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Gorillas and game parks
  • Catherine Almond
  • Antony Almond
  • Catherine Almond
  • Antony Almond

Gorillas and game parks

Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania Read more
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  • Trip start
    December 5, 2019
  • Gorillas and game parks

    Nairobi, Kenya

    December 6, 2019 in Kenya ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    We met up with our intrepid group of 20 people and our tour guide Le Lei.
    Tracey, Juan, Amelia, Quinton, Sara, Kevin, Andrew, Enken, Hamish, Michael, Kelly, Adele, Nancy, Florien, Chiara, Christina.
    Cook - Wilson
    Driver - Kim    Read more

  • Gorillas and game parks

    Lake Nakuru

    December 8, 2019 in Kenya ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    We saw spectacular views of the Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha and Elementaita on the drive north-west to Lake Nakuru National Park. The drive took approx 4 hours and did a short evening game drive on the way to camp.
    We encountered lots of wildlife - rhinos, lions, leopards, zebras, giraffes    Read more

  • Gorillas and game parks

    Eldoret

    December 9, 2019 in Kenya ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    We had another game drive in the morning and then headed north-west to Eldoret, one of Kenyas fastest growing towns. Due to its high altitude, the town is an ideal training ground for middle and long distance athletes and is home to some of Kenya's most famous runners.Read more

  • Gorillas and game parks

    Travel to Kisoro

    December 13, 2019 in Uganda ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    We travelled back through Queen Elizabeth National Park and saw elephants. We then arrived in Kisoro which provides access to 7 different gorilla groups in Mgahinga, Nkuringo, Rushaga and Nshongi

  • Gorillas and game parks

    Kigali, Rwanda day trip

    December 14, 2019 in Rwanda ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    We travelled across the border to the capital of Rwanda, Kigali in a small group with Kelly, Michael and Steph. Known as the place with 1000 hills. The scenery was spectacular and lush green. It was noticeable how clean the country is compared to Uganda and Kenya and they also drive on the other side of the road like in Europe. There is also a 1 hour time difference.

    It was very sad day learning about the genocide which started in April 1994 when the Hutus turned against the tutsis killing over 1 million people in 100 days. Tutsis across Rwanda were raped and tortured then massacred even by their own neighbours.
    The tribes were defined by the Belgians by the number of cows owned with 10 cows or more being named the Tutsis.
    We stopped by at a school where the girls were told to divide into the 2 groups but they refused and were all raped and killed
    We then stopped at a view point of the river where lots of bodies were thrown which led to fishing being prevented for a year due to finding human remains inside the fish.
    The memorial we visited held the mass graves of over 250 thousand people in just 14 graves. There is one open grave for remains which they are still finding .
    We also visited a memorial where the 10 Belgian soldiers who were protecting the prime minister where killled.
    Following that we visited Hotel des Mille Collines from the movie Hotel Rwanda for lunch which was a place which looked after Tutsis in hiding.    Read more

  • Gorillas and game parks

    Gorilla trek Burundi Uganda

    December 15, 2019 in Burundi ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Today we met the awesome mountain gorillas in their habitat. The family included 3 silver back males, 3 females and a male and female juvenile. We trekked for approximately 1 hour until we came across the first male (mark) before finding the rest of the family and spending an amazing hour with them. We saw a the female breast feeding and the juveniles playing. Once our hour was up, it was as though the gorillas knew and they all just walked away from the group one at a time.
    Best experience ever!    Read more

  • Gorillas and game parks

    Mbrarara

    December 16, 2019 in Uganda ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Leave the gorillas to start heading back towards Kenya with a stopover in Mbrarara.
    We stayed in an amazing hotel with spa, pool and bar for only 80usd.

  • Gorillas and game parks

    Jenji

    December 17, 2019 in Uganda ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Travelling to Jenji took approx 7 hours. We stopped on the way to pick up some veggies from the locals.

    We arrived at a fan campsite in kangala which had a great bar/restaurant and safari tent upgrades.Read more

  • Gorillas and game parks

    White water rafting and horse riding

    December 18, 2019 in Uganda ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    Today Ant went off to do a full day of white water rafting which sounded like a terrifying experience and I was super relieved that I had chosen the horse riding activity instead.

    We met the owner who was a guy called TJ from Newcastle, Australia and has been in Uganda for 16 years. I was helped onto my horse called Southern Comfort and had a guide called Henry. In the group was also Ciara, Florien, Nancy and Stef. We rode through the villages and then along the Nile. Just as we reached the end, the tour leader, Moses had a problem with his horse and Moses was thrown down the bank of the river. Luckily he was unharmed and we were relieved to reach the end.

    In the evening we all went on a sunset cruise on the nile.    Read more

  • Gorillas and game parks

    Masai Mara National Reserve

    December 20, 2019 in Kenya ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    We left Kericho after breakfast we set off to Masai Mara. The Masai Mara is the quintessential African experience with sparce open plains, dramatic skies and the world's most iconic animals living within its boundaries.

    We arrived in time for an afternoon game drive which was a little disappointing. It was cool being on the safari trucks but there were not as many animals as we expected. We did see loads of elephants which was amazing as they were in big herds and super close to us.

    We upgraded to safari tents which were ok. Not as good as the Jenji tents but had a bathroom.    Read more

  • Gorillas and game parks

    Maasi Mara Game Drive

    December 21, 2019 in Kenya ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Today I set off on the game drive with fairly low expectations of seeing animals and it was pouring down with rain. However the rain soon passed and we were lucky enough to see so many animals including lions, cheetahs and leopards.

    We watched a cheetah hunting an antelope which was such an amazing experience watching how they prowl to get closer to the animal. We watched intensely for quite a while then saw him go in for the kill. Lucky for the antelope it managed to escape and I felt satisfied just being able to watch.

    We then also found 2 female lions on the hunt and they came across a family of wart hogs. They too had several attempts at catching them but were unsuccessful.

    A group of us left the game park straight from lunch so that we could visit the Maasi Mara village. On the way out we get super lucky spotting a leopard which proceeded to move towards us and even crossed over the road right in front of us. Such an awesome experience to see so close up. We had hoped for the leopard to climb a nearby tree but he walked past it and then all of the other trucks arrived so we left.

    The Maasi village was quite a funny experience. We arrived to various dances which we participated in and was really funny. We watched the guys have a jumping contest which they do to attract their girlfriends with the highest jumper getting the girl.

    We proceeded into the village which was full of cow dung (not great ground conditions in my sandals!!!) and was taken into one of their homes which was tiny and extremely basic. We then entered the market which had a stall for each family and of course we bought lots of things we didn't need but we did manage to get a lovely Maasi blanket. I did a negotiation writing our offer on one of their arms and ended up paying 50USD. Following that we visited the blacksmith then had some pics with the chief who was 95 years old!

    This was definitely one of my favourite days so far 😁    Read more

  • Gorillas and game parks

    Back to Nairobi

    December 22, 2019 in Kenya ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Today was the last day of this part of the trip with a 7 hour trip back to Nairobi where it all began. We arrived back just after lunch time and had a few drinks.

    A few of us went out to the carnivore restaurant all you can eat meat restaurant which was fab but we were super stuffed! We ate all of the normal meats but also crocodile, ostrich and ox balls (sweet breads) the croc was quite yummy.Read more

  • Gorillas and game parks

    Tanzania Border Crossing

    December 23, 2019 in Tanzania ⋅ 🌧 24 °C

    Today we boarded our new truck and met the rest of our new group then headed towards the Tanzanian border. The crossing was much busier than any of the other crossings we have been across and it took a few hours but it gave us an opportunity to get to know some of our new group.

    We stopped in a random place for lunch which was the only pics I took for the day

    After a long drive we arrived at our camp site in Mto Wa Mbu and we of course upgraded! It was expensive at 80USD but was worth it for the air con.    Read more

  • Gorillas and game parks

    Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti

    December 24, 2019 in Tanzania ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Today we were separated into smaller safari trucks to head to the crater. We had Juan, Tracey, Michael and Hamish in our group.

    It was a few hours before we arrived at the crater and the drive in was unbelievable. There were so many animals all around us. We saw a lot of the same animals as previous game drives such as zebras, topis and buffalo but also spotted a black rhino in the distance. Part way through our drive, we came across some male lions seeking shade against one of the stationery trucks and we managed to get really close to them.

    Just before lunch, we encountered 2 more female lions on the road and heading towards our vehicle. They walked all the way up to our vehicle then down the side. We could have actually reached out and touched them they were so close    Read more

  • Gorillas and game parks

    Serengeti

    December 25, 2019 in Tanzania ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    Today we arranged a hot air balloon ride for sunrise over the serengeti followed by a champagne breakfast which was unbelievable. We didn't see as many animals as expected which was a little disappointing but we saw some lions on the top of a big rock which was pretty cool.

    Following a delicious boozy breakfast we headed back to camp to meet the others. After a long lunch we got back in our safari truck with Freddy which was sooooo much fun. We had Juan, Tracey, Michael, Hamish and Bron in our group and Freddy took us to a bar in the serengeti so stock up on supplies 😂😂

    It turned out to be a boozy safari and we had such a laugh. The amount of animals around was a little disappointing so it worked out great to be with a fun group.    Read more

  • Gorillas and game parks

    Serengeti to Mto Wa Mbu

    December 26, 2019 in Tanzania ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Today we did a short game drive out of the Serengeti. All of the animals seemed to be on the road out and we saw loads of hyenas eating.

    We arrived back at the same camp site in Mto Wa Mbu and upgraded into a nice air conditioned room again. There was a trip to a village which most of the group went to but we decided to chill out and found a pizza place for dinner which was just outside our hotel grounds. We had no idea what to expect as we arrived as couldn't even see a pizza oven burning but was recommended in lonely planet so decided to give it a go. The pizza turned out to be delicious and we even ordered another one!Read more

    Trip end
    January 6, 2020
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