18 Days | Track gorillas, search for the Big Five and meet local legends
Whether you’re watching a sombre silverback gorilla in his natural habitat, descending 600 metres to the floor of the volcanic Ngorongoro Crater or spend time with a Hadzabe community in Tanzania, this 18-day tour offers opportunities to create travel memories most people only dream of. Journey through Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania in search of some of the world’s most mythologised animals. Along the way, meet locals and gain an understanding of the diversity of cultures in East Africa – from the Maasai tribes people to villagers on the outskirts of Queen Elizabeth National Park and the hip working class residents of Kigali’s Nyamirambo neighbourhood.
Trip overview
- Start
- Kigali, Rwanda
- Finish
- Arusha, Tanzania
- Theme
- Wildlife
- Destinations
- Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya
- 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 16
- Trip code
- YGSGC
- Seek out the rare mountain gorilla on a trek through Uganda's steamy forests and spend an unforgettable hour in their presence, with permits included in the price of the trip.
- Explore the Serengeti National Park in depth during three game drives and a night spent camping in the middle of this spectacular wildlife arena.
- 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.
- Meet members of the Ishasha community for a look at rural life in Uganda, visiting an organic farm and medicine garden and learn how human-wildlife conflict is being tackled with anti-crop raiding techniques
- 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.
- Take a mind-blowing safari across the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater in an open roof 4WD for a chance to see the endangered black rhinoceros, plus lions, zebra and more.
- The sheer thrill in coming across a habituated group of gorillas, dominated by a great male silverback, in unbeatable. But please keep in mind that 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. 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.
- Camping in the Serengeti National Park with no barriers between you and the animals is amazing, but it's important to heed the safety advice of your leader. You'll be briefed on arrival.
- This is an overland trip. That means you’ll be travelling with a group in a purpose-built vehicle, visiting remote communities, setting up your own tent (unless you’re on an Original or Comfort style trip), occasionally roughing it in the bush with no facilities, and getting the best possible views of the ‘Big Five’. While the trucks don’t have air conditioning, they do have sliding windows which let in the breeze and make it even easier to take spectacular snaps of the local wildlife. For more info on this style of travel, see our Africa overland page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/africa/overland
- As the early bird catches the worm, the early camper sights the animals. There will be many early starts either to make use of the better safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days.
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025
Inclusions
16 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 10 dinners
Overland vehicle, 4x4 Safari Vehicle, Plane
Hotel (6 nights), Lodge (7 nights), Permanent Tented Basic Lodge (2 nights), Camping with basic facilities (2 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
- Loita Hills - Maasai Village Visit
- Masai Mara National Reserve - Full Day 4WD Safari
- Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
- Serengeti National Park - Morning Overland Vehicle Game Drive
- Serengeti National Park - Afternoon Overland Vehicle Game Drive
- Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive
- Serengeti National Park - Afternoon 4WD Safari
- Lake Eyasi - Hadzabe Bushmen Visit
- Lake Eyasi - Soda Lake
- 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
- Masai Mara National Reserve - Balloon ride (from price) - USD625
- Serengeti National Park - Balloon Ride (from price) - USD745
- Karatu - Village Visit - USD20
- Karatu - Coffee Tour - USD25
- Ngorongoro Forest - Elephant Cave Trek - USD80
- Lake Manyara Game drive - USD100
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 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.
3. This trip includes 2 nights camping within the Serengeti National Park. Tents, sleeping mats and sleeping bags will be provided. Please bring a pillow (or travel pillow) for these 2 nights.
4. An optional sunrise balloon ride in the Serengeti National Park is possible on this itinerary. Please see Day 7 for full details of this activity. As the balloon only holds 16 people, places are limited, and we recommend that you book in advance. Please inquire when booking your trip to book this optional activity.
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.
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