Troop to the Gorillas-Accommodated
Troop to the Gorillas-Accommodated
9 Days Starting and ending in Kampala
Visiting: Kampala, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Bunyonyi, Jinja
Tour operator:
Tour code:
20TTG9A
Specialist Group:
18-30 Somethings
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
25 - 30
Age range:
18-59
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Active, Adventure Tours, Safari Tours, Walking Hiking and Trekking
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Explore one of Africa's best wildlife experiences on Troop to the Gorillas, safariing through Uganda.
Trek rare chimpanzee and mountain gorillas in the misty landscape of Central Africa.
Guided by experts to the green highlands of Kigezi, witness the endangered mountain gorillas in southwest Uganda.
Discover gorgeous lakes, quaint villages and unforgettable sights, capping it off with a myriad of adventure activities in Jinja, source of the Nile River
Itinerary
Day 1 : Kampala – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Location: Kampala, Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Simba Camp - Camping in twin share tents with shared facilities
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Departing early from Kampala, we travel west towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, across the Equator, through fertile green terraced hillsides, lush banana plantations, steep mountains and tangled forests with herds of Ankole cattle with their incredible long curving horns roaming the roads and paddocks.
We camp a short distance from the Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Here you will have the opportunity to relax and unwind, take a walk in the surrounding areas and mingle with the local community.
Day 2 : Queen Elizabeth National Park
Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Simba Camp - Camping in twin share tents with shared facilities
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we enter the Queen Elizabeth National Park and take in the magnificent views of the mountains that separate Uganda from central Africa as well as Lake Edwards and Lake George.
Queen Elizabeth National park has over 500 species of bird and 100 species of mammals making it one of the most bio diverse national parks in the world and if we are lucky, we may get to spot these animals en route to Kyambura Gorge for the trek to see the chimpanzees.
Unlike their larger cousins the mountain gorilla, chimps live mostly in the trees and so our viewing is usually peering high into the forest canopy.
However, the experience of seeing man's closest relative in the wild is a memorable one.
Chimpanzee Trek permits are issued by the wildlife authority in groups of up to 8 people per group.
Depending on our group size, we may trek on the afternoon of Day 1,morning of Day 2 and afternoon of Day 2 or morning of Day 3.
Day 3 : Queen Elizabeth National Park - Lake Bunyonyi
Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Lake Bunyonyi Overland Stop/ Gorilla Trek area - Camping in twin share tents with shared facilities
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We leave the picturesque hills of the national park and make our way to the lush and stunning ‘Lake Bunyonyi' (‘Place of many little birds').
This lake is 27 km long, 7km wide and at an elevation of 1950 metres above sea level is surrounded by undulating hills between 2200m to 2478m high.
With a depth of nearly 900m in parts this lake is the second deepest lake in Africa (the deepest being Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania).
With twenty-nine islands that can be visited by local boats, the lake is a great place to unwind, relax and explore on the days that we don't trek to see the mountain gorillas.
Over the next two days the group will be split with one group trekking to the mountain gorillas while the others relax at Lake Bunyonyi to enjoy the many activities on offer.
Lake Bunyonyi
There are many activities to do here such as hiring canoes to visit some of the lakes' islands, visit local tribes and villages, visit the local orphanage, bird watching and nature walks.
Alternatively, just relax around camp, catch up on your travel diary or postcards to home.
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Mountain Gorilla Trekking
This region of Africa is home to the world's remaining 700 mountain gorillas, many of which inhabit the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
[We may travel into neighbouring Rwanda to trek for the gorillas on rare occasion].
On the day of our trek we gather in the early morning to meet our local guide and tracker.
Walking in small groups we trek into the thick rainforest.
The trek can be demanding at times with uneven terrain and hilly rainforest but the privilege of spending time with a family of these gentle primates makes the effort well worthwhile.
To many people the day's trek and time with the gorillas remains their most exciting wildlife encounter in Africa.
The usual procedure, once we have located the gorilla ‘family', is to squat or sit down and simply observe them for around an hour – the time set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (the national body charged with controlling and maintaining the gorillas in Uganda).
Gorillas are sociable creatures, living in groups between 12 and 20 individuals, usually led by an ‘alpha male' (the ‘silverback' - so called because of the silver hair on his back which grows once the male gorilla attains maturity).
Most people find that the gorillas are remarkably human-like at close quarters – particularly in the social interaction between family members and in ‘play' activity in which the young engage.
Photography is permitted (although not with a flash and there are restrictions for those who wish to use a video camera.
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Your permit allows you one trek and gorilla viewing (time limited to one hour).
However, because the authorities maintain strict limits on the number of visitors allowed to view the gorillas each day we may spend several days in the area while all passengers in our group complete the trek and viewing.
Day 4 : Lake Bunyonyi Rest Days Or Gorilla Trek Day
Location: Lake Bunyonyi
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Lake Bunyonyi Overland Stop/ Gorilla Trek area - Camping in twin share tents with shared facilities
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
If not trekking, today is free to explore the surrounding area, discover the Islands by boat on Lake Bunyonyi or relax back at camp catching up on some well-deserved rest and relaxation.
Day 5 : Lake Bunyonyi Rest Days Or Gorilla Trek Day
Location: Lake Bunyonyi
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Lake Bunyonyi Overland Stop/ Gorilla Trek area - Camping in t
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is a trek day or a day at leisure to enjoy the many optional activities in Lake Bunyonyi.
Whether relaxing on the shores of this deep crater lake with a good book or heading out to the village and orphanage to gain an insight into the everyday life of Ugandans in this area - you'll no doubt wish you could stay in this beautiful part of Africa for longer.
Day 6 : Lake Bunyonyi - Kampala
Location: Lake Bunyonyi, Kampala
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Red Chilli Camp - Camping in twin share tents with shared facilitiestents with shared facilities
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leaving Lake Bunyonyi we make our way back across the Equator (stopping for a photo opportunity if we did not stop on route to Queen Elizabeth National Park) through lush pasture lands and the northern reaches of Lake Victoria (largest lake in Africa) to Kampala where the tour finishes upon arrival.
Kampala is a hotspot for great food and entertainment.
If time allows, take the night out and try the local cuisines and enjoy the hospitality and friendliness of the local Ugandan's.
Day 7 : Kampala - Jinja
Location: Kampala, Jinja
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Nile River Explorers - Camping in twin share tents with shared facilities
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leaving Kampala, we drive the short distance to the town of Jinja on the banks of Lake Victoria and the Nile.
It was in 1862 that the British explorer John Hanning Speke recognised Lake Victoria as the ‘source of the Nile' settling a long running dispute about Africa's (and the world's) longest river.
From this modest monument the Nile begins its 4132-mile course through Uganda, Sudan and eventually Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea.
Our camp is situated on the grassy banks overlooking the Nile River.
It is here that we usually have the option to try river rafting - an exciting day out for those enjoying the thrill of ‘white-water'.
There is also the opportunity to make some difference to local children at a local school project: ‘Softpower' is a locally run voluntary programme aimed at building and improving schools in the Jinja area to which your contribution of a few hours of painting or plastering is always most welcome.
Other activities at Jinja include mountain biking, quad biking, village walks and even bungee jumping!
Day 8 : Jinja
Location: Jinja
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Nile River Explorers - Camping in twin share tents with shared facilities
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a free day in this magical place and the many optional activities on offer.
Adrenaline lovers can head to the world class rapids and try rafting - an exciting day out for those enjoying the thrill of ‘white-water'.
Those seeking a more relaxing day can visit the local community or simply just relax at camp.
Day 9 : Jinja - Kampala
Location: Jinja, Kampala
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a last day on the banks of the Nile exploring the surrounding community, the town of Jinja and discover the beauty of the river Nile as you relax on its banks or indulge in the many optional activities on offer.
After our refreshing stop at Jinja, we retrace our steps back to Kampala in the late afternoon where our tour ends.
What's Included
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Meals
8 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 8 Dinners
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Accommodation
8 Nights twin share accommodation
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Transportation
Fully equipped safari vehicle, All road tolls and vehicle taxes, All ground transportation
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Crew
Services of two crew
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Highlights
Mountain Gorilla Trekking, Subject to purchasing gorilla & chimpanzee permits
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
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Meals not stated above
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Items of a personal nature
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Entrance fees to the sights and museums
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Optional activities
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Other services not stated in the itinerary
Add Ons
Local Payment: £800
Check out our Q&As
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Are flights included in this tour?
No
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
No passenger under age 18.
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
There are always single travellers on our tours. If you don't mind being roomed with another single traveller of the same gender, then you do not need to pay a single supplement, however, this excludes all of our North American tours where the sharing option for a solo traveller is not available, and the single supplement must be applied if you are travelling alone. The single supplement is for travellers who would like to stay in a private room for the duration of the tour. PLEASE NOTE: The single private option is not always available, especially for sailing tours and camping.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Our tours are suitable for any traveller above 18 years old. The majority of Travel Talkers are from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada or Europe, however we always have travellers from all over the world. What brings them together is a passion for travel, discovering authentic cultures and experiencing unique adventures with like-minded travellers.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Travel Talk, we believe that travel is a force for good and show our support through various initiatives and charity organizations, as well as keeping the principals of responsible and sustainable travel at the core of our ethos. These values are engrained in our business culture and the design of our trips just the same. Together with our guests, we strive to make a positive impact on local p
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Over 20 years
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Free Date Changes
Travel Talk Tours allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 61 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Travel Talk Tours requires a minimum deposit of 100 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of travel talk tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 85% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.