Premium Rwanda & Gorillas of Uganda

6 Days | Encounter resilience and rare wildlife in Rwanda and Uganda.

4.5 out of 5 based on 21 reviews submitted.
Wildlife
From
AUD $8,765
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Come face to face with heartbreaking history and incredible wildlife on a 6-day Premium journey through Rwanda and Uganda. See sombre reminders of Kigali’s devastating past, watch local life play out on the streets and witness a beautiful country that's continuously striving to move forward. Enter the world of rare mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and spend a day tracking and observing these endearing creatures. This soul-stirring adventure won’t soon be forgotten.

Trip overview

Map of Premium Rwanda & Gorillas Of Uganda including Rwanda and Uganda
Start
Kigali, Rwanda
Finish
Kigali, Rwanda
Theme
Wildlife
Destinations
Uganda, Rwanda
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Premium
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
YGPU
This trip generates 76 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.
Premium accommodation
Premium experiences
Premium knowledge

Why you'll love this trip
  • With your gorilla permit included in the price of the trip, spend a day trekking (with an optional second) through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to get close to Uganda's rare mountain gorillas for an unforgettable hour.
  • Wake up to spectacular views of the forest canopy during a three-night stay at our feature stay, the Gorilla Heights Lodge in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
  • Join an intimate fireside chat with a field veterinarian from The Gorilla Doctors and discover how they are saving the species one gorilla patient at a time.
  • Take a closer look at Rwanda’s devastating history and the resilience of its people during a two-night stay at Kigali’s Hotel des Mille Collines, which famously sheltered more than 1000 people during the Genocide, plus visits to the Ntarama Church, the Nyamata Genocide Memorial Centre and the Genocide Museum
  • Sit down to dinner with a local park ranger, learning about life in the wilderness and their special relationships with the mountain gorillas. This is one dinner conversation you've likely never had before!
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Gorilla Doctors. Donations help them care for injured mountain and Grauer's gorillas – contributing to the long-term sustainability of gorilla populations.

Is this trip right for you?
  • Tracking gorillas in the dense forest can sometimes be wet, humid, muddy and uncomfortable. The terrain is by no means easy either, so it can be pretty strenuous walking. You need to be prepared and fit enough to walk up to 4 hours up and down hills (perhaps pack some gardening gloves to assist in any up-hill climbs). But the sheer thrill of coming across a habituated group of gorillas, dominated by a great male silverback, more than outweighs any difficulty.
  • The gorilla trek is a shared activity. You may be split into different groups according to fitness level, and be accompanied by other travellers on your trek. However there will only be a maximum of 8 people per gorilla family, plus a local Uganda Wildlife Ranger and trackers.

Itinerary

Map of Premium Rwanda & Gorillas Of Uganda including Rwanda and Uganda

Inclusions

Meals

5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners

Transport

4WD vehicle, Private Vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (2 night), Feature Stay Eco-Lodge (3 nights)

Premium Inclusions
  • Arrival airport transfer
  • Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
  • Luggage transfer
  • Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
  • 24/7 on-ground support
Activities
  • Kigali - Welcome Dinner
  • Kigali - Genocide Memorial Centre
  • Kigali - City Tour
  • Kigali - Traditional Ugandan Lunch
  • Bwindi - Gorilla Doctors Veterinarian Educational Talk
  • Bwindi National Park - Mountain Gorilla Permit & Trek
Add on activities
  • Bwindi Impenetrable Forrest - Nombe Forest Pocket (5-6hrs) - USD120
  • Bwindi Impenetrable Forrest - Trek To The Top of The World (2-3hrs) - USD50
  • Bwindi Impenetrable Forrest - Coffee Tour & Lake Mutanda Canoe (6-7hrs) - USD120
  • Bwindi Impenetrable Forrest - Gorilla Buffer Zone Walk (2-3hrs) - USD50

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. This trip requires a higher non-refundable deposit (AUD1000, USD1000, EUR800, NZD1250, GBP650, CAD1000, ZAR8000, CHF900) in order to secure the included gorilla permit. Please note that we need to confirm availability of a gorilla permit if you are booking within 45 days of departure. The additional deposit paid at time of booking will be credited to the final balance of your booking.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. This trip ends in Kigali on arrival on the afternoon of Day 6. Please do not book International flights departing before 6pm this evening.
4. Please note that the Gorilla Permit included is only valid for one day on Day 4. For those who are interested for a second trek, please consult your booking agent about purchasing the second Gorilla Permit.
5. Travel is always an adventure and, as destinations reopen, there are a few challenges as everyone gets back up to speed and adjusts to the new normal. Our leaders are experts when it comes to dealing with anything unexpected along the journey, so pack your understanding and flexibility, sit back and relax while they take care of the rest.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 based on 21 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Michael · Traveled January 2024
What an incredible way to experience the gorillas, local culture and learn about the history of Rwanda and Uganda. The feature stay accomodation was absolutely amazing and our guides Vivian, Sam and Norbert made the trip so easy from start to finish. Thank you!
Review submitted 13 Jan 2024

Lisa/susan · Traveled October 2023
Great tour with local guides. Food and excursions and hotels are all great.
Review submitted 28 Oct 2023

Barb · Traveled September 2023
Even though I was a little nervous about my safety of this trip before leaving, I felt 100% safe and looked after throughout this trip. Seeing the gorillas in their habitant is a feeling that will stay with me for a long time. Accommodations were excellent. High on my list of “Favourite trips’
Review submitted 01 Oct 2023

Tracey · Traveled August 2023
Fantastic! Seeing the mountain gorillas is an absolutely amazing experience and the friendliness of the locals made the trip that much more enjoyable.
Review submitted 25 Aug 2023

Donna · Traveled August 2023
Seeing the gorillas up close was amazing but also the trip from Kigali to Bwindi. The heights make it not for the faint hearted. . The genocide memorial in Kigali should not be missed. I also appreciated and the sobering visit to Ntarama church. This is a history lesson not to be missed. The gorilla trekking can be hard work but worth it
Review submitted 19 Aug 2023
Premium Rwanda & Gorillas of Uganda
From
AUD $8,765