Mountain Gorillas, Chimps, Big Game Safari, and Murchison Falls

The Ultimate Uganda Safari

Uganda

12 Days

From $8,895

Level 3+

Moderate

Overview

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    Call 1-800-368-2794 or contact us for any questions

    Overview

    Join us on the ultimate experience of Uganda! Our newest safari explores this exquisite country, renowned as the most beautiful in Africa. We'll bring you to legendary Murchison Falls, the country's first national park, where we will have thrilling wildlife encounters in this uncrowded, yet spectacular park. The great Nile River funnels through a 20-foot-wide rocky gorge here, creating a thundering cascade. On a private excursion, we'll boat up the Nile right to the base of the falls, and enjoy fabulous game viewing in the delta area downstream (fantastic birding—more than 450 species!). The park is also only one of the few places in the world that you can see endangered Nubian (Rothschild) giraffe, and our visit supports their protection. One of the most incredible wildlife experiences on the planet is tracking mountain gorillas in the wild, and we'll give you two full days in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, so that you have the greatest chances of close encounters with these extraordinary creatures. We'll also hike in Kibale National Park, following wild chimpanzees as they move through the treetop canopy, and our big game safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park is utterly exhilarating. Our Trip Leaders open up the world of wildlife and community for us, and we'll have lunch with a community leader near Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary, a fascinating example of community support for a unique ecosystem. Throughout our adventure, wonderful lodges give us great access to the wildlife.

    Arrive: Entebbe, Uganda

    Depart: Entebbe, Uganda

    Highlights

    • Explore spectacular Murchison Falls, where the Nile forces its way through a 20-foot gorge
    • Private boat excursion to the base of the falls
    • Track mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park
    • Phenomenal game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park in the Great Rift Valley
    • Enjoy lunch with a local community leader and help support local environmental projects

    Overview

      Book Online Download Itinerary

      Call 1-800-368-2794 or contact us for any questions

      Itinerary

      Download Itinerary Expand All Days
      From Entebbe, we head north through lush countryside to Murchison Falls, Uganda's largest and first national park. Four of the Big Five are here—lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant—along with Jackson's hartebeest, bushbucks, Uganda kob, waterbucks, the endangered Nubian giraffe, and some 450 bird species, including the rare and bizarre looking shoebill. Our game viewing is complemented by a visit to Murchison Falls itself, the famous falls where the thunderous White Nile squeezes its entire volume with explosive force through a narrow, 20-foot-wide rocky gorge, and private boat excursions on the Nile right to the base of the falls and to a wonderfully calm stretch of water of the Nile Delta, a key area for birds—and more exciting game viewing!
      Kibale, home to 11 primate species, is said to have the highest density and variety of primates in Africa. With our local tracking guide, we follow good pathways through a network of beautiful shady trails in search of chimpanzees, following these acrobats as they leap from tree to tree on their daily rounds of foraging.
      We enjoy a “swamp walk” with a local naturalist, crossing the wetland on raised trails and bridges that network through this fascinating ecosystem. Our walk provides great primate viewing opportunities (eight species including grey-cheeked mangabeys, red colobus monkeys, and baboons). For lunch we meet with a local leader who is involved with community development and wildlife conservation and who spearheaded the development of the Bigodi Swamp Walk. A scenic drive brings us to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that supports a wonderful diversity of wildlife in habitats ranging from lowland rainforest to wetlands to grassy savannas. We enjoy game viewing by 4WD vehicle in the park's lake-dotted savannas, and join a researcher one morning to track lion prides. We also take a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, where we view large concentrations of hippo, elephant and other wildlife as they come to the water's edge to drink.
      Bwindi, a World Heritage Site, protects a remnant of a once-vast primeval forest that stretched from the Virunga Volcanoes to the Ruwenzori Mountains. Among the 11 resident primate species are 400 magnificent mountain gorillas, roughly half of the world's population of this elusive and highly endangered mammal. Our incomparable safari includes two full days for the unforgettable experience of tracking the mountain gorilla clans that reside in Bwindi's montane forests. The tracking can be physically challenging, but the rewards are tremendous and the rigors soon forgotten when we spot a gorilla family and have the opportunity to observe these gentle creatures. Depart on Day 12 via Entebbe.

      Dates & Pricing

      Pricing below is per person and based on double occupancy. The earlier you book, the more choice you’ll have. WT also has the most generous cancellation and transfer policies in the industry, we make it easy if you change your mind. Have a small group of your own? Take over an existing date or choose your own. You’ll have your own private guide–and the adventure–all to yourselves!

      Payment & Cancel Schedule

      At time of reservation: $2400 per person
      90 days prior to departure: Balance

      Please note that this differs from our standard policy.

      Cancellation & Transfer Schedule

      Minimum fee (Gorilla and Chimp Permits): $1,800 per person
      91-120 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost
      46-90 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost
      45 days or less: 100% of trip cost

      Please note that this differs from our standard policy.

      Included
      • Expert leadership of a Wilderness Travel Trip Leader and local guides
      • Accommodations in hotels and safari lodges
      • All meals
      • House beer and wine with meals
      • All ground transportation and baggage handling from meeting until departure
      • All activities as indicated in Detailed Itinerary
      • Membership in Flying Doctor Society
      Not Included
      • Travel to and from the arrival and departure location as indicated in Detailed Itinerary
      • Additional hotel nights outside the trip's scheduled dates
      • Optional gratuities to Trip Leaders or staff
      • Optional travel insurance
      • Other expenses of a personal nature (some alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.)
      • Visa fees

      Accommodations

      Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.

      Protea Marriott Hotel

      Entebbe, Uganda

      Day 1 (1 night)

      This relatively new hotel is right on the shores of Lake Victoria, just a quick drive from the airport. Well appointed guest rooms are spacious and offer all the modern amenities, and at the end of the day, you can relax on the terrace with a drink while admiring the...

      Twiga Safari Lodge

      Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda

      Days 2-4 (3 nights)

      Twiga Safari Lodge features 8 elevated thatched cottages set on the southern banks of the Nile River on the outskirts of Murchison Falls National Park. The cottages are spacious, with large en-suite bathrooms and private balconies. After a game drive, cool off in the inviting...

      Ndali Lodge

      Kibale, Uganda

      Days 5-6 (2 nights)

      Perched on the rim of an extinct volcano above Lake Nyinambuga, this family-run lodge was built by a British tea farmer and has the wonderful atmosphere of an English country home. The setting is amazing, facing the Mountains of the Moon, and the eight simple cottages feature four-poster beds with...

      Elephant Plains Lodge

      Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

      Days 7-8 (2 nights)

      Perched high on the western edge of the Albertine rift among 80 acres of wilderness, the views from this newly built lodge are some of the best in all of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The six guest cottages and two family cottages all have private verandas, large windows, en-suite bathrooms...

      Mahogany Springs Lodge

      Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

      Days 9-11 (3 nights)

      You'll feel like part of the family at this quiet retreat, set just outside the national park in a beautiful location overlooking the mountains. The spacious cottages have a large en suite bathroom and private terrace, an ideal spot for relaxing and taking in the views. Panoramic terraces around the...

      Protea Marriott Hotel

      Entebbe, Uganda

      Day 12 (Day Room Only)

      This relatively new hotel is right on the shores of Lake Victoria, just a quick drive from the airport. Well appointed guest rooms are spacious and offer all the modern amenities, and at the end of the day, you can relax on the terrace with a drink while admiring the...

      Trip Leaders

      Wilderness Travel Trip Leaders have a passion and a joy for creating an unforgettable journey. We are extremely proud of them and the incredible travel experiences they make possible. For more information, including client comments about them and which specific trips they will be leading, please click on their profiles below.

      Francis Kyaligonza

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      Robert Sunday

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      What the Trip is Like

      This trip is rated Level 3+, Moderate. The hikes to see the mountain gorillas can last anywhere from 1 to 6 hours over moderately steep, thickly forested, and uneven terrain, and the climate will be hot and humid. Any African safari is an adventure, and the traveler to Africa should bring along flexibility, a sense of humor, and an openness to the unexpected.
      Review Trip Level Details

      Gorilla tracking will occasionally feel strenuous as we hike uphill to follow the clans, but we will take breaks along the way. The shape you're in will be an important factor in your enjoyment of these hikes. Make an effort to get in good physical condition with hiking, biking, running, or other kinds of exercise beyond your normal routine. A brisk 30-45 minute walk every other day over moderately steep terrain can do wonders for your conditioning.

      The climate in Uganda is considered “modified tropical”—similar to the equatorial climate of other East African countries like Kenya and Tanzania, but slightly modified by its altitude, which ranges from 3,500 to 4,500 feet. Daytime temperatures are usually in the 70s and 80s, and humidity is fairly high. You can expect to experience some rain during the course of the trip. Like Kenya and Tanzania, Uganda has two annual rainy seasons, one between March and May and one between October and November.

      June, July and August
      During these months, the country is refreshingly green and the weather is coolest, especially in the higher altitudes, with a high of 70° to 80°F and a low of 40°. Riding in the safari vehicle can be chilly some mornings, but the temperature usually warms up by 10:00 am.

      September, October, and November
      These are delightful times to visit Uganda and can be compared to springtime in the US. The jacaranda and other trees are bursting into blossom and the days are warmer. The high temperatures are 75° to 85°F, with a low of 65°. Scattered rains occur in November and early December. These “short rains” just freshen the country and lay the dust, although they can sometimes be heavy.

      December to March
      These are Uganda's “summer” months. The temperature range is from 80° to 90°F during the day (coastal areas are hotter and can range from 80° to 100°). The evenings range from 50° to 60°.

      April and May
      The rainy season (the “long rains”) occur during these months.

      Our accommodations will be in comfortable hotels, safari lodges, and tented camps with spacious tents equipped with en suite facilities.

      During game drives in our 4WD vehicles, we guarantee window seating for all -- there's no taking turns on who gets the window seats. We use five- or seven-passenger Nissan safari vehicles (never minibuses!), and all vehicles have roof hatches for easy wildlife viewing and photography. A cooler of drinks and refreshments is carried aboard. And our 4WD vehicles can go virtually anywhere, an important feature when we're tracking game. Please note there are some long driving days over rough roads and dusty dirt tracks.

      During drives and walks, we can at times get quite close to wild animals. Being very quiet improves everybody's chances of observation. In the interest of safety, your Trip Leader explains limitations on movement while on game drives, in the safari vehicles, and around camp. Specific guidelines are in effect for the viewing of chimpanzees and gorillas—both for their protection and for your own. Incidents with wild animals are extremely rare on safaris, but no trip can guarantee immunity from such incidents. Wilderness Travel is not to be held responsible for incidents involving the behavior of wildlife.

      In Uganda, the wildlife is truly wild. Unlike some of the Kenya and Tanzania game parks, the wildlife here has not been exposed to a great number of humans. Except when viewed from the launch trips on the rivers, Uganda's wildlife has a healthy, natural shyness of our vehicles. Here we have an opportunity to observe natural behavior. Binoculars are strongly recommended for observing animals as well as birds. They will also be helpful for observing chimpanzees and monkeys who spend much of their time high up in trees. We recommend 10-power if you are interested in seeing and identifying smaller birds.

      Chimpanzees
      Within the reserve, chimpanzees are wild and free to roam wherever they choose. Their movements are influenced not by people but by ecological and social factors. We track chimpanzees by following their morning vocalizations—they tend to call most just after sunrise. Once we hear these calls, we walk as quickly and quietly as possible to find them, as they may only call a few times. Chimps do not associate in permanent groups and the number and identity of them encountered during a visit cannot be ascertained beforehand. As their movements are difficult to predict, finding them is dependent on their behavior and we cannot guarantee we will see them. 

      Essential Guidelines For Viewing Chimpanzees 
      Wild chimpanzees are very active and temperamental animals. Their response to visitors will be determined in part by the visitors' behavior. It is important that the initial approach to the chimps is quiet and calm. If the chimps are feeding, it will be possible to observe them quietly. Once they settle down, the local guides will search for the best possible vantage points and visitors can move around and speak softly. If the animals are traveling, so will the visitors. If the chimps are resting on the ground, visitors must try to be especially calm and quiet. If a chimp starts a threatening display, stay close to the guides and do not run away. If visitors do not disturb or annoy the chimps, it is unlikely they will be aggressive. Binoculars are essential for viewing chimps high up in the trees. Find a comfortable spot, lean back, and enjoy watching them feed, groom, and interact. Chimpanzees are very susceptible to human diseases, especially respiratory ones. To reduce the risk to the animals, visitors are not allowed to eat or smoke while in the forest. It is not possible to approach within five meters (16 feet) of the chimps. This not only protects the animals, but also reduces the risk of aggression from them. It must be remembered that chimpanzees are intelligent and curious, but also very excitable. Visitors must not encourage contact at any time. Photographing chimpanzees can be difficult. They spend much of their time feeding in trees and are often backlit. Flash photography is not permitted as the flash seems to bother them. 

      Gorillas
      The gorillas we visit have been habituated by park rangers over many years to tolerate the presence of small groups of visitors. The habituation process involves locating the family each day by following their trail of the previous day and then staying with them for as long as the “habituator” is tolerated. In the early stages of the habituation process, the gorillas are very nervous, and the dominant male attempts to intimidate the habituator by chest beating and repeated bluff charges, while the members of his family move away and remain hidden. As the gorillas become more used to these daily visits, the behavior of the adult male becomes less volatile and the daily observation period is gradually extended. Slowly the gorillas come to understand that the observer, whom they recognize, poses no threat to them and so curiosity overcomes fear and they begin to show themselves more readily. At this point, visitors can be taken to the gorillas for the daily visit, starting with one and slowly building up to a maximum of eight people per family of gorillas per day. 

      Essential Guidelines for Viewing Gorillas 
      The minimum age for all gorilla tracking participants is 15 years. In order to protect gorillas from communicable diseases, to which they are very susceptible, gorillas cannot be touched by humans. Any traveler with an obvious cold or other communicable illness will not be allowed to participate in the treks. Groups may remain with the gorilla family for a maximum of one hour. It is very important to follow the instructions of your guide at all times. He or she works with the gorillas every day and understands them very well. Always remain in a compact group close behind the guide. The guide will locate the dominant male of the group and will attempt to position you in such a way that the gorilla can see you at all times. It is very important that the dominant male knows exactly where you are and for this reason you must always remain together in one group. If the dominant male approaches very closely or even charges, it is very important that you do not move backwards: remain exactly where you are. The guide may suggest you adopt a submissive posture by sitting down slowly. If a young gorilla approaches, under no circumstances should you make any move to touch it. The guide may try to discourage it from touching you, as this can create a dangerous situation with the dominant male. Avoid sudden movements or loud noises because they can be particularly disturbing to the gorillas. Do not move any vegetation to get a better photo opportunity. Shaking the vegetation is a gorilla threat display! Or, the gorilla may interpret it as an attempt to take away his food—not a good idea when in the company of a 400-pound gorilla. Flash photography is not permitted. 

      Often the gorillas are found in very dense vegetation where visibility is poor. The guide will very carefully try to maneuver the group of visitors into a better position, but this is slow work, so please be patient. Never forget that these gorillas, while tolerating your presence, are still totally wild animals.

      Extend Your Trip

      Client Testimonials

      "This trip was over the top in meeting my expectations. I loved it! The two days of trekking for gorillas were life changing! I feel totally blessed to do something that very few people will have the opportunity to do it and so glad I did it with WT and our trip leader, Edward!"

      Bonnie V.

      Seattle, WA

      "This was a lifetime dream trip and my expectations were very high and y’all exceeded them by far. The up-close encounters with the wildlife were amazing and learning about the people and community projects made the trip very special. We came away with a sense of hope for the people and wildlife in Uganda."

      Lynette H.

      Marble Falls, TX

      "I loved this trip. Everything went very well. One of my goals was to visit a place in Africa that would make me want to return—mission accomplished!"

      Neil M.

      Berwyn, PA

      "This was a fantastic trip! Uganda is a beautiful country and our trip leader, Edward, greatly enhanced the experience."

      Susan M.

      Berwyn, PA

      Book your trip today

      Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!

      Itinerary

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      Trip Levels

      With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.

      Level 1 – Easiest

      Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.

      Level 2 – Easy to Moderate

      Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.

       

      Level 3 – Moderate

      Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.

      Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous

      Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.

       

      Level 5 – Strenuous

      Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.

      Level 6 – Very Strenuous

      Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.

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This afternoon is free at your leisure. In the evening, we gather for our Welcome Dinner. Overnight at Protea Marriott Hotel.","Breakfast":0,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":2,"DayTo":2,"Headline":"Murchison Falls National Park","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"We head north through lush countryside to Murchison Falls, Uganda\u00e2&euro;\u2122s largest and first national park (established in 1926). The park is home to 76 species of mammals and an astounding 451 bird species, including the rare and bizarre-looking shoebill (a &ldquo;must-see&rdquo; for birdwatchers). Murchison Falls National Park is the best place in Uganda (and maybe in Africa) to see this huge, prehistoric-looking bird, which stands over four feet tall with a seven-foot wingspan. Four of the Big Five can be found in Murchison Falls&mdash;lion, leopard, buffalo, and elephant (no rhino). There are huge herds of buffalo and elephant and a healthy population of leopard and lion. The recent Great Elephant Census noted that Uganda is one of the few bright spots for elephants on the continent. Elephant populations in Uganda have increased 600% to more than 5,000 individuals from fewer than 800 that survived the poaching crisis of the 1970s. Jackson\u00e2&euro;\u2122s hartebeest, bushbuck, Uganda kob, waterbuck, and warthog are among the other residents. Murchison Falls is also one of only three parks in Uganda with giraffe. Nearly half of the wild endangered Nubian giraffe (formerly known as the Rothschild\u00e2&euro;\u2122s giraffe), a subspecies of the northern giraffe, live in the park, with only 5,200 individuals remaining. The acclaimed Giraffe Conservation Foundation is active here, and has successfully translocated nearly 40 giraffe across the Nile River to the south side of the park over the last two years to help support this endangered species. Overnight at Twiga Safari Lodge, set on the banks of the Nile River on the outskirts of the park. Tonight we\u00e2&euro;\u2122ll savor our first dining experience in the bush, preceded by a welcoming drink.\r\nDriving Time: 7 hours","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":3,"DayTo":3,"Headline":"Game Drives \/ Murchison Falls","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"The mighty Nile River, one of the longest in the world at 4,000-plus miles, flows through the heart of the park for a distance of some 70 miles as it journeys from Lake Victoria to Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea. 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And unlike other renowned waterfalls, Murchison Falls is refreshingly uncrowded.\r\n\r\nA 3-hour private boat ride on the Nile brings us to the base of the falls (this is along the same stretch of river where The African Queen, starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, was filmed in 1951). Cruising down the Nile provides great wildlife viewing as the animals come down to the water&apos;s edge to drink. The Nile supports the largest concentration of hippos and crocodiles in Africa&mdash;we may see hippos soaking in the deeper channels and the alpha predators lounging on the riverbank&mdash;and a dazzling variety of water birds. The views of the falls as we approach by boat are breathtaking. An interesting historical and literary monument is just downstream from the falls. On January 22, 1954, a private airplane carrying Ernest Hemingway and his wife crashed into the riverine forest after clipping a telegraph wire. Hemingway and his wife survived and were rescued the following day, only to have their evacuation flight also crash! After bivouacking on the riverbank, surrounded by hippos according to Hemingway, he and his wife caught a ride with a boatful of safari-goers. They had had their fill of planes! Overnight at Paraa Lodge.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":4,"DayTo":4,"Headline":"Murchison Falls","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"A private boat brings us to a wonderfully calm stretch of water of the Nile Delta, where the tranquil White Nile flows into Lake Albert. This is a key area for birds&mdash;its papyrus-lined banks burst with birdlife, including Goliath herons, great egrets, African fish eagles, and the sought-after shoebill, with its massive shoe-shaped bill. We return to our lodge for lunch and a siesta, then head out again in the late afternoon on game drives. Overnight at Paraa Lodge.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":5,"DayTo":5,"Headline":"Kibale Forest National Park","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"We travel through lovely countryside where every type of fruit and vegetable imaginable is grown, and farmland where we pass traditional villages with their shambas, or planted lots. Upon reaching Kyenjojo, in the lower foothills of the Ruwenzoris, the renowned &ldquo;Mountains of the Moon,&rdquo; we drive through tea plantations and into the tropical rainforest of 296-square-mile Kibale Forest National Park. Kibale is contiguous with Queen Elizabeth National Park at the same pleasant altitudes of 3,000 to 5,000 feet. Overnight at Ndali Lodge, perched on the rim of an extinct volcano above Lake Nyinambuga.\r\nDriving Time: 6-7 hours","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":6,"DayTo":6,"Headline":"Cultural Walk \/ Kibale Forest National Park \/ Chimpanzee Tracking","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"We begin our day on a cultural walk through the community involving seven &ldquo;stations&rdquo; in the village. From the KAFRED office, we walk to the town of Bigodi where the guide will discuss the &ldquo;village of two tribes&rdquo; and how it has come to be. At the second location, an elderly woman will give a briefing on life as a female including her chores and responsibilities. We&apos;ll also learn from a traditional healer who demonstrates herbal and spiritual treatments and a family who discusses economic activities&mdash;everything from handicrafts to beer brewing to agriculture. Other stops include a blacksmith who shows off his skills repairing plastic containers with herbs, a coffee farmer who demonstrates harvesting and processing without sophisticated machinery, and a school visit (only possible on school days). Expect 3-4 hours to complete the entire tour.\r\n\r\nKibale, home to 13 primate species, is said to have the highest density and variety of primates in Africa. With our local tracking guide this afternoon, we follow good pathways hiking for about two to four hours through a network of beautiful shady trails. Our park guides have studied the patterns of the chimpanzee clans for years and know the daily locations of many groups. Once we find a clan of chimpanzees, we&apos;ll hike at a good clip, often off trail through thick vegetation, following these acrobats as they leap from tree to tree on their daily rounds of foraging. The chimpanzee groups are habituated to seeing people and take little notice of us as they play, squabble, and scamper across the treetop canopy. This is an extraordinary opportunity to observe these fascinating and intelligent creatures in the wild. Overnight at Ndali Lodge.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":7,"DayTo":7,"Headline":"Chimpanzee Tracking \/ Queen Elizabeth National Park","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"This morning we'll once again set off with our local tracking guide to observe chimpanzees, and may see other primates such as vervet, colobus, grey-cheeked mangabey, and red-tailed monkey. Many species of beautiful subtropical birds and butterflies abound in Kibale&apos;s rich habitat, along with duiker, bushpig, and bushbuck, making for a morning of absolutely world-class wildlife viewing.&nbsp;In the afternoon, a scenic 2.5-hour drive through green farmlands and tiny villages brings us to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This beautiful park, protecting 770 square miles of the western Great Rift Valley, has as its stunning backdrop the Ruwenzoris, Africa&apos;s highest mountain range. Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the best-managed parks in Africa and supports a wonderful diversity of wildlife in habitats ranging from lowland rainforest to wetlands to grassy savannas. Due to the park&apos;s beauty and immense variety of species, it has been designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Birders will be interested to know that QENP has recorded 547 avian species. Overnight at Elephant Plains Lodge. With a hilltop setting, it offers panoramic views of the western arm of the Great Rift Valley (and gorgeous sunsets too!).","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":8,"DayTo":8,"Headline":"Game Drive \/ Kazinga Channel","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"We enjoy a morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, then later board a boat for a two-hour trip on the Kazinga Channel, which runs through the park and links Lake Edward and Lake George. On this meandering waterway, we view large concentrations of hippo, elephant and other wildlife often come to the water&apos;s edge to drink, and the birding is excellent. Overnight at Elephant Plains Lodge.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":9,"DayTo":9,"Headline":"Lion Tracking \/ Bwindi","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Today we&apos;ll have the opportunity to don our researcher hats while using telemetry to track lion prides. The lion is one of the most sought-after safari species, and one of the most impressive to observe. Living in prides of around 15 individuals, lions adhere to strict social structures. Groups consist of related females and their cubs that are often born around the same time and raised communally.&nbsp;We then drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, passing through the Ishasha section of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where we will look for its famous tree-climbing lions. Set on Uganda&apos;s western border, Bwindi is one of the most biologically diverse areas on Earth, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The park protects a remnant of a once-vast primeval forest that stretched from the Virunga Volcanoes to the Ruwenzori Mountains. There are 113 species of mammals in the park, including rare forest elephant, 200 species of butterfly, over 360 species of birds, and an enormous variety of trees, including 10 endemic species. Among the 11 resident primate species are 310 magnificent mountain gorillas, half of the world&apos;s population of this elusive and highly endangered mammal. Bwindi is dense with both montane and lowland forest vegetation, making it one of Africa&apos;s most superb wildlife environments, but mountain gorillas are the main attraction. Overnight at lodge.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":10,"DayTo":11,"Headline":"Bwindi \/ Gorilla Tracking","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Our incomparable safari includes two full days for the unforgettable experience of tracking the mountain gorilla clans that reside in Bwindi&apos;s montane forests. We&apos;ll start our visit with a private, behind-the-scenes tour at Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), learning about this award-winning NGO&apos;s work spanning the fields of conservation and local community health. CTPH has three integrated strategic programs: Wildlife Conservation, Community Health, and Alternative Livelihoods. A doctor from CTPH will be our guest at dinner on one of the nights at Bwindi. We have an orientation talk with the local trackers at the park headquarters on the etiquette of gorilla tracking, then break into small groups to search for the Mubare, Habinyanja, or Rushegura clans with a ranger guide. The tracking can be physically challenging. Each day we leave early in the morning and hike through dense, sometimes steep and muddy forests at altitudes of up to 7,500 feet for two to eight hours, depending on where we find the gorillas. But the rewards are tremendous and the rigors soon forgotten when we spot a gorilla family and have the opportunity to observe these gentle creatures. We bring picnic lunches and eat in the forest. When we&apos;re not watching mountain gorillas, we have time to see some of the amazing varieties of bird, butterfly, and animal species that make their home in this unusual park. With two full days here, we&apos;re ensured of encounters with these elusive creatures. On Day 11, we enjoy a festive Farewell Dinner. Overnights at lodge. each day","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":12,"DayTo":12,"Headline":"Entebbe \/ Depart","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"We bid farewell to our trip leader this morning and board our regularly scheduled flight back to Entebbe. Day rooms are included at the Protea Marriott Hotel, with checkout time at 6:00 pm. In the evening, transfer to the airport and depart on homeward-bound flights.","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":1,"DayTo":4,"Headline":"Entebbe \/ Murchison Falls National Park","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"From Entebbe, we head north through lush countryside to Murchison Falls, Uganda&#39;s largest and first national park. Four of the Big Five are here&mdash;lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant&mdash;along with Jackson&#39;s hartebeest, bushbucks, Uganda kob, waterbucks, the endangered Nubian giraffe, and some 450 bird species, including the rare and bizarre looking shoebill. Our game viewing is complemented by a visit to Murchison Falls itself, the famous falls where the thunderous White Nile squeezes its entire volume with explosive force through a narrow, 20-foot-wide rocky gorge, and private boat excursions on the Nile right to the base of the falls and to a wonderfully calm stretch of water of the Nile Delta, a key area for birds&mdash;and more exciting game viewing!","Breakfast":0,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":true},{"DayFrom":5,"DayTo":6,"Headline":"Kibale Forest National Park \/ Chimpanzee Tracking","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Kibale, home to 11 primate species, is said to have the highest density and variety of primates in Africa. With our local tracking guide, we follow good pathways through a network of beautiful shady trails in search of chimpanzees, following these acrobats as they leap from tree to tree on their daily rounds of foraging.","Breakfast":0,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":true},{"DayFrom":7,"DayTo":8,"Headline":"Kibale Forest \/ Queen Elizabeth National Park","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"We enjoy a &#8220;swamp walk&#8221; with a local naturalist, crossing the wetland on raised trails and bridges that network through this fascinating ecosystem. Our walk provides great primate viewing opportunities (eight species including grey-cheeked mangabeys, red colobus monkeys, and baboons). For lunch we meet with a local leader who is involved with community development and wildlife conservation and who spearheaded the development of the Bigodi Swamp Walk. A scenic drive brings us to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that supports a wonderful diversity of wildlife in habitats ranging from lowland rainforest to wetlands to grassy savannas. We enjoy game viewing by 4WD vehicle in the park&#39;s lake-dotted savannas, and join a researcher one morning to track lion prides. We also take a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, where we view large concentrations of hippo, elephant and other wildlife as they come to the water&#39;s edge to drink.","Breakfast":0,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":true},{"DayFrom":9,"DayTo":12,"Headline":"Bwindi Impenetrable National Park \/ Gorilla Tracking","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Bwindi, a World Heritage Site, protects a remnant of a once-vast primeval forest that stretched from the Virunga Volcanoes to the Ruwenzori Mountains. Among the 11 resident primate species are 400 magnificent mountain gorillas, roughly half of the world&#39;s population of this elusive and highly endangered mammal. Our incomparable safari includes two full days for the unforgettable experience of tracking the mountain gorilla clans that reside in Bwindi&#39;s montane forests. The tracking can be physically challenging, but the rewards are tremendous and the rigors soon forgotten when we spot a gorilla family and have the opportunity to observe these gentle creatures. Depart on Day 12 via Entebbe.","Breakfast":0,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":true}],"itinpdf":[{"ItinYear":"2024","docType":"1","FileName":"https:\/\/s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com\/wildernesstravel\/portal\/the-ultimate-uganda-safari-itinerary-2024.pdf"},{"ItinYear":"2024","docType":"2","FileName":"https:\/\/s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com\/wildernesstravel\/portal\/the-ultimate-uganda-safari-predeparture.pdf"}],"whattoexpect":[{}],"highlights":[{"DisplayOrder":1,"HighlightText":"","Description":"Explore spectacular Murchison Falls, where the Nile forces its way through a 20-foot gorge","Image":"","VideoLink":"","ImageAltTag":"","image_id":32856,"caption":""},{"DisplayOrder":2,"HighlightText":"","Description":"Private boat excursion to the base of the 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Room","VendorName":"Ndali Lodge","CustomFields":{"Custom_slug":"ndali-lodge","Custom_Location":"Kibale"}},{"VendorID":71549,"Day_Number":1,"Sequence":10,"Duration":1,"Description":"Standard Room","VendorName":"Protea Marriott Hotel","CustomFields":{"Custom_slug":"protea-hotel-entebbe","Custom_Location":"Entebbe"}},{"VendorID":71549,"Day_Number":12,"Sequence":10,"Duration":0,"Description":"Standard Room","VendorName":"Protea Marriott Hotel","CustomFields":{"Custom_slug":"protea-hotel-entebbe","Custom_Location":"Entebbe"}},{"VendorID":71845,"Day_Number":9,"Sequence":10,"Duration":3,"Description":"Standard Room","VendorName":"Mahogany Springs Lodge","CustomFields":{"Custom_slug":"mahogany-springs-lodge","Custom_Location":"Bwindi Impenetrable National Park"}},{"VendorID":72796,"Day_Number":7,"Sequence":10,"Duration":2,"Description":"Standard Room","VendorName":"Elephant Plains Lodge","CustomFields":{"Custom_slug":"elephant-plains-lodge","Custom_Location":"Queen Elizabeth National 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Society","Highlight":0,"AdditionalText":"","Category":"","ProductType":0,"ImagePath":"","ImageAltTag":""}],"destinations":[{"DestinationID":43,"Name":"Africa","Type":"Region"},{"DestinationID":218,"Name":"East Africa"},{"DestinationID":113,"Name":"Uganda","Type":"Country"}],"activities":[{"ActivityID":221,"Name":"Wildlife & Natural History","Primary":0},{"ActivityID":223,"Name":"Safaris","Primary":0},{"ActivityID":225,"Name":"Hiking & Trekking","Primary":0}],"guides":[{"GuideID":851252,"First_Name":"Francis","Last_Name":"Kyaligonza","BioShort":"","BioLong":"Francis was born and raised in Entebbe, Uganda, and still resides there with his family near the shores of picturesque Lake Victoria. After completing secondary school, he pursued a career in tourism and earned a diploma in Tourism, Tours & Travel. Since 2007, he has honed his skills as a driver-guide throughout Uganda, and attended training courses in hotel management, tourism, and general guiding. Francis&apos; favorite animal is the elephant as &ldquo;they carefully associate with other animals, peacefully, unless it acts in self-defense.&rdquo; Francis enjoys interacting with people, Ugandans and visitors alike, and has a great sense of humor. He&apos;s rarely seen without a smile on his face and is eager to share his passion for Uganda with his guests."},{"GuideID":851251,"First_Name":"Robert","Last_Name":"Sunday","BioShort":"Robert was born and raised in Western Uganda and earned a university diploma in Wildlife Conservation. For the last 14 years, he&apos;s been guiding in Uganda and increasing his expertise in birding and mammals. His favorite activity on safari is, of course, birding, as it creates more opportunities to spot other wildlife since a lot of patience is given to birds&apos; lives&rdquo; (his favorite bird is the African fish eagle). Robert is a member of the Uganda Safari Guides Association (USAGA) and has taken courses in tourism principles at Katwe\/Queen Elizabeth National Park, vehicle mechanics, first aid, general guiding, photography, and birding. When not on safari, you&apos;ll find him swimming, playing soccer, and relaxing with a good book. It wouldn&apos;t be a stretch to say that he&apos;s gifted at language&mdash;he speaks eight!&mdash;English, Kiswahili, Luganda, French, Rutooro, Runyankole, Rukiga, and Lukonzo.","BioLong":"Robert was born and raised in Western Uganda and earned a university diploma in Wildlife Conservation. For the last 14 years, he&apos;s been guiding in Uganda and increasing his expertise in birding and mammals. His favorite activity on safari is, of course, birding, as it creates more opportunities to spot other wildlife since a lot of patience is given to birds&apos; lives&rdquo; (his favorite bird is the African fish eagle). Robert is a member of the Uganda Safari Guides Association (USAGA) and has taken courses in tourism principles at Katwe\/Queen Elizabeth National Park, vehicle mechanics, first aid, general guiding, photography, and birding. When not on safari, you&apos;ll find him swimming, playing soccer, and relaxing with a good book. It wouldn&apos;t be a stretch to say that he&apos;s gifted at language&mdash;he speaks eight!&mdash;English, Kiswahili, Luganda, French, Rutooro, Runyankole, Rukiga, and Lukonzo."}],"guestreviews":[{"GuestNames":"Bonnie V.","GuestLocation":"Seattle, WA","GuestReview":"This trip was over the top in meeting my expectations. I loved it! The two days of trekking for gorillas were life changing! I feel totally blessed to do something that very few people will have the opportunity to do it and so glad I did it with WT and our trip leader, Edward!"},{"GuestNames":"Lynette H.","GuestLocation":"Marble Falls, TX","GuestReview":"This was a lifetime dream trip and my expectations were very high and y&#8217;all exceeded them by far. The up-close encounters with the wildlife were amazing and learning about the people and community projects made the trip very special. We came away with a sense of hope for the people and wildlife in Uganda."},{"GuestNames":"Neil M.","GuestLocation":"Berwyn, PA","GuestReview":"I loved this trip. Everything went very well. One of my goals was to visit a place in Africa that would make me want to return&#8212;mission accomplished!"},{"GuestNames":"Susan M.","GuestLocation":"Berwyn, PA","GuestReview":"This was a fantastic trip! Uganda is a beautiful country and our trip leader, Edward, greatly enhanced the experience."}],"Extensions":[{"TripID":10455,"ExtensionTripID":10257,"Trip_Code":"MASAIEXT","Trip_Name":"Masai Mara National Reserve Extension"},{"TripID":10455,"ExtensionTripID":10255,"Trip_Code":"RWANDA","Trip_Name":"Gorilla Tracking in Rwanda's Parc National des Volcans Extension"}],"SimilarTrips":[{"TripID":10455,"SimilarTripID":10238,"Trip_Code":"MTNGORIL","Trip_Name":"Mountain Gorilla Safari"},{"TripID":10455,"SimilarTripID":10336,"Trip_Code":"SERWILD","Trip_Name":"Tanzania: The Great Migration Safari"},{"TripID":10455,"SimilarTripID":10712,"Trip_Code":"PJUGANDA","Trip_Name":"Uganda Private Journey"},{"TripID":10455,"SimilarTripID":10471,"Trip_Code":"WILDBORN","Trip_Name":"Wildlife Adventures in Borneo"}],"Specialists":[{}],"TripSegments":[{"VendorID":73392,"ProductID":84179,"SelectType":"Optional","ChoiceGroup":0,"ProductType":"Extension","Vendor":"Classic Africa Safaris","Address1":"Plot number M 77 Erica Magala Road","Address2":"","City":"Entebbe","State":"","Postal":"","Product":"Pre-Trip Extra Services: Gorilla Tracking in Rwanda's Parc National des Volcans Extension","Day":-3,"Sequence":3,"Duration":4,"PropertyDescription":"","ItinBlock":"","VendorPhoto":"","ProductPhoto":"","OnRequest":"Option","Overhead":false,"BookingNotes":"","TicketSession":"","TicketTimeOfDay":"","TicketRound":"","TicketCategory":"","TicketDate":"","TicketLocation":"","NotTicketOnly":false,"Inactive":false},{"VendorID":73408,"ProductID":84318,"SelectType":"Optional","ChoiceGroup":0,"ProductType":"Extension","Vendor":"Origins Safaris","Address1":"P.O. 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You can learn more about this worthy project on\nyour online portal. Wilderness Travel actively collaborates with the environmental organizations and communities of the special places we visit, and we invite you to join us in supporting this effort. 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The name on your airline ticket must match the name on your passport exactly, and your passport must be valid for at least six months after your date of return to the US. <br \/><br \/><strong>Please do not purchase your tickets until you are confirmed on the trip and have reviewed your proposed air schedule with our office.<\/strong> Once your tickets have been purchased, please send us a copy of your airline schedule so we can reserve your airport transfers.<\/p>","Custom_Extra_Hotel_Nights":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-04-24T16:23:19 --><p>We are happy to arrange additional nights in Entebbe. Please refer to our Extra Services Request form included in your Welcome Packet or contact our office.<\/p>","Custom_Recommended_Hotels":"","Custom_A_and_D_Misc_-_Header_1":"","Custom_A_and_D_Misc_-_Text_1":"","Custom_A_and_D_Misc_-_Header_2":"","Custom_A_and_D_Misc_-_Text_2":"","Custom_About_Private_Journeys":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Header_1":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Text_1":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Header_2":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Text_2":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Header_3":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Text_3":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Header_4":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Text_4":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Header_5":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Text_5":"","Custom_file_name":"the-ultimate-uganda-safari","Custom_Passport":"A valid passport is required for your trip. Be sure to check the expiration date. For entry to Uganda, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your departure from Uganda and have a minimum of three blank pages available. It is very important that the blank pages say &#8220;Visas&#8221; at the top. The last few pages of your passport, which say &#8220;Amendments and Endorsements,&#8221; and the final page of your passport, which may not have a page number, are not considered to be legitimate passport pages.You can request a new passport through <a href=\"http:\/\/travel.state.gov\/passport\/passport_1738.html\">US Passport Services Office<\/a> (the service of adding pages for visas was discontinued as of January 1, 2016) or use a visa service agency, which can take care of your passport renewal and expedite the process, if needed. We recommend <a href=\"http:\/\/www.passportvisaexpress.com\/?affId=2120\">Passport Visas Express<\/a>. Be sure to allow sufficient time to acquire this before your trip. <br><br>It is a good idea to carry photocopies of your passport's photo page and any acquired visa pages for your trip (if applicable) in case your passport is lost or as an additional piece of identification, as well as two extra passport photos.","Custom_Visas_and_Entry_Notes":"US citizens need a visa for Uganda. (Current cost is $50, subject to change without notice). Travelers can apply for their visas online once they confirm their return flight as this is a requirement for the application, <em><strong>however, the visa is only valid for 90 days from the visa's date of issue<\/strong><\/em>. We recommend either the Uganda e-visa application system (<a href=\"visas.immigration.go.ug\">visas.immigration.go.ug<\/a>), or Passport Visas Express (<a href=\"www.passportvisasexpress.com\">www.passportvisasexpress.com<\/a>) to obtain your visa.<br><strong><br>Step 1:<\/strong> Choose the type of visa: \"Uganda Ordinary\/Tourist Visa\" (single entry)<br><strong>Step 2:<\/strong> Fill out the requested personal and travel information. Our local partner's office address is required on the form: <br><br>Classic Africa Safaris<br>Plot number M, 77 Erica Magala Road<br>Entebbe, Uganda<br>(+256) 784-332-501 (local office hours). (+256) 772-642-527 (24\/7 or emergency line)<br><strong><br>Step 3:<\/strong> Upload clear copies of current passport, yellow fever certificate, and a passport photo. (For an East Africa Tourist visa, a travel itinerary and proof of return ticket must also be submitted.)<br><strong>Step 4:<\/strong> Once the online application form is completed and submitted, the applicant will receive a barcoded email notification of approval. This can take 3 or more days. Once received, this bar-coded email should be printed and brought to Uganda for presentation upon arrival.<br><strong>Step 5: <\/strong>Upon arrival in Entebbe, the bar-coded email along with passport and original yellow fever certificate must be presented. The Immigration officer will scan the barcode, take fingerprints and a photograph and collect the visa fee (USD cash only, in excellent condition and dated 2009 or later). Your visa will then be printed and pasted into the passport. <br><br>The visa is valid for 90 days from the visa's date of issue. <br><br>If you plan on extending your trip to Kenya or Rwanda, you will also need a Kenya or Rwanda Visa. You can apply for an East Africa Tourist Visa, which allows you to visit Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. The holder of the East Africa Tourist Visa shall enter from the country that issued the visa and move within the two other countries without applying for another visa or paying another visa fee. If you go to Kenya first, you can obtain this visa upon arrival. If you visit Uganda or Rwanda first, you'll need to obtain the visa in advance. The visa is valid for 90 days and costs $100. <br><br>If you are a citizen of any country other than the US, check with a local consulate for entry requirements.","Custom_Money":"The unit of currency is the Uganda shilling. We recommend you bring most of your funds in US cash. US currency is accepted to pay for expenses at most, but NOT all accommodations. However, because you will generally receive a lower exchange rate using US dollars, and they are extremely difficult for locals to exchange, we highly recommend changing some of your money at the airport, upon arrival in Entebbe. Important: US bills must be clean, in good condition, and dated 2009 or newer. Old bills are not accepted. US cash in large bills ($50 and $100) gets a better rate than $20s. Small bills ($1) are not welcomed. You will always receive a better price for souvenirs purchased with shillings. <br><br>Traveler's checks are not accepted. Only Visa credit cards are accepted at hotels and lodges (not widely accepted anywhere else) and there is often a 5% to 7% surcharge. While ATMs within Uganda are located at the international airport and in some of the larger cities such as Kampala and Entebbe, they are often out of service. Therefore, please do not rely on the use of ATMs to obtain cash while on your safari. ATMs will only accept Visa cards and cash will be given in Ugandan Shillings. Consult with your Trip Leader on how much cash to exchange. Any extra Uganda shillings can be exchanged at the airport upon departure. <br><br>You will need to budget spending money for gratuities for your Trip Leader, for meals outside of the trip itinerary (if applicable), and for personal items such as souvenirs. Note: Laundry service fees can be expensive at hotels, but laundry is complimentary at Ndali Lodge, Mazike Valley Lodge and Gorilla Forest Camp.","Custom_Tipping":"Tipping is completely discretionary, but over the years, clients have asked us for tipping guidelines to reward outstanding service. Tipping for the Trip Leader will not be formally organized. Should you wish to tip him, we suggest you do so toward the end of the trip. A range of reference would be $110-$140 USD per trip member. Tips can be given in US Dollars ($20 bills and smaller), though local currency is preferred. The Trip Leader takes care of gratuities for local guides who are with us for a short period of time, all trackers and porters, luggage handling, group meals at restaurants, and lodge tips.","Custom_Food":"Please reach out to us directly to discuss any dietary restrictions or concerns you may have. We can easily make arrangements for most diets, but please keep in mind that certain cultural differences or logistical limitations can make it difficult or at times impossible to accommodate all requests. With this in mind, please inform us at least eight weeks before your trip if you have a special diet, and any food allergies in particular, so we can do our best to meet your needs.","Custom_Communications":"<strong>Telephone<\/strong><br>The international dialing code for Uganda is 256. Please contact your cell phone company for specific instructions for international use.<br><strong><br>Email &amp; Internet Access<\/strong><br>Nearly all of the lodges have WiFi available in the main areas, although note that speed and reliability may be different than what you are used to. The Entebbe Protea Hotel has WiFi in the rooms as well.","Custom_Electricity":"Uganda has the following electrical specifications:<br><ul><li>240 volts<\/li><li>50 Hz<\/li><li>Plug type G. Plugs usually have three rectangular prongs (as in the UK).<\/li><\/ul> <br><br>Bring a plug adapter kit for charging camera batteries, iPads or using small appliances. You will need plug adapter(s) if you have USA plugs (type A, B). Note that if the electronic device(s)\/charger(s) you wish to bring do not have universal voltage you may need a converter. You can find plugs and converters on-line or at stores with travel gear, such as REI. All lodges on this trip have electricity apart from Ndali Lodge and Paara Safari Lodge, which use solar power and\/or a generator.","Custom_Laundry":"Laundry service is available at all the lodges along the way, (it is complimentary at Ndali Lodge, Mazike Valley Lodge, and Gorilla Forest Camp), which will help you pack light.","Custom_Ship_Notes":"","Custom_Inoculations":"Entry requirements are subject to change; check with the Centers for Disease Control for updates. All shots should be entered on your International Health Card (yellow card), which is provided by the facility giving the shots. Keep it with your passport while traveling. This provides an important personal record for you to refer to when making future travel plans. We recommend you discuss the following with your physician:<br><strong><br>Yellow Fever (Required)<\/strong><br>Proof of a Yellow Fever inoculation is currently required for Uganda. Travelers should be vaccinated at least 10 days before traveling. Uganda has adopted the WHO policy of lifetime validity for Yellow Fever vaccinations. For most travelers, a single dose of yellow fever vaccine provides long-lasting protection and a booster dose of the vaccine is not needed. However, some travelers may require a booster dose; please discuss this with your doctor. Have proof of the shot recorded in your International Health Card and carry the card with your passport. Health officials at borders often (but not always) request proof of the shot. Visit the CDC Travelers' Health link <a href=\"wwwnc.cdc.gov\/travel\/\">wwwnc.cdc.gov\/travel\/<\/a> for more information. <br><br>Please note: According to the CDC, people 60 years or older may be at increased risk for serious adverse events following vaccination, compared with younger persons. This is particularly true if they are receiving their first yellow fever vaccination. If you are over 60, please discuss this with your physician. If you are advised to decline the vaccine for medical contraindications, please have your physician or travel clinic fill out and sign the \"Medical Contraindications to Vaccination\" section of the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) form. Please visit <a href=\"wwwnc.cdc.gov\/travel\/yellowbook\/2018\/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel\/yellow-fever\">wwwnc.cdc.gov\/travel\/yellowbook\/2018\/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel\/yellow-fever<\/a> for more information.<br><strong><br>Polio<\/strong><br>People who have received the primary series of at least three doses of polio vaccine are considered fully immunized. People who are unsure of their status should receive the vaccine (three doses spaced at intervals).<br><strong><br>Hepatitis<\/strong><br>The vaccines HAVRIX and VAQTA (two injections, six to 18 months apart) give long-term protection against Hepatitis A and are worthwhile if you travel regularly to developing countries.<br><strong><br>Tetanus Booster<\/strong><br>A booster is strongly recommended (effective for 10 years).<br><strong><br>Typhoid<\/strong><br>The CDC recommends the injection or the oral vaccine, Vivotif Berna. You may not be able to take the oral vaccine simultaneously with mefloquine (for malaria prevention).","Custom_International_Health":"Proof of a Yellow Fever inoculation is currently required for the following countries: Uganda, Rwanda (if traveling from a yellow fever endemic country), and Tanzania (if traveling to Zanzibar or from Kenya). Have the shot recorded in your International Health Card and carry the card with your passport as proof. The vaccination is good for your lifetime. For more information, refer to the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/travel\/index.htm\">CDC website<\/a>.","Custom_Malaria_Prevention":"ll travelers to Uganda are urged to take antimalarial medications. Malaria is a serious but preventable disease spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Please discuss antimalarial medication with your doctor, who will explain various antimalarials and their side effects and recommend a regimen for you. In addition to medication, a further precaution against malaria is to wear long sleeves and long pants at dusk. Thin clothing should be sprayed with insect repellent, especially around the elbows and ankles. Use repellent containing DEET. <br><br>If, after returning from your trip, you have a persistent fever, fever with chills, muscle aches, and headache, report to your doctor the possibility of exposure to malaria.<br><br>For further malaria information, consult your doctor or the CDC Malaria Hotline (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/malaria\/travelers\/\">cdc.gov\/malaria\/travelers<\/a>) or by phone at 888-232-3228. <br><br>","Custom_Staying_Healthy":"<strong>Drinking Water<\/strong><br>Consider all tap water unsafe. Do not drink it or brush your teeth with it; use bottled water, available everywhere. Don't use ice in your drinks unless you are sure it was made with treated water. When in doubt, ask your Trip Leader for guidelines.<div><br>Additionally, be aware of the possibility of dehydration, especially when gorilla tracking. You may want to bring rehydration salts or Gatorade-type powdered drink mixes for long trekking days. Be sure to bring plenty of bottled water. <br><br><strong>Bot Fly Bites<\/strong><br>Bot flies bites are a rare occurrence for travelers in the tropics and rarely cause serious health problems but we want you to be aware of the possibility. (Bot flies are called mango flies in Uganda.) We recommend making sure any laundry you have done during your stay in Uganda is properly ironed or tumble dried. If you wear hats during the trip, please make sure they are washed, ironed, or tumble dried if they get sweaty. We also recommend you do not sit directly on the ground or on cushions outside if they are damp or have been left outside overnight.<\/div><div> <br><br>If you have a mosquito bite that seems extremely itchy, is swollen or raised, looks like a spider bite or a boil, or has a small hole in the center, ask your local guide or Trip Leader how to treat it. If you have already returned home, see your doctor and be sure to tell him or her that you have been in a tropical area. Try to find a doctor who knows about tropical medicine, as few US doctors are knowledgeable about bot fly bites. In general, judicious use of mosquito repellent with DEET is the best way to avoid bites.<\/div>","Custom_Getting_In_Shape":"","Custom_Medical_Care":"","Custom_Altitude_Considerations":"","Custom_Reading_List":"Elevate your travel experience by delving into this curated collection of books tailored to your upcoming adventure. They will not only entertain but also provide invaluable insights into the history, culture, cuisine, wildlife, mountain trails, or even folklore of the places you're about to explore. Discover the perfect companions for your journey ahead by <a href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/lists\/wilderness-travel-uganda\">following the link<\/a> or scanning the QR code.","Custom_Photography":"","Custom_Cultural_Considerations":"","Custom_Giving_Back":"","Custom_Enviromental_Concerns":"","Custom_Shopping_and_Souvenirs":"","Custom_Seasickness":"","Custom_Explore":"","Custom_Additional_Information":"","Custom_Essentials":"<ul><li>\nAir tickets (or E-tickets)<\/li><li>\nPassport<\/li><li>\nOne other picture ID, such as driver's license<\/li><li>\nBar-coded Uganda e-visa<\/li><li>\nInternational Health Card (&#8220;Yellow Card&#8221;) with proof of Yellow Fever inoculation<\/li><li>\nExpense money<\/li><\/ul>","Custom_Luggage":"Please note that your bush flight from Bwindi to Entebbe on Aerolink Uganda has a strict weight limit of no more than 33 lbs, including your carry-on bag.<br><ul><li>Soft-sided bag with small padlock (must be unlocked for travel). Due to limited space on safari vehicles and charter flights, all your clothing and gear must fit into this one bag.<\/li><li>Daypack for camera gear, binoculars, water bottle, and personal items needed during the day. You must bring a daypack for gorilla tracking, as you will use it to carry your lunch and extra clothing in addition to your other gear.<\/li><\/ul><div><strong><br>A note on your day pack: <\/strong>Gorilla Forest Camp, where you will be staying during the gorilla tracking portion of the trip (days 7-9), provides complimentary daypacks for your trekking days. However, we still recommend you bring a small day pack in which to put items such as water bottle, camera or extra clothing layers on the other days of the trip but do be aware that Gorilla Forest camp provides day packs. Also note that you have individually assigned porters while gorilla tracking who will be carrying your gear for you (on gorilla tracking days only).<\/div>","Custom_Clothing":"During gorilla and chimpanzee tracking, we highly recommend long, comfortable, breathable pants and shirts. During game drives, bring a warm layer for early morning and sunset game drives. Your daytime clothing should be neutral colors such as khaki, bush green, and darker colors to blend in with the surroundings (absolutely no camouflage clothing). White and bright colors tend to scare away the animals. For city and hotel attire, we suggest long pants for men and women. No jackets are required for men. <br><br><ul><li>Breathable rain jacket (such as Gore-Tex) with hood. Ponchos can be used to cover your day pack, but should not be your primary from of rain gear.<\/li><li>\nFleece jacket for cool evenings<\/li><li>\nLight cotton, quick-drying synthetic pants, or khaki pants<\/li><li>\nLightweight, long-sleeved shirts and t-shirts. Quickdrying fabrics are best.<\/li><li>\nSleepwear (or lightweight long underwear)<\/li><li>\nShade hat with wide brim, preferably with chin strap<\/li><li>\nWarm fleece hat and lightweight fleece gloves for early morning and evening game drives<\/li><li>\nLightweight polypro gloves to protect your hands as you trek through dense, thorny bush at Bwindi<\/li><li>\nHiking boots with ankle support and good traction. You will need these for gorilla tracking.<\/li><li>\nGaiters&mdash;either ankle- or calf-length. These protect your pant legs from moisture in the brushy undergrowth.<\/li><li>\nComfortable walking or running shoes for vehicle travel and touring<\/li><li>\nTeva-type sandals or flip flops for wearing in camp<\/li><li>\nHiking socks. For gorilla tracking, please bring at least two pairs of socks that are long enough to tuck your pants inside (they keep the ants out!).<\/li><li>\nSports bra for women (for bumpy game drives)<\/li><li>\nSwimsuit<\/li><li>\nCity\/hotel attire<\/li><li>\nShorts are an option for downtime at the lodges, (though be aware of mosquitoes), but should never be worn during gorilla and chimpanzee tracking<\/li><\/ul>","Custom_Hiking_Boots":"","Custom_Equipment":"<ul><li>Strong flashlight or headlamp, with spare batteries<\/li><li>\n\nBinoculars<\/li><li>\nCamera, spare batteries, spare flash cards<\/li><li>\nField guides<\/li><li>\nGood quality sunglasses with case<\/li><li>\nPlastic bags to organize items within duffel and protect them against dust\/rain<\/li><li>\nPersonal toiletries<\/li><\/ul>","Custom_Personal_First_Aid":"Every trip member must bring a small kit for personal use. Your own experience will influence your choices.<br><br><ul><li>\nRehydration salts to combat dehydration, especially when gorilla tracking (bring 1 packet per travel day)<\/li><li>\nSunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. We recommend mineral-based sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide because they do not contain harsh chemicals that are harmful to the environment. Brands such as All Good, Honest Company, Badger, and Alba Botanica are found in most sporting goods stores and drugstores.<\/li><li>\nLip balm with sunscreen<\/li><li>\nAspirin, ibuprofen, or Tylenol, Tylenol PM for sleeping<\/li><li>\nInsect repellent. Repellents with DEET are recommended. DEET content of about 30-35% is ideal (higher DEET content is not recommended). Wipe DEET off your hands before touching plastic surfaces (such as binoculars) because it can damage plastic.<\/li><li>\nBlister kit. Look for the long-lasting gel-type bandages that you can apply directly on blisters, such as Band-Aid Advanced Healing Bandages or Curad Gel Multi-Day Bandages. &#8220;Liquid band-aids,&#8221; such as New-Skin, are useful because they dry rapidly to form a tough protective cover over a blister.<\/li><li>\nDramamine (for motion sickness) for long drives<\/li><li>\nAnti-bacterial gel for hand washing<\/li><li>\nPost-insect bite cream (antihistamine)<\/li><li>\nAntihistamine such as Benadryl and cold remedy such as Sudafed<\/li><li>\nImodium for diarrhea. If you wish to bring an antibiotic for diarrhea prophylaxis, please consult your physician.<\/li><li>\nPrescription medications properly labeled and in appropriate packaging<\/li><li>\nSpare contact lenses or spare prescription glasses<\/li><\/ul>","Custom_Optional_Items":"<ul><li>Reusable water bottle (sealed plastic water bottles are available on the trip)<\/li><li>\nExtra sweater or fleece if you really feel the cold<\/li><li>\nPlug adapter kit for appliance use at hotels\/ camera\/ iPad charging. Uganda has 240-volt current; plugs usually have three rectangular prongs or three round pins.<\/li><li>\nReading\/writing material<\/li><li>\nBandanna to protect neck from sun or to cover your nose and mouth as conditions can sometimes be dusty while driving<\/li><li>\nGatorade-type powdered drink mixes or rehydration salts to combat dehydration, especially when gorilla tracking (bring 1 packet per travel day). It is also a good idea to drink rehydration fluids after a long international flight.<\/li><li>\nThere is plenty of food on the trip, but for variety and snacks, feel free to bring a small supply of your own favorite snacks, such as raisins, hard candies, M&amp;Ms, dried fruits, chocolate bars, granola bars, trail mix, power bars, etc.<\/li><li>\nTravel clock<\/li><li>\nMoney belt or neck pouch. Always carry your passport, credit cards, and cash with you in a money belt or neck pouch tucked down inside your shirt or blouse.<\/li><li>\nEye drops\/nasal spray if sensitive to dust<\/li><\/ul>","Custom_Prohibited_Items":"","Custom_When_to_Go":"","Custom_Children":"","Custom_Tag_Line":"Mountain Gorillas, Chimps, Big Game Safari, and Murchison Falls","Custom_Lodging":"11 nights hotels and safari lodges","Custom_Meals":"All meals included","Custom_Difficulty":"2 days of gorilla tracking (3-7 hours on steep and sometimes muddy trails), 1 day chimpanzee tracking on forested trails (3-4 hours), 4WD game viewing, private riverboat excursions","Custom_Currency_Exchange_Rate":"","Custom_Travel_Insurance":"","Custom_Fuel_Surcharge":"","Custom_Signing_Up_For_a_Trip_-_Email":"","Custom_Optional_Hotel_Upgrades_-_This_Year":"","Custom_Optional_Hotel_Upgrades_-_Next_Year":"","Custom_Trip_Cost_Misc_Header":"","Custom_Trip_Cost_Misc_Text":"","Custom_What_the_Trip_is_Like":"This trip is rated <strong>Level 3+, Moderate<\/strong>. The hikes to see the mountain gorillas can last anywhere from 1 to 6 hours over moderately steep,&nbsp;thickly forested, and uneven terrain, and the climate will be hot and humid. Any African safari is an adventure, and the traveler to Africa should bring along flexibility, a sense of humor, and an openness to the unexpected.","Custom_Terrain":"","Custom_Getting_in_Shape":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-06-09T12:17:13 --><p>Gorilla tracking will occasionally feel strenuous as we hike uphill to follow the clans, but we will take breaks along the way. The shape you&apos;re in will be an important factor in your enjoyment of these hikes. Make an effort to get in good physical condition with hiking, biking, running, or other kinds of exercise beyond your normal routine. A brisk 30-45 minute walk every other day over moderately steep terrain can do wonders for your conditioning.<\/p>","Custom_Weather":"<meta charset=\"utf-8\"\/><body><p>The climate in Uganda is considered &#8220;modified tropical&#8221;&mdash;similar to the equatorial climate of other East African countries like Kenya and Tanzania, but slightly modified by its altitude, which ranges from 3,500 to 4,500 feet. Daytime temperatures are usually in the 70s and 80s, and humidity is fairly high. You can expect to experience some rain during the course of the trip. Like Kenya and Tanzania, Uganda has two annual rainy seasons, one between March and May and one between October and November. <\/p><p><strong>June, July and August<\/strong><br>During these months, the country is refreshingly green and the weather is coolest, especially in the higher altitudes, with a high of 70&deg; to 80&deg;F and a low of 40&deg;. Riding in the safari vehicle can be chilly some mornings, but the temperature usually warms up by 10:00 am.<\/p><p><strong>September, October, and November<\/strong><br>These are delightful times to visit Uganda and can be compared to springtime in the US. The jacaranda and other trees are bursting into blossom and the days are warmer. The high temperatures are 75&deg; to 85&deg;F, with a low of 65&deg;. Scattered rains occur in November and early December. These &#8220;short rains&#8221; just freshen the country and lay the dust, although they can sometimes be heavy.<\/p><p><strong>December to March<\/strong><br>These are Uganda's &#8220;summer&#8221; months. The temperature range is from 80&deg; to 90&deg;F during the day (coastal areas are hotter and can range from 80&deg; to 100&deg;). The evenings range from 50&deg; to 60&deg;.<\/p><p><strong>April and May<\/strong><br>The rainy season (the &#8220;long rains&#8221;) occur during these months.<\/p><\/body>","Custom_Accommodations":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-06-09T12:17:33 --><p>Our accommodations will be in comfortable hotels, safari lodges, and tented camps with spacious tents equipped with en suite facilities.<\/p>","Custom_Cuisine":"","Custom_Transportation":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-06-09T12:13:15 --><p>During game drives in our 4WD vehicles, we guarantee window seating for all -- there's no taking turns on who gets the window seats. We use five- or seven-passenger Nissan safari vehicles (never minibuses!), and all vehicles have roof hatches for easy wildlife viewing and photography. A cooler of drinks and refreshments is carried aboard. And our 4WD vehicles can go virtually anywhere, an important feature when we're tracking game. Please note there are some long driving days over rough roads and dusty dirt tracks.<\/p><p>During drives and walks, we can at times get quite close to wild animals. Being very quiet improves everybody&apos;s chances of observation. In the interest of safety, your Trip Leader explains limitations on movement while on game drives, in the safari vehicles, and around camp. Specific guidelines are in effect for the viewing of chimpanzees and gorillas&mdash;both for their protection and for your own. Incidents with wild animals are extremely rare on safaris, but no trip can guarantee immunity from such incidents. Wilderness Travel is not to be held responsible for incidents involving the behavior of wildlife. <\/p>","Custom_What_the_Trip_is_Like_-_Header_1":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-06-09T12:14:19 --><p>Wildlife Viewing<\/p>","Custom_What_the_Trip_is_Like_-_Text_1":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-06-09T12:14:33 --><p>In Uganda, the wildlife is truly wild. Unlike some of the Kenya and Tanzania game parks, the wildlife here has not been exposed to a great number of humans. Except when viewed from the launch trips on the rivers, Uganda&apos;s wildlife has a healthy, natural shyness of our vehicles. Here we have an opportunity to observe natural behavior. Binoculars are strongly recommended for observing animals as well as birds. They will also be helpful for observing chimpanzees and monkeys who spend much of their time high up in trees. We recommend 10-power if you are interested in seeing and identifying smaller birds.<\/p>","Custom_What_the_Trip_is_Like_-_Header_2":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-06-09T12:15:21 --><p>Gorillas &amp; Chimpanzees<\/p>","Custom_What_the_Trip_is_Like_-_Text_2":"<strong>Chimpanzees<\/strong><div>Within the reserve, chimpanzees are wild and free to roam wherever they choose. Their movements are influenced not by people but by ecological and social factors. We track chimpanzees by following their morning vocalizations&mdash;they tend to call most just after sunrise. Once we hear these calls, we walk as quickly and quietly as possible to find them, as they may only call a few times. Chimps do not associate in permanent groups and the number and identity of them encountered during a visit cannot be ascertained beforehand. As their movements are difficult to predict, finding them is dependent on their behavior and we cannot guarantee we will see them.&nbsp;<\/div><div><strong><br><\/strong><\/div><div><strong>Essential Guidelines For Viewing Chimpanzees&nbsp;<\/strong><\/div><div>Wild chimpanzees are very active and temperamental animals. Their response to visitors will be determined in part by the visitors' behavior. It is important that the initial approach to the chimps is quiet and calm. If the chimps are feeding, it will be possible to observe them quietly. Once they settle down, the local guides will search for the best possible vantage points and visitors can move around and speak softly. If the animals are traveling, so will the visitors. If the chimps are resting on the ground, visitors must try to be especially calm and quiet. If a chimp starts a threatening display, stay close to the guides and do not run away. If visitors do not disturb or annoy the chimps, it is unlikely they will be aggressive. Binoculars are essential for viewing chimps high up in the trees. Find a comfortable spot, lean back, and enjoy watching them feed, groom, and interact. Chimpanzees are very susceptible to human diseases, especially respiratory ones. To reduce the risk to the animals, visitors are not allowed to eat or smoke while in the forest. It is not possible to approach within five meters (16 feet) of the chimps. This not only protects the animals, but also reduces the risk of aggression from them. It must be remembered that chimpanzees are intelligent and curious, but also very excitable. Visitors must not encourage contact at any time. Photographing chimpanzees can be difficult. They spend much of their time feeding in trees and are often backlit. Flash photography is not permitted as the flash seems to bother them.&nbsp;<\/div><div><strong><br><\/strong><\/div><div><strong>Gorillas<\/strong><\/div><div>The gorillas we visit have been habituated by park rangers over many years to tolerate the presence of small groups of visitors. The habituation process involves locating the family each day by following their trail of the previous day and then staying with them for as long as the &#8220;habituator&#8221; is tolerated. In the early stages of the habituation process, the gorillas are very nervous, and the dominant male attempts to intimidate the habituator by chest beating and repeated bluff charges, while the members of his family move away and remain hidden. As the gorillas become more used to these daily visits, the behavior of the adult male becomes less volatile and the daily observation period is gradually extended. Slowly the gorillas come to understand that the observer, whom they recognize, poses no threat to them and so curiosity overcomes fear and they begin to show themselves more readily. At this point, visitors can be taken to the gorillas for the daily visit, starting with one and slowly building up to a maximum of eight people per family of gorillas per day.&nbsp;<\/div><div><strong><br><\/strong><\/div><div><strong>Essential Guidelines for Viewing Gorillas&nbsp;<\/strong><\/div><div>The minimum age for all gorilla tracking participants is 15 years. In order to protect gorillas from communicable diseases, to which they are very susceptible, gorillas cannot be touched by humans. Any traveler with an obvious cold or other communicable illness will not be allowed to participate in the treks. Groups may remain with the gorilla family for a maximum of one hour. It is very important to follow the instructions of your guide at all times. He or she works with the gorillas every day and understands them very well. Always remain in a compact group close behind the guide. The guide will locate the dominant male of the group and will attempt to position you in such a way that the gorilla can see you at all times. It is very important that the dominant male knows exactly where you are and for this reason you must always remain together in one group. If the dominant male approaches very closely or even charges, it is very important that you do not move backwards: remain exactly where you are. The guide may suggest you adopt a submissive posture by sitting down slowly. If a young gorilla approaches, under no circumstances should you make any move to touch it. The guide may try to discourage it from touching you, as this can create a dangerous situation with the dominant male. Avoid sudden movements or loud noises because they can be particularly disturbing to the gorillas. Do not move any vegetation to get a better photo opportunity. Shaking the vegetation is a gorilla threat display! Or, the gorilla may interpret it as an attempt to take away his food&mdash;not a good idea when in the company of a 400-pound gorilla. Flash photography is not permitted.&nbsp;<\/div><div><br><\/div><div>Often the gorillas are found in very dense vegetation where visibility is poor. The guide will very carefully try to maneuver the group of visitors into a better position, but this is slow work, so please be patient. Never forget that these gorillas, while tolerating your presence, are still totally wild animals.<\/div>","Custom_Trip_Level_Note_1":"","Custom_Trip_Level_Note_2":"","System_Choosing_the_Right_Trip":"<p>Adventure travel often involves exotic destinations, unusual levels of physical exertion, or activities you may not have participated in previously. We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please call Wilderness Travel at 1-800-368-2794 or email us at <a href=\"mailto:\/\/info@wildernesstravel.com\">info@wildernesstravel.com<\/a>.<\/p>","System_References":"<p>We&rsquo;d be happy to put you in touch with a past client that has traveled with us.<\/p>","System_Visit_Our_Website":"<p>At <a href=\"https:\/\/wildernesstravel.829dev.com\/\">www.wildernesstravel.com<\/a>, you can book your trip online or find out about added departures, last-minute deals, and one-time Limited Edition adventures that aren&rsquo;t listed in our catalog. You can also access our complete library of detailed itineraries filled with enticing photos and videos, read bios of our Trip Leaders, find descriptions of trip accommodations, and check real-time availability of any trips that interest you.<\/p>","System_Helpful_Links":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-01-27T07:52:03 --><p>Wilderness Travel has compiled a list of useful websites for travelers. Find the Toucan Club tab on the home page of our website and choose Helpful Links: <a href=\"http:\/\/wildernesstravel.829dev.com\/ toucan\/links\">www.wildernesstravel.com\/ toucan\/links<\/a>.<\/p>","System_About_New_Trips":"This is a new adventure and one that we are particularly excited about offering. However, as with all new departures, flexibility and a spirit of adventure are always appreciated! Activities are described in the itinerary but they can vary, sometimes considerably, depending on weather conditions, the group, and other factors.","System_About_Private_Journeys":"<p>Wilderness Travel Private Journeys are designed for people who want to travel with their own small private group, but who still want to experience the same superb itinerary design, great accommodations, and signature quality of Wilderness Travel's escorted group trips. These Private Journeys allow you to choose your own dates and your traveling companions&mdash;and enjoy the WT touch on all aspects of the journey.<\/p>","System_Limited_Edition_Adventures":"This is a Limited Edition adventure&mdash;which means a unique trip we've never run before or offer only every few years. Led by our most experienced Trip Leaders, these journeys often take place in remote destinations with only the most basic infrastructure for tourism. If you see a Limited Edition trip scheduled for this year, now is the time to sign up, as spaces fill very early and the trip may not be back for a while! Planned daily activities and actual timings may vary due to local conditions or the discretion of your Trip Leader&mdash;it is important to bring your spirit of adventure for these special exploratory journeys!","System_Social_Media":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:33:43 --><p><strong>SOCIAL MEDIA:<\/strong> We invite you to share your adventure with us on social media. Tag @wildernesstravel and we may even feature your content on our pages!<\/p>","System_If_You_Miss_Your_Flight":"<p><strong>IF YOU MISS YOUR FLIGHT<\/strong><br>If you miss your flight or are otherwise delayed, contact our Wilderness Travel office, as well as our local partners, with your new flight information. Refer to the Emergency Contact Information listed in this Final Bulletin.<\/p>","System_Valid_Passport":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-06-16T10:26:21 --><p><strong>VALID PASSPORT:<\/strong> Check that your passport is valid for at least six months from the last day of your trip, and that you have at least two blank pages for any necessary visa or entry and exit stamps.<\/p>","System_Insurance_Policy":"<p><strong>INSURANCE POLICY:<\/strong> If you have purchased the Travelex Travel Protection Plan, you should have received an email confirmation of your policy. Please bring a digital or printed copy of this policy with you. If you cannot find your email confirmation, please contact Travelex's Customer Solutions team at 844-877-1885 or e-mail customersolutions@travelexinsurance.com. If you have not purchased Travelex insurance already, you have the option to do so up to 24 hours prior to your departure.<\/p>","System_Covid-19_Travel_Requirements":"<p><strong>PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION<\/strong><strong>: <\/strong>Please review your Pre-Departure Information booklet included in this packet for important information regarding Wilderness Travel's COVID-19 protocols, packing lists, recommended reading, tipping, etc.<\/p>","System_Wilderness_Travel_Office":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:38:07 --><p>Our office in Berkeley, California can be reached at 510-558-2488, or by email at info@wildernesstravel.com. We are available during regular business hours (M-F, 8:30 am-5:00 pm, PST). <\/p>","System_ECI_Travel_Insurance":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:38:31 --><p>If you have purchased the Travelex Travel Protection Plan through Wilderness Travel, please remember to bring your Confirmation of Coverages (COC) with you on the trip, including your Plan Number and important emergency contact information.<\/p><p>If you've purchased a travel protection plan on your own, we recommend that you bring a copy of your policy, including all coverages, with you on your trip.<\/p>","System_Face_Masks_and_Hand_Sanitizer":"","System_DidNotPurchase_Insurance":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-02-28T12:27:44 --><p>Travel Insurance: We recommend that you purchase travel insurance for this trip. For your convenience, we offer Travelex travel protection. Please let us know if you would like us to add the Travelex Travel Protection Plan to this final invoice. You can learn more about the policy on our <a href=\"https:\/\/wildernesstravel.829dev.com\/toucan\/travel-insurance\">website<\/a>.<\/p>","System_Purchased_Insurance":"Please remember to bring a copy of your Travelex Confirmation of Coverage and State Specific Policy with you on your trip. You should have received an email directly from Travelex with these documents. If you need this email to be re-sent, please contact Travelex's Customer Solutions team at 844-877-1885 or e-mail customersolutions@travelexinsurance.com. <br><br><br>","System_COVID-19":"The Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 declared by the World Health Organization and the US Department of Health and Human Services expired in 2023. As of March 2024, we no longer require guests who exhibit cold or flu symptoms to test for COVID-19. <br><br>If a guest chooses to test for COVID-19 and tests positive, they will be required to wear a mask in group vehicles and during indoor activities (excluding meals) for the remainder of the trip. Any travel companion sharing a room with them will also be required to wear a mask at all times in the shared group vehicles for the remainder of the trip. If there are additional requirements in the country or region you are traveling, you will be subject to those protocols.","System_Photography":"<strong>Camera Recommendations<\/strong><br>With the many advances in digital technology, a simple compact digital camera or even your smartphone is capable of taking pictures suitable for the needs of most people. For higher quality images and the ability to use long lenses for closer wildlife pictures, a DSLR camera is well worthwhile, though heavier. Most digital cameras and phones have good video options, but you may want to consider a GoPro for a lightweight, waterproof option. Always practice ahead of time with new equipment and bring your manual with you. You may want to consider renting camera equipment for your trip from places such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.borrowlenses.com\/\">borrowlenses.com<\/a>. This is an especially good idea for renting large zoom lenses that you may need for just one trip. Adding their extra insurance fee to cover expensive equipment is recommended. <br><strong><br>Camera Accessories<\/strong><br>We recommend bringing at least two large capacity memory cards or a small digital storage unit (or tablet) to back up your photos, freeing space on your memory cards. Don't forget to bring a battery charger and a backup battery so one is always charged and ready to use. For trips where you may be away from power sources for multiple days, consider looking into a solar-powered battery charger or buying additional backup batteries, and check that you have the appropriate adapter for the electrical outlets in your destination.<br><strong><br>Sharing Your Images<\/strong><br>We would love for you to share photos from your trip, and with your permission, may even use your photos in our marketing materials or on our photo blog. We request that you send us a small sample of your best images. Please email your photos to wtphotoblog@gmail.com or tag us @WildernessTravel on social media.<br><strong><br>Photography Etiquette<\/strong><br>When taking pictures of local people, be aware of cultural considerations. Approaching people with a warm smile and using polite gestures or simple phrases to ask permission to photograph them usually works well. It is always recommended to engage people in conversation before asking to photograph them, but if people do not wish to have their photo taken, please honor their requests. We urge travelers to avoid giving money in exchange for photo opportunities, which makes it harder for future travelers to have a meaningful personal interaction with local people. Please always heed your Trip Leader's guidelines for what is appropriate. ","System_Gear_Store":"To help you prepare for your next WT adventure, we've put together a great collection of top brands including Patagonia, Outdoor Research, Eagle Creek, and more at our WT Gear Store (<a href=\"https:\/\/wildernesstravel.newheadings.com\/\">wildernesstravel.newheadings.com<\/a>).","System_Questions?":"<p>Our Area Specialists are your single point of contact and would be happy to answer any questions about your trip!<br>800.368.2794 | 510.558.2488<\/p>","System_Pricing_Detail-Small_Group_Adventure":" <br><br>To offer the lowest possible cost, our trips are priced according to the number of participants on the trip. All costs are per person, based on double occupancy. If you wish to have a single room, you must pay the single supplement fee. Please note that Wilderness Travel staff, or guests of Wilderness Travel such as travel writers, photographers, or leaders-in-training, are not included in the tier pricing count.","System_Travel_Insurance":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-01-27T07:58:05 --><p>We highly recommend you purchase travel insurance. You can take advantage of a comprehensive Travel Protection Plan designed for Wilderness Travel by Travelex, or purchase other insurance on your own. See our website for details: <a href=\"http:\/\/wildernesstravel.829dev.com\/insurance\">www.wildernesstravel.com\/insurance<\/a><\/p>","System_Make_it_Your_Trip":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:44:18 --><p>The prices above are for the ready-to-book adventure outlined in this Detailed Itinerary, a popular option that has been handcrafted by our Area Specialists to include the best of every destination. While many travelers choose to book this tour as is, our Area Specialists are also happy to work with you to customize this Private Journey to suit your specific interests and style of travel. We can arrange for longer or shorter stays, offer hotel upgrades (see below for sample costs), or add an extension to additional places of interest. We can even add special activities or customize excursions depending on your interests. We invite you to contact us to discuss your options!<\/p>","System_Signing_up_for_a_Trip":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:44:42 --><p>Early reservations are recommended since accommodations often sell out far in advance. Please call 1-800-368-2794 and ask for our [Africa Manager] or email us at [africa@ wildernesstravel.com] with any questions that you may have about this trip. To reserve your Private Journey, we will need to know your preferred dates of travel. We will then check availability and send you a proposed itinerary with exact pricing for your adventure. We can typically hold a provisional booking for one week. At that time, we must collect your initial deposit or accommodations will be released. We accept Visa, Mastercard, or American Express card. Upon receipt of your deposit, we will send you a Welcome Packet that includes a letter of confirmation, Detailed Itinerary, Trip Application, Medical Form, and Pre-Departure Information Booklet with information to help you prepare for your adventure. Please see our Cancellations and Transfer Fee Schedule for specific payment information.<\/p>","System_Trip_Leaders":"<p>Wilderness Travel Trip Leaders have a passion and a joy for creating an unforgettable journey. We are extremely proud of them and the incredible travel experiences they make possible. For more information, including client comments about them and which specific trips they will be leading, please visit <a href=\"https:\/\/wildernesstravel.829dev.com\/leaders\/\">wildernesstravel.com\/leaders<\/a>.<\/p>"},"terms":{"PaymentSchedule":"<p>At time of reservation: $2400 per person<br>90 days prior to departure: Balance<br><em><br>Please note that this differs from our standard policy.<\/em> <br><\/p>","CancelSchedule":"<p>Minimum fee (Gorilla and Chimp Permits): $1,800 per person<br>91-120 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost<br>46-90 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost<br>45 days or less: 100% of trip cost<\/p><p><em>Please note that this differs from our standard policy.<\/em><\/p>"}}