Gorilla Trek Independent Adventure

What's Included

• Accommodation
  Hotel (2 nts).

• Meals
  2 breakfasts

• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park guided mountain gorilla trek

  Experience a guided trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to see mountain gorillas.

• All national park fees and trekking permits

  All fees and permits for national parks and trekking activities are included.

• Visit to Kigali Genocide Museum

  A visit to the Kigali Genocide Museum is included in the tour.

• All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

  Transportation between destinations and to/from included activities is provided.

What's Not Included

• International Travel

  International travel to and from the tour starting point is not included.

• Tipping and Gratuities

  Tipping and gratuities are not included in the tour price.

• Accommodation in Kigali

  Accommodation in Kigali before the tour starts is not included.

Transport

Private minibus/safari vehicle, walking.

Meals Included

2 breakfasts

Accommodation

Enjoy a comfortable stay at the Gorilla Valley Lodge for two nights, offering a serene retreat amidst the lush landscapes of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Meals

Only breakfast is included for this trip. This gives you flexibility: your hotels will have a restaurant or you may inquire about a good local establishment. Part of the excitement of a G Adventures trip is the ability to try local dishes when possible. Your guide will advise you about pre-ordering a packed lunch for your day excursion. ...more ...less

Mode of Transport

Travel in comfort with a private minibus or safari vehicle, complemented by walking excursions to explore the stunning natural surroundings.

Minimum Age

Minimum age of 15 years for this trip.

Important Notes

1. INDEPENDENT STYLE

This is an Independent style G Adventures tour. This means that we do not have dedicated group departures, but rather that we offer the trip on any given day that you choose. As such, there may or may not be other passengers booked on the exact same day as you. Locally, you may have the option to be pooled with other passengers who have not booked through G Adventures.



2. WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS

G Adventures can never guarantee the sighting of wildlife, especially when it comes to mountain gorillas. However, the mountain gorilla trek is organized to ensure success. Before heading into the jungle, our local guides receive coordinates from trackers on the whereabouts of the gorillas, and the trackers stay with the gorillas until the group arrives.



3. ILLNESS

Please note that if you are unwell with anything contagious, even a common cold, you may be denied any of the treks to ensure the safety of the gorillas. This is a national park regulation, and trekking permits will not be refunded if you are denied entrance due to illness.



4. DAY 1 EARLY DEPARTURE

We strongly recommend arriving a day prior as this trip does not include a night in Kigali. Your tour departs 8am in the morning from Kigali. Though this tour does not include accommodation in Kigali, you may choose to pre-reserve a room through G Adventures at our joining hotel.



5. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Visitors to Rwanda/Uganda should be in excellent physical condition, without any heart problems and prepared to spend strenuous days in humid rain forests, steep terrain and high altitude trekking for chimpanzee and gorillas, as well as other primates. Waterproof hiking boots, trousers and long sleeved closed shirts, garden gloves, waterproof clothing and poncho are essential. A pouch for your camera equipment is also highly recommended. As it is very dark in the jungle; only high speed film (ISO 400 or higher) will give good results. Those preferring to remain at base camp in Bwindi may do so, however, there is no price reduction.



6. NATIONAL PARK FEES

Please note that the price of this tour includes all national park and permit fees for the Gorilla tracking experience in Uganda. As such, you will not be expected to pay any other fees in order to take part in this amazing experience on this tour - we include all fees of this activity within the selling price.



7. ELECTRICITY

The power supply in Uganda is nominally 240VAC, 50hz. Variable voltage, spikes and sporadic, unexpected, unscheduled power cuts of varying duration can be expected.



8. YELLOW FEVER

Please be advised that it will be required to show a yellow fever certificate upon entering Uganda.



9. GORILLA TREKKING PERMIT TOUR DEPOSIT

Due to the need to secure non-refundable permits for the gorilla trek, the deposit for this tour will be $500 USD at the time of booking. The exact deposit amount is subject to change, pending any locally imposed changes in gorilla permit cost. Please note that travellers are able to transfer the permit to an alternative date ahead up until 8 days to the trekking date; anything below 8 days is non refundable and can not be transferred to an alternative date.



If the client cancels before that we can transfer the permit to an alternative date ahead.

Anything below 8 days to the tracking date is is non refundable and can not be transfered to an alternative date hence 100% cancellation.



10. ACCOMMODATION NOTE:

Please be aware that properties we stay in with only two stories may not have elevators installed and climbing the stairs with your luggage will be necessary. ...more ...less

Group Leader

For this tour, you will be lead by a local G Adventures Driver CEO. He will meet you in Kigali, and be your main group manager and contact during your trip. Our Driver CEO is there to lead your trip, assist you with any questions or concerns, and share with you his broad knowledge of the region. During the trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, we use an experienced and certified tracking guide, and armed guards to accompany you for your safety. We also use local guides for some included activities where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting. ...more ...less

About Accommodation

Due to the unpredictability of gorilla movements your accommodation may be in either Kisoro, Buhoma or Ruhija.



The Buhoma Community Restcamp was set up in 1993 to enable the community to benefit from gorilla tourism in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The restcamp is run by community members and all profits are shared with the local community through assistance in funding local schools and clinics. There is an associated women's group, Bwindi Progressive Women's Group, which makes handicrafts and puts on performances of local music and dance for visitors. Part of the proceeds from the women's group's activities is being used to fund a maize mill for the community. Currently, the local people have to travel, often on foot, 25km to get their crops ground. Simple accommodation is provided in clean well maintained bandas, some with en suite facilities. Each has solar electric lighting installed with shared washing/toilet facilities. The showers are heated by firewood. There is a picnic banda in which to sit, socialize, relax and eat; as well as a reception building, which houses a bar and dining room. A variety of foods are available, as well as cold beers and sodas.



If you have booked this tour for 1 traveller, you will have your own room throughout. If you have booked this tour 2+ travellers, you will be sharing a twin-room/s throughout. ...more ...less

What to Take

You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. Your baggage should be clearly labeled and restricted to one soft compact suitcase, or sports bag, maximum 15kg, plus a daypack. Luggage limits on airlines are strictly enforced and space on vehicles is limited. If desired, porters can be hired for USD20 and will carry your personal items and assist you during the trek. It is important to pack clothes for warm days and cool evenings, as well as a warm jacket for early morning wildlife safari drives. A set of smart casual clothes is also advisable.



On this trip you may experience all four seasons. We suggest you take something warm eg tracksuit, fleece or pullover for the mountainous areas i.e. Bwindi or Virungas. It is at a higher altitude and will therefore be cooler in the evenings - a jersey, anorak/wind jacket and tracksuit pants would be suggested.



It will also be necessary to take some wet weather gear as it does rain in the mountainous areas of Uganda and Rwanda on a regular basis. We suggest lightweight rain gear for the walk to see the gorillas.



While gorilla trekking you will need a comfortable, hard wearing, pair of walking shoes or boots. Conditions are generally very muddy/slippery. There are uphill sections which may be quite steep and strenuous. It is also advisable to wear a long sleeve cotton shirt and lightweight long pants to protect yourself from the undergrowth, stinging nettles and biting ants. (Tracksuit pants often get caught on bushes, thorns, etc and jeans can get very heavy when wet). Gloves are also highly recommended – just cheap gardening gloves will do. Tuck your long pants into your socks/boots to avoid biting insects. Also take a water bottle, and a day pack for camera gear and to carry your jacket if it’s too warm.



Your clothes will in all likelihood get very muddy and may not recover to their original state - therefore take old clothing for the gorilla trekking. Hard wearing clothes, no bright colours, no army camouflage clothing should be worn. Greens, khaki and similar neutral clothes are recommended. ...more ...less

Spending Money

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip. ...more ...less