Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant and Rhino Nursery
The following is a list of some of the excursions available in the areas through which you travel. Not all of these are available while doing your trip, but we’ve included them as they can be done before or after your trip and are useful when preparing your budget. Please note these prices are to be used as a guide only as they are approximate and are subject to change without notice. Bear in mind that if you’re planning on doing an excursion that is away from your base you may have to pay an additional transfer fee.
If you’re planning on doing these excursions before your trip, these can be arranged through the accommodation we pre-book for you. If you’re planning on doing them after the trip, the Trip Leader or accommodation we pre-book for you should be able to arrange them for you. All excursions you wish to do while on the trip can be organised by the Trip Leader.
KENYA
NAIROBI
· Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant and Rhino Nursery
Entrance - US$ 15.00 per person
Located on the edge of the Nairobi National Park, this is a must see. Daphne Sheldrick was the first person to perfect a milk formula for hand rearing African Elephants. Here orphaned elephants and rhino are hand reared and rehabilitated for re-introduction to Kenya’s National Parks. Get to watch the feeding of these beautiful (and sometimes cheeky) baby giants.
Not available on your trip, but can be done if you spend some extra time in Nairobi.
· Giraffe Centre
Entrance - US$ 25.00 per person
Located on the grounds of the Giraffe Manor in Langata, it is home to some of the rare Rothschild giraffes. From a raised circular deck, you are afforded the opportunity to feed these graceful animals with specially prepared pellets.
Not available on your trip, but can be done if you spend some extra time in Nairobi.
· Karen Blixen Museum
Entrance – KSH 1000.00 per person
Located on the outskirts of Nairobi, this museum was home to the pioneer coffee farmer, Karen Blixen of “Out of Africa” fame. It has beautiful grounds and has been restored to provide a reflection of early settler life in Kenya.
Not available on your trip, but can be done if you spend some extra time in Nairobi.
· Nairobi National Park - Half Day Tour (Minimum 2 people)
US$ 125.00 per person
Nairobi is the only city in the world, which neighbours a natural game protection area, harbouring over 100 species of mammals. The 113km2 Park located in the city centre is Kenya’s first National Park. It borders the traditional South Kapiti Plains and Kitengela Migration Corridor and attracts a range of exciting game. It is a seasonal park but most of the game like Kenya's indigenous Black Rhino, live in the protection of the Park year round. Herds of plains zebra, wildebeest and eland enter the park during the great migration in July and August to enjoy the rich grazing until the next rains come. In recent years a unique trend has been recorded - with increasing frequency a cheetah has successfully raised 7 cubs in the Park. It is the site of President Daniel Arap Moi's dramatic ivory bonfire, when, in 1989, he torched 10 tons of ivory worth KSH60 million, in a bid to eliminate the mass slaughter of Africa's elephants for their tusks. The site is near the main gate of the Park and bears a commemorative plaque with the legendary words "Great objectives often require great sacrifices." Ironically, there are no elephants in Nairobi National Park!
Not available on your trip, but can be done if you spend some extra time in Nairobi.
MASAI MARA
· Masai Village
US$ 15.00 per person
Visit a traditional Masai Manyatta (family home) and catch a glimpse of a culture that has remained, largely, unchanged over centuries.
Available on all trips that visit the Masai Mara.
· Masai Warrior Dancing
US$ 10.00 per person
Sit by the fire in camp and watch the Masai Warriors perform their traditional dances while chanting their famous sounds.
Available on all trips that visit the Masai Mara.
· Hot Air Balloon Flight
US$ 550.00+ per person
This one hour early morning flight gives you a bird’s eye view over the magnificent Masai Mara. It’s followed by a delicious bush breakfast and a game drive which returns you to your camp.
Available on trips that visit the Masai Mara.
LAKE NAIVASHA
· Elsamere - High Tea
US$ 25.00 per person
Home to Joy and George Adamson of “Born Free” fame. It was here that they looked after various lions, including the famous Elsa. Delicious High Tea is available and can be enjoyed in the garden overlooking Lake Naivasha and surrounded by the black and white Colobus monkeys.
Available on all trips that visit Lake Naivasha.
· Hell’s Gate National Park
US$ 65.00 per person
This park has a wide variety of wildlife, birdlife and flora. There are no predators, so you are welcome to hike or hire a bicycle to explore the area.
Available on all trips that visit the Lake Naivasha.
· Crescent Island Sanctuary
US$ 40.00 per person
The island is accessed by a short boat trip. There is as a wide variety of wildlife, birdlife and flora. There are no predators, so you are welcome to hike around to explore the area.
Available on all trips that visit the Lake Naivasha.
Also available at Lake Naivasha – rates are per hour, confirm on arrival
· Horse Riding, Naivasha
· Boat Hire, Lake Naivasha
UGANDA
· Gorilla Trekking
US$ 600.00 per person plus U$65.00 for return transfers to site.
A wonderful, unique experience to see some of the 700 remaining gentle giants in their natural environment. The treks currently occur in Uganda, but this can change to either Rwanda or Democratic Republic of Congo should the local conditions dictate or trekking permits are not available.
Available on all trips that visit the Gorillas.
LAKE BUNYONI
· Canoe Hire
US$ 10.00 per person
Explore the waters of Lake Bunyoni.
Available on all trips that visit the Gorillas.
JINJA & KAMPALA
· Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
The price is subject to the number of people on each trip. Prices start from US$ 60 per person
Established in 1998 to care for chimpanzees confiscated or rescued from the pet trade. Make your own way to Entebbe. Travel by boat to this small island on Lake Victoria, where you’ll be given a brief talk about the chimps and the project. You’ll then get to wander along the raised platform where you can view these close relatives in their natural environment. Make your way back to Kampala and catch the shuttle to Jinja to meet the rest of your group. *Please note transfer fee for this activity are not included and will vary depending on the amount of participants.
Available on all trips that visit the Gorillas.
This activity can also be done before or after your trip when starting or finishing in Kampala.
· White Water Rafting on the Nile
US$ 160.00 per person
Spend the day at the source of the world’s longest river and experience some of the best rapids that white water rafting has to offer.
Available on all trips that visit the Gorillas.
This activity can also be done before or after your trip when starting or finishing in Kampala.
· Bungee Jump
U$ 120.00 per person
This Half Day trip sees you plunge 44m down to the source of the Nile. This has to be one of the most visually impressive bungee jumps in the world.
Available on all trips that visit the Gorillas.
This activity can also be done before or after your trip when starting or finishing in Kampala.
· Raft and Bungee Combo
U$ 200.00 per person
Plunge 44m down to the source of the Nile. Spend the rest of day experiencing some of the best rapids that white water rafting has to offer.
Available on all trips that visit the Gorillas.
This activity can also be done before or after your trip when starting or finishing in Kampala.
· Quad Biking
From US$ 100.00 per person (2-4 hour trips available)
Spend a couple of hours driving yourself over some of the most beautiful terrain in the world. No previous experience necessary as training is given before each trip.
Available on all trips that visit the Gorillas.
This activity can also be done before or after your trip when starting or finishing in Kampala.
· Horse Riding
From US$ 60.00 per person (2-3 hour trail rides)
Make you way to the ranch in Jinja and explore the banks of the Nile on horseback. Make your way through the villages and the experience an up close and personal encounter with the locals. No previous experience is necessary; horses are available for beginners and the experienced. Make you way back to Jinja camp to meet the group.
Available on all trips that visit the Gorillas
This activity can also be done before or after your trip when starting or finishing in Kampala.
· Softpower Community Project
Donation Suggested - US$ 35.00 per person
Started in 1998 to create a stimulating environment for learning and play. You’ll get to spend the day helping out by doing things like teaching the kids a nursery rhyme or laying a floor. Check out their details on www.softpowereducation.com
Available on all trips that visit the Gorillas.
This activity can also be done before or after your trip when starting or finishing in Kampala.
TANZANIA
ARUSHA
· 3 Day Serengeti/Ngorongoro Crater Excursion
US$500.00 per person
The Optional Ngorongoro/Serengeti excursion takes us via the Masai town of Mtu Wa Mbu (Mosquito River) that lies adjacent to the Lake Manyara National Park and up the Rift Valley Escarpment to the higher lying village of Karatu. Karatu offers magnificent views over the surrounding hills and has many well established wheat farms that add to the picturesque panoramas. We spend the evening at a pleasant campsite in Karatu. The following morning we depart early for the Ngorongoro Conservation area and head into the wildlife rich Ngorongoro Crater. This World Heritage Site boasts some of the best game viewing in Africa – including the elusive Black Rhino.
After our game drive in the Crater, we head down the Crater rim and past the ‘Cradle of Mankind’ on our way to the Serengeti National Park. We cross the vast plains as we game drive through the southern and central areas in the park. Tonight we camp in the bushveld surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness. In the morning, we head off for another game drive and explore the landscape in search of the resident game. With some luck, we may see some of Africa’s ‘Big 5’!
After our morning drive, we head back across the plains and the lush Crater rim to our truck at Arusha, where we spend the evening musing over our thrilling wildlife experience.
Available on all trips that travel between Nairobi and Dar Es Salaam (Included on the NTN5 & NKTN8; NKTN10, ND15 & NV26 travel to the Serengeti in the Truck and the Crater by 4x4 vehicle – refer to trip dossier for outline of excursion)
· Olduvai Gorge
US$ 10.00 per person
Visit the “Cradle of Mankind” where evidence of early mankind existed up to 2.1 million years ago! Here you can visit the small museum and listen to the history of this archaeological site in the Ngorongoro Conservation area, where several fossils and remnants of early mankind items have recovered and are on display. There is also a replica of the first human foot prints!
Available on all trips that visit the Serengeti but is dependent on time available.
· Masai Village
US$ 10.00 per person (US$50 per group)
Visit a traditional Masai Manyatta (family home) and catch a glimpse of a culture that has remained, largely, unchanged over centuries.
Available on all trips that visit the Serengeti but is dependent on time available.
· Hot Air Balloon Flight
US$ 480.00+ per person
This one hour early morning flight gives you a bird’s eye view over the spectacular Serengeti. It’s followed by a delicious bush breakfast and a game drive which returns you to your camp.
Available on all trips that visit the Serengeti National Park.
ZANZIBAR
· Zanzibar Accommodation
From US$ 40.00 – US$60.00 per person per night
Accommodation is not covered by the Local Payment as it is our experience that half of the group would like to spend a couple of days diving in Nungwe and the other half would like to spend their time exploring magical Stone Town. Your Trip Leader can give you a few recommendations on where to stay
Available on all trips that travel through Dar Es Salaam.
This activity can also be done before or after your trip.
*If you don’t want to do this Optional Excursion, you will stay at your camp in Dar Es Salaam at no additional cost. It’s a lovely camps site, with excellent facilities. The Safari Cook will stay with you and prepare your meals. There aren’t many Optional Excursions available if you remain behind, but there’s a lovely beach for you to while away the days waiting for your group’s return.