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Days
6
Price from
4517USD
Map of Premium Uganda & Rwanda including Rwanda and Uganda

Encounter rare wildlife and resilience in Uganda and Rwanda.

Come face to face with heartbreaking history and incredible wildlife on a 6-day Premium journey through Uganda and Rwanda. Enter the world of rare mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and spend a day tracking and observing these endearing creatures. This soul-stirring adventure won’t soon be forgotten. See sombre reminders of Kigali’s devastating past, watch local life play out on the streets and witness a beautiful country that's continuously striving to move forward.

Start
Kampala, Uganda
Finish
Kigali, Rwanda
Destinations
Rwanda, Uganda
Style
Premium
Theme
Wildlife
Code
YGPU
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

This trip is no longer operating but a new adventure is waiting for you

Why you'll love this trip

  • With your gorilla permit included in the price of the trip, spend a day through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to get close to Uganda's rare mountain gorillas for an unforgettable hour. There’s also a chance to do a second trek that can be booked on request at an additional cost. Please refer to the itinerary for more details.

  • Wake up to spectacular views of the forest canopy during three nights at your carbon neutral Feature Stay, the Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

  • Venture into Lake Mburo National Park for an Exclusive Experience where you’ll set out on a boat cruise across the lake’s calm waters in search of crocodiles, hippos and rare species of birds.

  • Sit down to dinner with a local park ranger during an Exclusive Experience, learning about life in the wilderness and their special relationships with the mountain gorillas. This is one dinner conversation you've likely never had before!

  • Take a closer look at Rwanda’s devastating history and the resilience of its people at the Genocide Museum, a confronting yet important experience.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Tracking gorillas in the dense forest can sometimes be wet, humid, muddy and uncomfortable. The terrain is by no means easy either, so it can be pretty strenuous walking. You need to be prepared and fit enough to walk up to 4 hours up and down hills (perhaps pack some gardening gloves to assist in any up-hill climbs). But the sheer thrill of coming across a habituated group of gorillas, dominated by a great male silverback, more than outweighs any difficulty.

  • The gorilla trek is a shared activity. You may be split into different groups according to fitness level, and be accompanied by other travellers on your trek. However there will only be a maximum of 8 people per gorilla family, plus a local Uganda Wildlife Ranger, and trackers.

  • There's a long drive from Lake Mburo to Bwindi (approximately 6 hours) with plenty stops to rest and take photos, the journey will be just as beautiful as the destination.

YGPU - Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge mountain view
YGPU - Steps away from a gorilla at Bwindi forest in Uganda
YGPU - Feature Stay - Nkuringo Bwindi Lodge
Group of travellers on a gorilla trek through forests in Uganda on an Intrepid Travel trip
YGPU - Intrepid Travel - Hikers trekking through trees in Uganda
YGPU - Uganda Feature Stay - Cottage room
YGPU - Intrepid Travel - Uganda Gorilla trek - Group of hikers standing on cliff

Itinerary
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Welcome to Uganda! Your gorillas adventure begins in the country’s capital, Kampala. A welcome meeting will take place at your hotel at 6pm tonight where you’ll meet up with your local leader and fellow travellers before finding out what to expect on your journey. If you get here early, why not head to the Uganda Museum to learn about the country’s cultural heritage, or perhaps head to a local craft market to browse the colourful stalls and chat to the vendors. After your meeting, join your leader and small group for dinner at a lively East African restaurant popular with the locals. Enjoy live music, cocktails, incredible views and an authentic shared dining experience full of regional flavour.
Accommodation
  • Le Petit Village Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kampala - Welcome dinner
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until tonight's important welcome meeting at 6pm. Please ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time for this, consider arriving a day early so you are able to attend. If you are going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have these to give to your leader.

An airport arrival transfer is included. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 15 days prior to travel so the transfer can be arranged.

Leave the city in the rear-view mirror and drive on to Lake Mburo National Park (approximately 4 hours), the only place in the country with impalas, slender mongooses and giant bush rats, and the only in southern Uganda with zebras and giraffes. On arrival, take some time to settle into your accommodation, a splendid eco safari lodge boasting an excellent location at the southern end of the park. Then it’s time to head out and experience the wild wonders of Lake Mburo for yourself on a boat cruise. Glide across the lake’s smooth waters as your local leader points out the fascinating flora and fauna of the region – the lake is home to crocodiles, hippos and dazzling array of bird species including African fish eagles, pelicans, rare shoebills and hamerkops. During the dry season, buffaloes and antelopes often make an appearance on the shores or the lake. Retire to your lodge for the evening and fall asleep to the sounds of the national park.
Accommodation
  • Kigambira Safari Lodge or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Lake Mburo - boat cruise
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

After breakfast, head to the Bwindi National Park (approximately 6 hours). Arrive at the Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, your Feature Stay accommodation for the next three nights. Sitting high on the Nteko Ridge, the lodge offers up magnificent views of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to half of the world’s 800 mountain gorillas. Gaze out across the stoic Virunga Mountains and Albertine Rift Valley. An eco-friendly oasis, beautiful cottages are built with locally sourced materials, a terrace overlooking the forest canopy, and a fireplace for colder nights. The lodge is solar powered, carbon neutral and works closely with the local people. Here you’ll experience genuinely warm Ugandan hospitality – when they wish you welcome, they really mean it. There’s no better spot for soaking in your wild surroundings and searching for mountain gorillas. This evening, join your group and leader for a wholesome dinner at the lodge.
Accommodation
  • Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge (Feature Stay) or Similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
In order to reduce plastic use at the lodge, water is provided in jars. We encourage you to travel with a reusable water bottle that can be refilled in the dining area. The journey today is about 6 hours with plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the amazing Africa vista on the way.

Rise early and take a short walk to the park headquarters where you’ll be briefed on the gorilla trek by the Uganda Wildlife Authorities. The trek can be strenuous, wet and uncomfortable at times but the incredible biodiversity of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the chance to see rare mountain gorillas makes it so worthwhile. We recommend investing in the help of local porters who can carry your pack and provide expert, local one-on-one assistance along the trek. Not only does it make for a more comfortable trek, it also provides valuable employment opportunities to locals. Gorilla trekking is highly controlled, with only 24 gorilla trekking permits available each day. Once you encounter a group of gorillas you will be able to stay with them for one hour – watch them swing from trees, groom each other and play, all under the watchful eye of a giant silverback. Coming face to face with a family of mountain gorillas is sure to be a life-affirming experience that will be etched on your mind forever. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the lush wilderness of the rainforest. At the end of the day the comforts of the hotel beckon, along with a chance to reflect on a memorable day. Freshen up with a hot shower and enjoy a hearty dinner by the crackling fireplace.
Accommodation
  • Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge (Feature Stay) or Similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bwindi National Park - Mountain Gorilla Permit & Trek
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Be aware that the trek can be strenuous and may reach altitudes of almost 2,000 metres above sea level. Depending on weather conditions, some of the paths can be slippery and these paths themselves can change depending on the location of the gorillas. Therefore, it is very hard to predict how long you will need to walk for, but a good level of fitness is recommended for this trek. Rangers may allocate you to different trekking groups based on your fitness levels and the group may be split. Those who find the trek most strenuous can often be allocated to a Gorilla group located closer to the base of the mountain, but this obviously cannot be guaranteed.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on the terrace overlooking the forest, curated by an in-house chef to showcase the finest locally grown ingredients. The day is free for you to do as little or as much as your please – your leader will be able to help tailor a day that best suits your interests. For those seeking another encounter with the majestic mountain gorillas, there is the option for a second day of trekking. As part of its sustainable tourism initiative, the lodge offers a number of walking safaris guided by passionate local experts. Explore forest trails, meet nearby local communities and take in more unforgettable views. You may wish to simply relax at the lodge and enjoy a drink at the rainforest bar. Tonight’s dinner at the lodge will be a meal like no other. You’ll be joined by a local ranger from the Uganda Wildlife Authority who will provide a special insight into the crucial and challenging role rangers play in conserving the gorilla’s natural habitat. Learn about the intimate and life-saving relationships they form with gorillas and ask any questions you may have on gorilla conversation or the unique life of a ranger.
Accommodation
  • Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge (Feature Stay) or Similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bwindi Impenetrable Forrest - Dinner with Ugandan Wildlife Authority Park Ranger
  • Bwindi Impenetrable Forrest - Leisurely breakfast overlooking Bwindi Impentrable Forest
Optional Activities
  • Bwindi Impenetrable Forrest - Nombe Forest Pocket (5-6hrs) - USD120
  • Bwindi Impenetrable Forrest - Trek To The Top of The World (2-3hrs) - USD50
  • Bwindi Impenetrable Forrest - Coffee Tour & Lake Mutanda Canoe (6-7hrs) - USD120
  • Bwindi Impenetrable Forrest - Gorilla Buffer Zone Walk (2-3hrs) - USD50
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Please speak to your booking agent about purchasing an additional permit if you plan to do another Gorilla Trek today as the permit will need to be pre-booked (subject to availability). Please note that you'll only be purchasing the permit itself and there are other associated costs that you'll need to pay locally. This local expense varies depending how many people have pre-booked the 2nd trekking to share the transport (ie. 250 USD for a maximum of 6 people sharing one jeep) and if porters may be needed etc. Your tour leader will be on hand to help organize that.

After breakfast, early start and depart the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and begin the journey to cross border into Rwanda and onto its capital Kigali (approximately 4 hours). After arriving at the capital, visit the Genocide Museum, a powerful yet confronting experience, and important in understanding the tragedy and the resilience of the Rwandan people. Then it’s time for a rolex – not the watch, but a delicious snack made of eggs and vegetables rolled in a chapati. Stop by a local street vendor and watch how these tasty treats come together, before enjoying one with Rwandan chilli sauce, fries and beer. After lunch, say goodbye to your local leader and newfound friends, as your adventure will come to an end at around 2pm.
Included Activities
  • Kigali - Genocide Memorial Centre
  • Kigali - Rolex Streetfood Lunch
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
On Day 6 of the February 6 2022 departure, the trip will not cross the border to Rwanda, but will instead return to Kampala. Rwanda will not be visited due to a current COVID 19 quarantine requirement.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners

Transport

4WD vehicle, Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night), Eco-Lodge (4 nights)

Included Activities

  • Kampala - Welcome dinner
  • Lake Mburo - boat cruise
  • Bwindi National Park - Mountain Gorilla Permit & Trek
  • Bwindi Impenetrable Forrest - Dinner with Ugandan Wildlife Authority Park Ranger
  • Bwindi Impenetrable Forrest - Leisurely breakfast overlooking Bwindi Impentrable Forest
  • Kigali - Genocide Memorial Centre
  • Kigali - Rolex Streetfood Lunch

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.

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