PACKING LIST FOR GORILLA TRACKING BOTH IN UGANDA AND RWANDA

Parking list for gorilla tracking both in Uganda and Rwanda

Parking list is very essential for any traveler going for a gorilla safari either in Uganda or Rwanda. When we talk of a packing list for gorilla tracking sometimes many tourists don’t understand, but it’s very important for any traveler who is coming on the African continent to understand the reason as to why you should pack appropriately if you’re going to meet our close relatives gorilla. Gorillas are found in the high slopes of mountains or thick tropical rain forest of Bwindi impenetrable forest N.P in Uganda and Parc national des volcans (Volcanoes national) park in Rwanda. Meeting gorillas in their natural habitat requires a lot of walking in the jungle since they are wild animals, they move from one place to another searching for food so the time you spent searching for them is unpredictable, and also you must understand that African weather is unpredictable, it can rain at any time. Since both parks are on a very high attitude so it’s always cold in the morning and in the evening, this means that a rain jacket is highly recommended to give you warmth in such a situation. Avoid packing clothes that will ruin your gorilla safari experience. Its better your safari experience to be worth the money you spent on the whole safari, you are advised to avoid packing sandals, short blouses/trouser if you’re going on a gorilla safari in Africa. Good clothing will give you a fantastic gorilla tracking a memorable experience that you will never forget. The following below are a must park for any gorilla safari expedition either in Uganda or Rwanda.

Strong pair of shoes/ Boots

This is a must park for any tourist going for a gorilla tracking either in Uganda or Rwanda, since tracking is done in the forest where there is a lot of stinging plants/leaves, and at times it gets muddy in the forest, a sturdy pair of walking shoes will give you comfort when in the forest, so a good hiking shoes will make you comfortable to pass through all these difficulties and make your safari experience fantastic. You are remained also not to forget your good pair of socks as these will also give you more ease to walk in the forest during the search of our cousins.

Bag

The bag is very vital when you are preparing a gorilla safari, in that it will help you to pack your accessories which will also help you during the long search of our relatives in their natural habitat like the camera, rain jacket, note book, bottled water and sometimes packed lunch. In case the rain gets you in the forest, your equipment’s won’t be affected and if possible carry a water proof day bag because in Africa it can rain at any time.

Jeans, Long-sleeved shirt and blouses

Tracking involves passing through tough and thick forest where there is a lot of stinging plants and leaves, thorns and also biting insects, so in search a background it’s always advisable to pack a jean trouser and along sleeved shirt or blouses. If this is observed well you won’t feel any difficult during the search of gorillas and this would be better if you maintain it in a natural colors, and a long sleeved shirt will be good if it’s in cotton; this will give you warmth and still protect your skin.

A Rain Jacket and a Safari Hat  

Since African weather is subjected to change at any time, its advised to pack a rain jacket because rain can get you when in the forest, so to avoid raining on you direct, a rain jacket is a must pack when on any primate safari in. A hat is also necessary since it’s the only way you will avoid the boiling sun of Africa and also it will make you a smart traveler.

Sunglasses and Insect repellent:

 Sunglasses can help you from the boiling sun of Africa and also these small insect that can fly direct to your eyes. Insect repellent is good as they protect you from the mosquitos that may cause you malaria, and no one is allowed to track gorillas when sick as this may affect the life of gorillas. When it gets in the evening, you can spray your clothes or body to avoid mosquito bites.

Garden Gloves

When in the forest there is no way you can avoid from touching on plants or leaves yet some plants and leaves have  thorns which may stich you. Gloves can also protect you from germ and any item that may be dangerous to your body. That’s why gloves are very important during gorilla and chimps tracking.

Tracking stick, Bottled water and Pack lunch  

 A tracking stick is given to you by the lodge or at the park headquarters, it help to clear a way as you hike through the jungle and also to support you. A bottled water and packed lunch is provided to you by the lodge as it give you more stamina to track and also to clear your throats, you must remember that tracking time is unpredictable as meeting gorillas sometimes depends on where they spent their last night from so it can go from 1-8 hours in the jungle so bottled water and packed lunch must not miss on the list before heading to the forest to begin the activity

A camera

This is a must pack for any African safari especially when going for gorilla tracking,  capture as many pictures as you can but a flash camera is not recommended.

 If all these are well observed, your gorilla tracking expedition will be a memorable experience that you won’t forget. For any information about gorilla tracking write to us at http://elephantsafaris.co.ug/contact-us.php

6 DAYS GORILLA AND CHIMPANZEE TRACKING-RWANDA

6 days gorilla-chimp tracking- Rwand www.elephantsafaris.co.ug
This safari will take you to Rwanda to enjoy primate watching, it will take you to volcanoes national park the only protected part of Rwanda housing the rare species, track the gorillas and then after head to Nyungwe forest national park a home of chimpanzee and other 13 primate species . Sharing the love of gorilla with the chimps is a moment in life difficult to forget. Enjoy the Kigali city tour too.

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and transfer

Upon your arrival at the Kanombe international airport, you will be met and greeted by our company tour guides who will pick you and then transfer you to your booked accommodation at Kigali Serena Hotel /Chez Lando/ Des Mille Collines

Day 2: Transfer to volcanoes national park

After breakfast, have a Kigali city tour, visit places like the Kigali genocide memorial site, visit also the national museum to get more information on the history of Rwanda, visit the cultural site, market places among other interesting places in Kigali. Have lunch en route, after lunch embarks on a two hours’ drive to Ruhengeri with a scenic drive through out. Arrive in the evening at the park, check into your booked accommodation for leisure as you’re waiting for tomorrow’s most interesting activity at the park that’s gorilla tracking. Dinner and an overnight at (luxury) Sabyinya Silverback Lodge, Gorilla Nest Lodge/ (Midrange) Le Bombou Lodge/ (Budget) Kinigi Guest House

Day 3: Mountain gorilla tracking 

Wake up for an early breakfast , after you will follow the guide to the park headquarters at Kinigi before 7:00am to receive a short briefing about the dos and don’ts while with gorillas. After the briefing, you will follow the ranger guide to the rain tropical forest to begin the activity possibly the most fascinating activity done at the park. The trekking is a demanding but rewarding experience, you are remained to come with your tracking gears such a sturdy pair of tracking shoes/boots, long sleeved shirts or blouses, enough bottled water and packed lunch as tracking time is unpredictable as meeting gorillas depends on their movement s in their natural environment. Ounce these giants are met you are strictly allowed to stay with them for only one hour observing their behaviors as well as taking as many photos as you can(flash cameras are not allowed) other primate species will entertain you during tracking like the black and white colobus monkey, baboons among others plus various species of birds. After come back to the lodge, in the evening if times permits, go for a tour of Ruhengeri-visit lakes Burela and Ruhondo or go for batwa cultural entertainment. Dinner and an overnight at (luxury) Sabyinya Silverback Lodge, Gorilla Nest Lodge/ (Mid-range) Le Bombou Lodge/ (Budget) Kinigi Guest House

Day 4: Transfer to Nyungwe forest national park

This morning after breakfast you will embark on a transfer to the south western part of Rwanda to nyungwe forest national park, stopover at Butare an intellectual town with very many universities, visit the murambi genocide memorial center, visit the kings palace at Nyanza, butare Museum and also more interesting places here. Have lunch and then after continue to Nyungwe forest national park with a fantastic view all through. The park hosts over 13 species of primates coupled with chimpanzee the major highlight, arrive in the evening at the park. Dinner and an overnight at (luxury) Nyungwe forest Lodge/ (Mid –range) Nyungwe top View Hill Hotel, Nyungwe Guest house/ (budet) Gisakula Gust House,

 

Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking

Early morning breakfast and then after follow the ranger guide to the forest to begin the search of our cousins’ chimpanzee. Chimps are fabulous fan to watch when playing in fruitful trees. Tracking time is unpredictable as it can go from 1-6 hours so a reasonable degree of fitness is required and you are also recommended to come with tracking gears such as strong shoes/boots, long sleeved shirts or blouses, bottled water. Ounce chimps are met you strictly allowed to stay with them for only one hour take as many photos as you can as well as observing their behavior . Other primate species can also entertain you during chimp tracking like the owl-faced monkey, black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, more than 300 Colobus monkeys, mona monkeys, L'Hoest's monkeys among others.  After comeback to the lodge for lunch, in the afternoon, you may go for an optional nature walk. Dinner and an overnight at (luxury) Nyungwe forest Lodge/ (Mid –range) Nyungwe top View Hill Hotel, Nyungwe Guest house/ (budget) Gisakula Gust House.

Day 6: departure

This day is reserved for departure, after breakfast head back to Kigali; in case you missed the Kigali city tour go for city tour visit the genocide memorial site, national museum among other, have lunch en route and the transfer to Kigali international airport to meet your departure flight back home

End of the safari

The safari include

·         4x4 Ground transportation and fuel

·         Full English speaking safari driver/ guide an all his associated expenses

·         Park entrance fees

·         Accommodation and meals as per itinerary

·         1 gorilla permit per person

·         1 chimp permit

·         Lunch en route

·         City tour and any other activities included in the itinerary

Not included: Visa fees, Airport taxes, items of personal nature like bar bills, tipping, Laundry, and any expenses of personal nature

IS IT SAFE TO SELF DRIVE IN UGANDA AND THE EAST AFRICAN REGION?

More than 2500 people have travelled in our elephant safaris car hire (4×4 vehicles) over the last 10 years in service, and for all those years no one has been subjected to any type of vicious crime or any other similar unsafe situation. Even in the national parks and reserves Uganda’s attraction spot, no animal has ever recorded attacked any of our clients leading to any injury. There is no doubt that with the usual safety measures taken, self drive in Uganda is a safe way to travel. We at elephant safaris ltd we offer self drive services but if you opt for a driver we have professional drivers who are born in Uganda and they know Uganda and other countries in the east and central very well.

Elephant safaris ltd ensures the following to reduce the chances of problems;

1. Elephant safaris ensure you a very well prepared and maintained vehicles suitable for your safari
2. Drive safely; we encourage our clients to keep below speed limit, safari cars like 4x4 camp vehicles are different to driving standards cars.
3. In case of any mechanical problems while on safari we leave you with our contacts in case of anything you let us know and we come for rescue, we have standby vehicle which we can exchange and then continue with your safari. Mobile phones are reasonably good in Uganda although there some places in the remote areas and some parks where you will not get network signals.
4. We encourage you to respect wildlife and keep your distance, avoid walking around at night, you should be careful when in the park especially when you’re out of the car. Do not approach animals on foot and always obey the park rules and regulation.
5. Take precautions in cities or where there are more people; you should be aware that in some areas there are crime elements. Generally keep to designated campsites.

RWANDA GORILLA TOUR- 3DAYS

These two nights /three days safari to Rwanda will take you to volcanoes national park for gorilla tracking one of the most fascinating and memorable activities done at the park.

Detailed itinerary 

Day 1: arrival Kigali

Upon your arrival at Kigali international airport, you will be met and welcomed by our elephant safaris LTD tour guides who will brief you about the safari and if time permits we shall enjoy a Kigali city tour to various interesting places including the genocide memorial sites at Gisozi, visit the national museum, the cultural site, markets and other interesting places around Kigali. After transfer you to your accommodation in Ruhengeri for dinner an overnight at (luxury) Sabyinya Silver back Lodge, Gorilla Nest Lodge/ (Mid range) Le Bombou Lodge/ (Budget) Kinigi Guest House.

Day 2: Mountain gorilla tracking

Early morning cup of tea/ coffee and later follow the guide to the park headquarters at Kinigi before 7:00am to receive a short briefings about the dos and don’ts while with the gorillas from the park officials and also gets you assigned to the park ranger and the group booked for. After, you will follow the ranger guide to the rain tropical forest covering the hills surrounding Virunga volcanoes to begin the activity possibly the most charming activity done at the park. The trekking is a demanding but rewarding experience, you are remained to come with your tracking gears such a sturdy pair of tracking shoes/boots, long sleeved shirts or blouses, enough bottled water and packed lunch as tracking time is unpredictable, meeting gorillas depends on their movements in their natural environment. Ounce these giants are met you are strictly allowed to stay with them for only one hour observing their behaviors as well as taking as many photos as you can(flash cameras are not allowed). Other primate species will entertain you during tracking like black and white colobus monkeys, mona monkey, golden monkey, plus a variety of bird species. Come back to the lodge for relaxation, if time permits you can go for a community walk in the evening to meet the local community that surrounds the park, they will entertain you through their traditional songs and dances, after come back at the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay at (luxury) Sabyinya Silverback Lodge, Gorilla Nest Lodge/ (Mid-range) Le Bombou Lodge/ (Budget) Kinigi Guest House.

Day 3: City tour and transfer to the airport

Enjoy breakfast at the lodge and then after, transfer to Kigali, if you missed the Kigali city tour on the first day, have a city tour of Kigali before leaving for the airport to meet your departure flight back home

End of the safari

The safari include

•  Ground transportation and fuel
•  Full English speaking safari driver/ guide and all his associated expenses 
•  Park entrance fees
•  Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
•  1 gorilla permit per person
•  Kigali city tour
•     Lunch en route and any other activities as included in the itinerary

·         Not included: Visa fees, Airport taxes, items of personal nature like bar bills, tipping, Laundry, and any expenses of personal nature: for any inquiries and bookings contact us at http://www.elephantsafaris.co.ug/contact-us.php.

       We are always at your disposal to take you where you can not reach by your self.

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