Essential Uganda and Gorilla Trek

No two journeys in Uganda are identical. Be prepared for travel times to be longer than advised. Weather and road conditions can change things significantly, so embrace the detours, shortcuts, and unforgettable moments along the way. There will be lots of time spent travelling in a private vehicle with your group, but it’s a great way to get to know your fellow travellers., Tracking gorillas in the dense forest can sometimes be wet, muddy and uncomfortable. The terrain is by no means easy either, so it can be strenuous and often humid. The sheer thrill of coming across a habituated group of gorillas, dominated by a great male silverback, more than outweighs any difficulty. You need to be prepared and fit enough to walk up to four hours – up and down hills., This trip is made for travellers who value their independence but also want the benefit of a local leader and a group of like-minded travellers. The itinerary includes a mix of activities and free time, during which your leader will offer suggestions. Please budget accordingly., 4x4 vehicles are used on most parts of this trip. You will travel in convoy style and due to the configuration of the vehicles there may be times when you are not travelling with your leader., This trip is a great way to see a lot in a short period of time, but if you have more time to enjoy this region, you might like to check out Essential East Africa or Real East Africa & Zanzibar.

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. This trip finishes upon arrival in Entebbe on Day 9. Please do not book any flights until after 9pm this evening.
3. If you are booking within 60 days of departure, we need to confirm gorilla permit availability.
4. Some governments currently have increased foreign travel advice around security in place for Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda. Please check your government’s foreign travel advice before departure and ensure your travel insurance covers all destinations and activities on your itinerary.

LUGGAGE LIMIT
The luggage weight limit is maximum 20kg per person, but we recommend packing as lightly as possible. We recommend backpacks or duffel bags, as large framed suitcases can be difficult to fit, especially when the vehicle is at full capacity. Please contact your booking consultant if you think you will have issues with this luggage limitation.

GORILLA TREKKING SPECIFICS
- Tracking gorillas can be wet, muddy, and physically challenging with sharp, prickly foliage and steep hillsides.
- You must wear a surgical mask within 10 metres of the gorillas. For more info on how masks help protect gorillas, see our Responsible Travel section.
- A walking stick will be provided, and you can hire a porter for 20 USD (plus tip) to carry your day pack and assist with the trek. Hiring a porter supports local communities and encourages gorilla conservation.

CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR
- Waterproof hiking boots for navigating wet, muddy, and uneven terrain on gorilla trek
- Gardening gloves for easier grip on trees and bushes while trekking
- Long Socks to tuck pants/trousers into and protect against ants or insects
- Neutral or dark-coloured rain jacket (bright colours are not permitted in the park
- Surgical face mask (provided on-site or bring your own)
- Lightweight, long shirts and pants for protection against the sun and insects
- Comfortable clothing for hot weather; shorts, t-shirts, activewear
- Closed-toed comfortable walking shoes to protect your feet in wilderness areas
- Sandals suitable for wearing during water based activities
- Fleece or jumper/sweater for cooler mornings/evenings
- Sun protection – sunglasses and securable sunhat
- Swimming costume
- Sarong, scarf, or buff for dusty roads and cooler temps
- Nightwear, especially if travelling on twin-share
- Beanie

TOILETRIES & PERSONAL CARE
- Sunscreen - biodegradable, reef-safe, and waterproof if available
- Biodegradable shampoo, conditioner, soap, detergent, etc.
- Toiletries - toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, nail clippers, etc.
- Tropical strength insect repellent
- Antiseptic hand sanitizer
- Personal medical kit. Your guide will carry a large kit, but we recommend you carry items such as mild painkillers, electrolytes, anti-diarrhea, antibacterial gel, wet wipes, after-sun, band aids/plasters, etc.

ELECTRONICS
- Power bank or spare batteries
- Charging cords and necessary adapters for the countries you're visiting
- Head torch (recommended) or flashlight

LUGGAGE & SLEEPING GEAR
- A smaller backpack to take with you on day excursions and gorilla trekking
- Travel pillow
- Earplugs

OTHER ITEMS
- Reusable water bottle (min 1 litre) preferably with a filter
- Camera

OPTIONAL EXTRAS
- Reusable dry bags to keep your belongings and clothes dry
- Water purification tablets
- Binoculars

TOP TIPS
- Ex-military or military style clothing and equipment is NOT recommended.
- Pack layers to add or remove as the temperatures fluctuate throughout the day.
- Wear neutral-colored clothing while on safari to blend in with the environment and avoid disturbing wildlife.
- Account for your personal temperature preferences—if you tend to run hot or cold, pack accordingly to stay comfortable.

LAUNDRY
Most hotels and lodges offer laundry services for a fee.

POWER
Our vehicles are equipped with multiple power boards, which may be used at the crew’s discretion; however, do bear in mind that only a minimal number of items can be charged at a time and will not be allowed if there is a risk of running the vehicle’s batteries low. We recommend power banks and multi-country power converters.

DRESS CONSIDERATIONS FOR WOMEN AND GENDER-DIVERSE TRAVELLERS
In certain parts of Africa, we recommend women and gender-diverse travellers dress in a way that respects local customs and traditions. While there’s a wide range of cultural practices, we recommend packing a few items like skirts or shorts that reach just above the knee, tops that cover the shoulders, or cover-ups when stepping off the beach in coastal areas. Your leader will be able to advise you on when it is appropriate to dress more conservatively., PLASTIC BAG BANS
To reduce single use plastic, many countries in Africa have banned the import and use of plastic bags. Your luggage may be searched upon entry. Exceptions will be made for plastics that are essential for health and hygiene. We recommend obtaining reusable waterproof bags prior to entry for things like dirty laundry.

You'll need to be fit enough to trek to the location of your family of mountain gorillas. This may involve up to 5 hours of walking up and down hills, in hot and humid conditions and through tropical (and at times thick) foliage. There may be mud underfoot, which will make the trekking slippery. You will be provided with a walking stick and the option to hire a porter who can carry your day pack and assist you on the trek. If you do not hire a porter, you'll be expected to carry your own gear, including water and a rain jacket as well as your camera equipment.

For the remainder of the tour, you do not need any real fitness besides the ability to get in and out of the safari vehicles. The step up into the overland truck, while not overly high, can become tiring, as can the constant setting and packing up of camp. You need to judge yourself to be physically fit enough to haul yourself up and down at least 8-10 times a day. Please also note that some roads, particularly in the national parks, can be in quite poor condition and you may experience a fair amount of bouncing around.

Green Valley Guest House, 15 John Babiha Road, Entebbe, UGANDA

Alternate Joining Point

Green Valley Guest House, 15 John Babiha Road, Entebbe, UGANDA

Alternate Finish Point

Breakfasts included: 7

Lunches included: 4

Dinners included: 5

Hotels and 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, however your diet may be limited more than you are used to. Please notify your sales consultant at the time of booking of any dietary requirements plus your group leader in your group meeting at the start of the trip.

While we always endeavour to provide 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 or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time., For transfers and accommodation issues, Intrepid's Kenya Office can be reached on their 24-hour number +254 758 555 556 or +254 758 555 557. , For any concerns regarding pre-booked transfers, you can reach out via WhatsApp at +254 725 059 773. , For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us, In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:

, Intrepid's Local Operator: +254 758 555 550 or +254 758 555 551

OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
The style of accommodation indicated in the Itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.

TWIN SHARE
Accommodation on this trip is on a twin share basis, unless otherwise stated in the Itinerary. There may be times when facilities are shared, rather than ensuite, which will also be mentioned in the Itinerary if applicable.

CHECK-IN TIME
Throughout the trip we request that hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination before checking in.

PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (subject to availability), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.

The group will be split into six seater 4WD vehicles. While the drivers are qualified guides and will have expert local knowledge, your Intrepid leader will swap between the vehicles to ensure their knowledge is also shared.