help with itinerary please
May 25th, 2016, 11:17 AM
#41
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Thanks Cali. Not really too worried. We just came from Jerusalem and Jordan in November, and it seems everywhere I go there are some kind of 'warnings" for some reason. Just wondering your take on it.
By the way AMY, I contacted Gamewatchers and even though we arrive at close to midnight, we still have to pay the $105PP per night plus the $85 park fee. Seeing as how we won't be doing a game drive that day it does not seem worth it. The woman at Gamewatchers even suggested staying at an airport hotel overnight and starting at Nairobi tented camp in the morning.
sent off our commitments today....its really happening!!!
By the way AMY, I contacted Gamewatchers and even though we arrive at close to midnight, we still have to pay the $105PP per night plus the $85 park fee. Seeing as how we won't be doing a game drive that day it does not seem worth it. The woman at Gamewatchers even suggested staying at an airport hotel overnight and starting at Nairobi tented camp in the morning.
sent off our commitments today....its really happening!!!
May 26th, 2016, 04:17 AM
#42
That makes sense, Live42day, but having been through Nairobi rush hour traffic myself, the $85 to wake up to an early morning game ride instead of that would be worth it to me, but like anything else, it's all in your preference. On a several-thousand dollar trip, it's a very small cost.
Congrats on booking. I'm nearly there myself! Then it's all over but the waiting!
Congrats on booking. I'm nearly there myself! Then it's all over but the waiting!
May 26th, 2016, 10:02 AM
#43
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Very good point Amy. What I did was book a hotel close to the park entrance for 150CAD per night. Hotel Troy which sounds fair. It says it is a 10 minute drive, without traffic, so should be okay. We arrive close to midnight so shouldn't be bad to get there.
May 26th, 2016, 06:51 PM
#44
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Live4, if you book any of your places with Gamewatchers (not necessary, incidentally--any agent can book the Porini camps)--they in the epast had some sort of special on Eka Hotel near the airport, if you book one of the tented camps as well. Worth asking. Eka is perfectly fine,modern; ice little restaurant; ful of guests about to leave or just back, from safari. Good for its proximity to the airport,but absolutely no sense--if you want that--of being IN Nairobi.
May 29th, 2016, 03:02 AM
#45
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Just came across this thread and am so glad I did as I consider my first trip to East Africa and my second on the continent (one wasn't enough).
Live42day, congrats on another Africa trip coming to fruition. I love the feeling of actually committing and putting down money after weeks and months of planning; I can start counting down days at that point.
To you and to others, sounds like you are starting in Uganda / Rwanda and finishing in Kenya due to abundance of game. Would the same direction make sense in June / July? Are you finding price differences among Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda?
Live42day, congrats on another Africa trip coming to fruition. I love the feeling of actually committing and putting down money after weeks and months of planning; I can start counting down days at that point.
To you and to others, sounds like you are starting in Uganda / Rwanda and finishing in Kenya due to abundance of game. Would the same direction make sense in June / July? Are you finding price differences among Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda?
May 29th, 2016, 03:56 AM
#46
For me visiting Rwanda first is purely to get the exertion of the trekking done so I can then go relax on the game drives. I think it would be more difficult for me to be all zen from a week in the Mara and then go trekking. I don't think time of year would make much of a difference to me.
Expense-wise Rwanda is cheaper in that it takes less time and nights in accommodations to do it there than in Uganda (less time driving on the road, fewer nights in lodges there and on the way to/from Kigali vs. Entebbe). The licenses themselves are more expensive, but overall it worked out to be more efficient to see the gorillas in Rwanda.
Expense-wise Rwanda is cheaper in that it takes less time and nights in accommodations to do it there than in Uganda (less time driving on the road, fewer nights in lodges there and on the way to/from Kigali vs. Entebbe). The licenses themselves are more expensive, but overall it worked out to be more efficient to see the gorillas in Rwanda.
May 29th, 2016, 05:20 AM
#47
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Thanks Amy. Perhaps I am asking a stupid question, but I am not finding the answer in any guidebooks: Are gorilla tracking permits a requisite for visit Volcanoes NP or QE NP in Uganda (in other words, could you visit the parks without specifically going tracking)? If so, are gorilla or chimp sightings possible without tracking?
Live42day, sorry for hijacking your thread. This will be my last question.
Live42day, sorry for hijacking your thread. This will be my last question.
May 29th, 2016, 06:49 AM
#48
No gorillas in QENP. it's Bwindi in Uganda and Volcanoes in Rwanda. But yes, licenses are required at both. I don't think you're allowed to trek without a license and a park guide. I've read that people have hiked (with a hiking instead of a gorilla trekking license) and have happened upon chimps but they were still doing it with park guides and paid for a hiking license.
May 29th, 2016, 07:42 AM
#49
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Hi trip planner. No worries about hijacking thread the more the merrier. I chose the schedule the way I did similar to Amy, I want to see the gorillas first as that is the main reason for the trip. I thought that I wanted to do the game drive in Uganda before Kenya too because Kenya will be much more abundant with animals. I chose to do the QE park before the two climbs so as to get acclimatized and over the long flight for a few days before the hike. Starting in Rwanda meant starting the climb right away if not spending time in Kigali.
I may be wrong, but I am pretty sure you can stay at the volcanos parks and not trek, so you would not need a permit if not seeing gorillas. There are a number of other things to do there like see the bat was pygmys etc.
Uganda and Rwanda does seem to be less money than Kenya. I hope you post a trip report when you return
I may be wrong, but I am pretty sure you can stay at the volcanos parks and not trek, so you would not need a permit if not seeing gorillas. There are a number of other things to do there like see the bat was pygmys etc.
Uganda and Rwanda does seem to be less money than Kenya. I hope you post a trip report when you return
May 29th, 2016, 01:03 PM
#51
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Live4, i love your logic/order of the itinerary you've planned.
The Batwalive in Rwanda, but--i may b e wrong--not near the area of the gorilla trekking. They live in also Bwindi Forest,Uganda--there are small tours you can take (with some controversy about their PCness)- easily found on a google search
Tripplanner, if I understand your questions;: You do NOT need permit to visit /stay Bwindi. I stayed in two different areas (Buhoma; Nkuringo) within the Bwindi Forest area and did not need or have a permit (too late--book early!) Still had an amazing, amazing time, lots of great, great people and magnificent scenery.
As to whether you can see the gorillas without actually hiking to them: They've visited two lodges in Buhoma that are near the start of the hiking trail: Buhoma Lodge (where a Batwa friend works--he emails me whenever the gorillas wander by the lodge, which seems t be about 4 times/yr) , Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp; Mahogany Springs. Certainly do not expect to see them, but what icing on the cake if you do!!
Check this out for one visitor's close encounter right at his lodge:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg2hCuDy2wg
The Batwalive in Rwanda, but--i may b e wrong--not near the area of the gorilla trekking. They live in also Bwindi Forest,Uganda--there are small tours you can take (with some controversy about their PCness)- easily found on a google search
Tripplanner, if I understand your questions;: You do NOT need permit to visit /stay Bwindi. I stayed in two different areas (Buhoma; Nkuringo) within the Bwindi Forest area and did not need or have a permit (too late--book early!) Still had an amazing, amazing time, lots of great, great people and magnificent scenery.
As to whether you can see the gorillas without actually hiking to them: They've visited two lodges in Buhoma that are near the start of the hiking trail: Buhoma Lodge (where a Batwa friend works--he emails me whenever the gorillas wander by the lodge, which seems t be about 4 times/yr) , Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp; Mahogany Springs. Certainly do not expect to see them, but what icing on the cake if you do!!
Check this out for one visitor's close encounter right at his lodge:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg2hCuDy2wg
May 29th, 2016, 01:47 PM
#53
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Live42day, thank you. I will happily post a trip report, but I am in the early stages of planning for June / July next year, so long after your return. Our once-in-a-lifetime trip to the continent in April, or so we thought, only whet our appetite even more.
CaliNurse, yes, you answered my question. Given that we're still in sampling mode and are trying to stay within a certain budget, we're not going to think about tracking for this trip. If we see any gorillas, it will be icing as you said. If not, we would still enjoy the game and the scenery.
Amy, thank you too. Didn't know about hiking licenses but if it is within range it would be very appealing.
CaliNurse, yes, you answered my question. Given that we're still in sampling mode and are trying to stay within a certain budget, we're not going to think about tracking for this trip. If we see any gorillas, it will be icing as you said. If not, we would still enjoy the game and the scenery.
Amy, thank you too. Didn't know about hiking licenses but if it is within range it would be very appealing.
May 29th, 2016, 02:35 PM
#54
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Cali I love that video. I shared it on my face book a while ago. I can't imagine!! I was not going to visit the Batwa In Bwindi as it looked very explotive to me. Is that what you meant?
Tripplanner....oh, next year. I was thinking this year. Well I will post a report and you can see what did and didn't work for us.
Tripplanner....oh, next year. I was thinking this year. Well I will post a report and you can see what did and didn't work for us.
May 29th, 2016, 05:33 PM
#56
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live42day, yes, your word is better--"exploitative." That said however, not everyone agrees, and some say the increased tourist interest adds necessary income to this tribe.
I mentioned this above, in reply to your question about a local place to consider for donations: Bwindi Community Hospital in Buhoma. Read about it and you'll see how they have helped the Batwa through improved health care. IF you go to Buhoma, I highly recommend a visit to this very wonderful and inspiring endeavor, which also (a topic close to my heart) started the very first school for training RNs in this part of Uganda.
I mentioned this above, in reply to your question about a local place to consider for donations: Bwindi Community Hospital in Buhoma. Read about it and you'll see how they have helped the Batwa through improved health care. IF you go to Buhoma, I highly recommend a visit to this very wonderful and inspiring endeavor, which also (a topic close to my heart) started the very first school for training RNs in this part of Uganda.
May 29th, 2016, 05:40 PM
#57
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yes thanks Cali. I put that on the back burner until I figured out which I was going to first, Rwanda or Uganda. I am also going to check with our tour operator, Churchill Safaris to see what they may suggest as well. I will definitely look into the Hospital.
I will read your report to SA trip planner too. thanks
I will read your report to SA trip planner too. thanks
May 30th, 2016, 09:43 PM
#58
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More beauty of Uganda: A friend and husband just returned from Uganda, and stayed on Bulago Island at this resort. It's a short boat ride from Entebbe; you can also take a boat from there to Ngamba Island to see the chimpanzees.
Just a bit more temptation for you (and me)! (-;
http://www.wildplacesafrica.com/our-...pineapple-bay/
Just a bit more temptation for you (and me)! (-;
http://www.wildplacesafrica.com/our-...pineapple-bay/
Jun 4th, 2016, 02:34 PM
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I know that I am late to this thread-I have not looked at the board for a while. We leave for Ethiopia and Kenya in 2 months!!
We have been to Rwanda and for people just planning, I definitely recommend 2 treks in the same place. We had asked for an easy gorilla family and got one however due to really bad rainy weather we hiked for 81/2 hours in total! I am in good shape and was so exhausted that I couldn't drag my body to do the chimps the next day! We did go to an orphanage instead and I wish I could remember the name but it is doable. The day after we did another hike and it took us about 40 minutes! Quite a difference and not nearly as exciting. The first day, I felt like Indiana Jones!
This trip we will also finish up at Diani Beach. Does anyone have any information about this coastal area? We have been to Zanzibar which we loved, after our trip to Tanzania and Rwanda.
We have been to Rwanda and for people just planning, I definitely recommend 2 treks in the same place. We had asked for an easy gorilla family and got one however due to really bad rainy weather we hiked for 81/2 hours in total! I am in good shape and was so exhausted that I couldn't drag my body to do the chimps the next day! We did go to an orphanage instead and I wish I could remember the name but it is doable. The day after we did another hike and it took us about 40 minutes! Quite a difference and not nearly as exciting. The first day, I felt like Indiana Jones!
This trip we will also finish up at Diani Beach. Does anyone have any information about this coastal area? We have been to Zanzibar which we loved, after our trip to Tanzania and Rwanda.
