11 Days Kenya Uganda Primates

With the wind whipping through our hair, we motor out of modern Nairobi and into chimpanzee country at the ancient foothills of Mount Kenya. The animal-studded plains of Ol Pejeta Conservancy surround the van as we bump ever closer to the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya and Sweetwaters Serena Camp, a glamping site on the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River. In the afternoon, enjoy a visit to the 200-acre rhino and chimp sanctuary. Overnight at Sweetwaters Serena Camp.

The breeze whispers through tall grasses, teasing the leaves of yellow acacia trees. Buffalo, zebras and giraffes populate the plains, but your eyes are riveted on the blue-green lake ahead. The rosy hues of the lake's shores are almost surreal, so pink they appear to be covered in a dusting of flower petals. Our approach solves the mystery, when we draw close enough to make out the thousands – or could it be tens of thousands? – of flamingos that fringe Lake Nakuru in a colourful optical illusion. An afternoon game drive introduces us to the park's other charms, which extend to white and black rhinos, lions, baboons, and at least 450 bird species. Dinner and overnight at Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge.

Close your eyes and call to mind a vision of Africa. Do you see flattened plains, parched grasses, and orange earth? Long-necked giraffes, ivory-tusked elephants, and king lions? Fiery sunsets that set the world ablaze, painting inky animal profiles onto the horizon? This is the Africa of Maasai Mara, one of the world's most iconic and popular safari destinations... our destination. The Maasai Mara is named for and by the Maasai, the friendly people who inhabit the region. Mara, Maasai for "spotted," is an apt description of the reserve's indescribable beauty, solitary trees and cottony clouds that dot the landscape. Our afternoon game drive serves as an introduction to the reserve, but we have one goal in mind: Africa's big five. Scan the plains and tall grasses for African buffalo, bush elephants, black rhinos, leopards and lions, the fiercest and most dangerous game on the continent. Dinner and overnight at Tipilikwani Mara Camp.

Morning dawns over the Maasai Mara, sending a smattering of muted hues out onto the plains. We chase the sunrise on our morning game drive, in search of sleepy lions and heavy-lidded elephants. Young leopard cubs roughhouse in the early light. Giraffes reach for their leafy breakfasts. This is the Mara that few experience, when night transitions to day and nocturnal animals bid good morning to their sun-loving counterparts.

If you've timed your trip right, we'll also witness the Eighth Wonder of the World: the Great Migration. Every year, 750,000 zebras and millions of wildebeest thunder across Tanzania's Serengeti, beating a path onto the Maasai Mara. It is the largest land animal migration in the world, and the reverberation of these millions of hooves will echo in your memories for years to come. Dinner and overnight at Tipilikwani Mara Camp.

The sunrise's muted hues poke through a solitary cloud, erupting in gold and copper beams that spotlight the savannah. The morning's optional hot air balloon safari takes us into the heavens, a birds-eye vantage point high above the sleepy grasslands. We watch the African bush awaken to another day: giraffes snatch at the morning's first leaves; zebras spring to attention; and a pair of rowdy lion cubs wrestle in the grass.

After breakfast, we return to Nairobi for lunch at the Carnivore Restaurant, famed for its succulent game meats. In the evening, we fly to Kampala, Uganda. Overnight at Metropole Hotel.

Leaving Kampala very early, it's a full day’s drive through the beautiful Ugandan countryside to the ancient rainforests of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. On the way, skirt the north-eastern shores of Lake Victoria, and climb into the mountainous south-western region of Uganda through terraced hillsides dotted with traditional settlements. Expect to arrive at our picturesque accommodation on the edge of the forest in the late afternoon. Overnight at Buhoma Lodge.

Bwindi is a magnificent green swathe of dense rainforest and is one of the most biologically diverse areas on earth and a proclaimed World Heritage Site. Today, you will begin your early morning with gorilla trek in Bwindi, you will set off into the tangled and mist-shrouded forests with guides and trackers who are very experienced at locating the gorillas by finding the nest the family had used the previous night. The search for these majestic animals goes through thick untamed rainforest, where you’ll be scrambling over mossy rocks and through deep undergrowth and it can be arduous at times. But when you come face to face with the gorillas for the first time, the trek there will be more than worth it, and watching gorillas in their natural habitat is a memory that will last a lifetime. After spending an hour with the gorillas we head back to the lodge for a late lunch and the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Overnight at Buhoma Lodge.

After breakfast you will depart to Queen Elizabeth National Park via the Ishasha sector. In the afternoon enjoy the unique two hours boat ride on the Kazinga Channel and into Lake Edward. This boat trip passes through possibly the highest concentration of hippos and many animals may be seen drinking at the water's edge. The cruise offers excellent opportunity for photography, bird watching and game viewing.

Queen Elizabeth National Park occupies 2000 sq km and is situated 440 km from Kampala. The park is a UNESCO designated Biosphere Reserve for Humanity. The Park is constituted of tropical forest, green meadows, savannah, rivers, lakes and swamps. In terms of wildlife, you find lion, buffalo, leopard, giant forest hog, elephants, hippos, waterbucks, Topi, Uganda Kob, Bushbuck, baboons, chimpanzees and over 600 species of birds. Dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge.

Enjoy morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National park with the massive Rwenzoris as a backdrop which provides an excellent opportunities to see a variety of game.

Later proceed to Kibale National Park. In the afternoon, visit to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. Kibale is a primate searchers dream. There are over 1,000 chimpanzees, and at least 6 monkey species - including the acrobatic red colobus and black-and-white colobus, and the handsome L’Hoest’s monkey. At Kibale, you will take a guided walk in search of chimpanzees. The guide will provide detailed explanations, not only on primates, but on all the forest fauna and flora and will ensure that your walk is both informative and enjoyable. This walk is excellent for viewing bird life and seeing primates at close quarters. Dinner and overnight at Ndali Lodge.

Full day search of chimpanzees and 10 other primate. All meals and overnight at Ndali Lodge.

After breakfast, check out and drive to Kampala. After lunch in Kampala, you will be at leisure to shop for souvenirs and tour the city, before transferring to the airport for your evening flight back to Nairobi.