Gorillas and Chimps
Photos:
About This Trip:
Hello:
I am very excited about going back to Uganda and Rwanda. My wife, Carolyn, and I had an amazing 10 day experience this past March and then in October I took a group of 14 kindred spirits. We had a lot of fun. A tremendous amount of healing has occurred in both countries after suffering through some very dark years. All the people we met were warm and generous. Kigali is one of the cleanest and safest cities I have ever visited not just in Africa but in any part of the world. Our experiences with the local guides, the lodge staff and the wildlife (especially the gorillas) were all awe inspiring. I want the world to know that these two countries are very safe to visit. By bringing tourists we are helping to preserve the highly endangered wildlife of this part of Africa. And if you have been to other game parks in Africa you will be delighted at the lack of other vehicles in the world-class national parks.
I have all the details worked out for our journey next September. There are some significant up front non-refundable fees that are unique to this trip. Basically every visit with a gorilla family costs $500 and with the chimpanzees is $100. I have booked 3 trips with gorilla families and one trip with the chimps that is part of our collective itinerary. It is possible to only do two mountain gorilla treks if you would like to save $500. Please let me know.
The gorilla visits are limited to 8 people for a total of one hour actually spent with the family group after the gorillas are located. There are no guarantees about sightings but success rate is over 90%. The hike to each habituated primate family can be very challenging – up very steep volcanic slopes in rain and off trail through stinging nettle and dense vegetation. These trips can last from 2 to 8 hours!! One never knows. You need to be in pretty good physical condition to do this portion of the trip. If you decide after the first gorilla family visit that you do not have the ability or desire to do the other ones, you are out of luck. These are non-transferable and non-refundable costs. Sorry, not fair but those are the rules.
Here are some videos from the trip: wym-1322250198069
The land cost of this trip is $7000. The non-refundable deposit for the land portion is $1000 and combined with the gorilla and chimp fees the total non-refundable deposit is $2100. And if you want extra gorilla visits add $500 for each one. Checks should be made out Michael Ellis and sent ASAP to insure your space. I need the registration form filled out as well. I need this right now to reserve the visits.
Airfare is not included. You may want to use your frequent flyer miles or purchase your own ticket. If you come in or leave at a different time that the group flights then there will be additional charges for transfers. You should plan on arriving in Entebbe on September 17, 2010 on KLM and departing Kigali, Rwanda on Oct. 3 on KLM flight #. I am working with a travel agency Airtrek that can book this flight for you for about $2000 from SFO directly to Entebbe or for $2300 with overnight in Amsterdam.
Date Range: 09/15/2010 - 10/03/2010
Price: $7,000.00
Interested In This Trip?
Fill out the form on our trip registration page, and be sure to include "Gorillas and Chimps" in the classes/trips you are interested in.
