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Remarkable Rwanda & Gorillas of Uganda
Operated by Intrepid Travel
Tripcode: YGSU
Overview
Destination:
Rwanda,
Uganda,
Duration:9 days
Type:Group tour (max 12)
Travel Period
July 2026 - December 2028
Rwanda and Uganda are often overlooked travel destinations, but this nine-day journey will take you through their wild landscapes, rich in history and wildlife, so you can discover more than the average traveller. Learn about the devastating events that took place in Rwanda, then see what life looks like today in this naturally beautiful country when you visit the city of Musanze. Combine this with the incredible scenery and diverse animal life of Uganda, an unforgettable adventure searching for mountain gorillas and an expert local leader to guide the way, and this trip has all the makings of a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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. 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.
5. Some of the optional activities listed require transport, which is not included in the activity price. Private transport may be required for certain activities and is charged as a flat vehicle fee which can be shared by up to 5 travellers. Where activities are in the same area, travellers may be able to share transport. Final costs vary depending on the number of participants.
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. 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.
5. Some of the optional activities listed require transport, which is not included in the activity price. Private transport may be required for certain activities and is charged as a flat vehicle fee which can be shared by up to 5 travellers. Where activities are in the same area, travellers may be able to share transport. Final costs vary depending on the number of participants.
Highlights:
- 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. 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. 5. Some of the optional activities listed require transport, which is not included in the activity price. Private transport may be required for certain activities and is charged as a flat vehicle fee which can be shared by up to 5 travellers. Where activities are in the same area, travellers may be able to share transport. Final costs vary depending on the number of participants.
Standard inclusions
- Meals: Meals: 8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners.
- Transport: 4WD vehicles.
- Accommodation: Hotel (3 nights), Safari Lodge (5 nights).
- Kigali - Genocide Memorial Centre.
- Musanze - Visit to The Gorilla Doctors HQ.
- Queen Elizabeth National Park - 4x4 Game Drive.
- Ishasha - Community Tourism Project Visit.
- Queen Elizabeth National Park - 4x4 Game Drive.
- Bwindi National Park - Mountain Gorilla Permit & Trek.
Itinerary
Expand all 
Collapse all
Collapse allDay 1: Kigali
Murakaza neza! Welcome to Kigali, the capital of Rwanda since it gained independence in 1962. This is a country that has been striving to rebuild its economy for years and offers so much to the intrepid traveller including its welcoming people, an abundance of picturesque lakes and the wildlife-rich Virunga Mountains. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting with your fellow travellers and local leader at 6 pm.
Day 2: Musanze
After breakfast this morning, your trip leader will take you to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, which opened in 2004 to mark the 10th commemoration of the genocide against the Tutsi people. It serves as a memorial and a place for people to grieve lost friends and family. This afternoon, you’ll drive to Musanze – the gateway to Volcanoes National Park, home to gorillas and golden monkeys. Later, you'll visit the Gorilla Doctors headquarters – the only organisation in the world dedicated to saving the mountain and eastern lowland (Grauer’s) gorilla species. The organisation monitors the health of gorilla groups to ensure the early detection of disease and injury, and stages medical interventions when gorillas suffer from human-induced or life-threatening trauma or disease.
Day 3: Musanze
Today, you’ll visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. This research centre is the world leader in protecting and studying gorillas while helping communities build their conservation capabilities. During your visit, you’ll learn about Dian Fossey’s life and the conservation of endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda. There are plenty of optional activities to do in Musanze, including golden monkey trekking in the Virunga Mountains, the Mt Bisoke trek or a canoe ride on the Mukungwa River. Maybe visit Red Rocks Rwanda, where you can learn about local banana beer production and watch traditional dancing, drumming and basket-weaving demonstrations.
Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Today, you’ll leave Rwanda and cross the border into Uganda, making your way to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This park is home to 618 bird species, 10 species of primates including chimpanzees and 95 different types of mammals – the route to your accommodation might feel like an unofficial safari! Keep an eye out for African elephants, buffalo, hippos, warthogs, Nile crocodiles, leopards, spotted hyenas, lions and chimpanzees. Tonight, you’ll stay in a simple safari lodge within the park, overlooking the Kazinga Channel.
Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Embark on a 4WD safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park this morning. Be on the lookout for any wildlife you may not have seen yesterday – if you’re really lucky, you might be able to spot leopards or lions. This afternoon, you can see the park from a different perspective with an optional cruise down the Kazinga Channel, which links Lake Edward to Lake George. You’ll be joined by local guides who will share their expert insight into the landscape and the animals who live within it – be on the lookout for hippos basking on the shore, crocodiles, herds of elephants and abundant birdlife.
Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park
This morning, you’ll make your way to Ishasha, the southern section of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here, you’ll meet some 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 lookout as you drive to your ecolodge in the northern section of the park, which is frequented by herds of elephants, buffalo and antelopes.
Day 7: Kisoro
Today, leave the Queen Elizabeth National Park, headed for the southwest tip of Uganda. The journey is like a game drive in itself, with the chance to spot zebras, antelopes, baboons and monkeys through the window. When you arrive, you’ll make your way to your base for the next two days in Kisoro, which provides access to seven different gorilla groups located in Mgahinga, Nkuringo, Rushaga and Nshongi.
Day 8: Kisoro
Join a local guide and trackers as you climb through the rugged, mountainous terrain of Bwindi National Park in search of mountain gorillas. Make no mistake, tracking gorillas is no walk in the park – it's called the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for a reason. It can be wet, muddy, strenuous and uncomfortable, but the incredible feeling of coming across a group of gorillas is worth the effort. Spend an hour with the gorillas as they eat, sleep, groom and play with the male silverback watching over them, then return to the lodge for dinner and reflect on this incredible experience with your fellow travellers.
Day 9: Kigali
After breakfast this morning, it’s time to make the journey back to Kigali. When you arrive, there are no further activities planned and your adventure comes to an end. If you’d like to spend more time here, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Dates
Select a date or submit general enquiry
Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid is a small group tour travel company with humble beginnings that now sends over 100,000 travellers a year on grassroots and responsible travel tours.
Important Information
*Terms and conditions
Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice.
For more information, please see Terms of Use
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Price from
$7,196
$6,836
*
Member price from
$6,836*
per person twin share
8 nights
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