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Uncover beauty and tragedy in Rwanda and Uganda.

Rwanda is oft-missed destination that every human should visit. Not only will you learn about the devastating events that took place here, you'll also witness a beautiful country that's continuously striving to move forward. Combine this with an unforgettable adventure searching for the mountain gorillas of Uganda and you've got a trip that can sometimes be physically and emotionally challenging, but will be talked about for the rest of your life.

Start
Kigali, Rwanda
Finish
Kigali, Rwanda
Destinations
Rwanda, Uganda
Style
Original
Theme
Wildlife
Code
YGSU
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

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 visits to different genocide museums and churches of significance

  • Visit Mikozi Village and become acquainted with the Ugandan countryside. Visit the local markets, speak with a traditional Ugandan healer and enjoy a drink or two at the local bar

  • Spend two nights in beautiful Gisenyi at a resort on the north shore of Lake Kivu. Here, spend free time hiking, taking a boat cruise, touring the town or simply walking the lakeside.

  • Enjoy an optional cycling tour around the twin lakes on the outskirts of Ruhengeri, passing through small towns and villages where you will have extended time interacting with the local community.

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.

Map of Remarkable Rwanda & Gorillas of Uganda including Rwanda and Uganda
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Group of travellers on a gorilla trek through forests in Uganda on an Intrepid Travel trip
Be fearless and experience a moment with the mountain gorillas of Uganda
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Itinerary
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Welcome to Kigali, the capital of Rwanda since it gained independence in 1962. Most associate Rwanda with the the horrific genocide that took place in 1994, but this is a country that has been striving to rebuild its economy for years and offers so much to the Intrepid traveller. And though the past won't, and shouldn't, be forgotten, the future of Rwanda's tourism is looking bright thanks to its welcoming people, an abundance of lakes and the beautiful Virunga Mountains. Your adventure begins by meeting your fellow travellers at 6 pm.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until tonight's important welcome meeting at 6pm. Please ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time for this, consider arriving a day early so you are able to attend. If you are going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have these to give to your leader.

After breakfast you'll proceed to Ntarama Church, approximately 30 km outside of Kigali. Today presents some confronting reminders of the country's past, and this church is now a chilling memorial to the 5000 people slaughtered inside during the 1994 genocide. Inside, shelves of skulls and piles of bone can be seen as well as the clothes of victims hanging from the walls and rafters. Afterwards, the group will travel to the Nyamata Genocide Memorial Centre, a former church where some 50,000 people were murdered. This site pays particular attention to the atrocities suffered by women during the genocide. We take some time out from the devastating history with a local lunch and an afternoon city tour, including a trip to the craft market. This evening your leader will take you to their favourite restaurant for an optional dinner.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kigali - City Tour
  • Kigali - Nyamata Memorial Site
  • Kigali - Ntarama Church
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

This morning we visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, which was opened in 2004 to mark the 10th commemoration of the genocide against the Tutsi people. It serves as both a museum, detailing the history and consequences of Rwanda's genocide, and a place for people to grieve for lost friends and family. The group will then head to Gisenyi (approx 3.5 hours), a town on the shore of the beautiful Lake Kivu. Enjoy a free afternoon at your waterfront hotel.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kigali - Genocide Memorial Centre
Optional Activities
  • Kigali - Genocide Memorial Audio Guide - USD15
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Enjoy a free day in Gisenyi on Lake Kivu's northern edge. Kivu is one of of Africa's Great Lakes – Rwanda's largest and Africa's sixth-largest – and is a natural border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. Your leader can help you plan how to spend the day: perhaps take a boat cruise around the lake spotting birdlife and visiting some of the small islands, or maybe take a trip to Napoleon Island to go hiking and encounter birds and its large colony of fruit bats. Alternatively, spend the day getting to know Gisenyi and the colonial-era mansions and bars that sit by the lake.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Gisenyi - Morning Town Visit
Optional Activities
  • Gisenyi - Napoleon Island Boat Trip & Hike - USD120
  • Gisenyi – Boat Cruise and Island Visit - per hour price for entire group - USD50
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
You may wish to skip the Gisenyi town visit with your driver in favor of another activity or to simply relax on the shore of the lake. The choice is yours.

Enjoy breakfast by Lake Kivu then transfer across the border to Kisoro (approx 2 hours plus the border crossing), a Ugandan town on the shore of Lake Mutanda. Kisoro, located near the Virguna Mountains, is the jumping-off point for several national parks and, of course, those in search of the country's mountain gorillas. In the afternoon you'll head to Mikozi Village to become acquainted with the Ugandan countryside. Visit the local markets, speak with a traditional Ugandan healer and enjoy a drink or two at the local bar before returning to Kisoro.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kisoro - Village Visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Join a local guide and trackers as you climb through the rugged, mountainous terrain of Bwindi National Park in search of mountain gorillas. A quick lock of eyes with these creatures is a truly primal moment and visits are strictly controlled to minimise disturbance. Make no mistake, tracking gorillas is no walk in the park – it's called Bwinidi Impenetrable National Park for a reason. It can be wet, muddy, strenuous and uncomfortable, but the indescribable elation at coming across a group of gorillas is worth the effort. Spend a mesmerising hour with the gorillas as they eat, sleep, groom and play as the male silverback watches over them, then return to the lodge for dinner and to reflect on this incredible experience.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bwindi National Park - Mountain Gorilla Permit & Trek
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Don’t forget to carry your rain gear, packed lunch, plenty of water, gloves, hat, and water proof bag for protection of your camera in case of rain

Transfer this morning back to Rwanda and the town of Ruhengeri (approximately 1 hour plus the border crossing), still buzzing from your gorilla encounter. Settle into your hotel on arrival then have a free day to take the optional cycling tour to Rwanda's twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. This area is characterised by steep green hills and magnificent views of the mountains surrounding the lakes. Here you can pedal through the stunning countryside, stopping in small towns and villages to spend some time interacting with the local community.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Ruhengeri - Twin Lakes Bicycle Tour - USD40
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today is free for you to choose from several optional activities after breakfast at the lodge. Perhaps you'd like to pursue your passion for primates and join a park ranger tracking golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park. These monkeys are much quicker than gorillas and you'll see them swinging from branch to branch and scampering up trees. Alternatively, take a hike focused on the work of Dian Fossey, the groundbreaking gorilla researcher. It's an incredible experience, both physically and emotionally, and you'll trek through the jungle to her grave and the house in which she was mysteriously murdered in 1985. She's buried next to her favourite gorilla – Digit – as well as number of other mountain gorillas killed by pochers. In the evening, choose whether to attend an optional dinner with the rest of your group.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Volcanoes National Park - Full Day Mt. Bisoke Hike - USD75
  • Volcanoes National Park - Golden Monkeys Trek Permit & guide (from price) - USD115
  • Volcanoes National Park - Dian Fossey's Memorial - USD90
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Optional activities require additional transport costs of approximately USD$100 that can be shared between up to 5-8 travellers.

The Golden Monkeys Trek is offered as a pre-booked service which will guarantee you a place. If you would rather wait and try to get a better price by booking this locally on the ground, you are welcome to, but keep in mind that this is a popular activity and places are limited.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel then head back to the hotel in Kigali (approx 2.5 hours). Here the trip comes to end and there are no other activities planned.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Please do not book international flights out of Kigali until after 3pm.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners

Transport

4WD vehicles

Accommodation

Hotel (8 nights)

Included activities

  • Kigali - City Tour
  • Kigali - Nyamata Memorial Site
  • Kigali - Ntarama Church
  • Kigali - Genocide Memorial Centre
  • Gisenyi - Morning Town Visit
  • Kisoro - Village Visit
  • Bwindi National Park - Mountain Gorilla Permit & Trek

Dates & 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 on all nights of this trip, subject to availability.
3. This trip finishes upon arrival in Kigali on Day 9. Please do not book any flights until after 3pm in the afternoon.

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.

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