Remarkable Rwanda & Gorillas of Uganda
Experience Overview
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.
Highlights
- 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 elephants, buffalo, and hippos to your doorstep.
- Visit The Gorilla Doctors HQ and learn about how they're saving the species one gorilla patient at a time, 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.
Trip Details
Product Code: 3148
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: 4WD vehicles
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: YGSU
Starts: Kigali, Rwanda
Finishes: Kigali, Rwanda
Duration: 9 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Average
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (8), Lunch (3), Dinner (3)Accommodation: Hotel (3 nights),Safari Lodge (5 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $6,410 ($712 /day)
Itinerary
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.
Accommodation:
- (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast this morning, your tour 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 museum detailing the history and consequences of Rwanda's genocide and a place for people to grieve for lost friends and family. This afternoon, you’ll drive to Musanze – the gateway to Volcanoes National Park, home to gorillas and golden monkeys.
This afternoon, you'll visit The Gorilla Doctors headquaters; the only organisation in the world dedicated to saving the mountain and eastern lowland (Grauer’s) gorilla species one gorilla patient at a time using veterinary medicine and science. They monitor the health of gorilla groups to ensure the early detection of disease and injury, and stage medical interventions when gorillas suffer from human-induced or life-threatening trauma or disease.
Included Activities:
- Kigali - Genocide Memorial Centre
- Musanze - Visit to The Gorilla Doctors HQ
Optional Activities:
- Kigali - Genocide Memorial Audio Guide (15 USD)
Accommodation:
- (Number of Nights: 1)
Today, you’ll visit the The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. This research centre leads the world in protecting and studying gorillas while helping communities build their conservation capabilities. Learn about Dian Fossey’s life and the conservation of endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda.
There are heaps of optional activities to do in Musanze, including Golden Monkey Trekking in the Virunga Mountains, the Mount Bisoke trek, or keep it chill with a canoe ride on the Mukungwa River. Maybe visit Redrocks Rwanda, where you’ll learn about the local banana beer production and be treated to some dancing, drumming and basket-weaving demonstrations.
Optional Activities:
- Musanze - Visit 'Twin Lakes' Burera & Ruhondo (40 USD)
- Musanze - Redrocks Rwanda Visit (Banana Beer & Cultural Activities) (50 USD)
- Musanze - Mount Bisoke Hike (75 USD)
- Musanze - Canoeing on River Mukungwa (80 USD)
- Musanze - Golden Monkey Tracking in Volcanoes National Park (160 USD)
- Musanze - Guardian Village - Iby'Iwachu Cultural Village (30 USD)
Accommodation:
- (Number of Nights: 1)
Today, you’ll leave Rwanda as we cross the border into Uganda, making our 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 may feel like an unofficial safari. Keep a look out for African elephants, buffalo, hippos, warthogs, Nile crocodiles, leopards, spotted hyenas, lions and chimpanzees. Tonight, stay in a simple safari lodge within the park overlooking the Kazinga Channel.
Accommodation:
- (Number of Nights: 1)
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 the 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 (30 USD)
- Kalinzu Forest - Chimpanzee Trekking (205 USD)
Accommodation:
- (Number of Nights: 1)
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
Accommodation:
- (Number of Nights: 1)
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.
Accommodation:
- (Number of Nights: 1)
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
Accommodation:
- (Number of Nights: 1)
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.
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Carolin - Traveled, February 2023
Outstanding experience with close-up Gorillas! This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment, when you make eye contact with these gentle giants. Apart from that, Africa has showed me a warm and kind welcome - definitely recommend! Couldn’t get enough of all the “green” there was to see!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/16/2023
Alison - Traveled, February 2024
Excellent tour excellent guides will tell family to go through intrepid. Nest accommodation was not up to standard for us the rest of accommodation was good. For us we also needed air conditioning in rooms as it was quite uncomfortable. Otherwise great tour.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/24/2024
Rachelle - Traveled, January 2024
We had a fabulous trip with Intrepid seeing the gorillas in Uganda. Both Rwanda and Uganda have so much to offer- beautiful vistas, food and people.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/12/2024
Gillian - Traveled, January 2024
Trip of a lifetime. Fantastic group and wonderful leaders in Prim and Najib. The gorillas of course were the highlight, but we had so many amazing experiences. Accommodation was good. My only wish is that the trip was a few days longer. Loved Rwanda & Uganda.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/12/2024
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 !!!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/24/2023
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
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/20/2023
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.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/02/2023
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.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/26/2023
Amy - Traveled, February 2023
This trip gives you an intense immersion into the genocide in Rwanda but then swiftly moves to Uganda where you spend most of your time. The roads are very bumpy and the drives are long so if you have a bad back beware. Uganda’s wildlife is the highlight of this tour.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/21/2023
Gail - Traveled, January 2023
This is an excellent trip. It includes the opportunity for sighting chimpanzees and gorillas in the wild, along with history and culture of these two countries. The accommodations and meals are also good and transportation is reasonably comfortable,.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/06/2023
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.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/20/2023
Sukhi - Traveled, June 2024
One of the best experiences we have both had in our lives. Seeing the gorillas was a magical and memorable experience and we shall never forget it! We absolutely LOVE Africa!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/28/2024
Alex - Traveled, July 2024
This is my fifth Intrepid trip and they have all been fantastic. The Rwanda and Uganda trip is definitely a good one for animal lovers. Our guides, Eric and Hassan (Rwanda) and Prim and Najib (Uganda) were so knowledgeable and hardworking. They made everything easy for us and answered all our questions with patience! As ever, it is the Intrepid guides that make the holiday. The Gorillas trek was wonderful and a lifetime ambition achieved.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/12/2024
Samantha - Traveled, July 2024
Fantastic trip with amazing guides (Eric in Rwanda & Prim in Rwanda). The gorillas were incredible!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/11/2024
Donna - Traveled, July 2024
The intrepid team were amazing and very kind and caring. They couldn't do enough for us.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/19/2024
Martina - Traveled, July 2024
An excellent experience, lots of variety, very competent and knowledgeable guides. Guides go out of their way to make it an amazing experience
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/26/2024
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