Original
Wildlife
Gorillas & East Africa Safari
18 Days | Track gorillas, search for the Big Five and meet local legends
4.8
Excellent
circle4 reviews
location_on 18 days
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Start
Kigali, Rwanda
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Finish
Arusha, Tanzania
tour
Trip Code
YGSGC
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Min Age
15
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Trip Size
1 - null
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Physical Rating
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Meals
16 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 10 dinners
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Transport
Overland vehicle, 4x4 Safari Vehicle, Plane
bed
Accommodation
Hotel (6 nights), Lodge (7 nights), Permanent Tented Basic Lodge (2 nights), Camping with basic facilities (2 nights)
From £7,754(18 days)
Trip Informations
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.
Why you’ll love this trip
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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.
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Explore the Serengeti National Park in depth during three game drives and a night spent camping in the middle of this spectacular wildlife arena.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
Is this trip right for you?
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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.
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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.
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This is an overland trip. That means you’ll be travelling with a group in a purpose-built vehicle, visiting remote communities, setting up your own tent (unless you’re on an Original or Comfort style trip), occasionally roughing it in the bush with no facilities, and getting the best possible views of the ‘Big Five’. While the trucks don’t have air conditioning, they do have sliding windows which let in the breeze and make it even easier to take spectacular snaps of the local wildlife. For more info on this style of travel, see our Africa overland page:
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As the early bird catches the worm, the early camper sights the animals. 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.
Itinerary
- DAY 1Day 1 • Kigali
- DAY 2Day 2 • Musanze
- DAY 3Day 3 • Musanze
- DAY 4Day 4 • Queen Elizabeth NP
- DAY 5Day 5 • Queen Elizabeth NP
- DAY 6Day 6 • Queen Elizabeth NP
- DAY 7Day 7 • Kisoro
- DAY 8Day 8 • Kisoro (Gorilla Trek)
- DAY 9Day 9 • Nairobi
- DAY 10Day 10 • Masai Mara National Reserve
- DAY 11Day 11 • Masai Mara National Reserve
- DAY 12Day 12 • Lake Victoria
- DAY 13Day 13 • Serengeti National Park
- DAY 14Day 14 • Serengeti National Park
- DAY 15Day 15 • Karatu
- DAY 16Day 16 • Karatu
- DAY 17Day 17 • Arusha
- DAY 18Day 18 • Arusha / Nairobi
Inclusions
restaurant_menu Meals
16 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 10 dinners
airport_shuttle Transport
Overland vehicle, 4x4 Safari Vehicle, Plane
bed Accommodation
Hotel (6 nights), Lodge (7 nights), Permanent Tented Basic Lodge (2 nights), Camping with basic facilities (2 nights)
festival Activities
circleKigali - Genocide Memorial Centre
circleMusanze - Visit to The Gorilla Doctors HQ
circleQueen Elizabeth National Park - 4x4 Game Drive
circleIshasha - Community Tourism Project Visit
circleBwindi National Park - Mountain Gorilla Permit & Trek
circleLoita Hills - Maasai Village Visit
circleMasai Mara National Reserve - Full Day 4WD Safari
circleSerengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
circleSerengeti National Park - Morning Overland Vehicle Game Drive
circleSerengeti National Park - Afternoon Overland Vehicle Game Drive
circleNgorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive
circleSerengeti National Park - Afternoon 4WD Safari
circleLake Eyasi - Hadzabe Bushmen Visit
circleLake Eyasi - Soda Lake
museum Optional activities
circleKigali - Genocide Memorial Audio Guide - USD15
circleMusanze - Visit 'Twin Lakes' Burera & Ruhondo - USD40
circleMusanze - Redrocks Rwanda Visit (Banana Beer & Cultural Activities) - USD50
circleMusanze - Mount Bisoke Hike - USD75
circleMusanze - Canoeing on River Mukungwa - USD80
circleMusanze - Golden Monkey Tracking in Volcanoes National Park - USD160
circleMusanze - Guardian Village - Iby'Iwachu Cultural Village - USD30
circleQueen Elizabeth National Park - Kazinga Channel boat cruise - USD30
circleKalinzu Forest - Chimpanzee Trekking - USD205
circleMasai Mara National Reserve - Balloon ride (from price) - USD625
circleSerengeti National Park - Balloon Ride (from price) - USD745
circleKaratu - Village Visit - USD20
circleKaratu - Coffee Tour - USD25
circleNgorongoro Forest - Elephant Cave Trek - USD80
circleLake Manyara Game drive - USD100
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
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Prices From
Monday Jun 02, 2025
Thursday Jun 19, 2025
Trip size max: - Sold Out
Thursday Jun 05, 2025
Sunday Jun 22, 2025
Trip size max: - 1 space left
£8,162£7,754
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Thursday Jun 12, 2025
Sunday Jun 29, 2025
Trip size max: - 5 spaces left
£8,162£7,754
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Thursday Jun 26, 2025
Sunday Jul 13, 2025
Trip size max: - 1 space left
£8,476£8,052
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Thursday Jul 10, 2025
Sunday Jul 27, 2025
Trip size max: - 5 spaces left
£8,685£8,250
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Thursday Jul 17, 2025
Sunday Aug 03, 2025
Trip size max: - 5 spaces left
£8,685£8,250
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Thursday Jul 24, 2025
Sunday Aug 10, 2025
Trip size max: - 6 spaces left
£8,685£8,250
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Thursday Jul 31, 2025
Sunday Aug 17, 2025
Trip size max: - 6 spaces left
£8,685£8,250
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Thursday Aug 07, 2025
Sunday Aug 24, 2025
Trip size max: - 6 spaces left
£8,685£8,250
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Thursday Aug 14, 2025
Sunday Aug 31, 2025
Trip size max: - 4 spaces left
£8,685£8,250
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Thursday Aug 21, 2025
Sunday Sep 07, 2025
Trip size max: - 5 spaces left
£8,685£8,250
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Thursday Aug 28, 2025
Sunday Sep 14, 2025
Trip size max: - 5 spaces left
£8,685£8,250
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Thursday Sep 11, 2025
Sunday Sep 28, 2025
Trip size max: - 3 spaces left
£8,360£7,942
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Thursday Sep 18, 2025
Sunday Oct 05, 2025
Trip size max: - 5 spaces left
£8,360£7,942
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Thursday Sep 25, 2025
Sunday Oct 12, 2025
Trip size max: - 4 spaces left
£8,360£7,942
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Important notes
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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.
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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 time of booking will be credited to the final balance of your booking.
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3. This trip includes 2 nights camping within the Serengeti National Park. Tents, sleeping mats and sleeping bags will be provided. Please bring a pillow (or travel pillow) for these 2 nights.
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4. An optional sunrise balloon ride in the Serengeti National Park is possible on this itinerary. Please see Day 7 for full details of this activity. As the balloon only holds 16 people, places are limited, and we recommend that you book in advance. Please inquire when booking your trip to book this optional activity.
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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.
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