East Africa Gorilla & Safari Experience
16 days
from Kigali to Nairobi
From
$ 10599
Duration16 days
Some of Africa’s greatest wildlife viewing comes together for 16 days of outstanding adventure in the wild. Trek into the Rwandan jungle for the rare opportunity to watch a gorilla family in its element, head out in search of playful chimpanzees in Uganda, and get immersed in the realm of elephants and rhinos in Kenya. Watching the world pass you by has never been more profound.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 16 daysService level: Upgraded
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Starts in: KigaliPhysical Grading: Demanding
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Ends in: NairobiAges: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Kigali
If you arrive early, take some time to explore the city, known for its pleasant, friendly atmosphere. Kigali also has some interesting and historic sites outside of the city. If you want more time to explore, we recommend booking a pre-night.
Arrive at any time and transfer to the hotel.
Please remember that this is a developing area and as such, accommodations/service may not be of similar standard to which you are used to in your home country. There also can be differences in service levels between different countries in East Africa. As well, interruptions in electricity and water can be common and internet/wifi is often only available in large cities. We appreciate your patience and understanding as well as your sense of adventure.
A/C is not available in the accommodations used on this trip. In general is not a concern as it does cool down at night and depending on location fans or screened windows are available.
4x4 safari vehicles are used to better navigate rough roads but important to note that vehicles do not have A/C.
A/C is not available in the accommodations used on this trip. In general is not a concern as it does cool down at night and depending on location fans or screened windows are available.
4x4 safari vehicles are used to better navigate rough roads but important to note that vehicles do not have A/C.
Day 2: Kigali/Volcanoes National Park
Start place: Kigali
Volcanoes National Park borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. Five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains can be found here. The volcanoes and highlands of the park are covered in lush rainforest and bamboo (a favourite snack of the gorillas). While the most famous resident is the mountain gorilla, there’s plenty of other wildlife roaming around: buffaloes, bushbucks, golden monkeys, hyenas, numerous bird species, and some elephants call this place home.
Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial and learn about the somber history of Rwanda. Later, embark on a community walk in the Nyamirambo township and enjoy a local lunch at the G Adventures-supported Nyamirambo Women's Centre. Travel to northern Rwanda in the afternoon to the lodge, located just outside the national park. The lodge provides stunning volcano views.
Altitude note: Volcanoes NP - approx 2,000 m (6,550 ft)
End place: Volcanoes National Park
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Volcanoes National Park
Start place: Volcanoes National Park
Enjoy a trek into the national park with a ranger/guide to view a unique and endangered species — the golden monkey. Watch these playful and lively creatures in their natural habitat. After, visit the Karisoke Research Center, which was founded by Dr. Dian Fossey in 1967. Meet with a resident researcher and enjoy a tour to learn about their ongoing work in the protection of mountain gorillas. In the evening, expand your understanding of gorillas through an in-depth lecture from one of the head wardens of Volcanoes National Park.
Proper hiking attire must be worn – you will be trekking in a rainforest with lots of vegetation, undergrowth, nettles and normally a rather muddy terrain.
Only 1 hour is spent with the Golden Monkeys to ensure their protection and conservation.
Please note that if you are unwell with anything contagious, even a common cold, you may be denied any of the treks to ensure the safety of the golden monkeys. This is a national park regulation, and trekking permits will not be refunded if you are denied entrance due to illness.
The order of activities over Days 3 and 4 can change depending on permit scheduling.
Only 1 hour is spent with the Golden Monkeys to ensure their protection and conservation.
Please note that if you are unwell with anything contagious, even a common cold, you may be denied any of the treks to ensure the safety of the golden monkeys. This is a national park regulation, and trekking permits will not be refunded if you are denied entrance due to illness.
The order of activities over Days 3 and 4 can change depending on permit scheduling.
End place: Volcanoes National Park
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Volcanoes National Park
Start place: Volcanoes National Park
Approximately 800 mountain gorillas exist globally in the wild today. They are found in Rwanda, DRC, and Uganda. In DRC and Rwanda, gorillas live in similar ecosystems/areas. The gorilla species found in these three areas are called highland gorillas.
In Rwanda there are ten habituated gorilla families that are open to visits – the visit to a gorilla family is done once per day, with a maximum 8 trekkers per group and the duration of a visit is limited to one (1) hour with the gorilla family. The time spent with them is limited due to conservation considerations and to minimize impact on the day-to-day life of the gorilla family you are visiting. It is important to be well prepared for the trek — you never know if your total trek will be short or long. The total duration of a trek can vary and be anything between 4 and 9 hrs in length depending on the location of the gorillas, which are constantly moving. You will mainly walk where there are no paths apart from the occasional buffalo or elephant trail.
Touching the gorillas is not allowed (although in some cases they may touch you). Making loud noises or sudden movements is also not allowed. You should attempt to keep a distance of 7m from the gorillas, however the gorillas themselves are unaware of this and will often get very close, in which case you should try to slowly move away. At all times you must abide by the instructions of the trackers and rangers.
Please note that porters are available at approx. $10USD per person. The porters are all hired from local villages and not only can carry your day pack, but assist you with a welcome hand over difficult spots. Regardless of your fitness level, we highly recommend hiring a porter as some tracks can be very muddy and elevation can affect even the most fit person. It also provides employment and supports the local community.
In Rwanda there are ten habituated gorilla families that are open to visits – the visit to a gorilla family is done once per day, with a maximum 8 trekkers per group and the duration of a visit is limited to one (1) hour with the gorilla family. The time spent with them is limited due to conservation considerations and to minimize impact on the day-to-day life of the gorilla family you are visiting. It is important to be well prepared for the trek — you never know if your total trek will be short or long. The total duration of a trek can vary and be anything between 4 and 9 hrs in length depending on the location of the gorillas, which are constantly moving. You will mainly walk where there are no paths apart from the occasional buffalo or elephant trail.
Touching the gorillas is not allowed (although in some cases they may touch you). Making loud noises or sudden movements is also not allowed. You should attempt to keep a distance of 7m from the gorillas, however the gorillas themselves are unaware of this and will often get very close, in which case you should try to slowly move away. At all times you must abide by the instructions of the trackers and rangers.
Please note that porters are available at approx. $10USD per person. The porters are all hired from local villages and not only can carry your day pack, but assist you with a welcome hand over difficult spots. Regardless of your fitness level, we highly recommend hiring a porter as some tracks can be very muddy and elevation can affect even the most fit person. It also provides employment and supports the local community.
Depart early and transfer to the national park to meet the park ranger/guide for orientation. Embark on a gorilla trek, which can vary in length and difficulty, depending on the location of the gorilla family that's being visited. Spend an hour observing these beautiful and endangered creatures. After, return to the lodge for lunch then visit a local village to catch a glimpse of daily rural life.
Mountain gorillas share 98% of our DNA and are prone to catching human illnesses. Please note that if you are unwell with anything contagious, even a common cold, you may be denied any of the treks to ensure the safety of the gorillas. This is a national park regulation, and trekking permits will not be refunded if you are denied entrance due to illness.
Proper hiking attire must be worn – you will be trekking in a rainforest with lots of vegetation, undergrowth, nettles and normally a rather muddy terrain. Minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years old.
Please note that depending on the size of our group and when permits are confirmed, we may be split into 2 trekking groups and you may be trekking with non-G travellers.
Proper hiking attire must be worn – you will be trekking in a rainforest with lots of vegetation, undergrowth, nettles and normally a rather muddy terrain. Minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years old.
Please note that depending on the size of our group and when permits are confirmed, we may be split into 2 trekking groups and you may be trekking with non-G travellers.
End place: Volcanoes National Park
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Volcanoes National Park/Queen Elizabeth National Park
Start place: Volcanoes National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is characterized by open savannah, large areas of swamp around Lake George, the extensive Maramagambo Forest in the southeast, and the forested Kyambura Gorge along the border with Kyambura Game Reserve.
After breakfast, cross into Uganda, arriving at the Queen Elizabeth National Park area in the late afternoon.
There is little accommodation inside the national park that fits our upgraded service level. Most of the mid-range lodges are adjacent to the park but it can often take approx. an hour to reach the park gates due to poor road logistics and conditions. For this reason there is a lot of driving to get to/from activities within the national park area.
End place: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Start place: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Explore the lush Kalinzu Forest Reserve with a ranger on a trek in search of chimpanzees who call this protected area home. This afternoon drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a wildlife drive with possible sightings of buffalo, elephants, giant forest hogs, hyenas, leopards, lions, and warthogs.
The order of activities over Days 6 and 7 can change depending on chimp permit scheduling.
Proper hiking attire must be worn – there are trails but we can at times go off trail, to search out chimps. Vegetation and be thick with undergrowth, nettles and often in muddy terrain.
At all times you must abide by the instructions of the trackers and rangers.
Please note that if you are unwell with anything contagious, even a common cold, you may be denied any of the treks to ensure the safety of the chimps. This is a national forest regulation, and trekking permits will not be refunded if you are denied entrance due to illness.
Proper hiking attire must be worn – there are trails but we can at times go off trail, to search out chimps. Vegetation and be thick with undergrowth, nettles and often in muddy terrain.
At all times you must abide by the instructions of the trackers and rangers.
Please note that if you are unwell with anything contagious, even a common cold, you may be denied any of the treks to ensure the safety of the chimps. This is a national forest regulation, and trekking permits will not be refunded if you are denied entrance due to illness.
End place: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Start place: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Embark on a morning wildlife safari drive for more wildlife viewing inside the park. In the afternoon, take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel to view birds, hippos, and, with a bit of luck, elephants or big cats.
End place: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meals: B, L, D
Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park/Entebbe
Start place: Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, head to Entebbe with a stop at the Equator for lunch at the G Adventures supported AidChild Equation Cafe & Gallery, and a visit to a royal drum maker's workshop.
End place: Entebbe
Meals: B, L
Day 9: Entebbe/Nairobi
Start place: Entebbe
After your flight, transfer to the hotel. Take some time to explore Nairobi before meeting your group back at the hotel for a second orientation meeting. Here, you will meet your Kenyan CEO for this duration of the tour, and new travellers that may join you for the rest of your journey.
Catch a flight from Entebbe to Nairobi and transfer to our hotel.
End place: Nairobi
Meals: B
Day 10: Nairobi/Masai Mara
Start place: Nairobi
After breakfast, we depart for the world famous Masai Mara National Reserve. With its vast open plains and flat-topped acacia trees, no visit to Kenya would be complete without a visit here. In the afternoon, we will arrive in the area, and get settled at our safari camp, our base for our time here. Then we’ll make our way into the reserve for an afternoon wildlife safari drive, with excellent chances of seeing the Big Five: buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion, and rhino.
Travel to our comfortable tented camp located in the heart of the wildlife reserve. Enjoy a wildlife safari drive this evening, then settle back at the camp and enjoy views overlooking the plains of the reserve.
The road in and back out of the park is very rough and very bumpy but once you catch a glimpse of the stunning wildlife, it is worth a bit of discomfort.
End place: Maasai Mara Game Reserve
Meals: B, L, D
Day 11: Masai Mara
Start place: Maasai Mara Game Reserve
Enjoy an early morning wildlife safari drive. The day continues with more wildlife viewing as you cross the rolling hills of the African savannah. Also enjoy a late afternoon/evening safari.
End place: Maasai Mara Game Reserve
Meals: B, L, D
Day 12: Masai Mara/Lake Nakuru National Park
Start place: Maasai Mara Game Reserve
On this afternoon wildlife safari drive, keep an eye out for the resident black and white rhino, buffalo, impala, and the elusive leopard.
Depart early on a long, but beautiful, drive to Lake Nakuru. En route, stop in at a G Adventures for Good-supported project, Ubuntu Café — an initiative that trains and creates local jobs for women. Visit the craft centre, meet some of the Mamas in the program, then sit down to a delicious farm-to-table lunch. Continue to our safari lodge inside the Lake Nakuru National Park. Enjoy a late afternoon wildlife safari drive, paying special attention to the rare rhinos who make this area their home.
Today is a very long driving day but we do break it up with a wonderful visit and lunch at the Ubuntu Cafe.
End place: Lake Nakuru National Park
Meals: B, L, D
Day 13: Lake Nakuru National Park/Amboseli National Park
Start place: Lake Nakuru National Park
After a morning wildlife safari drive, venture south to famed Amboseli National Park located at the foot of Africa's highest mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro. The snow-capped peak of the mountain dominates every aspect of the park, providing the ultimate photo backdrop.
End place: Amboseli Game Reserve
Meals: B, L, D
Day 14: Amboseli National Park
Start place: Amboseli Game Reserve
Enjoy morning and afternoon wildlife safari drives today. During your down time, relax at camp, enjoying views of Mt Kilimanjaro and wildlife visiting the camp's watering holes. Gain a deeper understanding of the issues surrounding poaching and elephant conservation during a lecture by an accredited speaker from the Kenya Wildlife Service.
End place: Amboseli Game Reserve
Meals: B, L, D
Day 15: Amboseli National Park/Nairobi
Start place: Amboseli Game Reserve
Rise early for a final morning wildlife safari drive, enjoying the African sun as it rises over the savannah of the Amboseli plain. Return to Nairobi in the late afternoon and opt to join the CEO in a farewell dinner.
Enjoy the stunning African sunrise on our last wildlife safari drive, before departing back to Kenya's capital.
End place: Nairobi
Meals: B, L
Day 16: Nairobi
Start place: Nairobi
Depart at any time.
End place: Nairobi
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Nyamirambo Women's Centre, Community Walk, Kigali Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Mountain Gorilla Conservation Experience, Volcanoes National Park Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Gorilla Lecture, Volcanoes National Park Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Café Ubuntu and Ubuntu Made, Maai Mahiu Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Kenya Wildlife Service Talk, Amboseli National Park Your G for Good Moment: Nyamirambo Women's Centre, Local Lunch, Kigali Your G for Good Moment: AidChild Equation Cafe & Gallery, Kayabwe Your G for Good Moment: Café Ubuntu , Maai Mahiu
- Arrival transfer
- All national park entrance fees
- Genocide memorial entrance
- Guided mountain gorilla trek with permits
- Golden monkey trek with permits
- Guided chimpanzee trek with permits
- Local village walk
- Safari drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Wildlife boat cruise in Kazinga Channel
- Visit to the Equator
- Drum workshop
- Wildlife safari drives in Masai Mara National Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park, and Amboseli National Park
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
7-seat 4x4 safari vehicle, Walking, Hiking, Boat, Plane -
Accommodation
Hotel/Lodge (11 nts), Comfortable tented camps (4 nts)