Starting Point
The Joining Hotel is in Kampala.
Holiday Express Hotel
Plot 16/18 & 20, Luwum Street
P.O. Box 9923
Kampala, Uganda
Ph: +256 (0) 312 262 858/9, 414 253 451/253 455
Located in the bustling heart of downtown Kampala in a lively neighborhood of street markets and traders.
The Entebbe International Airport is just outside Entebbe, the former Ugandan capital, and is the international hub that serves Kampala, the current capital and starting point for our trip. Upon arrival by air, an arrival transfer is not included. You can either pre-arrange an airport pick-up with us, or you can make your way to the joining hotel. Entebbe International Airport is about 40 km from downtown Kampala and your hotel.
There are a couple of ways to get to Kampala from the airport. Public transport is available at the airport to the town of Entebbe, where you can transfer to a vehicle that goes to Kampala. This would take about 1 hour in total, and costs a total of US$2, better payed in local currency. We recommend an airport taxi, which takes about 40 minutes and costs US$25. Look out for yellow-band cars, and each vehicle has an identification number and inscription ""AIRPORT TAXI"" in black letters. These are available on the ground level in the arrivals area.
Please note that day 1 is an arrival day and no activities have been planned, though a brief pre-departure meeting will be held in the hotel reception area in evening of day 1. Here you will meet other tour participants and receive information about general and specific aspects of the trip. Upon arrival to the hotel, look for a notice from your tour leader with information regarding this group meeting. If you arrive late and miss the meeting, s/he will leave you a message detailing what time and where you should meet the next morning.
Finishing Point
Nairobi
Group SizeMaximum Group size is 13.
Typical size is 10 people.
Difficulty Rating - EasyLight walking and hiking that is suitable for most fitness levels.
Trip Difficulty Guide
AccommodationSimple hotel (7 nts)
Cabin/hut (2 nts)
Camping (2 nts)
Permanent tented camp (2 nts).
Camping in Kenya is truly an adventure. You will be able to get off the beaten track to get a first-hand experience of the beautiful wilderness and nature. While camping, we stay at designated campsites inside of and nearby the national reserves and parks. These campsites generally are very basic, and we carry tents to pitch at the public campsites.
At the Masai Mara, we will stay in a simple permanent tented camp. These are walk-in “safari tents” with single beds & mattresses. There is no electricity for lights or charging batteries. The facilities here are very basic, though there are flushing toilets and hot water when the boiler is working.
Despite the challenge that a few days “roughing it” may pose to some, the experience of being that close to nature, camping under the African stars, and seeing incredible wildlife at your tent door-step is not just gratifying but ultimately an experience of a lifetime.
MealsThe following meals are included:
5 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 4 Dinners.
Where meals are not included you will be able to eat in your hotel or advised where you can go.
Shopping for food will be done before the trip departs, fresh vegetables and fruit will be bought along the route from supermarkets, local shops and markets. Breakfasts will generally be cereals, if time allows a warm breakfast may be prepared. Many lunches will be provided en-route and will be light meals such as sandwiches or salads.
All evening meals will be hot and will consist of a variety of continental and local dishes. Meals will be prepared by the crew with assistance from you if you would like to help cook, this is not compulsory. Vegetarian meals and other dietary requirements need to be specified prior to arrival. We do however ask you to wash your own dishes.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is not available on this tour.
Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip.
Included
Entrances and game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve.
Not Included
International Flights.
Below is a list of some optional excursions you can do.
Please note you may need to extend your stay in certain places to take part in any of them and some may not be during certain times of the year.
All prices are in US dollar amounts, per person, and are examples of the entrances fees charged - this does not include hiring transport to/from the destination.
Kampala
Ngamba Island Excursion (1/2 & Full Day) $54/$72
City Tour $30 (min 2)
Kasubi Tombs Entrance $2
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Kyambura Gorge Chimp Tracking $30
Kazinga Channel Launch Trip $10pp, or $150 for the boat
Murchinson Falls
Boat Launch Trip $15 pp, or $120 for the boat
Hike to the falls $8
Jinja
Guided Village Walk $20
Rafting Half/Full day $75/$95
Tandem Kayak Half/Full day $85/$125
Quad Biking Half/Full day $55/$99
Masai Mara
Masai Mara balloon safari $430
Masai village tour $20 per village
Nairobi
Bomas of Kenya $9
Giraffe Centre $11
Karen Blixen Museum $12
Nairobi National Park $60 Nairobi Safari Walk,
Animal Orphanage and Impala Sanctuary $20
National Archives F.O.C.
National Museum $10
Railway Museum $5
The Carnivore Restaurant $30 set meal
Transportation
Private minibus, Public bus/minivan, Taxi, 7-seat safari vehicle(s).
We will use a variety of transportation on this tour. In Uganda, we will use a private safari van or minibus, depending on the size of the group. Public minvans or buses are used to arrive into Kenya, for your safari in the Masai Mara, we use private 6-7 seat safari vans. With sliding windows and a large pop-up roofs, these vehicles are designed for game viewing. Road conditions can run the full range of conditions from new to very poor. This style of travel is by no means luxurious, but having our own private vehicles for most of the trip allows us the flexibility of making stops when needed, and using local transportation is part of the African experience. Please note for your own safety it is mandatory to wear your seat belt at all times when in a vehicle
What to Take
You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. Your baggage should be clearly labelled and restricted to one soft compact suitcase, sports bag, or backpack, no larger than 30cm(height) x 30cm(width) x 60cm(length), maximum 15kg, plus a daypack. Luggage limits on airlines are strictly enforced, and due to limited vehicle capacity, the cost of transporting any luggage beyond these restrictions is the responsibility of the client. Please note, if you are travelling with a large amount of luggage and will be returning to Kampala later in your trip, you may leave a portion of it at the start hotel, this is indeed possible as storage facilities are available.
It is important to pack clothes for warm days and cool evenings, as well as a warm jacket for early morning game drives. Light, quick-drying, practical clothes are advisable for this safari trip. A set of smart casual clothes is also advisable for your time in Kampala and Nairobi.
Health & SafetyWe recommend you contact your family physician, or your local travel clinic for the most up-to-date health information at least one month before departure.
Please ensure you have all the inoculations recommended by your doctor for travel in East Africa. Be aware that Kenya and Uganda have many regions where malaria is present. We thus recommend that you take malaria medication; your doctor should be able to recommend the necessary prophylactics. Travellers should also carry a basic travel first-aid kit as medical facilities are basic throughout these countries. An important item to include is a liquid or gel hand sanitizer and/or alcoholic/sanitary wipes, as they will aid in personal cleanliness and hygiene throughout the trip.
The local tap water should not be consumed, so any water treatment tablets (ex. iodine), drops, etc, would help, but good, clean, and inexpensive bottled water is widely available throughout the entire trip. If you have any pre-existing medical condition, you must inform Live to Xplore prior to the purchase of the tour, and upon arrival, to the tour leader so he/she can be prepared to help you.
East African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness): This is a serious parasitic disease that is always fatal without treatment. The disease is spread by the bite of tsetse flies, found only in parts of Eastern and Central Africa, including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania. There is no vaccine or drug to prevent African trypanosomiasis.
Sand flies and Mosquitos: Are found in the areas visited. Mosquitos are more prevalent in areas that receive more rainfall, and sand flies, though generally found on the coast, can also be found in dry & dusty conditions inland. Both tend to come out in the early evening and early mornings. Malaria: This infectious disease is transmitted by mosquitos carrying the parasite. These mosquitos are found at altitudes of under 1,800m, and thus can be found in most areas that we visit on this tour. You must have prophylactics which you can obtain from your local doctor at or health clinic.
Sun:
It is very important that you wear sun block, even on a cloudy day when it feels cool as we are near the equator and the sun is very strong. A sunburn can turn a pleasant trip into a painful trip.
Hydration
Even when days are cool please be sure to drink a minimum of two litres of water and refrain from drinking to many diuretics, as while when travelling outdoors the breeze can dehydrate you quickly as well as the heat.
Diarrhoea:
It is normal for people travelling overseas to get an upset stomach due to a change of climate and food. Please make sure that you wash your hands and stay away from street food.
Weather & ClimateThere are generally two rainy seasons - the short and the long rains. The short rains normally occur from late October through November, and the long rains from late March through to early June. A good time to visit is between late June and October when the rains have finished and the air is coolest.
Alternatively, from late December to February or early March is another good time to visit, just after the short rains, but before the long rains; this is the warmest time of the year. The highest season for travellers into the region is in January and February, when the hot, dry weather is generally considered to be the most pleasant.
For more information take a look at:
Kenya Country Guide
Uganda Country Guide
Important InfoVisas | Its your responsibility to have the correct travel documents.
Travel Insurance | Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips.
Medical Form | Our small group adventures bring together people of all ages. It is very important you are aware that, as a minimum, an average level of fitness and mobility' is required to undertake our easiest programs. Travellers must be able to walk without the aid of another person, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their own luggage at a minimum. Travellers with a pre-existing medical condition are required to complete a short medical questionnaire, which must be signed by their physician. This is to ensure that travellers have the necessary fitness and mobility to comfortably complete their chosen trip. While our leaders work hard to ensure that all our travellers are catered for equally, it is not their responsibility to help individuals who cannot complete the day's activities unaided. Please refer to the physical ratings in this Trip Details document for more information.
Itinerary Disclaimer | While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.
Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
This trip is operated by Gap Adventures.
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