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We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
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Special Note: The permits allocated to us by the Ugandan Wildlife Authority to track gorillas in Bwindi may not always fall on days 7 or 8 of our itinerary. This may also apply to the chimp tracking on day 3. We may, therefore, have to alter the direction/order of our route for certain tours. Your tour leader will confirm the final direction of travel at the start of the tour.
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The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
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Local Crew: Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, the Tour Leaders may organise a group’s tips kitty and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour.
Back to topAccordingly, you should allow approx. US$40 for tipping.
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Tour Leader: At your discretion you might also consider tipping your Tour Leader in appreciation of the efficiency and service you receive.
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Local Currency: Ugandan Shilling.
Recommended Currency for Exchange: You should take the majority of your spending money in US Dollars cash, some of which to change into Ugandan Shillings. Please be aware that notes issued pre-2002, or are not the “Big Face” kind, are not normally accepted in East Africa at all. Take mixed denomination bills in good condition and note that higher Ugandan Shilling rates are available for larger ($50 & $100) US Dollar bills. Dirty and torn US Dollar notes are not accepted in Uganda. GBP Sterling is easily exchanged in Kampala only. We recommend approximately 200-250 USD spending money.
ATM Availability: Very limited and unreliable.
Credit Card Acceptance: Credit cards have very limited use during this tour and are not recommended. Mastercard is not accepted.
Additional Information: You may wish to take extra funds to make contributions or donations to organisations. Donations and contributions are entirely voluntary. You may also wish to take medical supplies, stationary or clothes to donate.
Up-to-date information re:global exchange rates can be obtained at https://www.currencyexpress.com/explore/
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| UK | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Tea/Coffee | £1.50 | $1.00 |
| Soft Drink | £1.50 | $0.75 |
| Bottled Water | £1.50 | $1.50 |
| Bottle of Beer | £3.50 | $2.00 |
| 2 Course Meal* | £15.00 | $9.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** | £20.00 | $18.00 |
| Bottle of Wine | £14.50 | $15.00 |
| Breakfast | £5.00 |
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Ugandan entry visas are required by UK, AUS, NZ, CAN and USA citizens. Visas can be obtained on arrival for British customers. Please bear in mind that this may take some time as queues can be long and processing slow. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
Please note that as of June 2011 you require one year remaining validity on your passport to enter Uganda.
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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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We strongly recommend protection against yellow fever, malaria, tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis A and polio. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria.
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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
Back to topWe strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
Back to topAlthough conditions are tropical, hot and humid in the centre and west, the rest of Uganda has a pleasant and comfortable climate. The dry season is generally from December to early March and June to the end of August/early September. Temperature varies from around 28°C during the day to 12°C in the evening. High mountain areas become much cooler at night. Most of Uganda experiences a double rainy season. Rainfall is moderate, only exceeding 1250mm a year in the higher area. But it may rain at any time of the year, particularly in equatorial rainforest such as Bwindi. Lake Victoria influences the local weather patterns considerably and ensures the surrounding region is wetter than elsewhere. Gorilla tracking and game viewing in QE National Park can be undertaken year-round.
Back to topSeasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
Back to topTo assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
Back to topUnfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
Back to topOne main piece of baggage (a soft bag or holdall for ease of loading onto vehicles) plus a daypack. Total allowance: 33lb/15kg maximum (due to weight restrictions on our vehicles). This weight does not include your camera equipment.
Back to topFor an exclusively designed Explore Trek Bag, follow the relevant link at www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
Back to topTemperatures are warm and humidity is high all year round. But as much of our route in Uganda is driving across high country or at a reasonable altitude, warm clothing is needed particularly at night and in the early morning. Do not bring green fatigues or camouflage jackets/trousers that might be considered of military origin. Lightweight, hard wearing gloves are useful for protecting hands during the gorilla and chimp search. Long sleeved shirts and long trousers are recommended for protecting arms and legs.
Back to topSturdy walking boots for the tracking and sandals or trainers/light shoes for travelling.
Back to topTake a torch (ideally a head torch), insect repellent and a personal water bottle. Binoculars will be useful for game viewing as is a telephoto lens for close-up wildlife shots. Accommodation has mosquito screening where necessary so nets are not required. Walking poles are strongly recommended. A hat and long socks so you can tuck your trousers in for the gorilla trek are also recommended.
Back to topFor an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
Back to topThen we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
Back to topBwindi National Park Rules and Regulations
Due to regulations laid down by the Uganda Wildlife Service:
1) Age Limit: The minimum age permitted to travel on this tour is 15.
2) Illness: Bwindi National Park rangers have the authority to refuse permission to undertake a gorilla search to anyone with an obvious infectious illness, as gorillas have little resistance to human diseases and are therefore very susceptible to infection.
Back to topLocal conditions in this part of Africa are often unpredictable and may dictate that it is necessary to gain or lose a day in a particular location as roads are sometimes blocked when vehicles get bogged down, ferries crossing rivers break down, or trails are washed out, so you need some patience and a friendly sense of humour. Take this in your stride and travel in Africa becomes one of the most memorable and rewarding of life’s experiences. There are some long drives, but the variety of landscapes you travel though more than make up for it.
On this trip, the gorilla search is rated moderate, but its difficulty very much depends on the whereabouts of the gorillas, the thickness of the jungle, amount of rain that has fallen, steepness of the slopes and the time taken to trek to the gorillas. The difficulty of this needs to be reiterated regarding the chimp tracking which in some cases can be more demanding that the gorilla tracking. Some clients may thus find that the days spent gorilla tracking and chimp tracking are very demanding, although previous trekking experience isn't required and a reasonable level of fitness will be sufficient to cope with the treks.
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For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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