Hotel Boulevard

Harry Thuku Rd

Nairobi

Kenya

Tel:  +254 20 227 567

Fax:  +254 20 334 071

The Hotel Boulevard can be booked through the Kumuka office or your travel agent.

Please note: We are not able to match people up in twin share rooms.

If you do not pre book an arrival transfer then the best way to get to the Hotel Boulevard is via a local taxi firm at Nairobi Airport called Venture Africa. There is a circular wooden desk in the arrivals hall with the VENTURE AFRICA sign. It is easy to find, as Nairobi Airport is quite small. The transfer will cost you approximately USD$20. Ignore all the other taxi drivers who are shouting ‘Taxi! Taxi!’ and make your way to the desk. Kumuka passengers have been using Venture Africa for many years and it is a reliable, friendly firm.

The itinerary for this tour must remain flexible to allow the best chance of seeing the gorillas.

Nairobi to Lake Nakuru. We depart Nairobi at 7.00am to Lake Nakuru National Park. This journey goes via the Masai escarpment, which provides spectacular views of the Great Rift Valley. Lake Nakuru National Park is famous for its large population of pink flamingos, which featured in the movie "Out of Africa". Aside from flamingos, Lake Nakuru boasts a sizeable population of rhinos, both black and white. The more sociable white rhino is a common sight seen grazing on the open plains. However, its less sociable cousin, the black rhino, often remains hidden in the dense bush. Although not native to this park they were introduced here because the park offered good security from poachers, and they are being used in a breeding program to maintain and improve the rhino population and gene pool. This park also has lion, leopard, buffalo, plains game (gazelle, antelope, and giraffe) and a large diverse bird population, which was the original reason the park was established. We camp in the Park, which gives us the thrill of hearing the night sounds of some of Africa’s famous wild beasts.

Eldoret to Jinja. Leaving Eldoret we head for Uganda and our base at Jinja on the banks of the Nile River. Jinja is Uganda’s second largest city and is famous as the point where the Nile (officially the Victoria Nile) flows out of Lake Victoria and begins the 6695 kilometre journey to Egypt and the Mediterranean.

Jinja to Bunyoni. From Jinja we head out to the western part of the country where we see the gorillas. We set up camp at Lake Bunyoni and use this as a base for the gorilla visits.

Lake Bunyoni is a great place to spend a few days swimming, walking, canoeing (in traditional dug out canoes, not as easy as it looks!) whilst looking forward to your trip to the gorillas or reflecting on the time you have spent with them. The fact that permits to see the gorillas are restricted can mean that it will take a few days for everyone with permits to see them.

Bunyoni to Kampala. After enjoying peaceful Lake Bunyoni, we begin our drive back to Kampala. We cross the Equator for the second time and arrive in Kampala for a two night stay.

Kampala to Naivasha. We spend the next two days travelling through Uganda back to the Kenya border and towards Lake Naivasha which was briefly Kenya’s airport as flying boats from southern Africa stopped to refuel on their way north.

Masai Mara. From Lake Naivasha we head into the Masai Mara, one of Africa’s premier game parks. The Masai Mara has large herds of plains game (gazelle, antelope, and giraffe) which in turn attract large numbers of carnivores (lion, cheetah, hyena and the ever elusive leopard). In the Masai Mara we do two game drives, one evening drive and one early morning. In most national parks it is forbidden to drive at night so all game viewing is done as early and as late as possible to get the best conditions. Looking for game in a National park is not always easy. This is one of the advantages of using a truck, which gives us superior height, making it easier to see over the surrounding terrain.

Arusha. We depart Nairobi and enter Tanzania and the town of Arusha. Our route to Arusha takes us through more Masai tribal lands and along the western slope of Mt Meru. On this route it is also possible to see Mt Kilimanjaro. Be warned, Kilimanjaro is regularly covered by cloud.

Arusha is situated on the southern slopes of Mt Meru and was originally a coffee town. Safaris have now taken over as the town’s big earner. We will camp in Arusha for the night to prepare for our 4 day excursion off the truck into the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater.

Serengeti National Park. Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in the Serengeti National park. Expect an early rise in the mornings which give us the best opportunity to view game as they start their day, an unforgettable experience to watch Africa wake up! Afternoon game drives offer their own beauty and give you some amazing photo opportunities.

Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha. We descend onto the Crater floor for an early morning game drive in one of the most stunning natural wonders of the world. At 19Kms across and 600m deep this is the 5th largest crater in the world. It is a world heritage site and boasts a unique ecosystem. The crater itself reflects a mini rift valley. It has a soda lake with flamingos, fresh water, open plains, and a forest area. There is a high concentration of animals here, and it is also a home to a small population of black rhino. We spend around 4½ hours game driving around the crater.

After the excitement of the morning, settle back for the drive to Arusha where you will meet up with the truck and prepare for some well earned R&R on Zanzibar over the coming days.

Zanzibar. We travel to Zanzibar by ferry from Dar es Salaam and this journey can take up to 3 or 4 hours. Conditions are usually smooth but beware the occasional day with rolling seas.

Zanzibar is known as the Spice Island, which comes from the many different spices that were grown there by the original Omani settlers. A lot of spices are still grown on the island and make up a large part of the economy of the island. The island does have a more sordid past in that it was once a major slave trading port; and it is still possible to visit the site of the old slave trading markets. The town centre still shows a lot of its Arabic origins in its architecture. It’s fascinating to walk around the labyrinth of old buildings and walled streets. For the beach lovers you can go out of the town and spend some relaxing time on the isolated beaches. There are spice tours that take in all manners of exotic fruits and spices and you can sample many of the tastes and smells first hand. Just off the coast of the old town is Prison Island, where there is a population of giant land tortoises who are happy to share their stretch of beach. We will spend 4 days on the island, generally split between 1 night in Stone Town and 3 nights on the Coast where accommodation with breakfast is included however all other meals will be at your own expense during this time.

We recommend that you budget around U$200-$300 for your stay on Zanzibar to cover food, transport around the island, optional tours, accommodation upgrades, drinks and souvenirs. Please note that this is a recommendation only as different passengers have widely differing spending patterns.

Dar es Salaam to Iringa. From Dar es Salaam we cross southern Tanzania into Malawi. The route takes us through the Mikumi National Park. This is not an excursion, but, fortunately for us, the road actually passes right through the centre of the park, and it is possible to see numbers of giraffe, antelope and elephants. It is interesting to note that these elephants are very small in stature, which is attributed to the decimation of their gene pool due to poaching.

Kande Beach to Chipata. Leaving the beautiful beaches of Malawi behind we will head towards the Zambia border camping for the night before crossing into Zambia tomorrow. This is a driving day with no activities planned.

Livingstone. Today is yours free to partake in many of the activities available from the Zambian side of Victoria Falls. It is highly recommended that you take the time to view the "Falls" from this side of the border to gain a different perspective

Victoria Falls. Two full days to enjoy the many activities available including the option to do an evening river cruise on the Upper (above the falls) Zambezi River, which takes about 3 hrs with drinks included.

On the Zimbabwe side there are a wide variety of optional activities, the most famous being White Water rafting on the Lower Zambezi. This excursion takes a full day and has 14 plus rapids none below grade 4 (rapids are graded from 1 to 6). Please note that at certain times of the year the rafting may be restricted or even closed due to high water levels (March – May). Bungy jumping is also an option for all those who wish to throw themselves 111 metres head first off a perfectly good bridge. Another optional activity is Jet Boating, imported and improved on from New Zealand. Various flights are on offer, including light fixed wing aircraft, helicopter, microlight and ultralight, all offering wonderful viewing of the falls. As well as these, there is horse riding, elephant riding and canoeing, not to mention a walk to the falls themselves. Videos and still photographs are available for purchase of most activities, and are a great reminder of your adrenaline filled visit to the mighty Victoria Falls and Zambezi River

Please note that there will be a change of vehicle and crew in Victoria Falls. There may be some passengers leaving the tour here and you may be joined by new passengers.  

NB Please note that entrance (approximately 20 USD) to Mosi oa Tunya (Victoria Falls) National Park is not included in your tour price.

Okavango Delta.  From Chobe we will drive along the edge of the Makgadikgadi pans to the town of Maun. We will stop in town to restock and prepare for our trip into the Okavango Delta. The Okavango Delta is formed by the Okavango River, which flows into the desert and disappears as it fans out to form the Delta.

We go into the ‘the Delta’ for 3 days (2 nights) and camp in the bush usually on the banks of one of the many fresh water channels that give life to the flora and fauna. Our method of transport is 4 wheel drive vehicles and Makoro (meaning ‘dug out canoe’ in Setswana).  The Makoros are traditionally made of wood but as they come to the end of their serviceable life, fibreglass canoes are now replacing them. These are not quite as authentic but building the old canoes uses a whole tree and the environment is beginning to suffer. Each makoro is piloted by a ‘poler’, who helps set up camp & take guided bush walks. He/she will always be ready for a chat and a cup of tea with you around the fire. This is a wonderful opportunity to spend an extended amount of time with people who were born and grew up in this part of the world.

We take all our own equipment and food and bring it all back out (including the rubbish), showing our understanding of the fragility of the Delta. The Okavango Delta region is one of the world’s last remaining true wilderness areas and is home to a vast amount of animals. It is possible to take some walks to try to see them or, if you are lucky, they will wander pass close to camp. As you retire to your tent for the night, the sounds and smells of the African bush will leave an indelible mark on your senses like no other.

Otjitotongwe Cheetah Park & Swakopmund.  About 150 kms south of Etosha we spend the night at the Otjitotongwe Cheetah Park. What makes this farm unique from other farms in the region is that this farmer has allocated 2,000 acres of the family property to be used for breeding cheetah. This has not really endeared them to all their neighbours, who are predominately livestock farmers; hence the area is fenced off. Although it’s not the ideal way to view these animals (through a fence) they do have 2,000 acres and it is rare to get so close to them. Highlights include his over excitable son feeding them by hand (something that shouldn’t be missed, while he still has a hand) and sitting amongst the few that are hand reared and therefore tame. These young tame cheetahs were abandoned when they were young and consequently cannot be let to run with the other cheetah. They usually allow us 30 minutes with these animals and it is quite an experience to have cheetah walking amongst us.

From the cheetah farm we go to the small coastal town of Swakopmund. Our route to this town takes us to the Cape Cross seal colony. This colony varies in number from 20,000 to 100,000 in breeding season. Regardless of the season it is always possible to get a close look at lots of seals. Seals eat a lot of fish and so getting close to so many of them does mean that the smell is quite strong. Stench withstanding it is well worth a visit, but we do lunch further down the road.

The town of Swakopmund is situated on the Atlantic Ocean and is a German colonial town in the middle of a desert. It has some wonderful old German buildings of which one of the most beautiful is the prison (it is still used as a prison). The town itself is generally cool as a mist created by the cold air off the Atlantic mixing with the hot air of the desert, which is why the Germans chose this area to build the town, covers it.

There are lots of optional excursions to do in Swakopmund including dune biking on quad bikes over the sand dunes, sand boarding, scenic flights, and game fishing. The town itself proves popular on our tours as it has lots of clubs, restaurants, casino and even an authentic German bakery.

Orange River And Stellenbosch.  On the border with South Africa is the Orange River where we have the option of doing a four-hour canoe safari from our oasis-like campsite. Our journey then takes us to Stellenbosch via the serene Cederberg mountain region. Stellenbosch is the heart of South Africa’s wine growing region and it’s here that we visit some wineries to sample the local flavours. From Stellenbosch we take a short drive to Capetown where our trip finishes. The tour will end at approx midday on the last day.

NO accommodation is included on Day 63.

Please be aware that arrival times and the itinerary may change due to unforeseen delays or events such as festivals and public holidays. However, we shall endeavour to ensure all sites are visited and that your tour runs as smoothly as possible but please note that Africa does not run like clockwork, therefore do not expect the streamlined travel arrangements associated with some other continents. Things do not always go to plan; there will be times when you will need to be patient and philosophical about your travels. Conditions in Africa can vary dramatically; for example, whilst we always try to use the best campsites, there is a big difference between those found in Eastern Africa to those found in Southern Africa, which are generally better.

Be flexible, you will enjoy your tour much more. Kumuka makes a point of visiting the indigenous populations of each country you visit, in order to give a true reflection of the country; please treat the local people and their customs with respect.

Lastly, your tour leader is always conscious of everybody's views, but sometimes he/she will have to make an unpopular decision and your understanding will be appreciated in these circumstances.

Your passport is a valuable document and you should exercise extreme care in keeping it safe.

We recommend that you keep your passport on you at all times, preferably in a money belt that is worn under your clothing. We advise that you take copies of relevant pages in your passport and any visas that may have been issued prior to arrival in case of loss or damage.

Your tour leader will require your passport details at the pre-departure meeting. Again, we recommend that you have a photocopy of all passport details, kept separate. Your passport must be valid for six months after the END of your tour or 12 months if entering Uganda, and must have one blank page for each country to be visited. 

NOTE:- If visiting South Africa it is a government requirement that your passport have TWO blank consecutive pages.

The following information is a guideline only.  Kumuka Worldwide are not medical professionals and we strongly advise you make an appointment with your GP or Traveller’s Medical Centre at least TWO months prior to your departure date.

Vaccinations:
You must have an International Certificate of Yellow Fever Vaccination if crossing borders within Africa and to enter Tanzania and Zambia.  Southern African countries i.e. South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe DO NOT need the International Certificate of Yellow Fever Vaccination if you are only travelling between these countries.

Compulsory Inoculations:
Yellow Fever if you are arriving from an infected area. Please refer to your GP or Immunization Clinic. To enter Tanzania and Zambia you are required to show proof of Yellow Fever vaccination.

Strongly Recommended:
Diphtheria, Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid, Meningitis, Hepatitis A & B, Yellow Fever.
These may vary from country to country, please consult your GP or local Travel Clinic.
- A dental check-up prior to travelling.
- That you know your blood group in case of emergency.
- That if you have any pre-existing medical conditions which might affect you on tour, you make these known to your tour leader and your agent/Kumuka at the time of your booking.

You can also visit www.kumuka.com for further details.

Medical Supplies:
Each Kumuka vehicle has a well-equipped medical kit that by law must remain sealed and can only be used in an emergency. We advise that all passengers bring along their own personal first aid kit. Below is a list of some recommended items:

Band Aids/Bandages, Laxatives, Upset stomach remedy, Anti-diarrhea remedy, Panadol/Aspirin, Rehydration remedy, Antiseptic cream/powder, Sterile dressing, Any relevant course of medication such as contraceptive pills.

A complete Travellers Medical Pack can be purchased at most Vaccination Centres, Chemists and outdoor travel shops.

As a general rule when travelling, it is worthwhile being prepared for all types of weather.  Keep a lightweight waterproof jacket/poncho – this should prepare you for all seasons!

For detailed climate information about the areas you are travelling to, please visit our website www.kumuka.com

You might like to read up on the destinations that you are about to visit as these cities all have interesting sites and histories. We recommend a variety of guidebooks such as Lonely Planet, The Rough Guide and Insight Guides. All these publications have good general information as well as more specific country information that will help orientate you in the countries you visit.

Please use your discretion and be sensitive to cultural differences in the countries that you visit, in particular visits to religious buildings and when taking photographs. Your Tour Leader will advise you of any specific customs to observe.

We suggest that you take into account the time of year you will be travelling, and pack accordingly to the season. Quick drying clothes are recommended, and at many campsites there are laundry facilities. Your tour leader will advise where this is possible.

Contrary to expectations it does get cold in Africa. Southern Africa, particularly South Africa and Namibia get quite cold at night between June and August. Mount Kilimanjaro will be cold at night all year round, due to the extreme altitude. You will need to bring your warmest clothes.

Personal Effects:
Torch (we recommend a head torch), camera & film, spare passport photos, water bottle, money belt, sewing kit, sunhat/sunglasses, discman/MP3 player, books, wet ones, tissues, soap to wash clothes, writing materials, swiss army knife, calculator, personal toiletries, including tampons, contraceptives, insect repellent, sunscreen.

NOTE: If you wear glasses, it is advisable to bring a spare pair since opticians are uncommon. If you wear contact lenses you may find that climatic changes and dust can create visual irritation, therefore, it is advisable to bring a pair of glasses.

English is widely spoken in the countries we visit in Africa but you might like to take the time before your trip to read up on the country you will be visiting and perhaps learn a few words of the language. Your effort will always be welcomed and will make your trip all the more enjoyable.

Please note we will attempt to provide for travellers with special meal or dietary requests, however they cannot be guaranteed - please ensure the tour leader is aware of any special requests.

Vegetarians or those with special dietary needs or allergies can be catered for, however in some countries the type of food may be limited, you may like to bring some supplies from home. It is your responsibility to ensure that our reservations team know of your special requirements at time of booking in order for us to do all possible to assist your needs.

Kumuka provides all meals whilst camping. The variety of food will differ, as you will be visiting a number of different countries. Everyone helps out with the cooking and all are encouraged to join forces and put their culinary skills (or lack thereof!) to the test over the campfire! You will be surprised with what you can create with a little imagination!

All our tours begin with a pre-departure meeting when you meet your tour leader, driver and fellow travellers. If you wish to spend a few additional days in your start city before the departure of your tour, then we can arrange accommodation for you.

On the last day of the tour we usually arrive at our final destination in the late afternoon, when the tour ends. If you would like to book accommodation for that night or even stay additional nights, we will be more than happy to arrange this for you as well. All our accommodation is carefully chosen, conveniently located, clean and comfortable. (All rates per person per night and subject to availability).

For many, tipping is a means of supplementing their wage and is a normal part of payment for goods and services. Be sure to keep small denomination notes or coins on you to avoid embarrassment. Sales and service taxes are imposed in some restaurants and bars.

Bargaining is also expected and in all markets prices are inflated to accommodate such a practice. Rule of thumb is to cut the offer in half and work upwards. This can sometimes be hard work but do not let yourself be intimidated by stallholders, you can always say no and walk away.

The tips below are purely given as a guideline. Poor service should result in lower tips; in serious circumstances a report should be lodged with local ground staff or on the feedback form. We recommend the following amounts are not exceeded except in special circumstances.

ALL prices are PER day PER GROUP (so split between the number of passengers each day) – generally paid as a total sum in USD at the end of each trip.

Suggested tipping for all routes on Kilimanjaro
Guide                  USD$ 15
Cook                  USD$ 10
Assistant Guide   USD$ 10
Porters               USD$ 7 – NOTE there will be at least 2 porters per trekker

Suggested tipping for all Gorilla treks
Guide                  USD$ 15
Assistants            USD$ 10

Suggested tipping for all driver/guides on lodge based and family tours
Guide                  USD$ 15-20

Kumuka endeavours to advertise a compliment of optional activities available locally during tours with selected ground handlers to make your tour more enjoyable. These ground handlers and activity partners are selected for their standards in quality, professional ability and reputation. Whereas, Kumuka has developed a travel insurance policy to cover all activities offered during your journey, Kumuka can not be held responsible for injuries or claims arising from adventurous activities by third party.Below is a list of optional excursions available at your expense on your African tour. Please note that these are intended as a guide only and prices and availability cannot be guaranteed. Your tour leader will be able to organise any optional excursions on your behalf. The list below is by no means comprehensive. There will be many other optional activities available, price guidelines can be found on our website at: http://www.kumuka.com.au/Africa-Optional-Activities.aspx. All activities are undertaken at passenger’s own risk.

Kenya - Masai Village - Masai Mara Morning Hot Air Ballooning - Lake Naivasha Crescent Island Boat (min 4) - Horse Riding  - Hells Gate National Park  – Uganda - Gorilla Trek Permit* (contact your local Kumuka office for prices) - Transfer to Gorillas *Extra visa for Rwanda (prices depend on Nationality contact your local embassy) - Whitewater Rafting (Nile River) - Quad Biking - Soft Power Project  -  Tanzania - Zanzibar  - meals & transfers (If you wish to upgrade accommodation please budget an extra U$10-30 per night) - Spice Island Tour - Prison Island Tour and Snorkel - North and East Coast Beaches  - Malawi - Lake Malawi Water Sports - Scuba Diving (various dive options) - Village Walk - Horse Riding  – Zimbabwe - Walk With Lions - Horse Riding - Elephant Ride Victoria Falls - Rafting Full/Half Day - River Boarding Half Day - Flight of Angels Helicopter (30Mins)  - Flight of Angels - Fixed Wing Aircraft - Horse Riding - Bungy Jump - Jet Boating - Game Walks - Botswana - Okavango Flight - Fixed Wing Aircraft  (min 5 ) Okavango Helicopter (min 4)

Please note: The ALL options paid in US$ CASH with US$ notes have to be paid with notes dated post 2000. Anything issued prior to this may not be accepted.

*Kumuka endeavour to secure arrangements to visit the gorillas in Uganda. However, due to the high demand for permits some groups will go to Rwanda for the gorilla trek. Confirmation of this will be given by the tour leader at the pre-departure meeting. Extra visa costs and transport costs will be incurred if the trek is in Rwanda.

Tour Questionnaire - We would like to hear about your experiences on tour. One week after your tour ends you will automatically receive a feedback questionnaire via email. If we do not have your email address you can still complete a questionnaire by visiting www.kumuka.com/feedback

Email - If you have any specific comments about your tour then please write to us by email to operations@kumuka.com