Magic Safaris - FAQ - Uganda - Booking your safari

Your safari will most probably include gorilla and chimpanzee trekking. Both activities are in high demand!
For the scheduled safaris (camping and lodge) we buy the permits more than a year in advance. This means that when booking a scheduled safari your gorilla and chimpanzee permits are guaranteed! Scheduled safaris are not necessary small group safaris, we organize them also for private safaris.
The availability of our scheduled safaris are published on our web site in the "news" section.
If you can’t take one of our scheduled safaris we recommend that you book in time to avoid disappointment. When booking for the high season (Dec/Jan/Feb and July/August/September) it might be necessary to book at least 6 months in advance. Please note that gorilla and chimpanzee permits need to be booked and paid for at the same time!

We advise our clients to have their short gorilla safaris in Rwanda because they are cheaper and easier to organize. The travel time from Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable NP is about 10 hours drive while in Rwanda it's only 2h30.(Transport cost are much higher). Secondly Bwindi gorilla permits are more difficult to book unless you book and pay for them 6 months in adavance. Occasionally we accept short gorilla safaris when we have unsold gorilla permits. (See Bwindi gorilla express package)

Single travellers may join one of our small group safaris.

Uganda: The Classic Uganda safari and its extensions are programmed the whole year round. This is a luxury mobile camping safari with set departures guaranteed from 2 participants.
New! The Uganda Discovery is a small group safari with Lodge accommodation. Departure is guaranteed from 4 participants). (For more information see the scheduled safaris of the Uganda section on our web site)
Rwanda: The Classic Rwanda safari with guest house and hotel accommodation. The set departures are also guaranteed from 2 participants. (For more information see the scheduled safaris on the Rwanda section of our web site)

We take care of your dietary needs, we however request you to let us know in advance.
Lodge safaris: Our Operations Manager will make the necessary arrangements with the different lodges in your itinerary. Lodges will usualy confirm the arrangements. Make sure that your driver-guide contacts the reception on arrival at the lodge.
Camping Safaris: Our Operations Manager will make the arrangements with our Cook and make sure that he has the necessary supplies on safari.

Sure, you are completely free to make your flight arrangements! Our concern is to have you with us on safari and if you so wish, our ticketing department will assist you to find the best arrangements. Some flights are cheaper when booked in US or Europe and prices may vary. Generally flights are subject to some changes depending on the time of booking, the availability, and season, etc. However we insist that you have have confirmed flights at the time of the booking! Our safaris connect perfectly with most international flights!

All clients must have an adequate insurance for the duration of the tour. It's the responsibility of the Agent/Client (see our General Terms and Conditions);but if you need any assistance, we can provide you with a WLC Inbound Travellers Insurance covering medical assistance and expenses, emergency transportation and/or repatriation.This insurance is provided by American International Group of companies(AIG), the biggest insurance Company in the World.

This is a difficult question because Uganda has a variety of climates featuring a combination of mountains, semi-desert, rainforest and savannanh. Generally Uganda has very nice weather; year-round sunshine and comfortable temperatures. Temperatures average 22°C in most parts of the country with rainfall of about 1,250 millimeters throughout the year. The area within an 80 kilometre radius of Lake Victoria has more rain, but in general there are two rainy seasons from mid-March to the beginning of June and from the end of September to December. Rains start and disappear also gradually after a peak raining month (April & November). However climate is changing in East-Africa and we have had significantly less rain in the last couple of years which caused some serious drought problems (water level of Lake Victoria and its rivers, famine, powercuts, etc.) It became very difficult to predict the weather and seasons. If you don't mind to have a shower once in a while you can travel during the whole year avoiding April and November which are peak raining months.

In order make your booking and to establish your booking confirmation we need: full names of all participants as they appear on the passports, your postal address and confirmed flights.
After receiving your booking confirmation we will ask you to fill in the inscription form and to send us a copy of your passport as per Uganda Wildlife Authority regulations.
If you make a Rwanda extension you may need to fill in the visa forms attached on your booking confirmation. We will make the necessary arrangements for you.

The booking confirmation is a form that we will send you by Email after receiving your booking. It is a document with all the details of our agreement. It will be used as the legal reference between parties together with the inscription form and our general terms and conditions.
We ask you to ensure that all facts are clear and forward all remarks within a delay of 72 hours. After this delay the booking confirmation will be considered as accepted and the booking made.
After receiving the booking confirmation we expect you to send us within 15 days your inscription form and to make your advanced payment (deposit).

Yes, we provide references.

About Magic Safaris ...

Magic Safaris is an official registered trade mark of Concord International Travel Bureau Ltd established in Uganda with a affiliated company in Rwanda. We are organized in 2 departments: Concord Travel (ticketing & travel) and Magic Safaris (tours & safaris). We are licensed by the Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry. In Uganda we are an official IATA (International Air Transport Association) Agency under the BPS (Billing Settlement Plan), member of AUTO (Association of Uganda Tour Operators) and TUGATA (The Uganda Association of Travel Agents).

Contacts:

Tourism Uganda: Magic Safaris is a licensed Tour Operator by the Ministry of Tourism and you can contact Tourism Uganda (former Uganda Tourism Board):

Tel +256 (41) 342196/7 - Fax +256 (41) 342188
Email: utb@visituganda.com

AUTO: Magic Safaris is a full member of AUTO (Association of Uganda Tour Operators) and listed on the official web site.
You can contact members of the committee directly by completing the online feedback form.

Tel: +256 41 542599 - Fax +256 41 230254
Email: auto@utlonline.co.ug
Web site: http://www.auto.or.ug/

Recent Clients: We provide references of recent clients but this can take a few days. As a policy we protect the privacy of our customers and we will always ask them first.

Tour Operators: We have a network of Tour Operators in Africa, Europe and USA. Please contact us we will be glad to provide them to you.

Public Holidays: Both Muslim and Christian holidays are celebrated.

New Years Day- 1st Jan
Good Friday- variable
Easter Monday- variable
NRM Anniversary Day- 26th Jan
International Women's Day- 8th Mar
Labor Day- 1st May
Uganda Martyr's Day- 3rd Jun
National Hero's Day- 9th Jun
Independence Day- 9th Oct
Christmas Day- 25th Dec
Boxing Day- 26th Dec
Idd-el-Fitr- variable
Iddi Adhuha- variable