Community Projects

Day 1 ::  Kampala – L. Mburo National Park //.. [4 Hours]

Depart at 07:30 hrs. Drive southwest to L. Mburo with a stop over break at the equator. Arrive for lunch.  Afternoon boat ride and trip to a fishing village, followed by evening game-drive. Lying in the one part of Uganda covered in extensive acacia woodland, Mburo has markedly different fauna to other parks and reserves. Lake Mburo is the best place in the country to see the gigantic eland antelope, as well as zebra, waterbuck, Klipspringer and the rare topi, impala, and several acacia – associate birds.   The five lakes within the park attract hippos, crocodiles and a variety of waterbirds, while fringing swamps hide secretive papyrus specialists such as the sitatunga antelope and red, black and yellow papyrus gonalek.  Mburo is the closest national park to Kampala and offers a refreshing stopover when travelling to or from the western parks and reserves. Dinner at the Mantana Tented Camp.

Day 2 :: L. Mburo  – Queen Elizabeth National Park //.. [ 3 Hours]

Breakfast is followed by a morning safari walk. Lunch at the Mantana Tented Camp, then drive through volcanic formations of the Western Rift Valley towards the Queen Elizabeth National Park. The descent reveals a stunning panorama of Lakes George and Edward amidst game-filled plains. Your first game-drive is en route to your lodge.  Dinner and overnight at the Mweya Safari Lodge, or similar.

Day 3 :: Explore Queen Elizabeth National Park //..

Early morning game-drive in the park, followed by mid-morning safari walk and lunch at the lodge. In the evening, proceed for a unique 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and into Lake Edward. The trip passes through possibly the highest hippo concentration in Africa and many mammals may be seen drinking at the water’s edge. The cruise offers an excellent platform for photography and game viewing. The birdlife is colourful and abundant. For dinner and overnight return to Mweya Safari Lodge that is beautifully situated on a bluff overlooking the Kazinga Channel and Lake Edward.  Queen Elizabeth National Park’s diverse Eco-system of grassy plains, tropical forest, rivers, swamps, lakes and volcanic craters is home to an incredible abundance of wildlife.  Game drives in this park, with the massive Rwenzoris as a backdrop provides excellent opportunities to see lion, leopard, giant forest hog, cape buffalo, elephants, defassa waterbuck, Uganda Kob, Topi and bush buck. These two game drives and the boat trip are a memorable method of discovering a vast array of Ugandan wildlife.

Day 4 :: Queen Elizabeth – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest //.. [5 Hours]

Early morning departure to Kyambura Gorge, visitors can climb through tropical forest and catch a glimpse of a variety of primates, including chimpanzee. Drive onwards through savannah grasslands seeing banana plantations and herds of Ankole cattle with their incredibly long curving horns. You then ascend into the Kigezi highlands, known as the “Switzerland of Africa”, with terraced farming and mountain scenery.  Check in at your camp in Bwindi and enjoy an afternoon off.

Day 5 ::  Bwindi Impenetrable Forest //..

After an early breakfast and a briefing by a ranger guide, enter the gorilla sanctuary for your adventure.  The beauty of this rain forest is spectacular.  The area offers dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense, but criss-crossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The time taken and the terrain vary with the movements of these great primates. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle and endangered giants is an awesome, exciting experience to be long savored. Many find it to be a rare and moving opportunity.

Day 6  :: Bwindi – Kampala //.. [9 – 10 hours]

Sadly return to Kampala with great memories of and moments spent with the fascinating Mountain Gorilla. You will have a stopover in Mbarara for lunch. We arrive at Kampala close to dinner time. Dinner and overnight: Kampala Serena Hotel.

Note:: We invite religious / medical / social work volunteers who wish to do community work / preach to stay for up to 2 weeks. We have already identified the needy women’s groups, local clinics, religious organizations, school(s), and youth groups in the area.
Good Manners for Gorilla Watchers
· Keep your voice down or be quiet. You will see and hear if you do.
· Don’t point or waive your arms- this can be seen as a threat. Move slowly.
· If approached by a gorilla, back away slowly to keep 5m separation.
· Don’t use flash, this could threaten the gorillas and bother other visitors.

Day 7 ::  Uganda – Kenya – Lake Nakuru National Park //.. [10 Hours]

Overland or by air to Kenya. Upon arrival, lunch is included on your way to Lake Nakuru National Park.  “Road Only” clients get a chance to visit the source of River Nile at Jinja, Uganda’s second largest town. Check  in at your lodge inside or outside the park for dinner and overnight. (Lake Nakuru Lodge or Sarova Lion Hill Lodge or Merica Hotel).

Day 8 ::  Explore Lake Nakuru N. Park //..

After breakfast proceed on morningand afternoon game drives, with warm lunch included. The Park is a home to stunning flocks of Lesser and Greater Flamingos, which literally turn the lakeshores in to a magnificent pink stretch. The bird life here is world renown and over 400 bird’s species exist here; white pelicans, plovers, egrets and marabou stork, etc. You may also spot White Rhino and the rare Rothschild’s Giraffe.
Dinner and overnight at Lake Nakuru Lodge or Sarove Lion Hill Lodge or Merica Hotel).

Day 9 ::  Lake Nakuru – Sweetwaters  Game Ranch //..                      (5 hours)

Depart at 7:30 a.m for Sweetwaters via Nyahururu for the view of the Thompson Falls. Stop over at the equator, before arriving in time for lunch. Afternoon game drive – cum – visit to the rescued chimpanzees’- and black rhino’s sanctuaries. Sweetwaters Tented Camp lies in the heart of this privately owned 24,000 acre ranch. With magnificent views across the wildlife studded plains to the snowcapped peaks of Mount Kenya it offers accommodation in nicely appointed tents, set under thatch, with en-suite facilities (shower and toilet) and private verandah. A visit to Sweetwaters would not be complete without a visit to see Morani, a tame black rhinoceros on the property. There is also a 200-acre chimpanzee sanctuary. The aim of the project, initiated by Lonrho East Africa, Kenya Wildlife Services and the Jane Goodall Institute, was to set up a colony where chimps could be introduced, rehabilitated and taught to fend for themselves in an area similar to their natural living conditions. Priority is given to orphaned and abused chimps. Dinner and overnight at Sweetwater’s Tented Camp.

Day 10 :: Sweetwaters – Samburu Game Reserve //..                       (4 hours)

After breakfast depart b road to the Samburu Game Reserve located in the rugged northern semi-desert region. Samburu Game Reserve is a wild and little-visited region, well known for spectacular scenery and wildlife not found in the south: Reticulated Giraffe, the rare Grevy’s Zebra with its large furry ears, the Gerenuk Antelope standing on its hind legs to feed, and the Somali Ostrich with their distinctive blue legs. Lunch upon arrival at your lodge then a game drive in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at Samburu Serena / Samburu Lodge  / Sarova Shaba Lodge.

Day 11 :: Explore Samburu National Reserve //..

Full day in Samburu with morning and afternoon game drives. You may see Eephants, Cheetah, Leopard, Eland, Oryx, Impala, Dik dik, Waterbuck and a variety of birds. This lava plains include a varied landscape of red dirt, thorn scrub, broken volcanic rock, dry riverbeds, steep hills and rocky outcroppings.

Day 12 :: Samburu Reserve – Nairobi  //.. [6 Hours]

After breakfast, drive south across the equator into Kikuyu farmland. Your desination is the Nairobi Safari Park Hotel, a 5 star hotel on the outskirts of Nairobi. After lunch relax at the hotel during your free afternoon. All meals are included.

Day 13 :: Explore Nairobi City //…

Morning departure to explore Nairobi on a city tour. Places to visit include the KarenMuseum, established in honor of the author of “Out of Africa” book, which was into movie in 1985, and Giraffe Center. Lunch will be served at a city center hotel and dinner at the Carnivore Restaurant. Overnight at the Safari Park Hotel.

Note :: We invite volunteers to stay up to 2 weeks. Volunteer community service can be offered in the medical, religious, and social work fields within the radius of 75 kms from Nairobi City. We have already identified the needy women’s groups, local clinics, hospitals, religious organizations, school(s), orphanages and youth groups in the area.

Day 14 :: Nairobi – Amboseli National Park //.. [4 Hours by Road / 1.5 Hours by Air]

Rise early to enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotl. Depart by road or by air to the Amboseli National Park. Upon arrival in Amboseli, proceed to your lodge for check in and lunch. No game drive is scheduled in the morning. There shall be only one game drive to start at 3:00 p.m in the afternoon. The park is famous for its breath-taking views of Kilimanjaro. It shelters more than 420 species of birds, enormous population of elephant and other big game, which are attracted to the area by springs fed from the melting snows of Mount Kilimanjaro. This game drive shall include a visit to an authentic Maasai Village. Return to your lodge, Ol Tukai lodge /Amboseli Serena /Amboseli Sopa Lodge, and enjoy a scrumptious dinner.

Day 15::  Kenya – Tanzania – Tarangire National Park //.. [5 Hours + 2 Hours]

After breakfast, drive to the border, possibly via Loitokitok, and cross into Tanzania. Lunch at Arusha, the mid-way point the distance across Africa from Cairo and Cape Town. After lunch, a one-and-a-half-hour drive brings you to Tarangire National Park. This afternoon you’ll be taken on a game drive through the park. Many of the animals congregate around the only source of permanent water in the park, the Tarangire River. This is the best place in Tanzania to see really big herds of elephant – up to 300 at a time. Stay overnight at the Tarangire Sopa Lodge, where all meals are included.

Day 16 :: Tarangire  – Lake Manyara  Park – Karatu Area //.. [2 Hours + 2 Hours]

This morning you will drive to the Lake Manyara National Park for a game drive.This park is famous for its herds of elephants and huge variety of birds. The forest area is a  place to see leopard on a lucky day, while lions hunt on the grassy shores of the lake. You shall have lunch at the Lake Manyara Serena Lodge, before continuing to Karatu Town for a cultural visit at a Kushite home. Finally check in before dark at your lodge, Gibb’s Farm or Ngorongoro Farm House, outside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Note :: At Karatu Town,  we invite religious / medical / social work volunteers who wish to do community work / preach to stay for up to 2 weeks. We have already identified the needy women’s groups, local clinics, religious organizations, school(s), orphanage, hospital and youth groups in the area.

Day 17 :: Explore the Ngorongoro Crater //.. [Full Day]

After breakfast, depart for a crater tour packed lunch. The crater is rich in wildlife and the day will be filled with sights and sounds of the wild echoing within the crater walls. Quite possibly the most famous of all Africa’s conservation areas, this is one of the places in Africa where you stand a very good chance of seeing the “Big Five”. Return to your lodge outside the Conservation Area, where the fairly lower altitude, compared to the Crater Rim, will ensure you sleep well.

Day 18 :: Ngorongoro – Olduvai Gorge – Serengeti National Park //.. [4 Hours]

After breakfast depart and drive via Olduvai Gorge to the Serengeti with a picnic lunch en route. Discover the archaeological history at Olduvai, where the Leakey family uncovered the fossil of Homo Habilis who lived 1.75 million years ago. We then proceed through the spectacular Serengeti plains to enjoy our lunch boxes at the Naabi Gate, before continuing on the endless plains. This afternoon we do our first ‘Jacko’ game drive in the park famed through out Africa and the world. The park has every variety of imaginable animals including Cheetah, Leopard, Lion, Rock Hyrax to Crocodiles and Hippo. Dinner and overnight at Serengeti Serena Lodge.

Day 19 :: Explore the Serengeti //..

“Haven for migrants”, the Serengeti National Park boasts the greatest concentration of larger animals on earth. Morning and afternoon ‘Jacko’ game drives are planned to explore Serengeti National Park in detail. You shall enjoy your booked Balloon Flight in the early hours of this day. However, depending on the position of the great wildebeest migration, we may advise you to wait till you get to the Masai Mara, Kenya.

Day  20 :: Explore the Serengeti //..

After your humble breakfast, depart for Kirawira Tented Camp in the Western Corridor. Game viewing en route, lunch and afternoon free. You shall enjoy the comfort of your fabulous tent as you wait for dinner and overnight.

Day 21 :: Serengeti-Zanzibar, Tanzania or Serengeti-Kenya–Masai Mara N. Reserve //.. [5 Hours]

After breakfast depart according to your pre-booked plan for a flight to Zanzibar for a 5night / 6days’ beach stay, or drive to Masai Mara, Kenya via Isebania Border Crossing. Arrive at Mara Serena Lodge in time for lunch, after which there shall be an afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight at Mara Serena Lodge.

Day 22 :: Explore the Masai Mara National Reserve //..

Morning and afternoon game drives are planned. The best Hot Air Balloon rides are available on this day at an additional cost. The Masai Mara is one of the greatest wildernesses of the world. It is the jewel of Kenya’s Game Park. This enormous Reserve, actually part of the vast Serengeti plains, is famously known for it’s spectacular great wildebeest migration and is a true home of the big five-Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Rhino and Cape Buffalo. Large mammals are varied, abundant and easy to see. Residents among the parks mammals are; Masai Giraffe, Buffalo, Impala, Zebra, Topi, both the Thomson’s and Grant’s Gazelles. In the evening, we relax around a campfire before an excellent dinner. Overnight at Mara Serena Lodge.

Day 23: :: Masai Mara – Nairobi or Masai Mara – Mombasa //.. [45 Min by Air or 1.5 Hours]

Wake up and enjoy a leisurely breakfast. There is no game drive on this day. In mid-morning, you shall be transferred to the airstrip for a flight to Nairobi to connect onto your home-bound flight. Lunch, a day room and airport transfers shall be provided. Or :: According to your advanced booking, you fly direct to Mombasa for a 5night/6days’ beach stay. We recommend Mbuyuni House at Msambweni, South Coast for your privatized accommodation, or just one of  the numerous nice beach resorts.

Days 24/25/26/27 :: Mombasa Beach Stay //.. [5 Nights]

Mombasa is the second largest town in Kenya and is located off the Indian Ocean Coast of Kenya. It is connected via a ferry to the southern side called Likoni, and a causeway to the north called Makupa. The culture and history of the people and town is remarkable. Kenyans of all ethnic and religious backgrounds can be found: native Blacks, Asians, Arabs, Europeans, who are Muslims, Christians, Hindu and Buddhists. Most of the time visitors to Mombasa have a difficult time grasping the fact that Asians and Arabs, who are all Africans, but not black, have been living on the East African coast for over 500 years. The history and organization on this tour helps put into perspective how all this came about.

Zanzibar has lured traders, adventurers, plunderers and explorers to its shores for centuries…The Assyrians, Sumerians, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Indians, Chinese, Persians, Portuguese, Omani Arabs, Dutch and English have all been here at one time or another. Some, particularly the Shirazi Persians and Omani Arabs, stayed to settle and rule.
With this influence, Zanzibar has become predominantly Islamic (97%) – the remaining 3% is made up of Christians, Hindus and Sikhs. The earliest visitors to Zanzibar were Arab traders who are said to have arrived in the 8th century. The earliest building that remains on Zanzibar is the mosque at Kizimkazi which dates from 1107, and is a present-day tourist attraction.

Note :: At the Coast,  we invite religious / medical / social work volunteers who wish to do community work / preach to stay for up to 2 weeks. We have already identified the needy women’s groups, local clinics, religious organizations, school(s), orphanage, and and youth groups within the radius of 75 kms from Mombasa City, Kenya and Tanga Town, Tanzania. This gives you two choices and/or chances in each of Kenya and Tanzania to do voluntary community work.

Day 28 :: Mombasa – Home bound flight //..

Depending on your international flight’s departure time, transfer to Moi International Airport in Mombasa for a domestic flight to Nairobi and connect without requiring a day room. Likewise, for members on Zanzibar Extension transfer to the airport on their due date and fly to Kilimanjaro Int’l Airport or Jomo Kenyatta Int’l Airport, Nairobi for their onward flight connections.