When your guide puts his hand up and motions for you to crouch down, you’ll know why. In the near distance, a silverback gorilla settles down to eat. Opportunities like these exist on this unique and life-changing adventure through Rwanda and Uganda. Deepen your understanding of Africa’s primates and you’ll deepen your understanding of all of us.

Activity Level

Travelers should be in excellent physical condition, without any heart problems, and prepared to spend strenuous days in humid rainforests, steep terrain and high altitude trekking for chimpanzee and gorillas as well as other primates. 

Itinerary - 9 Days

DAY 1 KIGALI
Arrive at any time and transfer to the hotel.

DAY 2 KIGALI/VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
Visit the 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. Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

DAY 3 VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
Depart early and transfer to the national park to meet the park ranger/guide for orientation. Embark on the 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. Trek back and return to the lodge with the remainder of the afternoon to yourself. In the evening, expand your understanding of gorillas through an in-depth lecture from one of the head wardens of Volcanoes National Park. Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

DAY 4 VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
Enjoy a second 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. Return to the lodge for lunch and then take a walk through a local village. 
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

DAY 5 VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK/QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, cross into Uganda, arriving at the Queen Elizabeth National Park area in the late afternoon. 
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

DAY 6 QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
Explore the national park with a ranger on a safari walk in search of chimps. Enjoy a safari drive with possible sightings of buffalo, elephants, giant forest hogs, hyenas, leopards, lions and warthogs. Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

DAY 7 QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
Embark on a morning game 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. Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

DAY 8 QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK/ENTEBBE
After breakfast, head to Entebbe with a stop at the Equator and a visit to a royal drum maker's workshop. Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch

DAY 9 ENTEBBE
Depart at any time. Meals included: Breakfast

Price

Pricing starts at $5,000 per person, double occupancy.  Includes:  Arrival transfer. All national park entrance fees. Genocide Memorial entrance. Guided mountain gorilla trek with permits. Gorilla lecture. 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. Interesting articles, helpful tips and photography advice from National Geographic before you depart. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Travel Style: National Geographic Journeys
Greater exploration, insider access and the freedom to roam – all without sacrificing comfort.

Lodging will offer a comfortable, modest and local feeling.  Please remember that this is a developing area and, as such, accommodations/service may not be similar to the standard you are used to in your home country. As well, interruptions in electricity and water can be common. 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, it is not a concern as it does cool down at night and depending on location fans or screened windows are available.

Trip Type: Small Group
Small group experience Maximum 7, average 6.

Age Requirement: 15+
All travelers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Solo Travelers

We believe single travelers should not have to pay more to travel, so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travelers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently, and single travelers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.  Please note most trips feature a "My Own Room" option for an additional price allowing solo travelers to receive your own single room for all night stops.

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