Rwanda Gorilla Naming Ceremony & Uganda

9 Days | Experience a very special event and remarkable wildlife in Rwanda and Uganda

4.5 out of 5 based on 2 reviews submitted.
Festival
Wildlife
From
NZD $8,395
View dates and book

Encounter the culture, history and wildlife of Rwanda and Uganda on a 9-day adventure that’s as moving as it is fun. Take part in an incredibly important gorilla naming ceremony in the name of conservation in Musanze, look out for big-ticket wildlife on game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, search for mountain gorillas in Bwindi National Park, meet a Gorilla Doctor in Kisoro, and learn about Rwanda’s devastating history in Kigali. The experiences you’ll have on this adventure will stick with you for a lifetime.

Trip overview

Map of Rwanda Gorilla Naming Ceremony & Uganda including Rwanda and Uganda
Start
Kigali, Rwanda
Finish
Kigali, Rwanda
Theme
Festival, 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
YGSUS
This trip generates 33 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.
  • Experience one of the world’s most important celebrations of conservation success; a naming ceremony for the baby gorillas born in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park over the past year.
  • Discover the diverse wildlife of Queen Elizabeth National Park on exciting game drives, and an optional boat cruise around the lake, and learn how human-wildlife conflict is being tackled with anti-crop raiding techniques.
  • Spend a free day exploring Musanze, the largest city in Northern Rwanda and a hub for conservation with Gorilla Doctors and the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund both calling this city home.
  • Be joined by a field veterinarian from The Gorilla Doctors for an exclusive fireside chat at our lodge, 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.

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.

Itinerary

Map of Rwanda Gorilla Naming Ceremony & Uganda including Rwanda and Uganda

Inclusions

Meals

1 breakfast, 1 lunch

Transport

4WD vehicles

Accommodation

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

Activities
  • Musanze - Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony
  • Queen Elizabeth National Park - 4x4 Game Drive
  • Ishasha - Community Tourism Project Visit
  • Kisoro - Gorilla Doctors Veterinarian Educational Talk
  • Bwindi National Park - Mountain Gorilla Permit & Trek
  • Kigali - City Tour
  • Kigali - Genocide Memorial Centre
Add on activities
  • Musanze - Canoeing on River Mukungwa - USD80
  • Musanze - Visit 'Twin Lakes' Burera & Ruhondo - USD40
  • Musanze - Guardian Village - Iby'Iwachu Cultural Village - USD30
  • Musanze - Redrocks Rwanda Visit (Banana Beer & Cultural Activities) - USD50
  • Queen Elizabeth National Park - Kazinga Channel boat cruise - USD30
  • Kigali - Genocide Memorial Audio Guide - USD15

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 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 the availability of a gorilla permit if you are booking within 45 days of departure. The additional deposit paid at the time of booking will be credited to the final balance of your booking.

4. Please submit a headshot at the time of booking. This is required for your entry badge into the ceremony.

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.

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

4.5 out of 5 based on 2 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.

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Roger · Traveled August 2023
An amazing trip and great experience. While the travel over rough roads can be a little taxing the experience and sights are well worth the effort. Our guides went out of their way to help and provided a seamless experience. The highlight of course has to be the Gorilla trip. Awesome.
Review submitted 14 Sep 2023

Tiffani · Traveled August 2023
Our guides Abdul, David and Norbert were extremely knowledgeable, well prepared and engaging. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone looking for an adventure! The gorilla trek was more meaningful than words can describe!
Review submitted 14 Sep 2023
Rwanda Gorilla Naming Ceremony & Uganda
From
NZD $8,395