Original
Wildlife
Gorillas & East Africa Safari
18 days • 4.8
5
Excellent
6 reviews
18 days
Start
Kigali, Rwanda
Finish
Arusha, Tanzania
Trip Code
YGSGC
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 16
Physical Rating
Meals
16 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 10 dinners
Transport
4WD Open Safari Vehicle, Private Vehicle, Plane
Accommodation
Hotel (6 nights), Lodge (7 nights), Permanent Tented Basic Lodge (2 nights), Permanent Tented Camp (2 nights)
From £6,433(18 days)
Trip Informations
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?
No two journeys in Africa are identical. Be prepared for travel times to be longer or shorter than advised. Weather and road conditions can change things significantly, so embrace the detours, shortcuts, and unforgettable moments along the way.
The sheer thrill in coming across a habituated group of gorillas, dominated by a great male silverback, is 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 hills.
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 a 4WD overland trip. That means you’ll be travelling with a group in 4WD vehicles, visiting remote communities and world-renowned wildlife parks. The drive days can be long, but it’s as much about the journey as the destination, and half the fun is the camaraderie.
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.
The day-to-day itinerary features a selection of optional activities. Please note that this list is not exhaustive and is intended only as a guide. Prices are approximate and may change at the discretion of the local provider, and all activities are subject to availability.
Itinerary
Track gorillas, search for the Big Five and meet local legends
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.
Inclusions
Meals
16 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 10 dinners
Transport
4WD Open Safari Vehicle, Private Vehicle, Plane
Accommodation
Hotel (6 nights), Lodge (7 nights), Permanent Tented Basic Lodge (2 nights), Permanent Tented Camp (2 nights)
Included 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 - 4WD Safari
Serengeti National Park - Afternoon 4WD Safari
Serengeti National Park - Morning 4WD Safari
Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive
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) - USD470
Serengeti National Park - Balloon Ride (from price) - USD800
Karatu - Village Visit - USD20
Karatu - Coffee Tour - USD25
Ngorongoro Forest - Elephant Cave Trek - USD80
Lake Manyara Game drive - USD100
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 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 the time of booking will be credited to the final balance of your booking.
3. This itinerary offers two optional sunrise balloon safaris—one in the Masai Mara and another in Serengeti National Park. We offer both as a pre-booked service, which will guarantee you a place. If you would rather wait and try to get a better price by booking this locally on the ground, you are welcome to – but keep in mind that this is a popular activity, and places are limited.
4. Some governments 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.
Reviews (6)
5 stars
5
4 stars
1
Allan
Mar 02, 2025
We travelled as two (retired) couples in Feb-2025. Had a fantastic experience. We lived the pages of National Geographic Magazine that we read as kids, getting up close to the wildlife. Learned history, culture and traditions of 4 countries. Travelled through stunning landscapes. Intrepid provided knowledgable, enthusiastic, well organized and personable team leaders. You got’a go!
Viktoria
Dec 27, 2024
Excellent trip. Well organized with knowledgeable staff.
Gregory
Aug 29, 2024
It was all good considering your travel companions are random the sites the crew and itinery make the trip worthwhile
Helen
Jul 21, 2024
The East Africa & Gorillas trip is one I’ll never forget. It’s been on my bucket list for a long time. From the Golden Monkeys to Silver back Gorillas in Rwanda & Uganda. Masai Mara safari in kenya was magnificent. We Bhutan so many animals and the migration. It was spectacular! The Serengeti in Tanzania was amazing. We took the balloon ride and experienced a black Rino with her baby. It was all a wonderful unforgettable experience.
Gregg
Oct 30, 2023
Amazing trip thru East Africa viewing wildlife, lovely people of Africa. Highly recommended
Kate
Aug 01, 2023
This is a great trip to explore East Africa and all the amazing wildlife it has to offer. The gorilla trek and sleeping inside Serengeti National Park were absolutely incredible experiences
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