Kenya-Uganda Expedition

Join our specialized overland team and other adventurous travellers as we head East from Nairobi with our fully equipped overland vehicle, through Lake Naivasha National Park and then across the border into Uganda. We will be based near Jinja, the enigmatic source of the River Nile and your home for the next 10 days whilst our team will be re-building and refurbishing local rural schools and village facilities. From Jinja you will return to Kenya and continue South to the Masai Mara where our group will camp amongst Big 5 and hopefully await sightings of the start of the Great Migration.

Expedition Highlights

• Refurbish a local Ugandan village school and local rural community facilities whilst camping near the source of the Nile.
• Immerse yourself in the warmness of local Ugandan culture and make an impact on local communities.
• White water raft from the source of the timeless Nile River in beautifully mountainous Uganda.
• Travel to the world famous Masai Mara for camping amongst the Big 5 and sightings of the Great Migration.

Please note

Please note that local builders and our Pathfinders project staff will supervise all the community work. We will set certain goals for the refurbishment work, which we will expect all the passengers to take part in achieving. Whilst Pathfinders will make every effort to supply our passengers and experienced staff with all the equipment that is required to make this trip as comfortable and enjoyable as possible, it is necessary that you have an above average level of physical fitness and ability to cope in warm weather if you wish to take part in this expedition – as well as a very real sense of adventure and a sense of humour when it comes to camping out in the bush and in wilderness areas!

Daily Itinerary

• 4th July (Day 1): Arrive at Nairobi Airport where you will be met by a Pathfinders representative and taken to your campsite and group meeting area. Once the whole group is assembled our guides will present you with important orientation information and further details relating to your expedition.
• 5th July: Today our journey will take us up onto the edge of the breathtaking Rift Valley, where we can stop to take in the impressive scenery and to barter for some Kenyan souvenirs. Continuing northwards we will enjoy great views of Mount Longonot until we finally reach Lake Naivasha. The wildlife around the lake is dominated by plains game, which we can enjoy seeing in this beautiful part of Kenya along whilst partaking in optional activities such as hippo safaris, fishing, horse riding safaris, game walks in the beautiful crater lake reserve or mountain biking in the scenic Hell's Gate National Park.
• 6th July: More exploration of Lake Naivasha.
• 7th July: We head off from Naivasha to Eldoret en route to Uganda. We will stop for the night at Naiberi River Camp, just outside Eldoret.
• 8th July: We leave early and cross the border into Uganda, where the landscape changes dramatically. Red soils and tropical vegetation dominate the surroundings and massive forests overhang the road. We should reach Jinja by lunchtime, when we will set up camp near Bujagali Falls on the River Nile. High on its banks we will be spoiled with an amazing view of the mighty river that finds it source only a few kilometers upstream in Lake Victoria.
• 9-17th July: The next few days will be filled with experiences unique to this delightful corner of Africa. Here we will have the opportunity to get involved with Soft Power, a non-profit organisation doing building and refurbishment work in the schools in the local rural community. Our collaboration with this local charity means that you will be welcomed to assist with their vital school and community refurbishment work, or even just to spend time with the children at one of the orphanages they are involved with.
• 18-20th July: The next couple of days are for you to explore the local sights and tourist activities at your leisure. We will visit the source of the Nile and indulge in the unbelievably sweet pineapples and mangoes from the local market. This is the adventure capital of East Africa with a range of optional activities to excite the senses and get your adrenaline going. To name a few there is Grade 5 white water rafting and kayaking on the Nile itself; bungee jumping and a four wheeler tour of the rural communities settled along the banks of the Nile
• 21st July: Depart Jinja and head for Kisumu in Western Kenya where we will overnight before beginning our drive through the Masai Mara the following day. 22nd July: Arrive in the Maasai Mara with your binoculars ready and eyes peeled for first sightings of the Big 5 or the starting line-up of migrating wildebeest across the Serengeti River to the South. We will be camping near a river on these wildlife-filled plains.
• 23-24th July: Our guides will take you through the Masai Mara National Park were Big 5 sightings are not uncommon, and at this time of the year you should have the privilege of seeing the start of the Great Migration, as animals in the hundreds of thousands cross into the Park from Tanzania to the South. You will also have the chance to take to the air in a balloon ride that offers 360-degree aerial views over the magnificent savannah plains.
• 25th July: Depart from Maasai Mara and head for Nairobi. Shop for curios and prepare to bid farewell to Kenya… Fly home this evening or on the following morning.

Please note

Please note that local builders and our Pathfinders project staff will supervise all the community work. We will set certain goals for the refurbishment work, which we will expect all the passengers to take part in achieving. Whilst Pathfinders will make every effort to supply our passengers and experienced staff with all the equipment that is required to make this trip as comfortable and enjoyable as possible, it is necessary that you have an above average level of physical fitness and ability to cope in warm weather if you wish to take part in this expedition – as well as a very real sense of adventure and a sense of humour when it comes to camping out in the bush and in wilderness areas!

Cost Includes

• Project Fee: this entails financing that will cover all expenses for the refurbishment of the schools and community facilities. In this way Soft Power and the local community will not incur any costs for the development process.
• 3 meals a day for your 22-day trip. Although a trained cook will be provided, you may be expected to participate in food preparation from time to time, and will be organised into groups to do this.
• All accommodation for the duration of your expedition.
• Masai Mara camping experience, including Parks entry fees and game viewing drives.
• All transport and transfers within Kenya and Uganda, including airport pick-ups and drop-offs.
• Assistance in your projects by various Pathfinders staff and coordinators. Full support from
• Pathfinders and your expedition leaders throughout your time on your Kenyan and Ugandan travels.
• Use of our fully equipped overland safari vehicle.

Cost Excludes

• International flights to/from Nairobi, Kenya
• All items of a personal nature, such as curios, gifts, clothing (work and other).
• Email/Internet and telephone calls.
• Soft drinks, wines and spirits.
• Meals taken in restaurants by choice.
• Any pre or post expedition travels over and above your planned itinerary in Kenya or Uganda e.g. visit to the Mountain Gorillas, Serengeti, Mount Kilimanjaro etc.
• Visa costs, travel and medical insurance* (emergency air-evacuation cover compulsory)

* Note: Medical insurance cover, with emergency air evacuation, is essential.