Original
Wildlife
Gorillas & East Africa Safari
18 Days | Track gorillas, search for the Big Five and meet local legends
4.8
Excellent
4 reviews
18 days
Start
Kigali, Rwanda
Finish
Arusha, Tanzania
Trip Code
YGSGC
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - null
Physical Rating
Meals
16 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 10 dinners
Transport
Overland vehicle, 4x4 Safari Vehicle, Plane
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
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.
Is this trip right for you?
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 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:
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
Inclusions
Meals
16 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 10 dinners
Transport
Overland vehicle, 4x4 Safari Vehicle, Plane
Accommodation
Hotel (6 nights), Lodge (7 nights), Permanent Tented Basic Lodge (2 nights), Camping with basic facilities (2 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
Loita Hills - Maasai Village Visit
Masai Mara National Reserve - Full Day 4WD Safari
Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
Serengeti National Park - Morning Overland Vehicle Game Drive
Serengeti National Park - Afternoon Overland Vehicle Game Drive
Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive
Serengeti National Park - Afternoon 4WD Safari
Lake Eyasi - Hadzabe Bushmen Visit
Lake Eyasi - Soda Lake
Optional 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
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
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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 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.
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.
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.
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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