Gorillas and Game Viewing

This is an 8 day set group departure trip including Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The gorilla trekking may take place in Rwanda on certain dates if permits are not obtainable in Bwindi. Note that the permits are extra to the group trip price and currently US$500 per person per trek, to be paid at the time of booking with the deposit.

Two gorilla tracking opportunities are included on the itineary but must be requested at the time of booking and are subject to availability.

Queen Elizabeth National Park offers a good variety of wildlife including the classic safari animals such as elephant, zebra, buffalo, hippo, lion and some local endemics such as the Uganda Kob. You will also do a boat trip here on the spectacular Kazinga Channel.

2010 DEPARTURE DATES (Day 1 arrive Entebbe):

8,15 & 22 Jan; 5 & 19 Feb; 5 & 19 March; 1 April; 4, 18 & 25 June; 2, 16, 23 & 30 July; 6, 20 &27 Aug; 3, 10 & 24 Sept; 15 & 22 Oct; 5 & 26 Nov; 3 & 22 Dec.

2008: 4 & 25 Jan; 8 & 22 Feb; 21 March; 4 April, 6 & 27 June; 4, 18 & 25 July; 1, 15 & 22 Aug; 5 & 19 Sept; 10 Oct; 28 Nov; 22 Dec. 2009: 2, 9, 15 & 23 Jan; 6 & 19 Feb; 6 & 27 Mar; 8 & 24 Apr; 5 & 19 Jun; 3, 17, 24 & 31 Jul; 7, 14, 21 & 28 Aug; 11 & 25 Sep; 2 & 23 Oct; 6 Nov; 23Dec.

Information

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Included

Accommodation, meals, transfers, game viewing, park fees, Ngamba Island boat excursion, boat trip in QENP, airport transfers.

Not included

Gorilla permits, flights, visas, travel insurance, drinks, optional chimp tracking in Chamburu Gorge QENP, laundry, personal items.

Is it for you?

Anyone of reasonable fitness can do a gorilla trek. The treks can be quite lengthy (up to 8 hours) and strenuous, maybe passing through steep and slippery terrain. Gorillas can catch human colds and 'flu, so if you are unwell at the time of the trek you may not be permitted to trek. You have to be over 16 years of agt to trek to the gorillas.

Best time

Available all year except May.

Getting there

British Airways fly 3 times a week direct to Entebbe from London or there are daily connections via Nairobi with Kenya Airways.

Weather and highlights

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- Jan
- Sunny
- 20
- 29
- Feb
- Sunny
- 20
- 28
- Mar
- Rain
- 20
- 27
- Apr
- Rain
- 20
- 27
- May
- Rain
- 20
- 27
- Jun
- Sunny with Cloud
- 20
- 26
- Jul
- Sunny
- 20
- 26
- Aug
- Sunny
- 20
- 26
- Sep
- Sunny
- 20
- 28
- Oct
- Rain
- 20
- 28
- Nov
- Rain
- 20
- 28
- Dec
- Sunny with Cloud
- 20
- 29

Gorilla tracking
Stunning scenery
Friendly people of Uganda
Variety of wildlife and scenery

Itinerary

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Duration: 8 days

Day 1: Arrive Entebbe, Lake Victoria Hotel. Boat excursion on Lake Victoria to the Ngamba Island Chimp Sanctuary, time permitting (this can be done at the end of the trip instead).

Day 2: Drive to Lake Mburo National Park with a game drive and bush walk, overnight in a tented camp.

Day 3: Long drive day to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Day 4: Gorilla trek in Bwindi or Rwanda

Day 5: Option for a second gorilla trek or morning forest walk. Afternoon drive to Mweya or Ishasha tented camp in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park - Ishasha area game viewing then to central area of park overnight Mweya or Jacana.

Day 7: Boat cruise and game drive in QENP

Day 8: Return to Entebbe via the Kampala markets and craft stalls, airport transfer included for evening flight out.

Additional accommodation can be arranged on request and you could overnight on Ngamba Island or take the boat excursion there the next day.

Pricing guidelines for Uganda

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We hope the following will give you a rough idea of costs. These are quoted per person based on twin share for two people, without international flights but including internal flights. We’ve used good standard accommodation throughout. There are nearly always ways to spend more money than we’ve suggested (!), but these prices show a good and realistic range for each type of trip.

International flights will add from about £500 to £700 depending on the season and route (unless the airlines have special offers). Uganda combines well with Rwanda and Kenya. Please note that gorillas permits add on about US$500 per visit. We charge these to you at the time of booking.

For a specific personal quote based on any tailor made itinerary you have in mind, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help you.

Example tripPrice per person
1 week gorillas and game safariBetween £2000 and £2500
2 week highlights of Uganda holidayBetween £3500 and £4500