East African Expedition

*NB* - We are happy to provide transfers to and from the expedition whilst the expedition is already afoot. This is for the convenience of people who would only like to participate in certain sections of the expedition. Individual transfer fees are an added cost of US150 p\p

Week 1 – East African Bush Awareness (Lakipia, Kenya)

Early rise and off you go, this encounter with the untamed wild is the perfect introduction to the very essence of all that is Africa. Spending our days amongst the Big Five in the rolling savannas and sleeping at night in bush camps under dramatic skies, we will explore this wildlife haven under the supervision of our professional guide. We spend our time engrossed in various educational activities ranging from animal tracking to navigation, bush survival, and orienteering. Here, from the start, you will learn to appreciate and understand the diversity of the natural life that surrounds us.

Daily Itinerary (In Brief)*

• DAY 1: Transfer from Nairobi to El Karama; introduction to Kenya; orientation on how to prepare for a week in the bush; set up bush camp.
• DAY 2: Familiarisation of surrounding area; animal education; evening chat around the fire
• DAY 3: Sights & sounds of the bush; rope-traps practical; animal education; evening encounter with Samburu warriors; song and traditional dance
• DAY 4: Fire-making; tracking; afternoon tracking challenge; night walk
• DAY 5: Survival education; dangers and evasive action; finding water and food in the bush
• DAY 6: Preparation for night out of main bush camp. Fly-camp in bush; bush cooking lesson
• DAY 7: Debrief, pack and depart for next destination – Mount Kenya

*NB* Please note this daily itinerary is not fixed and varies from time to time depending on the seasonal conditions and nature of the team

What You Will Experience

• African Customs & Cultures
• Bush Awareness
• Survival
• Animal Tracking
• Navigation
• Big 5 Wildlife Experience
• Game / Wildlife Spotting Skills

Accommodation

Your accommodation will be in two-man canvas bow tents – true bush camping

Meals

All meals will be provided and will be prepared on an educational participatory basis

Week 2 - Mount Kenya Expedition

Africa's second-highest peak offers some of the most rewarding hiking on the continent. With striking scenery, abounding wildlife on its lower plains and challenging routes, hiking in this lofty and diverse paradise is a feast to the senses. Vertical cliffs, virgin valleys and cascading waterfalls will flank your trail as you explore the best routes on the mountain.

Daily Itinerary (In Brief)*

• DAY 8: Transfer from Lakipia to Mountain Lodge; nature walk through forest reserves to Mau Mau caves
• DAY 9: Hike to Old Moses Camp (3300m)
• DAY 10: Hike to Shipton's Hut (4200m)
• DAY 11: Acclimatization day at Shipton's Hut; walks to Peak area
• DAY 12: Early morning summit attempt of Pt Lenana (4985m); short descent to Mintos/Hall Tarn camp
• DAY 13: Descent to Meru Mount Kenya Cabins (3000m)
• DAY 14: Debrief and descent through Chogoria Forest to vehicles for transfer to Camel Trek

*NB* Please note this daily itinerary is not fixed & varies from time to time depending on the seasonal conditions and nature of the team

What You Will Experience

Mountaineering
Adventure Hiking

Accommodation

Your accommodation will be in comfortable mountain hiking huts

Meals

All meals will be provided and will be prepared on an educational participatory basis

Week 3 – Samburu Cultural Camel Trek

Venture into the harsh and spectacular wilderness of Kenya's Northern Frontier District where roads cannot take you. With a bizarre caravan of camels and your Samburu guides, you will enter an ancient landscape that is sure to grip your soul with its grandeur. A maze of seasonal riverbeds and steep-sided valleys break out into dramatic plains stretching beyond the horizon. This is the real Africa – home to the colourful and proud Samburu people, their livestock and an array of wildlife. You will see evidence of the elephant that share your trails, the spoor of the elusive leopard and the lonely howls of hyena at night. A weeklong trek through these northern frontiers will leave you utterly romanced by charm and fierceness of the so-called ‘Dark Continent’.

Daily Itinerary (In Brief)

• DAY 15: Transfers from Mt Kenya to Laikipia for first night bush camping with camels and local Samburu guides
• DAY 16-20: Depart before dawn on camel trek into Samburuland; spend five nights in Samburuland learning and indulging in the traditional culture and wildlife on your camel trek
• DAY 21: Pick-up from meeting point in Samburuland for transfer to Kampala, Uganda, for the most exciting and final leg of your East African Expedition

What You Will Experience

Survival
African Customs & Cultures

Accommodation

Your accommodation will bush camping in two man canvas bow tents. If you dare, you can sleep under the stars…

Meals

All meals will be provided and will be prepared on an educational participatory basis

Week 4 – Upper Nile River Expedition

This final leg of our East African Expedition explores (expedition style) the first 100kms of the River Nile, the world’s longest river, as it makes its way through the Ugandan highlands. Set in a colourful and unique corner of our African continent, typified by red earth and lush vegetation, this is an experience of a lifetime. You begin this exhilarating encounter with four days on some of the roughest commercial white-water in the world, taking kayaking lessons and trying your hand at river boarding. This is followed by two adventurous days on quad-bikes exploring the fascinating rural landscape as you make your way back through the valley in which this mighty river cuts its path.

Daily Itinerary (In brief)

• DAY 22: Pick-up in morning at Red Chilli Backpackers, Kampala, and transfer to campsite on Nile River
• DAY 23: First day on the River Nile - white water rafting, camping on Kadogo Island
• DAY 24: Rafting and river boarding; overnight at Hairy Lemon Island
• DAY 25: Kayaking lessons; overnight at Hairy Lemon Island
• DAY 26: Start of quad-bike expedition from Bujagali Falls; overnight at campsite
• DAY 27: Return on quad-bikes via dirt tracks to camp at Bujagali Falls
• DAY 28: Debrief; awards ceremony and return transfer to Red Chilli Backpackers, Kampala

What You Will Experience

• African Customs & Cultures
• White Water Kayaking / Rafting
• Quad biking

Accommodation

You will be bush camping in two-man canvas bow tents. If you dare, you can sleep under the star studded African night

Meals

All meals will be provided and will be prepared on an educational participatory basis