Tour
Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda and Uganda 2025
| Starts | Jul 16th 2025 |
|---|---|
| Ends | Jul 23rd 2025 |
| Leader | Steve Gettle & Nicole Sudduth |
| Price | $11,400 |
| Deposit | $2,000 |
| Participants | 6 (One Spot Left for a Single) |
“Gorilla Trek” – Few words conjure up thoughts of a unique adventure in a far way land like those two words. Each year, a privileged few get to enter the Impenetrable forest of Uganda and Rwanda and spend time with these gentle giants. In fact, it is a privilege that is experienced by very few people. Having lead this trip a couple of times, we are pleased to present what we feel is the ultimate gorilla experience including 2 gorilla treks in Rwanda, 2 Gorilla treks in Uganda and a Golden Monkey trek. This trip is limited to just 6 clients.
Logistics
We know this is a once in a lifetime trip for most people and we’re doing it right!
You will fly in and out of Kigali, Rwanda. Since we will be in both Uganda and Rwanda you will need to get an East Africa Travel Visa prior to our trip.
Throughout the trip, we will be staying at wonderful boutique lodges set into the forest habitats or atop mountain sides with gorgeous views. We hand-picked each of these lodges for their excellent service, comfort and uniqueness, which add to the experience so much more than staying at a huge chain hotel. You will experience luxury and comfort combined with personal attention and delicious food which, when going so far away from home, makes travel smoother and more enjoyable.
In addition to this, you will travel in style in comfortable vans and guided by our true “Silver Back” guides whose knowledge of the places and their personal connections in each location make for an even more rich experience. They know the locations and the people and the knowledge they share provides a wonderful rounding out of the experience.
During our trip, we will have two types of treks:
Gorilla treks will be limited to just our group. Park rules only allow 1 group of 8 people to visit each Gorilla family each day. We will have trackers that go out and locate the Gorillas very early in the morning well before dawn. We will then arrive at Park headquarters where we meet our trek guide. Our guide will lead us through the jungle and be in constant communication with the trackers until we find the Gorilla family.
Golden Monkey trek may be combined with a few other visitors coming to the park. Total group size is still small but not as restricted as with the Mountain Gorillas.
All treks will consist of trackers who locate our subjects, a guide who leads us through the jungle and interprets for us as well as rangers to keep us safe from elephants and other wildlife. Treks will also have the option of porters to carry your gear for you – which we highly recommend.
Physical fitness – A trek to see the Mountain Gorillas can be easy or tough depending on where the Gorillas are. Additionally, we may be at an elevation of 4,000-8,000ft while we do these treks. It could be an easy 1-2 hour hike or on the rare occasion a harder trek of a few hours through dense vegetation and steep slopes while we search. A trek of 1-3 hours seems to be the average, but it is up hill so it’s ok to take it slow (but not too slow :)!). As a benchmark, we require that you are able to walk 1 mile in 20 minutes. Maintain or build up your physical fitness before embarking on this trip as the slowest walker sets the pace for the group. Walking sticks may be available at park headquarters and you can hire a porter to help carry your backpack/gear for $15 for the day.
Once a trek begins, the group will continue on to the gorillas. Anyone unable to complete a trek will be left behind with his or her porter until our return from the trek. The show will go on even if you cannot, so please don’t expect the group to be compromised if your fitness level precludes your completing a trek. We promise we will come back for you!
***If you plan to arrive early, before the start of our tour***
You will need to make your own extra/early arrival lodging and airport transfer arrangements at our first hotel or be at our first hotel by July 16.
Itinerary
-
Travel Day
Tuesday, July 15
Departure from home -
Day 1
Wednesday, July 16
Arrive in Kigali, Rwanda. Private transfer to our hotel for an overnight.***If you plan to arrive early, before the start of our tour***
You will need to make your own extra/early arrival lodging and airport transfer arrangements at our first hotel or be at our first hotel by July 16. -
Day 2
Thursday, July 17
In the morning after breakfast, we will transfer to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda with spectacular views of the Virunga Mountain ranges. After settling in, enjoy some fun bird photography around the lodge at your leisure. -
Day 3
Friday, July 18
Gorilla tracking in Rwanda and cultural walk
We will be up early as we report to the park headquarters for briefing by the senior park ranger guide. We will then set out for our first Gorilla trek to track these gentle giants. We will likely walk through thick vegetation and possibly traverse slippery slopes but it will be worth it! After an hour with the gorillas, we will return to the hotel for relaxation and in the afternoon have the option to take a community walk to Ibyu’wachu cultural village. -
Day 4
Saturday, July 19
Today we will have our second Gorilla trek in Rwanda’s Volcanos National Park. -
Day 5
Sunday, July 20
Golden monkey tracking in Rwanda and transfer to Bwindi National Park
In the morning, we will gather at the park headquarters for briefing before going on our golden monkey trek. We will enjoy them as they play in the forest and search for food. Following our trek, we will transfer to Uganda’s Bwindi National Park, arriving at our wonderful lodge by evening. -
Day 6
Monday, July 21
Today, we will be up early to go to the park headquarters for our briefing. From there we will enjoy our 3rd Gorilla trek – this time in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable forest where you very well may walk along trails made by forest elephants! In the afternoon, we will transfer to our final lodge in a different part of the Impenetrable Forest. -
Day 7
Tuesday, July 22
This morning, we will enjoy our fourth Gorilla trek as we spend time with yet another family of gentle forest giants. In the afternoon, you will have the option to visit the Batwa community. -
Day 8
Wednesday, July 23
After breakfast we will return to Kigali, Rwanda for departure flights. We will check in at the airport for flights home (or, in the case of those going on our Kenya tour, flights to Nairobi).
Booking
Deposit of $2,000 with registration
Payment #2 of $5,400 due January 15, 2025
Final Payment of $4000 due April 15, 2025
* Pricing based on double occupancy
*** Single supplement (if available) add $1100
Included
– All lodging while in Rwanda and Uganda
– All meals while at the lodges
– All ground transportation
– 3 Gorilla trek permits
– 1 Golden Monkey trek permit
– All park entrance fees
– Comprehensive Pre-trip Booklet that includes all the photo gear and other packing information for the trip as well as all other pertinent details to help you make the most of this adventure
– Air travel to and from Kigali, Rwanda
– Gratuities
– Travel Insurance
– Any alcoholic beverages