up duties
  • Offer your help with the food preparation if time is pressing
  • Loading and unloading the truck
  • Loading and unloading your own bag
  • Help keeping the truck and cooler box clean (it is your home after all for the next days and weeks)
  • Help setting up camp
  • Putting up and taking down your tent. The first time is a challenge, thereafter it’s a breeze!
Your tent and camping equipment and kitchen utensils are provided on your tour so please take care of our equipment, as anything broken or lost on tour cannot be easily replaced. Our guides do all the cooking, however you are welcome to ask the guides if you are keen to share your culinary skills with the group.
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