Join 11 Day Group Tour from Entebbe to Nairobi, fully escorted by Andrew and Elizabeth Warren.
11 Days from NZD $12,879* per person, twin share.
Hidden in the dense rainforests that stretch across the southwest border of Uganda, dwells a gentle giant that has intrigued and amazed the world for hundreds of years. Uganda is home to half of the remaining estimated 1,000 mountain gorillas alive today, but struggling for a tomorrow.
Surrounding their protected habitat are isolated and impoverished communities. Due to their close proximity both inside and outside the national park, preventable infectious diseases are being spread between humans, gorillas livestock. This, along with habitat encroachment, poaching economic instability, is threatening the existence of the mountain gorilla.
Your tour guides Andrew and Elizabeth Warren
‘Africa gets into your blood!’ Actually, it’s probably true! For Andrew, born in Africa, it was almost inevitable that he and his wife Elizabeth would venture back to that continent. This began in the 1980s when they worked for three years in famine relief in Ethiopia, and then was reignited in the early 2000s when they began to visit East Africa on a regular basis partnering with locals in community development and leadership training.
“Coffee has been a huge interest of mine since 2010,” says Andrew. I see such enormous potential to assist the communities scattered across the country but finding a ‘hands-on-mechanism’ to achieve this was the challenge. This opportunity presented itself in 2017 when I met the Operations Manager for Gorilla Conservation Coffee and heard the story of the Mountain Gorillas. “I was hooked!”
January 2019 gave Andrew the opportunity to travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, see the incredible work and meet the amazing people involved in these social enterprises.
‘Truly, it is an experience of a lifetime to visit Bwindi and it would give us incredible pleasure to take people there!’
Meet Dr Gladys
Dr. Gladys Kalema Zikusoka, the first Wildlife Veterinary Officer of the Uganda Wildlife Authority began her work with endangered Mountain Gorillas in 1996 and quickly realised that poverty, human health and conservation were closely linked. She realised that to protect the gorillas it was essential to create partnerships with the local communities! The goal was to find a way to protect the gorillas and their habitat, while at the same time assisting the local communities to thrive.
This goal was initially realised through CTPH – Conservation through Public Health, a social enterprise working directly with the Ugandan people living around the rainforests. CTPH promotes public health practise, thereby reducing the transmission of disease between humans and gorillas and vice versa.
The second step was the establishment of GCC – Gorilla Conservation Coffee. GCC exists to empower the local farmers through training to grow more and better coffee, and also to provide an economic mechanism through which they are able to achieve higher returns for their coffee. By enabling the farmers to both educate and support their families, without resorting to poaching and firewood collection from the rainforests, brings stability and prosperity to everyone!
Dr Gladys now leads a team of veterinarians, coffee specialists and community health educators who are passionate about the difference they are making for both the Mountain Gorillas and the people of Bwindi.
What’s included
- Personally escorted from Entebbe to Nairobi
- Flights from Entebbe – Bwindi – Masai Mara
- All meals, inclusions, excursions, transfers, as per the itinerary
- Full day Gorilla Trekking safari with Dr Gladys and Andrew
- Visit Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
- Visit David Shelrick Orphan Elephant Rescue Trust
- Lunch at Out of Africa Karen Blixen Coffee Garden
- Farewell dinner at Carnivores Restaurant Nairobi
What’s not included
- International airfares
- Visas and passport costs
- Items of a personal nature
- Travel Insurance (compulsory)
Itinerary
(B) Breakfast | (L) Lunch | (D) Dinner
Day 1 – Tuesday 12th May 2020 – ENTEBBE
On arrival at Entebbe you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
After time to freshen up you will visit Ngamba Island, a home for rescued chimps. Surrounded by the peaceful waters of Lake Victoria, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is home to 49 orphaned chimpanzees rescued from across East Africa. Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (Chimpanzee Trust), an NGO, is responsible for all aspects of the sanctuary. Deeply committed to and involved in both field conservation and community education, they work closely with the Ugandan government and wildlife authorities.
A visit to the sanctuary provides an exceptional opportunity to closely observe these fascinating great apes in a unique setting.
Accommodation: 1 night at No.5 Boutique Hotel in a standard room including breakfast.
Nestled in the leafy suburbs of Entebbe is the new and stylish boutique hotel, Hotel No.5. From the moment you arrive, you are warmly welcomed and cared for. With luxurious rooms opening onto the garden and swimming pool, this is a great option for guests looking for an intimate stay in a tranquil setting.
Make yourself at home – unwind beside the swimming pool, pamper yourself with a spa treatment, or work up a sweat in the hotel gym. For one of the most flavoursome dining experiences in Entebbe, carefully planned menus are paired to an international wine list, and served with pride.
Day 2 – Wednesday 13th May 2020 – BWINDI (B/L/D)
After an early breakfast you will be transferred to Entebbe Airport for a scheduled flight to Bwindi Impenetrable Forrest.
This afternoon visit the Gorilla Conservation Camp and partake in a coffee safari at Gorilla Conservation Coffee.
Accommodation: 3 nights at Buhoma Lodge in a standard room with Full Board.
Part of Exclusive Camps and Lodges, each lodge has been developed with the same ethos in mind…to concentrate on service and offer an exceptional safari experience to discerning guests.
Buhoma Lodge commands spectacular views of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. An intimate, top quality lodge offering guests a cosy, relaxing environment. On occasion, Mountain Gorillas have even been seen in the garden!
Inside the spacious cottages you will find comfortable beds, a well appointed ensuite bathroom with flushing toilet and hot shower. Meals are freshly prepared from local produce, offering a balance of international and local cuisine. Hot beverages are available throughout the day on a self-service basis, but morning tea or coffee is brought to your cottage, allowing you to savour the early morning sounds of the forest as it awakens.
Day 3 – Thursday 14th May 2020 – BWINDI (B/L/D)
After an early breakfast you will be taken on a short drive to the park headquarters where you will begin your gorilla trekking experience. Dr Gladys Kalema, founder of Conservation through Public Health and Gorilla Conservation, along with trained guides, will lead you to the site where the gorillas were encountered the day before, and from here the trekking begins. The gorillas determine the duration of the hike. The trek can take between one and six hours, sometimes more, at elevations in excess of 2285 metres and over rough terrain. Although the hike can be physically demanding, the anticipation of the exciting experience ahead is invigorating and the beauty of the forest and its inhabitants is fascinating.
Day 4 – Friday 15th May 2020 – BWINDI (B/L/D)
Today enjoy a forest walk and a visit to the local community.
Day 5 – Saturday 16th May 2020 – ENTEBBE (B)
This morning you will transfer to Kihihi and from there fly by scheduled flight to Entebbe.
09h25/11h45 or 14h05/15h55
On arrival at Entebbe you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Accommodation: 1 night at No.5 Boutique Hotel in a standard room including breakfast.
Day 6 – Sunday 17th May 2020 – MASI MARA (B/L/D)
This morning, at the appropriate time, you will transfer to Entebbe Airport for your flight to Mara airstrip. (Flight included)
On arrival at the airstrip you will be met by your driver/guide and enjoy a game drive as you travel to your camp in the Masai Mara.
Accommodation: 3 nights at Sarova Mara Game Camp in a standard tent on a full board basis. By virtue of its location and layout, the camp offers an unparalleled plethora of activities and experiences from luxury tented living to bird-watching, mini golf, sport fishing and a unique insight into the Maasai culture at the adjoining Maasai village.
The twenty luxurious and spacious tents in camp offer breathtaking views of the Mara plains.
Day 7 – Monday 18th May 2020 – MASI MARA (B/L/D)
After an early breakfast, depart on a morning game drive, returning to the lodge for lunch. After a siesta, set off for an afternoon game drive and visit to the local Masai Village, returning to the lodge as the sun sets.
Day 8 – Tuesday 19th May 2020 – MASI MARA (B/L/D)
After an early breakfast, depart on a morning game drive, returning to the lodge for lunch. After a siesta, set off for an afternoon game drive, returning to the lodge as the sun sets.
Day 9 – Wednesday 20th May 2020 – NAIROBI (B)
After an early morning game drive and breakfast, you will depart the camp and transfer by road to Nairobi.
Afternoon at leisure.
Accommodation: 2 nights at Tamarind Tree Hotel in a standard room including breakfast.
The Four star Tamarind Tree Hotel provides an outdoor heated swimming pool, fitness centre and garden. Guests can enjoy a selection of international cuisines from the on-site restaurant.
With a private bathroom, rooms at Tamarind Tree Hotel also feature garden and pool views.
Day 10 – Thursday 21st May 2020 – NAIROBI (B/L/D)
Today, enjoy a full day excursion in Nairobi. Visit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust which operates the world’s most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation program and is one of the pioneering conservation organisations for wildlife and habitat protection in East Africa.
Enjoy lunch at Karen Blixon Coffee Garden followed by a visit to the onsite Museum.
This evening enjoy a farewell dinner at the highly regarded Carnivores Restaurant, located conveniently next door to your hotel.
Day 11 – Friday 22nd May 2020 – NAIROBI (B)
Today, you will transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Contact: Andrew Warren andrew@alivenz.com 021 979865 Brett Yeatman bdyeatman@icloud.com 027 281 6302
*Terms and Conditions. $2,500.00 non-refundable deposit required on confirmation of space on the tour, in conjunction with compulsory Travel Insurance. Progress payment of $3,750.00 by October 20, and final payment is due March 31st 2020. We reserve the right to adjust flight schedules if changed directly by the airlines. Maximum tour group of 10 pax sharing Twin share rooms. Tour can be cancelled if minimum numbers are not met, and all deposits fully refunded.