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The group flight usually arrives into Kigali this afternoon and will be met and transferred to the start hotel. Land Only clients should aim to arrive at the hotel this afternoon. This evening's Welcome Briefing is the perfect opportunity to meet your guide and get to know your fellow travellers. *Accommodation: Beausejour Hotel or similar Standard Hotel*
Rwanda is a country widely remembered for the genocide of 1994 in which over a million people were killed. There is a moving museum in Kigali to commemorate this time in Rwanda's history which we visit this morning. After lunch we will cross the border into Uganda and drive towards Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the home of wild Mountain gorillas. *Accommodation: Casa Gorilla Lodge & Campsite or similar* *Full-service Camping*
You will probably remember today for the rest of your life as we spend a full hour in the company of a family of Mountain gorillas! Owing to the nature of the terrain and the need to explore to find the gorillas, our trek doesn't follow a path and instead our guides will cut a route through the undergrowth. After a safety briefing, we are assigned to a gorilla family group and begin our trek. You should expect a minimum of three hours walking on irregular terrain in order to find the gorillas; steep ascents and descents over muddy slopes are the norm. Strong footwear is essential and we recommend hiring a local porter to help you carry your bag/camera equipment and provide a steady, supportive hand (porters will be arranged and paid for locally on the day). Seeing wild Mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is an experience you will never forget. An adult male can weigh up to 195kg, a female up to 100kg, and a male can reach 1.7m in height. They are almost exclusively vegetarian and quite destructive eaters, which makes them unpopular with the farmers lower down the mountain slopes as they have been known to wreck a whole field of crops just to eat one plant. For this reason, and also because of poaching, the gorillas are very carefully protected. Gorillas are gentle creatures and are not known to attack unless very severely provoked. The family groups that we trek to see are habituated to human presence but to prevent over familiarisation our time with them is limited to one hour. The minimum distance that we must keep is 8 metres - we are not permitted any closer because gorillas are very susceptible to human disease. Please note that anyone with a cold or any similar ailment may not be permitted to join the trek. *Accommodation: Casa Gorilla Lodge & Campsite or similar* *Full-service Camping*
Today we drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP). The park resides in a fertile, equatorial area and has beautiful scenery. It is Uganda’s most popular and accessible savannah reserve, with a total area of 1978 square kilometres. It is primarily associated with grassy savannah plains, but this impressive park also includes within its boundaries leafy rainforests, dense papyrus swamps and natural volcanic crater lakes. As a result it has one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any game reserve in the world, including a total of 95 recorded mammal species and more than 610 species of birds. *Accommodation: Irungu Forest Campsite or similar* *Full-service Camping*
This morning we will explore QENP on a game drive in search of wildlife including elephants, lions, buffalo, leopard, hyena, jackal, topi, kob, bush buck and various others. In the afternoon there is an optional boat trip of about two hours along the Kazinga Channel to view some of the largest concentration of hippo in the world (reported to be about 30,000) and other game with excellent birding. The game drive will continue in the afternoon for those who do not join the boat trip. *Accommodation: Irungu Forest Campsite or similar Full-service Camping*
We have a long drive today covering about 450 kms from Queen Elizabeth N.P. to Budongo. The drive goes north along the eastern length of the Rwenzori Mountains, where, weather permitting, we can see the glaciated peaks. We will pass through tea and sugar cane plantations, stopping for lunch en route. We expect to arrive in Budongo in the late afternoon. *Accommodation: Red Chili Murchison or similar* *Full-service Camping*
We depart early this morning for Budongo Forest, which is home to the largest numbers of chimpanzees in Uganda; we will go on a trek in search of chimpanzees and other wildlife. The walking is fairly easy due to the well-maintained trails and reasonably flat terrain. Whilst trekking in the depths of the lush green forest, you will be surrounded by bird song and hope to see both Velvet and Colobus monkeys, wild pigs and of course the chimpanzee. Once a chimpanzee family is found, we will have an hour with these fascinating creatures, to watch them interact and play with each other. In the afternoon we drive to Murchison Falls where we spend the next two nights. *Accommodation: Red Chili Murchison or similar *Full-service Camping**
This morning we have an early morning game drive in search of wildlife in Murchison Falls N.P. We transfer by ferry to the north side of the Nile where we embark our game drive. Murchison Falls N.P. is home to elephants, giraffe, buffalo and Uganda kobs, as well as the predators: lions and leopards. After lunch we travel by boat up the Nile, passing hippos and crocodiles, searching for elephants and waterbuck that come to the river to drink. The cruise lasts about 3 hrs, and will travel upstream to the bottom of the falls, stopping near the ‘Devil’s Cauldron’, the place where the water bursts through the narrow gorge and creates an outstanding rainbow. *Accommodation: Red Chili Murchison or similar* *Full-service Camping*
After a short game drive through the park, we leave Murchison Falls National Park and drive to Jinja today, a journey which should take us 6 hrs. Passing through untouched forest and tree plantations, we arrive in Jinja around 3pm, and the rest of the afternoon is free to relax. *Accommodation: Adrift Camp or similar *Full-service Camping**
Today is free to choose from a range of optional activities. White-water rafting in Jinja is considered to be amongst the best in the world, with a half or full day route that varies from quiet pools and forested islands to thunderous rapids and drops. There are several grade V rapids to navigate including 'Big Brother', 'Overtime' and 'Silverback'. If rafting doesn't appeal, you can visit the source of the White Nile. *Accommodation: Adrift Camp or similar* *Full-service Camping*
Today there is a long drive of about 250km to Eldoret which should take about 8 hours, including a border crossing into Kenya. The border crossing can be slow but we leave plenty of time for this and you'll no doubt find the experience interesting! *Accommodation: Green Wood Campsite or similar* *Full-service Camping*
We depart the Eldoret in the morning after breakfast and drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, one of the finest small parks within Kenya, where we spend the day on a game drive in the park. Protected by an electric fence, the park is widely known for its impressive population of Black and White rhino which are relatively easy to spot on game drives in the open savannah. Fever trees line the park and are a well-known spot for leopards to laze in, whilst one of the most impressive sights is the vast flamingo population. Owing to flooding the alkaline content of the lake has changed in recent years and as a result the flamingos no longer tend to be found in such large numbers, but this can change depending on the rainfall. *Accommodation: KWS Campsite or similar Full-service Camping*
Today we travel into the Masai Mara, one of the most famous ecosystems in the world. This vast grassland is teeming with life; plains game including wildebeest, gazelle, topi, zebra and buffalo abound in the rolling savannah, and never far away lay the predators; cheetah, lion and hyena. Between mid-August to late October one of the greatest spectacles on Earth takes place in the Mara - the annual migration of thousands of wildebeest, gazelle and zebra trampling their way across the long grass. Nothing is guaranteed on safari, but with the help of our brilliant guides you should see and learn a huge amount about the Masai Mara's resident wildlife as we game drive through the park this afternoon. *Accommodation: Mountain Rock or similar* *Full-service Camping*
A full day game drive in the Masai Mara to increase our chances of encountering many of the wildlife species found in the reserve. We find a quiet spot inside the park to enjoy lunch by our vehicle, looking out across the plains. There is also an optional Hot Air Balloon Safari in time for sunrise (including champagne and breakfast). *Accommodation: Mountain Rock or similar* *Full-service Camping*
We will depart after breakfast for Nairobi. We travel up through the escarpement of the Rift Valley looking back on classic African views with acacia trees scattering the vast landscape. For those on the group flights, these will usually depart in the evening. For clients who have booked land only, the trip ends on arrival in Nairobi.
* 13 nights full-service camping, and 1 night in hotel
* Travel by specialist overland vehicle, 4WD and on foot
* Some long drives on rough roads and early starts
Virtually all meals are included and will be prepared for you by our chef and
crew.They are adept at catering for large groups of hungry travellers!
Breakfasts will usually include cereal, toast and hot food such as porridge
or eggs. Lunches tend to feature a range of sandwich options as well as a
selection of fruit. Dinners usually feature soup, main (a mix of local and
international cuisine) and dessert (typically fruit salad). All cooking
equipment is loaded onto the overland vehicle and so our crew are ready to
prepare food wherever we stop - don’t worry about going hungry on this
trip! You will have time to stock up on snacks and drinks along the journey.
For meals not included, it would be a good idea to allow a further US$100 to
cover these.
* 13 nights full-service camping, and 1 night in hotel
* Travel by specialist overland vehicle, 4WD and on foot
* Some long drives on rough roads and early starts
*This trip has been graded 2 (Leisurely/Moderate) with a safari rating of 4.*
The grading of moderate applies specifically to the gorilla trek and the
Chimpanzee tracking. The rest of the itinerary is graded as leisurely in
relation to the activity level only (however, this is not a leisurely trip in
relation to the early starts and long drives).
*Gorilla Trek:* Owing to the nature of the terrain and the need to explore to
find the gorillas, the trek doesn't always follow a path in Bwindi
Impenetrable Forest and instead the guides will cut a route through the
undergrowth. You should expect a minimum of three hours walking on
irregular terrain, with the possibility of climbing up to 2607m, in order to
find the gorillas; steep ascents and descents over muddy slopes are the
norm. Strong footwear is essential and we recommend hiring a local porter
to help you carry your bag/camera equipment and provide a steady, supportive
hand (porters will be arranged and paid for locally on the day).
Transport is in a specialist overland vehicle with good visibility and 4WD
vehicles in the Masai Mara. There will be several early morning starts
especially to view the wildlife, and several long drives as this trip covers
the highlights of three countries. Although the distances are not always very
long, some of the roads are quite poor and bumpy especially after the rainy
season. We include breaks for toilet facilities, shopping, photos and meals.
There are a few days where the journey time (including stops) can be over 7
hours and the longest drive can take approximately 9 hours. The spectacular
scenery and glimpses of village life when travelling make the journeys
enjoyable, as well as the chances to get to know your fellow travel
companions.
Come prepared with a sense of adventure and a sense of humour and you're sure
to have the holiday of a lifetime.
Certain areas in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda are not recommended for travel on
the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development website. Please note that we do not
visit any of these areas on our itinerary and keep continually abreast of
changes to FCDO advice.
*BOOKING CONDITIONS*
Please note that at the time of booking a minimum of £700 (or equivalent in
booking currency) non-refundable deposit is required to cover the cost of the
gorilla permits. If for any reason we have to cancel the trip, you will of
course receive a full refund.
Camping
The camping is full-service which means that the tents are put up and taken
down for you by our crew. We use standard mobile two man tents for these
nights and provide mattresses and all other equipment that you'll need
(except a sleeping bag and pillow). East African campsites vary in terms of
facilities - you should not expect hot showers, flushing toilets or western
standards of cleanliness. Upgrades are available at some locations to a room
- these can only be booked and paid for locally.
On some nights we have more than one accommodation option. This can mean that
where we stay differs to what has been listed for the day. The accommodation
that we select around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is dependent on the
gate we are using to access the park.
In Kigali, we stay in a small hotel with en suite facilities.
Virtually all meals are included and will be prepared for you by our chef and
crew.They are adept at catering for large groups of hungry travellers!
Breakfasts will usually include cereal, toast and hot food such as porridge
or eggs. Lunches tend to feature a range of sandwich options as well as a
selection of fruit. Dinners usually feature soup, main (a mix of local and
international cuisine) and dessert (typically fruit salad). All cooking
equipment is loaded onto the overland vehicle and so our crew are ready to
prepare food wherever we stop - don’t worry about going hungry on this
trip! You will have time to stock up on snacks and drinks along the journey.
For meals not included, it would be a good idea to allow a further US$100 to
cover these.
Transport is in one of Exodus' specialist overland vehicles. The vehicle
seats 24 passengers but there is a maximum of 18 passengers on this
itinerary. The seating is mostly forward facing and the windows are large and
easy to open. People are expected to move around to permit everyone a chance
to have a window seat. The vehicle carries all camping equipment and has a
large drinking water tank for you to fill up a smaller bottle. There is a
6-plug 240 volt invertor that can recharge camera/cellphone/laptop batteries
when it is being driven. For game viewing in the Masai Mara we use smaller
4WD vehicles.
*Travelling flight inclusive from London: 17 days*
The group flight from London is an overnight flight departing the day before
Day 1 of the itinerary.
*Flights from London*
We normally use the scheduled services of Ethiopian Airlines or Qatar Airways
(depending on availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly
we recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to
confirm up‐to‐date timings. Please note timings may change at a later
date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure.
*Travelling land only: 15 days starting in Kigali and ending in Nairobi*
Your trip normally starts at our accommodation in Kigali in the afternoon of
Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided
in the Final Joining Instructions ‐ sent approximately two weeks before
departure.
Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note
that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight,
even if Exodus has booked it.
If you require airport transfers, you may (by prior arrangement only) be
able to join the group transfer. Transfers are arranged to coincide with the
arrival time of the group flight ‐ please check the group flight details 2
weeks before departure. If you do not take this transfer, or miss it, you
must make your own way to the joining point at your own expense.
The cost of a taxi is likely to be approx. US$25-$30 should you decide to
make your way independently.
Although this part of East Africa lies in the tropics, the temperature
depends more on altitude than on season. Kenya has temperatures ranging from
18 - 28ºC in March and dropping to 15 - 21ºC in August. The long rains,
during which we do not operate these tours, occur in April and May, and there
are intermittent 'short rains' between November and early December, though
these normally have no great effect on the safari.
In western Uganda, the rainy season is also in April and May, with
intermittent rains during November and December, and daytime temperatures of
between 15 - 25ºC. Parts of Uganda are very wet and rain can be expected at
any time.
In Rwanda, the rainy season is also in April and May, with intermittent rains
during November. December to February is quite dry, and June through October
is the driest season. Temperatures do vary, in the southern parts of Rwanda
the temperatures are between 18 - 30ºC, while in the northern part,
temperatures are between 12 - 28ºC.
This trip encounters a range of temperatures so come prepared. Most of the
time light cotton clothing will be most comfortable, but you should bring a
sweater and a warm windproof jacket as it can get cold at night, in the
mornings and in the back of the truck. Avoid bright colours when on safari.
Walking boots: for the gorilla trek as conditions under foot can be tough.
Long socks: For the gorilla trek to protect against jungle ants.
Gloves: for the gorilla trek as there can be stinging and sharp vegetation on
the trek. Gardening gloves would be fine.
Daypack or small bag
Water bottle /(minimum size required for gorilla trek is 1.5 litres, or take
2 bottles)/
Head torch and spare batteries
Mosquito repellent
Sun hat, suncream and sunglasses
Sleeping bag and liner: a three-season bag is required as it can be cold at
night when travelling in the higher regions of Kenya and Uganda.
Travel pillow: We do not provide pillows in the 2-man tents so if you would
like a travel pillow, please bring your own.
Rucksack or holdall: please do not bring a suitcase or hard-bottomed bag on
these trips. We advise you to bring a soft holdall/rucksack and a day pack.
Everyone has a large locker (30 inches deep, 19 inches long and 10 inches
high) to store his or her belongings and personal items in. We recommend
you also take a combination padlock to lock the locker. Shoes and sleeping
bags can be stored separately at the back of the vehicle.
*Please note:* In a move praised by conservation groups and health
organisations, Kenya has taken the lead in banning the use of plastic carrier
bags and certain other plastic bags. Included in the ban are the following
items that travellers might carry:
▪ Duty free carrier bags
▪ General shopping bags
▪ Bin liners (sometimes used to protect luggage during rain)
▪ Dry cleaning bags (commonly wrapped around clothing)
Travellers arriving into Kenya via airports, sea ports or land borders will
be required to leave any bags deemed to be on the banned list at the point of
entry. Travellers will not be fined so long as they surrender any prohibited
bags.
Uganda has banned electronic cigarettes.
If you are interested in animal photography then take a camera with a good
optical zoom.
Binoculars
Wet wipes
Travel towel
Hand gel wash
Toilet roll
Gaiters
*Laundry:*
Laundry facilities are limited outside the major cities but it will be
possible to do some hand washing at the campsites or using water from rivers
or lakes. You should bring a small supply of washing powder with you for this
purpose. We ask you to be careful when washing clothes in rivers and lakes as
this water may well be the main supply for villages further along. Always use
a washing bowl and discard used water away from the river or lake. Take
environmentally friendly detergents and shampoos for hand and hair washing,
and use as little as possible. This will help to keep valuable fresh water
supplies, rivers, streams and the sea free from pollution.
We recommend that you take most of your money in US Dollars cash. Any US
dollars cash should be clean, unmarked notes and should be dated no earlier
than 2009. It is advisable to bring a mix of denominations including some
small notes.
There are a great variety of souvenirs on sale. We encourage buying items
which benefit the local economy and avoiding expensive shopping malls where
most of the money will go abroad or to large businesses.
Bargaining is the norm for much souvenir buying. Don't accept the first price
offered unless the shop or stall clearly works on fixed prices, but also
remember that you are probably much better off than most local people, so
please do not generate ill-feeling by bargaining too hard. Similarly, you
should not bargain for items which you have no intention of buying.
Goods can often be traded with the Masaai rather than money especially red
clothing, cheap watches and sunglasses. Amongst the local handicrafts look
out for Makonde woodcarvings, permitted leather goods, native jewellery,
local textiles, batik and soapstone carvings.
*Optional Excursions:*
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Mgahinga Hike - US $80 per person (depending on location of accommodation)
Forest walk- US $70 per person (depending on location of accommodation)
Batwa Experience - US $80 per person (depending on location of accommodation)
Birding walk - US $70 per person (depending on location of accommodation)
*Queen Elizabeth*
Kazinga Channel boat trip - US$30
*Jinja*
Full Day rafting, Jinja - US$140 per person
Half Day Rafting, Jinja – US$125
Visit to the source of the White Nile - US$25 per person
We suggest that these excursions be paid for in cash.
*Masai Mara*
Sunrise Balloon Safari in Masai Mara - can be booked locally at a price of
US$495 per person or higher. Includes champagne and a full English breakfast
in the bush.
Nairobi
For the excursions in Nairobi, these can only be done if you extend your stay
after the trip. As the leader will not yet be with you in this case, you need
to book these through our local partners on the ground on +254 733 523 813.
Karen Blixen Museum - US$14 per person
Giraffe Centre- US$12 per person
NNP Animal orphanage - US$25 per person (Entry only)
Safari walk - US$25 per person
Carnivore Restaurant- US$30-35 per person
Bomas - US$10 per person
National Museum - US$14 per person
Transfers to/from all of these excursions - price will vary depending on the
type of vehicle and the number of clients and may include waiting charges.
If you feel that your leader and crew have performed well over the course of
your trip, you may want to show your appreciation of their services. The sum
you choose to give is entirely personal, but as a guide we suggest that you
budget:
Approximately US$50-$70 for your tour leader.
Approximately US$25-$35 for each of the other 3 crew members on this trip.
It is also courteous to tip any extra guides/ drivers you may have over the
course of the trip, though certainly not compulsory. Shortly after arrival
the leader will suggest to the group that they donate a sum of approx. 25 GBP
(approx. US$ 30) per person towards a kitty. This money is then used for
tipping local guides, hotel porters, drivers etc and will be distributed by
the leader. Any money left at the end of the trip will be refunded to the
group on equal basis.
* Travel insurance
* Single accommodation (available on request)
* Visas or vaccinations
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.