Excludes: Visas if required, Personal travel insurance, Drinks & tips, Gorilla trekking permits - Bwindi.

Important Information:

Gorilla Permits - Permits to view gorillas in Uganda are in high demand, with only (currently) 18 people per day being allowed to view at Bwindi. A percentage of the permits at Bwindi are sold 12 months in advance, and only members of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators are allowed pre-purchase permits. The balance is sold three months prior to trekking. Rwanda has four families with 8 permits per family, per day available for trekking.

Prices are subject to change without notice due to exchange rate fluctuations, airfare increases or any other unforeseen increases.

Please note that there is an option with accommodation at Buhoma Homestead (Gorilla Valley Lodge) instead of Gorilla Forest Camp. Please enquire if you interested in this option. There is time for at least two treks on below itinerary. The following itinerary has been costed as a private itinerary. This option is available for flying to Kigali and trekking at Ruhengeri in Rwanda.

ITINERARY:

Day 1 - Arrive Entebbe, you will be met at the airport and transferred to the Lake Victoria Hotel. Dinner included, and breakfast the next day. This afternoon (depending on arrival time) you will be taken to Ngamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary where orphaned chimps are being cared for. Alternatively, we strongly recommend that you overnight at NGAMBA ISLAND chimpanzee sanctuary - an exclusive tented camp located on the island, overlooking Lake Victoria. (This can also be added at the end of your safari depending on flight arrival / departure times). Here you will stay in our roomy East African style tented camp with each of the tents overlooking the lake and accommodating two persons in comfort with full size beds, en suite bathroom facilities and solar lighting. All meals are prepared and provided by friendly camp staff in either our relaxed covered dining area or open dining area besides the lake when conditions allow. Meals are substantial with several courses for dinner and local specialities such as fish served when ever possible. Hot beverages including tea and coffee are available at all times on a self serve basis. Cold drinks are available on a cash sale basis including water, sodas and beers and anyone requiring anything else is welcome to bring it along with them. Life on the island .. View two of the day time chimpanzees feedings from the visitors platform area along the edge of the sanctuary fence, the bedtime and early morning feeding routines at the overnight chimpanzee holding facility and unlimited use of the other island facilities and optional activities. You may like to take out one of the kayaks around the island bays searching for wildlife such as monitor lizards, otters and abundant bird life (154 recorded) or view a local fishing village, go for a sunset cruise, fish or just relax on your tent's private deck overlooking the lake with sundowners while watching the bats emerge from the forest and the colourful African sun set. During your stay on Ngamba, as well as our camp staff, a CSWCT staff member will be resident on the island and available to provide information, and answer any questions on chimpanzees and the project. You may opt to go on a FOREST WALK with the young chimpanzees, and trained CSWCT staff - this activity has to be pre-booked and has stringent booking provisions relating to specific health requirements and inoculations etc. The walk is great fun, the chimpanzees climb all over you, hold your hand, hug and love you, or sometimes they can get a bit rough and rugby tackle you !!

Day 2 - Transfer to the airport for your charter flight to Bwindi - Kayonza airstrip. On arrival you will be met and transferred to the luxury tented camp Gorilla Forest Camp, located right next to the park itself on the edge of the forest. This beautiful camp has great views and is small and personal. Meals are a delight! The tents have ensuite facilities and are very roomy inside accommodating two large beds. Afternoon at leisure. Opportunity for a forest walk (may be arranged on arrival) All meals included.

Day 3 - Today you will be up early for your gorilla trekking into the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where your permits are held . An early morning trek into the forest on the slopes of the volcanoes, led by experienced trackers will bring you amongst a family of Mountain Gorillas. These massive primates are extremely rare, only approx 650 remaining. You will get within metres of the family, and be privileged to spend time amongst them. Returning to the camp for a late lunch, we have an opportunity to relax or wander up into the village and buy some curios, or visit the local orphanage (donations always welcome!), the school, or enjoy a traditional village dance. The gorilla trekking may be fairly strenuous; up to six hours is not uncommon - at relatively high altitude.

Day 4 - Option of a second trek at Bwindi. Overnight at the Gorilla Forest Camp, all meals included.

Day 5 - Return to Entebbe by charter flight and connect to flights out or optional overnight accommodation (not included). This same itinerary can be run down to RWANDA, flights into Kigali or Kisoro - but prices will change.
 

Excludes: Visas if required, personal travel insurance, drinks & tips, Gorilla trekking permits - Bwindi.

There is time for at least two treks on below itinerary. The following itinerary has been costed as a private itinerary. Includes Gorilla Forest Camp for 3 nights plus Ngamba Chimpanzee Island luxury tented camp for one night. This option is available for flying to Kigali and trekking at Ruhengeri in Rwanda.

Important Information:

Gorilla Permits - Permits to view gorillas in Uganda are in high demand, with only (currently) 18 people per day being allowed to view at Bwindi. A percentage of the permits at Bwindi are sold 12 months in advance, and only members of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators are allowed pre-purchase permits. The balance is sold three months prior to trekking. Rwanda has four families with 8 permits per family, per day available for trekking.

Prices are subject to change without notice due to exchange rate fluctuations, airfare increases or any other unforeseen increases.

ITINERARY:

Please see Uganda Gorillas Fly-In Safari - (5Day/4Night). Please note that there is an option with accommodation at Buhoma Homestead (Gorilla Valley Lodge) instead of Gorilla Forest Camp. Please enquire if you interested in this option.
 

Excludes: Visas, drinks, tips, personal travel insurance and items of a personal nature. Gorilla permits USD500 each. Charter flights also optional extra.

There are set dates for the convenience of individual travellers who do not want to pay for a private safari. Please note that trekking may take place in either Rwanda or Uganda, and this may only be advised once the permits have been confirmed. We reserve the right to amend the itinerary without notice accordingly.

Important Information:

Gorilla Permits
Uganda - Permits to view gorillas in Uganda are in high demand, with only 18 people per day being allowed to view at Bwindi, and 6 at Mgahinga, plus a further 6 at Nkuringo. A percentage of the permits at Bwindi are sold up to 48 months in advance, and only members of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators are allowed pre-purchase permits. The balance is sold three months prior to trekking. At Mgahinga & Nkuringo, the permits are on sale three months prior to trekking date - this is due to the fact that the gorilla family at Mgahinga sometimes crosses the border to Rwanda, and so cannot be viewed.

For those guests on private or tailor made tours outside the scheduled dates for which we have limited permits, we will purchase permits after the agent has secured payment for these from the guests. Should we be unable to secure permits, we will refund guests immediately.

Rwanda - there are four family groups for trekking in Rwanda, with a total of 32* permits per day being available. These may be pre-booked, as with Bwindi permits, gorilla viewing is excellent.

Please note that due to the popularity of Gorilla Tracking, it is important to secure your dates as soon as possible to avoid disappointment, particularly during the peak seasons of June-October, and December-February.

Visas - Most nationalities require a visa to enter Uganda. These can normally be obtained on arrival at the border - please check with your travel agent, or our office.

Health requirements - Yellow Fever (this must be done no later than 10 days prior to departure - if you have had any previous liver disorders you must consult your physician first). Anti-malaria tablets.

Travel Insurance - We strongly recommend you take out sufficient medical cover for the duration of your holiday. Please ask for our assistance in this regard.

Please note:
This itinerary may be altered slightly depending on gorilla permits and flight bookings.
Guaranteed departure with minimum two persons (subject to permit availability).
The minimum age limit on these two safaris is 16 years. For families or private groups with children, please enquire for a tailormade quote. Guaranteed for minimum two people.
All prices are subject to change due to any unforeseen price increase.

ITINERARY:

Day 1 - BB - Depart Johannesburg International Airport on South African Airways to Entebbe. On arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to the Lake Victoria Hotel, Entebbe. Bed and Breakfast only included.

Day 2 - FB - Fly or drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or to Rwanda Parc National de Volcans - overnight at lodge. For those flying in, an afternoon forest walk or cultural visit may be undertaken

Day 3 - FB - An early morning trek into the forest on the slopes of the volcanoes, led by experienced trackers will bring you amongst a family of Mountain Gorillas. These massive primates are extremely rare, only approximately 650 remaining. You will get within metres of the family, and be privileged to spend time amongst them. Returning to the camp for a late lunch, we have an opportunity for forest walks with the guides, or just to relax. Overnight lodge or camp. The trekking may be fairly strenuous; up to six hours or longer is not uncommon - at relatively high altitude. Mountain Gorillas are wild animals, as such sightings cannot be guaranteed, however the success rate is well over 90%.

Day 4 - FB - Today, those who have opted for two gorilla treks, will set off once again into the forest in search of one of the gorilla families. Those persons not trekking will be able to go on a forest walk in Bwindi looking for birds and primates with a local knowledgeable guide, or go on a local community village walk (Bwindi or Rwanda). This has been included in your tour. Relax for the afternoon at your camp, or possibly go and do some curio shopping along the road, or visit a local village where you may be treated to some dancing etc (Bwindi). Please discuss your options with your guide. Overnight Bwindi / Rwanda all meals included. For those safaris that track gorillas in Rwanda, the spare day will be taken up with a local excursion in the region. For those preferring, we can book a tour to visit Dian Fossey's grave, or tracking the Golden Monkeys - both of which are quite strenuous activities and attract an additional cost of USD75 & USD100 respectively.

Day 5 - FB - The road to Kabale takes you into the Uganda Highlands - the Switzerland of Africa - with great views and vistas of this lush green area. From here we continue, heading towards Kampala on good tarmac roads to Lake Mburo National park. This small park offers a great variety of game including zebra, leopard, various antelope and hippo - as well as prolific birdlife. Here you may go on a walk with a local guide, or on game drives exploring this park.

Day 6 - BL - Return to Entebbe arriving late afternoon. Curio shopping en route. Additional accommodation may be booked on request.Ngamba Island recommended for an overnight stay post safari. Do not book flight out before 20h00.
 

Viewing of these chimpanzees is excellent, offering good photographic opportunities. By visiting Ngamba Island, you are directly assisting the funding of this worthy project.

Please note that prices are subject to change due to any unforeseen circumstance.

ITINERARY:

Day 1 - Hotel (BB) - Arrive Entebbe International Airport, you will be met at the airport and transferred to the Lake Victoria Hotel, Entebbe. Bed and Breakfast only included. Depending on your arrival time, a half-day trip to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Reserve on Lake Victoria has been arranged for this afternoon. Entebbe is a small town, located on the edge of Lake Victoria. Depending on your time of arrival, you may like to spend some time exploring the town on foot, or you can take a taxi in to Kampala and visit the craft and curio markets there, the Kasubi Tombs and Museum. In Entebbe there is the Wildlife Education Centre, and you can see close up the large slow-moving Shoebill Stork, or you can try your hand at golf on the local 9-hole course. If you have a couple of spare days (either before or after your safari), we would recommend you consider one of the following activities or short safaris. For those who are really energetic, by prior arrangement it is possible to go to Jinja for the day and do some whitewater rafting or even a bungi jump, quad biking or just relaxing next to the lake and river; overnight on Ngamba island and consider a forest walk with the chimps; fishing / overnight trip to Ssese Islands; a 3 or 4 day trip to Murchison Falls (you may fly up or drive depending on time available)

Day 2 - Lodge (BLD) - We strongly recommend you FLY from Entebbe to Bwindi or Kisoro today, it's just under two hours by air and is most scenic. Alternatively, we will depart after an early breakfast to to the west of Uganda, along mountain roads to either Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Parc National des Volcans, Rwanda gorilla sanctuary - depending on where permits are held. Overnight in en suite chalet/lodge accommodation, all meals included. It will be a fairly long day in the vehicle, passing some interesting scenery, farmland and lush green hillsides. Lunch en route.

Day 3 - Lodge (BLD) - An early morning trek into the forest on the slopes of the volcanoes, led by experienced trackers will bring you amongst a family of Mountain Gorillas. These massive primates are extremely rare, only approximately 650 remaining. You will get within metres of the family, and be privileged to spend time amongst them. Returning to the camp for a late lunch, we have an opportunity for forest walks with the guides, or just to relax. Overnight lodge or camp. The trekking may be fairly strenuous; up to six hours or longer is not uncommon - at relatively high altitude. Please refer to our information sheet. Mountain Gorillas are wild animals, as such sightings cannot be guaranteed, however the success rate is well over 90%.

Day 4 - Lodge (BLD) - Today, those who have opted for two gorilla treks, will set off once again into the forest in search of one of the gorilla families. Those persons not trekking will be able to go on a forest walk in Bwindi looking for birds and primates with a local knowledgeable guide, or go on a local community village walk (Bwindi or Rwanda). This has been included in your tour. Relax for the afternoon at your camp, or possibly go and do some curio shopping along the road, or visit a local village where you may be treated to some dancing etc. Please discuss your options with your guide. Overnight Bwindi / Rwanda all meals included. For those safaris that track gorillas in Rwanda, the spare day will be taken up with a local excursion in the region. For those preferring, we can book a tour to visit Dian Fossey's grave, or tracking the Golden Monkeys - both of which are quite strenuous activities and attract an additional cost of USD75 & USD50 respectively.

Day 5 - Camp (BLD) - The road to Kabale takes you into the Uganda Highlands - the Switzerland of Africa - with great views and vistas of this lush green area. From here we continue, heading towards Kampala on good tarmac roads to Lake Mburo National park. This small park offers a great variety of game including zebra, leopard, various antelope and hippo - as well as prolific birdlife. Here you may go on a walk with a local guide, or on game drives exploring this park.

Day 6 - (B) - Return to Entebbe, stopping en route to shop for curios and at the Royal Drum makers at Mpigi if desired. You will be back in Entebbe mid afternoon, in time for an early evening flight out, or if you would like us to book an additional night accommodation either in Lake Victoria Hotel, or Kampala hotel. Alternatively go to Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary for an overnight - in our exclusive tented camp, located on the island just four large tents with en-suite facilities on wooden decks overlooking the lake. Whilst on the island, you may be able to go on a chimpanzee walk (by prior arrangement only) in the forest with the young orphaned chimps. Or you may fish, or simply relax and interact with the staff on the island (care-givers) and researchers who look after the orphaned chimps. You can help support this project by visiting. The entrance and activity fees paid goes directly towards helping cover the recurring costs of the island sanctuary and ensuring the well being of the chimpanzees.