"Uganda - home to the endangered mountain gorilla." - National Parks in which we operate Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

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"Uganda - home to the endangered mountain gorilla." - National Parks in which we operate Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Uganda Country Guide

              “Uganda - home to the endangered
                    mountain gorilla.”
                       National Parks in which we operate
                       Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
"Uganda - home to the endangered mountain gorilla." - National Parks in which we operate Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Introduction to Uganda
Uganda inspires fierce loyalty amongst those fortunate enough to have been there,
and with good reason. Uganda safaris offer a great diversity of wildlife, people and
landscapes, placing Uganda safaris amongst the richest experiences Africa has to
offer.

The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest located in the South West of the country is
characterised by thick tropical rainforest, often shrouded in mist, and is regarded as
one of the most biologically diverse forests of Africa. At an altitude of between 1,000
metres and 2,600 metres, it is a true rainforest with 1,500mm of rainfall per annum.

The Bwindi Impenetrable
National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
is renowned for its mountain gorillas
and moreover the incredible privilege
of being able to track them. Over half
(some 320 mountain gorillas) of the
world’s population of mountain gorillas
live within Bwindi’s forests.

There are three gorilla groups in
Buhoma, Northern Bwindi. These are
the Mubare Group (M), the Habinyanja
Group (H), and the Rushegura Group
(R). The Bitukura Group (B) is situated
in Ruhija which is a two hour road
transfer from Buhoma.
"Uganda - home to the endangered mountain gorilla." - National Parks in which we operate Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
UGANDA
                                                                                     General information
                                                                                     Time zone GMT +3 hours.

                                                                                     Capital city Kampala

                                                                                     Population Estimated 32 million

                                                                                     Currency The local currency is the Uganda Shil-
                                                                                     ling - Ugs. Currency can be exchanged at major
                                                                                     banks and in hotels. Travellers’ cheques are not
                                                                                     a convenient mode of payment in Uganda.

                      Lake
                                                                                     Credit cards MasterCard and Visa are accepted
                      Albert                                                         in Kampala and ATM machines are available in
                                                                                     the capital Kampala. We suggest you carry suf-
                                                                                     ficient local currency and additional US dollars
                                                                                     to cover the cost of any additional purchases.
                                                                                     At Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp we accept
                            1       Kajjansi
                                                     Kampala                         Visa, MasterCard or Amex, as well as cash and
                                                                                     travellers cheques. We do not accept Diners
                                               Entebbe                               card.

 SANCTUARY
  GORILLA
FOREST CAMP                     2
                                                          Lake
                                                         Victoria   Flying times
      Bwindi Impenetrable
         National Park
                                                                    1   Kajjansi to Kayonza/ Ishasha Airstrip                       1 hr 40 mins
                                                                    2   Entebbe to Kayonza/ Ishasha Airstrip                        1 hr 40 mins

                                                                    Road transfers
                                                                    Kayonza Airstrip to Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp               40 mins
                                                                    Ishasha Airstrip* to Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp              2 hrs
                                                                    Kampala to Bwindi                                               10 hrs
                                                                    Kigali (Rwanda) to Bwindi                                       6 hrs
                                                                    * Mainly groups
"Uganda - home to the endangered mountain gorilla." - National Parks in which we operate Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
KAMPALA AVERAGE MAX TEMPERATURE IN ˚C                                  What to pack                                   or memory cards to counter this. Also         Baggage Restrictions
            DAY         NIGHT                                                                                               make sure you are completely familiar
 40
                                                                             For the gorilla track                          with the workings of your camera              • A maximum of 12.5kgs of luggage per person is
 30                                                                          • It often rains heavily, even in the dry     before you observe the gorillas.                  allowed for light aircraft flights, including hand
                                                                                season, so a light raincoat will be                                                           luggage and camera equipment. It is important
 20
                                                                                useful                                                                                        that you carry soft-sided bags.
 10                                                                          • Sturdy walking boots with good             For the Camp                                   • It is highly recommended that you lock your
                                                                                ankle support and grip are also            • Evening dress is ‘smart casual’, there         luggage with a secure padlock. It is also advisable
  5
                                                                                recommended                                   is no formal wear required. We advise          that you do NOT pack valuable items in your
  0                                                                                                                           guests to dress in a way they feel most        checked luggage.
       JAN   FEB MAR APR MAY JUN            JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
                                                                             • A light shoulder bag or small rucksack
      AVERAGE MONTHLY RAINFALL (MM)                                             is useful to carry your packed lunch,         comfortable.
       72    86   163     258   252   117   76   77   76   103   142   119      water bottles, raincoat, camera and        • The altitude at Bwindi is just over a
                                                                                other essentials. Local porters are also      mile high. Evenings can get chilly, so it
      AVERAGE DAILY HOURS SUNLIGHT
                                                                                                                                                                          Laundry service
       5      6    5      4     4     6     6    5    5     5     5    4        available.                                    is advisable to carry a sweater. For the
                                                                             • Strong gloves are of enormous help,           daytime, light clothes usually suffice.     • We offer a complimentary overnight laundry
                                                                                as you will be hauling yourself uphill                                                       service in Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp. Please
                                                                                by grabbing the bushes, and often                                                            speak with a member of the camp staff who will
Gorilla Permits                                                                 sliding downhill on the seat of your                                                         be happy to assist you.
                                                                                pants
A permit must be obtained in advance in order                                • During the track, wearing a pair of        Uganda’s seasons
to track one of the habituated mountain gorilla                                 walking trousers or gaiters will prevent
families in Bwindi.                                                             cuts and scratches.                        There are three main seasons in
                                                                             • Carry a water-proof plastic bag to         Uganda:
A one day tracking permit is currently priced at
                                                                                wrap your camera and film or memory        • December through March
US $500 per person and these remain valid until
                                                                                cards in                                     This is the hot season
30 June 2013. A member of our team can buy
your permit directly from the Ugandan Wildlife                               • Flash photography is strictly              • April and May
Authority office in cash, please contact us for                                 prohibited as this may upset the            The rains begin
more details. Please note only children aged 15                                 gorillas. Make sure you bring ample        • June through November
and above are eligible to trek with gorillas.                                   supplies of high-speed film (400 ASA          This is the cooler season
                                                                                minimum or 800 ASA recommended)
"Uganda - home to the endangered mountain gorilla." - National Parks in which we operate Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Communication
• The international country code for
   Uganda is +256.
• The mobile phone service in Uganda
   is rather unreliable and signal
   coverage in rural areas does vary.

Electricity
• Electricity in Uganda is 240 Volts. If
   your appliance is not designed for 240
   Volts, you can use the adapters that
   provided at Sanctuary Gorilla Forest
   Camp.
• Electrical sockets used in Uganda
   are the same 3-pin plug used in the
   United Kingdom.

Internet
• Complimentary wireless internet
   access is available for all guests in the
   main areas of Sanctuary Gorilla Forest
   Camp.
"Uganda - home to the endangered mountain gorilla." - National Parks in which we operate Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Passport and Visa Information
• Foreign visitors must pay for a visa
   to enter Uganda. Please visit http://
   www.uganda.visahq.com for a full list
   of nationalities which require visas for
   entry into Uganda.
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate
   required.
• Valid passport and completed immi-
   gration visa form.

The cost of your visa will be:
• US$ 50 for single entry/ US$ 200 for
   multiple entry valid for six months.

 Health precautions

• We advise all travellers to take
   precautions against malaria and we
   recommend speaking with your GP or
   personal physician four to six weeks
   before departure.

• You must ensure all appropriate vac-
   cinations are up-to-date.
"Uganda - home to the endangered mountain gorilla." - National Parks in which we operate Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Tipping and gratuities guide
If you enjoyed your stay with us the
guidelines below can be used as a
reference. Tipping is a very personal
matter and it is not included for staff at
our lodges and camps.

Drivers and Guides
US$ 8.00 per person per half day tour
US$ 12.00 per person per full day tour

Rangers and Trackers
Ranger – US$ 15.00 per person per day
Tracker – US$ 8.00 per person per day

General Lodge and Camp Staff
This is at your discretion, but we advise
US$12.00 per person per day and this
will be divided amongst the staff.

                                                              Contact details for Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp in Uganda
                                              Tel: +254 (0)20 248 7374 • Fax: +254 (0)20 695 0320 Email: uganda@sanctuaryretreats.com

                                             This country guide is intended for advice only, and while every care has been taken to ensure that the descriptions, facts or opinions are accurate, please ensure
                                                                   you make your own enquiries before travelling. Passports, visas and travel insurance are the traveller’s responsibility.
"Uganda - home to the endangered mountain gorilla." - National Parks in which we operate Bwindi Impenetrable National Park "Uganda - home to the endangered mountain gorilla." - National Parks in which we operate Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
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