Shoulder Season in Uganda & Kenya
Overview
Pat and Kathleen came to Next Adventure with Gorilla Trekking as the top priority, followed by mixing in Kathleen’s diverse range of interests. This trip is a combination of Gorilla Trekking, the Classic Migration as well as cultural and community experiences. Their trip came together fairly last minute, but we were able to secure Gorilla Trekking permits along with a highly efficient itinerary.
They started off with a 2 1/2 hour Gorilla Trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Park. They were fortunate enough to get the head ranger for their Trek who led them to a huge group of about 12 gorillas. During their time in Bwindi, Pat and Kathleen also had the opportunity to visit a community of Batwa, Central Africa’s most ancient ethnic group.
We took advantage of the new flight being offered from Entebbe to the Masai Mara. Pat and Kathleen boarded their flight out of Entebbe, and were out on a game drive in the Mara that same afternoon. This added advantage is what helped to make their itinerary so efficient, because we didn’t require the “staging nights” we would have in the past to move them from the Bwindi to the Mara. They had private guide and vehicles throughout, allowing them to absorb a lot of information – something that ended up adding some unexpected value! They had excellent wildlife viewing and saw way more than they expected. Their big finale was at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy where they were able to immerse themselves with the local people.
Pat and Kathleen got to reap the hidden benefits of going on safari during shoulder season, the months that are on the edges of peak season. They had great wildlife viewing, plus the opportunity to engage in a lot of diverse activities with out the peak season crowds, which by default gave them quality time with their guides, rounding out to be a very high quality trip!
Itinerary in Brief
Sep 30: Arrive in Nairobi, transfer to Hotel (2 nights)
Oct 1: The full day to spend at leisure exploring Nairobi (or optional touring at supplemental cost)
Oct 2: This morning, transfer to the International Airport for flight to Kihihi via Entebbe, transfer to Lodge (3 nights)
Oct 3: Depart for Gorilla Trekking and spend 1 magical hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family
Oct 4: Full day to explore Bwindi National Park with optional activities such as guided walks or Batwa cultural experience
Oct 5: This morning, fly Kihihi to Entebbe, then fly to the Masai Mara via Kisumu, game drive to Camp (3 nights)
Oct 6-7: Two full days for game drives in the Masai Mara with private 4×4 safari vehicle
Oct 8: Morning game drive to local airstrip, fly Mara to Lewa via Wilson, transfer to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy (4 nights)
Oct 9-11: Three full days to enjoy Lewa Wildlife Conservancy with bush walks and game drives
Oct 12: Fly to Wilson, transfer to dayroom, shuttle to Nairobi’s airport for international departureoast, drive through the Ugab riverbed until you reach Damaraland, check into camp (1 night)
Day 27: Drive into the Huab riverbed before heading north to the mountainous and rocky paradise of the massive Palmwag Concession, check in to Camp (2 nights)
Day 28: One full day to explore the area and search for the desert-adapted black rhino
Day 29: Drive to Doro Nawas airstrip for light aircraft transfer to the Palmwag Concession, check in to Camp (3 nights)
Day 30-31: Two full days to explore this remote part of Namibia famed for plant and animal life that has adapted superbly to the harsh environment of mountains, vast plains, dunes and dry riverbeds
Day 32: Fly to Doro Nawas airstrip this morning before driving to Ongava Game Reserve on the boundary of Etosha National Park, transfer to Lodge (3 nights)
Day 33-34: Two full days to explore the highest density wildlife area within Namibia
Day 35: Drive 420 kilometres south to Windhoek, then connect to onward flight & the start of your journey home
