Uganda Gorilla Expedition & Safari - Limited Edition

18 Jun 2019

Uganda Gorilla Expedition & Safari - Limited Edition

PFGU

Validity: 01 Jan 2019 to 31 Dec 2019

The feeling of laying eyes on a family of rare mountain gorillas in the wild is a hard one to describe. Crouching in primeval forest as a mother plays with her babies close by is an experience few humans ever get to have, and for good reason. There are only about 700 mountain gorillas left in the world, and half of them can be found in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Led by a local driver/guide, join a small group of eight travellers on this special expedition into the untouched Ugandan wilderness. Spend two full days trekking in the park to see the gorillas, learning about the important conservation work of local rangers and wildlife organisations and falling asleep to the sounds of the forest. You'll also explore Queen Elizabeth National Park – home to elephants, tree-climbing lions, buffalo and Ugandan kobs – on exciting game drives. If you're after a truly wild and unforgettable adventure, this is it.

Peregrine

4x4 Safari Vehicle,Plane

3

Gorilla Guidelines:

- To minimize possible transmission of human diseases, visitors are asked to maintain a distance of 7m (about 22 feet) from the gorillas. If you are sick with a cold, flu or other contagious illness, please do not visit the gorillas.

- Viewing time is limited to one hour.

- Maximum 6 visitors per group.

- Spitting in the park is strictly prohibited.

- Should you need to cough, cover your mouth and turn away from the gorillas.

- When with the gorillas, keep your voice low.

- Try not to make rapid movements that may frighten the gorillas.

- If a gorilla should charge or vocalize at you, do not be alarmed, stand still, look away from the gorilla and follow your guide’s directions.

- Do not litter.

To enhance your enjoyment:

- The security of our visitors is our highest priorities. There is no need for concern about personal security.

- The climate in Bwindi is changeable and you can generally expect both sun and rainfall during the day.

- Recommended clothing is long trousers and shirts when in the forest to avoid nettle stings.

- Sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots are essential. You may find raingear useful.

- Bring a water bottle and a small snack although eating, drinking and smoking near the gorillas is forbidden.

- Photography is permitted, although you may not use flash

- Porters are available to help you carry your daypack for a small charge.

- Mountain gorillas live at high altitude and this may cause difficulties for some visitors. You should pace yourself, walk slowly and drink plenty of water. No one should feel deterred from making this trip.

The Boma Hotel is Entebbe’s original and most exclusive hotel. Set in tropical gardens in a leafy suburb, rooms combine modern comforts with the charm and character of the original 1940’s home. The guesthouse has a swimming pool and free WiFi in public areas. Guest room facilities include four poster beds with mosquito nets, private verandah, en-suite bathroom, in room safe and satellite TV.

A private arrival transfer is available for pre-booking through Peregrine. Please speak to your booking agent for more information. If you have pre-booked an arrival transfer, please ensure you have provided Peregrine with your arrival flight details at least 15 days before the departure of your Peregrine trip. On arrival, please look out for our representative holding a board with your name at the arrival terminal.

If you have any problems locating your driver, please contact our local East Africa office - PEAK East Africa - in Nairobi on +254-736-213-383.

The Boma Hotel is just a short distance from Entebbe Airport. The drive shouldn't take more than 15 minutes (traffic permitting).

Villa Kololo is located in the upmarket Kololo Hill area, only a five minute drive from the city centre offering easy access to shopping malls, cinemas, restaurants and cultural attractions. Guest room facilities include flat-screen TV, ensuite bathrooms, mosquito nets and free WiFi. Hotel is located 42kms from Entebbe-Kampala International Airport.

A private departure transfer is available for pre-booking through Peregrine. Please speak to your booking agent for more information. If you have pre-booked a departure transfer, please ensure you have provided Peregrine with your departure flight details at least 15 days before the departure of your Peregrine trip.

On this trip you will be accompanied by a local driver/guide. You will meet your driver/guide on Day 2 arrival at Kihihi Airstrip in Queen Elizabeth National Park where he will be waiting with the vehicle.
On Day 1 you will be met by the local operations manager who will also brief the group at the Welcome meeting.

Tracking gorillas in the dense forest can sometimes be wet, humid, muddy and uncomfortable. The terrain is by no means easy either, so it can be pretty strenuous walking. You need to be prepared and fit enough to walk up to 4 hours up and down hills (perhaps pack some gardening gloves to assist in any up-hill climbs). But the sheer thrill of coming across a habituated group of gorillas, dominated by a great male silverback, more than outweighs any difficulty.

Travelling in November will allow you to take advantage of cheaper Gorilla permits and cheaper prices. However this is the rainy season and you should be prepared for some rain, but don't let this deter you. See the 'Climate and seasonal information' for more details on what to expect. July is considered to be Peak season ( Dry Season ) for trekking in Uganda and both permits and prices in general are more expensive.

The gorilla trek is a shared activity. You may be split into different groups according to fitness level, and be accompanied by other travellers on your trek. However there will only be a maximum of 8 people per gorilla family, plus a local Uganda Wildlife Ranger, and trackers.

We will be stayjng in a wilderness camp in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Spacious canvas rooms are comfortably furnished and boast large porches. They have ensuite bathrooms and dressing areas with running water for hand-basins and flushing toilets, with hot ‘bush’ showers.

On this trip you will be accompanied by a local driver/guide who will meet you on arrival at Kihihi Airstrip on Day 2. However you will be met and briefed by our local operations Manager on Day 1.

All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel. Please note that if, in the opinion of our group leader or local guide, any traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund.

You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations and anti-malarial requirements before departure. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements (including a spare pair of glasses) as they may not easily be obtained at the locations on this trip.

YELLOW FEVER:
A valid international certificate of vaccination against Yellow Fever is required in many countries if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever. You may need to present this on arrival at the airport or border crossing. Some countries will refuse entry if you are unable to present your certificate. It's also quite common for your home country to request a Yellow Fever certificate on your arrival back home.

It is your responsibility to check with your doctor well in advance of leaving home about the Yellow Fever requirements for the countries you'll be visiting.


TSETSE FLY:
It is best to avoid dark coloured clothes such as blue and black while on safari. These colours can attract the biting tsetse fly.

DRINKING WATER:
As a rule we recommend you don't drink tap water, even in hotels, as it may contain much higher levels of different minerals than the water you are used to at home. For local people this is not a problem as their bodies are used to this and can cope, but for visitors drinking the tap water can result in illness. Generally this isn't serious, an upset stomach being the only symptom, but it's enough to spoil a day or two of your holiday. Many hotels and lodges provide safe drinking water, while bottled water is another alternative. Water consumption should be about two litres a day. Rehydration salts, motion sickness tablets, and diarrhoea blockers are available from many pharmacies.

Your group leader will endeavour to cater for specific dietary requirements where possible, and vegetarianism and gluten intolerance will be catered for in most instances. Please notify your group leader of any dietary requirements in your group meeting at the start of the trip.

For those suffering from particular food allergies, your group leader will endeavour to disclose to their fullest knowledge the main ingredients in dishes being consumed. It is, however, your personal responsibility to ensure that you do not ingest any foods to which you are allergic.

Alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages are not part of included meals.

When it comes to money matters on the trip, every traveller is a little different. You know your spending habits better than we do, so please budget a sensible amount for things like meals not included, drinks, shopping, optional activities, tipping and laundry. It’s always better to bring a little more than you think you’ll need.

Also make sure you’ve read your trip details thoroughly so you know what’s included in the trip price and what isn’t. This should make budgeting a little easier. You’ll find this info in the Inclusions section of your Essential Trip Information (that’s this document).
Please note: all recommendations for additional costs, tipping etc. are in USD. You will need to convert these into the relevant local currency.


MEALS NOT INCLUDED

Breakfast, dinner and most lunches are included while on our overland safaris and/or lodge based trips.

For lunches not included, a budget of USD10 to USD15 per meal will be more than sufficient.

For dinners not included, your leader will normally recommend options and restaurants where you can safely try the local specialties of the region. Expect meals to cost between USD12 to USD25 for a main.

These are indicative prices only. If you are in a tight budget or are happy to try local food, you can eat cheaper than this.

If you want to try just the finest food at the finest restaurants, then you can expect meals to cost as much as in western countries.


TIPPING

On this trip, we have included gratuities for the essential services that you will receive as part of your tour package. This will cover tips to drivers, specialist local guides (where applicable), restaurant staff for included meals, porters, bellboys and other hotel staff, including room-cleaning staff. This amount DOES NOT include a tip for your tour leader/safari leader, so you may wish to set aside some funds for this. It is customary to tip your tour leader/safari leader for outstanding service throughout your trip. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline US$4-US$5 per person, per day, can be used. Of course you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip.
You may also wish to put aside some money for your own tipping, such as when you are doing our own optional sightseeing or activity that involves local guides and/or drivers or when joining in optional groups meals or dining out on your own. In these instances, we advise you to carry small notes of local currency each day to make tipping easier. The amounts can vary greatly according to destination, so we suggest that you ask your tour leader to give you guidance on what are appropriate amounts to tip. With local markets and basic restaurants, we suggest you round your bill up to the nearest US$1. More up-market restaurants we suggest 10% to 15% of your bill.
Please don't tip with coins, very small denomination notes, or dirty and ripped notes. This is regarded culturally as an insult.

EMERGENCY FUNDS

We try to plan for every eventuality, but there are still some things beyond our control. Please make sure you bring an extra USD500 for emergencies (e.g. natural disasters or civil unrest). Sometimes these things necessitate last minute changes to our itineraries, and we can’t guarantee there won’t be some extra costs involved.

CREDIT CARDS, ATMS AND MONEY EXCHANGE:

Credit cards are generally accepted in tourist shops and some restaurants across Africa. Visa and Mastercard are generally preferred over American Express, Diners, etc. Smaller venues take cash only. Foreign currency is easily changed at exchange bureaus and they generally offer the best rates.

With ATMs being increasingly available in the many major towns and cities and even some campsites, credit or debit cards are a convenient way to access money. Be aware that your withdrawing limit may vary from country to country (regardless of your withdrawing limit in your home country) and it can be as low as the equivalent to USD100 per day. Throughout Africa, cards with the Visa logo are most readily recognised, although MasterCard is also accepted in most places. A charge is made for each international transaction - please check with your bank how much this fee will be. Check with your bank before leaving home that your card can be used as a debit card in Africa. You may also want to notify your bank that you are visiting Africa as it's not unknown for banks to freeze cards which show sudden transactions in other countries. If you're on a multi-country tour, your tour leader will be able to give you an approximate idea of how much money you may need for your stay in each country.

PLEASE NOTE: Many businesses and banks in Africa, especially East Africa, do not accept US dollar notes older than 2006. If you are bringing USD, we strongly recommend large bills in good condition, 2006 series onwards only. Any old or damaged notes may not be accepted.

Straddling the equator, there is little year round fluctuation in temperature in Uganda and no real winter or summer. Average temperatures are around 19-27°C.
The best game viewing months in Uganda are during the dry seasons from June to August and December to February. In the savannah reserves, vegetation is less and animals gather around water sources, making wildlife easier to spot. The skies are clear, there is less rain and more sunshine. It’s also considered the best time for Gorilla trekking. Keep in mind Gorilla habitat (rainforests) is, by default, very wet and you can't avoid rain completely. However, after heavy rain, the skies often open up to bright sunshine.
March to May and September to November is considered the wet season. Generally distinguished as the low season in Africa, the ‘Green season’ is characterised by the frequent rains. The vegetation is thick and the grass high making wildlife harder to spot and you don’t get a lot of animals congregating around waterholes. What you do get is incredible, lush, green landscapes. Most animals give birth at the beginning of rainy season so you will see plenty of newborns. It’s also a birders paradise with flowers in bloom and many migratory birds arriving back in the area from as far as Asia or Europe.

It’s a great opportunity to make the most of competitive prices, including on Gorilla permits which are almost half the price, and without the crowds you could find yourself trekking the gorillas with as little as 2 or 3 other people. Don’t worry. It’s unlikely to rain all day. You’ll get a downpour at some stage each day, or even light rain on and off, but there are plenty of blue sky days as well.

Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on our trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land, but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for our travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter and in particular, the local people who make our destinations such special places. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our group leader or local representative has the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or if they use prostitutes.

Everyone has the right to feel safe and secure on their trip. We don’t tolerate any form of sexual harassment, either between passengers or involving our leaders or local operators. Sexual relationships (consensual or otherwise) between a leader and a passenger are unacceptable. If you ever feel another person is behaving inappropriately please inform us immediately by contacting the emergency contact number detailed in these trip notes.

ISSUES ON YOUR TRIP:
While we always endeavor to provide you the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader/specialist guide or our local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem. We recognise that there may be times when your group leader/local partner may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the leader/guide to speak to their direct manager.

TRANSFERS AND ACCOMMODATION ISSUES:
For transfers and accommodation issues, Peregrine's Kenya Office can be reached on their 24 hour number +254 733 523 813

For general enquiries or questions about your booking, please contact your agent or adventure specialist.

In the case of an on ground issue or problem, Peregrine's Ugandan Contact can be reached on: +256 752 504 301. In case of a genuine crisis or an emergency (ONLY), please contact our local Operator on: +254 736 213 383 (Kenyan number). For all other enquiries please contact our Reservations department.

PEAK East Africa: +254-736-213-383 or +254 788-585-065

Travelling responsibly is all about making good choices. It's about ensuring you have an incredible trip while also having a positive impact on the local environment, community and economy you're travelling in. How can you be a Responsible Traveller? See our tips below:

- Choose to travel with a responsible travel company like us! We've already offset the main carbon emissions of your trip, so your footprint is already lighter.
- Consider offsetting your flights when you book your trip/flights with us or your travel agent.
- Bring a refillable water bottle and some water purification tablets (or a Steripen) to cut down on plastic bottle waste.
- Be an animal-friendly traveller. Only go to venues that respect animals by allowing them to live normally in their natural environment. Steer clear of venues that use animals for entertainment or abnormal activities and/or keep animals in poor and unnatural conditions.
- Eat at local restaurants, buy from regional artists and support social enterprises so you can contribute directly to locals and their economy.
- Always be respectful of local customs and ask permission if you want to take a photo of someone.
- Learn a few words of the local language and engage with the people around you.
- Carry a cloth or re-usable bag so you can avoid plastic bags.
- Give back by making a donation to a local project via The Intrepid Foundation.

Share your thoughts with us by completing your feedback form after your trip. This helps us to continue to improve our commitment to responsible travel.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects.
When travelling on a group trip, you won't be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24 hour emergency contact number has been seen by your leader.

If you have credit card insurance your group leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.

As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and likely a range of age groups too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part. Sharing a room can be a great way to get to know people quickly and make close friends. It just takes a little effort on your part.

A single supplement is available on this trip. Please contact your sales agent for more information.

ROAD CONDITIONS AND INFRASTRUCTURE IN AFRICA:
Roads in Africa are often in very poor condition, which makes it hard on our vehicles. Our vehicles are serviced regularly and are generally in good condition, but breakdowns can and do happen. Sometimes the going on this trip is quite tough, the distances covered fairly large and some of the roads and tracks are not exactly smooth or free from dust, but the rewards are exceptional. The travelling times indicated in our Essential Trip Information is just a rough guide and is dependent on various factors that may be outside our control, such as road conditions, weather and time spent at borders.

DRIVE TIMES:
The travel times listed in the day to day itinerary are a guide only. Please be aware that delays may occur and please be patient - it's all part of the experience afterall! Additionally, the travel times do not include time spent on game drives as these can vary with each departure.

GORILLA DOCTORS:
It is a top priority of Gorilla Doctors to disseminate information about their One Health program to both the scientific and general public communities. All Gorilla Doctors staff members are very well versed and familiar with all aspects of the organization and enjoy talking about their work. However if there is a gorilla veterinary emergency, Gorilla Doctors may need to cancel a speaking engagement; however this is extremely rare.

ITINERARY CHANGES:
Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It is important that you print and review a final copy prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travellers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any changes once on tour.

Lodge (4 nights),B&B (1 night),Suite (1 night),Wilderness Camp (2 nights)

Limited Edition

MINIMUM NUMBERS:
This trip requires a minimum of 4 passengers to depart. Please do not book any non-refundable flights or services before the departure is guaranteed to depart.

GORILLA PERMITS AND DEPOSIT:
Gorilla Permits need to be bought in advance. In order to secure them, an additional non-refundable deposit of ( AUD1000, USD1000, EUR800, NZD1250, GBP650, CAD1000, ZAR8000, CHF900 ) is needed to secure the permit at time of booking. We also require full passport details at time of booking. Please note that we need to confirm availability of a gorilla permit if you are booking within 65 days of departure. The additional deposit paid at time of booking will be credited to the final balance of your booking.

ARRIVAL TRANSFER:
An arrival airport transfer is included on Day 1of this trip. Please ensure your flight details are provided to your Travel Agent at least 15 days prior to your departure.

INTERNAL FLIGHT:
There is an internal flight on Day 2 from Entebbe to Kihihi Airstrip ( Queen Elizabeth National Park ). This flight will be unescorted. The luggage allowance on this flight is strictly 15 kilos in soft bags. This allowance includes all hand baggage.
A single supplement is available on this trip. Please speak to your booking agent for more information.

GROUND PAYMENT:
A compulsory on ground payment of $100USD per person is payable on Day 1 of this trip. This includes a donation to the Gorilla Doctors and directly supports the great work they do.