Hi everyone,
It seems that if you try to do a Gorilla trecking tour in Uganda as a single, you pay for a double! Bummer as I'm going alone!!!!
So........Does anyone want to come on a three or four day (four day one includes a 'volcanoe day tour') tour with me starting between 13th and 25th December and departing from Kampala? I have found an operator who has quoted me the very reasonable price of US$690 each (if you've got two people) + US$500 for the permit.
Thanks
Hello have you explored the option of doing your trip with Nkuringo Walking Safaris www.nkuringowalkingsafaris.com. I doubt you could do it cheaper and could even look to do it alone without worrying about finding a travel partner as the difference between
I travelled to Buhoma in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest by Gateway bus from Kampala (06.00 am departure) for USD15-. The last part of the journey (15km) from Butogota was completed by pickup truck which was paid for by the bus company.
Cheap accommodation is available in Buhoma at either Bwindi View Bandas or the Buhoma Community Campground. NKR arranged all my accommodation for the trip.
The walking safari between Buhoma and Kisoro with a night stop in Nkuringo can be completed over two days. It was an all inclusive package that included 1 nights accommodation, guide fee, meals at Nkuringo and cost me USD110-. Sure there were a few optional extras like porters which I recommend. It did not included my National Parks entrance fees and the UWA ranger/escort fee which together cost USD35- for the day in the park. Accommodation before and after the walk was not included as there are so many price options to consider according to your budget.
Whilst on the walk I stayed in their bunkhouse at Nkuringo which was part of the Nkuringo Gorilla Campsite. It was very clean and tidy and provided for all my immediate requirements. The campsite was truly majestic in its simplicity and natural beauty. The views to be experienced from the campsite vantage point over the Bwindi Impentrable Forest are incredible and certainly left me with an indelible memory .
Accommodation options in Kisoro started for as little as USD10- although I stayed at The Travellers Rest at USD40- B&B which was great.
Nkuringo Walking Safaris also sourced my tracking permit. If you track gorillas in Nkuringo you would need to spend a second night there but a permit could also be sourced for Buhoma for you to track there before or after the Nkuringo walk should you do this trip in the reverse direction by staring in Kisoro.
Transport to get from Kisoro to Kampala is possible by Gateway bus for USD15- (05.00am departure, 12 hours). With two other travellers I met at The Travellers Rest, Nkuringo Walking Safaris arranged a private hire vehicle transfer from Kisoro to Entebbe for USD160- plus fuel USD150- (11 hours with stops at Mbarara for lunch and The Equator).
Sharing the vehicle hire cost made the private hire option attractive to get back to Entebbe for my flight out with zero hassle as the bus journey to Buhoma seamed never ending.
The walking safari also gets cheaper the larger your group size.
Securing you Gorilla permit is your priority and I recommend you look to achieve this as soon as possible.