ITINERARY FOR GORILLA TRACKING SAFARI IN UGANDA - VOLCANOES Uganda

Transcription

1 ITINERARY FOR GORILLA TRACKING SAFARI IN UGANDA - VOLCANOES Uganda

2 Let your imagination soar Journey overview Explore mist-covered mountain slopes in search of enchanted moments spend watching the intricate interaction of families of mountain gorilla. Encounter these fascinating primates in the heart of the World Heritage Site known as the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Trek the groups of mountain gorilla that live protected by this dense network of vines and shrubs, rewarded by exhilarating moments as you get to view their complex social structure at work. Traverse dense thickets and bamboo forests that extend over a series of steep ridges and marvel at the ecological uniqueness and natural beauty of this secluded mountain haven. Highlights of this Itinerary Gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park Local hospitality and community interaction What we love about this journey Augment your trekking adventure with a safari in the world renowned Serengeti National Park or Masai Mara National Park Extend your safari across the border to Kenya or Tanzania in search of the Great Migration End the perfect safari with a visit to the sun-drenched East African coast Specially created for Walking enthusiasts Repeat African travellers Extreme Adventures Active travellers / families

3 At a glance 4 nights / 5 days Two Guests DAY PROGRAMME Day 1 Transfer from Entebbe Domestic Airport to Entebbe Overnight: The Boma Hotel Entebbe Day 2 Transfer from Entebbe to Entebbe Domestic Airport Scheduled flight from Entebbe Domestic Airport to Kihihi Airstrip Transfer from Kihihi Airstrip to Bwindi Lodge Overnight: Bwindi Lodge Day 3 Included activities: Classic Gorilla Tracking Overnight: Bwindi Lodge Day 4 Included activities: Classic Gorilla Tracking Overnight: Bwindi Lodge Day 5 Transfer from Bwindi Lodge to Kihihi Airstrip Scheduled flight from Kihihi Airstrip to Entebbe International Airport Departure

4 Expect the extraordinary The Boma Hotel Entebbe Entebbe, Uganda Day 1 Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport you will be driven by private vehicle to The Boma Hotel Entebbe. Spend 1 night at The Boma Hotel Entebbe in a Standard Room with ensuite bathroom. Your stay includes accommodation and breakfast.

5 Expect the extraordinary The Boma Hotel Entebbe Entebbe, Uganda One of Entebbe s most exclusive hotels, the Boma Hotel sits in a leafy suburb just a few minutes away from Entebbe International Airport. Surrounded by a lush, tropical garden, the hotel effortlessly mixes together local tradition and the charm of a 1940 s colonial home. This intimate hotel offers just 15 luxurious ensuite rooms, individually decorated with a tasteful blend of African fabric and colonial furnishings. Each room offers a four-poster bed with mosquito netting, satellite television, WiFi and a beautiful private verandah from which to enjoy the peaceful garden. The landscaped garden is home to a sparkling swimming pool as well as an excellent restaurant and bar that enjoys views of Lake Victoria. There is also a play area with swings, a slide and a playhouse to keep children happily occupied. When not relaxing at the hotel, guests can visit the nearby Entebbe Botanical Garden, the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, or take a fun-filled trip to the beach. WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT THE BOMA HOTEL ENTEBBE Enjoy the highest hospitality standards, which are in keeping with the tradition of the charming lakeshore town of Entebbe. Relax by the swimming pool or in the pretty garden, which attracts various species of birds, as well as tortoises and vervet monkeys. Rent a bicycle at the hotel and cycle to the magnificent Entebbe Botanical Garden to spend a tranquil morning or afternoon.

6 Expect the extraordinary Bwindi Lodge Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda Day 2 An early morning pickup is scheduled for 06h00 from The Boma Hotel to Entebbe International Airport for your scheduled light aircraft flight to Bwindi (Kihihi Airstrip). An ancient rain forest, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest extends over a series of steep ridges in the Virunga Volcanoes mountain range. Its impenetrable nature, which is due to the dense growth of herbs, vines and shrubs that covers the valley floors, makes it the ideal habitat for the mountain gorilla. Declared a World Heritage Site due to its ecological uniqueness and natural beauty, the forest is home to roughly half of the world s total gorilla population. With terrain that varies from swamp and bamboo forest to dense thicket, this beautiful area poses both challenges and rewards for anyone interested in an intimate glimpse of the life of these fascinating primates. Spend 3 nights at Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge in a Banda with ensuite bathroom. Your stay includes all meals, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, laundry, a massage and any activities around the lodge. Day 3 Tuck in to a hearty breakfast overlooking the majestic mistcovered slope of the mountain. Soak up the anticipation as the guide briefs and the trekkers get ready then follow in the light steps of your nimble porter as the rainforest folds in around you. Stop and take it all in; the sounds, the smells and the astonishing scenery. Feel the rush of excitement as those dim shapes and faint sounds become actual living, breathing, free gorillas. Savour every moment of your exhilarating encounter with the great apes. Walk tired and exhilarated back to the lodge for a hero s welcome. Sink into a comfortable seat in front of a crackling fireplace and recount every highlight of the experience with your companions. As eyelids grow heavy, update your bucket list and sleep like a baby. Included activities: Gorilla Trekking in the Nkuringo area Day 4 Enjoy a full day Gorilla tracking in the Rushaga area. Included activities: Classic Gorilla Tracking

7 Expect the extraordinary Bwindi Lodge Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda Overlooking the beautifully primeval Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the Bwindi Lodge offers a stylish setting from which to enjoy the unforgettable experience of tracking the majestic mountain gorillas of Uganda. This premium lodge has just eight stone and timber glass-fronted bandas, which face the lush forest canopy. The ensuite rooms reflect the local building style and provide luxury in an eco-sensitive way. Guests can look forward to flushing toilets, a double vanity, showers with hot and cold running water and a private balcony from which to spot wildlife, including chimpanzees, mountain gorillas, and monkeys. Guests can enjoy delicious meals and an evening drink at the cosy bar and dining area, which overlooks the forested slopes, or relax by the fire in the lounge and share exciting gorilla tracking adventures with other guests. Other activities include scenic walks in the rainforest, as well as an interactive community visit to a neighbouring village to learn about the traditional way of life of the Batwa pygmies. WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT BWINDI LODGE Look out for the family of gorillas that visit the lodge regularly. Indulge in a soul-soothing massage at the lodge s superb spa. Take a guided hike to the stunning waterfalls nearby.

8 Expect the extraordinary Departure Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda Day 5 After a scrumptious breakfast you will be transferred by road in a shared lodge vehicle for 2 hours from Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge to Kihihi Airstrip where a scheduled light aircraft flight to Entebbe International Airport awaits you. From here you will embark on your onward arrangements. (Please note that the scheduled flight makes two stops at different airstrips before arriving in Entebbe International Airport.)

9 Journey overview RATES VALIDITY Per person sharing Low season: (01 Mar 31 May; 01 Oct 14 Dec 19) High season: (01 Jan 28 Feb; 01 Jun - 31 Sept; 15 Dec 31 Dec 19) USD USD Flights DETAILS Entebbe Domestic Airport to Kihihi Airstrip Kihihi Airstrip to Entebbe International Airport Transfers DETAILS Volcanoes Safaris Entebbe Domestic Airport to Entebbe Volcanoes Safaris Entebbe to Entebbe Domestic Airport Volcanoes Safaris Kihihi Airstrip to Bwindi Lodge Volcanoes Safaris Bwindi Lodge to Kihihi Airstrip Accommodation DESTINATION ACCOMMODATION DETAILS Entebbe Bwindi Impenetrable Forest The Boma Hotel Entebbe Bwindi Lodge Breakfast All meals and local brands of drinks

10 Journey overview What s included: Accommodation inclusions as per itinerary Meet and Greet at Entebbe Airport Amref Flying Doctors emergency evacuation Scheduled flights, inclusive of airport taxes where applicable, as specified in the itinerary NB: Baggage restriction of 15kgs per person (no more) is applicable on all flights in small, soft-sided bags. This includes hand luggage. Extra luggage will incur a charge of $3 per kg, per sector, to be paid directly to the airline upon check-in All ground transportation and transfers as indicated, which are inclusive of fuel Activities as stipulated in the itinerary Park, ranger guide, conservation fees Community bed night fees Scheduled Light Aircraft flights Entebbe Airport / Kihihi Airstrip / Entebbe Airport Road Transfers Entebbe Airport / The Boma Guest House / Entebbe Airport Kihihi Airstrip / Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge / Kihihi Airstrip All applicable taxes and administration fees Gorilla permits as stipulated in the itinerary: Gorilla is subject to availability of permits, which are limited to 8 per Gorilla family per day Gorilla permits cannot be held/secured/booked with the Uganda Wildlife Authority or the Rwanda Development Board in advance of payment they are only secured once physically paid for. We can check availability of permits but we cannot hold them We will invoice for the permits, and as soon as the funds clear in our account, we will go ahead and purchase Gorilla permits are always 100% non-transferable and non-refundable There is a minimum age limit for gorilla tracking of 15 years (no exceptions) In Uganda, please be advised that if clients are staying at Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, we shall endeavour to buy Nkuringo Gorilla group permits the Nkuringo group tracking start point is close to the Lodge. If at the time of booking, Nkuringo group permits are not available, we shall secure permits from the Rushaga group (encompassing the Nshongi, Mishaya, Busingye, Kahungye and Bweza Families) which is a minute drive from Clouds There is an additional cost of approximately $188 (per vehicle) which transfers guests to the tracking start point, waits and returns them to the Lodge What s not included: International flights and applicable airport departure taxes All passport and visa fees

11 The Government of Uganda has introduced an online visa application system. Guests intending to visit Uganda for tourism-purposes are required to apply and obtain a visa online: We have a separate document detailing more information on how-to apply please advise us if you need this. Single entry tourist visas are available at a cost of $50 (reduced from $100 on 22 July 2016), and East African tourist visas (between Uganda Rwanda Kenya) are available at a cost of $100 All health vaccinations and medications, including, but not limited to: Yellow Fever vaccinations are currently compulsory for entry into Uganda. All those entering Uganda must be in possession of a valid and original Yellow Fever vaccination card International flights and associated airport departure taxes Meals not specified (including lunch and other meal stops between properties on overland sectors) Drinks where not stipulated in itinerary Items of a personal nature Laundry in Kampala / Entebbe Gratuities for guides / drivers / hotel staff etc. Any extras and additional activities not mentioned in the itinerary Charges incurred as a result of delays or cancellations or other inconveniences beyond our control Trip cancellation, travel delay or baggage insurance All statutory increases beyond our control Travel / medical insurance &Beyond trading terms apply.

12 The details are in the fine print