absolute AFRICA Safari Dossier for The Gorilla Trek 22 Days
Departs
January 22 February 22, March 9 May 18 June 15 July 24 August 24 September 16 September 21 September 28
Nairobi to Nairobi Dates of Departure in 2009 Arrives Price
February 12 March 15 March 30 June 8 July 6 August 14 September 14 October 7 October 12 October 19 £420 £420 £420 £420 £420 £420 £420 £420 £420 £420
Kitty
US$436 US$436 US$436 US$436 US$436 US$396 US$436 US$436 US$436 US$436
Special Departure Details:
Masai Mara : Visiting the Masai Mara to see the migration on all departures except 18 Oct 08 – 9 March 09 when we visit Queen Elizabeth National Park for a cruise.
Countries Visited: Kenya, Uganda, (Rwanda)
Highlights: Rift Valley, Elsamere, Lake Naivasha, Hells Gate National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, The Masai Mara when
it is in season during the migration and Queen Elizabeth National Park with a game cruise on Kazinga Channel on the other months, Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Lake Victoria, The Source of the Nile, White water rafting on the White Nile, Local school visit, Mpambira Royal drum makers, Mountain gorilla trek, Lake Bunyoni, Lake Baringo or Samburu National Park, A visit to the Pokot, Ngempe fisherpeople, or a Samburu tribe, Elsamere for afternoon tea, Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage and The Giraffe Park, Nairobi.
Safari Structure: This safari is a component of our main Absolute program.
You will meet travellers along the way who are doing other components. This safari finishes in Nairobi from where you might like to continue on a safari into the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. The more intrepid traveller might be tempted to trek Kilimanjaro. Alternatively travel to the Coast to stay in beach cottages. Please feel free to contact the office for further details.
absolute Africa 41 Swanscombe Road, Chiswick, London W4 2HL tel: 0208 742 0226, fax: 0208 995 6155 absaf@absoluteafrica.com www.absoluteafrica.com
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When costing your overland safari you need to consider: Your safari price Your optional excursions Your airfare Your visa and vaccination requirements Your kitty, paid in US $ cash Personal spending money Insurance requirements Personal equipment Pre and post safari needs
The Group Kitty on The Gorilla Trek pays for:
All camping costs. Two meals a day (breakfast and dinner), some prepared barbeques and a contribution to the final meal in a restaurant in Nairobi. Core Game Parks and other highlights Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya. Masai Mara on departures 18 May to 9 October when the migration is usually in the Mara All the other months (when the migration is usually in the Serengeti) we visit Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda with a Game Cruise on the Kazinga Channel.
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Samburu National Park or Lake Baringo Conservancy Entrances to Joy Adamson’s Elsamere, Daphne Sheldrick’s Animal Orphanage and the Giraffe Park, Kenya
A visit to a traditional village – Pokot or Samburu The kitty is the group’s money. It is paid to the safari leader in Africa who manages it for the group. Operating a kitty gives the group control over a lot of what happens on the safari. The kitty has been realistically costed to allow you to eat well and also camp in secure sites. Kitty also covers a proportion of the game parks and some of the other safari highlights as above. Any remaining funds in your kitty are returned to you at the end of the trip. For further game parks you might like to visit on safari please check the optional game parks listed on page 4. At lunchtime we encourage you to get out independently to mix with the local community, shop in the markets or try a local cafe which allows you to “do your own thing’ for lunch. In East Africa you will find in many villages when we stop for lunch, the locals will bring lunch to you samosas, nuts, fruit and hard boiled eggs - all brought to the side of the truck by street vendors and all sold without you having to leave your seat! Or try meat or chicken kebabs or a local favourite, the chip omelette. Drinks are cold and plentiful.
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Pre and post safari arrangements
We can reserve accommodation for you prior to departure in Nairobi at The Heron Hotel or Wildebeest Camp. The safari departs from The Heron at 8 am on the departure date. Prices for the Heron Hotel are 3,695 Kenyan shillings (KSH) (GBP 30) for a single room including bed and breakfast. 4,995 Kenyan shillings (GBP 40) for a double room or twin share room (GBP 20 per person) including breakfast. A triple room is KSH 6,395 Kenyan shillings (GBP 17 per person) including breakfast. The Heron is payable on arrival in Kenyan shillings or by credit card. Breakfast will be served from 07:00am to 10:00am. Please note breakfast is not provided on day one of the safari. Alternatively Wildebeest Camp offers slightly cheaper accommodation in a dorm which is 7 GBP, GBP12 for a budget room or GBP20 in a deluxe en-suite safari tent. All prices are per person inclusive of breakfast. Do remember you need to be ready for collection by 8 am on the departure date. If you wish we can arrange airport transfers and tours to take in some of the sights of Nairobi. A tour can take you to Karen Blixen’s House, author of “Out of Africa” and the Maasai Bomas of Kenya to experience the traditional life of a local village including traditional dancing. Alternatively a half day visit to Nairobi National Park can be booked. Nairobi National Park is the oldest park in Kenya. Lion, gazelle, oryx, zebra, giraffe, buffalo, cheetah and leopard are seen regularly as well as rhino. The Gorilla Trek finishes in Nairobi and the kitty will cover camping in Nairobi on your final evening. Further accommodation can be arranged for you at The Heron Hotel or Wildebeest Camp if you need to stay longer in Nairobi. Transfers to the airport can also be arranged for you. Add on Safari – If you would like to do a 4 day extension safari into Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti, Tanzania including game park entry £345.00. See pg 7 for further details
Assistance with flights and insurance
If you would like assistance with flights or insurance please feel free to get back to us in regard to your needs. Return flights London - Nairobi Return vary from £350 in low season to £700 in peak season. Many airlines fly this route. When booking flights please allow two days overrun on your safari to allow for unforeseen delays such as illness and border delays.
Personal Spending Money
We find that you are wise to allow £70 - £90 approximately a week for personal spending money. This amount is always very individual and depends largely on how much you drink, shop and spend on lunch. It is a regularly updated weekly average the crew and recent passengers have provided. Some weeks you will spend more and other weeks less. We are finding clients need somewhere between £215 and £280. Your spending money covers lunch, drinks, souvenirs and other personal needs including communication with home, postage and toiletries. Regularly smallish optional activities also arise costing
4 under £10 and this money also will cover these. They include such things as canoe hire and local nature walks. For those who enjoy shopping or even browsing there are different items to tempt you - like the drums from the Royal Drum Makers at Mpambira in Uganda. Do budget carefully to ensure you have adequate spending money to cover all eventualities and enjoy all you wish to do once out in Africa, bearing in mind that it is very difficult to access money from overseas once you are on the trip. Remember also to budget for whatever pre and post safari arrangements you might also have in mind.
Update on costs on optional extras
These excursions are paid for in Africa with the exception of the gorilla permit which is paid in advance in London. Paying for excursions as you go allows you to decide on the way what you wish to do. Your safari leader can arrange these for you during the trip. Because costs change frequently in Africa you will find below the latest figures for optional excursions. Any optionals under £10 will be covered by the personal spending money quote of £70-£90 a week. Please note prices constantly fluctuate in Africa, partly due to exchange fluctuation and can be taken as a reasonable guide only. Below are the very latest figures currently available to us at the time of writing. Any Please contact us if you would like further information about any of the below excursions. Prices are quoted in sterling for ease of budgeting. You are advised that many of the optionals are payable in Africa in US$ (cash) and a few in local currencies. (Update April 2009 – rate 1.45) Chimpanzee Reserve Mountain Gorilla White water rafting on the White Nile Bungee Jump Quad biking 3 hrs Horse Riding by the Nile – 2hrs Volunteer work in a local school Hells Gate National Park Entrance Also to consider: Balloon safari in the Masai Mara £34 £390 £86 £39 £46 £46 £14 £17
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The Gorilla Trek Itinerary
Kenya - Uganda Days 1 – 8 Leaving Nairobi we stop over at the Rift Valley Lookout travelling through extraordinarily beautiful scenery on our journey to Lake Baringo where we spend a day on and by the lake finding out a little about the local Njempe fisherpeople. We also visit a traditional Pokot tribe during our stay for traditional dancing and practise our bartering skills for traditional beadwork. Alternatively we camp in view of Mount Kenya before the bumpy drive to Samburu National Park and the chance to meet the local pastoral tribes people. Samburu has healthy numbers of predators as well as elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hippo, gerenuk, zebra and antelope and our visit here allows us to come face to face with Africa’s spectacular wildlife. Reaching Eldoret we stay overnight at Raj’s fun and zany campsite. Here we can take a nature walk and then drive through to camp by the White Nile with beautiful views over the river. Optional excursions: Nature walks.
Uganda, (Rwanda)
5 Days 9 - 13 Leaving Jinja it is a short drive to Kampala in the morning to spend time shopping, sorting mail and on communications and banking. During our time in the capital we also organise a days excursions to Ngamba Island on Lake Victoria. Travelling to the island by Sesse canoe we visit orphaned chimps that have been returned to the forested habitat of this island. We are served a traditional meal for lunch and the following day we are up early for a full days drive towards the Virungas and the beautiful Lake Bunyoni campsite. From here depending on road conditions we travel to either Bwindi Impetrable Forest or the Parc Nacionale de Volcans in Rwanda passing numerous villages along the way. The gorilla trek takes a day. Depending on where we trek we also have time to visit and orphanage, as well as traditional markets, and can enjoy swimming and canoeing in Lake Bunyoni. When travelling into Rwanda we also allow time to visit the Genocide Museum. Optional excursions: Chimpanzee sanctuary, mountain gorilla trek.
Days 14 - 18 The following morning on the months when the Masai Mara is out of season we head to Queen Elizabeth National Park for game drives and a cruise on the Kazinga Channel. In Queen Elizabeth we see high concentrations of hippo as well as elephant, buffalo, waterbuck and water birds. There is time to relax at Bujagali Falls, and as well to enjoy adventure sports such as white water rafting up to and including Grade 5 rapids, bunji or head out on quad bikes to explore the local environs. You can also help out in a local school if you wish and take a village walk. Optional excursions: White water rafting, quad biking, bunji jump, village walks, help out in a local school
Uganda - Kenya Days 18 – 22 Arriving into Kembu, an up country farm, we organise for our next safari and game drives in Lake Nakuru National Park. This park is centred around the famous soda lake and is home to much wildlife including flamingos that feed on the blue-green algae and crustaceans in the salt-rich alkaline waters. It is also a sanctuary for black and white rhino. On a lucky day we might spot a leopard lounging in a tree as well as much of the wildlife for which Africa is famous - giraffe, zebra, hippo and different antelope species Our next camp is at Fisherman’s at Lake Naivasha. From here we visit Elsamere for afternoon tea and the next day cycle in Hells Gate National Park,or take a guided walk to Crater Lake or a boat to Crescent Island. On the months of the migration we now drive through to the vast grassy plains of the Masai Mara to see the famous herds of wildebeest, Thomson’s gazelle and zebra. We also have a good chance of seeing “the big cats” and other predators at this time of year. As we depart the Mara we also visit a local Maasai village. Our last day we drive through to reach Nairobi early morning to visit Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Park where we can hand feed giraffe. We enjoy our final meal together in a restaurant in the capital. Optional excursions: Crescent Island or Hell’s Gate National Park cycling safari with a visit to the Maasai Centre,or Crater Lake Your crew will select the most favourable route to take depending on local conditions. Many factors need to be taken into consideration when organising the final itinerary including road and weather conditions and where and when animals are best viewed. Do be aware road conditions can change radically in a very short time in the countries on route.
Please note the above itinerary is given as a guide only.
Also do be aware when trekking only 8 people trek at a time in order to protect the gorillas. The availability of permits and the numbers in your group will effect the itinerary. To assist our groups we buy
6 gorilla permits ahead of time to avoid disappointment and any undue delay. It is very very unusual not to see the gorillas but do be aware there can never be 100% guarantee as you are trekking in their natural Afromontane habitat Do be aware also there are usually choices of other things to do when you choose not to do an optional excursion. These are also often times when you can take a walk in a local village or alternatively email home and get your washing done. Food, drinks and sometimes a swimming area are available at the campsites where we park the truck. You will find the camping facilities will vary. The toilets are sometimes long drop style and remember at times you will need to “go behind a bush”. Showers are usually available but not always hot!
Add on 4 day safari including game drives in Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Safari into the Crater and Serengeti, a fascinatingly beautiful and wild region which is a unique sanctuary for African wildlife. Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest extinct volcano and here you can view rhino, hippo, lion, elephant, hyena, buffalo, zebra, impala, wildebeest, monkey, ostrich and flamingo. On a lucky day you might also spy a cheetah. Then travel across the vast grasslands of the Serengeti which in combination with the Masai Mara is part of a revolving stage – 4,000 square kilometres over which nearly two million herbivores migrate closely followed by predatory lion, cheetah, leopard as well as hyena play out the famous migration year in, year out. The best dates to visit the Serengeti are usually from December to June. -------------------------------------------------------------------Day 1 Half Day transfer to Arusha, Tanzania by overland truck, crossing at the Namanga border to pitch tents at the Meserani Camp site. Day 2 - 4 Collection by customised safari vehicles to travel through via Mto Wa Mbu, with its fabulous markets full of Maasai carvings, camp above the Ngorongoro Crater. Early morning rise to travel into the Crater for game drives to explore the park's amazingly high concentration of game wildebeest, gazelle, zebra, buffalo, impala and elephant to name just a view as well as predators such as lion and cheetah and wild dog. Picnic lunch then drive through to the Serengeti National Park to camp a night before returning to Arusha to camp late afternoon of the 4th day. The following day transfer back either to Nairobi or Kilimanjaro to your hotel or the airport.
Price: £470 including kitty
(Please note that you can add a balloon safari £370) What is included in the 4 day Safari: - Transport by special safari vehicle from Arusha into the parks. - 24 hr entrance to the Serengeti National Park and 24 hr entrance to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area - Services of English speaking driver/tour guide and cook - All campsite fees
7 - All camping equipment including use of our three-person tents (each tent shared by two people) and stools. - Two meals on day one, and three meals a day whilst in the game parks including a final barbeque
Please note on some months this itinerary will be reversed to enter the Serengeti first and sometimes approach via th Lake Victoria and the Western Corridor in the truck. We then visit the Crater the morning of the 4 day returning late afternoon to Arusha
For further information please contact the London Office.
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Details on Trekking the Mountain Gorillas January, 2008
The mountain gorilla is a highly endangered species whose plight warrants ongoing international attention. There are only 700 mountain gorillas left on the planet as at the last count finalized in early 2004. Trekking the mountain gorillas is one way of channeling much needed funds towards their survival, the money you pay for the permit going to the Ugandan or Rwandan parks and the local communities. Mountain gorilla numbers continue dangerously low. Trekking can then allow you to spend an hour with these extraordinary creatures whilst also assisting their survival. On average 30 to 40 people trek successfully with us each month in the gorilla parks. In order to assist you and avoid difficulties at the parks gorilla permits are booked and paid for in advance so that all those who wish to trek can get to see the gorillas without delay. Do be aware without permits serious delays can occur, itineraries are affected and a lot of pressure may be put on the Parks’ authorities. With a booked permit it is very, very likely you will see the gorillas quite quickly. It is very rare that the gorillas not be found whilst there are never 100% guarantees. To find the gorillas you will trek in their forest home, up steep inclines and in dense jungle. The park guides are expert at finding them and helping the gorillas feel comfortable and at ease with their visitors. The gorillas are trekked in their natural habitat of thick, forested mountain terrain. Your guide and the trackers do everything possible to locate the gorillas quickly on your trek but it can be sometimes a long whilst very beautiful hike. Bear in mind at other times they can be found within an hour. In both Bwindi in Uganda as well as at the Volcanoes park in Rwanda, armed security patrols go with you on your trek. In order to not unnecessarily disturb the gorillas, and as they are genetically so similar to humans, visitor numbers are kept very low and you only have an hour with them. If you are booked on a gorilla trip we will aim to be in contact with you approximately four to five months prior to departure to make arrangements for your gorilla trek and will ask for payment in advance so that we can purchase your gorilla permit for you. As a company we have been travelling to South West Uganda for clients to trek the mountain gorillas for many, many years and do continue to monitor carefully the security situation at the parks on an ongoing basis. Due to the clear warning of the British Foreign Office, the implications for insurance and the ongoing problems on the ground in the Congo we will not be trekking in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the immediate future. If you would like further information about trekking the gorillas please feel free to contact the office and ask to speak to Dave or Jeni. We are more than happy to discuss any aspect of the gorilla trek with you.
Visa Requirements for the Gorilla Trek
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If you are travelling on a passport not detailed below, please contact the office. Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months after your intended date of departure with adequate pages for all required visas. Up to 4 pages may be required. Do be aware it is illegal to travel in some African countries on two passports. Visa requirements can change without warning.
Passport Nationality Australian New Zealand South African Canadian American British Dutch Irish
Kenyan Visa
Rwandan Visa
Ugandan Visa
Total Value in US $
$50 $50 $50 $50 $50 $50 $50
$60 $60 $60 $60
$50 $50 $50 $50 $50 $50 $50 $50
$80 - $220 $80 - $220 $30 - $60 $80 - $160 $80 - $160 $80 - $160 $80 - $220 $80 - $220
Other passport holders should contact the Office. Please note if travelling on a Student card your visa for Uganda may be cheaper.
Health and Immunisation
Travelling to Africa will expose you to some different diseases and health hazards that you may not have come across before so it is essential that you speak to a medical professional experienced in travel medicine before you go on safari. You will need to have the required immunisations and to commence a course of antimalarials prior to departure. Do remember to leave yourself an adequate amount of time to commence your vaccination program. Approximately four to six weeks should be adequate depending on how up to date you currently are. Nomad Travellers Store and Medical Centre have a live Travel Health Line. We do suggest you give them a call. Nomads Travel Health Line 09068 633414 (Calls cost 60p per minute). In Australia and New Zealand Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre also have a Health Travel Line. (1902 261 560.) There is a charge per minute on this health line as well.
Suggested travel clinics in the United Kingdom Nomad Travellers Store and Medical Centre 3-4 Wellington Terrace, Turnpike Lane, N8, 0208 8897014, 40 Bernard Street, Russell Square, WC1N, 0207 833 4114 1 Contact Travel Clinic Castlewood House, 77/91 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1DG Suggested travel clinics in Australia Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre Brisbane (07) 3221 9066 Melbourne (03) 96025788 Sydney, George Street, City (02) 9221 7133 Sydney, Parramatta (02) 9891 4850
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0800 039 3073
10 Suggested Immunisation Requirements (guide only) The immunisations usually suggested for the countries visited on this safari are:
Yellow fever - Vaccination must not be left any later than 10 days prior to departure and you must be able to show proof i.e. carry your certificate of vaccination. Typhoid Polio Tetanus Hepatitis A (three months) Meningitis Tuberculosis Diphtheria Other Suggested Immunisations - Hepatitis B
It is also essential to take a course of anti malarials. It is best to discuss the type of anti malarial medication you should
take with a travel clinic such as Nomad for the latest information on which medication is most effective in preventing malaria and will suit you. Do be aware that some anti malarials can have negative side effects and also that your choice of drug needs to be appropriate to protect against strains of malaria specific to the regions in Africa in which you are travelling. The choices usually suggested are: Larium, taken x1 a week Doxycycline, taken x1 a day Malarone, taken x1 a day
General information on avoiding malaria.
The best way to avoid malaria is to guard against being bitten by mosquitoes and stick strictly to your chosen medication regime. To avoid against being bitten........... Cover exposed skin thoroughly in insect repellent, such as DEET, from dusk to dawn, reapplying regularly. Wear long sleeved and long legged light weight clothing in light colours as well as socks. Always sleep under a treated mosquito net. Wear impregnated wrist and ankle bands and treat clothing with permethrin.
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What do I need to bring for the Gorilla Trek?
Usually passengers carry their possessions in 1 x large backpack carrying day to day necessities in an additional small day bag. Do remember travelling light is always wise and particularly when going overland. Passengers also often buy a lot of African curios. -------------------------------------------------------------------Travel documents including Passport, visas, and air tickets Vaccination documentation, particularly for yellow fever shot Insurance policy
Sleeping bag and sheet, roll mat Eating utensils, including cutlery, cup plate/bowl. 1 litre water container. Pocket knife Torch and batteries Small medical kit Mosquito repellent Sun block cream
Clothes Please double check the weather conditions for your particular safari when packing. Cotton and loose fitting items are preferable. Do realise anything white will not stay that way. Women should dress "modestly" respecting the sensibilities and attitudes of the people and countries they are visiting. Lightweight cotton clothing, long sleeves and pants, Including casual wear for nights out. Long pants, sarongs and sandals are fine for these times. Lightweight water proof jacket and a fleece Swimming costume, sun hat, sunglasses, sandals Lightweight closed in walking boots or shoes/trainers. Avoid shoes that get too heavy and hot. Towel Toiletries Emergency sewing kit Ipod/ MP3 player if you wish to listen to your own music. books Writing paper, pens, camera and spare memory card/memory card. If bringing a camcorder, digital camera, ipod or mobile your equipment can be charged from the truck. Remember to bring along a 12 volt charger fitted with a standard cigarette lighter plug to recharge from the truck, as well as a mains international adapter to charge at campsites as an alternative. A spare battery where possible is also advised.
absolute Africa 41 Swanscombe Road, Chiswick, London W4 2HL tel: 0208 742 0226, fax: 0208 995 6155 absaf@absoluteafrica.com www.absoluteafrica.com
This document is correct as at 15 April 2009 and can only be taken as a guide only. Please check our website for any price or itinerary adjustments.
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