Rwanda & Uganda Gorilla, Chimp & Wildlife Self-Launched Adventure
9 days · Rwanda & Uganda
G Adventures charges £3,100
No-markup version: ~£1,555 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched 9-day primate and wildlife adventure through Rwanda and Uganda — trek mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, spot golden monkeys, track chimpanzees in Queen Elizabeth National Park, take wildlife safaris and cruise the Kazinga Channel. With park permits booked directly and friendly budget lodges in place of an upgraded group tour, you follow the exact same route from Kigali to Entebbe for roughly half the price of a commercial operator.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Kigali
Kigali, Rwanda
Fly into Kigali and check into a budget guesthouse in the Nyamirambo or Kacyiru neighbourhood. Settle in and get oriented in Rwanda's hillside capital — a great evening to enjoy a local brochettes-and-ugali dinner near the city centre before your big adventure begins.
🚌Airport taxi/boda boda to guesthouse (~GBP 5)
🛏Budget guesthouse in Kigali (~GBP 15)
- →Arrive and check in to guesthouse
- →Evening food crawl in central Kigali
Kigali Genocide Memorial & Travel North to Volcanoes
Kigali to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial to learn about Rwanda's somber and resilient history. Join a guided community walk and local lunch in Nyamirambo women's village, then take public transport north to Musanze, the gateway town to Volcanoes National Park, arriving at your lodge with volcano views.
🚌Local bus/moto from Kigali to Musanze (~GBP 6)
🛏Budget lodge near Volcanoes NP (~GBP 18)
- →Visit Kigali Genocide Memorial
- →Community walk and lunch at Nyamirambo Women's Centre
- →Public bus/moto to Musanze
Mountain Gorilla Trek in Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
The big one — depart early to the park office for a ranger-briefed mountain gorilla trek. The trek length varies by where the habituated family is, but once found you spend a full magical hour observing these endangered great apes up close. Trek back and relax at your lodge for the rest of the day from the sheer adrenaline of it all.
🚌Permit includes transport; short moto to park office
🛏Budget lodge near Volcanoes NP (~GBP 18)
- →Guided mountain gorilla trek (permit required)
- →One hour observing a gorilla family
Golden Monkey Trek
Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
A second ranger-led trek in the park, this time to find the playful endangered golden monkeys in their bamboo forest habitat. A lighter, more socialising trek than yesterday, leaving the afternoon free to rest, visit a local village, or relax with views of the Virunga volcanoes.
🚌Short moto to park office (~GBP 3)
🛏Budget lodge near Volcanoes NP (~GBP 18)
- →Guided golden monkey trek (permit required)
- →Afternoon at leisure / village visit
Border Crossing to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Volcanoes NP to Queen Elizabeth NP, Uganda
Cross the Gatuna/Katuna border into Uganda after breakfast, then make your way south-west to the Queen Elizabeth National Park area. Arrange shared local transport or a budget 4x4 transfer for the day, arriving in the late afternoon near the park gate.
🚌Shared taxi/4x4 border crossing and onward (~GBP 25)
🛏Budget safari camp/lodge near park (~GBP 18)
- →Cross Rwanda–Uganda border
- →Travel to Queen Elizabeth NP area
Chimp Trek & Afternoon Safari Drive
Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
Today begin with the famous chimpanzee trek in Kyambura Gorge (booked separately/permit) searching for primates in the lush rainforest. Later enjoy a game drive through the park's savannah with possible sightings of buffalo, elephants, lions, warthogs, waterbucks and more.
🚌Park safari 4x4 & park fees
🛏Budget safari camp/lodge near park (~GBP 18)
- →Guided chimpanzee trek (permit required)
- →Afternoon wildlife safari drive
Wildlife Safari Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
A full wildlife day — head out on a morning safari drive for more elephant, lion and antelope spotting across the park's varied habitats, then board a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel in the afternoon to float past hippos, crocodiles and hundreds of bird species.
🚌Park safari 4x4 & boat cruise
🛏Budget safari camp/lodge near park (~GBP 18)
- →Morning wildlife safari drive
- →Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
Return to Entebbe via the Equator
Queen Elizabeth NP to Entebbe, Uganda
After breakfast, make the long journey east back to Entebbe with stops along the way — cross the Equator line for a photo moment and visit a royal drum maker's workshop. Arrive in Entebbe in the late afternoon by the shores of Lake Victoria.
🚌Shared taxi/bus cross-country (~GBP 12)
🛏Budget guesthouse in Entebbe (~GBP 15)
- →Stop at the Equator line
- →Visit a royal drum maker's workshop
- →Travel to Entebbe
Departure from Entebbe
Entebbe, Uganda
A free morning in Entebbe — grab a lakeside breakfast, visit the Ugandan Wildlife Education Centre or stroll the botanical gardens before transferring to Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight.
🚌Taxi to airport (~GBP 6)
🛏None (departure day)
- →Free morning in Entebbe
- →Airport transfer
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,555 | £3,100 |
| Duration | 9 days | 9 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,545 per person (50%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,555
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Rwanda & Uganda Gorilla, Chimp & Wildlife Self-Launched Adventure cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,555 per person for 9 days in Rwanda & Uganda. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £3,100 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,555 — a saving of roughly £1,545 (50%) per person.
How long is the Rwanda & Uganda trip?+
This itinerary runs 9 days, covering 9 day-by-day stops through Rwanda & Uganda.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a wildlife, adventure, hiking trip through Rwanda & Uganda, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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