UGANDA & RWANDA GORILLA & WILDLIFE SAFARI

Download and Print Our Women Only Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla Trek & Safari Itinerary (Adobe pdf)

ITINERARY & TRIP PRICE    •    INCLUSIONS    •    EXCLUSIONS    •    IMPORTANT TRIP INFO     •    PAYMENT & CANCELLATION     •    QUESTIONS & ANSWERS


INTERESTED IN OUR UGANDA-RWANDA TRIP? Book your place today to join this exclusive experience! We have our Gorilla Trekking permits. ONLY 16 persons per day are allowed into the park to trek and observe the Gorillas ! Join us for this once in a lifetime opportunity to witness these gentle creatures in the wild !


A complete registration package will be emailed to you once you have booked your ROAM Adventure.


This is a "Land-ALL-Inclusive" Trip, meaning the Trip Price Includes ALL of the following:

  • 2 gorilla permits, (both in Rwanda-*See our notes below on why we gorilla trek exclusively in Rwanda) and 1 chimpanzee permit per person (in Uganda).
  • A professional, expert, English speaking naturalist, safari guide to accompany the group throughout the trip.
  • Transportation throughout in open-top 4x4 vehicles driven by knowledgeable, English-speaking safari driver-guides. A window seat is guaranteed.
  • Professional local, English speaking chimpanzee, gorilla and park guides on trekking days.
  • 1 night stay on Day #2 at airport hotel in Amsterdam where we meet to fly as a group the following day to Entebbe, Uganda to begin this adventure.
  • 10 nights superior accommodations in Uganda and Rwanda in luxury safari camps, lodges, and hotels with private en suite facilities and modern amenities.
  • All rooms at lodges and hotels have either 2 twin beds, 2 double beds or some have 2 queen-size beds.
  • Guaranteed room-mate : every woman is guaranteed a room-mate. Single rooms are also available for any traveler wanting her own room by paying the single supplement.
  • ALL meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner everyday.
  • Complimentary bottled water in vehicles.
  • One ROAM Associate who manages all the details on behalf of our group throughout the entire trip.
  • All applicable hotel and lodge taxes, plus gratuities for baggage handling.
  • All fees and gratuities to naturalist, other safari guides.
  • All fees and gratuities to porters on gorilla trek days.
  • All ground transportation and corresponding fuel surcharges throughout the adventure.
  • Entrance fees to all reserves and game parks.
  • All international departure taxes associated with the adventure.

*We trek Exclusively in Rwanda for the following reasons:

  • Less bush whacking (less dense in foliage in the forest of Rwanda, less strenuous for trekking)
  • Much more scenic walking and gorilla viewing with the volcanoes in the back drop
  • There are 8 habituated gorilla families to trek in Rwanda. Uganda has only 3 (meaning Rwanda offers a more diverse experience).
  • In Rwanda, the gorilla trekking permits, at the time of purchase, are not tied to a specific family – meaning we can chose which family we want to trek both days at the park headquarters (this allows for more flexibility to our group). In Uganda however, the permits are tied to a specific family upon purchase, meaning there is no choice on which family to trek upon arrival to the park like in Rwanda (so in Uganda it is possible to be stuck with a family that was spotted 8 hours away instead one that is nearby).

NOT INCLUDED

  • International airfare to Amsterdam, Holland (departing USA/Canada/your home January 13, 2013 and arriving in Amsterdam on January 14, 2013) where group meets and overnights at an airport hotel in Amsterdam on January 14, 2013 (airport hotel included in trip price) and from Amsterdam, Holland to Entebbe, Uganda (January 15, 2013), and from Kigali, Rwanda back to your home (departing Rwanda on January 25) - Travelers purchase their own international airfare or our partner travel agency will be happy to book your flights for you. PLEASE NOTE- You may also opt for your own flight itinerary and meet the group directly in Entebbe, Uganda on January 15, 2013
  • Passport and visa fees and service charges for obtaining visas for Uganda and Rwanda.
  • Personal purchases (i.e. souvenirs).
  • Medical/Trip cancellation Insurance

* Please note: The rates for 2 gorilla permits ($500 each X 2 permits = $1,000) and 1 chimpanzee permit ($150 each), are included in the cost of this trip. The costs are based on 2012 prices and are subject to change without notice if the fees increase prior to the trip in January 2013.

ANNOUNCEMENT (January 27, 2012) - Effective for all treks after June 1, 2012 - Gorilla Permit prices have increased to $750 per permit - Our trip price has now been adjusted to reflect the permit price increase.

OTHER IMPORTANT TRIP INFO:

WHY HAVE WE CHOSEN JANUARY TO TRAVEL FOR THIS ADVENTURE? January is an ideal season in both Uganda and Rwanda, and offers the most favorable conditions for trekking the gorilla families and chimpanzees, as well as offering the ideal conditions for game viewing of tree climbing lions, Nile Hippo and other big game, in addition to other species endemic to these two countries.

Where does the trip begin? Travelers arrive in Amsterdam, Netherlands on Day #2 (arriving to Amsterdam on January 14, 2013) of the trip. A ROAM Associate will meet travelers as they arrive throughout the day at the Amsterdam airport. The group spends 1 night at a local airport hotel and then departs the following day together - Day #3 (January 15, 2013) - on a direct flight to Entebbe, Uganda. We arrive late evening in Entebbe, Uganda on Day #3 (January 15, 2013) and are greeted by our Travel Beyond Guide for transfer to our local hotel to begin our safari adventure.

Where does the trip conclude? This trip concludes in Kigali, Rwanda on Day #13 (January 25, 2013) where we check-in for our return flights home in the evening.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS - International airfare from your home to Amsterdam, Netherlands (arriving in Amsterdam January 14, 2013 and from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Entebbe, Uganda (departing Amsterdam on January 15, 2013 to Entebbe), with return departure flight from Kigali, Rwanda (departing Rwanda on January 25, 2013) back to your home is NOT included in the cost of the trip package.

Day #1 (January 13, 2013): Travelers depart from their home on an international flight to Amsterdam, Netherlands arriving on Day #2 (January 14, 2013) of the trip where we meet as a group and overnight at a local airport hotel in Amsterdam. The following morning Day #3 (January 15, 2013) of the trip, we fly as a group to Entebbe, Uganda arriving in the evening. Below is the air schedule to Africa from and back to Amsterdam, Netherlands that we recommend travelers book. Flight schedules are subject to change, but this is the current schedule as of posting. Our Destination specialist partner, Travel Beyond, can book all flights (from your home all the way thru to Uganda and back from Rwanda) on request for our travel guests. PLEASE NOTE- You may also opt for your own flight itinerary and meet the group directly in Entebbe, Uganda on January 15, 2013

KL537 - 10:10 am from Amsterdam, Schiphol (AMS) - Netherlands and arrives at 9:25 pm to Entebbe, (EBB) - Uganda

KL537 - 7:30 pm from Kigali, (KGL) - Rwanda arriving the next morning at 06:00 am +1 to Amsterdam, Schiphol (AMS) - Netherlands airport

Travelers who wish to use miles or organize a different flight schedule that better suits their travel needs, please feel free to do so. Travelers opting to meet the group directly in Entebbe, Uganda need to arrive on January 15, 2013 where you will be met by our Travel Beyond Guide and/or our ROAM group.

ACTIVITY RATING and TRIP DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate with two days of possible high energy on Gorilla Trekking Days.

PASSPORT AND VISAS
Citizens of the United States must possess a valid U.S. passport for travel to Uganda and Rwanda, East Africa. It must be valid for 6 months beyond your intended stay in Africa and have 2-4 completely empty pages facing each other.

If you do not have a passport, APPLY NOW! Please do not wait until the last minute. You should always carry 2 extra passport photographs with you, in case of emergency (if your passport/visa is lost or stolen).

Please see the information about Uganda and Rwanda visas on each country's respective embassy page or contact us directly for complete details. U.S. citizens are required to get a visa for travel to Uganda, but Rwanda does NOT require a visa in advance for U.S. citizens. Follow the directions carefully to send for your Uganda visa.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS, PHYSICAL CONDITION & HEALTH INSURANCE
VACCINATIONS - A yellow fever vaccine is mandatory for entering Uganda, and you must bring proof, your certificate of immunization with you on the trip. There are no other mandatory immunizations required for US residents visiting Uganda and Rwanda. However, please consult with your personal physician, local health department, travel clinic, or immunization center about any vaccinations you may need to update (tetanus, typhoid, polio, Hepatitis A & B), or others that may be personally recommended for you based on your age, health, and past vaccination history. Anti-malaria medication is recommended.

YOUR PHYSICAL CONDITION - Although this safari is rated as easy to moderate in general, the 2 days of gorilla trekking is rated as potentially high energy. Finding a gorilla group can take as little as half an hour or as long as 2-6 hours. If it rains, hiking conditions may become muddy and slick. We are hiking through dense jungle in steep terrain. You must be mentally, in addition to physically, prepared for a day of strenuous exercise, and be in excellent condition, without any heart, back or knee problems.

HEALTH INSURANCE - You MUST have your own health insurance, and have no physical problems or conditions that would be adversely affected by riding in 4x4 vehicles on rough, bumpy roads or trekking on trails through the jungle in search of gorillas!

WATER - We recommend that you drink ONLY bottled water while on safari. Bottled water is always available in our vehicles and at nightly accommodations.

ELECTRICITY - We strongly suggest you leave all electrical appliances (hair dryers, etc.) at home except those that operate with batteries (your cameras). All camera batteries can be recharged at lodges, camps and in our vehicles daily.

WATER AND FOOD - If the tap water in our lodges/camps/hotels is not safe to drink, there is a thermos or a carafe of drinking water in your room. Or, we are supplied with bottled, boiled, or filtered water. Bottled water is available to us during the daytime on safari. It is important to take the advice of our guides whenever you are unsure about the safety of water. During safari, all food is very well prepared and safe to eat.

CURRENCY, CREDIT CARDS, GRATUITIES - Credit cards (Visa, MC, and sometimes AM EX) are accepted only in larger towns and some hotels but not in the markets and small towns. You should bring $600-$800 minimum U.S. cash, in small bills ($1s, $5s, $10s, and $20s). Make sure the money you bring is in NEW bills (year 2000 issue or later), not worn or torn bills. It is very difficult or impossible to pay by credit card outside Kampala and Kigali. Uganda's currency is the Ugandan Shilling. The currency of Rwanda is the Rwandan Franc. You usually get the best money exchange rate at the airport upon arrival, and at a bank. Changing money in the hotels does not yield as good a rate. Foreign exchange and ATM facilities are very limited in Uganda and Rwanda (outside Kampala, Entebbe, and Kigali). So it is best to bring enough money with you for the duration of your trip (in US Dollars, Euros, or Pound Sterling) and exchange it for local currency at banks or Forex bureaus in large towns. The US dollar is traditionally the preferred currency, but the Euro and Pound Sterling are also widely accepted. Please check the latest exchange rates before you go to Uganda or Rwanda.

For Tips/Gratuities, as noted above ALL tips/gratuities are included in the trip price. You are welcome to offer more to the guides, porters and lodge staff; however, this is not required. If you decide to offer more, you can leave U.S. dollars or Uganda shillings (in Uganda) and U.S. dollars or Rwandan Francs (in Rwanda).

Returning U.S. residents are allowed to bring back $800 worth of merchandise, duty free. Expensive camera equipment and jewelry purchased in the U.S. (we recommend NEVER bringing or wearing expensive jewelry) should be registered with U.S. customs prior to your departure; or you may retain your sales receipts as documentation for re-entering the U.S.

PAYMENT & CANCELLATION POLICY

TRIP DATES - January 13-25, 2013 (13 days/12 nights)

TRIP PRICE - $8,395 USD per person, land-all-inclusive
--optional single supplement (if wanting your own private room, no sharing) - add $1,195 USD

Room-shares guaranteed on all trips, if you don't want to pay a single supplement fee.

ROAM requires a non-refundable 2,000 USD per person deposit to confirm a traveler's participation in the trip.

All trip deposits are non-refundable. Trip deposits include the non-refundable hotel/lodge/camp and activity/park fees plus administrative and cancellation fees. (On Uganda-Rwanda trips the deposit also includes the non-refundable trekking permit fees imposed by the parks).

Final payment for all trips is due 120 days prior to the trip departure date. Our office emails each trip guest a final payment invoice approximately 2 weeks before the final payment due date.

Cancellations - Notification of cancellations must be received in writing and the following per person cancellation/refund fees are applicable on this specific ROAM adventure, due to non-refundable camp/lodge and administration fees:

  • 120-91 days prior to departure, 25% of the total trip cost paid to ROAM is non-refundable.
  • 90-76 days prior to departure, 50% of the total trip cost paid to ROAM is non-refundable.
  • 75-1 day prior to departure, 100% of the total trip cost paid to ROAM is non-refundable.

Travelers are required to purchase trip cancellation insurance in order to participate in any ROAM Women's Adventure trip or safari.

Reserve your place on this trip today using our Paypal deposit payment option.

ROAM Adventures Deposit Options
Room-Share or Single Room?
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PACKING RECOMMENDATION LIST

A detailed recommended packing list for our safari adventures is included with the registration package we send you once you have booked your trip!

 

 

 

 

 

 



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