Game Parks and Sites | Nairobi to Gorillas

Uganda – Jinja, Lake Victoria, Murchison Falls, Owen Falls Dam Nile River

Jinja, Uganda overlooks Lake Victoria, one of the largest lakes in the world. The White Nile flows north from the lake towards Egypt. Owen Falls Dam blocks the river below which are the Owen Falls. On and around the river you can; white water raft, canoe, horse ride, bungee jump, jet boat, quad bike and help with local community projects.

Uganda – Lake Bunyonyi

The lake in the west of Uganda is our base while groups are off trekking to the mountain gorillas. It’s a highland mountain lake in quiet surroundings where you can row around the lake, swim and bird watch.

Kenya – Rift Valley Lakes

In the Great Rift Valley there are a number of beautiful lakes, full of birds, wildlife and other natural wonders.

Lake Nakuru
A large shallow lake surrounded by a park on the edge of Nakuru town. The big three here are pink flamingoes – sometimes millions of them, rhino and tree sleeping lions. Also living in and around the lake are; pelicans, cormorants, leopards, baboons, giraffe, waterbuck, rock hyrax and birdlife.

Lake Naivasha
We camp by this large freshwater lake in the Great Rift Valley. You can take boats out on the lake to see hippos relaxing in groups in the water and the hundreds of different types of birds. The hippos come out of the lake in the evening and graze around the shore into the night. Around the lake are a few side trips you can take.

Green Crater Lake
A jade green coloured lake set in a small volcanic cone.

Hell’s Gate National Park
One of the few parks you can walk or cycle through, no lions here but you can see giraffe and antelope many wild animals but superb volcanic scenery. There a geothermal power plant on the edge of the park which you can see up close.One of the few parks you can walk or cycle through, not too many wild animals but superb volcanic scenery.

Elsamere Conservation Centre
The old home of Joy Adamson and Elsa the lion of ‘Born Free’ fame.  Take afternoon tea on the lake shore with black and white colobus monkeys swinging through the thorn trees above.

Kenya – Masai Mara

Kenya – is set on the southern border of Kenya some 4 hours drive from Nairobi on a massive plain. The animals you are most likely to see are; lions, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, zebra, gazelle, hyenas, wildebeest and some rhino. The most impressive site in the park is the great migration of the wildebeest from July to October.

Kenya – Nairobi, Langata Giraffe Centre

Here you can hand feed giraffes while you stand head high with the giraffes. It’s a side trip in Nairobi with an entry fee of $7 plus a charge for giraffe food.

Kenya – Nairobi, Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage

Stand with baby elephants and rhinos which have been rescued from the wild; normally their mothers have been poached or died naturaly, so are now fed from the bottle. It’s a side trip in Nairobi with a donation entry fee – open daily at 11 am.

Uganda – Mountain Gorillas

There are less than 800 mountain gorillas in the wild, we see the biggest primate in either; Uganda, DR Congo or Rwanda. Trekking to see them is expensive however well worth it according to everyone when they return from sitting beside the woolly giants. There are four parks you can visit the gorillas in three different countries. Three of the parks form a super park meeting on the borders of the three countries.
Uganda – Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Rwanda – Volcanoes National Park
Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Most of the gorillas live in Bwindi, which is where we try to see them. The parks are covered in rainforest and thick bamboo. Aside from the gorillas other animals you might see while trekking to the gorillas are colobus monkeys but the thick forest makes game spotting hard. The trek to gorillas can take; if you’re lucky less than an hour up to all day long. The trekking is done with ranger guides who follow the gorillas from their previous night’s nests. (They do build nests in trees or on the ground every night to sleep in). Once you reach the gorillas you sit with them for an hour while they normally feed or relax a short distance from you. There are a number of rules to follow when you’re around the gorillas which the guides show you how to follow.

Malawi – Kande Beach

Lake Malawi; it’s is a special beach resort orientated to budget beach activities. Snorkel around Kande Island. If you’re feeling fit, swim the 800 meters out. If you want to take it a bit easier, rent a paddle boat or canoe. If you’re up for an all day cooking job, bargain with the locals for a pig and spit roast it. SCUBA Dive in the freshwater lake. Lake Malawi is home to countless beautiful, endemic fishes. PADI certifications also available here. Horseback ride through forests and villages with Kande Horses. All skill levels are catered to. Take your horse for a swim in the lake with you after a 2 to 4 hour ride. Have a drum circle with the local boys and get exposed to a little Malawian culture. Shop the wood carvings market or take a village tour