Thanks maxwell--very useful for the hope- to-be-planned-future-trip.
Now, go to the doctor--your clients will prefer that you are healthy anyway.

I've been pricing some itineraries with GLS using more "upscale" lodges and tented camps (really there are few choices in Uganda anyway) and have found that my quotes are coming back higher than I would've expected given the rates of the properties I've chosen and the cost of park and activity fees.

I've found several sources for 4WD vehicle hire with driver/guide for very reasonable rates ($100 per day + $20 per day driver allowance for his meals/lodging) with unlimited mileage. I'm wondering if organizing a safari this way and booking my accomodation directly with the lodges/camps would be a viable option but am having a hard time finding feedback on the companies that offer this service.

Really, Patty? How much higher than you expected (what did you expect)?

For fun I checked on itasoftware pricing for SFO-Entebbe-NBO-SFO in November. Hmm, it was cheaper than my flight to Tanzania in June! Not that they would unchain me from my desk at work even if I could scrape together the funds, but it's good to know.

Leely,
It wasn't super expensive, didn't mean to cause alarm. The pricing I received was about $100 more per day than I expected, but maybe my expectations were out of whack or I'm missing some element of the equation. I have the rack rates of the lodges/camps and the UWA park and activity tariffs (thanks to Matt) and what's leftover seems a bit high to me. Also there wasn't much difference in the per person price when I asked for a quote for 4 vs 2 people. I would've thought that there would be more of a difference when sharing a vehicle. It was almost like they arbitrarily picked a number that didn't reflect the actual cost.

Again it's not that it's their safaris are that expensive (it's still much less than what a Nomad safari costs in TZ ;) ) and they certainly seem to get good reviews on this board. I wasn't even going to mention anything about it until I saw the recent posts about pricing.

Greetings everyone! Reading this thread has been very helpful as I am planning on moving to Uganda for 4 months beginning in May. I will be working on a project there and I am looking for information on longer-term stays. Anyone have any ideas on where to stay in Kampala that won't break the bank? I'm operating on a pretty restricted budget and I'd like to live somewhere cheap but safe. Maybe with a family? Or rent an apartment? Any thoughts would be most helpful. Hope some of you have ideas! Thanks, Alex

Hi Maxwell,

Thanks for your response/advice about visiting Ngamba and places to stay whilst in Uganda.

I wanted to ask you one more question. This is a bit of a negative question, but I just wanted to ask you and others how you felt about the general safety in Uganda. I particularly wanted to know about the security and safety in Murchison Falls National Park? There is advice from my Government (UK) to not visit this particular Park and I know Governments have to cover their backs and be extra careful, but it has made me a little anxious. So I would be grateful to know how you felt when you visited there and also if it is worth the 8 hour drive?

Sorry for the negativity of this thread!

Thanks,
Tara.

Hi Tara,
I didn't make it to Murchinson, but I wish that I had. Have you checked out dlo's trip report on this board? They went to Murchinson recently w/GL and also posted some pictures from there. I know everyone has their own comfort level, but I ignore my govt's state dept warnings...a few of my best trips were to places which the state dept made it sound as if I'd be shot dead upon arrival :D