Overview
Safari Consultants was the largest single expenditure. Based in the UK, they booked all of our trip inside Africa and we paid them one amount. This was paid in four installments, stretching from September 2019 to December 2021 (due to two Covid related postponements). We had one extra excursion scheduled for Entebbe, but that was nixed with the advent of Covid, as we wanted to limit possible exposure beyond our core itinerary. Their charge included the following:
- Two non-contiguous nights at Boma Hotel in Entebbe, breakfast included
- 3 nights in Volcano Bwindi Lodge in an upgraded deluxe banda, all meals and drinks included and a personal Range Rover with a personal driver included.
- 4 nights in Serian, The Original with all meals and drinks included and a personal Land Cruiser with personal guide and driver
- Covid testing in Serian
- $3200 worth of Gorilla Permits in Uganda (2 days for 2 people at $800 per person per day)
- 4 light aircraft flights in Africa between Bwindi, Entebbe, Mara North, and Nairobi
- All taxi’s to hotels and between airports in Nairobi
What was NOT included in Safari Consultants fee was:
- International flights to/from Africa
- Two dinners at Boma Hotel in Entebbe
- Tips for service rendered within Africa (based upon the quality of service)
- Covid tests in Bwindi required to enter Kenya
- Souvenirs
The biggest savings we realized was on the business class international flights on Qatar. Through the generosity of our daughter and son-in-law, we were given 440,000 Amex points (he runs his construction business using Amex). So, with $200 to Points Pro and $740 plus the 440,000 Amex points, we booked our flights via Amex Travel. Due to schedule changes by Qatar and required re-booking, we found that the value of the flights was $7348, meaning we saved about $6400 on our international travel.
While a great deal could be saved by flying economy, we have reached the point in our lives and in the duration of these flights (18-20 hrs of flying time each way for JFK to Entebbe/Nairobi) that business class is a requirement.
We purchase trip insurance, which we felt was essential and we also purchased Amref Flying Doctors coverage for medical evacuation coverage.
The biggest waste of money was Sleep-N-Fly in Doha airport. We should have paid the extra and gotten a room in Orxy Hotel that was also in the airport.
Costs by Category
| Category | Amount |
| Business Class Flights | $939.69 |
| Safari Consultants (for all Africa portions) | $19,720.00 |
| Tin Leg Travel Insurance | $1,781.00 |
| Vaccinations prior to departure (Yellow Fever, Hepatitis, etc) | $200.00 |
| Tips | $1,192.00 |
| Food (2 dinners at Boma Hotel) | $95.90 |
| Extras at Bwindi Lodge (massages & wine) | $85.00 |
| Covid testing in Bwindi | $110.00 |
| Sleep-N-Fly Doha | $345.00 |
| Amref Flying Doctor | $210.00 |
| East African Visa | $206.00 |
| Souvenirs | $140.00 |
| Parking JFK | $273.97 |
| Cell Phone Service | $200.00 |
| Grand Total | $ 25,498.56 |