Kenya Safari and Uganda Gorilla Trek October 3rd to 17th, 2023

Day One: Tuesday October 3rd, 2023  Our motor coach departs London  mid afternoon for Pearson International airport offer guest pick-ups along the 401 corridor. Guests departing from the Toronto region will meet the group at Pearson International. Our flight departs at 10:20 a.m. for Nairobi, Kenya via Addis Ababa arriving the next day.

Day Two: Wednesday October 4th, 2023 Our flight arrives into Nairobi, Kenya at 1:00 p.m. JAMBO - KARIBU!! (Hello and Welcome). We will meet our guides with a traditional, unique & special welcome with bubbly, hot/cold towels and presentation of authentic safari hat and essentials. We will transfer to our hotel with time to settle in and relax before dinner. Our adventure begins. Overnight Sarova Panafric Hotel. (B)

Day Three: Thursday October 5th, 2023  After breakfast we will visit the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. This centre has played a significant role in Kenya’s conservation efforts. The baby elephants are brought to the feeding and viewing area, here they you will be able to photograph me feeding and even from time to time taking a mud-bath. The orphanage offers hope for any orphaned baby elephant fortunate enough to be found alive and so far, it is proud to have saved over 150 orphaned infant elephants, which would otherwise have perished. The baby elephants are raised at the orphanage with the intention of gradually reintegrating them into the wild. The age range of the elephants can vary from a few months to three years. Each elephant is assigned to its own keeper, who acts as a surrogate mother and will stay with the elephant until it is released back into the wild.

After the elephant orphanage we will visit the renowned Rothschild Giraffe Centre, where we will be given a rare opportunity to get up close to these gentle giants in this natural sanctuary, which was founded to protect the endangered Rothschild giraffe. Here you are able to climb to the top of a platform and stand eye to eye with the giraffes and feed them with small pellets.

We will then travel to the Karen Blixen Coffee Garden for Lunch.

Lunch at Karen Blixen Coffee Garden Restaurant.

After lunch we will explore the Karen Blixen Museum for a glimpse into the fascinating world of this pioneer coffee farmer, who achieved world fame through her highly-acclaimed memoir, “Out of Africa”. She left Africa after a series of personal tragedies and her lovely colonial house has been preserved as a museum. Set in expansive gardens, the Karen Blixen Museum is an interesting place to wander around.

At approximately 4:00 p.m. we will return to our hotel to freshen up before our welcome dinner party at the Manji Family residence. Overnight at Panafric hotel. (B)(L)(D)

Day Four: Friday October 6th, 2023 Samburu Game Reserve  After breakfast, we will drive further north to the Samburu National Reserve, set in the rugged semi-arid northern region with spectacular scenic landscape. Upon arrival, we will be met by the camp’s representative and transferred to the camp to a warm welcome then lunch, short siesta before heading for an afternoon game viewing drive. The verdant riverine forest is a stark contrast to the arid thorn studded plains. The Samburu region is the best place to find several endemic Northern species; including the Gerenuk (twiga gazelle) due to her long neck, the beisa Oryx, the Reticulated Giraffe, the Somali ostrich and Grevy’s Zebra. Samburu is also an ornithological paradise, home to many birds including local species such as the Palm Nut Vulture and the Vivacious Dove. Leopards are often seen at dusk. The Samburu culture is a truly fascinating one, sharing a great deal of ancestral and linguistic ties to the Maasai. The entire Samburu region is a place of breath taking and magical beauty, a place where the vision of a deep red sunset silhouetting the doum palms along the river as a leopard emerges to hunt brings the perfect end to a day on safari...... Dinner and overnight at the camp. Samburu Simba Lodge (B)(L)(D)

Day Five: Saturday October 7th, 2023  Samburu Game Reserve After breakfast our day will be spent in Samburu with morning and afternoon game viewing drives in Samburu. This game reserve provides some of the best and most colourful game viewing in the country. The Ewaso Nyiro River which meanders through the vast, dry, doum palm dominated reserve brings life along the green, scenic river banks, home and refuge to many wildlife. Meals and overnight at our camp. Overnight Samburu Simba Lodge (B)(L)(D) 

Day Six: Sunday October 8th, 2023  Aberdares National Park - The Ark Lodge. After breakfast, we will drive to Aberdares Country Club the ground serving hotel of The Ark Lodge. Ready for a really unique game viewing experience Afternoon transfer to your overnight Tree lodge built deep in the forest. Enjoy game viewing at the floodlit water hole and salt lick from the comfortable lounge areas or from your room at any time of night such as the savannah elephant, rhino, Cape buffalo, bush bucks, giant forest hogs, Sykes monkey, leopard, and the rare bongo. A ground level bunker provides excellent photographic opportunities and takes you closer than you would believe possible to the wildlife. A warm jacket/sweater is highly recommended. Dinner and overnight at The Ark (B)(L)(D)

Day Seven: Monday October 9th, 2023  Lake Nakuru National Park - After breakfast we depart for Lake Nakuru National Park with a brief stop at the Thompson's Falls for a breath-taking view of the great scenery. We will arrive in time for lunch. This afternoon our game viewing drive. The environment here is welcoming, one of the best places to relax, to unwind, to enjoy nature’s beauty. The scenery is breath-taking; a sight of the virgin forest is re-assuring. Some of the interesting places to visit include the baboon cliff, the lion hill and the Mau escarpment. The park is one of the best game viewing parks with various animal species including prides of lion, Cape buffalo, waterbucks, wart hogs, the endangered Rothschild giraffes, the black & white Rhino, the Burchell’s zebra, impalas, and the elusive leopard among many others. Over 300 bird species have been recorded here too. Lake Nakuru National Park is one of the best places to see the endangered black and white Rhino. This evening return to our lodge for dinner and overnight. Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge (B)(L)(D)

Day Eight: Tuesday October 10th, 2023 Masai Mara Game Reserve After breakfast, we will continue to Masai Mara. It is perhaps the only region left in Kenya where the visitor may see animals in the same super-abundance as existed a century ago. Enjoy a game viewing drive enroute to our camp. Arrive for lunch and some relaxation time. In the afternoon we will proceed on another game viewing drive in this vast and expansive reserve teeming with game. Mara game reserve is famous for her big five; the most sought after in the early 20th century, when Kenya was a hunters' paradise. These include the lion, Cape buffalo, the savanna elephant, black rhino and the elusive leopard. The vast savanna grasslands as far as the eye can see is home to impalas, Maasai giraffes, waterbucks, warthogs, Thompson & Grants gazelles, topis, the resident wildebeests among many others. Dinner and overnight at our lodge. Mara Serena Safari Lodge (B)(L)(D)

Day Nine: Wednesday October 11th, 2023 Masai Mara Game Reserve Over the next two days, we will continue to photograph and explore the extensive game viewing regions of the Masai Mara. We will have offer guests an optional hot air balloon safari and champange breakfast. On one of the two days we will travel with packed lunch boxes for a full day of game viewing. Be on the look-out for the big five that Maasai Mara is famous for. These include the lion, savannah (African) elephant, the Cape buffalo, the leopard and the black rhino. We may even be so lucky to witness a leopard or a cheetah sprint and make a kill! We return back to the lodge for dinner and overnight. Mara Serena Safari Lodge (B)(L)(D) Optional Hot Air Ball Safari and champange breakfest. Please select this option when completing registration the cost is $475 USD.

Day Ten: Thursday October 12th, 2023 Masai Mara Game Reserve Breakfast and then we will continue to photograph and explore the extensive game viewing regions of the Masai Mara. Again be on the look-out for the big five that Maasai Mara is famous for as we continue to explore different regions of the national park. Again these include the lion, Savannah (African) elephant, the Cape buffalo, the leopard and the black rhino. Included with your tour we will visit a traditional Masai Manyatta (off the beaten track) and experience the culture of this world famous community. The Masai still live as they did for centuries -interact with these nomadic people and experience their way of life as you learn about their customs and traditions. We return back to the lodge for dinner and overnight. Mara Serena Safari Lodge (B)(L)(D) This will be the rain day for optional Hot Air Ball Safari and champagne breakfast. (B)(L)(D)

Day Eleven: Friday October 13th, 2023  Masai Mara Game Reserve - we travel to Kibale National Park in Uganda -Up early to enjoy breakfast then check-out. We will then proceed to the Airstrip for our flight to Entebbe, Uganda. On arrival at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda and after finalizing the formalities, we shall proceed for your scheduled afternoon flight at 12:00pm to Kasese Airstrip where you will meet your guide and then transfer to your lodge in Kibale National Park. Please note because this tour includes flights between some of our game lodges we will be discussing with our guests about packing lighter for our journey plus packing a small overnight bag in your suitcase. The small overnight bag be used when we do the flights within Ugada. More information will be provided prior to departure. Overnight at Chimpundu Lodge (B)(L)(D)

Day Twelve: Saturday October 14th, 2023  Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Breakfast ... Today we will track the most famous inhabitants of Kibale National Park, the chimpanzees. With over 1,450 individuals protected within the park, Kibale forest is home to the largest number of the endangered chimpanzees in Uganda, as well as the threatened red colobus monkey and the rare Lhotse’s monkey. Later in the day we will be transferred to Kasese Airstrip and then fly to Kisoro Airstrip, upon arrival, you will meet with your guide and then drive to your lodge in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The park is home to the endangered mountain gorillas. This fascinating mountain forest hosts chimpanzees and spectacular birds. There are 23 of the 24 Albertine Rift endemic bird species including Blue-throated Broadbill, bar-tailed Trogon and other beautiful forest species. Early to bed this evening, then up early for gorilla trekking tomorrow morning. over night at the Gorilla Safari Lodge (B)(L)(D)

Day Thirteen: Sunday October 15th, 2023  Bwindi Impenetrable National Park This morning we will be up early and depart for our gorilla trekking. Trekking the Mountain Gorilla is one of the most exciting wildlife experiences on earth. The trek will take between 2 and 6 hours, but is well worth the effort. You will be led by an experienced ranger who will tell you interesting facts about flora and fauna and the lifestyle of the Gorillas. Get ready for an experience you will never forget. We try to keep the group size on the treks at 6 to 8 photogrphers. Later in the afternoon we will return to our lodge for time to sort through images and relax. Dinner at our lodge this evening. Gorilla Safari Lodge. (B)(L)(D)

Day Fourteen : Monday October 16th, 2023  Bwindi Impenetrable National Park return flight to Entebbe - After breakfast, check out of our lodge and will transfer to Kisoro Airstrip to fly back to Entebbe enjoying the beautiful aerial view of south western Uganda, the hills and thick vegetation as well as the farming practiced by the locals. Landing at the Entebbe airport transfer to the international terminal and prepare for our flight to Canada departing Entebbe at 6:35 p.m. (B)

Day Fifteen: Tuesday October 17th, 2023  Arriving into Pearson International airport in Toronto around 8:20 a.m. After clearing customs we will say farewell to our Toronto and GTA guests, board our motor coach for the return drive along the 401 corridor, with any drop off points previously arranged. Arriving in London at approximately 11:30 a.m. in London.

Tour Map:  1:Nairobi  2: Samburu Game Reserve  3: The Ark  4: Sarova Lion Hill Lake Nakuru National Park

                  5: Masai Mara Game Reserve 6: Entebbe  7: Kibale National Park  8: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

5 - Hot Air Ballon Safari Location - Masai Mara 

1 Flight between Nairobi and Entebbe  2 Flight Entebbe and Kasese 

3 Flight between Kasese and Kisoro  4 Flight between Kisoro and Entebbe

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Kenya Safaris and Uganda gorilla trekking offers up some of the most spectacular photo opportunitiesthat africa has to offer. The temperatures in Kenya remain fairly constant year round with an average daily temperature of 25 C to 27 C with similiar temperatures in Uganda. The Bwindi mountain regions is very similar in temperature but it gets much cooler in the evenings. October sees very little rain.

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Kenya & Gorilla Trek Registration  Contact Us  Terms & Conditions  Privacy Policy

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Please note this tour is still available for booking, but now we are inside 60 days prior to departure we have to confirm air for each booking. This is not a problem but prior to booking please contact james(at)tourcanvacations.com to confirm your air. Thank you,

The cost of our Kenya Safari and Gorillia Trekking Photo Tour is $13,915.00 per person CAD based on double occupancy including air via Ethiopian Airlines, plus air taxes of $986.32 CAD and $16.25 HST. Single supplement available for an additional $1550.00 CAD.

A non refundable deposit of $1,500.00 CAD is required at time of booking. Final payment is due August 30th, 2023. We recommend the purchase of travel and health insurance as this tour takes us out of the country.

You may also choose to pay over 12 monthy payments through our Uplift finance program estimate -  $955 per month. You select 12 month payment option under the payment section during registration.

Your tour includes:

• • Round trip motor coach to Pearson Airport, Toronto,
  • Departures from London & Woodstock, other pick up point please inquire,
  • Round Trip Airfare via Ethiopian Airlines,
  • Internal Flights Masai Mara to Entebbe,
  • Internal Flights Entebbe to Kasese, Bwindei Uganda,
  • Interal Flights Kisoro to Entebbe, Uganda,
  • All airport and hotel transfers,
  • Panafric Hotel 2 nights in Nairobi,
  • Welcome Dinner with Manji Family our Kenya tour hosts,
  • Accommodations and meals during our tour, as specified in our itinerary,
  • Private meet and greet in Jomo Kenyatta with traditional welcome,
  • Private 4x4 safari land cruisers with guaranteed window seats for our photographers,
  • All games drives as per itinerary,
  • Vist to off the Beaten Track Masai Manyatta Village
  • Gorilla Trekking Permit $950 USD included, 
  • Park entry fees,
  • Unlimited bottled water supplied in your safari vehicle during game drives and transfers,
  • Flying Doctor Medical Evacuation Services while in East Africa (does not cover Drs. fees, hospitalization, drugs, consultants fee, etc.)
  • Tour hosted and escorted by photographer James Cowie

  Excludes:

•  Alcoholic beverages, laundry and tips.
•  Tourist Visa Fees (we will assist with applications and processing)
• Optional Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride and Champagne Breakfast (choose at signup) 

            * Policy dose not allow us to do residental pickup

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