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Remarkable Rwanda & Gorillas of Uganda

9 Days | Uncover beauty and tragedy in Rwanda and Uganda

4.7 out of 5 based on 7 reviews submitted.
Wildlife
From
USD $4,429
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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

Map of Remarkable 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
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
YGSU
This trip generates 61.26 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.

Why you'll love this trip
  • 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 Elephant, Buffalo, and Hippo to your doorstep
  • 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
  • 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, 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

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

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

Inclusions

Meals

8 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners

Transport

4WD vehicles

Accommodation

Hotel (3 nights), Safari Lodge (5 nights)

Activities
  • Kigali - City Tour
  • Kigali - Genocide Memorial Centre
  • Gisenyi – Boat Cruise and Island Visit
  • Queen Elizabeth National Park - 4x4 Game Drive
  • Ishasha - Community Tourism Project Visit
  • Bwindi National Park - Mountain Gorilla Permit & Trek
Add on activities
  • Kigali - Genocide Memorial Audio Guide - USD15
  • Gisenyi - Napoleon Island Boat Trip & Hike - USD120
  • Gisenyi - Morning Town Visit - Free
  • Queen Elizabeth National Park - Kazinga Channel boat cruise - USD30
  • Kalinzu Forest - Chimpanzee trekking - USD50

Dates and availability

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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.

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

4.7 out of 5 based on 7 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.

Filter by rating

Jessica · Traveled October 2023
This is the most amazing trip. Definitely a trip of a lifetime! The best experiences you can get. The ability to contribute to communities, see incredible animals and the scenery!!! Absolutely stunning. The accommodation is way better than expected and the people… fantastic
Review submitted 20 Oct 2023

Beatrice · Traveled October 2023
The tour was great. We saw and experienced a lot. One of the highlights was the gorilla trekking, which is unforgettable. But also the other activities were exciting. The accommodations were great, the food delicious and the staff always friendly. Prim was a super tour guide and also always got us safely from place to place over the sometimes quite bumpy roads. We really enjoyed this trip with such a great group.
Review submitted 20 Oct 2023

nikita · Traveled October 2023
This trip had it all gorillas chimps safari everything. our guide prim was amazing he was such good fun and led a brilliant group to their dream of seeing gorillas. days are long driving but it’s all worth it ! book the trip and go !!!
Review submitted 24 Oct 2023

Patrick · Traveled September 2023
This trip was excellent. The gorilla trek was a little daunting but there was excellent support and the experience was utterly incredible. The optional chimp trek was excellent and I would strongly recommend doing this.
Review submitted 02 Oct 2023

Jyoti · Traveled June 2023
This trip was truly amazing, it’s been one of my many dreams to visit the gorillas in the wild and got to experience it all. These memories which I will keep with me to to share will people in my life. It was surreal to actually be there in person to absorb being in the moment in the forest with these beautiful animals, to just sit there and watch the baby gorillas playing. The overall trip was brilliant, lodge staff super friendly the guides Prim, Vivian and Raymond were so friendly and made me feel welcomed in their country. The guides on the local activities were good but need to provide more than just the basic information which you could read online. Some tour guides needed to provide more details. I believe I did not see your do much in Rwanda which was here part of the trip, it as sitting in a bus and getting off for a local coffee not a great use of the day.
Review submitted 26 Jun 2023
Remarkable Rwanda & Gorillas of Uganda
From
USD $4,429