Gameparks & Gorillas

The only thing missing was the hushed tones of David Attenborough as we sat in our 4x4 watching a pair of Cheetahs, in my opinion the most graceful of the big cats, meander towards us as the sun broke behind them over the horizon of the Masai Mara.

I'd always wanted to go to Africa and had imagined scenes like this, but had been a little unsure of how I would get to these places within a reasonable budget. My previous travels had been one independently, so I wasn't sure about doing an organised trip for nearly a month. Within 24 hours I was having a great time and wishing I'd done something like this a long time ago. The mix of people and nationalities was just right and most people were solo travellers with a similar outlook to me.

The trip started in Kenya and took us to Uganda and down through Tanzania. It encompassed the Masai Mara, Serengeti, Nongorogoro Crater (like something from the lost world) and culminated in some well deserved beach action at the end on the wonderful tropical island of Zanzibar. We saw everything I had hoped, including the big 5 (Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, the elusive Leopard and endangered Black Rhino).

The game park viewing was nicely mixed up with optional activities like white water rafting in Jinja, the source of the river Nile and visiting a local Masai tribe. We also helped out for a day building a school for the local kids in Uganda, which was rewarded by a visit during playtime, truly fantastic.

The truck itself was much more comfortable than I had expected, with hard sides, forward facing seats and individual rucksack lockers. However, the roads were even worse than I had prepared myself for. You quickly see why you need something that size and dust proof to get around in. The tents & roll mats were all provided and of good quality and the food was sensational. Josh, our local guide, prepared a mix of local specialities and more familiar international dishes. This was all included in the price, with snacks, water and cold beer the main things that were bought locally. The knowledge of the driver and local guides was second to none. They spotted animals we would have missed and answered all our questions no matter how obscure.

The highlight of the trip was the Gorilla trek at Bwindi Impenetrable Fortress National Park in Uganda. A two-hour hike into the mountains was rewarded by an hour spent with a family group of 15 or more of the highly endangered Mountain Gorillas. I challenge anyone who doesn't believe in evolution, to go and look into the eye of a Gorilla (although not the Silverback!).

The overland trip I did was organised through Acacia holidays, a well-respected company that has specialised in overland travel in Africa for over 15 years. The trip itself was the 28-day Game Parks and Gorillas, starting in Nairobi and finishing in Dar-Es-Salaam. This is also the first 28 days, of the epic 58-day Ultimate African Overlander itinerary, if you wanted to go all the way down and finish in Cape Town South Africa.