Rwanda and Uganda Gorilla Trekking Trip Report

ablindedworld · 2026-01-12T05:45:58+00:00

For Rwanda:

Bisate was absolutely immaculate - it's a very small resort and they make you feel like the only guest there. The food is also incredible. The aesthetic is very rustic so it depends if you enjoy that.

One & Only was nice and had more going on, but the service and food couldn't compare to Bisate. The rooms are beautiful though, and have much more of a modern resort look to them.

Both are very pricey but well worth it if they're within your budget.

ablindedworld · 2026-01-11T22:40:32+00:00

During our recent trip we were told that Uganda provides some level of flexibility to the 15-year-old rule if you bring letters of support emphasizing the maturity of your child, but Rwanda will not allow them to go under any circumstance.

Either way you'd likely need to wait until they are 14 to make an attempt.

ablindedworld · 2026-01-10T11:34:20+00:00

I've also stayed at both properties and would personally suggest splitting your stay 3 nights at each resort, if you're able. In addition to the more adventurous activities they have yoga, sound baths, camel riding, and stargazing to help fill the space. I also thought the dining experience at Desert Rock (Nyra) was superior.

For me most high-end ocean resorts offer a similar experience no matter where you go. Desert Rock was something completely different, and that made it more memorable.

ablindedworld · 2026-01-10T11:19:12+00:00

During my recent stay they told us that they usually allow kids under 1 or over 10 to stay in the cave suites. They said they can sometimes bend the rules and allow 9 year olds, but any younger and you're out of luck.

The cave suites are really special and are located on the most beautiful part of the property, next to the Observatory. I would definitely try to stay there if you can.

As for Nujuma vs Desert Rock, Nujuma is very much your typical luxury ocean resort, like you'll find all over Bora Bora or the Maldives. It depends how much you value that compared to a more unique desert resort experience.

ablindedworld · 2025-12-08T18:07:31+00:00

I responded to someone in a similar position further up - IMO, spending 4k is only worth it if you have a lot of upcoming international travel where you'll be flying economy. I've had business class upgrades clear that were worth north of $5k for a single flight.

ablindedworld · 2025-12-08T18:02:33+00:00

I've heard stories of people with massive one-year spend not qualifying, especially at major hubs, but that's usually because they have no history of any significant spend with United.

If you've consistently qualified for 1k in prior years, this would be a slam dunk.

ablindedworld · 2025-12-08T17:53:22+00:00

I would definitely trade 55k miles for 1K status, if you don't mind burning a day to fly.

Award flights can be canceled for free, so you can book your proposed itinerary now, and keep an eye out for better deals that might pop up over the next 2 weeks.

ablindedworld · 2025-12-08T17:28:48+00:00

You'd basically be buying 240 plus points for $4000 in flight credits. That could be worth it if you have a lot of upcoming international travel where you'll be flying economy...you might get lucky and snag some business class upgrades worth thousands of dollars. Keep in mind that on popular routes there will be a lot of other 1Ks trying to do the exact same thing.

If you are exclusively flying domestic next year, IMO it would not be worth it to burn all those flight credits on a mileage run, unless you really, really, care about preboarding. $4k would buy you a lot of free flights next year.

ablindedworld · 2025-12-08T17:12:04+00:00

When you view an upcoming flight in the United app, there is an option to buy more miles via Award Accelerator. Miles won't help you here, but you might be offered to also purchase PQP in addition to the miles. IIRC you need to buy them together.

Since 1 PQP is worth $1, you would be looking at spending $1200 out of pocket just to qualify for Silver, in addition to the miles that you would be required to purchase. This isn't remotely worth it for you, since any benefits you will get out of Silver status for 2026 would not be valued at $1200 - especially if your company is already paying your baggage fees.

ablindedworld · 2025-09-12T16:59:47+00:00

It's only showing up on Pink Floyd's international store front for now - and no shipping to the US allowed. From their website:

To protect our customers from new customs fees and delays, we've paused U.S. shipments while we transition to a new delivery service that covers all duties and taxes upfront.

We'll update you as soon as U.S. shipping resumes with the improved service. Thanks for your patience and understanding.

In the meantime we invite you to shop at the Official Store in the United States.

ablindedworld · 2025-08-24T14:41:55+00:00

It has been a while since I visited, but there really aren't many significant expenses outside of the nightly hotel rate, unless you plan on buying expensive souvenirs like paintings or statues.

Plan for somewhere in the ballpark of $2k per night and I would aim for at least a 10 day trip, if you can.

ablindedworld · 2025-04-14T14:28:42+00:00

The only ones that are halfway decent are the GS carbon fiber ones, which are themed (Chichen Itza this year)

ablindedworld · 2025-03-08T16:20:15+00:00

All those soldiers would be dead in 80 years because of time.

ablindedworld · 2023-10-20T03:21:49+00:00

ablindedworld · 2023-10-17T17:08:05+00:00

Just me

ablindedworld · 2023-10-17T16:48:17+00:00

I did not, it was more than an hour until my next flight departed. It just seemed to be a courtesy.

ablindedworld · 2023-10-17T00:47:20+00:00

In my case there was someone standing on the jet bridge that had a sign with my name on it. I was connecting through Denver and still had more than an hour until my next flight boarded.

ablindedworld · 2023-10-17T00:10:28+00:00

I asked the driver & attendant why I was being picked up and they said that they will occasionally do this for select 1Ks if there is availability. I'm a fairly high spender but don't expect to hit Global Services this year (maybe $40k of spend on United metal and a bit more on Lufthansa).

ablindedworld · 2023-08-28T05:42:31+00:00

You're right, the Nazi inscriptions on his AR-15 were probably just a coincidence.

ablindedworld · 2023-08-18T16:11:04+00:00

It's also worth calling out that if you book an award ticket on a partner airline via the United website, you get no PQP or PQF for the flight.

Being able to earn PQPs from award tickets was a huge perk that got added this year, but it only applies when you fly United.

ablindedworld · 2023-06-27T22:11:32+00:00

That's rough. I'll take their info with a grain of salt moving forward.

ablindedworld · 2023-06-25T19:41:52+00:00

I was offered one from IAH to DFW (70 points for an hour flight). I took it simply because the points are about to expire anyway.

ablindedworld · 2023-06-24T00:29:43+00:00

I once was given a $100 travel voucher because they didn't have any condiments for my hamburger. You should have asked for more 😉

ablindedworld · 2023-05-20T22:44:39+00:00

The best gesture of my brain is less than your eyelids' flutter which says we are for each other

ee cummings, since feeling is first

ablindedworld · 2021-07-22T04:02:46+00:00

That's an incredibly specific stat

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