Gorilla safari and game parks, Uganda
Highlights
Nairobi | Lake Nakuru National Park | Eldoret | Kampala | Kalinzu Forest | Queen Elizabeth National Park | Lake Bunyonyi | Kigali | Ruhengeri | gorilla trek | Mbarara | Jinja |
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Small group adventure
What is a small group adventure?It's a great way to travel! Whether you are traveling on your own, with a partner or with friends, a small group trip is a fantastic way to see the world. You'll travel on a fixed itinerary that has been designed to help you discover the best of region. From the known highlights, the hidden gems that you won't find in the guidebooks.
Itineraries run on set departure dates, accompanied every step of the way by an English speaking local group leader. You chose the itinerary and the date that suits you best and you book on.
Why travel on a small group adventure?
Small groups allow us to explore where larger tour groups can't. Our maximum group size of 16 travelers allows us to use local transport to get from A to B, to visit rural villages, spend time with the locals and even stay at a local home overnight, and it allows us to give our travelers genuine, real life experiences of the countries we are visiting; what you'll be doing and how you'll travel depends entirely on your chosen itinerary.
Is an adventure right for me?
The word adventure means something different to everyone, and our range of trips reflects that. Whether you want to explore local markets, visit out of the way temples and meet local people or go on an early morning safari drive searching for the 'big five', we'll have a trip for you. If you are looking for a physical challenge such trekking the Kokoda Track or summiting Kilimanjaro, we can help with that too.
So what can I expect on this trip?
This is one of our Basix trips, designed specifically for budget travelers who still want the security of group travel without lots of added inclusions. These trips don't have many included activities and meals are rarely included in the price, giving you the opportunity to search out local restaurants and sample regional specialities to your heart's content. The amount of free time in these itineraries means that the Basix trips often appeal to younger travelers looking to explore independently and tailor the trip to your own interests. You often won't spend too many days in any one place and you'll pack lots of different locations into your vacation.
As you might expect, accommodation on a Basix trip will be fairly basic! We'll stay in 1-2 star accommodation, often including homestays and there may be nights where the group stays somewhere multi-share / in a dormitory-style. Most accommodation however will be twin share; with solo travelers automatically roomed with a fellow group member of the same sex, this means that there are no single supplements on Basix trips.
On camping trips you will be expected to help out around the camp; putting up and taking down your own tent, helping with meals and other camp duties. We often find the nights where we are without a few creature comforts are those that are most amazing; wild bush camping in Serengeti anyone?! We'll use local transport where ever possible which is a great way of seeing the country and meeting locals as we travel.
Can I book my flights with you?
Yes! We are a fully ATOL bonded tour operator meaning that we can book flights from the UK as part of your vacation package. Just ask us for a quote including flights when you make your enquiry.
Responsible tourism
Responsible tourism: Gorilla safari and game parks, Uganda
For every week that our passengers spend in Africa, we plant a tree in Kenya through the Woodlands 2000 Trust, a local NGO. The Woodlands 2000 Trust is a wonderful project that provides seeds and seedlings with planting materials as well as land-planning, tree survival and woodlot management services. It aims to increase reforestation and bio-diversify in semi-arid regions, and also to create sustainable and profitable tree products micro-industries that contribute to alleviating poverty.
We believe strongly in low impact tourism and so during this trip we use existing locally owned facilities and camp ground. By using locally owned and run facilities we are helping the local communities that we visit. We also spend time in many villages as well as national parks so there is a chance to meet lots of people. Our leaders will encourage you not to give money to them but instead talk to them about different topics which give them hope.
We pay gorilla tracking fees for each client on the tour and this goes to the National parks to pay for the protection of the gorillas and into government coffers to help pay for schools and hospitals. We have been involved in helping out a school for orphans which is just outside the National Park, we take them books, stationary and building materials. We plan to increase our involvement / donations. We take some our groups to this school while other members of the group go off to see the gorillas. Here you will have the opportunity to purchase locally made crafts, and food and coke from the streetside stands. We have supplied raincoats and wellington boots for the guides and trackers to improve their lives a little.
A lot of local people benifit in other ways from our visits as a 'gorilla industry' has sprung up arround the visits, where local people run camp grounds, supply food, souveniers. We also carry in gas for cooking rather than use the local fuelwood which seems to be cut from forests. We take out garbage, and we employ locals to help out with side trips and for guided walks into the villages. We provide opportunities to ensure you are able to spend money with members of the community.
2 Reviews of Gorilla safari and game parks, Uganda
Reviewed on 02 Nov 2012 by Michele Bowers
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Definately seeing the Gorillas, although the Kazinga Channel boat ride gave a superb opportunity to see hippos close up. The white water rafting at Jinja was a nice end to our trip.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Bring plenty of books to read as a lot of time is spent getting from place to place. Make sure you have plenty of waterproof sunscreen for the white water rafting trip.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes - we visited a Childrens project which looks after orphaned children from HIV parents and were given a good insight into how this has benefited the local area.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
A great vacation for viewing wildlife. The campsites had much better facilities than I was expecting and the food and guides were excellent.
Reviewed on 07 Jun 2008 by Vicky Brownlie
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
It was all fantastic. Of course one of the highlights was coming face to face with the beautiful mountain gorilla.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Make sure you remember to pack a sleeping bag.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes- most definitely.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was a fabulous vacation.
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