Gorillas & East Africa Safari
Tour Operator:
Tour Code:
YGSGC
Start City:
Kigali
End City:
Arusha
Tour Style:
Tour Quality:
First Class
Tour Length:
18 days
Age Requirement:
15+ Years Old
Tour Capacity:
16
Physical Rating:
2 - Classic
Dates & Prices
| Start Date | End Date | Offers | Brochure Land Price | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, May 09, 2024 | Sunday, May 26, 2024 | $8,712 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Jun 20, 2024 | Sunday, Jul 07, 2024 | $10,070 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Jul 04, 2024 | Sunday, Jul 21, 2024 | $10,710 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Jul 11, 2024 | Sunday, Jul 28, 2024 | $10,710 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Jul 18, 2024 | Sunday, Aug 04, 2024 | $10,710 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Jul 25, 2024 | Sunday, Aug 11, 2024 | $10,710 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Aug 22, 2024 | Sunday, Sep 08, 2024 | $10,710 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Sep 12, 2024 | Sunday, Sep 29, 2024 | $10,320 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Sep 19, 2024 | Sunday, Oct 06, 2024 | $10,320 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Sep 26, 2024 | Sunday, Oct 13, 2024 | $10,320 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Oct 10, 2024 | Sunday, Oct 27, 2024 | $10,320 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Nov 07, 2024 | Sunday, Nov 24, 2024 | $9,920 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Dec 05, 2024 | Sunday, Dec 22, 2024 | $9,920 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Dec 19, 2024 | Sunday, Jan 05, 2025 | $9,920 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Jan 09, 2025 | Sunday, Jan 26, 2025 | $10,305 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Feb 06, 2025 | Sunday, Feb 23, 2025 | $10,305 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Apr 17, 2025 | Sunday, May 04, 2025 | $10,305 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, May 22, 2025 | Sunday, Jun 08, 2025 | $10,305 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Jun 05, 2025 | Sunday, Jun 22, 2025 | $10,715 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Jun 12, 2025 | Sunday, Jun 29, 2025 | $10,715 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Jun 26, 2025 | Sunday, Jul 13, 2025 | $10,715 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Jul 10, 2025 | Sunday, Jul 27, 2025 | $11,125 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Jul 17, 2025 | Sunday, Aug 03, 2025 | $11,125 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Jul 24, 2025 | Sunday, Aug 10, 2025 | $11,125 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Jul 31, 2025 | Sunday, Aug 17, 2025 | $11,125 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Aug 07, 2025 | Sunday, Aug 24, 2025 | $11,125 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Aug 14, 2025 | Sunday, Aug 31, 2025 | $11,125 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Aug 28, 2025 | Sunday, Sep 14, 2025 | $11,125 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Sep 11, 2025 | Sunday, Sep 28, 2025 | $10,715 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Sep 18, 2025 | Sunday, Oct 05, 2025 | $10,715 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Sep 25, 2025 | Sunday, Oct 12, 2025 | $10,715 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Oct 16, 2025 | Sunday, Nov 02, 2025 | $10,715 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Nov 13, 2025 | Sunday, Nov 30, 2025 | $10,305 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Dec 04, 2025 | Sunday, Dec 21, 2025 | $10,305 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
| Thursday, Dec 18, 2025 | Sunday, Jan 04, 2026 | $10,305 | Get Our Price | Get Quote |
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Tour Itinerary
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.
Cities Visited
Arusha , Kigali , Lake Kivu , Lake Victoria , Masai Mara , Nairobi , Ngorongoro , Serengeti National Park
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Day 1
KigaliWelcome to Kigali, the capital of Rwanda since it gained independence in 1962. Most associate Rwanda with the horrific genocide that took place in 1994, but this is a country that has been striving to rebuild its economy for years and offers so much to the intrepid traveller. And though the past won't, and shouldn't, be forgotten, the future of Rwanda's tourism is looking bright thanks to its welcoming people, an abundance of lakes and the beautiful Virunga Mountains. Your adventure begins by meeting your fellow travellers and local leader at 6pm.
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Day 2
MusanzeAfter breakfast this morning, your tour leader will take you to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, which opened in 2004 to mark the 10th commemoration of the genocide against the Tutsi people. It serves as a museum detailing the history and consequences of Rwanda's genocide and a place for people to grieve for lost friends and family. This afternoon, you’ll drive to Musanze – the gateway to Volcanoes National Park, home to gorillas and golden monkeys. This afternoon, you'll visit The Gorilla Doctors headquaters; the only organisation in the world dedicated to saving the mountain and eastern lowland (Grauer’s) gorilla species one gorilla patient at a time using veterinary medicine and science. They monitor the health of gorilla groups to ensure the early detection of disease and injury, and stage medical interventions when gorillas suffer from human-induced or life-threatening trauma or disease.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 3
MusanzeToday, you’ll visit the The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. This research centre leads the world in protecting and studying gorillas while helping communities build their conservation capabilities. Learn about Dian Fossey’s life and the conservation of endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda. There are heaps of optional activities to do in Musanze, including Golden Monkey Trekking in the Virunga Mountains, the Mount Bisoke trek, or keep it chill with a canoe ride on the Mukungwa River. Maybe visit Redrocks Rwanda, where you’ll learn about the local banana beer production and be treated to some dancing, drumming and basket-weaving demonstrations.
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 4
Queen Elizabeth NPToday, you’ll leave Rwanda as we cross the border into Uganda, making our way to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This park is home to 618 bird species, 10 species of primates - including chimpanzees, and 95 different types of mammals. The route to your accommodation may feel like an unofficial safari. Keep a look out for African elephants, buffalo, hippos, warthogs, Nile crocodiles, leopards, spotted hyenas, lions and chimpanzees. Tonight, stay in a simple safari lodge within the park overlooking the Kazinga Channel.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 5
Queen Elizabeth NPWake up for another exciting day in Queen Elizabeth National Park with another 4x4 Game Drive. Be on the lookout for any sightings you may have missed yesterday, and if you’re really lucky, you might be able to spot leopards or lions.This afternoon, you have the opportunity to see the park from a different perspective with an optional cruise down the Kazinga Channel, linking Lake Edward to Lake George. You’ll be joined by local guides who will fill you in on everything you could want to know about the landscape and the animals who live within it – be on the lookout for hippos basking on the shore, as well as crocodiles, herds of elephants and abundant birdlife.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 6
Queen Elizabeth NPThis morning we make our way to Ishasha, the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here you meet some local residents to learn more about rural life in Uganda. Visit a local organic farm, medicine garden and homestead and learn how its owner is tackling human-wildlife conflict with his anti-crop raiding techniques. You’ll also meet a local Mukiga woman who will share her story while showing you how to sort, pound and grind millet to make porridge and other Bakiga meals. This part of the park is famous for its tree climbing lions, so be on the look out as you make the game drive towards our ecolodge in the northern sector of the park frequented by herds of elephants, buffaloes and antelopes!
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 7
KisoroToday, drive out of the Queen Elizabeth National Park on your way to the southwest tip of Uganda (approximately 6 hours). The journey is like a game drive in itself, with the chance to spot zebras, antelopes, baboons and monkeys out the window. When you arrive at the corner of Uganda, where the border touches Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, you’ll be based in Kisoro, which provides access to seven different gorilla groups located in Mgahinga, Nkuringo, Rushaga and Nshongi.
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 8
Kisoro (Gorilla Trek)Join a local guide and trackers as you climb through the rugged, mountainous terrain of Bwindi National Park in search of mountain gorillas. A quick lock of eyes with these creatures is a truly primal moment and visits are strictly controlled to minimise disturbance. Make no mistake, tracking gorillas is no walk in the park – it's called Bwinidi Impenetrable National Park for a reason. It can be wet, muddy, strenuous and uncomfortable, but the indescribable elation at coming across a group of gorillas is worth the effort. Spend a mesmerising hour with the gorillas as they eat, sleep, groom and play as the male silverback watches over them, then return to the lodge for dinner and to reflect on this incredible experience.
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 9
NairobiAfter breakfast this morning, it’s time to make the journey back to Kigali (approximately 4 hours). You will be dropped off at Kigali Airport for your short flight to Nairobi this evening (approximately 1.5hrs).On arrival at Nairobi Airport you will be met and transferred to your Nairobi hotel. Check-in, freshen up and get a good nights rest before meeting your group in the morning.
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 10
Masai Mara National ReserveTransfer from Nairobi to the famous Masai Mara, one of the best game reserves in all of Africa. On the way you'll stop in Loita Hills, a remote region that's home to the traditional Maasai people. This is one of the key places where the Maasai people still practice their traditional way of life, with little influence from the western world. Make a stop at Tepesua Village, which is known for championing Maasai women’s health and education. You’ll be welcomed by Maasai Warriors by way of traditional song and dance. Meet your Maasai hosts and enjoy a fascinating talk, full of insights into this remarkable and ancient culture. Take a walk to the community village which was founded for widows who had lost their cows due to drought, and can never remarry. The village offers support, safety and economic growth through the ‘Tepesua Widows Income Project’. Here the women are engaged in making handicrafts and sewing eco-friendly handbags, washable sanitary pads, and backpacks to sell to visiting travellers and locals. Learn about village life and be shown around a traditional Maasai home, and their cattle enclosures. Continue to the outskirts of the Masai Mara, where your permanent tented camp can be found.
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 11
Masai Mara National ReserveExplore the Masai Mara in 4WD safari vehicles with game drives in both the morning and the afternoon. This is the quintessential African experience and with sparse open plains, dramatic skies and some of the world's most impressive animals, one you won't soon forget. Keep your eyes peeled for wildebeest, lions, leopards, antelope and giraffes, to name but a few.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 12
Lake VictoriaPrepare for a long travel day as you head towards the border separating Kenya and Tanzania, then on to the small town of Musoma on the shores of Lake Victoria. Not only is this the largest lake in Africa, it's also the largest tropical lake in the entire world and shares its shores with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The next three days will be spent in the wilderness, so make the most of your afternoon and evening by stocking up at the local market, grabbing cash from the town's ATM and kicking back with a cold drink as the sun goes down.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 13
Serengeti National ParkTravel on from Lake Victoria to Serengeti National Park and enjoy a picnic lunch at the entrance to the famous expanse. Continue to your campsite on your first Serengeti game drive in your overland vehicle, keeping an eye out for the hoofed animals and predators that call this place home. Tonight you'll have a true African safari experience, camping in an unfenced site within the national park, right in the heart of the animal action. Your leader will give you a full safety briefing once you arrive.? ?
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 14
Serengeti National ParkWake to another glorious day in the Serengeti. Start the day with an early morning overland vehicle game drive to search for animals when they're at their most active, then return to the campsite for a relaxed brunch. Spend the hottest part of the day relaxing in camp?– don't stress, the animals will be doing the same?– then head off again in the afternoon for another drive through the park. Return to the campsite for dinner and another night under the Serengeti's stars. Note: there's also an option of an early hot air balloon ride here. Please ask your leader at the start of your trip if you're interested.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 15
KaratuEnjoy a final game drive through the Serengeti as you exit the park this morning and cross over to the Ngorongoro Conservation area where you'll descend to the Ngorongoro's crater floor for a 4WD excursion. If all goes to plan, you'll see some or maybe even all of the Big Five animals that reside here and better yet, the vehicle has an open roof so you can really feel like a part of the action. The animals here are less wary of humans and vehicles and as a result it's easier to watch them from up close. Take in the spectacular views from the rim of the crater as you make your way to the bottom, where animals roam the lakes, rivers, woodlands and hills. Keep an eye out for wildebeest, lion, zebra, cheetah, buffalo, gazelle and the endangered black rhino, as well as the colorfully dressed Maasai people who often water their cattle at the lake here. In the afternoon, we leave the Ngorongoro Crater and drive to Karatu, a small town on its outskirts and your base for the next two nights.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 16
KaratuAfter breakfast this morning, you’ll make your way to Lake Eyasi, a huge seasonal soda lake. Lake Eyasi has been home to the Hadzabe people for more than 10,000 years and is one of the few places in Africa where traditional tribal life continues without modern influence. Today’s visit to the Hadzabe lands offers incredible insight into this ancient culture and a chance to learn about their way of life today. You’ll have the opportunity to meet members of the community and join in on daily activities like hunting, gathering and traditional dance. You’ll also learn about their unique ‘click’ language, which is thought to be one of the oldest languages still in use today. Return to your lodge in Karatu later in the day for a chance to put your feet up and relax.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 17
ArushaToday is a free day to relax or choose from the various optional activitiesavailable from your base in Karatu. You might like to head to a local coffee plantation or take a Game Drive in Lake Manyara National Park.Perhaps opt for a hike through the Ngorongoro Reserve Forest to Elephant Caves accompanied by an expert local guide and armed ranger. It's the perfect way to stretch your legs after a few days of overland travel. You'll hike through the Ngorongoro rainforest as your local guide explains the ins and outs of the area here and points out interesting animal tracks and footprints. Marvel at the wild landscape and spot beautiful birdlife as you walk. In the afternoon, we head to Arusha, where we will spend our last night.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 18
Arusha / NairobiYour adventure comes to an end after breakfast today. A departure transfer can be booked, at an additional expense, to either Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK). Alternatively, you can continue on with our crew to finish in Nairobi. Please see 'Special Information' below for more details.
Meals: Breakfast
OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-935-2620
- Kigali - Genocide Memorial Centre
- Musanze - Visit to The Gorilla Doctors HQ
- Queen Elizabeth National Park - 4x4 Game Drive
- Ishasha - Community Tourism Project Visit
- Queen Elizabeth National Park - 4x4 Game Drive
- Bwindi National Park - Mountain Gorilla Permit & Trek
- Loita Hills - Maasai Village Visit
- Masai Mara National Reserve - Full Day 4x4 Game Drive
- 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 - Overland Vehicle Game drive
- Lake Eyasi - Hadzabe Bushmen Visit
- Lake Eyasi - Soda Lake
Meals
17 Breakfast(s) Included
9 Lunch(es) Included
8 Dinner(s) Included
Style: Original
OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-935-2620
Hotel (6 nights), Lodge (7 nights), Permanent Tented Basic Lodge (2 nights), Camping with basic facilities (2 nights)
OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-935-2620
Question: How many suitcases can I take with me on my trip?
Each person is allowed one "check-in," and one "carry-on." Remember to take all valuables with you as "carry-on", because electronic equipment, cameras, laptops, jewelry, business documents and money are not covered by the airlines' liability, so always carry them aboard with you.
Question: Is Airfare Included in the Price?
Airfare from your point of origin to and from the trip is not included in the land price.
Overall Rating
4
Accommodations
3.6
Itinerary
4.2
Professional Staff
4.4
Repeat with Operator
4.1
Value for Money
3.7
Our tour guide was wonderful. She was knowledgeable, fun, energetic, and made our week run very smoothly. The trip itself was fantastic! We saw a lot and the islands are absolutely beautiful. Great food, great new friends made on the tour, and would absolutely book with Intrepid again.
Intrepid tour is great company. Will use this company again.
The trip was both both educational and exciting. I very much enjoyed the sights and culture.
The itinerary was just as I expected! The guide was very good as were the accomodations
Intrepid did such a great job. I never had to worry about where I was supposed to be and it felt so good not to worry about a thing but just to enjoy myself. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about culture and history.
Taiwan people very friendly. Accommodation were centrally located and easily accessible. Did extra activities then in brochure which was greatly.
Larus our tour guide did an excellent job and was very attentive to our needs. He is very knowledgeable and has a great sense of humor.
Our guide Tarang chandola was exceptional. Courteous, knowledgeable, organized, polite, professional and went above and beyond taking care of our needs and requests offen anticipating what that might be. He made sure we all had the best possible time and offered suggestions to meet the needs of everyone on the tour. This made the trip even more enjoyable.
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