
The next mission will be Oct. 27 - Nov.6 2023
Join us now! Maximum of 25 Volunteers
Gorilla Trekking and Whitewater Rafting on the Nile are Mission Highlights
Uganda is one of the few places in the world where you can spend the afternoon with a habituated gorilla family.
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This activity may look treacherous but Class V rafting on the Nile is safe due to the depth of water and it's warmth.
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Itinerary for October 2023
Fri. Oct. 27: Depart your home country.
Sat. Oct. 28: Arrive at Entebbe Airport . Gary your driver will meet and transport you to the historic Speke Hotel in Kampala where you will spend the night.
Sun. Oct 29 : Isaac our Abayudaya driver and personal attendant will pick us up at the Speke Hotel for the morning drive to Mbale. Depending on traffic and road conditions we have a 2 hour drive to the town of Jinja for a bathroom break and snack as we cross the Nile River. We continue for another 2 1/2 hours to Mbale town where we have lunch at the Abayudaya Guesthouse in Nabugoye Village and then set up our mobile clinic. Afterwards we check in at the Mt. Elgon Resort Hotel. Enjoy the pool, get a massage, or just relax.
Mon. Oct. 30 - Thurs. Nov. 2 : Early morning drive (10 minutes) to Nabaguye village for an all day dental clinic with an authentic Uganda lunch prepared by Rachel in the Abayudaya Guesthouse.
Fri. Nov. 3 : Morning dental clinic. After lunch we pack up our equipment and head back to the hotel. We return to the village in the evening for a short Welcoming Service where where we are honored by the community. Dinner is at the home of Gershom Sizomu, former Member of Parliament.
Sat. Nov. 4 : Drive to Sipi Falls for hikes to the waterfalls and optional rappelling down the cliffs of the waterfalls. Lunch at beautiful Sipi Lodge Our guide Patrick escorts us to his family's mountain village overlooking Sipi Valley with a "billion dollar view"... Or option to attend a service at the local mosque with Dr. Masaba... Or at the the Seventh Day Adventist Church with clinical instructor Dr. Ivan Ssejjoba... Or attend a Shabbat service at the synagogue in Nabugoye Village. Afterwards in Nabugoye there is a communal meal of roasted goat and sheep supplemented by Uganda local dishes. For the pedestrians in the group, you are welcome to freely roam the village and visit with the individual families who reside in this remote rainforest of eastern Uganda. Community elder Yekholam will gladly give you a tour of his family "compound". As a subsistence farmer he grows coffee, various crops and tends cattle. You will see and be able to enter the mud hut and thatched roof dwellings right out of the pages of National Geographic. You will be hard pressed to find more primitive living conditions anywhere else in the world. If you would prefer some downtime, you can alternatively enjoy R&R at the hotel or do some shopping and sightseeing in downtown Mbale.
Sun. Nov.5 : Rise early for the drive back to Entebbe. If you are continuing with a Whitewater Nile Rafting Trip, Fly-in Safari or Fly-in Gorilla Trek, you will spend the night at the Best Western Hotel in Entebbe for pickup the next morning by The Gorilla Safari Company. If you are continuing elsewhere or ending your trip, you will be dropped off at Entebbe Airport for all your connections.
Mon. Nov 6: Arrive back in your home country.
Participation Fees:
Program Fee for 8 nights and 9 days on mission. All fees are shared occupancy. Single supplement is $325
Dentists and Medical Doctors pay a program fee of $2800 (includes a $400 fee for a Uganda dental/ medical license including malpractice insurance good for the whole calendar year.)
Non-Medical Personnel, Teachers, Dental Hygienists, Dental/ Medical Assistants, Nurses pay a program fee of $2,300
Dental students and University students pay a program fee of $2100
Volunteers under 18 lodging with parents are free
The program fee includes all lodging all transfers and ground transportation, registration with Medical/Dental Council, permits from National Drug Authority and Customs, licensing, registration with the District Education Office, all supplies and equipment, all breakfasts and lunches during clinic days, insurance, malpractice insurance, emergency evacuation insurance, excursion to Sipi Falls, and Fri. evening dinner at home of former Uganda Member of Parliament, Gershom Sizomu.
It does not include a Uganda visa ($50) required for entry, vaccinations, cancellation insurance, lost baggage or flight delay insurance and some meals. (See below for meal schedule). Volunteers are also encouraged to supply their own personal protective equipment.
A Yellow Fever vaccination recorded on a WHO card is required for entry into Uganda along with malaria prophylaxis (malarone).
You are responsible for providing your own air transportation to arrive in Entebbe Airport on Saturday, Oct. 28. You are also responsible for your flight home departing from Entebbe Airport on the afternoon or evening of Nov. 5. Do not schedule a return flight before the late afternoon. If you elect to remain in Uganda or arrive early to participate in add-on activities your flight schedule will be coordinated with The Gorilla Safari Company or company of your choice..
Meal Schedule:
All breakfasts included
Saturday October 28 -(arrival) Lunch and dinner are not included.
Sunday October 29 - Lunch is included. Dinner is not included.
Monday October 30 - Lunch is included. Dinner is not included.
Tuesday October 31 - Lunch is included. Dinner is not included.
Wednesday November 1- Lunch is included. Dinner is not included.
Thursday November 2 - Lunch is included. Dinner is not included.
Friday Friday November 3 - Lunch is included. Dinner is included.
Saturday November 4 - Lunch is not included. Dinner is not included.
Sunday November 5 (departure) - Lunch and dinner are not included.
Monday November 6 - Arrive home.
Meals purchased in the hotel or restaurants typically run with tip and drink $8-$15
We dine in superb, safe, time-tested, restaurants. The Indian food is outrageous!
Trip Add-ons:
Rappelling at Sipi Falls: $50. All day Class V Whitewater Nile River Rafting: $120. Gorilla Trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, approx. $2800 and 3-Day Luxury Fly-in Safari at Murchison Falls National Park, approx. $2,600 are optional extras. (Prices vary according to seasons and itinerary.) The price includes all transportation, food and lodging for these activities.
Fri. Oct. 27: Depart your home country.
Sat. Oct. 28: Arrive at Entebbe Airport . Gary your driver will meet and transport you to the historic Speke Hotel in Kampala where you will spend the night.
Sun. Oct 29 : Isaac our Abayudaya driver and personal attendant will pick us up at the Speke Hotel for the morning drive to Mbale. Depending on traffic and road conditions we have a 2 hour drive to the town of Jinja for a bathroom break and snack as we cross the Nile River. We continue for another 2 1/2 hours to Mbale town where we have lunch at the Abayudaya Guesthouse in Nabugoye Village and then set up our mobile clinic. Afterwards we check in at the Mt. Elgon Resort Hotel. Enjoy the pool, get a massage, or just relax.
Mon. Oct. 30 - Thurs. Nov. 2 : Early morning drive (10 minutes) to Nabaguye village for an all day dental clinic with an authentic Uganda lunch prepared by Rachel in the Abayudaya Guesthouse.
Fri. Nov. 3 : Morning dental clinic. After lunch we pack up our equipment and head back to the hotel. We return to the village in the evening for a short Welcoming Service where where we are honored by the community. Dinner is at the home of Gershom Sizomu, former Member of Parliament.
Sat. Nov. 4 : Drive to Sipi Falls for hikes to the waterfalls and optional rappelling down the cliffs of the waterfalls. Lunch at beautiful Sipi Lodge Our guide Patrick escorts us to his family's mountain village overlooking Sipi Valley with a "billion dollar view"... Or option to attend a service at the local mosque with Dr. Masaba... Or at the the Seventh Day Adventist Church with clinical instructor Dr. Ivan Ssejjoba... Or attend a Shabbat service at the synagogue in Nabugoye Village. Afterwards in Nabugoye there is a communal meal of roasted goat and sheep supplemented by Uganda local dishes. For the pedestrians in the group, you are welcome to freely roam the village and visit with the individual families who reside in this remote rainforest of eastern Uganda. Community elder Yekholam will gladly give you a tour of his family "compound". As a subsistence farmer he grows coffee, various crops and tends cattle. You will see and be able to enter the mud hut and thatched roof dwellings right out of the pages of National Geographic. You will be hard pressed to find more primitive living conditions anywhere else in the world. If you would prefer some downtime, you can alternatively enjoy R&R at the hotel or do some shopping and sightseeing in downtown Mbale.
Sun. Nov.5 : Rise early for the drive back to Entebbe. If you are continuing with a Whitewater Nile Rafting Trip, Fly-in Safari or Fly-in Gorilla Trek, you will spend the night at the Best Western Hotel in Entebbe for pickup the next morning by The Gorilla Safari Company. If you are continuing elsewhere or ending your trip, you will be dropped off at Entebbe Airport for all your connections.
Mon. Nov 6: Arrive back in your home country.
Participation Fees:
Program Fee for 8 nights and 9 days on mission. All fees are shared occupancy. Single supplement is $325
Dentists and Medical Doctors pay a program fee of $2800 (includes a $400 fee for a Uganda dental/ medical license including malpractice insurance good for the whole calendar year.)
Non-Medical Personnel, Teachers, Dental Hygienists, Dental/ Medical Assistants, Nurses pay a program fee of $2,300
Dental students and University students pay a program fee of $2100
Volunteers under 18 lodging with parents are free
The program fee includes all lodging all transfers and ground transportation, registration with Medical/Dental Council, permits from National Drug Authority and Customs, licensing, registration with the District Education Office, all supplies and equipment, all breakfasts and lunches during clinic days, insurance, malpractice insurance, emergency evacuation insurance, excursion to Sipi Falls, and Fri. evening dinner at home of former Uganda Member of Parliament, Gershom Sizomu.
It does not include a Uganda visa ($50) required for entry, vaccinations, cancellation insurance, lost baggage or flight delay insurance and some meals. (See below for meal schedule). Volunteers are also encouraged to supply their own personal protective equipment.
A Yellow Fever vaccination recorded on a WHO card is required for entry into Uganda along with malaria prophylaxis (malarone).
You are responsible for providing your own air transportation to arrive in Entebbe Airport on Saturday, Oct. 28. You are also responsible for your flight home departing from Entebbe Airport on the afternoon or evening of Nov. 5. Do not schedule a return flight before the late afternoon. If you elect to remain in Uganda or arrive early to participate in add-on activities your flight schedule will be coordinated with The Gorilla Safari Company or company of your choice..
Meal Schedule:
All breakfasts included
Saturday October 28 -(arrival) Lunch and dinner are not included.
Sunday October 29 - Lunch is included. Dinner is not included.
Monday October 30 - Lunch is included. Dinner is not included.
Tuesday October 31 - Lunch is included. Dinner is not included.
Wednesday November 1- Lunch is included. Dinner is not included.
Thursday November 2 - Lunch is included. Dinner is not included.
Friday Friday November 3 - Lunch is included. Dinner is included.
Saturday November 4 - Lunch is not included. Dinner is not included.
Sunday November 5 (departure) - Lunch and dinner are not included.
Monday November 6 - Arrive home.
Meals purchased in the hotel or restaurants typically run with tip and drink $8-$15
We dine in superb, safe, time-tested, restaurants. The Indian food is outrageous!
Trip Add-ons:
Rappelling at Sipi Falls: $50. All day Class V Whitewater Nile River Rafting: $120. Gorilla Trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, approx. $2800 and 3-Day Luxury Fly-in Safari at Murchison Falls National Park, approx. $2,600 are optional extras. (Prices vary according to seasons and itinerary.) The price includes all transportation, food and lodging for these activities.
Explore! Experience! Interact!

Some suggested readings:
Dark Star Safari
The Last Train to Zona Verde
The Lower River
The Unheard
Blood River
Dark Star Safari
The Last Train to Zona Verde
The Lower River
The Unheard
Blood River