Destinations visited:Uganda, Bwindi, Kenya, Masai Mara, Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls.

Africa’s diversity is on offer, with enchanting experiences of staring deep into the pensive eyes of a Mountain Gorilla, stops at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and vibrant nights under canvas in Nairobi and Kenya’s Masai Mara.

This overland thrilling tour is all about a memorable once in a life-time gorilla trekking expedition. A must do for all adventurous discerning travelers! In addition to the life-changing hour you spend with a gorilla family, you will also be able to hike the mighty Victoria Falls- one of the natural wonders of the world; Follow the great herds thumping through Kenya’s Masai Mara- one of Africa’s most venerated reserves and toast to your good fortune of being in Africa with a dawn hot-air balloon safari.

Day to Day Itinerary:

Day 1: Welcome to Uganda

Days 2 – 4: Meet the Gorillas

Days 4 – 5: Nairobi

Days 6 – 8: Masai Mara

Days 9 – 11: Flying north for the Wildebeest Migration Spectacle

Days 11 – 15: The magnificent Victoria Falls

Day 1: Touchdown in Uganda

Your journey continues to Uganda’s vast green swathe of rainforest that covers the Rift Valley Mountains. Gorilla trekking has contributed directly to saving the mountain gorillas from extinction and is an exceptional wildlife encounter that belongs on every bucket list. Explore this teeming ecosystem, home to the great apes and almost a dozen other primate species and about 350 bird species.

A regional flight will take you from Tanzania to Entebbe in Uganda. Overnight at The Boma Entebbe, a charming homestead set in tropical gardens in one of Entebbe’s leafy neighborhoods with views of Lake Victoria. The Boma provides modern comforts in a charming, 1940’s setting – expect warm hospitality and excellent food served in an elegant atmosphere.

Days 2 – 4: Meet the gorillas

Fly to Kihihi, where a road transfer delivers you to Mahogany Springs Lodge, your base for three nights. Set in a private concession within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – a World Heritage Site – Mahogany Springs Lodge makes the most of its stunning location, providing luxurious cabanas. Bwindi is the foremost destination for gorilla trekking and boasts a 95 percent success rate for its treks. Professional guides lead you into the emerald heart of the rainforest, searching out the great apes for an unforgettable encounter with these gentle giants in their natural habitat. In addition to your trekking permit, a visit to the local Batwa Pygmy community is included in your stay, along with guided scenic walks to admire the dramatic mountain ranges with their volcanoes, hidden valleys, waterfalls and lakes.

Days 4 – 5: Nairobi

From Victoria Falls to Nairobi, where you check into Hemingways Nairobi. Overlooking the Ngong Hills in the tranquil neighborhood of Karen, this luxurious boutique hotel is a haven of elegant charm, complete with personalized service and a relaxed atmosphere.

There is plenty to do and see in this vibrant capital. Nairobi National Park is known for its serval cats, giraffe, buffalo and leopard. To learn more about conservation, or to get up close and personal with some game, it is an easy trip to the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage or AFEW Giraffe Centre. You can also visit the Karen Blixen Museum to see how pieces from the life of the Out of Africa author.

Days 6 – 8: Masai Mara

Follow the great herds and head for the Masai Mara, one of Africa’s most venerated reserves. Here, you set up home at Saruni Wild. Situated in a picturesque valley in the northern conservancy of the Masai Mara, this tented camp is a tranquil bush retreat ideal for those yearning to reconnect with nature. Comprising just three tents, exclusive use of the camp for your family or friends is easily arranged, which also means private 4×4 access and expert Maasai guides for a truly memorable African safari.

The magnificent valley has a thriving resident population of elephant, giraffe, buffalo and impala as well as leopard and wild dog. Game viewing in the Mara North Conservancy rivals that of the central region with the added bonus that you are unlikely to see any other vehicles, and night drives are permitted which could lead to encounters with elusive species such as genet and white-tailed mongoose. Track animals and learn specialised bush skills passed down from generations of Maasai warriors. Walking safaris individually tailored to your interests and fitness level takes you through the forests, springs and mountains of this pristine wilderness.

Days 9 – 11: Flying north for the Wildebeest Migration Spectacle

Staying in the Masai Mara and the Saruni family, you make your way to Saruni Mara, located in a private conservancy bordering the Masai Mara National Reserve and an ideal base from which to witness the annual wildebeest migration. Based on a close partnership with the local community and built in a hidden valley to exacting environmental standards, Saruni Mara is far removed from everyday life and designed to blend in with its dramatic surroundings.

This intimate lodge offers many opportunities to view animals up close and is perfect for romantic or adventurous honeymooners. Get up early in the mornings to go on guided game drives to exclusive, sole-use areas or join Maasai warriors on escorted bush walks and explore the nearby hills on foot. At the end of the day, relax in the Maasai Wellbeing Space, a private treatment spa hidden in the valley’s olive and cedar forest.

To toast your good fortune of being in Africa, a dawn hot-air balloon safari is included in your itinerary. Enjoy basking in the sun’s rays as the creep over the horizon, waking the animals and making for another beautiful day in Kenya…

Days 11 – 15: The magnificent Victoria Falls

Today you fly to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, where you will be transferred to Tongabezi Lodge, which offers exceptional accommodation on the banks of the Zambezi River just upstream from the mighty Falls. Set under shady trees, Tongabezi mixes romance and exclusivity and makes for an excellent honeymoon or romantic holiday retreat.

You have the rest of today and two full days to enjoy all that Victoria Falls has to offer. Not for nothing is this known as Africa’s Adventure Capital: you can go white-water rafting down the Zambezi River or bungee jump from Victoria Falls Bridge. A flight over the Falls is included in your itinerary, as is a lazy sundowner cruise on the Lady Livingstone.

Other activities include Zambezi canoe trips, elephant-back safaris, game drives and market shopping. Be sure to take a walk to Victoria Falls to marvel at this incredible sight – peak flow is from March to May.

This marks the end of what we hope will be an adventurous trip- Thank you very much!!

Luggage

PLEASE be reminded that the luggage allowance on our inbound schedule flights is strictly 15KGS PER PERSON and that SOFT BAGS are highly recommended, if not essential. In light aircraft the baggage area and weight allowance is limited. Hard Samsonite type suitcases do not fit into the cargo compartment easily, if at all. Due to limited space available for storage in safari vehicles, we strongly recommend use soft duffle bags rather than hard suitcases.

Your contract

A binding contract will come into existence once Sun Africa Expeditions and yourself agree on the itinerary and quote provided for the same. The booking will then be considered confirmed when an invoice is issued. Your contract for the services chosen will be direct with the relevant supplier(s). Your supplier contact will be governed by the laws of the country in which the supplier is located and will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of that country.

Reservations, Payment and Deposits

When Sun Africa Expeditions has accepted your booking, the date of the confirmation invoice activates the terms and conditions of the contract. Confirmation of services is subject to payment of a non-refundable deposit of 15% of the total invoiced amount. The balance is to be paid not later than 30 days prior to commencement of the services. When bookings are made within 30 days prior to the departure date, full payment is required immediately on written confirmation.

All bookings are subject to availability at the time of booking and cannot be guaranteed except for scheduled departures.

Prices

Prices are quoted in US dollars. All prices are subject to change without prior notice. Should prices or costs from suppliers increase due to inflation, currency depreciation and fuel surcharges, then Sun Africa Expeditions will not have any other option than to pass on the same to you. All suppliers reserve the right to increase prices at any time of the year when costs increase outside the control of the supplier. Please note that when the clients’ itinerary overlaps two seasons, the price will be prorated over the two seasons.

Rates include but are not limited to the following services specified in the itinerary. Accommodation with meals, tours, transport, driver/guide, park entrance fees, hotel taxes and service charges.

Rates exclude (Unless otherwise specified), Medical Air Rescue services, Porter-age, domestic Air Charters, Visa fees, beverages, laundry, telephone calls, scheduled flights, gratuities and all expenses of personal nature.

NB: Flying doctor services are Optional at USD 25 per pax (Subject to change and vendor terms & conditions).

Child rate: – is only applicable to one or two children under 12 years sharing a room with 2 adults. In the case of 02 children sharing a room with parents, the two children will share a bed, as most hotels/lodges cannot accommodate a fourth bed. 01 child sharing a room with 01 adult will be charged full adult rate.

Single Room Policy

Single rooms are available at supplementary cost but the suppliers do not guarantee singles. Single rooms are scarce and cannot be guaranteed even if paid for at twin sole use rate. Where this occurs an appropriate refund will be made by the supplier to the client. Suppliers will only allow a maximum of 3 single rooms per group at a single room rate except for high end luxury camps where single rooms are limited to only 02 singles.

Cancellation Policy

Should you wish to cancel your confirmed booking, you must advise the company in writing.

Reservations that are cancelled, reduced in length of stay or reduced in numbers (hereinafter collectively called a CANCELLATION) are subject to Cancellation and No Show fees if cancelled within 30 days of the arrival date:

55 days to 41 days prior to arrival: 25%
40 days to 22 days prior to arrival: 35%
21 days to 15 days prior to arrival: 50%
14 days to 07 days prior to arrival: 65%
06 days to 03 days prior to arrival: 80%

Within 48 hours and after commencement of holiday: 100%. Once the holiday has commenced no refund will be made. The figures expressed are percentage of the total tour price.

Cancellation: Although it rarely happens, and Sun Africa Expeditions will do their utmost to avoid doing so. Sun Africa Expeditions must reserve the right to cancel tours and other arrangements. Where your holiday is cancelled (other than due to your default in payment) due to unavoidable circumstances beyond our control e.g. Natural disaster or over booking, Sun Africa Expeditions will offer you the choice of purchasing an alternative holiday.

Force Majeure

The expression “force majeure” means any event which the supplier(s) in question could not have foreseen or avoided even with all due care. Such events may include war or threat of war, riots, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, adverse weather conditions, government action and all similar circumstances outside the suppliers’ control. In these circumstances the suppliers shall not be liable to pay any compensation or otherwise be responsible for any expenses or losses you incur where supplier is forced as a result to cancel, delay, curtail or change your holiday arrangements in any way or where the performance or prompt performance of the supplier’s contractual obligations is prevented or affected. Complaints

In the unlikely event that a tour member has a dispute whilst on safari this must immediately be brought to the attention (and put on record) of the local representative, Hotel, Lodge or Camp management. It is likely that the tour member’s complaint will be satisfactorily resolved there and then. If, however, this is not the case and the tour member wishes to pursue the matter on their return from safari, it is essential the complaint be communicated in writing to Sun Africa Expeditions within 21 days of the end of tour quoting tour reference, destination and departure date.

Responsibility of Sun Africa Expeditions

Sun Africa Expeditions acts only as the Agent for the suppliers and shall not in any event be liable for any negligence, breach of contract or acts of omission on the part of suppliers, their employees or any other Agent, it shall be the responsibility of all customers including (without limitations) Tour members, Tour Operators and Travel Agents, to read and familiarize themselves with the terms and conditions of suppliers. Sun Africa Expeditions liability for its own negligence or breach of contract shall be limited to the Tour price.

Transportation

Safari Minibuses, Cars, Land Cruisers and coaches will be provided according to the route and number of participants. Sun Africa Expeditions reserves the right to employ services of sub-contractors. Multi-lingual driver guides are provided on request. For flying packages, clients will share vehicles with other guests booked at the hotel. For exclusive use, please check with Sun Africa Expeditions for supplements, which will be subject to availability.

Insurance

The hazards of travelling in Africa may inevitably rise to some risks and dangers. It is therefore a condition of booking that all tour members must have sufficient and appropriate travel insurance for the duration of their tour. Such insurance (which is not supplied by Sun Africa Expeditions) should fully cover all personal requirements including death, personal injury, medical expenses, and repatriation in the event of accident or illness, cancellation or curtailment of the tour members’ personal property.

Special Requests

Any special requests (e.g. for single rooms or particular diet) must be notified in writing when the booking is made. Whilst the supplier will endeavour to meet such requests they cannot be guaranteed and any failure to comply will not be a breach of contract.

Sun Africa Expeditions services include flight re-confirmation and airport assistance within Africa if clients are provided all services by Sun Africa Expeditions. In cases whereby Sun Africa Expeditions is providing part of the services and the clients have other arrangements of their own, then Sun Africa Expeditions will only reconfirm where forwarding address or contacts are provided.

Itineraries

Demand for safaris can be high and may lead to shortage of lodge/hotel accommodation. All bookings will be confirmed, but no occasions changes may be necessary. Hotels/Lodges/camps, here specifically named are given as an indication of the category and rooms may be reserved at similar lodges/ hotels/camps. We undertake to advise you of any changes known to us prior to departure, but the possibility of change without notice, must be acceptable when booking. Where ever possible we book rooms with private baths showers throughout on the basis of two persons sharing a double room. Single rooms are available at supplementary cost but neither single rooms nor rooms with private bath/shower can be guaranteed.

Safari minibuses cars, four wheel drive vehicles or coaches will be provided according to the route and number of participants. The right is reserved to employ the services of subcontractors. Multi-lingual chauffer/guides are provided. Occasional mechanical problems, changes of lodge or adverse road conditions may in turn lead to a change of routing or game viewing without prior notice being given. We reserve the right to offer substitutes of equal value or to cancel the operation of any tour. In practice, very few itineraries are affected but a little flexibility on your part will ensure the tour is unique and rewarding.

Website and Brochure Description

Descriptions of accommodation facilities and services in our brochures are shown in good faith, it is however possible that certain facilities or services may be unavailable or limited due to maintenance , adverse weather, local conditions, seasonal restrictions etc.

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this website/e-brochure at the time of printing, regrettably errors do occasionally occur. You must therefore check all details of your holiday booking with your travel agent or supplier at the time of presentation.

The company cannot therefore accept responsibility for any information not contained in this brochure, being confirmed verbally by its staff or representatives unless subsequently reconfirmed in writing by the company.