Africa
Wings Over Central Africa, 10 Days - From: $8,580
Kenya and the Congo Basin
Trip Summary
Enjoy a completely unique view of Africa in a ten day adventure that links the best of a classic Kenyan safari with the beauty and mystery of the central African rainforest. Begin in an intimate safari camp set in the heart of some of the greatest predator country in Africa, in the northern border of the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Here enjoy sweeping views of Kenya’s famous savannas from camp, and join experienced guides to explore diverse settings home to a staggering density of herbivores, and equally prolific predators. Next, step into the Congo Basin’s verdant rainforest which resonates with the chorus of African parrots and other wildlife. Accompanied by experienced Ba’Aka (pygmy) trackers, you’ll discover a hidden ecosystem home to rare habituated lowland gorillas, forest elephants colored by a natural rainbow of clay, huge flocks of grey parrots, and more.
Highlights
- Best of a Classic Kenya safari and the Masai Mara
- Explore Dzangha Sangha Ndoki National Park’s pristine rain forest, home to forest elephants, lowland gorillas, and the Ba’Aka (Pygmies)
- Dzanga Sangha operates as an eco-tourism and research center
- Tourism activities available in Dzangha-Sangha National Park include, gorilla trekking, observing forest elephants and going for a ride in a dug out canoe
- Weekly departures every Wednesday
Trip Details
Per Person Double Occupancy Price:
| Per Person, double occupancy | From: $8,580 |
Based on low season rates. Gorilla tracking permits are $325 per person per day. Guests must be 16 years or older to track gorillas. Minimum 4 guests. Weekly departures every Wednesday.
Departure Dates:
- Daily
Itinerary
Day 1
Wednesday
Nairobi, Kenya
On arrival in Nairobi from your international flight, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Lodging: House of Waine
Day 2
Thursday
Masai Mara, Kenya
Fly by scheduled charter to the Masai Mara. On arrival naturalist guides will meet you at the airstrip in four-wheel-drive safari vehicles for your first game drive en-route to your traditional East African tented camp. This afternoon’s game drive concludes with sundowners on the Mara River.
Lodging: Governors' Camp
Days 3 - 4
Friday and Saturday
Masai Mara, Kenya
Spend two days enjoying both morning and afternoon game drives. Take an optional balloon safari over the Masai Mara. Board your balloon and explore the Mara River by air. Flight altitudes vary between 20 feet and 100 feet above ground ensuring spectacular views and up close game viewing from the balloon. After your flight, enjoy a sit down breakfast in the middle of the Mara plains, before taking a game drive in search resident animals along the banks of the Mara river. This afternoon take another game drive, or an optional visit to a Masaai manyatta and learn how a biogas plant provides methane gas for cooking, and reduces pressure on surrounding woodlands and deforestation.
Lodging: Governors' Camp
Day 5
Sunday
Nairobi, Kenya
Return by scheduled charter to Nairobi and visit the AWF Conservation Center. This evening visit the Daphne Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage and Trust. The Trust has played an extremely significant role in Kenya’s conservation effort since it was founded in 1977, stepping in unobtrusively and rapidly to bridge a gap or meet a shortfall that jeopardizes wildlife during times of governmental economic constraints. There is an opportunity to adopt a baby elephant and learn more about how this important Trust is saving elephants' lives.
Lodging: House of Waine
Day 6
Monday
Bayanga and Dzanga-Sangha Ndoki National Park, Central African Republic
Today you will be met and transferred from your hotel to Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your commercial flight to Bangui. On arrival in Bangui you will be met and assisted onto a private charter flight to Bayanga. On arrival to Bayanga Airstrip, a representative from Doli Lodge will meet transfer you to the camp near the Sangha River. After settling into the lodge enjoy sunset on the Sangha River in dugout canoes (pirogues)before a festive welcome party followed by dinner at the lodge.
Lodging: Doli Lodge
Day 7
Tuesday
Dzanga-Sangha Ndoki National Park, Bai Hokou Research Camp
Early this morning after breakfast depart for Bai Hoku research camp (approximately 1 hour drive). On arrival at Bai Hoku depart with the tracking team that consists of a Ba’Aka pygmy tracker and WWF researcher. The team follows the traces the gorillas have left while moving and feeding. The pursuit can be strenuous as gorillas can sometime cover significant distances before finding a fruit tree of choice. Tracking can take one to two hours before establishing contact with the western lowland gorillas. Encountering the gorillas cannot be guaranteed. The opportunity to trek Mangabeys is also available.
Lodging: Doli Lodge
Day 8
Wednesday
Dzanga-Sangha Ndoki National Park
The day begins with a visit to the Ba’Aka villages, where Ba’Aka people join you in your vehicles and accompany you into the heart of the forest. Experience the rainforest with the people who know this fascinating ecosystem best, and watch their traditional hunting and gathering methods with nets and baskets. After lunch, set off along elephant paths, through cool shallow sand streams and clouds of butterflies, until you reach the top of an observation platform that looks out over a natural salt lick frequented by scores of forest elephants who exhibit wonderful interactive behaviors.
Lodging: Doli Lodge
Day 9
Thursday
Dzanga-Sangha Ndoki National Park and Bayanga
Today return to the bai to observe the Forest Elephants in the morning light. Following lunch back at the lodge, head out to learn about the extraction of palm wine. Later, set off to get a glimpse of daily life in Bayanga on a guided visit to this small fishing village. People are more than happy to show you around in their small shops. The local bar has a nice view over the Sangha River and is a good place to watch passing skilled canoe-men (piroguiers) standing upright at the stern of the boat.
Lodging: Doli Lodge
Day 10
Friday
International Flights Home
Transfer to the airstrip for your private charter flight to Bangui Airport. On arrival in Bangui, you will connect with a commercial flight to Nairobi departing at 1:20pm. On arrival in Nairobi connect with international flights home.