18 Days | 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.
Trip overview
- Start
- Kigali, Rwanda
- Finish
- Arusha, Tanzania
- Theme
- Wildlife
- Destinations
- Tanzania, Kenya, 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 16
- Trip code
- YGSGC
- 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.
- 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 a 4WD overland trip. That means you’ll be travelling with a group in 4WD vehicles, visiting remote communities and world-renowned wildlife parks. The drive days can be long, but it’s as much about the journey as the destination, and half the fun is the camaraderie.
- 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.
- The day-to-day itinerary features a selection of optional activities. Please note that this list is not exhaustive and is intended only as a guide. Prices are approximate and may change at the discretion of the local provider, and all activities are subject to availability.
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024
Itinerary
Inclusions
16 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 10 dinners
4WD Open Safari Vehicle, Private Vehicle, Plane
Hotel (6 nights), Lodge (7 nights), Permanent Tented Basic Lodge (2 nights), Permanent Tented Camp (2 nights)
- Kigali - Genocide Memorial Centre
- Musanze - Visit to The Gorilla Doctors HQ
- 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 4WD Safari
- Serengeti National Park - 4WD Safari
- Serengeti National Park - Afternoon 4WD Safari
- Serengeti National Park - Morning 4WD Safari
- Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive
- Lake Eyasi - Hadzabe Bushmen Visit
- Lake Eyasi - Soda Lake
- Kigali - Genocide Memorial Audio Guide - USD15
- Musanze - Visit 'Twin Lakes' Burera & Ruhondo - USD40
- Musanze - Redrocks Rwanda Visit (Banana Beer & Cultural Activities) - USD50
- Musanze - Mount Bisoke Hike - USD75
- Musanze - Canoeing on River Mukungwa - USD80
- Musanze - Golden Monkey Tracking in Volcanoes National Park - USD160
- Musanze - Guardian Village - Iby'Iwachu Cultural Village - USD30
- Queen Elizabeth National Park - Kazinga Channel boat cruise - USD30
- Kalinzu Forest - Chimpanzee Trekking - USD205
- Masai Mara National Reserve - Balloon ride (from price) - USD625
- Serengeti National Park - Balloon Ride (from price) - USD745
- Karatu - Village Visit - USD20
- Karatu - Coffee Tour - USD25
- Ngorongoro Forest - Elephant Cave Trek - USD80
- Lake Manyara Game drive - USD100
Dates and availability
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 the time of booking will be credited to the final balance of your booking.
3. This itinerary offers two optional sunrise balloon safaris—one in the Masai Mara and another in Serengeti National Park. We offer both 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.
4. Some governments 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.
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 InformationReviews
Filter by rating