9 Days | Uncover beauty and spot gorillas, monkeys and large game in Rwanda and Uganda
Rwanda and Uganda are often-overlooked travel destinations – but as an intrepid traveller, you won’t want to miss this nine-day journey through their wild landscapes, rich in history and wildlife. Learn about the devastating events that took place in Rwanda, a beautiful country that's continuously striving to move forward. Combine this with the incredible scenery and diverse animal life of Uganda and an unforgettable adventure searching for mountain gorillas, and you’ll experience the full spectrum of emotions and physical challenges.
Trip overview
- Start
- Kigali, Rwanda
- Finish
- Kigali, Rwanda
- Theme
- Wildlife
- Destinations
- Rwanda, Uganda
- 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
- Original
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- YGSU
- With gorilla permits included in the price of the trip, seek out the rare mountain gorilla on a trek through Uganda's steamy forests and spend an unforgettable hour in their presence.
- Learn about Rwanda's devastating history with a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, and see what life looks like today with a tour of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods.
- Get to know the diverse wildlife of Queen Elizabeth National Park on a series of 4x4 game drives and an optional boat cruise around the lake.
- You won’t even have to get out of bed to enjoy wildlife and wonderful views – Safari lodges and Eco Camps deliver epic scenery and wild visitors like elephants, buffalo, and hippos to your doorstep.
- Visit The Gorilla Doctors HQ and learn about how they're saving the species one gorilla patient at a time, knowing that a proportion of your trip cost goes back to supporting the important work they do.
- 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.
- Tracking gorillas in the dense forest can sometimes be wet, muddy and uncomfortable. The terrain is by no means easy either, so it can be pretty strenuous and often humid. But the sheer thrill in coming across a habituated group of gorillas, dominated by a great male silverback, more than outweighs any difficulty. You need to be prepared and fit enough to walk up to 4 hours - up and down hill. A top tip is to pack some gardening gloves to assist in any up-hill climbs.
- You may also want to check out Gorillas & East Africa Safari if you have more time to explore in East Africa.
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024
Inclusions
8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
4WD vehicles
Hotel (3 nights), Safari Lodge (5 nights)
- Kigali - Genocide Memorial Centre
- Musanze - Visit to The Gorilla Doctors HQ
- Queen Elizabeth National Park - 4x4 Game Drive
- Ishasha - Community Tourism Project Visit
- Bwindi National Park - Mountain Gorilla Permit & Trek
- Kigali - Genocide Memorial Audio Guide - USD15
- Musanze - Visit 'Twin Lakes' Burera & Ruhondo - USD40
- Musanze - Redrocks Rwanda Visit (Banana Beer & Cultural Activities) - USD50
- Musanze - Mount Bisoke Hike - USD75
- Musanze - Canoeing on River Mukungwa - USD80
- Musanze - Golden Monkey Tracking in Volcanoes National Park - USD160
- Musanze - Guardian Village - Iby'Iwachu Cultural Village - USD30
- Queen Elizabeth National Park - Kazinga Channel boat cruise - USD30
- Kalinzu Forest - Chimpanzee Trekking - USD205
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. 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.
2. This trip starts in Kigali on Day 1 at 6pm. This allows time after the welcome meeting to explore Kigali.
This trip finishes upon arrival in Kigali on Day 9. Please do not book any flights until after 3pm in the afternoon.
3. 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.
4. If you like the sound of this trip and also want to experience the annual Gorilla Naming Ceremony in Rwanda check out trip code YGSUS on the website for a special, festival departure.
5. Some governments currently have increased foreign travel advice around security in place for Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda. Please check your government’s foreign travel advice before departure and ensure your travel insurance covers all destinations and activities on your itinerary.
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.
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