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Troop to the Gorillas Trip Notes

Trip Overview

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Explore one of Africa’s best wildlife experiences on Troop to the Gorillas, safariing through Uganda. Trek rare chimpanzee and mountain gorillas in the misty landscape of Central Africa. Guided by experts to the green highlands of Kigezi, witness the endangered mountain gorillas in southwest Uganda. Discover gorgeous lakes, quaint villages and unforgettable sights, capping it off with a myriad of adventure activities in Jinja, source of the Nile River.

Duration : 9 Days

Destination : Africa

Start/Ends in : Kampala / Kampala

Group Size : 5-15 Pax

Age Req. : 18+

Trip Theme : Adventure, Discovery

Hotels : Camping

Departs : All Year Around

Intended Itinerary


It is our intention to adhere to the route described below but a certain amount of flexibility is built into the tour and on occasion it may be necessary or desirable to make alterations to the published itinerary. Please therefore treat the following as a guide only. This is a participation tour.

Duration: 9 Days
Countries visited: Uganda

Tour Preparation

BOOKING INFORMATION

When you make a confirmed booking, you will be sent the tour booking documents and a pre-departure booklet with detailed information to help you prepare for your trip. Once you have paid in full you will receive a Travel Voucher giving details of your joining hotel and your ‘ticket’ for the tour and must be given to the tour leader at the beginning of the tour. Kampala (Entebbe – EBB) is well served by several airlines and your travel agent can advise on flights to the start of the tour.

GORILLA AND CHIMPANZEE PERMITS

The Uganda Wildlife Authority imposes strict regulations regarding the gorilla trekking permits. One of these is that permits must be booked and paid in advance. In order for us to do this we must collect your permit money, in addition to your normal deposit, at the time of booking. Like your deposit, the permit money is not refundable if you cancel your tour. The Gorilla and Chimpanzee permit currently (October 2019) cost US$780.00 – US$800.00 per person. Please ask Travel Talk for the equivalent amount in your own currency. Please note: To ensure we obtain gorilla permits we may have to adjust the itinerary slightly from the published
route. Any such adjustment will be explained to you where-ever possible before you leave for Africa. Our focus at all times will be to ensure everyone has the opportunity to do the treks and enjoy the very Africa experience.

JOINING INFORMATION

This tour starts in Pretoria. The pre-departure meeting is held at 18:00 on the evening prior to departure. The tour departs at 07:00 on day 1 and ends in Durban on day 9.

Meeting Point:

Tour start and end point in Kampala:

Red Chilli Hideaway

Address: Plot 17, Gangaram Road Mbuya, Kampala

Contact details: Tel. +256 (0)414 223 903

E-mail: [email protected]

Pre-Departure meeting: 18:00 prior to departure day

Tour start time: 05:00 on Day 1

Tour end time: Late afternoon / early evening on Day 9

Adventure Pass :

Every adventure camping tour has an Adventure Pass which is paid to your tour leader in Africa at the beginning of the tour (or pre-paid by arrangement prior to your tour). This is separate and in addition to the Tour Price, which is paid before travel, and is paid in the currency listed in the brochure or on the website (usually US dollars in clean, un-torn post 2008 edition notes). The Adventure Pass covers selected park entries, activities and excursions along the way where payment goes directly to the supplier. The purpose of the separate payment is to ensure local suppliers benefit directly from the income.

Luggage

Please try to keep your luggage to a minimum, bearing in mind that most airlines impose a 20kg limit. It should be brought in a soft backpack or rucksack along with a smaller day bag. You will need to bring a mixture of lightweight clothing and warm clothing for the evenings and early morning game drives. You also need a sleeping bag (and small pillow if preferred). We recommended you pack a small torch or headlamp, mosquito spray and a money pouch/ belt that can be easily hidden. Please try to avoid bringing unnecessary valuables and use your hotel safe to store the bulk of your money, passport, and airline tickets. A power bank is useful for recharging electronic devices.

NB UGANDA PLASTIC BAG BAN – Uganda has a ban on single-use plastic. Prohibited items include single-use plastic carrier bags, shopping bags/packing plastic carrier bags. Ziplock bags and storage compartment bags (e.g toiletries) will be permitted as they are expected to remain in possession of traveller. We do however suggest that you leave these items behind in your country of origin.

Itinerary

Please note that the itinerary may be subject to small changes depending on the conditions during the tour. Alternative accommodation of similar standards may be used depending on the group size and hotel availability.

Departing early from Kampala, we travel west towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, across the Equator, through fertile green terraced hillsides, lush banana plantations, steep mountains and tangled forests with herds of Ankole cattle with their incredible long curving horns roaming the roads and paddocks. We camp a short distance from the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here you will have the opportunity to relax and unwind, take a walk in the surrounding areas and mingle with the local community.

Accommodation : Simba Camp – Camping in twin share tents with shared facilities

Meals Included : Lunch, Dinner

WIFI: Yes

Optional Activities : No

This morning we enter the Queen Elizabeth National Park and take in the magnificent views of the mountains that separate Uganda from central Africa as well as Lake Edwards and Lake George. Queen Elizabeth National park has over 500 species of bird and 100 species of mammals making it one of the most bio diverse national parks in the world and if we are lucky, we may get to spot these animals en route to Kyambura Gorge for the trek to see the chimpanzees. Unlike their larger cousins the mountain gorilla, chimps live mostly in the trees and so our viewing is usually peering high into the forest canopy. However, the experience of seeing man’s closest relative in the wild is a memorable one.

Chimpanzee Trek permits are issued by the wildlife authority in groups of up to 8 people per group. Depending on our group size, we may trek on the afternoon of Day 1,morning of Day 2 and afternoon of Day 2 or morning of Day 3.

Accommodation : Simba Camp – Camping in twin share tents with shared facilities

Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

WIFI : Yes

Optional Activities: No

We leave the picturesque hills of the national park and make our way to the lush and stunning ‘Lake Bunyonyi’ (‘Place of many little birds’). This lake is 27 km long, 7km wide and at an elevation of 1950 metres above sea level is surrounded by undulating hills between 2200m to 2478m high. With a depth of nearly 900m in parts this lake is the second deepest lake in Africa (the deepest being Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania). With twenty-nine islands that can be visited by local boats, the lake is a great place to unwind, relax and explore on the days that we don’t trek to see the mountain gorillas.

Over the next two days the group will be split with one group trekking to the mountain gorillas while the others relax at Lake Bunyonyi to enjoy the many activities on offer.

Lake Bunyonyi

There are many activities to do here such as hiring canoes to visit some of the lakes’ islands, visit local tribes and villages, visit the local orphanage, bird watching and nature walks. Alternatively, just relax around camp, catch up on your travel diary or postcards to home.

Mountain Gorilla Trekking

This region of Africa is home to the world’s remaining 700 mountain gorillas, many of which inhabit the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. [We may travel into neighbouring Rwanda to trek for the gorillas on rare occasion].

On the day of our trek we gather in the early morning to meet our local guide and tracker. Walking in small groups we trek into the thick rainforest. The trek can be demanding at times with uneven terrain and hilly rainforest but the privilege of spending time with a family of these gentle primates makes the effort well worthwhile. To many people the day’s trek and time with the gorillas remains their most exciting wildlife encounter in Africa.

The usual procedure, once we have located the gorilla ‘family’, is to squat or sit down and simply observe them for around an hour – the time set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (the national body charged with controlling and maintaining the gorillas in Uganda). Gorillas are sociable creatures, living in groups between 12 and 20 individuals, usually led by an ‘alpha male’ (the ‘silverback’ – so called because of the silver hair on his back which grows once the male gorilla attains maturity). Most people find that the gorillas are remarkably human-like at close quarters – particularly in the social interaction between family members and in ‘play’ activity in which the young engage. Photography is permitted (although not with a flash and there are restrictions for those who wish to use a video camera.)

Your permit allows you one trek and gorilla viewing (time limited to one hour). However, because the authorities maintain strict limits on the number of visitors allowed to view the gorillas each day we may spend several days in the area while all passengers in our group complete the trek and viewing.

Accommodation : Lake Bunyonyi Overland Stop/ Gorilla Trek area – Camping in twin share tents with shared facilities

Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

WIFI : Yes

Optional Activities: See day 4

If not trekking, today is free to explore the surrounding area, discover the Islands by boat on Lake Bunyonyi or relax back at camp catching up on some well-deserved rest and relaxation.

Accommodation : Lake Bunyonyi Overland Stop/ Gorilla Trek area – Camping in twin share tents with shared facilities

Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

WIFI : Yes

Optional Activities: Island Boat Trips US$25 – US$80, Village Walk US$10, Traditional Dance US$60, Bird Watching US$20, Canoe Hire US$10

Today is a trek day or a day at leisure to enjoy the many optional activities in Lake Bunyonyi. Whether relaxing on the shores of this deep crater lake with a good book or heading out to the village and orphanage to gain an insight into the everyday life of Ugandans in this area – you’ll no doubt wish you could stay in this beautiful part of Africa for longer.

Accommodation : Lake Bunyonyi Overland Stop/ Gorilla Trek area – Camping in twin share tents with shared facilities

Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

WIFI : Yes

Optional Activities : See day 4

Leaving Lake Bunyonyi we make our way back across the Equator (stopping for a photo opportunity if we did not stop on route to Queen Elizabeth National Park) through lush pasture lands and the northern reaches of Lake Victoria (largest lake in Africa) to Kampala where the tour finishes upon arrival. Kampala is a hotspot for great food and entertainment. If time allows, take the night out and try the local cuisines and enjoy the hospitality and friendliness of the local Ugandan’s.

Accommodation: Red Chilli Camp – Camping in twin share tents with shared facilitiestents with shared facilities

Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

WIFI : Yes

Optional Activities :  No

Leaving Kampala, we drive the short distance to the town of Jinja on the banks of Lake Victoria and the Nile. It was in 1862 that the British explorer John Hanning Speke recognised Lake Victoria as the ‘source of the Nile’ settling a long running dispute about Africa’s (and the world’s) longest river. From this modest monument the Nile begins its 4132-mile course through Uganda, Sudan and eventually Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea.

Our camp is situated on the grassy banks overlooking the Nile River. It is here that we usually have the option to try river rafting – an exciting day out for those enjoying the thrill of ‘white-water’. There is also the opportunity to make some difference to local children at a local school project: ‘Softpower’ is a locally run voluntary programme aimed at building and improving schools in the Jinja area to which your contribution of a few hours of painting or plastering is always most welcome. Other activities at Jinja include mountain biking, quad biking, village walks and even bungee jumping!

Accomodation : Nile River Explorers – Camping in twin share tents with shared facilities

Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

WIFI: Yes

Optional Activities : Quad Biking US$80, White-water Rafting US$140, Community School Project US$45, Nile Cruise from US$25, Nile SUP from US$20, Kayak from US$20, Fishing Trips from US$80, Mountain Biking from US$30

Enjoy a free day in this magical place and the many optional activities on offer. Adrenaline lovers can head to the world class rapids and try rafting – an exciting day out for those enjoying the thrill of ‘white-water’. Those seeking a more relaxing day can visit the local community or simply just relax at camp.

Accomodation : Nile River Explorers – Camping in twin share tents with shared facilities

Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

WIFI: Yes

Optional Activities : See day 7

Enjoy a last day on the banks of the Nile exploring the surrounding community, the town of Jinja and discover the beauty of the river Nile as you relax on its banks or indulge in the many optional activities on offer.

After our refreshing stop at Jinja, we retrace our steps back to Kampala in the late afternoon where our tour ends.

Accomodation :  No

Meals Included : Breakfast

WIFI: Yes

Optional Activities : No

Inclusions & Exclusions

The tour price covers the following services:

Accomodation : 8 nights camping

Meals : 8 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 8 Dinners

Transportation : Fully equipped safari vehicle, All road tolls and vehicle taxes, All ground transportation

Highlights : Queen Elizabeth National Park, Chimpanzee Trekking

Activities : Mountain Gorilla Trekking Subject to purchasing gorilla & chimpanzee permits.

What is NOT included in the tour price?

  • Adventure Pass activities
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not stated above
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Tips & gestures
  • Airport transfers
  • Optional activities
  • NB Lunch & Dinner in Livingstone

Tour Style

Adventure Camping Tour

Traveling on an adventure camping tour is great fun, but it can also be challenging! This is a participation tour and your help will be needed in setting up the camp each night and assisting (usually on a rota basis) with the various day-to-day campsite duties, such as shopping, cooking, and keeping the vehicle and camp tidy. But don’t worry it’s not all hard work and it’s a great way to meet the local people and get to know your fellow travelers. Your contribution benefits the success of the tour – most people find the greater their involvement, the greater their enjoyment of the whole trip. Our accommodated tour option travels together with the camping counterpart.

Africa is an adventure destination and travelling here is not always predictable so be prepared to ‘expect the unexpected’ in difficulties or delays which might come our way! However, you’ll soon find that the diversity of the African landscape, the wildlife and the communities we pass on our way, make the sometimes-rough travel and long driving days worthwhile. Come with a sense of adventure and a flexible attitude and you will be sure to enjoy your African adventure across this amazing continent.

Africa provides an ever-changing environment, power failures, water, and fuel shortages, temperature fluctuations, and other uncontrollable/unplanned situations do occur. You will need to remain flexible, understanding, and good-humored. “African time” can be difficult and frustrating for those who are used to a very structured life, so this is something to keep in mind!

What’s Included:

All tour highlights, 2-person dome tents, fully equipped safari vehicles, camping and cooking equipment, mattresses, service of two crew, all road and vehicle taxes, all ground transportation, and meals as indicated.

What’s Not Included:

Excursions (optional), visas, travel insurance, flight departure taxes, airport transfers, optional activities, tips, drinks, sleeping bag and items of personal nature.

Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trek:

Depending on the availability of the chimpanzee and gorilla permits the tour itinerary may vary in day to day running order which is based on the brochure itinerary. From time to time we may have to trek on different days. If at any chance our Gorilla trek should be in another neighbouring country, eg Rwanda (instead of Uganda) this may entail extra visa fees although we shall endeavour to advise you
before departure of any significant changes to the tour itinerary. Please take the above itinerary as a guide line only. This applies to Day 3 – 5 of this tour.

Accommodation

We use 2-person dome tents with fly sheets, sewn-in groundsheets, zip-up insect screens, and foam mattresses. We mainly use campsites, which usually have reasonable wash and shower facilities, electricity points and sometimes even a small shop, bar or swimming pool.

PRE/POST TOUR ACCOMMODATION

This tour departs Kampala early on Day 1; we strongly recommend therefore that you plan to arrive at least the day before departure to overcome any jet-lag and to acclimatise to Africa. We would be happy to book pre-tour accommodation and transfers for you – please call or email us with your arrival details and accommodation requirements. However please book early to avoid disappointment and the risk of having to find more expensive (or less convenient) lodgings.

If time allows, we also suggest planning a night or two extra (after your tour) to make the most of this part of Africa. Your Tour Leader can help with post tour accommodation if required and there are a variety of activities and excursions in the Kampala area that you can arrange locally. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can pre book your accommodation at the time of booking your tour.


See below for a guide to extra accommodation costs. These prices are a guideline only and are subject to change so please check with Travel Talk for current prices.

travel to Africa

Transport

24-seater, self-contained, custom-built vehicle with on-board tables, plug sockets, freezer, water tank, library, safety features and 70-litre individual lockers. Travel times indicated are approximate and do not include stops en-route.

Game Park Visits

To maximize the quality of game driving and to comply with local authority rulings, some of our National Park visits and game viewing is carried out using services provided by local African ground handlers. As well as enhancing our experience using local guides and smaller vehicles it also allows us to contribute at a ‘grassroots’ level to local economies from which local people benefit.

Travel Advice, Visas & Insurance

The table below indicates the visas required for travel to the countries on this tour but should be treated as a guide only. At least one month prior to travel seek confirmation from embassies or a visa specialist, that these requirements are still current. For UK citizens the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) offers free up-to-date travel info: www.fco.gov.uk.

This information is provided as a guidance, we strongly advise that you check with the consulate or embassy as this information can change. Please note, visa costs can change at any time and with little notice depending on the political climate of the region. It is your responsibility to make sure that all the required travel documents are ready when travelling.

Travel Advice

We are closely monitoring the latest travel updates to Africa and follow the advice of the UK Foreign Office (FCDO). For the latest travel advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/

We recommend all travellers to check their Government National Travel Advisory prior to their departure:

Australia – https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/

Canada – https://travel.gc.ca/

New Zealand – https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/

USA – https://travel.state.gov/

Travel Insurance

All passengers travelling with Travel Talk are required to have personal travel insurance before participating in any of our tours. Your guide will collect your travel insurance details on the first day of your trip. It is your responsibility to make sure you have an adequate and suitable travel insurance for you in place, you may read more at https://www.traveltalktours.com/travel-insurance

Health & Safety

The health and safety of our passengers, staff and communities visited is of utmost priority. As we monitor and comply with the official advice from the UK Foreign Office, as well as World Health Organization and government authorities regularly, we have implemented several policies and precautions on our tours for your wellbeing. You may find our Safe Travels Protocols at https://www.traveltalktours.com/safe-travels

Travel Talk Adventures has received the Safe Travels stamp by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), which allows travellers to recognise companies around the world that have adopted health and hygiene global standardised protocols – so consumers canexperience ‘Safe Travels’.

Please make sure to regularly check your Government’s travel advice before travelling and be well-informed of any requirements. Your tour guide will also notify you of the regulations and protocols to follow throughout your trip with us.

Please note that if any traveller is unable to complete the itinerary or possess a potential risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to remove them from all or part of a trip.

Please consult with your doctor for the latest medical travel information and any vaccinations you may need. We recommend that you bring any personal medical requirements and medications with you as these may be difficult to obtain while on tour.

VACCINATIONS

The table below indicates the vaccinations suggested for travel on this tour but should be treated as a guide only. You should seek professional medical advice from your GP or clinic at least six weeks prior to departure. Please note some areas visited are malarial. We recommend you speak to your doctor or travel clinic about appropriate anti-malarial tablets.

C = Compulsory, R = Recommended, * = If travelling from infected countries a certificate of proof may be required. NB: To be used as a guide only.

Please see your GP or travel clinic for up-to-date medical advice. Alternatively, contact TravelTalk for any queries or advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Weather

The best time to visit Africa is from September to December, when the dry and warm weather across the continent offers the ideal conditions for safari trips in the southwest, sightseeing in the Cape region, and adventures in East Africa. 

It is also the best time for game viewing in the wilderness areas stretching from west to east. Southern Africa’s majestic animal migrations take place during these months, creating fascinating views of wildlife for the best photographic experience. 

Your chances of witnessing animal births are high, especially in Southern Africa’s national parks. Trips to Africa from September to December have a lot to offer if you wish to witness the incredible wildlife diversity and the intriguing local life.

Check out our weather guide for the best time to visit Africa.

Money Matters

PERSONAL EXPENSES

Naturally you will require extra money for your own personal spending on the tour, for Activities and Excursions, snacks, drinks, souvenirs, tips and items of a personal nature. Everybody has different spending habits but as a guideline we suggest you budget US$15-30 per day. Also keep US$ cash for relevant airport taxes and visas needed, optional activities and any additional accommodation before or after your tour.

Spending money is best carried as cash in either US dollars(US Dollars in clean, un-torn, post 2008 edition notes), South African Rand, Sterling or Euro which can be exchanged on arrival and as you travel. Your guide will give general guidance
about spending during the tour.

Currencies are as follows: Uganda – Shilling

ATM machines are found in Kampala. Please note they are sometimes unreliable (and therefore should not be relied upon).

Credit cards can be used to pay for optional activities although charges may be may be high by western standards (+/- 5%).

TIPPING

As in many areas where tourism is an important contributor to the economy it has become customary to offer a small gratuity to local staff at the end of the tour if service has been of a high standard. Naturally, this always remains at your discretion.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES AND EXCURSIONS

To give you maximum flexibility on the tour we offer a number of optional activities on the tour. To help budget, approximate prices are listed below in US$ unless otherwise stated. All prices are subject to change and availability.

travel to Africa

Essentials to Bring & Internet

-Face mask/cover and hand sanitiser enough for your personal use throughout the trip – See more at https://www.traveltalktours.com/safe-travels/

-Travel Documents: Passport, Visa (if required), flight or transport ticket (and photocopies)

-Travel Talk Tour Voucher (printed or digital)Travel Insurance Policy (and photocopy)

-Personal medical kit and medicine

-Money (cash, credit card, travellers’ cheques)

-Power Adapter

-Reusable water bottle

-Ear plugs and eye mask

-Sun protection – hat, sunglasses, sunscreen

-Comfortable, closed walking shoes

-Wind/water proof jacket

-Warm clothes, hat, and gloves for cold weather

-Sandals, swimwear, shorts for warm weather

Solo Travellers

We have many solo travellers joining our tours. Solo travellers will be roomed with another traveller of the same gender. If you would like a private solo room, please contact us. You may see out solo travels page for more details.

Rules to Follow

We are committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. We do not tolerate any form of violence (physical or verbal), bullying or harassment involving customers, partners, Travel Talk staff or locals. Sexual relationships between a tour leader and a passenger are forbidden.

We will not tolerate any illegal activity, including but not limited to: use and possession of illegal drugs, trespassing, and disrupting public order. If you consume alcohol, please ensure that you drink responsibly and follow the local laws and regulations.

You must follow the advice of your tour leader and local officials regarding health and safety measures. We operate all tours under Safe Travels protocols for the wellbeing of our passengers, staff and communities visited. Please ensure that you have read the https://www.traveltalktours.com/safe-travels/ and are fully prepared for your trip.

If someone is acting inappropriately regarding these matters, please notify your tour leader immediately or contact us on the emergency contact number provided below.

Your tour leader has the right to remove from the group anyone not abiding by these rules, with no right of compensation or refund. See more at https://www.traveltalktours.com/booking-terms/

Please remember that our travellers come from different parts of the world and will have various needs and preferences. Be understanding and patient with your fellow travellers, and always strive to be on time.

Responsible Travel

We strongly believe that you get the most out of a journey by respecting the culture and people of the places you visit. On our tours, we try to travel in a way that benefits the communities we pass through and minimizes the negative impact on the environment. This can be from ensuring the campsites and accommodation we use are clean when we leave and dressing respectfully in conservative areas to getting involved with local charity projects. We ask that you are open to this when you travel with us. Being proactive in responsible travel helps develop cross-cultural understanding and friendships with the local people and will greatly enhance your experience in Africa.

Read more at https://www.traveltalktours.com/responsible-travel/

Get Connected

WIFI on tour:

While WIFI is becoming more common in some areas of Africa we cannot guarantee the speed, cost or reliability during your tour.

Open until midnight

+44 20 809 995 96
[email protected]

Monday - Friday: 09:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
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