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Prices for-
Uganda Trekking and Wildlife Adventures
Kampala
to Gorillas
Highlights:
Trekking the Highland Gorillas, exploring Kampala.
Note - On this trip we see the gorillas in either
Uganda, Rwanda or D.R. Congo.
Local Payment Covers:
2 meals a day, Camping costs.
Optional Extras:
Trekking Mountain Gorillas, White Water Rafting on the Nile
River, Booze Cruise.
Africa Overland Pre Departure Information
Africa Visa Information
Cooking; We take turns with the
cooking. Two meals a day are included while on the truck. We normally have lunch
out at local cafes on the way, lots of fun. Meals out are not included.
Camping: Those campsites that
are more basic tend to be more scenic; that is especially in the game parks
where basic toilets and cold showers are the norm. After a night at such camps
we do our best to follow with a hot shower bar campsite.
Changes: You should be aware
that things change frequently in Africa; camps open and close, as do the roads.
So there is a chance that the itinerary may have to be changed due to unforeseen
circumstances.
Start & before the trip: We
leave the camp at 8am on the first day of the trip. We recommend you arrive in
Kampala the day before, however if you're there with a few days to spare there's
lots to see and do around the city. You can explore the Kasubi Tombs of the
Bugandan people or go to see the chimps on Sese Island.
Itinerary
Day 1: Thursday
We leave the campsite in Kampala at 8am. Heading southwest to
Kabale town, gateway to the Mountain Gorilla Reserves, we spend the evening
camped on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi the deepest Crater Lake in Uganda.
Day 2: Friday
Climbing through lush terraced hills to Kisoro, there are
panoramic views of this unique Ugandan landscape on every turn. From the road we
have outlooks over three countries - Uganda, Republic of Congo, Rwanda; and the
Virunga Mountains - Mountains of the Moon, the home of the rare mountain
gorillas.
Day 3: Saturday
From here we either go into Rwanda, DR Congo or Uganda. In
groups of six to eight people with two guides we trek deep into the forest to
find one of the gorilla families. The trek is an experience in itself, following
your guides as they cut a path through the thick vegetation. The guides track
the gorillas almost every day but even so, sometimes it can take eight hours to
find them. You will be rewarded though by the sight of these human-like giants
playing with their young, feeding, grooming and staring curiously back at you.
We spend an hour observing these amazing animals - bring plenty of film.
Day 4: Sunday
Still on a high from our time spent with the gorillas, we head
back to Lake Bunyonyi meaning 'place of little birds'. It is known, not only for
its water birds, but also for its fresh water crayfish population. Lake Bunyonyi
is a great place to relax, or for the more energetic you can canoe to one of the
many islands dotting the lake, swim, or take in the scenery on mountain bikes.
Day 5: Monday
We return to Uganda's capital. Kampala is a modern bustling
city leaving you no shortage of things to see and do. You may wish to visit the
National Museum, the Kasubi Tombs of the Buganda people.
Day 6: Tuesday
The last day or our trip for a last minute explore around the
city and then connect with your flights home.
You also have the chance to extend your holiday by a few days
and join in with the activities on the Nile.
Day 7: Wednesday
Crossing the Owen Falls dam we arrive at Jinja on the shores
of Lake Victoria. Our campsite for the next few days above Bujagali Falls is a
welcome break from travelling, and we have a lazy afternoon to put up our tents
on the grassy terraces overlooking the Nile River.
Day 8: Thursday
You can spend an action-filled day white water rafting down
the Nile. As well as grade 5 rapids, this river has a lot of bird and wildlife
to view while drifting between the rapids. The rafting is rounded off with a
sunset BBQ and drinks, then back to camp to re-live it on video.
Day 9: Friday
There is no shortage of other activities in Jinja; head off on
a quad bike, bungee jump, fish on Lake Victoria, take a guided village walk or
give up a day of your holiday to volunteer for the local community education
project. In the afternoon you will then be transferred back to Kampala to
connect with your flights home or onward.
Accommodation - Trips departing from Kampala
We depart from The Red Chilli Hideaway, Mbuya, Kampala
Tel. +256 (041) 223 903 or +256 77 250 9150
e mail: chilli@imul.com
or Website
www.redchillihideaway.com
Kampala: If you would like to stay at the Red Chilli
Hideaway, please mention it at the time of booking and we can book it for you or
book via the above link. An ensuite room costs $22, a room without a bathroom is
$16 and a dorm bed $5.
Airport pick up in Kampala: Entebbe Airport to Red Chilli
Hideaway
If you would like the security of an airport pickup you should
provide us with your flight details at the time of booking - cost approx
$US30-40 per person, dependant on time, payable locally. Once you have cleared
customs and immigration look for your name on a hand held sign board. You pay
for accommodation and the transfer direct to the campsite when you arrive at the
campsite.
Seeing the Gorillas and Gorilla permits
We see the gorillas in either; Uganda, Rwanda or DR Congo. The
gorilla permits are payable on the spot and can only be paid in US dollars cash.
The cost of the permit is approx: $375 payable directly to the park authorities.
There is also a small charge to get up to the gorilla viewing area. The price of
the gorilla permits often changes without notice. Seeing the gorillas may
involve you having to get extra visas on the borders, this changes with each
trip and each different place or country we see them. On the 1st of June 2007,
the permits will be going up to $500.
Side Trips you can do on this trip and Costs
| Uganda |
Price |
| Mountain Gorillas |
$500 |
| Rwanda entry if visited there |
$20 |
| White water rafting on the White Nile below Bujagali Falls |
$95 |
| Booze cruise - Lake Victoria |
$10 |
| Bungee |
$55 |
Gorilla Rules
A maximum number of
6 visitors may visit a group of habituated gorillas in a day. This minimizes
behavioural disturbance to the gorillas and the risk of their exposure to
human-borne diseases.
Please always keep
your voices low. You will then also be able to observe the great bird life and
other wildlife in the forest.
DO NOT
leave rubbish in the park. Whatever you bring into the
forest should be carried back out with you.
You will be taken to
where the guides observed the gorillas the day before. From there you will
follow the gorilla’s trail to find them. Look out for the gorilla’s nesting
sites along the way!
When you approach
the Gorillas, the guides will inform you when to get you cameras ready
Always wash your
hands before you head out to the gorillas.
When you are with
the gorillas
Keep a minimum of 5
meters (15 feet) from the gorillas. This is to protect them from catching human
diseases
You must stay in
tight group whey you are near the gorillas
Keep your voices
down at all times. However, it is OK to ask the guide questions
Do not eat or drink
while you are near the gorillas. Eating or drinking inevitably will increase the
risk of food/drink morsels/droplets falling, which could increase the risk of
transmission of diseases
Sometimes the
gorillas charge. Follow the guides example-crouch down slowly, do not look the
gorillas directly in the eyes and wait for the animals to pass. Do not try and
take pictures and do not attempt to run away. Running away will increase the
risk.
Flash photography is
not permitted! When taking pictures move slowly and carefully.
Do not touch the
gorillas. They are wild animals. They might look cuddly but…….
The maximum time you
can spend with the gorillas is one hour. However, if the gorillas become
agitated or nervous, the guide will finish the visit early.
After the visit keep
your voices down until you are 200 meters from the gorillas.
General Health Rules
Remember gorillas
are very susceptible to human diseases. The following are ways to minimize the
risk your visit might pose to them:
Respect the limits
imposed on the number of visitors allowed with the gorillas each day. This
minimizes the risk of disease transmission and stress to the group.
If you are feeling
ill, or you are carrying a contagious disease, volunteer to stay behind. An
alternate visit will be arranged for you, or you will be refunded your money.
If you feel the urge
to cough or sneeze when you are near the gorillas, please turn your head away
and cover your nose and mouth in order to minimize the spread of bacteria or
viruses.
Always stay 5 meters
(15 feet) away form the gorillas. The further back you are, the more relaxed the
group will be.
Do not attempt to
touch the gorillas.
Do not smoke, drink
or eat when you are with the gorillas.
Do not leave any
rubbish (eg. food wrappers) in the Park; foreign items can harbour diseases or
other contaminants.
If you need to
defecate, whilst in the forest, pleas ask the guide to dig you a hole with his
panga. Make sure the hole is 30cms deep and fill it in when you are finished.
How you are
contributing to the conservation of the Mountain Gorillas:
The mountain
gorillas (Gorilla Gorilla Berengie), the world’s most endangered ape, is found
only in small portions of protected afro montane forests in northwest Rwanda,
southwest Uganda and eastern DRC. The mountain gorilla is one of many species
unique to these forests. The forests are also home to many wonderful birds,
primates, large mammals, reptiles, insects and plants and also ensure continued
water and medical plant resources for the local communities.
The mountain
gorillas are divided into two populations and current figures estimate the total
population to be about 600 individuals. One population is found in Bwindi
Impenetrable National Park (BINP), in S.W. Uganda, covering about 330km2, and
the ecologically homogenous (salem flora and fauna), covering three contiguous
National Parks in three countries.; Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda,
Volcano National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic
Republic of Congo, covering an approximate total area of 300km2.
The threats to the
remaining gorilla population and its habitat are many. One of these threats is
the possibility of disease transmission form humans to gorillas and vice versa.
In order to address the issue of potential disease transmission to the gorillas
and to mitigate behavioural disturbances to this fragile population, the gorilla
rules have been developed.
By following these
rules and through the purchase of the permit, YOU too are contributing to the
conservation of the mountain gorilla. Uganda Wildlife Authority uses the funds
generated from the sale of this permit for the management of the National Parks.
A percentage of the funds raised from Park entrance fees are also donated to
local communities living adjacent to the parks to contribute to their
development and improve natural resource management in the region.
All itineraries
are subject to change without prior notice.
Prices for-
Uganda Trekking and Wildlife Adventures
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