Frequently Asked Questions about the Beth Am Congregation Trip to Uganda
Q: Who will lead the trip?
A: Rabbis Daniel and Miriam Burg from Beth Am Synagogue will travel with the group throughout the trip. They have both traveled to Uganda before and have valuable experience and wisdom to offer. Rabbi Gershom Sizomu, the spiritual leader of Uganda’s Abayudaya Jewish community, will welcome the group to the Abayudaya villages of Uganda and lead the visit for our visit with his community. Our primary Ugandan guide throughout our time in the country will be Paul Tamwenya, one of Uganda’s leading cultural and naturalist tourist guides, whose company will arrange all of the logistical details of our trip in partnership with Journeys International.
Q: How much time will we spend with the Abayudaya Jewish community?
A: The itinerary includes three full days with the Abayudaya, plenty of time to visit several villages, schools, and community institutions, learn about community rituals and traditions, prepare for Shabbat together, engage in Jewish learning together, and celebrate both Shabbat and Havdallah as a joint community.
Q: When is the deadline to sign up?
A:Registration goes live on April 21 for Beth Am Members and April 22 for Non-Members. Fill out the interest form on the website to be among the first to receive the live link. Spots will be filled on a rolling basis upon payment of the non-refundable deposit until the trip is full. The trip has a limited capacity and there has been a lot of interest so we recommend making your deposit as soon as possible. Registration will close on June 1, 2025, or when the trip is full.
Q: How many people can participate in the trip?
A: The program can accommodate 8-22 group members. If more people are interested, we will keep a waitlist.
Q: Can I get my own room?
A: You can reserve your own room throughout the trip for a “single supplement” charge of $620 for Part 1 and $1160 for combined Parts 1 + 2 of the trip. If you would prefer to share a room but don’t have a travel companion, we will be happy to try to match you with a compatible roommate.
Q: Can we have more than two people in a room?
A: Rooms at the hotels and lodges we will visit on this trip are designed for two guests, and it would be difficult to accommodate more than two people per room.
Q: Does the trip price include meals?
A: Most meals are included in the trip price. See the day-by-day itinerary to view which meals are included each day of the trip.
Q: Will all food on the trip be kosher?
A: Meals included with the group will be either kosher or vegetarian. At some meals we may encounter buffets with non-kosher meat, but there will be vegetarian options.
Q: What is included in the price of the trip?
A: The listed price includes hotels, all activities described in the itinerary, admission prices for everything listed, all meals, guides throughout the trip, and trip preparation materials. The price does not include international airfare, vaccines, border visas, travel insurance, gratuities, alcoholic beverages, hotel accommodations before the first day of the trip or on the final “departure” day of the trip, laundry, or any other personal or discretionary expenses.
Q: What additional expenses should I anticipate?
A: You can plan for the following expenses, per person beyond the group trip price:
- Airfare: $1100-1400
- Uganda Visa: $50
- Vaccines: $450 (depending on vaccines needed – consult your doctor and the CDC’s Uganda Traveler Health page)
- Travel insurance: $250-2100 (depends on age and trip duration)
- Tips for guides: $300-400
- Incidental costs: $150-250
- Souvenirs: discretionary
Q: How do I book my flights?
A: We will recommend a group flight itinerary for those who wish to fly together. If you prefer different flights, you may fly on any airline you choose, and arrive earlier or depart later than the group. Our air partners (Exito Travel) are available to help with flight booking, or you are free to book your own flights. If you wish to use airline miles to pay for your flights, you will need to handle the booking independently.
Q: How physically demanding will the trip be?
A: Part 1 of the trip is a level 2 out of 5 on the Journeys International activity scale. The trip includes walking tours on dirt roads and uneven paths, and long drives over bumpy roads. Chimpanzee trekking, specifically, comprises several hours of walking on muddy trails. Part 2 of the trip, however, is more difficult – a level 4 out of 5 – and good physical fitness is necessary. Mountain gorilla trekking can be very steep and very muddy. There may be several big ups and big downs through uncut jungle. Guides will distribute hiking sticks, and there are porters to support each traveler; they will literally push and pull you to get you up inclines, but your own significant exertion is also required.
Q: Is this trip appropriate for kids?
A: Part 1 of the trip, which includes the visit to the Abayudaya Jewish community, wildlife safaris, and chimpanzee trekking, is appropriate for participants age 12 and older. Part 2 of the trip includes gorilla tracking, which has a minimum age of 15.
Q: How safe is Uganda?
A: Journeys International travelers regularly visit Uganda without incident and they report feeling comfortable. The U.S. State Department advises that visitors to Uganda should take vigilant precautions and designates a Level 3 Travel Advisory. (Read Journeys International’s blog post on how to interpret a Travel Advisory.) Guides and group leaders will advise travelers on guidelines for safety during travel.
Q: Should I worry about Ebola in Uganda? What about Mpox
A: At this time the CDC is not advising travelers to stay home. We will monitor Ebola in Uganda as the trip approaches and take all responsible precautions to maintain group safety. Get more details from the CDC about traveler health when visiting Uganda.
Q: Do you recommend travel insurance?
A: Yes, definitely. Hopefully, you won’t need to make a claim; however, it covers a wide range of things that could come up that you wouldn’t want to pay for yourself. All of the following expenses should be covered by travel insurance if the need arises:
- Replacing items packed in lost or stolen luggage
- Costs during flight delays, or the cost of new flights if your original flight is canceled
- Expenses related to changes in plans or medical care because of illness during travel
- Recouping trip costs if you get sick immediately before departure
- Getting home because of an immediate family member’s health emergency
We will send a link to purchase TravelEx insurance after you register for the trip, but any brand you prefer is acceptable.
Q: I want to go, and I’m ready to sign up! How do I register?
A: To sign up, complete the interest form at the bottom of the main trip information page. The adventure specialist who is coordinating the trip at Journeys International (her name is Florine) will email you a personalized link to fill out a reservation form, pay the $1,500 deposit, and confirm your spot on the trip.
If you have additional questions, please contact Miriam Burg, Florine at Journeys International, or fill out the interest form here.
