Uganda Gorilla Short Break: Original

Trekking to find the gorillas can be a challenging and long hike.

You will spend only one hour with the gorillas. There is an option to pre-purchase another gorilla permit to visit the gorillas for a second time on Day 2. However this will result in an altered itinerary. Lake Mburo will be replaced with an additional night in Bwindi.

Day 4 is a long travel day as you head back to Kampala.

On Short Breaks, you maintain a good level of independence and freedom, with the added bonus of having the details sorted out for you. You’ll have lots of free time and you won’t be accompanied by a Trip Leader. This means that all included activities and tours will be run by different local Intrepid partners, and these may operate independently from each other. The included activities and transfers will operate on a join-in basis, which means that you could have your Adventure all to yourself, or others may join you along the way. If you would prefer to travel in a group with a dedicated Trip Leader, just get in touch with your booking agent and they will take you through some alternatives.

1.There is a minimum age of 15 years for the gorilla trekking.
2. This trip requires an additional non-refundable deposit (AUD 1000, USD 1000, EUR 800, NZD 1250, GBP 650, CAD 1000, ZAR 8000, CHF 900) in order to secure a gorilla permit. We also require a scanned copy of your passport at time of booking. Please see 'Passport and visa' section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
3. This trip starts in Kampala/Lake Mburo on Day 1 at 9am. This allows time after the welcome meeting to explore Kampala/Lake Mburo. This trip finishes upon arrival in Kampala on Day 4. Please do not book any flights until 9pm this evening.

GORILLA TREK:

Tracking gorillas in the dense forest can sometimes be wet, muddy and uncomfortable. You will need a comfortable pair of waterproof hiking boots. Some of the foliage in the forest has sharp spikes and can be prickly. A typical gardening glove with a hard surface on the palm will make it easier to grab onto trees and bushes as you pull yourself up the hillside. It's also a good idea to pack a pair of long socks so that you can tuck your trousers into them and avoid any ants or insects getting to your ankles. Your rain jacket for the trek should be a neutral or dark colour as bright-coloured clothes are not permitted in the park.

You are required to wear a surgical mask while within a 10-metre (11-yard) proximity to the gorillas. Surgical face masks are provided on the ground by the National Park for a cost, or you may bring your own. For more information on how surgical masks are keeping gorillas safe, please see our Responsible Travel section.

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. It costs 20 USD to hire a porter, plus an optional tip. Hiring a porter not only makes your trek easier but also encourages local communities to embrace gorilla conservation and tourism. Some porters are ex-poachers who now recognize the value in gorilla conservation practices., 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 ACROSS AFRICA
While Namibia holds people liable to a fine of N$500 or imprisonment for entering Game Parks with a plastic bag, Botswana has announced a countrywide ban on plastic bags to come into effect on 1 November 2018. The ban will make the importing, trading and commercial use of plastic bags a criminal offence. Exceptions will be made for plastics that are essential for health and hygiene. With these announcements, Botswana and Namibia join other African countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tunisia, Morocco, Rwanda, Uganda, Somalia and Eritrea that have banned plastic bags. South Africa imposed a levy on plastic bags in 2004 but they have not yet been banned.
Many countries are strictly enforcing this and have been searching luggage at border points. Camping stores are good for obtaining waterproof reusable bags, for dirty laundry etc, prior to departure.

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.

Fairway Hotel, Kafu Road, Kampala, UGANDA

The Fairway hotel is a simple, clean and comfortable hotel located within walking distance from Kampala City. All rooms have air conditioning, refrigerator, satellite TV and in room safes. The hotel facilities include a gym, swimming pool, restaurant, cafe, several bars and a business centre.

Alternate Joining Point

If you have pre-booked a transfer with us your driver will be waiting for you in the arrivals section holding an Intrepid board with your name. The driver will wait for an hour after your scheduled arrival time. If you are unable to find your driver please phone: +256 752 504 301

If you are delayed beyond one hour after your scheduled arrival time, please make your own way to the hotel.

The Fairway Hotel is located about 40km ( 1hr drive ) from Entebbe airport.

If you are making your own way to the hotel there are safe and reliable airport taxis outside the building which should cost approximately US$45-50 oneway, and must be paid in Ugandan Shillings.

Fairway Hotel, Kafu Road, Kampala, UGANDA

Alternate Finish Point

Breakfasts included: 3

Lunches included: 3

Dinners included: 3

Your group leader or local representative will endeavour to cater to specific dietary requirements where possible, and vegetarianism and gluten intolerance will be catered for in most instances. There are, however some meals and activities that are fixed in advance and therefore cannot be modified to suit dietary requirements.

Please notify your booking consultant of any dietary requirements at the time of booking. For those suffering from particular food allergies, your group leader or local representative will endeavour to disclose to their fullest knowledge the main ingredients in dishes being consumed. It is, however, your personal responsibility to ensure that you do not ingest any foods to which you are allergic.

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 general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us

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 +256 702 235 889.

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

If you require a Sleep Apnea Machine to sleep please ensure that it is battery operated. Lodges and Permanent Tented Camps are often powered by generators which are turned off during the night.