Today after breakfast we explore the bustling city with a population of 1.5 Million people. It was originally built on seven hills but has now been expanded to several others. We visit the Kabaka’s Palace which is a majestic colonial power house that provides a rich history of one of Uganda’s oldest kingdoms –the Buganda Kingdom. We will have our lunch at the Seven Hills Revolving Restaurant where we can overlook the original town built on the seven hills of Mulago, Kololo/Nakasero, Kibuli, Rubaga, (Old) Kampala, Namirembe (Mengo), and Makerere. In the afternoon we drive to the Namugongo Martyr Shrine, a place where we commemorate the lives and religious beliefs of the Uganda Martyrs before returning to Cassia Lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Driving:  70 km  spread over the whole day

Accommodation: Cassia Lodge

Meal Plan: D B

Today we drive north via Hoima with lunch on the way to Murchinson Falls National Park, a marvel along the River Nile. The drive takes us past small scale farmland interjected with small villages. Murchinson National Park is one of the oldest conservation areas in East Africa and was first opened in 1926 as a game reserve and then in 1952 it was declared a National Park. It’s a long 6 hour drive with a lunch break along the way. We reach in the late afternoon to the ferry which takes us across the Nile to the Paraa lodge with game viewing en-route for dinner and overnight. The vast park harbors 76 different mammals which include elephants, buffaloes, hippos, and crocodiles on the riverbanks while Rothschild giraffes, hartebeests, leopards, lions, Uganda kobs, and many bird species are found in the savannah and woodland.

Driving: 350km – 7 hours

Accommodation: Paraa Lodge

Meal Plan: B L D

After breakfast we drive to the pier where a boat will take us on a 1.5 hour trip to the bottom of the falls which are known as the Kabalega Falls. Here, the White Nile plunges 45m over the remnant Rift Valley wall, creating the dramatic falls and the final event in an 80km stretch of rapids. The mighty cascade drains the last of the river's energy, transforming it into a broad and placid stream that flows quietly across the rift valley floor into Lake Albert. On the shores we find buffaloes and elephants, while crocodiles and hippos escort us on our boat ride. From the base of the falls we take a short walk ( 20min) to the top of the falls.  Our driver is already there waiting for us to take us back to the lodge for lunch. After lunch we explore the northern part of the park where with some luck, might find predators such as lions and leopards.

Driving:  150km

Accommodation: Paraa Lodge

Meal Plan: B L D

After breakfast we drive to Ziwa Rhino sanctuary. We arrive in good time for lunch at the Amuka Lodge and have time to explore the vast gardens around the Lodge. In the afternoon we head across the 70 sqkm of rolling landscape and native woodland in search for the rhinos which have thrived since their arrival in the early 2000’s. We are thrilled when we approach on foot, under the guidance of well trained and armed rangers, these amazing creatures and observe them up close.  Just before the sun sets, we return to Amuka lodge for dinner and overnight.

Driving:   150 km - 3 hours,   afternoon: 3 hour - game drive / game walk

Accommodation: Amuka Lodge

Meal Plan: B L D

Today we have a leisurely breakfast in the garden, while keen birdwatchers amongst us may opt for an early morning shoe bill stork trek and canoe ride watching the sunrise over the Lugogo Swamp besides plenty of different water birds. At 10.00 am we check out and drive to Jinja.  At the Luwero Triangle a traditional lunch served on banana leaves is waiting for us.  Jinja is the second largest and busiest commercial town after Kampala and this is where the River Nile starts its 4000km journey to the Mediterranean Sea. After checking in at the Haven Hotel we take a Sunset Cruise on the Nile and enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks. At 7.00pm we return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Driving:   230 km - 5 hours,   afternoon: 2 hour – sunset cruise

Accommodation: The Haven Lodge

Meal Plan: D B

Today we have a long drive before us. A 100km drive takes us to the busy Busia Border where we cross into Kenya. The immigration formalities may take about 1 hour.  A further 90 Km drive takes us to Kogelo; a small village where ex US President Obama’s African roots are from.  Here we stop for lunch.  After lunch we take another short drive to the shores of Lake Victoria where at the Luanda K Otiena Pier a ferry departs at 3.00 pm to take us together with our car to Mbita Point.  The transfer takes about 45min while another 20min drive takes us to a place of infinite beauty to calm the mind and rejuvenate the body.  Rusinga provides a welcome break, during a rigorous and exciting East African safari. Dinner & overnight will be at the Lodge.

Driving:   230 km - 5 hours,

Accommodation: Rusinga Island Lodge

Meal Plan: B L D

Today we will have activities within the lodge. We relax in the beautiful gardens, take a guided bird walk or even go on a fishing trip.  Rusinga Island Lodge has a number of activities such as Kayaking, visiting the fossils site, jet skiing or revitalizing in the Spa.  All meals will be served at the lodge.

Accommodation: Rusinga Island Lodge

Meal Plan: B L D

After breakfast we continue with our East African Adventure.  A 200 Km drive through densely populated small scale farmland finally gives way to an open savannah that takes us to the Maasai Mara. Just after entering the Olololo gate herds of plains game welcomes us.  We arrive in time for a late lunch at the Mara Ashnil camp. The camp is arguably in one of the very best locations in the Masai Mara for game viewing and also provides the perfect setting to sit and relax at the end of an exciting day of game drives.  After lunch we head out for an afternoon game drive which reveals the rich wildlife and justifies the recent classification as the latest “Wonder of the World” and return to Mara Ashnil

Driving:   200 km - 5 hours,   afternoon: game drives - 3hours

Accommodation: Mara Ashil Camp

Meal Plan: D B

The Maasai Mara National Reserve is an extension of the Serengeti and stretches 1,510 sq km and raises 1,500-2,170 meters above sea level. It hosts over 95 species of mammals and over 570 recorded species of birds.  Today we can spend the day on a game drive with packed lunch or have an early morning and evening game drive with lunch at the camp. The wealth of wildlife is unrivalled in Africa, particularly during the migration of wildebeests from July to October when thousands of Wildebeests and Zebras enter the Maasai Mara from the Serengeti followed by the predators. Dinner and the overnight stay will be at the camp.

Driving:  game drives – 80 km   - full day

Accommodation: Mara Ashnil Camp

Meal Plan: B L D

Our East African Adventure is coming to an end. Today we drive to the shores of Lake Naivasha and arrive for lunch at Naivasha Sopa Lodge.  After a buffet style lunch and a rest at the pool we take a boat ride on the lake to Crescent Island. The tranquil glide through the sparkling waters unveils a plethora of the region’s spectacular bird life besides hippos and crocodiles. There are 400 species of birds including pink-backed pelicans, goliath herons, the saddle-billed storks, cormorants, and vibrant kingfishers.  We disembark the boat on the shores of Crescent Island and take a 1.5 hour walk with an armed guide through this unique wildlife sanctuary. Created in 1988 when an island became a peninsula, the park hosts giraffes, buffalo, elands, waterbucks, gnus, hartebeests, zebras, pythons and impalas.  At the end of the walk our driver/ guide is waiting for us to take us back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Driving:  game drives – 270 km   - 5 hours    1.5 hour hike.  1 hour boat

Accommodation: Naivasha Sopa Lodge

Meal Plan: B L D

Today we drive to Nairobi, the 4 million metropolis and economic hub of East Africa. Our first stop is the Karen Blixen Museum. This museum was originally the home of Karen Blixen, who came to Kenya from Denmark in the early part of this century. The present museum site is at the heart of the larger coffee plantation run by Blixen between 1914 and 1931. The house was restored and used during the filming of Out of Africa, which immortalized Karen Blixen's book by the same name. After the visit we can have an optional lunch at the Utamanduni, a craft center where we can shop for some souvenirs.  After lunch we pass by the Giraffe Centre, the only sanctuary in the world within a capital city that enables you to come into very close contact with the world’s tallest yet endangered animal, the giraffe. Before we transfer to the Jomo Kenyatta airport we can refresh at the Ole Sereni Hotel or spend the night there depending on the time of our departure flight.

Driving:  game drives – 120 km   -  2 hours

Accommodation: Ole Sereni Day Room