• All transfers by road

• Meals according to itinerary

• Drinking water

• Activities according to itinerary

• Park entry fees

• Gorilla Trekking permit, 1 per person

• Chimpanzee Trekking permit, 1 per person

• Tips, except for Raw Africa Eco-Tours local leaders

• International airfares

• Internal airfares

• Travel insurance

• Country Entry Visas

• Beverages other than water

• Laundry

• Personal spending

Today we will travel orth through Uganda's shifting landscapes, stopping at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track rhino's on foot alongside expert rangers. An inspiring conservation success following the species disapearence from Uganda decades ago. From here we continue toward Murchison Falls National Park and the spectacular River Nile.

Meals: B L D

Explore Uganda’s largest national park where the Nile River surges through a narrow gorge to create the spectacular Murchison Falls. Game drives and a boat safari offer opportunities to see elephants, giraffes, buffalo and a variety of birdlife along the riverbanks. After our river cruise we will walk to the top of the falls, where the Nile thunders through the narrow seven-metre gap to the river below, and onto Lake Albert.

We will spend the night at a community initiative, Funded by the Jane Goodall Institute Community Program, Boomu Women's group.

Meals: B L D

This morning we will hear the story of the Boomu initiative, which was established to create alternative income streams for women and thereby reducing pressure on local forests and chimpanzee habitat. We will continue west to the bustling town of Hoima. Here we will meet the JGI Uganda team and learn more about the complexities of chimpanzee conservation in Uganda.

Meals: B L D

Today we spend time with the Jane Goodall Institute Uganda team working in the forests around Hoima, where wild chimpanzee communities live within a landscape shared with surrounding villages and farmland.

Walking through these forest fragments reveals both the resilience and fragility of chimpanzee habitat. These forests provide vital food and shelter for chimpanzees, yet they are under constant pressure from deforestation as nearby communities rely on wood for fuel.

Together with the JGI team we explore how conservation solutions are being developed alongside local communities, including the production of fuel briquettes, an alternative energy source that can reduce the need for firewood and help protect the remaining forest that chimpanzees depend on.

This visit offers an important insight into the challenges of protecting wild chimpanzee populations and the partnerships working to secure their future.

Meals: B L D

Today we will continue south to QENP. This incredible wildlife haven is famous for its breathtaking landscape of savannah, wetlands, and crater lakes. The park is also known for the Kazinga Channel, which runs between Lake Edward and Lake George.

Meals: B L D

Today we enter the rainforest of Kalinzu Forest Reserve, home to thriving communities of wild chimpanzees. Guided by experienced trackers, we walk beneath the forest canopy listening for distant calls and watching for subtle signs that reveal the presence of chimps moving through the trees.

When we find the chimpa families, we will spend time quietly observing their daily lives, grooming, feeding, communicating and caring for their young. These encounters offer a powerful glimpse into the complex social lives of chimpanzees and reinforce the deep connections shared between humans and great apes.

This is a chance to practice some of the observation techniques introduced earlier in the journey, learning how researchers record animal behaviour in the wild.

Meals: B L D

Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP). This is the second largest park in Uganda and is renown for its diverse array of habitats: lakes, savannah grasslands, forests, and wetlands. Spend the morning on game drives in the park, looking out for lion, buffalo and the elusive leopard.

After lunch in the park, we will board our boat for a wildlife cruise along the Kazinga Channel. The 32 km channel runs between Lake Edward and Lake George, and is a haven for hippo, buffalo, elephants, crocodiles and a huge array of bird species. Finish our day with a game drive along the edge of the channel.

Meals: B L D

After experiencing the beauty of Queen Elizabeth National Park, we will travel further south to the border town of Kisoro. Surrounded by towering extinct volcanoes and crater lakes, Kisoro sits at the base of Virunga massif, only a stones throw away from the borders to Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Tonight we will stay at Travelers Rest Hotel. The guest house was made famous by another eminent primatologist, Dian Fossey who based herself at Travelers Rest while undertaking her gorilla research in DR Congo.

Meals: B L D

Today we enter the ancient rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.

Accompanied by experienced trackers and rangers, we trek through the forest following signs of gorilla families moving through the dense vegetation. When we finally encounter the group, we spend a precious hour quietly observing their daily lives, watching infants play, mothers nurture their young, and the powerful silverback calmly overseeing the family.

For many travellers this is one of the most profound wildlife encounters on Earth. Sitting quietly in the presence of a gorilla family brings the idea of kinship into sharp focus, revealing how much we share with these remarkable primates.

Meals: B L D

Today we spend time with one of the communities that live alongside the forests and wildlife of this region. RAW Africa Eco-Tours has long supported community initiatives in Kisoro that provide sustainable livelihoods while reducing pressure on surrounding wildlife habitats.

This morning we visit Mabungo Village, nestled in the foothills of magnificent Mount Muhavura, where we experience traditional Ugandan life through music, dancing and local food. Encounters like these offer a warm and uplifting glimpse into the culture and daily life of the community.

In the afternoon we travel a short distance to beautiful Lake Mutanda, where we head out onto the water in traditional dugout canoes. Surrounded by dramatic volcanic peaks, the lake is home to otters and an abundance of birdlife. Relax and enjoy the peaceful setting, or pick up a paddle and join in as we explore this remarkable landscape.

Meals: B L D

This morning we depart Kisoro and travel a short distance to the Cyanika border crossing, entering Rwanda — the beautiful “Land of a Thousand Hills.”

Our first stop is the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund campus, where we learn more about the pioneering work of Dian Fossey, whose dedication to protecting mountain gorillas transformed global understanding of these remarkable primates and laid the foundations for modern gorilla conservation.

In the afternoon we spend time with Dr. Noel from Gorilla Doctors, the veterinary team dedicated to safeguarding the health of wild gorillas across Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC. With just over a thousand mountain gorillas remaining in the wild, the health of every individual is critical. Gorilla Doctors monitor gorilla families and intervene to treat life-threatening illness or injury when possible.

Meeting Dr. Noel offers a rare opportunity to learn firsthand about the challenges and successes of protecting great apes across the region.

Meals: B L D

This morning we depart Musanze and travel south along the scenic shores of Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s great volcanic lakes. Reaching the lakeside town of Kibuye, we set out by traditional boat to explore some of the lake’s small islands while learning about the importance of Lake Kivu to local fishing communities.

On one of the islands we visit a large colony of flying foxes, whose dramatic evening flights fill the sky above the lake. Keep an eye out as well for the famous “swimming cows” that occasionally cross the lake between villages.

After lunch overlooking the lake, we continue our journey to Nyungwe National Park, home to one of Africa’s oldest and most biodiverse rainforests. This evening we head into the forest for a night walk, offering the chance to encounter some of the fascinating nocturnal species that emerge after dark.

Meals: B L D

This morning you will have the option to experience Nyungwe Forest from a completely different perspective. You may choose to walk the famous Nyungwe Canopy Walk, a suspended bridge stretching approximately 160 metres across a forest valley and rising more than 60 metres above the rainforest floor, offering sweeping views across one of Africa’s oldest forests.

For those seeking a little more adventure, there is also the option to try the Nyungwe Zipline, soaring above the forest canopy and giving a thrilling aerial view of the lush rainforest landscape below.

Seeing the forest from above offers a unique opportunity to appreciate the incredible biodiversity of Nyungwe, home to numerous primates, orchids, and over 300 bird species.

After the morning’s adventure, we return to the lodge to relax by the open fire before preparing for our last evening in the wild and tomorrows journey to Kigali, Rwanda’s vibrant capital city.

Meals: B L D

Today we travel through the rolling hills of Rwanda toward Kigali, the country’s vibrant capital city. Known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” the journey itself offers beautiful views of Rwanda’s terraced landscapes and rural villages.

In Kigali there will be the option to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a place of remembrance that honours the victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. The memorial provides powerful insight into Rwanda’s history while also highlighting the country’s remarkable journey of healing and reconciliation.

Meals: B L D

Today we spend a full day exploring Kigali, one of Africa’s most vibrant and welcoming capital cities.

We will visit the inspiring Nyamirambo Women’s Center, a community organisation founded by local women to support education, skills training and economic independence. This visit offers a meaningful opportunity to connect with the people and culture of Rwanda while supporting a community initiative that creates sustainable livelihoods through tourism.

In the afternoon there will be time to relax, repack and prepare for the journey home tomorrow.

Meals: B L D

As our journey comes to an end, we say goodbye to Rwanda and reflect on the remarkable experiences we have shared, time spent with chimpanzees and mountain gorillas, moments observing wildlife in ancient forests, and conversations with the scientists and communities working to protect these extraordinary ecosystems.

Throughout the journey we have explored the idea of kinship, discovering the deep connections that link humans with other great apes and the landscapes we share. Encounters like these remind us that the future of wildlife and people is closely intertwined.

We hope you leave with unforgettable memories, new perspectives, and a deeper appreciation for the vital work being carried out across East Africa to protect great apes and their fragile forest homes.

Protecting great apes begins with understanding our connection to them. The more we understand our closest relatives, the more we understand ourselves.

ACT FOR WILDLIFE, TRAVEL FOR CHANGE

Meals: B

Jessica McKelson has over 22 years of global conservation experience, significantly contributing to conservation strategy, wildlife welfare, alternative livelihood programs, and natural resource management across diverse environments.

Jess is renowned for her extensive expertise in primate conservation in Indonesia, particularly with orangutans. For six years, Jessica managed the rescue, rehabilitation and release of over 120 orangutans in Sumatra. Beyond her work in Sumatra, she remains actively involved in primate welfare and rehabilitation efforts in Kalimantan, Indonesia. Her passion for primates has also led her to Africa, where she has observed them in their natural habitats and conservation efforts in action. Jessica is excited to share her expertise, her stories and inspire you to connect with, and care for the natural world.

"The opportunity to lead this adventure with experts and share my knowledge of primate conservation with you, is an honour and a privilege. In Rwanda and Uganda, witnessing the unique behaviors of our closest relatives, the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, is nothing short of breathtaking. These places present an opportunity to immerse oneself in a rich tapestry of wildlife and vibrant local communities."

Juma - Tour Manager, Uganda

Juma has a passion for adventure travel and remote landscapes. Located in the east part of Uganda, Juma has cut his teeth leading hiking and biking tours in the Mt Elgon Region.

"I love all of my incredible country, but its hard to look past the wildlife and landscape diversity of Queen Elizabeth National Park, I cant wait to welcome you to my home, Uganda, the Pearl of Africa"

Brooke has a degree in Biology and Masters in International Community Development. She spent 17 years as a rhino keeper at Werribee Open Range Zoo in Australia, before moving to the Wildlife Conservation and Science team at Zoos Victoria. In this role Brooke was able to develop Zoos Victoria's international partnerships and programs in Kenya and DR Congo.

Brooke established RAW Africa Eco-Tours in 2012, based on a passionate belief that both communities and wildlife in Africa can benefit from sustainable tourism. Brooke believes that 'RAW' guests can make a difference by spending time with organisations working on the frontline of conservation. This is the heart and soul of RAW’s Conservation journeys, which directly support our conservation field partners, while giving our guests insight into the complexities of wildlife conservation in Africa.