Remarkable Rwanda & Gorillas of Uganda

9 Days | Uncover beauty and spot gorillas, monkeys and large game in Rwanda and Uganda

4.7 out of 5 based on 18 reviews submitted.
Wildlife
From
CHF  3,758
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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.

Trip overview

Map of Remarkable Rwanda & Gorillas Of Uganda including Rwanda and Uganda
Start
Kigali, Rwanda
Finish
Kigali, Rwanda
Theme
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
YGSU
This trip generates 28 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.
  • 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.

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.
  • You may also want to check out Gorillas & East Africa Safari if you have more time to explore in East Africa.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Map of Remarkable Rwanda & Gorillas Of Uganda including Rwanda and Uganda

Inclusions

Meals

8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

4WD vehicles

Accommodation

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

Activities
  • 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
Add on activities
  • 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

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 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. If you like the sound of this trip and also want to experience the annual Gorilla Naming Ceremony in Rwanda check out trip code YGSUS on the website for a special, festival departure.
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

4.7 out of 5 based on 18 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.

Filter by rating

David · Traveled July 2024
Excellent trip- very interesting to learn of the history of Rwanda in particular. The accomodation was better than expected, travel comfortable in a land cruiser. Do all of the optional activities if you can, you won’t regret it - we did the Golden Monkeys, the Chimpanzees and the Kazinga Channel and they were all fantastic.
Review submitted 12 Aug 2024

Yi Xin · Traveled July 2024
Terrible experience with Intrepid on the first leg with an ill-planned itinerary, shoddy accommodation, and substandard activities, saved only by an experienced, fantastic guide.
Review submitted 11 Aug 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
Review submitted 26 Jul 2024

Donna · Traveled July 2024
The intrepid team were amazing and very kind and caring. They couldn't do enough for us.
Review submitted 19 Jul 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.
Review submitted 12 Jul 2024
Remarkable Rwanda & Gorillas of Uganda
From
CHF  3,758