Category: Safari Planning

  • Gorilla Trekking in Uganda Vs Rwanda

    Many travelers are always faced with the problem of choosing which country to visit to see the endangered mountain gorillas in the wild. Mountain gorillas are found in 3 countries in Africa; Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. However there are the two countries that are considered to be the best places for gorilla trekking; Uganda or Rwanda.

    Cost:

    Gorilla permits in Rwanda have recently (as of 2014) increased to $1500 per person. They are $700 per person in Uganda. The permit gets you an hour of time spent with the gorillas with an 8 person group. If you buck at the price think of it this way. You are contributing to the preservation of gorillas and as a “thank you” you get to spend an hour with them. Remember only 80 people a day get to see them and their habitat is very fragile. Every time you walk through the forest you are leaving a footprint.

    Ease of Access: Rwanda provides the easiest access to gorilla trekking so it is your best option if you are combining it with a safari to Kenya or Tanzania or if you only have a few days. The town of Ruhengeri, the jumping off point for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, is only a few hours’ drive on excellent roads from the capital (and its international airport) Kigali. Seeing gorillas in Uganda is more of a process and involves an 8-10 hour drive from the international airport in Entebbe. I recommend making Uganda a full 8-day trip with stops along the way instead of just a place to see gorillas whereas you could see gorillas in Rwanda in just a few days.

    Trekking Difficulty

    Seeing mountain gorillas can involve 2-4 hours of hiking to find them. In both Uganda and Rwanda this is going to be a long day and the hikes can vary quite a bit depending on where the animals spent the night and which troop you are seeing. That being said, the general experience is that treks in Rwanda are slightly easier while those in Uganda are slightly more strenuous. Again there are no guarantees either way. I have friends who hiked for three hours in Rwanda before finding a troop while my group came across a troop in just over an hour in Uganda. For more information about what to expect (and what to bring) on the day of the trek click here.

    Don’t underestimate the tiring effects of being at high altitude. Trekking takes place 8000-10,000 feet above sea level, not high enough for altitude sickness but high enough to knock the breath out of anybody, no matter how fit, who has just flown in from a low altitude. For this reason, visitors who are spending a while in Rwanda might think seriously about leaving their gorilla tracking until they have been in the country a week or so, and are better acclimatized (most of Rwanda lies at about 5000 feet). Likewise, if you are coming from elsewhere in Africa try to plan your itinerary so that you spend your last pre-trek days at medium to high altitude. For example if you are flying in from Kenya, a few days in Nairobi (7500 feet) or even the Masai Mara (5200 feet) would be far better preparation than time at the coast.

    Better Gorillas: There is no difference. There are 10 habituated troops in Rwanda and 8 in Uganda and they can move freely between the countries so this really doesn’t need to be a consideration. The gorilla trekking system is similar in all countries and because gorillas are followed on a daily basis, a sighting in all the locations is virtually guaranteed.

    So here’s what I would say it comes down to: If you have time and are not looking to do a traditional savannah safari, Uganda is a great option. It is a fabulous country and you can easily spend 8-10 days there.

    If you are in a rush and/or are adding gorilla trekking to a larger safari then you will want to go on a Rwanda gorilla safari which can easily range from a day trip, 2, 3 or 4+ days!

    Where to Stay

    In terms of accommodation, each country offers great places to stay. Here are a few of our recommendations:

    Rwanda

    My favorite luxury accommodation is Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge because it is high up on hill, has great views, cozy rooms with fireplaces and amazing service. I have also visited Virunga Lodge which is a beautiful eco-lodge but an hour’s drive from the trek starting point. When you already have to be up and ready at 6am adding an hour drive to that is not insignificant. For a medium budget the best choice is Mountain Gorilla Lodge. It does not claim to be more than it is but it very convenient and the rooms are quite spacious. For the more modest budget Le Bamboo was perfectly comfortable.

    Uganda

    For Uganda my favorite option is Buhoma Lodge. It is an eco-lodge with a rustic, comfortable feel and is one of two properties actually inside Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The lodge is set into a hill with beautiful views of the forest. Probably the most luxurious option in the Bwindi area is Gorilla Forest Camp but this is not one of my favorites because it is quite dark but it is well-designed and has great service. For a modest budget Traveler’s Rest in Kisoro has simple, comfortable rooms and was a frequent stop for Diane Fossey when she traveled through Uganda. It is about an hour’s drive from the Bwindi park gate.

    Mountain Gorillas:

    Been there done that…If you are an experienced Africa traveler and you are looking for a unique and seriously off-the-beaten path experience, then tracking western lowland gorillas in the Republic of Congo might be the perfect adventure for you. Whatever country you choose gorilla trekking is guaranteed to be a moving and life-changing experience.

  • Planning a Gorilla Trekking Safari

    Are you looking to taking a gorilla safari in Africa? A trip to the gorillas is one of the best adventures one can ever take on the African continent. This lifetime experience can be taken in a few destinations in Africa; Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Unlike other usual safaris, a gorilla safari requires proper planning early well in advance and it is advisable to book such a kind of trip early enough from a reliable tour operator. Here are some of the useful information that you need to know about planning a gorilla trek in Africa;

    Best Time to Visit Gorillas

    Many travelers wonder about the best time to visit the mountain gorillas in Africa. Though the gorillas can be visited any time of the year, many travelers opt to visit the mountain gorillas during the dry season. Remember Uganda and Rwanda experience two distinct seasons; the rainy season and the dry season. April to May and November are the rainiest months, so most people avoid travel at these times. Remember there is a shift in seasons and please note that it can rain anytime of the year.

    NB: If you would like to save on a gorilla trek in Uganda, you can use the off peak season discount rates where gorilla permits are sold at USD350 saving USD250 on every permit.

    Physical Fitness

    A gorilla trek is one of the active adventures that requires a good level of fitness. On my last trek, i saw a lady who failed to meet the gorillas in the wild. Before booking a gorilla tour, make sure that you have a sensible level of fitness and a willingness to hike uphills searching for the gentle giants. Though many travelers always wonder whether Uganda or Rwanda offers easier treks, am sure that the ease of trekking depends on your level of fitness. A real gorilla trek involves climbing up muddy slopes and through varied vegetation and terrain. Gorillas live in montane forest, so treks to see them are at higher altitude.

    Booking Gorilla Permits

    It is required to book a gorilla permit in order to be able to visit the gorillas in the wild. There are several habituated groups of mountain gorillas in various national parks in Africa. Uganda has 12 habituated gorilla families that are open for mountain gorilla tourism; 11 groups in Bwindi and 1 group at Mgahinga National Park while Rwanda has 10 habituated gorilla groups. Only eight visitors are allowed to visit a gorilla group and thus only 8 gorilla permits are available for sale to tourists per day. This makes the gorilla permits to be extremely limited and must be booked early enough most especially if you are intending to travel during the peak season; June – September and December.

    many travelers book their permits a year in advance and thus it is advisable to secure a gorilla permit at least 4 months before the date you intend to travel. There are several local tour operators who can secure permits.

    The gorilla permits currently cost around US$600 per person for foreign tourists, USD 475 for non residents in Uganda with valid work permits and 700$ in Rwanda, 500$ for foreign residents. A gorilla permit entitles you to one hour watching and photographing the mountain gorillas. This money goes towards conservation of the habitat, anti-poaching efforts and education of the local communities.

    Success Rate for Meeting the Gorillas

    The mountain gorillas live in their wild natural habitat so it’s not a guarantee that there is 100% success of meeting them. However based on experience, the chance to see gorillas in their natural habitat is 99% all year round. Few travelers fail to see the gorillas and this is much due to their psychical unfitness. In case you don’t see the gorillas on a trek, there is a policy in both Uganda and Rwanda whre you will track another gorilla group the next day.

    To help ensure this, trackers set off at dawn to locate the gorilla groups and radio their GPS co-ordinates to the park headquarters, so when you set off on your trek with your guide, you know where you are headed. The trackers stay with the gorillas even if they are moving.

    Clothing for a Gorilla Trek

    For the safety of your camera, a waterproofed day pack is crucial. Pack water bottles and snacks as well. For a small fee, porters can be hired to carry your day pack and help you up the steeper slopes.

    Waterproof jacket is essential because when setting out you should expect to get muddy and rained on. Wear long trousers to guard your legs against nettles and a T-shirt with a long-sleeved shirt over the top. The exertion will keep you warm, so layers are best.

    Age Requirements

    Is there A Minimum Or Maximum Age To Visit The Gorillas?

    Gorilla tracking is done by people with 16 years and above and there’s no flexibility to this rule. This is the same for both Rwanda and Uganda and it’s enforced by the national parks. There is no upper age limit!

    Will This Be Covered By My Travel Insurance?

    It’s definitely worth checking that your travel insurance does cover you for gorilla trekking as they may require an additional premium to be paid.

  • Planning a Wedding on an African Safari

    Because we are a romantic bunch, love organizing weddings and can’t resist hat shops, we thought we might put out some super duper special offers for any African safari wedding taken throughout the 2016 season.

    The eye never forgets what the heart has seen‘ ~ African proverb

    For all weddings taking place in Kenya we will include a surprise wedding gift for the couple, to be presented upon arrival at your hotel in Nairobi, plenty of added wedding extras and all the usual help, advice and planning. We’ll also offer £200 OFF for the bride, £100 OFF for every guest and complementary flowers to dress your chosen venue. All these offers are in addition to any lodge offers currently available, meaning huge saving potential for soon to be weds!

    All our Kenyan wedding packages include meet & greet at Nairobi International Airport, two nights accommodation in Nairobi in order to complete paperwork, full assistance & guidance with all paperwork & complementary champagne on your first night in Kenya. All you need to do is turn up with your papers, and your dress, and relax as we subtly wedding-plan you through your romantic adventure.

    We can organise tiny, private ceremonies through to huge, multi-generational family affairs, including all pre & post wedding arrangements for your guests. Simple.

  • Kilimanjaro Tour Companies

    There are hundreds of Kilimanjaro tour companies operating out of Arusha and Moshi, the two largest cities near Mount Kilimanjaro. Finding a good company to do your Kilimanjaro climb with is important.

    Whether you book in advance or when you arrive, make sure to nail down all details in advance of payment and check your equipment for damage before starting your climb.

    Here are several good Kilimanjaro tour companies:

    Kiliman Trek and Bike Safari Company

    luxury safaris Tanzania Company

    African Amazing Adventures

    Bush Explores