Close Animal Encounters

Jones Adventures

We are beginning the planning of our next African adventure and welcome your interest and thoughts. If you have interest in joining us, please email us using the link below.
keith@jonesadventures.com

African Safari & Gorilla Encounter Uganda

This is a budget minded fully guided tour featuring clean and secure accommodations and wildlife viewing in three wildlife parks.
This safari takes you into the heart of Africa. Many nations in Africa recognize that tourism is a way for their country to help infuse money directly into the poorest parts of their economy. Because the safari’s take place in wilderness settings the villagers who live near these wild animal parks benefit tremendously from jobs and from the money tourism generates. The long time practice for safari’s has been to have seemingly lavish accommodations with outlandish prices attached.
We break that old pattern by using a combination of safari tents and economical motel lodgings. Our safari tent accommodations are not air conditioned, but they are comfortable and they place you on safari in really good locations at a good price.

Itinerary for the 8 day Africa Safari and Gorilla Trek

Day #1:

Arrival day at Entebbe. We provide transfer from the airport to accommodations in Kampala upon your arrival. Accommodations tonight at the Red Chilli Hideaway, Kampala. Twin room with en suite bathroom.

Day #2:

Today we leave the Kampala area and travel to the Murchison Falls National Wildlife Park. Here we will observe wildlife in a combination of game drives, game walks and even a river cruise to observe the falls and wildlife including hippos and crocodiles. Accommodations tonight at the Red Chilli Rest Camp staying in twin safari tents. (B)

Day #3 & 4:

We continue our wildlife observations and encounters in Murchison Falls National Park. We expect to see hippos, buffalo, giraffe, antelope. Maybe a leopard and so much more. Accommodations at the Red Chilli Rest Camp. There is also an optional Nile River Wildlife Cruise available one day about 3 hour cruise.

Day #5:

We depart Murchison Fall Park and travel toward Bwindi National Park where we will do our gorilla trek and encounter. Tonight we stay near to the park in the village of Buhoma using their safari style tents with attached bathrooms. This is a convenient location very near the ranger station where we must get our morning orientation.(B)

Day 6:

This morning we arrive at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for an exciting day of Gorilla trekking. Those who do not want the expense of the gorilla permit will have a day to visit and explore the local village. Gorilla permit subject to availability. Accommodations again at the Buhoma Community Camp in twin safari tents with en suite bathrooms. (B)

Day #7:

We leave the Impenetrable Forest behind and travel toward Kampala. After a few hours drive we will stop and have time for one last game drive inside the Lake Mburo Wildlife Park. Here we will see savannah oriented wildlife that should include zebras and a number of different antelope. Lion and other predators are present as well. Our accommodations tonight are at the Sky Blue Motel in twin rooms with en suite bathroom facilities. (B)

Day #8:

Today is departure day. We will arrange your transfer to the Entebbe hotel airport. Drive time from Lake Mburo is approximately 3 to 5 hours strictly dependent on traffic and road conditions. You should arrange you outbound flight to suit an afternoon airport arrival. If your flight leaves before 6:00 p.m. we suggest you have us assist you with overnight accommodations in Entebbe so you can be sure to make your flight. (B)

For Reference here is our 2014 trip details

Trip Price: $4,777, Double occupancy, solo price add $350 Baja Jones plans to be along as the group trip leader. A qualified Ugandan driver - naturalist will accompany the group on all tour dates.

The 2014 trip took place in July and August (part of the dry season); please keep in mind that Uganda is located at the equator (passing through southern Uganda) so other than rainy and dry seasons the weather doesn't change drastically. The average annual temperature is about 26°C (78°F). Uganda's rainy seasons are generally from March untill May and October untill November. Dry seasons are from December to February and June to August.

Below is the itinerary we used on our 2014 trip. Of course we will be making some adjustments after this experience to make the best trip we can.

What was included in the 2014 trip:

  • Airport transfer at beginning of trip and return to the airport at the end of the trip.
  • Driver / Guide full time during the entire safari and gorilla trek. Vehicles for safari with pop top roof. Window seating for ALL participants.
  • Daily game drives as listed in the itinerary, lasting 3 or 4 hours except the travel days. Some travel days will also include game drives or walks. Depending on the particular situation of that day a second late afternoon game walk or game drive is possible.
  • Budget accommodations consisting of either 2 person safari style tents or motel style lodging, with motels having en suite bathrooms, while the tents do not have bathrooms attached to the safari style tent.
  • Breakfast is provided each day.
  • Purified drinking water either in bulk or individual bottles will be available while traveling in the vehicles and while on game drives.
Not Included:
  • Bwindi Impenetrable forest entry and gorilla permits which at this time are $500 USD per person per day. Gorilla permit subject to availability. One day is scheduled at the gorilla location.
  • Wildlife Park daily entry fees $35 per person, expected 5 or 6 days of entry fees.
  • Lunch, dinner and snacks. Meals can range in price from $2 or $3 up to $20 or $30 just as in your hometown. We will carry an ice chest when ice is available so we can keep drinks cold.
  • The only drink provided during the tour is purified water carried in the vehicle to use while traveling or while on game drives. Any other drinks are not included.
  • Tips are not included. Please read our separate note about tipping because on all African safaris tipping is an important factor that you need to plan for. The people you will be tipping count on this income.
  • Optional Nile River boat cruise while at Murchison Falls Camp. Cost about $45
  • Airfare to Entebbe, Uganda is not included. Current air ticket prices from North America are about $1,000 up.

What you should budget for on this trip:

  • Lunch and dinner can range from $7 to 25 per day simply depending on what you eat and how much you eat.
  • Park entry fees $35 X 6 = $210
  • Gorilla Trekking permit = $500 Some people may choose to not go on the gorilla trek, but rather to use the day to visit the local village
  • Optional Nile River Cruise – $45
  • Souvenirs and keepsakes – ?
  • Tips – $125 – $200.