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Gorilla Trek Experience
16 days: Nairobi to Nairobi
Kenya / Uganda / Rwanda
2007 R 20,766 + GORILLA PERMIT $500 + LOCAL PAYMENT $440 + SGL SUPPLEMENT R 3,800

Other tours by same operator

Note:

Prices for Optional Activities are approximate and are supplied and controlled by the independent activity operators. We make every effort to keep the site accurate and updated, but will not be held responsible for rate changes or inaccuracies in these prices.
Accommodation and camps used may change from that stated and WildLife Adventures reserves the right to change these as and when neccessary.
**Please note: we have adjusted the Gorilla Trek itinerary for 2007 to include Lake Nakuru and the famous the Masai Mara. The length of the tour has increased and thus there is a different itinerary.

PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION
Most clients arrive a day or so prior to the official start day. This is to give them plenty of time to relax, acclimatize from the flight and enjoy all that Nairobi has to offer. WildLife Adventures can organize any accommodation and activities you may require if you want to arrive early or stay on in Africa after you tour ends. Please contact us for assistance.

On Day 1, clients should meet at Jacaranda Hotel, Wayiaki Way, Nairobi for the pre-departure briefing. The meeting will cover all the aspects of the trip. For this briefing, you will need: your passport with relevant visa's and evidence of medical and personal insurance. Please also bring the Local Payment and Gorilla permit payment (USD500). Please note that the gorilla permit can be subject to change. This must be paid to the tour leader prior to departure and must be paid in US$ Cash. The WildLife Adventures local payment is required to cover a wide variety of our on-tour expenses, which can include National Park entrance fees, excursions and activities, certain fresh foods, vehicle tolls and entrance fees, as well as some accommodation costs whilst travelling throughout Africa. The local payment is that portion of the tour cost which must be paid in cash to the WildLife Adventures tour leader at the pre-departure meeting.

If you have any questions regarding arrival prior to the tour or any other questions whatsoever, please contact WildLife Adventures. If you are unable to attend the pre-departure meeting, please let WildLife Adventures know at least one week prior to your departure.

Other pre-tour accommodation is also available. Please contact the WildLife Adventures office for assistance. All meals whilst in Nairobi will be to your own expense.

Meeting Point: Jacaranda Hotel
Address: Wayiaki Way, Nairobi
Pre-Dep. Meeting Time: Day 1
Tour Start Time: Day 2, as discussed by your guide
Tour End Time: Day 16
Tour End Point: Jacaranda Hotel Address: Same as above

DAY 1 - Nairobi
Arrive and transfer to your hotel. Once all member of your group have arrived, your tour leader will organize an introductory briefing. All meals to your own account.

Meals: All meals to your own account

DAY 2 - Lake Nakuru
Depart early and head for Lake Nakuru, a sanctuary for the endangered black and white rhino as well as a home to vast flocks of flamingos. Upon arrival we take a game drive. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

DAY 3-5 - Masai Mara
The Masai Mara is one of the premier regions for wildlife anywhere on the planet, and by staying here for three nights we have superb opportunities to see the incredible wildlife to be found here. We spend our time here on morning and afternoon game drives, relaxing during the heat of the day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

DAY 6 - Nairobi
After a final game drive we return to Nairobi where the rest of the day is free. Breakfast and lunch included.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

DAY 7 - Kampala
Bidding farewell to Kenya we travel to the beautiful country of Uganda, the site of our next great wildlife experience. Breakfast included.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8 - Kabale
We travel through lush hills and past charming villages on our way to Kabale, close to the border with Rwanda. En route we visit the beautiful Lake Bunyoni, Afica's deepest crater lake. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

DAY 9 - Rwanda
We travel through some of the best scenery in Africa and cross the border into Rwanda. We then travel on to Ruhengeri, situated at the base of the Virunga volcanoes and our base for our gorilla trek. Upon arrival, the rest of the day is at leisure  you may wish to explore some of the surrounding villages or simply relax and enjoy the marvellous views. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

DAY 10 - Rwanda - The Gorilla Trek
After a briefing by park rangers we head off in search of the mountain gorilla. One of our closest living relatives, it is thought that there are only about 650 of these magnificent 'gentle giants' left. The trek can be long and tiring but the effort is quickly repaid once in the presence of the gorillas - watching them is an extraordinary experience and undoubtedly one of the great highlights of Africa. After an incredible day, we cross the border back into Uganda. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

GORILLA TRACKING
Deep in the heart of central Africa, the volcanic mountains that straddle the border of Uganda, Rwanda and the Congo (DRC) are home to the last surviving mountain gorillas in the wild. A small group exists separately in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, but most live on the thickly-forested slopes of the Virunga Mountains. Numbering roughly 600 in total, the population has dwindled due to pressure of a shrinking habitat, poaching, the effects of war in the Congo and the 1994 genocide in Rwanda which caused refugees to travel ever-higher up the slopes of the mountains in search of firewood. Today, as the situation has stabilised in the surrounding countries, numbers appear to be slowly recovering, but the gorillas are still seriously endangered. The Parc National des Volcans lies wholly within Rwanda, but is contiguous with Parc National des Virungas in the Congo and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda.

Sitting high in the dripping forests just a few yards away from a family of mountain gorillas is a truly remarkable experience. Watching them feed is to feel an extraordinary bond with these hugely powerful creatures - the fact that they will calmly tolerate a group of humans nearby is a testament to their placid nature, and it engenders an extraordinary and poignant feeling of trust. At times it is easy to see how closely related we are, but always you are aware that you are in the presence of a group of completely wild animals; a knowledge that fills you with awe.

PARC NATIONAL DES VOLCANS
Covering an area of roughly 125km2 spread out across the slopes of the Virunga Mountains, the Parc National des Volcans consists chiefly of montane rainforest interspersed with thick groves of bamboo. Lianas hang from low branches and moss curls up the trunks of the trees in the moist climate. This is one of the best places to see mountain gorillas, who thrive on the wild celery and other vegetation which grows abundantly across the mountainsides, and the park is also home to the rare golden monkey.

DAY 11 - Queen Elizabeth National Park
Today we travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park, the best in Uganda. We arrive in time for an afternoon game drive and hope to see a wide variety of wildlife including lion, leopard, elephant, hippo, and the rare giant forest hog. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
Queen Elizabeth National Park is a spectacular 1,978km2 area situated astride the Equator in the Western Rift Valley of Uganda. It supports an abundance of wildlife, including elephant, lion, leopard and the unique Ugandan antelope, the kob. Another rare antelope found is the sitatunga, which has developed specially elongated hooves for walking in the marshy reedbeds where it lives - when startled it jumps into the water and swims away. The Kasinga Channel is said to contain the world's largest concentration of hippo, and a cruise along it offers a great way to see birdlife - there are over 560 species found in the park - including the extraordinary shoebill, which stands over a metre tall and has a beak shaped just like a shoe. To the south of the channel, the Maramagambo Forest has a population of chimpanzees. The park has been designated a Biosphere Reserve for Humanity under UNESCO.

DAY 12 - Queen Elizabeth National Park
Today we embark on a cruise through the Kasinga Channel which connects Lake Edward and Lake George and is home to huge numbers of hippos and crocodiles. We'll also have time for another game drive through the park. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

DAY 13 - Fort Portal
Reluctantly we leave QENP and travel north to the town of Fort Portal, in the foothills of the Ruwenzori Mountains, known to ancient geographers as the 'Mountains of the Moon'. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

FORT PORTAL AND KIBALE FOREST
Fort Portal is a pleasant market town in the foothills of the Ruwenzori Mountains, which were known to the ancients as the Mountains of the Moon. The town itself has a relatively prosperous feel, set in lush countryside but with a refreshing coolness in the air due to the altitude, and the mountains form an imposing backdrop. Some 30km south-east of the town, Kibale Forest National Park has 13 different species of primate, including chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus, red colobus, and L'Hoest's monkey. In addition the park has Uganda's third-largest population of elephants.

DAY 14 - Fort Portal - Kibale
Day at leisure to explore the Kibale Forest National Park, one of the best places in Africa for spotting chimpanzees in the wild. We can also take walks through the forest to spot Uganda's diverse array of birdlife and other primates. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

DAY 15 - Kampala
We return to Kampala for our last night in Uganda. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

DAY 16 - Nairobi
Travel back to Nairobi. Upon arrival you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight. Tour ends. Breakfast included.

Meals: Breakfast

WildLife adventures can book airport transfers and additional accommodation through our central reservation office.

INFORMATION ON THE MOUNTAIN GORILLAS
Gorillas are the largest of the great apes. A male can weigh between 450-500 pounds and can measure up to six feet when standing upright. Females are smaller, weighing about 200 pounds.

Only about 650 mountain gorillas survive today in the forest ecosystems in Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Half this population lives in the Virunga volcanoes region of Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Adjacent protected areas in each of these countries provide habitat for this half of the endangered mountain gorillas. The remaining population is found in Uganda's Bwindi National Park. Although this group is located near the Virungas, expanding agriculture and clearing of forest habitat have kept these two populations isolated from each other.

Mountain gorillas live in social groups and each group is lead by a mature male called a "silverback," because of the silver hair on his back, which starts to turn silver around age 11. The silverback is the centre of attention in the group, with the other gorillas congregating around him during periods of rest and play.

Females first breed at about age 10, with males first breeding at around age 15. Gestation is from eight to nine months, resulting in a baby weighing four to five pounds. A baby is dependent on its mother for the first three years of its life, while it learns to build nests and forage for food. The mother holds her infant until it is about four months old, after which it is able to ride on her back, clinging to her fur. Females bear a single baby every four to five years.

Mountain gorillas eat large amounts of vegetation from more than 70 different plant species, including wild celery, gallium, vines, berries, bamboo, roots and bark. A silverback can eat up to 75 pounds of bamboo each day; females might eat about 40 pounds per day. Gorillas spend about 30 percent of the day eating, 40 percent resting and sleeping and 30 percent traveling. Led by the silver-back, gorillas travel around a large range, foraging for food. Each night they build fresh grass nests.

GORILLA TRACKING GUIDELINES:

" To minimize possible transmission of human diseases, visitors are asked to maintain a distance of 7m (22 feet) from the gorillas. If you are sick with a cold, flu or other contagious illness, please do not visit the gorillas.

" Viewing time is limited to one hour.

" Spitting in the park is strictly prohibited.

" Should you need to cough, cover your mouth and turn away from the gorillas.

" When with the gorillas, keep your voice low.

" Try not to make rapid movements that may frighten the gorillas.

" If a gorilla should charge or vocalize at you, do not be alarmed. Stand still, look away from the gorilla and follow your guide's directions.

" Do not litter.

GORILLA TRACKING RECOMMENDATIONS:

" The climate in the Virungas is changeable and you can generally expect both sun and rainfall during the day.

" Ruhengeri, at 1,700m above sea level, can be cold, particularly in the evening, so warm clothing is advised.

" Recommended clothing in the forest is long trousers and shirts to avoid nettle stings.

" Sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots are essential. Rainwear is useful.

" Bring a water bottle and a small snack for the trek, although eating, drinking and smoking near the gorillas is forbidden.

" Photography is permitted, although using a flash is not as it would disturb the gorillas. Use a fast film like 800ASA or higher - the light is often poor.

" Mountain gorillas live at high altitude and this may have an effect on some visitors. You should pace yourself, walk slowly and drink plenty of water.

FITNESS
None of the activities featured in this trip require special training or skills, just a reasonable level of fitness and a willingness to participate. If you are in any doubt contact your doctor for advice.

kills, just a reasonable level of fitness and a willingness to participate. If you are in any doubt contact your doctor for
advice.
 

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Word of  Mouth  Rules - Updated Oct 2007