A real life planet of the apes experience

Full-on adventure begins here - search for the Big Five in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, get hands-on community involvement at Jinja, meet Chimpanzees on Lake Victoria's Ngamba Island then head off to Dian Fossey’s mist in Rwanda’s Volcanoes NP searching out Mountain Gorilla and Golden Monkey. Dragoman Overland offer all of this and more during its 15-night Great Apes & Gameparks expedition, departing Nairobi 13th October 08.

Starting in cosmopolitan Nairobi, drop in at Langatta Giraffe Sanctuary before heading off to the Maasai Mara in search of big game. On to Jinja, where in line with Dragoman’s ethos of responsible tourism, travellers spend time helping maintain a school at their flagship community project. Here, camp high above Bujagali Falls with magnificent views of the Nile River - adrenaline junkies will have a chance to challenge some of the world’s most exciting white-water rafting.

Next, a boat trip to Ngamba Island in Lake Victoria to visit a Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Later, Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park, offers Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo, Lion (four of the big five) and stunning bird-life. Here, wild camping surrounded by Hippo, Elephant and Lion is the ultimate safari experience.

Travellers stay at Lake Bunyonyi and take dugout canoes (pirogues) across the serene waters to visit Muko Forest and local lakeside communities. For many the journey’s high point is Mountain Gorilla trekking in the stunning highlands of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. The area currently has four habituated groups, the largest being the Susa Group originally studied by Dian Fossey, comprising 35 members including 3 silverbacks and inhabiting Karasimbo Volcano.

The Trebize, Sabinyo and Amahoro are smaller, with 13 members in each group, each involving varying levels of trekking. Also endemic to the same bamboo habitat as the gorillas is Africa’s rarest primate, the Golden Monkey, and treks can be organised to view the park’s two habituated troupes. Return through high banana plantations, forests and beautiful rural hillsides to the bright lights of Kampala and conclusion of the journey.

The tour costs £540 p/p plus kitty US$380 (~£190) including transport aboard Dragoman Overland’s rugged but comfortable customised Mercedes Benz truck, camping and hotel accommodation (90%/10%) all camp meals, the expertise of Dragoman Overland’s two person crew and accompanying African camp master. Gorilla Permits cost £295 p/p and need to be purchased at time of booking trip. Flights are not included but are available through Dragoman Overland.

For more information and bookings, visit Dragoman.com.