101: Gorilla Tracking break by road

Ref: 101, 4 days

101: Gorilla Tracking break by road

$2820 per person

Experience gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and spend an hour with a gorilla family. You’ll also visit Lake Mburo and see a host of African wildlife.

SUMMARY

This gorilla tracking break by road takes you to south western Uganda to see the amazing endangered mountain gorillas – a very special experience. Although the initial drive is quite long, there are plenty of interesting stops along the way including the equator. On your return, you will break the journey with an overnight visit to Lake Mburo National Park. You’ll have chances to see zebra, various antelope, giraffe, buffalo and hippo among others. There are also a wide variety of birds to look out for. In addition, you will enjoy a boat ride on the lake – watch out for the crocodiles. All-in-all, an action-packed few days.

HIGHLIGHTS

Gorilla Tracking – track and then spend an hour with a gorilla family
Enjoy abundant wildlife and spectacular views in the national park
Boat ride on Lake Mburo
Stop at the equator

OVERVIEW

Day 1: Leave for Bwindi, the home of the endangered mountain gorillas

Day 2: A lifetime experience with thrilling gentle giants

Day 3: Drive to Uganda’s smallest savannah park. Game drive

Day 4: Boat ride and return to Entebbe/Kampala

When is the best time of year to visit Uganda?

Although Ugandan seasons have become less predictable in recent years, peak tourist seasons usually coincide with dry seasons. When choosing your dates consider:

Uganda is an all-year round destination with a pleasant climate and temperatures averaging in the mid 20s⁰C. The huge variety in altitude means temperatures vary around the country (but this also means increased biodiversity)
Flight prices often increase in European/American holiday seasons
There are fewer tourists in low seasons so you can have the place to yourselves!
Many hotels offer all-year prices so the price of your visit may not change much between seasons
Most major roads going from the capital, Kampala, up-country are tarmac. Conditions on murram roads may worsen, to varying degrees, in rainy season
Rainy season can be good for birding as there is more food (bugs) available
If you are targeting certain birds, ask our advice on breeding and migration seasons
Should you plan to climb the Rwenzori mountains, dry seasons are best
Hiking may be better in rainy seasons when it is cooler

Please note

Permits are required to track gorillas. The minimum ages is 15 years. Gorilla permits are limited to eight people per gorilla family. Permits are also required to track chimps and the minimum age is 12 years.

Please read the information about primate tracking on our primates web page and remember to look at our suggested packing list.

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Day 1: Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

08:00 am Your guide will collect you from your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala and will remain with you throughout your safari. You will drive to Bwindi, 8 hours away, passing through the beautiful Ugandan countryside. There will be plenty of breaks en route, including one at the Equator.

Accommodation: Engagi Lodge – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Meal plan: B, L, D

Day 2: A lifetime experience with thrilling gentle giants

08:00 am After a short briefing at the park headquarters with your small group, your ranger will lead you through the tropical rainforest in search of your gorilla family. Join them for an hour, observing their behaviour in their natural habitat.

Accommodation: Engagi Lodge – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Meal plan: B, L, D

Day 3: Travel to Lake Mburo National Park. Afternoon game drive.

After an early start, enjoy a drive to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s smallest savannah park. After lunch, take an afternoon game drive in search of the animals. Relax and perhaps enjoy a sundowner by the side of the lake before settling in for the evening at your lodge.

Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Meal plan: B, L, D

Day 4: Boat ride and return to Entebbe/Kampala

Start your day with a leisurely boat ride along the shores of the lake, where you may find hippos, crocodiles and lots of wonderful birds. Then have a last look for animals as you leave the park and make your way back to Entebbe/Kampala, stopping for lunch and perhaps some craft shopping en route.

Meal Plan: B, L

Please note: all timings and routings are approximate and subject to change at short notice.

We can provide additional accommodation at the beginning and end of your holiday, depending on your requirements.

Guide price: from US$ 2,820 per person

Based on 2 adults sharing a double room, in mid-range accommodation and travelling in a safari Land Cruiser (all our safaris and tours can be adapted to high-end, mid-range or budget versions)

The price for every safari depends on the number of people travelling, their ages, the time of year, whether or not international flights are included, the type of transport and accommodation used and the activities undertaken.

We calculate according to the specific dates of your booking because after we publish our itineraries some things may change. For example, hotels may increase their prices, exchange rates fluctuate, the government may introduce new taxes or some discounts may become available. Unfortunately, we also have to pass on surcharges imposed on us by, for example, airlines when fuel prices or airport taxes are unexpectedly increased.

We would be happy to prepare a quotation, based on your requirements. We normally include most costs in the price so all you need to bring with you is ‘pocket money’ for items like drinks, tips and personal shopping e.g. souvenirs.

Price includes

1 gorilla tracking permit each

A double room in mid-range, non-air-conditioned accommodation with a full board meal plan

Private safari vehicle with driver and fuel for this itinerary

All entrance and other fees for the activities included in the itinerary

Mineral water in transit

All government taxes

Price does not include

International flights

Visas

Travel insurance

Personal expenses: alcohol, laundry services and souvenirs

Tips (normally 5–10% and around $10 per day for your guide).

Booking

All bookings are governed by our Booking Conditions not the regulations in place in the different countries where our clients or their tour operators/travel agents come from.

Note: if you want to track gorillas, we recommend that you book your holiday as early as possible (6+ months) when permits are more readily available, so you can book and pay at leisure. Last minute permits can sometimes be found, especially if you are flexible with dates, but there will always be a rush to pay and secure them.

If you would like to book or adapt one of our safaris or tours or if you would like a tailor-made itinerary, please send us an enquiry form telling us about your requirements.

When we receive this we will check the availability of your preferred gorilla tracking permits (for a certain date and forest sector) and your accommodation. If changes are necessary, we will inform you and suggest alternatives.

Unfortunately, there is no system in Uganda for reserving permits, they can only be secured with payment and, once bought, they are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Once your itinerary is agreed, we will send you a booking form and an invoice for the full costs of any international flights, 30% deposit (40% for Rwanda) for gorilla and chimp tracking permits (this payment is non-refundable in any circumstances but permits can be rescheduled) and a 20% deposit on the rest of your holiday upon booking. Kindly send us a remittance note so that we know your payment is on the way and, once it is received, we can secure your preferred permits and confirm your booking.

If we are very unlucky and permits sold-out in the meantime, we will call you to suggest an alternative forest sector or date. Booking early should help to avoid this.

Full payment is due 90 days before arrival. If travel plans are not clear at this point, this payment can be reviewed and paid closer to arrival (at our sole discretion) or the holiday can be rescheduled.

Payments and Cancellation

We charge in US dollars. Payment is by bank transfer into our Standard Chartered USD bank account in Uganda.

For bookings from within Uganda, cash can be deposited on our bank account.

Payment instructions are given on our invoices.

If clients are unable to travel and their holiday has to be cancelled (for example if the Uganda Government closes the borders), we will reschedule their holiday, free-of-charge, within 1 year, for the same price. It may not be possible for us to obtain refunds from our suppliers and therefore we cannot guarantee being able to issue refunds to our clients.

When we book your safari, we have to pay non-refundable deposits on your behalf, for example to hotels. Therefore, we charge cancellation fees as follows:

If you cancel more than 90 days before your arrival date you lose your deposit

If you cancel 90 – 61 days before your arrival date you lose 50% of your total holiday price

If you cancel 60 – 31 days before your arrival date you lose 75% of your total holiday price

If you cancel 30 days or fewer before your arrival date you lose 100% of your total holiday price

We are subject to our suppliers’ cancellation policies. Payments already made to them cannot be refunded to you at any stage.

If one or more group members cancels, the price for remaining members may increase.

Cancellations must be made in writing and acknowledged by Venture Uganda Travel. Charges will be applied based on the date of our written acknowledgement.

We recommend clients include cancellation cover and Covid-19 cover in their travel insurance.

Insurance

AMREF flying doctors provide a medevac service in case of illness or injury during your safari. This costs $25pp for 31 days. We recommend this service and can include it in your package price.

Travel Information

Please see our Travel Information page for information on flights, visas, currency, packing lists, books and field guides, health and safety, emergency contacts and much more general information. If there is anything you cannot find just ask us (sales01@ventureuganda.org).

Responsible Tourism

See our Responsible Tourism pages for information about our approach to tourism and advice on how to travel responsibly.

For general advice please see our travel information webpage.

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101: Gorilla Tracking break by road