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Map of Gorillas & East Africa Safari including Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, United Republic Of and Uganda

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.

Start
Kigali, Rwanda
Finish
Arusha, Tanzania
Destinations
Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda
Style
Original
Theme
Wildlife
Code
YGSGC
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 16

Why you'll love this trip

  • 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.

Is this trip right for you?

  • 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.

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Traveller taking photos from a window of an Intrepid Travel tour
Travellers on a truck stop break on the way to Loita Hills in Kenya on an Intrepid Travel tour
Hadzabe Bushman of the Lake Eyasi region, Arusha, Tanzania

Itinerary
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Welcome to Kigali, the capital of Rwanda since it gained independence in 1962. Most associate Rwanda with 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 and local leader at 6pm.
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 this morning, 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. This afternoon, take some time out from the devastating history with a local lunch and an afternoon city tour, including a trip to the craft market. Explore the Nyamirambo neighbourhood, one of the liveliest parts of Kigali. Home to most of the city’s Muslim population, there are several beautiful mosques to discover here, and in a city that mostly shuts down after dark, the colourful streets of Nyamirambo are alive long into the night.
Included Activities
  • Kigali - City Tour
  • Kigali - Genocide Memorial Centre
Optional Activities
  • Kigali - Genocide Memorial Audio Guide - USD15
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Say goodbye to Kigali and drive on to Gisenyi, located 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. Take a boat cruise around the lake spotting birdlife and visiting some of the small islands. After your leader can help you choose how to spend the rest of the afternoon, maybe take a trip to Napoleon Island to go hiking and encounter birds and its large colony of fruit bats. Alternatively, spend the afternoon getting to know Gisenyi and the colonial-era mansions and bars that sit by the lake.
Included Activities
  • Gisenyi – Boat Cruise and Island Visit
Optional Activities
  • Gisenyi - Napoleon Island Boat Trip & Hike - USD120
  • Gisenyi - Morning Town Visit - Free
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Your journey continues as you drive on to the Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Named after the Queen of England in 1954 following her visit, the park is home to 618 bird species which is the 6th highest diversity in the world and the highest in Africa, in addition to 10 primate species including Chimpanzees and 95 mammals including big game.

Game Drive en-route to our accommodation – keep your eyes open in search of the varied wildlife within the park. A little patience is sure to reward you with some memorable sightings!

Stay in a simple safari lodge located within the Park overlooking the Kazinga Channel
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Wake up for another exciting day in Queen Elizabeth National Park with another 4x4 Game Drive. Be on the lookout for any sightings you may have missed yesterday, and if you’re really lucky you might be able to spot leopards or lions.
This afternoon you have opportunity to see the park from a different perspective with an optional cruise down the Kazinga Channel, linking Lake Edward to Lake George. You’ll be joined by local guides who will fill you in on everything you could want to know about the landscape and the animals who live within it – be on the lookout for hippos basking on the shore, as well as crocodiles, herds of elephants and abundant birdlife.
Included Activities
  • Queen Elizabeth National Park - 4x4 Game Drive
Optional Activities
  • Queen Elizabeth National Park - Kazinga Channel boat cruise - USD30
  • Kalinzu Forest - Chimpanzee trekking - USD50
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Special Information:
There is an optional Chimp Trekking experience early this morning which your leader can help arrange for you. Please note that if you opt to book this activity you are unlikely to return to camp in time for the included morning Game Drive.

This morning we make our way to Ishasha, the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here you meet some local residents to learn more about rural life in Uganda. Visit a local organic farm, medicine garden and homestead and learn how its owner is tackling human-wildlife conflict with his anti-crop raiding techniques. You’ll also meet a local Mukiga woman who will share her story while showing you how to sort, pound and grind millet to make porridge and other Bakiga meals.

This part of the park is famous for its tree climbing lions, so be on the look out as you make the game drive towards our ecolodge in the northern sector of the park frequented by herds of elephants, buffaloes and antelopes!
Included Activities
  • Ishasha - Community Tourism Project Visit
  • Queen Elizabeth National Park - 4x4 Game Drive
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information

Today, drive out of the Queen Elizabeth National Park on your way to the southwest tip of Uganda (approximately 6 hours). The journey is like a game drive in itself, with the chance to spot zebras, antelopes, baboons and monkeys out the window. When you arrive at the corner of Uganda, where the border touches Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, you’ll be based in Kisoro, which provides access to seven different gorilla groups located in Mgahinga, Nkuringo, Rushaga and Nshongi.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast


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.
Included Activities
  • Bwindi National Park - Mountain Gorilla Permit & Trek
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
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

After breakfast this morning, it’s time to make the journey back to Kigali (approximately 4 hours).
You will be dropped off at Kigali Airport for your short flight to Nairobi this evening (approximately 1.5hrs).
On arrival at Nairobi Airport you will be met and transferred to your Nairobi hotel. Check-in, freshen up and get a good nights rest before meeting your group in the morning.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Due to limited flight options you will not arrive at your Nairobi hotel in time to join the welcome meeting this evening.Your leader will leave a note at reception with their details and information on the following day.

Petty theft is common in Nairobi. As a general rule, the safest place for your valuables is on your person in a neck wallet or money belt. Your hotel room or reception may also have a safe in which to store things. If you do decide to go exploring, make sure you get local advice on where it is and isn't safe to walk – particularly for later in the day. Be careful not to leave bags unattended on chairs or the floor when you're in a bar or restaurant. Without being paranoid, appearing vigilant is a great deterrence to would-be thieves. Also, make scans of important travel documents and email them to yourself – this will save you hours of time in paperwork if anything does happen.

Transfer from Nairobi to the famous Masai Mara, one of the best game reserves in all of Africa. On the way you'll stop in Loita Hills, a remote region that's home to the traditional Maasai people. This is one of the key places where the Maasai people still practice their traditional way of life, with little influence from the western world. Make a stop at Tepesua Village, which is known for championing Maasai women’s health and education. You’ll be welcomed by Maasai Warriors by way of traditional song and dance. Meet your Maasai hosts and enjoy a fascinating talk, full of insights into this remarkable and ancient culture. Take a walk to the community village which was founded for widows who had lost their cows due to drought, and can never remarry. The village offers support, safety and economic growth through the ‘Tepesua Widows Income Project’. Here the women are engaged in making handicrafts and sewing eco-friendly handbags, washable sanitary pads, and backpacks to sell to visiting travellers and locals. Learn about village life and be shown around a traditional Maasai home, and their cattle enclosures. Continue to the outskirts of the Masai Mara, where your permanent tented camp can be found.
Accommodation
  • Permanent tented camp (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Loita Hills - Maasai Village Visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Explore the Masai Mara in 4WD safari vehicles with game drives in both the morning and the afternoon. This is the quintessential African experience and with sparse open plains, dramatic skies and some of the world's most impressive animals, one you won't soon forget. Keep your eyes peeled for wildebeest, lions, leopards, antelope and giraffes, to name but a few.
Accommodation
  • Permanent tented camp (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Masai Mara National Reserve - Full Day 4x4 Game Drive
Optional Activities
  • Masai Mara National Reserve - Balloon ride (from price) - USD500
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
An optional balloon ride over the Mara at sunrise is well worth considering. If you have pre-booked this activity (see the 'Important Notes' section) you will be picked up before dawn and driven to the launch site for a safety briefing from your pilot. Then you will glide through the dawn, sometimes at tree height, which provides amazing photo opportunities. Sometimes you will ascend, getting an overview of the enormity of the plains and the early morning movements of the teeming herds. After landing, you'll be treated to a bush breakfast, then be returned to your campsite to meet up with your group.

Prepare for a long travel day as you head towards the border separating Kenya and Tanzania, then on to the small town of Musoma on the shores of Lake Victoria. Not only is this the largest lake in Africa, it's also the largest tropical lake in the entire world and shares its shores with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The next three days will be spent in the wilderness, so make the most of your afternoon and evening by stocking up at the local market, grabbing cash from the town's ATM and kicking back with a beach side cold drink as the sun goes down.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Travel on from Lake Victoria to Serengeti National Park and enjoy a picnic lunch at the entrance to the famous expanse. Continue to your campsite on your first Serengeti game drive, keeping an eye out for the hoofed animals and predators that call this place home. Tonight you'll have a true African safari experience, camping in an unfenced site within the national park, right in the heart of the animal action. Your leader will give you a full safety briefing once you arrive.   
Accommodation
  • Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Wake to another glorious day in the Serengeti. Start the day with an early morning game drive to search for animals when they're at their most active, then return to the campsite for a relaxed brunch. Spend the hottest part of the day relaxing in camp – don't stress, the animals will be doing the same – then head off again in the afternoon for another drive through the park. Return to the campsite for dinner and another night under the Serengeti's stars.

Note: there's also an option of an early hot air balloon ride here. Please ask your leader at the start of your trip if you're interested.   
Accommodation
  • Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
Optional Activities
  • Serengeti National Park - Balloon Ride (from price) - USD599
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
The balloon ride 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 a final game drive through the Serengeti as you exit the park this morning.

Enjoy a final game drive through the Serengeti as you exit the park this morning and cross over to the Ngorongoro Conservation area where you'll descend to the Ngorongoro's crater floor for a 4WD excursion. If all goes to plan, you'll see some or maybe even all of the Big Five animals that reside here and better yet, the vehicle has an open roof so you can really feel like a part of the action. The animals here are less wary of humans and vehicles and as a result it's easier to watch them from up close. Take in the spectacular views from the rim of the crater as you make your way to the bottom, where animals roam the lakes, rivers, woodlands and hills. Keep an eye out for wildebeest, lion, zebra, cheetah, buffalo, gazelle and the endangered black rhino, as well as the colorfully dressed Maasai people who often water their cattle at the lake here.

In the afternoon, we leave the Ngorongoro Crater and drive to Karatu, a small town on its outskirts and your base for the next two nights.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive
  • Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game drive
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

After breakfast this morning, you’ll make your way to Lake Eyasi, a huge seasonal soda lake. Lake Eyasi has been home to the Hadzabe people for more than 10,000 years and is one of the few places in Africa where traditional tribal life continues without modern influence. Today’s visit to the Hadzabe lands offers incredible insight into this ancient culture and a chance to learn about their way of life today. You’ll have the opportunity to meet members of the community and join in on daily activities like hunting, gathering and traditional dance. You’ll also learn about their unique ‘click’ language, which is thought to be one of the oldest languages still in use today. Return to your lodge in Karatu later in the day for a chance to put your feet up and relax.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Lake Eyasi - Hadzabe Bushmen Visit
  • Lake Eyasi - Soda Lake
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Today is a free day to relax or choose from the various optional activities
available from your base in Karatu. You might like to head to a local coffee plantation, or take a Game Drive in Lake Manyara National Park.

Perhaps opt for a hike through the Ngorongoro Reserve Forest to Elephant Caves accompanied by an expert local guide and armed ranger. It's the perfect way to stretch your legs after a few days of overland travel. You'll hike through Ngorongoro rainforest as your local guide explains the ins and outs of the area here and points out interesting animal tracks and footprints. Marvel at the wild landscape and spot beautiful birdlife as you walk.

In the afternoon we head to Arusha where we spend our last night.
Optional Activities
  • Karatu - Village Visit - USD20
  • Karatu - Coffee Tour - USD25
  • Ngorongoro Forest - Elephant Cave Trek - USD80
  • Lake Manyara Game drive - USD100
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Please note that the optional activity prices do not include transportation costs. These are dependent on the number of travellers booking the activity and can be split accordingly.

Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast today. A departure transfer can be booked, at an additional expense, to either Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK). Alternatively, you can continue on with our crew to finish in Nairobi. Please see 'Special Information' below for more details.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
There is also an option of continuing back to Nairobi with your crew. Any flights out of Nairobi should not be booked to depart prior to 9pm. We highly recommend you book a post nights accommodation and depart the following day. Post nights accommodation can be booked through your sales agent.

The drop of point in Nairobi is the Kenya Comfort Hotel Suites:

Kenya Comfort Hotel Suites
junction of Milimani/Ralph Bunche, Milimani, Nairobi,
Nairobi
KENYA
Phone: 254 737 111 111
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

17 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 9 dinners

Transport

Overland vehicle, 4x4 Safari Vehicle, Plane

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights), Lodge (6 nights), Permanent Tented Basic Lodge (2 nights), Camping with basic facilities (2 nights)

Included 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
  • Loita Hills - Maasai Village Visit
  • Masai Mara National Reserve - Full Day 4x4 Game Drive
  • Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
  • Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive
  • Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game drive
  • Lake Eyasi - Hadzabe Bushmen Visit
  • Lake Eyasi - Soda Lake

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Gorillas & East Africa Safari trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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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 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.

Essential trip information

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