We’re back with another group trip to Uganda!
If you’re looking for new adventures, animal watching in a safari, trekking in the jungle looking for gorillas, immersing yourself in a new culture, getting to meet new people and going to East Africa? This is the best way to kick off the year 2024, and maybe even get away from the cold if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere.
Come and join us this January 21st-27th, 2024, as we embark on a 7-day journey through the Pearl of Africa: Uganda.
Trip highlights: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary Park, Safari in Murchison Falls, gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest & Lake Bunyonyi
why join us?
WHY UGANDA?
Visit one of the only 3 countries in the world where you can see mountain gorillas in the wild and watch the BIG FIVE (leopards, lions, buffaloes, rhinoceros and elephants) as part of a safari. Uganda is safe, open for tourism, and has e-visas and visas on arrival for most nationalities.
WHY CHOOSE BUUTU SAFARIS?
By traveling with a Ugandan company, you are not only supporting the local economy but also protecting endangered animals by engaging in sustainable tourism that helps preserve conservation efforts. Buutu Safaris has been operating since the 1990s and only uses local accommodation and employees to boost eco-tourism and help prevent illegal hunting (poaching).
WHY GO GLOBAL WITH SIBU?
I'm on a journey to break stereotypes and to push people to travel as much as possible. The world isn't as dangerous and scary as the media pegs it to be. Looking to get out of your comfort zone and make new friends while traveling? This is the chance to do so!
*Game Drive (or safari): viewing wildlife in the comfort of an open 4×4 vehicle.
**Big game or game: large mammals – lions, leopards, black rhinoceros, elephants, etc.
If you have ANY questions, please feel free to reach out via email or Instagram DM!
ITINERARY
After a lunch break, proceed to Murchison Falls National Park via the top of the falls. Experience the scenic sights of the wild as the sun sets over Murchison Falls, the world’s most powerful waterfall.
Thereafter head to the lodge for dinner and the night’s stay.
Day 2: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise
After your breakfast, enjoy a morning game drive in the northern sector of
Murchison Falls. Look out for night dwellers including the leopards, lions and
hyenas, which, with a little luck, we will see before they retreat to the coolness
of the thickets in the afternoon hours.
After lunch, head out for a cruise to the bottom of Murchison Falls as you enjoy
the unique sights of aquatic wildlife such as hippos, crocodiles and aquatic birds and the breathtaking views of the water falls.
After this eventful Nile cruise, return to the lodge for dinner and the night.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 3: Flight transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After a leisurely breakfast, fly to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest where you will arrive in the afternoon. Unwind in the peaceful forest side lodge as you prepare for the action-filled day of gorilla trekking.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After an early breakfast, head to the park office at 08:00 am for briefing. Thereafter, the rangers will walk you down the narrow forest paths through thick undergrowth, with the bird sounds in the background as you search for the gorilla families.
Trekking can take between 2-6 hours. However, once found the experience of
watching these incredible primates in their natural habitat is well worth every ounce of energy expended on the tiring forest trails. It is most advisable for trekkers to be in
good physical condition before embarking on the trails.
We will be split up into smaller groups to have a more intimate experience with the gorillas. The gorilla family assigned to you will depend on your level of fitness and health, and there are 3 different levels of difficulty. You have the possibility to hire a porter (someone who will carry your bag and make sure you make it to the end) for $15 USD per person.
Get in close proximity with the gorillas as you quietly observe these pacific primates
in their natural habitat. Watch the Gorillas eat, groom and play. Packed lunched is
offered during the day.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
After a leisurely breakfast, drive to Lake Bunyonyi where you will arrive in time for lunch. In the afternoon hours choose from a rnage of activities including swimming, canoe rides, zip lining and hiking.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Lake Bunyonyi
Spend the morning at your leisure. In the afternoon, we will start our excursion to Joshua’s Island where we are in for a treat and a feel of the local life in Lake Bunyonyi. Learn to make a rolex and see how traditional millet beer is made as you hang out at local bar and in a homestead. Option of hiking, quad biking and swimming in the lake are also on offer.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7: Drive to Entebbe
After breakfast we’ll embark on an 8 – 9 hour drive back to Entebbe where we will arrive in the evening hours.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.
Accommodation: No accommodation.
If you have ANY questions, please feel free to reach out via email or Instagram DM!
It is! There is a general misconception about Africa being “cheap’. In the case of Uganda, it actually is the most affordable/safest option in the region when it comes to wildlife and safaris. Since tourism is scarce, it is expensive to put up infrastructure in place.
For this specific trip, a good amount of the costs go towards the parks and conservation fees. Just the gorilla trekking permits are $700 USD per person! But you have nothing to worry about. This permit, along with the other fees, all transportation, guides, and meals are already included.
Most importantly, we are offering high-end accommodation during this trip for the same price as regular stays! Which is also included in the price. This is all thanks to Buutu Safaris. Going as part of a group will also keep prices down. Buutu offers this same tour starting from $4200 USD (which you can see here) if you book this independently. That’s more than $500 USD more if you were to go without a group.
Yes! All you have to do is be ready for us to pick you up on January the 21st, 2024 in Entebbe, Uganda. You have nothing to worry about when it comes to planning for food, accommodation or getting around. All you have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy everything that Uganda has to offer!
Depending on the region, group trips are also a great way to keep expenses down. Going on a safari is not a budget activity, and travel in many African countries can be expensive. This is because there isn’t much tourist infrastructure. This is just one of those instances where you’ll end up spending money wisely by joining a group trip. Last, but not least, I travel alone most of the time and you’ll still find me joining group trips from time to time. Some experiences are just better when shared, especially with people who are curious about the world like you are. If you’re tired of waiting around for others to travel, then a group trip is for you.
For the rest of the trip, we will be providing a packing list, but you can also find the relevant information on the group trip page. We do not require you to go out shopping for this trip.
It’s thanks to gorilla trekking that gorilla numbers have increased over the decades. These prices are set across the 3 countries where it’s available. In Rwanda they’re $1500 USD per person. In Uganda, $700 USD. And in the DRC, they’re $400 USD per person. And while the DRC is the best option with pricing, the country has been going through a conflict and instability for decades and it’s not safe or easy to visit at the moment. I would only advice VERY experienced travelers to go there. So in terms of safety AND pricing, Uganda is by far the best choice.
Like I said before, traveling in a group is an excellent way to keep costs down. The prices of these permits, and of the tourist packages offered in the region, will only keep increasing with time.
Just 15 years ago, there were only around 600 mountain gorillas left. Previous studies show even lower numbers, which meant that they were close to extinction. Female mountain gorillas usually do not have any ovulation for 3-5 years after giving birth, so their reproduction rates (and chances of extinction) are much higher. The last recorded census was of 1096 mountain gorillas! The numbers have almost doubled, thanks to the conservation efforts led by the gorilla trekking industry.
No, you cannot. Mountain gorillas cannot survive outside of their natural environment. Poachers have unsuccessfully tried to sell them to zoos. They do not survive there long. If you want to see mountain gorillas, it can only be done in this region of Africa.
Having said that, the authorities need to limit the numbers of trekkers per day which means the price needs to rise further. Gorilla numbers increased during the lockdown so there is a tangible benefit from having less interruptions by humans. This is why the number of daily permits are limited.
Rated 5* on trip advisor and 4.7* on google maps
