Safari Life
GORILLA TREK: In addition to not using any camera flash, your tracker will remind you not to make sudden movements. If you must speak, whisper. In the unlikely event that a gorilla charges, stand still, avert your eyes down, and do not assume an aggressive stance (get on your hands and knees) or try to take its picture. These gentle giants are normally quite forgiving towards their human cousins; at least two mountain gorillas have tenderly rescued young children who fell into their zoo pit. You may feel like you're the one in the zoo this time; gorillas may gaze at you with some curiosity, especially the young ones less accustomed to humans. It should be said that charges are very rare, but they can occur, usually when the young are inadvertently separated from their parents, or if a gorilla might misunderstand your gesture and simply be frightened of you.
Your ascent begins in the rain forest, and then climbs through dense underbrush and forest. Walking sticks are provided before the climb starts. Watch to avoid hanging vines, fallen trees and long columns of army ants which may cross your path. Your socks should be long enough for your trousers to be tucked in to avoid the ants crawling up you r leg! Just step over them and keep moving. Remember to wear long sleeves, long pants and socks to protect against nettles and thorns. You may want to carry a plastic water bottle; the climb is demanding, but so worthwhile.
Always remember that while some animals have become accustomed to the presence of people they are still wild animals. Keep your distance. It is illegal to feed any animal, make excessive noise to attract their attention, or deviate from designated roads for that closer photograph. Never get out of your vehicle except at designated points. Close all windows and zippers when you leave your room or tent and spray it with insect repellant.
The best way to get the most out of your safari is to take an active interest in everything going on around you, not just the number of species you can see in the shortest possible time. Ask all the questions you can think of and take reference books on not only wildlife but birds, insects and trees and read up about everything you see.
ACCOMMODATION: Your accommodations will be surprisingly comfortable in lodges and luxury tented camps. In both cases, your room or tent will feature local décor and en-suite bathroom facilities with toilet and shower. Each locale carries its own local lore and flavor, offered with the highest level of service and care.
ROADS: Uganda has an extensive road network of paved and unpaved roads. Traffic drives on the left side. The major highways are two lane roads.
TYPICAL DAILY SCHEDULE ON SAFARI: In essence, there is no "typical" day schedule while on safari in Uganda, except for the days when chimp or gorilla trekking takes place. Overall, it is best to be flexible to a particular group's interest. Game drives can last a few hours or all day with picnic lunches, depending on what a group is interested in. Conversely, "down time" is not enforced or set. Clients are consulted if they would like to relax, take a game drive or nature walk. There are some restrictions of course. There are no night game drives allowed, except in Kibale Forest. There are also boat/launch trips where the departure time must be adhered to. Breakfasts are usually between 6:30 - 10:00 am with dinners occurring from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Travel days are a bit longer, sometimes lasting up to seven hours. Whenever possible, lunches on travel days are set at local restaurants en route. If that is not possible, packed lunches are arranged.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi: These times are a guide only, times can and do change depending on local conditions.
| Time | Activity |
| 6:30 am | Wake up call. Light breakfast consisting of coffee, tea and snacks served on verandah. |
| 7:00 am | Full breakfast served. |
| 8:00 am | Short walk to park headquarters for briefing by park rangers and signing in. |
| 8:45-9:00 am | Begin trek – this can take anywhere from 30 minutes to five hours to find the gorillas. One hour maximum is spent with the gorillas. Picnic lunch provided, unless gorillas are found early and group returns to camp for lunch. If this occurs, you can return to the park in the afternoon for a hike on one of the trails. |
| TBA | Once time with gorillas is over, return to camp for hot shower and time to relax. |
| 7:00 pm | Dinner served. |
Chimp Trekking in Kibale: These times are a guide only, times can and do change depending on local conditions.
| Time | Activity |
| 6:00 am | Wake up call. Light breakfast consisting of coffee, tea and snacks served on verandah. |
| 6:30 am | Full breakfast served. |
| 7:15 am | Short walk to park headquarters for briefing by park rangers and signing in. |
| 8:00 am | Begin trek – this can take anywhere from 30 minutes to five hours to find chimpa. Picnic lunch provided and eaten at the park’s coffee house. |
| 3:00 pm | Walk begins at the swamp area. |
| 6:30 pm | Return to Lodge |
| 7:00 pm | Dinner served. (Time can be flexible) |
GAME DRIVES: For the most part, game drives will be conducted in vehicles with opening roof hatches and large sliding side windows. All vehicles are 4 X 4 landcruisers or landrovers.
WALKING SAFARIS: Walking safaris may be offered from some lodges/camps on a request basis.
SATELLITE TELEPHONES: Telecommunications in the urban areas are easily accessible but please note that the safari lodges and camps you may be visiting could be located in very remote parts of East Africa and often do not have telephones. An increasing number of guests have been bringing satellite phones along with them on safari. In Uganda, it is now possible to phone almost anywhere with mobile phones. The driver/guides carry such phones in case of emergency. (The phones are always switched off during game drives and trekking.) As most people come on safari to "get away from it all", we feel that we must set some limitations on the use of these phones when on safari. We suggest the following guidelines on the use of satellite phones:
- Please ensure the ring tone is kept at a low volume to avoid disturbing other guests.
- Please use your phone in the privacy of your room and not any of the common areas: dining room, bar/lounge area, or on any of the vehicles or on game drives.
- Phones should be used for outgoing calls and to check messages only. Incoming calls, and the loud ringing that ensues, should be curtailed.
LAUNDRY: Laundry is available at most hotels, lodges and tented camps and there may be an additional charge for this service. The local staff will not wash underwear, due to prevailing local traditions. Typically, you will have time for laundry service at any locale where you stay two nights or more.
ELECTRICAL POWER ON SAFARI: Most lodges and camps on safari are situated in remote areas and have to generate their own electricity, which is done in a number of ways. Each camp has a generator that runs for about 6 hours per day (3 hours in the morning and 3 in the afternoon when guests are out on activities). These generators then charge batteries located at each tented room or supply power to each guest lodge room. Typically, power will be available when you are in the lodge or camp, except for overnight. Therefore, it is imperative that you have your own flashlight handy. Electrical plug outlets are not usually available in guest rooms and therefore it is not possible to use such appliances such as hairdryers or electric shavers during your stay. Solar heated water is used for showers. The Ndali Lodge located in the Kibale Forest National Park does not offer electricity but has ample candles and oil lamps provided in the evenings. The luxury camp in Bwindi does have electricity for lighting and the recharging of video camera batteries. The vehicles can be used to charge video and camera batteries from the cigarette lighter, but travelers must bring their own adapters.
SMOKING POLICY: While on safari, there is a no-smoking policy at meals, on the vehicles, on the aircraft, and on boats (in fact anywhere where there is a fire hazard). If you are a smoker, there will be "smoke breaks" on the drives to keep you happy! Please respect this ruling.
DRINK POLICY: While on safari, coffee, tea and bottled water with meals will be included. Bottled water is also available in the vehicles. In general, all other beverages such as soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are not included and will cost extra.
WILD ANIMALS: Many of the animals and reptiles you will see are potentially dangerous. Attacks by wild animals are rare. However, no safari in Africa can guarantee that such incidents will not occur. Please note that most camps and lodge areas are unfenced. Please make sure that you listen to and abide by the safety talks given by your guides or lodge/camp staff. Don't go wandering off on your own without a guide - even to your rooms. After retiring to your rooms at night, don't leave your rooms. If you are sensible, you will be safe.
FLASHLIGHTS As the grounds of many lodges/camps are unfenced it is essential that you bring a small flashlight (locally known as a torch) as you may encounter wild animals at night. You should also bring a spare globe as well as batteries as they are unobtainable en route.