Questions.

For gorilla trekking in the drier months, three to six months ahead is safest because permits are limited. For other safaris, two to three months is usually enough. We can sometimes arrange trips at short notice, so ask anyway.

Yes, all of them. The journeys on our site are starting points. Most of what we plan ends up different, with more or fewer days, other lodges or another country added.

No. Every journey is private, for you and the people you choose to travel with. That means your own vehicle, your own guide and your own pace.

We focus on everything from the moment you land. We can advise on routes and timings, and we book domestic and regional flights within East Africa.

It depends on the season, the lodges, the permits and how many people travel. We send an itemised quote so you can see exactly where the money goes. Our guide What a safari costs, and why explains the main factors.

A deposit confirms your booking, permits are paid when you book, and the balance is due before you travel. You can pay by bank transfer, card or mobile money. The details are in our booking and payment terms.

Tell us in writing as soon as you can. Charges depend on how close to departure you cancel, and permits cannot be refunded. We always try to move your dates first. Travel insurance can cover cancellation charges.

Reasonably fit. Treks follow steep, muddy forest paths and can take anything from one hour to most of the day. A porter can carry your bag and help you on the steep parts, and we tell the park about any limits in advance.

Yes. Gorilla trekking is for people aged 15 and over. Chimpanzee tracking also has an age limit. For families with younger children we plan safaris, boat trips and time on the lakes instead.

Keep a distance of about seven metres, speak quietly, do not eat or drink near them, and do not use flash. If you are unwell on the day, the rangers can stop you from trekking, because gorillas catch human illnesses.

The standard trek gives you one hour with a relaxed family. The habituation experience in Bwindi gives you several hours with a family still getting used to people, with a smaller group and a harder day. Read our comparison.

A yellow fever certificate is required to enter Uganda. Speak to a travel clinic about other vaccinations and malaria prevention well before you go.

The places we send people are well established for visitors, and your guide is with you throughout. We watch official travel advice and will tell you if anything affects your plans.

Your guide carries a phone and a first aid kit, and our office can be reached at any time while you are travelling. Air evacuation cover is included for the time you are with us, on top of your own travel insurance.

Most visitors do. Uganda and Rwanda have online e-visas, and the East Africa Tourist Visa covers Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya on one application. See travel info for more.

Bring some US dollars, printed 2013 or later and in good condition, for tips and small purchases. Cards work in cities and larger hotels, but not everywhere in the parks.

In towns, yes. In the parks, coverage is patchy. A local SIM card is cheap and easy to buy at the airport, and most lodges have Wi-Fi.

Yes. Kampala, Entebbe and Kigali all have courses close to the start or end of most journeys, so a round or two fits easily. See golf and sport.

If you are playing several rounds, yes. Tell your airline in advance. For one or two rounds, we can arrange hire at most clubs.