DAY 1, Thursday - Depart for Kenya
Depart for Kenya

DAY 2, Friday - Arrive in Nairobi
Arrive in Nairobi, gateway to your thrilling safari in Kenya; transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to rest, acclimate to your new time zone and prepare for the African adventure that awaits you
Overnight: Nairobi

DAY 3, Saturday - Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Centre
This morning, visit the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage to learn about how the orphan elephants, raised by the orphanage, are later released into the wild. Elephant calves are brought here from all over the country to receive specialized care from highly dedicated staff. Perhaps, you’ll arrive there just in time to see them being exercised and bathed. Then, drive towards the Ngong Hills for a tour of the Karen Blixen Museum, once the farmhouse of the prominent author of Out of Africa. After lunch on your own, continue to Kazuri Beads Workshop, which started in 1975 as a tiny workshop making ceramic beads by hand. Today, this center produces fine examples of genuine African jewelry out of clay gathered from nearby Mt. Kenya. End the day at the Giraffe Centre where you hand-feed the Rothschild Giraffe, an endangered species, from an elevated feeding platform and learn more about their extensive conservation efforts. Dinner tonight is at a popular local restaurant
Overnight: Nairobi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 4, Sunday - Evening Game Drive in Samburu National Park
Travel north this morning towards Samburu National Park, a spectacular 60-square-mile reserve known for its unique wildlife, rarely found in other Kenyan parks. Here, view different species of giraffe, zebra, beisa oryx and the long necked gerenuk, along with lion, cheetah, and leopard. Besides the numerous varieties of wildlife found in this game reserve, the park is also a bird haven. En route, stop for lunch at the Trout Tree Restaurant, built in an enormous fig tree below Mount Kenya. Arrive in Samburu, with its arid hills leading to the lush forested ravine of the Ewaso Nyiro River. Along these river banks, the majority of the animals gather for the promise of water. This evening, set out on your first game drive and watch the colorful African sunset before returning to the camp in time for dinner
Overnight: Samburu National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5, Monday - Morning & Afternoon Game Drives in Samburu National Park
Morning game drive today in the midst of this rugged and beautiful semi-arid desert of northern Kenya. Perhaps you'll see a lion, ostrich, or even a family of elephants wandering the hills. After lunch at the lodge, an afternoon drive takes you to a different area of the park. Return to the lodge for leisure time. Tonight, after dinner, an interesting lecture and discussion with a Samburu naturalist. You'll learn more about the principles and tribal traditions of the villagers living in the northern foothills of Mount Kenya
Overnight: Samburu National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6, Tuesday - Game Viewing in Aberdare National Park
Today, travel southwest to the heart of Aberdare National Park. Arrive at The Ark, one of Kenya's iconic tree lodges. The Ark is designed with layers of decks overlooking a floodlit watering hole and salt lick that attracts a huge amount of wildlife all day and night. The many different balconies and lounges provide superb vantage points for game viewing. A ground level bunker provides excellent photographic opportunities and takes you up-close to the animals; see elephant, buffalo, bushbuck and occasionally a rhino
Overnight: Aberdare National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7, Wednesday - Game Drive in Lake Nakuru National Park
Today, explore Lake Nakuru National Park, dominated by the shallow waters of the lake at its center, best known for its pink flamingos, white rhino, lion, and the elusive leopard. The birdlife here is absolutely superb, with over 450 species recorded - at certain times of year there are over a million flamingos. Drive to the edge of the lake to view thousands of birds feeding in the alkaline water, see the sweeping view from the top of Baboon Rocks, then look for warthogs and waterbucks. Nakuru is also one of the best places in Kenya to see black and white rhino, and for making daytime leopard sightings. Afterward, continue to your lodge where you will spend the remainder of the evening at leisure
Overnight: Lake Naivasha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8, Thursday - Afternoon Game Drive in the Masai Mara National Reserve
Early drive to the magical Masai Mara National Reserve in the southwest corner of Kenya, renowned for its spectacular game viewing. The breathtaking savannahs of the park are a stunning backdrop to a diverse and abundant wildlife population throughout the entire year. Lunch at the camp, before going out on the afternoon game drive
Overnight: Masai Mara National Reserve
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9, Friday - Morning & Afternoon Game Drives in the Masai Mara National Reserve
A fabulous sunrise experience! Arise before dawn to participate in today's optional Hot Air Balloon Safari. Take off in a hot air balloon as you watch the breathtaking sunrise over the Masai Mara. Drift above the beautiful landscape, watching wild game roam the vast plains below. The finale is a sumptuous champagne breakfast before returning back to camp. Today’s game drives through the spectacular Masai Mara reserve focus on the "Big Five" (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino), as well as antelopes, gazelles, hippos and a variety of bird life. A lovely dinner tonight celebrates your final night in the Mara
Optional: Sunrise Balloon Safari & Breakfast (AM)
Overnight: Masai Mara National Reserve
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10, Saturday - Travel to Nairobi
Depart the Mara this morning and return to bustling Nairobi. Upon arrival in the early afternoon, enjoy lunch at the famous Carnivore Restaurant and bid farewell to your Kenyan guide. The rest of the day is yours to rest, relax, and get ready for the extraordinary adventure in Uganda
Overnight: Nairobi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 11, Sunday - Flight to Entebbe
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Uganda, the rising star of East Africa with its magnificent landscape of steamy forests, snow-peaked mountains, pristine lakes and sprawling savannahs rich with wildlife. Upon arrival in Entebbe, on the shores of immense Lake Victoria, you’ll be warmly greeted and transferred to your hotel
Overnight: Entebbe
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12, Monday - Explore Entebbe, Murchison Falls National Park
This morning, take a tour of Entebbe with your local guide. Visit local markets, craft shops and the Botanical Gardens, established in 1898. After an early lunch at a local restaurant, transfer to the airport for your flight to Murchison Falls National Park. Upon arrival, meet your Tour Manager and proceed to the lodge. Time to settle in before attending an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager that highlights the extraordinary adventure that lies ahead. This afternoon, visit the top of Murchison Falls for a breathtaking view of the landscape before returning to the lodge. Tonight’s Welcome Dinner celebrates your arrival
Overnight: Murchison Falls National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 13, Tuesday - Game Drive, Boat Trip on the Nile
Listen to the sounds of the forest as you begin the early morning game drive into the depths of this magnificent park, which hosts over 100 species of mammals and over 450 species of birds. Enjoy the natural surroundings and look for wildlife before returning to the lodge for lunch. Later, a cruise takes you down the Nile River, one of the longest rivers in the world, to the base of dramatic Murchison Falls where the Victoria Nile River surges through a narrow gap over a massive drop - truly a most impressive sight! Look for hippo and crocodile along the sandbanks, as well as large numbers of different species coming down to drink and bathe. Over dinner tonight at the lodge, share stories with your travel companions of this most exciting day
Overnight: Murchison Falls National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 14, Wednesday - Kibale National Park
An early departure to enchanting and exotic Kibale National Park, home to the greatest variety and concentration of primates found anywhere in East Africa, as well as a rich diversity of exotic birds. Passing through the beautiful countryside, admire expansive views of farmlands where the best fruits and vegetables in the country are grown. After stopping for a picnic lunch, continue your drive past striking tea plantations into the Kibale tropical forest. Your lodge is tucked deep in the forest, adjacent to the starting point for the chimpanzee tracking excursions. These unique chimpanzees have an evocative call, a distinct and recognizable sound of the African forest. After a nature walk in the lush surroundings, a delightful dinner at the lodge
Overnight: Kibale National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 15, Thursday - Chimp Tracking in Kibale, Queen Elizabeth National Park
Get ready for a thrilling morning on the guided forest trek in search of one of the most popular primate species in the world - the chimpanzee. Although chimp sightings are not guaranteed, the odds are good that you’ll encounter them today in the lush green forest. Perhaps you’ll also see other types of primate, including the red-tailed monkey. The hike will last approximate 2-3 hours while your expert guide shares the secrets of the forest's flora and fauna. After lunch, a drive takes you past volcanic crater lakes to stunning Queen Elizabeth National Park, commemorating Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Uganda. After settling in at your hillside lodge overlooking the vast savanna plains of the park, enjoy a late afternoon game drive, followed by dinner at the lodge
Overnight: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 16, Friday - Game Drive, Kazinga Channel Cruise
Enjoy a morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, whose diverse ecosystems, including sprawling savanna, shady forests, sparkling lakes and fertile wetlands, make it the ideal habitat for classic big game, primates and over 600 species of birds. Set against the backdrop of the jagged Rwenzori Mountains, the park’s magnificent vistas encompass dozens of enormous craters carved dramatically into rolling green hills. After lunch, take a delightful cruise on the Kazinga Channel. As the boat drifts slowly along the shore, watch for hippos, crocodiles and colorful birds. This evening, sip drinks before dinner and admire the gorgeous sunset views
Overnight: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 17, Saturday - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a biodiverse, mountainous area that is your base for gorilla tracking; arrive in time for a late lunch and leisure time for nature walks. Bwindi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a sanctuary for colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, and many birds such as hornbills and turacos. Undoubtedly it is best known for its 340 Bwindi gorillas, half of the world's population of the critically endangered mountain gorillas. Observing the gorillas may only be done on foot, and only a limited number of viewing permits are issued, which help to protect the endangered gorilla families. Dinner and overnight at the Lodge, a peaceful and exclusive retreat on the shores of Lake Mutanda
Overnight: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 18, Sunday - The Gorilla Trek
After an energizing breakfast, assemble for an informative briefing by experienced rangers before embarking on the exciting culmination of your journey - the gorilla trek. Your group will be guided through the rough terrain of the rainforest in search of one of the park’s habituated gorilla families. The trek will last up to 7 hours depending on the location of the animals. When a gorilla family is found, you’ll be allowed an hour in their company to watch them eat, preen and play. Imagine the extraordinary feeling of sitting in the dense forest with a few of the last remaining mountain gorillas in the world! You’ll always cherish memories of this profound and incomparable experience. At your Farewell Dinner tonight, share extraordinary tales of your journey in Uganda and bid a fond farewell to your guide and your newfound friends who shared this adventure with you
Overnight: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 19, Monday - Depart Uganda
Morning transfer to the airstrip in Kisoro for a scheduled flight to Entebbe Airport; transfer to the international terminal for your departure flight. Passengers with late evening flights will have a day-use hotel room and be transferred to the airport later in the evening. Please select flights that depart no earlier than 3 PM
Day Use: Entebbe
Meals: Breakfast