Gorillas and Lake safari overland trip uganda and rwanda gap year career break adventure trip

GORILLAS AND LAKE SAFARI - 5 DAYS
KAMPLALA TO KAMPALA

An exciting 5 day trip, beginning in Kampala, Uganda, which travels to Lake Bunyoni in the south-west of Uganda. It is from here that the optional trek commences to see the mountain gorilla (Gorilla Gorilla Berengei) - one of man's closest living relatives. This is one visit that will never be forgotten. After a truly fantastic experience the trip heads back on day 5 to Kampala.

Location:

KAMPLALA TO KAMPALA

Dates:

Regular departures throughout the year

Fees:

£335 - 5 days
USD 150 - Local Payment

Payment:

£180 deposit at time of booking – balance payment of project fee due 12 weeks before departure

Reference:

AT042

General Information

Start and Finish Point: Kampala
Departure Point: Red Chilli Hideaway, Plot 82, Sunderland Avenue, Mbuya, Kampala
Departure Time: 5.00am
Pre-departure Meeting: 5.00 pm at the departure point the evening before departure

The trip departs from Kampala early on Thursday morning. If you wish to explore Kampala you should plan an earlier arrival; accommodation can be arranged through Amanzi Travel.

Days 1 - 4: Kampala to Lake Bunyoni (B / L / D)

After an early morning departure from Kampala, the trip will head west into the depths of Uganda to the base at the tranquil Lake Bunyoni. This lake, the deepest Crater Lake in Africa and home to a large and varied number of beautiful birds, is the base from which the optional Gorilla trek takes place. Dependant on where trekking permits are available, the trek will be in the Magahinga or Bwindi National Parks in Uganda, the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, or the Ruhengeri National Park in Rwanda. The prices of trekking permits fluctuates and may change without prior notice - currently they are priced at US$500 depending on where the trek takes place. There is a local transport and handling fee of US$65 - US$75 per person (this covers the return transfer and the Wildlife Authority's booking fee). For trekking in the DRC or Rwanda, it may be necessary to purchase an additional visa to enter either country. British, American, Canadian and German passport holders do not have to pay for visas to Rwanda. Please budget accordingly as the government often increases the permit and transfer costs without notice

Trekking Procedures: The mountain gorilla (Gorilla Gorilla Berengei), of which there are only about 700 remaining, are one of man's closest living relatives. A visit to these gentle giants in their natural environment is a unique and wonderful experience - one never to be forgotten! The park rangers monitor the gorillas on a daily basis and have a fairly good idea of where they are. However, they are free roaming animals and their sighting cannot be guaranteed. As the gorillas share much of man's DNA, anyone with even a slightest cold or transferable illness will not be permitted to trek. Trekking is also only open to people over 16 years of age.

Due to the restrictions on the daily numbers of visitors to these incredible animals, small groups will depart from the base in Bunyoni over 3-4 days, depending on the size of the group travelling. Trekkers will wind their way through some of the most picturesque scenery in Africa heading to the town of Kisoro to spend the night. Should the group be trekking in Rwanda the overnight will be in Ruhengeri. The following morning, after packing a picnic lunch, everyone will transfer to the rangers' station where the trek commences. The rangers will lead the trek through the cultivated lands and then into the dense rain forest and on to a gorilla family. Trekking can take anything from 45 minutes to 8 hours and it can be quite strenuous, so a reasonable level of fitness is required. To ensure the gorillas do not get too used to the presence of humans and because they share many of man's genes (and are therefore able to catch man's diseases), the maximum time permitted to spend with them is one hour. There will be plenty of time to watch their activity and to take photographs. The rangers will be able to provide a background to the gorilla family being visited. When the hour is up, the group will trek back out of the rain forest to the meeting point and then transfer back to the Lake Bunyoni campsite.

Visitors do not need to feel that they are exploiting these animals. The every-growing number of tourists trekking them each day plays a vital role in their survival. For years they have been ruthlessly hunted for their hands and heads which have been sold as ashtrays and lampshades! In additionl large numbers have been killed whilst trying to stop poachers stealing their babies for sale to zoos, where they have never lived long. One hundred percent of the gorilla permit cost is used by the park authorities to finance patrols that are instrumental in protecting the gorillas from poachers and their lethal snares and on promoting these wonderful animals.

Lake Bunyoni

For those awaiting their day of gorilla trekking, there are opportunities to visit a local village or church, hike in the surrounding hills, canoe, go on a bird watching walk, visit the local markets of Kabale or just spend the days relaxing or swimming in this tranquil lake.

Day 5: Lake Bunyoni to Kampala (B / L / D)

After marvelling at the experience of the gorilla encounter and enjoying the peaceful Lake Bunyoni, the group begins the drive back to Kampala, crossing the equator for the second time and stopping for the classic "one foot in each hemsphere" photo opportunity. An overnight stay in Kampala gives the opportunity to sample the night life!

Please Note:

This itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road and weather conditions, political situations and group decisions. All prices and local payments are subject to change with prior notice. Due to Tourism Laws in some of the countries visited there may be a truck and crew change during the trip. Please advise on booking if you do not choose to trek the Mountain Gorillas.

Optional Excursions:

Below is a selection of Optional Excursions available on this trip with approximate costs:

Gorilla Trek (excluding transfer and booking fee) - From 500 US$
White Water Rafting on the Nile - 125 US$
Bungee Jump - 65 US$
Jet Boat - 30 minutes - 75 US$
Adrift/Softpower Project - 25 US$
Quad Biking - 2 hours - 70 US$
Horse Riding - 2 hours - 50 US$ + transfer approx. 20 US$
Chimpanzee Sanctuary (5 - 8 persons) - 50 US$ + transfer approx. 125 US$

Support

Support and advice is available from the Trip Guides whilst on the expedition and from the UK Amanzi Travel Team.
Find out more about Amanzi Travel support.

Orientation

An information pack will be sent upon booking this expedition and our staff are always on hand to offer further advice and information via telephone and email before departure.

Accommodation and Meals

All cooking and camping equipment is provided with the exception of individual sleeping bags and sleeping mats. Accommodation is in two person dome tents with moquito nets over the door and window, a sewn in groundsheet and a separate flysheet. All meals are provided as indicated and although there is a Safari Cook, all passengers are expected to assist in food preparation and shopping.

Getting There

The most convenient airport to fly into for this trip is Entebbe Airport. (There may be a number of ways to reach your destination airport – for further information or advice please contact Amanzi Travel)
Let Amanzi Travel arrange your flights for you