10-Nights A&K Sanctuary Safari in Kenya and Uganda - A&K Sanctuary Circuits — CALL

1 Arrive Nairobi, Kenya

A bush flight from Nairobi takes you to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, in the picturesque foothills of Mount Kenya. This sprawling 140-square-mile wildlife haven that boasts an impressive game-to-area ratio, topping the charts of Kenyan parks and reserves. Within its vastness, Tambarare Camp provides an unpretentious yet luxurious home base, its 10 tents beckoning with earth-hued canvas, billowing white curtains and teak floorboards — an essay in easy-going, sunlit brightness. Settle in and head out for some afternoon game spotting.

What sets the Ol Pejeta Conservancy apart is its dedication to the conservation of endangered species, particularly the rhinoceros. Home to the fastest-growing population of rhinos in Africa, the conservancy is a beacon of hope for these majestic creatures. During your stay here, visit the Conservation Center and meet Baraka, the blind rhino who is the conservancy’s Conservation Ambassador, and learn more about the plight of these magnificent creatures.

This morning, set out early to take in the sunrise as wildlife begins to stir. Game drives are always a treat at Ol Pejeta and the list of likely encounters includes elephants, reticulated giraffes and, with a little luck, some of the conservancy’s lions. Have lunch back in camp, then take some time to kick back with a book or a drink before setting out in the afternoon for your second game drive of the day.

Kenya’s Maasai Mara, the next stage of your adventure, is virtually synonymous with safari – surely among the most scenically lovely, biologically diverse and culturally rich regions in Africa, and the scene of one of the most astonishing wildlife spectacles anywhere on earth, the annual Great Migration. Amid this dizzying swirl of natural beauty and drama, Olonana Lodge is a hideaway of rare elegance and serenity, presiding over a prime position on a private stretch of the Mara River. Take to the plains for your first game drive here this afternoon.

Start your day early with a hot beverage before joining your guide for a morning game drive. Watch as the animals stir to life and start their day. Return for a late breakfast and some time to relax. Late in the afternoon, embark on an evening game drive which culminates with stunning views of the setting sun.

Set out on your game drives today and explore another slice of the Mara’s 500 square miles of savannas, woodlands and tree-fringed rivers. You may observe crocodiles basking in the sun, see ever-alert hippos wallowing in muddy water and perhaps catch the antics of a mischievous monkey overhead. Watch, too, as African elephants rumble along the forest edge and giraffes snatch leaves from branches high above.

Entebbe is your waypoint between Kenya and Uganda, a laid-back waterside town with palm-fringed promenades lapped by Lake Victoria. Hotel No. 5 enhances these charming surroundings with its own style and comfort. The hotel has been completely cocooned by a well-maintained garden, yours to enjoy from your private terrace or balcony.

A mist-topped tangle of treetops, strangling roots and coiling ferns, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of the richest, oldest and most diverse rainforests in the region. Among its 120 species of mammals are over 300 mountain gorillas – half the world's wild population — some habituated to allow visitors to observe them. Gorilla Forest Lodge, located near the westernmost edge of the national park, is unrivalled as a base from which to set off in search of these magnificent creatures. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring the outside in; veranda-like decks provide a compelling sense of not merely looking at the forest but existing within it.

Fuel up with an early breakfast before joining your gorilla guide, who leads you into the forest to find the forest’s most famous residents. The trekking may be strenuous — six hours or longer is not unheard of – but the reward is worth it: the chance to observe wild mountain gorillas from just yards away, with no bars or barriers. Spend an hour in the company of these magnificent creatures as they forage, play or simply lounge amid the greenery, their affinity to humans apparent in every interaction and glance. Return to the lodge and relax or, if time allows, go on a forest or community walk with your guides.

Return to the forest for a second encounter with a gorilla family. Time permitting afterward, discover the history of the Batwa people, traditional keepers of the forest, on an excursion with a Batwa guide, visiting their homestead and learning their traditional hunting techniques.

Return to Entebbe and relax in your dayroom until departure.