Chimps & Gorillas of Uganda Trip Notes

Transcription

1 Current as of: November 29, :15 Valid for departures: From January 1, 2017 to January 1, 2020 Chimps & Gorillas of Uganda Trip Notes Ways to Travel: Guided Group Destinations: Uganda Programmes: Wildlife Trip Code: WQU 12 Days Flight Inclusive 10 Days Land only 16 Min age Leisurely / Moderate Trip Overview Uganda is renowned for its abundant wildlife. With landscapes ranging from savannah to lush forests the animal count is high: over 300 mammal species and more than 1,000 types of birds. This trip is a true adventure into the heart of Africa. Kibale Forest is possibly the best place in the world to track chimpanzees whilst Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to hippos, elephants, buffalo, leopards and elusive tree-climbing lions as well as a huge variety of birds. Continuing on our journey we reach Bwindi where we have the option of tracking the gentle giants of the forests, Mountain gorillas. 1/18

2 At a Glance 9 nights in a mixture of hotels and lodges, all en suite Travel by specially designed 4WD vehicles Reasonable fitness required for chimpanzee and gorilla tracking Trip Highlights Track chimpanzees and other primates in Kibale Forest Search for the elusive tree climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth N.P. Spend a magical hour with Mountain gorillas in Bwindi Discover just how friendly and hospitable the Ugandan people are Is This Trip for You? This trip has been graded 2 (Leisurely/Moderate) with a safari rating of 4. The grading of moderate applies specifically to the gorilla trek and the chimp trek, the rest of the itinerary is graded as leisurely in relation to the activity level. Gorilla Trek: Owing to the nature of the terrain and the need to explore to find the gorillas, the trek doesn't follow a path in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and instead the guides will cut a route through the undergrowth. You should expect a minimum of three hours walking on rough terrain, with the possibility of climbing up to 2607m, in order to find the gorillas; steep ascents and descents over muddy slopes are the norm. Strong footwear is essential and we recommend hiring a local porter to help you carry your bag/camera equipment and provide a steady, supportive hand (porters will be arranged and paid for locally on the day). This is a busy and active trip with some early starts as we explore as much as we can of this wonderful country. There are some long drives, sometimes on bad roads, but we use comfortable safari vehicles and the fantastic scenery does make time on the drives go by. BOOKING CONDITIONS Please note that at the time of booking a 600 (or equivalent in booking currency) non-refundable deposit to cover the cost of chimpanzee and gorilla permits is required. If for any reason we are unable to secure the permits and we have to cancel the trip, you will of course receive a full refund. Adult min age: 16 Min group size: 4 Max group size: 14 Itinerary 2/18

3 Land Only Itinerary Day 1 Start Entebbe; drive to Kibale Forest. Those on the group flights arrive in the late morning and we depart on the drive to Kibale Forest. The length of the drive does depend, in large part, on traffic in Kampala but should take approximately 7 hours. Upon arrival at Kibale Forest we can relax at our lake-side eco-lodge. Kibale Forest National Park is home to 13 primate species. There are 9 diurnal primates, including Vervet, Red-tailed, L Hoest s, Red colobus, Blackand-white colobus and Blue monkeys, as well as Grey-cheeked mangabey, Olive baboon and the most famous of all, the chimpanzee. Although chimp sightings are not guaranteed, the odds of encountering them are very good. Accommodation: Kibale Guest Cottages or similar Standard Hotel Meals included: Lunch, Dinner 3/18

4 Day 2 Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale; visit Bigodi wetlands. Today we will explore the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary located in the Magombe wetland. The sanctuary is a major eco-tourist attraction in the Kibale Forest area and is operated by the Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental Development (KAFRED), a local community based organisation. We will also go on a forest walk in search of primates. Whilst trekking in the depths of the lush green forest, you will be surrounded by bird song and can expect to see at least 5 or 6 other types of primate, most probably the Grey-cheeked mangabey and the Redtailed monkey and of course the chimpanzee. The walking is fairly easy due to the well-maintained trails and reasonably flat terrain. The order in which we do these activities may vary. Accommodation: Kibale Guest Cottages or similar Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 3 Optional second chimpanzee trek; to Queen Elizabeth N.P. There is the option of doing a second chimp trek this morning in order to increase the probability of seeing them (due to limited permit availability we recommend you pre-book the second chimp trek). In the afternoon, we drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP). The drive goes south along the eastern length of the Rwenzori Mountains, where, weather permitting, we can see the glaciated peaks. We gently descend into The Great Rift Valley and QENP. The park resides in a fertile, equatorial area and has beautiful scenery. It is Uganda s most popular and accessible savannah reserve, with a total area of 1978 square kilometres. It is primarily associated with grassy savannah plains, but this impressive park also includes within its boundaries leafy rainforests, dense papyrus swamps and natural volcanic crater lakes. As a result it has one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any game reserve in the world, including a total of 95 recorded mammal species and more than 610 species of birds. Accommodation: Park View Safari Lodge or similar Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 4 Game drive in Queen Elizabeth N.P.; boat safari on the Kazinga Channel. This morning we will explore QENP on a game drive in search of wildlife including elephants, lions, buffalo, leopard, hyena, jackal, topi, kob, bush buck and various others. In the afternoon we have a boat trip of about two hours along the Kazinga Channel to view some of the largest concentration of hippo in the world (reported to be about 30,000) and other game with excellent birding. Accommodation: Park View Safari Lodge or similar Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 4/18

5 Day 5 Game drive in the Ishasha region of Queen Elizabeth N.P.; to Buhoma. Today we drive through the park to the Ishasha region. We game drive in search of tree climbing lion and other wildlife. This afternoon we head to Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest, a World Heritage site, passing through the scenic area known as 'The Switzerland of East Africa'. The driving today is about 5 1/2 hours (not including game drives). Accommodation: Gorilla Mist Lodge or similar Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 6 Mountain gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. For many, coming toe-to-toe with a Mountain gorilla is one of the most emotional wildlife experiences possible. Tracking these gentle giants can take anything from under an hour to over six hours depending on where the family is located. The number of permits allocated daily are limited so we recommend early booking. Should the permits for gorilla families close to where we stay be unavailable, there are more permits for another area of the park, though this will mean a long drive to the starting point of the trek. The trek itself can be along steep, slippery trails and through the bush so you should be in reasonable physical condition, but the rewards of spending an hour with our close cousins more than makes up for the effort of getting to them. Accommodation: Gorilla Mist Lodge or similar Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 7 Optional second Mountain gorilla trek. Today is a free day and there is the option of getting a second gorilla permit for this day, though due to the limited number of permits, this should be obtained at time of booking. For those who choose not to go on a second gorilla trek, there are other walks which you can do nearby or you can relax at our lodge, reminiscing about the previous day s encounters. Accommodation: Gorilla Mist Lodge or similar Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 5/18

6 Day 8 To Lake Mburo N.P. Leaving the forests behind we head towards Lake Mburo National Park. En route we will stop in Kabale near the Rwandan border for lunch. The drive time should be about five hours (not including stops). Lake Mburo is the only place in southern Uganda where you can see zebra, giraffe and impala and is a great place to try and see leopards. It is also home to over 300 species of birds and offers the possibility of game walks as well as game drives. Accommodation: Mburo Safari Lodge or similar Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 9 Game drive; optional game walk or boat safari. Today we go on a final game drive looking for plains wildlife. The park has a network of game tracks in the eastern part of the park passing a variety of landscapes; acacia woodland, wetlands, grassy hillsides, rock outcrops and seasonally flooded valley floors. The early morning and late afternoon are the best times to roam the park in search of wildlife. There is also the option of tracking game on foot through the savannah and going on a boat excursion, particularly good for birdlife. You have the option of going on an early morning game walk this morning. Accompanied by a ranger guide, you will walk to a salt lick where many animals are attracted to the salty rocks. At this time of day you may encounter hyenas returning to their dens and hippos retreating to the lake The lake itself is rich with a diversity of animal and plant species, and these can be viewed clearly while on a boat trip. These include crocodiles, hippos and birds such as pelicans, Black crake, heron, cormorant and Fish eagle, but you may also see the rare Shoebill stork if you are lucky. Accommodation: Mburo Safari Lodge or similar Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 10 Drive to Entebbe; visit Mabamba swamp en route to search for Shoebill storks; end Entebbe. Today is our final day and we make our way back to Entebbe and the shores of Lake Victoria. The driving time will depend on the amount of traffic in Kampala, but we will make regular stops to break up the journey. En route back to Entebbe we will visit the Mabamba Swamp (Mabamba Bay Wetland System), which lies about 40 km from Entebbe. This swamp is the perfect spot in Uganda for watching the globally threatened Shoebill stork and the Papyrus yellow warbler. The Mabamba Swamp is said to support over 190,000 birds. Our adventure ends in the afternoon in Entebbe. Those on the group flights will return to the airport in time for their overnight flight. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation 6/18

7 Hotel and Lodges The accommodation on this trip is a mixture of hotels and lodges. All the accommodation is en suite and relatively comfortable, though not luxurious. We have selected, whenever possible, properties in or near the national parks we visit to enrich the wilderness experience of this trip. Please note that due to the size of the Gorilla Mist Lodge, we will use a mix of cottages, tents and standard rooms. The facilities are the same in all the rooms, but the structure of the rooms do vary. Single supplement available. Single supplement from CAD Food & Transport Eating & Drinking All breakfasts, 10 lunches and 9 dinners included. The service can be either a la carte or buffet, depending on the lodge. For early game drives and in order to maximise the time spent in the parks, a packed breakfast or lunch may be provided in some instances. The food provided is a mix of good local and international food throughout. It is possible to cater for vegetarians or clients with special requirements, however please make sure you will advise your Sales Consultant at time of booking or our Customer Operations department before departure. Please also note that in Uganda the availability of certain specialised products for restricted diets, e.g. gluten-free or dairy-free, is minimal or non-existent and we strongly recommend you bring these specialized dietary items from home. Transportation We use comfortable 4x4 vehicles throughout the trip, normally Toyota Landcruiser or similar with open roof hatches for optimised game viewing. Some of the drives can be quite long and some of the roads are not in the best condition, especially after the rains. Weather & Seasonality When to go The wettest areas are concentrated along the shores of Lake Victoria and the western mountain districts. Although rains are normally more frequent during the two rainy seasons which occur in April-May and October-November, wet spells can occur also during the dry season, so please come prepared for this. Uganda can be visited at any time, as over most of the country the weather is pleasant for much of the year and temperatures are never excessively high. The temperatures are usually cooler at night and this depends more on the altitude than on the actual area of the country. Weather Information The wettest areas are concentrated along the shores of Lake Victoria and the western mountain districts. Although rains are normally more frequent during the two rainy seasons which occur in April-May and October-November, wet spells can occur also during the dry season, so please come prepared for this. Uganda can be visited at any time, as over most of the country the weather is pleasant for much of the year and temperatures are never excessively high. 7/18

8 The temperatures are usually cooler at night and this depends more on the altitude than on the actual area of the country. Weather Charts Kampala, Uganda Joining Instructions Travelling flight inclusive from London: 12 days The group flight from London is an overnight flight departing the day before Day 1 of the itinerary. Flights from London We normally use the scheduled services of Kenya Airways (depending on availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm up-to-date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure. Travelling land only: 10 days starting and ending in Entebbe Your trip normally starts at the airport in Entebbe in the morning of Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided in the Final Joining Instructions - sent approximately two weeks before departure. 8/18

9 Regional Flights The Flight Inclusive price is based on a London departure, but we are happy to tailor this to your local or regional airport. Please ask about flights from local or regional airports. (/ca/regionaldepartures) If booking regional flights other than with Exodus, you must allow a minimum connecting time (in addition to the international check-in time) of 1 hour at Gatwick, and 1.5 hours at Heathrow; this is longer than the official minimum, but baggage handling is known to be subject to delays. Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. Transfers Details Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight, even if Exodus has booked it. If you require airport transfers, you may (by prior arrangement only) be able to join the group transfer. Transfers are arranged to coincide with the arrival time of the group flight - please check the group flight details 2 weeks before departure. If you do not take this transfer, or miss it, you must make your own way to the joining point at your own expense. If booking regional flights other than with Exodus, you must allow a minimum connecting time (in addition to the international check in time) of 1 hour at Gatwick, and 1½ hours at Heathrow; this is longer than the official minimum, but baggage handling is known to be subject to delays. Location start: Entebbe Location end: Entebbe What to Take Essential Equipment You will encounter a range of temperatures on this trip. Most of the time light cotton clothing will be most comfortable, but you should bring a fleece jacket for early morning game drives and for the evening. Avoid bright colours when on safari. You will also need the following items: Rain coat Waterproof trousers Fleece or Sweater Hiking boots Insect repellent Sun cream Binoculars Head torch Water bottle Long sleeved pants and shirts Swimsuit Gloves: for the Gorilla trek as there can be stinging and sharp vegetation on the trek. Cheap gardening gloves would be fine. Please use soft sided bags rather than suitcases or bags with wheels as there is only limited luggage space on the vehicles. 9/18

10 Plastic bottles are a big issue in many countries where recycling isn t yet widely available; they often end up in landfill sites or get burnt, both processes are harmful to the environment and we would like to reduce our impact here. On this trip, water will be included in order to try to reduce the amount of plastic produced. Whenever possible, we will try to provide water in 5-10lt bottles however, please note that at times we may need to use slightly smaller bottles instead. Please add a water bottle to your packing list! Practical Information Passport Uganda All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information below is primarily for UK passport holders, and other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects. 10/18

11 Visa Uganda Most nationalities require a visa for Uganda. The Government of Uganda has introduced the online visa application system with effect from 01 July Applications should be filled at the following link: ( The decision taken on the application will be sent electronically through the provided by the applicant. If approved, an approval letter will be sent as an attachment to the provided. Print it out and present it together with a valid passport / travel document at the port of entry. The cost of a standard, single-entry visit visa had been reduced to $US 50. You ll need to bring this amount with you in cash (US dollars only) on arrival. Check the Ugandan Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control website for the latest information on visa fees. Information about documents required in the online visa application is found here: ( If after visiting Uganda, you will also travel to Rwanda and Kenya, you may apply for East African Visa that will cover all three countries. Please contact the Ugandan High Commission to obtain more information about the combined visa from Uganda. Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required. Vaccination Uganda Vaccination against Yellow Fever is necessary, and you must bring a valid certificate of vaccination. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Yellow Fever. Malaria prophylaxis is essential and we suggest that you seek advice from your GP or travel health clinic about which malaria tablets to take. Bilharzia is known to occur in some of the lakes or rivers visited on this itinerary, we therefore advise all to take advice from your guide or leader locally before venturing for a swim. Travel health can often be something people forget about before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad. Dengue fever and/or Chikungunya are known risks in places visited on this trip. Both are tropical viral diseases spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for either, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information. For additional information please visit: ( Insurance - are you adequately covered? It is a condition of joining any of our holidays that you must be fully insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs and air ambulance or helicopter rescue services where appropriate). On arrival in destination for your trip, you will be asked to present details to your leader or local representative of your policy. If you are resident in the UK we strongly recommend the Exodus travel insurance policy (/ca/insurance), this is specifically designed to cover all activities on your trip. If arranging your own policy please ensure that you are covered for all activities that are part of the trip, optional activities that you intend to take part in and/or on high altitude itineraries, that you are covered up to the maximum altitude of the trip. Local Time 11/18

12 Uganda's Timezone: Africa/Kampala EAT (GMT +03:00) Electricity Uganda's Electricity: 240 Volts. Plug types G Money Uganda's Currency The national currency of Uganda is the Ugandan Shilling (UGS), with an exchange rate at the time of publication (September 2017) of approximately 4753 to the GBP, 3596 to the USD, 2970 to the CAD, 4339 to the EUR, 2915 to the AUD and 2628 to the NZD. ATM Availability ATMs are still fairly uncommon in Uganda, there is one at the airport as well as in Entebbe but these are not reliable and often will not work. Traveller's Cheques can be difficult to change and limited to towns, so strongly recommend that you do not bring traveller's cheques. Bring a sensible mix of denominations, and it is useful to bring a small amount in cash US dollars as well. Credit cards are not widely used except in Kampala. Extra Expenses & Spending Money We recommend that you take most of your money in US dollars cash, with notes issued from 2006 or later with the big head design and in good condition. It is possible to bring some GBP but make sure to have USD for the visa. It is best to change money in town on arrival. Larger denomination bills will receive a better exchange rate. Shillings may not be imported or exported. There is no restriction on the import of foreign currency provided it is declared on arrival. It is difficult legally to reconvert shillings into hard currency. You may wish to buy some souvenirs as well and this is normally a very good way of supporting the local communities. As all meals are included on this trip there are very few extra expenses. Water is provided on the vehicles, however you should allow some extra cash for soft drinks, beer and wine. You also have the opportunity to hire a porter for the Gorilla trek (US$20 + US$5 tip) to carry heavy camera equipment or help you on slippery trails. This is also a good way to help support the local economy. Optional Excursions: Second Chimp tracking in Kibale Forest - from 105 or equivalent in booking currency (to be booked in advance) Second Gorilla tracking in Bwindi NP - from 445 or equivalent in booking currency (to be booked in advance) Tipping Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work with Exodus. You may feel that your leader has performed well over the course of your time in Uganda and want to show your appreciation of their services. If you would like to tip your leader we suggest a figure of approximately US$5 per person per day. It is also courtesy to tip any local guides, lodges, porters and/or boat staff you may have over the course of the trip, though certainly not compulsory. We suggest a figure of approximately US$20 per person for these. 12/18

13 Responsible Tourism At Exodus we believe in the power of Responsible Travel. Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage. To learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus click here ( hstc= f2a da223ea57029a & hssc= & hsfp=43623 Exodus Community Join the Exodus online community Don't forget to visit the Community area on our website. You can view the range of Exodus videos and podcasts, read trip write-ups which have featured in the national media and take advantage of some special deals on travel gear and equipment. In the Community Travel Forum you'll find the Departure Lounge where you can discuss your trip with fellow travellers before you depart. When you get back from your holiday remember to upload your images to the relevant trip page on our website. This helps other people see what our holidays are really like and you'll be entered automatically into our monthly photo competition. To make full use of the Community (/ca/community) you'll need to join My Exodus. It's free, registration is simple and easy, so what are you waiting for? 13/18

14 Important Information On all guided trips Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone s ability to safely partake in an activity, or their impact on other people s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity. Although rarely enforced, by booking this trip you agree to section 16 of our Booking Conditions which clearly states that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these circumstances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred. On all trips In booking this trip you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability you should call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary. In an emergency, please contact our 24 hour out of hours service on +44 (0) Every time that you travel abroad you should take the time to read the warnings in the essential information (/ca/about-exodus/essential-information) in the brochure. Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers, and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; in order to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, as stated in our brochure, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons - climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary. As fuel prices, airport taxes and exchange rates fluctuate, and airlines manage their rates to match demand, it is proving harder than ever to guarantee our Flight Inclusive prices. Although we endeavour to keep our website as accurate as possible, daily fluctuations mean that our Flight Inclusive price may be out of date. For accurate prices we recommend that you contact one of our Travel Experts, or your Travel Agent. TRAVEL AWARE STAY SAFE & HEALTHY ABROAD The Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the NHS have up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad. For more on security, local laws, plus passport and visa information, see ( Keep informed of current travel health news by visiting ( Advice can change so check regularly for updates. For all latest travel information about your holiday, please visit our Travel Safety Advice (/ca/travel-safety-advice) page. How to Book 1. Check availability Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or Secure your place You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days. 14/18

15 3. Complete your booking and payment When you're ready to book, go to (/ca/homepage) for online booking, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque. Book with confidence: Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582 issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA - The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all monies paid to us for your trip are fully protected. Version /18

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