Uganda (gorillas) and Kenya (great migration)

Suzie

Suzie

Level 2 Member
Planning on travel to Uganda and Kenya. Main objectives are gorilla trek and great migration.

We're not tour travelers, but it appears that it might be the best (only?) way to secure a gorilla permit is through a tour company.

Also getting around Kenya - mainly Maasi Mara and Amboseli.

Anyone with any experience to share?

It would be greatly appreciated!

TIA! Again! You guys are great and I appreciate you sharing your knowledge.
 
heavenlyjane

heavenlyjane

Level 2 Member
Well, bravo for you! This is on my bucket list but years down the road. I am not a tour person either but there are places in the world where a coordinator and an escort are important. I wouldn't feel comfortable going to Uganda or Kenya without someone keeping an eye on me.

AUCTIONS: You might check out the various charity auction websites. I have a bunch bookmarked and I check them monthly. Here are a few that might save you some money:
FAVORITE KENYAN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY: Check out Ol Pejeta Conservancy at www.olpejetaconservancy.org/plan-your-visit/ol-pejeta-escapes. This reserve is the home of the last Northern White Rhino, a single individual with an oversized personality and his own security brigade. I've supported them financially for years, but I haven't yet visited them. I like their campaign to encourage Kenyans to visit the reserve, especially school children and families, with the hopes that they will increase their connection and commitment to their native fauna. Check them out!
 
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Matt

Matt

Administrator
Staff member
Never been to Uganda, or Kenya... so take this with a pinch of salt!

Honeymoon was in Africa (South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zanzibar) including some fairly sketchy transfers, such as having to stand in the back of a pickup truck crossing borders and carrying a boat across a dried up river (or body of water..) because we arrived too late for the tide.

Uganda, I know nothing of.
Kenya, I feel isn't as scary as 'Africa is scary' the people I met on my journey who were from there were very nice, helpful, and educated. I wouldn't 'think' that you need an escort or guards for Kenya/Masai, but a tour isn't a bad idea, if only for the experience and ease of permit.

What I found for our safari in Tanzania (NgoroNgoro and another) is that if you book from the US coming in, you get all those risk factors (of it being Wild Africa) accelerated.. vs buying on the ground. I forget our prices now, but feel that we were around $300-500 per person, with accommodation, for 2-3 nights, vs numbers that could be in the 5 figures when booking from here.

Getting around Africa didn't seem too hard, we had a few instances of walking up to buy plane tickets on the spot, for cash, which is very far from the norm for me, and then buses, pickup trucks, boats, in abundance.
 
heavenlyjane

heavenlyjane

Level 2 Member
If I am understanding Matt correctly, I agree that I am more comfortable with an in-country tour agency vs. one that is administered from the US. An in-country travel agency will get in the car and come to you if you need help; a company based in the US cannot do that. I've been "rescued" from stupid mistakes in Jordan and Nicaragua and the system has me sold.

I work for CDC (US government) and I can tell you that many of my seasoned (i.e, Peace Corps alumni) co-workers who travel to Nairobi do not feel safe walking around the city on their own. They tend to hole up in their hotel rooms at night and sightsee by tours on the weekend. Personally I have not yet been to the continent but look forward to visiting soon.
 
Suzie

Suzie

Level 2 Member
heavenlyjane said:
Well, bravo for you! This is on my bucket list but years down the road. I am not a tour person either but there are places in the world where a coordinator and an escort are important. I wouldn't feel comfortable going to Uganda or Kenya without someone keeping an eye on me.

AUCTIONS: You might check out the various charity auction websites. I have a bunch bookmarked and I check them monthly. Here are a few that might save you some money:
FAVORITE KENYAN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY: Check out Ol Pejeta Conservancy at www.olpejetaconservancy.org/plan-your-visit/ol-pejeta-escapes. This reserve is the home of the last Northern White Rhino, a single individual with an oversized personality and his own security brigade. I've supported them financially for years, but I haven't yet visited them. I like their campaign to encourage Kenyans to visit the reserve, especially school children and families, with the hopes that they will increase their connection and commitment to their native fauna. Check them out!
Click to expand...
I've never heard of these - what great organizations. I don't know if they will work for this trip, but I am checking them out. Thank you!
 
Suzie

Suzie

Level 2 Member
Matt said:
Never been to Uganda, or Kenya... so take this with a pinch of salt!

Honeymoon was in Africa (South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zanzibar) including some fairly sketchy transfers, such as having to stand in the back of a pickup truck crossing borders and carrying a boat across a dried up river (or body of water..) because we arrived too late for the tide.

Uganda, I know nothing of.
Kenya, I feel isn't as scary as 'Africa is scary' the people I met on my journey who were from there were very nice, helpful, and educated. I wouldn't 'think' that you need an escort or guards for Kenya/Masai, but a tour isn't a bad idea, if only for the experience and ease of permit.

What I found for our safari in Tanzania (NgoroNgoro and another) is that if you book from the US coming in, you get all those risk factors (of it being Wild Africa) accelerated.. vs buying on the ground. I forget our prices now, but feel that we were around $300-500 per person, with accommodation, for 2-3 nights, vs numbers that could be in the 5 figures when booking from here.

Getting around Africa didn't seem too hard, we had a few instances of walking up to buy plane tickets on the spot, for cash, which is very far from the norm for me, and then buses, pickup trucks, boats, in abundance.
Click to expand...
What a great trip, Matt! Thank you for sharing your experiences. Were you able to travel on the days you wanted? Or did you always find transport of some kind?

I did South Africa with my son (remember the Etihad Christmas Day mistake fare?), we rented a car, drove to Kruger and did a combo of self drives and 2 paid drives. It was a very easy trip for us to navigate. Uganda/Kenya not so much.

I'm not too concerned about safety, other than the usual being aware of my surroundings, not wearing jewelry or flashing cash (or metal credit cards!) which I do anywhere.

I'm really trying to figure out how to make this trip affordable. It appears difficult or near impossible to secure gorilla trek permits individually. They are extremely limited and purchased months in advance by tour groups so buying a walk up ticket is near impossible. If I would be lucky enough to grab permits on my time frame, they still need to be picked up in person in Kampala (not on the itinerary) and the money has to be wired beforehand. I have, in the interim, found a tour group based in Rwanda willing to work with me - let me book my own hotel in Kigali (hey, there's a Marriott) and book the hotel in Bwindi directly. This may be my best bet. Otherwise, they charge 8% for using a credit card. As it is, I will have to wire transfer a down payment so they can secure the gorilla permits and pay the balance in cash on arrival. Gorilla permits in Rwanda are $1500/pp/per day and $750/pp/per day in Uganda.
 
Suzie

Suzie

Level 2 Member
heavenlyjane said:
If I am understanding Matt correctly, I agree that I am more comfortable with an in-country tour agency vs. one that is administered from the US. An in-country travel agency will get in the car and come to you if you need help; a company based in tS cannot do that. I've been "rescued" from stupid mistakes in Jordan and Nicaragua and the system has me sold.

I work for CDC (US government) and I can tell you that many of my seasoned (i.e, Peace Corps alumni) co-workers who travel to Nairobi do not feel safe walking around the city on their own. They tend to hole up in their hotel rooms at night and sightsee by tours on the weekend. Personally I have not yet been to the continent but look forward to visiting soon.
Click to expand...
I've had one instance where I was glad I had a local driver with us. My husband decided he wanted to look for the ruins of the city of Sodom (in present day Jordan) based on research he did on the internet. He had a "map" open on the internet and directed the driver where to go. We parked the car, climb a hill and started wandering around. A local came over and started talking to our driver in Arabic. He said he knew what we were looking for and took us further into the hills. We found what is believed to be the mass graves of those who perished in the destruction of Sodom (I'm not making a religious statement here - it is believed to have been a volcanic eruption). As we were walking around exploring, we were visited by the local police who were insisting that we accompany them to the police station as they thought we were grave robbers. Our driver was talking somewhat frantically to them and I kept hearing the word American. Apparently, American was the magic word and they allowed us to look around some more - while they stayed and watched us. They then escorted us over and down the hill back to our car where there was police backup waiting. I never did get the whole story of what was said in Arabic from our driver . . .
 
heavenlyjane

heavenlyjane

Level 2 Member
Here's an offer for anyone who hoards Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles
Redeem Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles for a stay at Richard Branson's safari camp. Mahali Mzuri is Sir Richard Branson's luxury tented safari camp in Kenya's Maasai Mara ecosystem. The camp sits in the path of the Great Migration and is perfectly placed for year-round game viewing.

Miles required: 600,000 miles for a 3 night stay for two people in a luxury tent. 800,000 miles for a 5 night stay for two people in a luxury tent.
 
zimnzam

zimnzam

Level 2 Member
I'm a safari nut and have been to Africa several times. Have covered Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa extensively, but haven't been to Kenya/Uganda yet as I like exclusive wilderness experiences where there are more animals and less people.

IMO, you definitely need to go with a good operator for the best experience. There're a handful of guides that work exclusively with some operators or lodges and their presence on your safari can make all the difference. Plus acquiring the Gorilla permits and the logistics of organization is best left to a competitive operator for a seamless experience. DM if you need a recommendation!

@heavenlyjane has some great suggestions on the auction sites and Virgin's safari camps if you have a lot of MRs laying around. With regards to making the trip affordable, there're many other locations for safaris where the price point wouldn't be so steep plus the wildlife experience would be amazing (e.g. South Luangwa, Ruaha, Botswana mobile etc); but of course, no Gorillas there. The permit cost is crazy!!

Another suggestion is that if you just go for the Migration safari, you may also want to look into the "calving season" of the wildebeests that takes place in the Ndutu plains in Tanzania from Jan - March. Lots of mobile operators there, and to get a good price point, you let the crowds leave by mid march and go to catch the migration at that cusp.

Good luck!
 
Suzie

Suzie

Level 2 Member
zimnzam said:
I'm a safari nut and have been to Africa several times. Have covered Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa extensively, but haven't been to Kenya/Uganda yet as I like exclusive wilderness experiences where there are more animals and less people.

IMO, you definitely need to go with a good operator for the best experience. There're a handful of guides that work exclusively with some operators or lodges and their presence on your safari can make all the difference. Plus acquiring the Gorilla permits and the logistics of organization is best left to a competitive operator for a seamless experience. DM if you need a recommendation!

@heavenlyjane has some great suggestions on the auction sites and Virgin's safari camps if you have a lot of MRs laying around. With regards to making the trip affordable, there're many other locations for safaris where the price point wouldn't be so steep plus the wildlife experience would be amazing (e.g. South Luangwa, Ruaha, Botswana mobile etc); but of course, no Gorillas there. The permit cost is crazy!!

Another suggestion is that if you just go for the Migration safari, you may also want to look into the "calving season" of the wildebeests that takes place in the Ndutu plains in Tanzania from Jan - March. Lots of mobile operators there, and to get a good price point, you let the crowds leave by mid march and go to catch the migration at that cusp.

Good luck!
Click to expand...
Thank you! I'm so used to using miles and points for everything that paying cash is bugging me. That's mainly what I meant about affordable - I'd rather not pay cash if I don't have to. And I'm not really comfortable with wiring money - this is part of what's hanging me up. I've spent hours researching and reading reviews on tour operators - I always check the negative reviews first and there's always something disturbing. So, yes, I will take you up on your offer for recommendations - I'll PM.

It looks like doing two separate tours might be our best option. One for Uganda and one for Kenya. A lot of the tours pick you up at the airport and deposit you at a hotel and then the tour starts the next morning. We can get ourselves through customs and to a pts hotel, and I can use points for flights between Rwanda and Kenya. But, yes, it looks like doing tours is going to be the best option.
 
heavenlyjane

heavenlyjane

Level 2 Member
I also noticed that there are Kenyan reserve lodges listed in the UR travel portal, meaning you can book with UR points.
 
zimnzam

zimnzam

Level 2 Member
italdesign said:
Sorry to potentially hijack this thread, but I am curious where else besides Africa you've done Safari, and how do you compare those to the African ones?
Click to expand...
Been to reserves in India for Tigers.
The biggest difference is the sheer volume of wildlife in Africa plus the large spaces where one can go exploring and potentially see a lot of different species of animals in a single destination/location. Then some places offer walking safaris too. On top of that, the colonial "glamping" safari style is what attracts me the most - where you're out in the animal kingdom without fences. I personally have had a lot of close encounters with big mammals right in the camp area! The anticipation of finding a surprise in the forest just about any bend is fantastic :)
 
heavenlyjane

heavenlyjane

Level 2 Member
Careful with walking safaris. An old college buddy and her guide was gored by a pissy matriarch elephant in Botswana a few months ago. They were both lucky to get through it alive. Even so she had emergency surgery in a South African hospital and was stuck in country for several weeks beyond that.
 
PurpleSquirrel

PurpleSquirrel

MS Nuts
zimnzam said:
Been to reserves in India for Tigers.
The biggest difference is the sheer volume of wildlife in Africa plus the large spaces where one can go exploring and potentially see a lot of different species of animals in a single destination/location. Then some places offer walking safaris too. On top of that, the colonial "glamping" safari style is what attracts me the most - where you're out in the animal kingdom without fences. I personally have had a lot of close encounters with big mammals right in the camp area! The anticipation of finding a surprise in the forest just about any bend is fantastic :)
Click to expand...
Going to India next month and visiting Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. We have booked 3 jeep trips. Hope we get to see some tigers up close. Travel Agent has arranged Zone 3/4/5 (best zones to encounter tigers).
 
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