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5 DAY GORILLAS & LAKE SAFARI KAMPALA
TO KAMPALA - This trip starts in Kampala and travels through
Uganda, finishing back in Kampala.
Please note that this trip departs Kampala on a Thursday,
very early morning. Should you wish to spend extra time there
an earlier arrival should be planned and additional accommodation
booked through the African Budget Safaris office.
Departure Point: Red Chilli Hideaway, Plot
82, Sunderlnd Ave, Mbuva, Kampala
Departure Time: 05h00
TOUR COST: R4690 + Local Payment: US$150
We suggest that you arrive in Kampala the day before your
trip departs and book pre night accommodation for yourself,
as we depart around 05h00 on day 1. You crew will be at the
departure point the night before departure to meet you.
Itinerary:
DAYS 01 & 02: Kampala to Kisoro
After an early morning departure from Kampala we drive west into the depths of Uganda to our base in Kisoro.
Kisoro is the base from which the optional Gorilla trek takes place. Dependant on where trekking permits are available, we trek in the Magahinga or Bwindi National Parks in Uganda, the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, or the Ruhengeri National Park in Rwanda. The prices of trekking permits fluctuate and may change without prior notice – currently they are priced between US$375 and US$500 depending on where we trek. There is a local transport fee of US$20 to US$25 per person. For trekking in the DRC or Rwanda, we will also have to purchase an additional visa to enter either country, as well as renewing our Ugandan visa upon re-entry. Please budget accordingly.
Trekking Procedures: The mountain gorilla (Gorilla Gorilla Berengei), of which there are still only about 700 remaining, are one of our closest living relatives. A visit to these gentle giants in their natural environment is a unique and wonderful experience - one you’ll never forget. The park rangers monitor the gorillas on a daily basis and have a fairly good idea of where they are. However, they are free roaming animals, and their sighting can not be guaranteed. In the unlikely event of these creatures managing to completely elude us, the authorities usually allow us a second opportunity to trek them. However, this is purely at their discretion and subject to the availability of permits, and they will not confirm this in writing. We are a major supplier of gorilla trekkers to each park and as such have a high success rate of procuring gorilla permits and then of actually seeing these beautiful animals. As the gorillas share much of our DNA, anyone with even the slightest cold or transferable illness will not be permitted to trek. Trekking is also only open to people over 16 years old. We depart from our camp in the early morning and after border formalities are transferred to a ranger’s station where the trek commences. Your rangers will lead you through the cultivated lands and then into the dense rain forest and on to a gorilla family. Trekking can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 8 hours and it can be quite strenuous, so a reasonable level of fitness is required. To ensure the gorillas do not get too used to the presence of humans and because they share many of our genes (and therefore able to catch our diseases), the maximum time permitted to spend with them is 1 hour. You will have plenty of time to watch their activity and to take photographs. The rangers will be able to provide you with a background to the family you are visiting. Once your hour is up, you trek back out of the rain forest to your meeting point.
You needn’t feel like you’re exploiting these animals. The ever-growing number of tourists trekking them each day play a vital role in their survival. For years they have been ruthlessly hunted for their hands and heads, which have been sold as ashtrays and lampshades! In addition, large numbers have been killed whilst trying to stop poachers stealing the babies for sale to zoos, where they have never lived long. 100% of the gorilla permit cost is used to by the parks authorities to finance patrols that are instrumental in protecting the gorillas from poachers and their lethal snares and on promoting these wonderful animals.
 DAY
03: Kisoro to Lake Bunyoni
A short drive through arguably some of the most picturesque
scenery in Africa brings us to lake Bunyoni. Lake Bunyoni
is the deepest crater lake in Africa and is home to a large
number of bird and fish species as well as otters. (B, L,
D)
DAY 04: Lake Bunyoni
Today we have the whole day at leisure to enjoy the beauty
of Lake Bunyoni. There is the option to swim, visit the local
villages or just sit back, relax and enjoy the tranquil surrounds.
A well deserved rest day! (B, L, D)
DAY 05: Lake Bunyoni to Kampala
After enjoying the peaceful surrounds of Lake Bunyoni we drive
to Kampala for another overnight stay, and perhaps the chance
to sample the nightlife. Your trip will end once we arrive
back at our accommodation for the night. (B, L, D)
Optional Excursions:
Gorilla Trek US$375 – 500
(Prices subject to change)
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