The Girls Trip Series: Gorilla & Chimpanzee Adventure

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Overview

The Girls Trip Series: Gorilla & Chimpanzee Adventure
Kigali, Rwanda
Jan 31 - Feb 6, 2027
The Girls Trip Series image
The Girls Trip Series
C$6,850
Deposit: C$500

About this trip

There are only about 1,000 mountain gorillas left on this planet - and in the misty forests of Uganda, we’ll channel our inner Dian Fossey and stand face-to-face with them.

This once-in-a-lifetime journey starts in Kigali, Rwanda, and takes us deep into Uganda’s wild heart. Over seven unforgettable days, we’ll move between lush rainforests, open savannahs, and peaceful crater lakes, trekking through the jungles of Bwindi and Kibale to encounter two of our closest relatives: gorillas and chimpanzees.

Between safaris and treks, we’ll unwind in boutique eco-lodges, sip coffee overlooking rolling hills, and connect as a small group of women who dared to say yes to something extraordinary.

A true bucketlist adventure you can't pass up.

What To Expect

Our adventure begins in Kigali, Rwanda where we'll take a scenic road trip before crossing into Uganda and arriving at Bwindi, one of Africa’s most biodiverse sanctuaries. Guided by expert rangers, we’ll embark on a gorilla trek through the mist, a heart-racing and deeply humbling encounter that few will ever experience.

From there, we journey north to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where golden savannahs meet volcanic landscapes. Expect lions lounging in fig trees, herds of elephants by the water’s edge, and sunsets that feel eternal.

Finally, we’ll continue to Kibale Forest, home to Uganda’s famous chimpanzees. We'll channel our inner Jane Goodall and trek through dense jungle, listen for distant calls, and meet these intelligent primates up close before wrapping up the trip with a nature walk through Bigodi Wetlands - our final, grounding moment in the wild.

A rare journey. A powerful connection. An adventure few will ever experience.
Join us in 2027 as we head deep into the wilds of Uganda to meet our closest relatives, and maybe, rediscover parts of ourselves too.

Travel Style & Trip Expectations

This journey is designed as an overland-style adventure, meaning we’ll be moving across Uganda and Rwanda by road - taking in the landscapes, culture, and rhythm of the country along the way.

Accommodations are comfortable mid-level lodges and camps, thoughtfully chosen to balance experience and value so we can keep the trip accessible without compromising on comfort. We've included photos of example lodges to give you an idea but please note these are subject to change. While this isn’t a luxury safari, it’s rich in heart, adventure, and connection ;)

You will be placed with another woman on the trip as your roomie. We match roomies based on your pre-trip questionnaire answers to team you up with someone we think you'd be most compatible with in terms of sleeping styles and personality. If you would like your own room, please add a single occupancy add on at the time of booking.

A moderate fitness level is required, as our days will include trekking through dense forest terrain in search of gorillas and chimpanzees — a challenging but deeply rewarding experience that makes every step worth it.

Please note that while we would love to see every animal in the world possible - wildlife spotting is completely out of our control and we cannot guarantee specific sightings. There will be no refunds based on this outcome.

Why Are We Booking So Far In Advance?

Gorilla and chimp trekking permits are limited and sell out months in advance. Booking early not only guarantees your spot, it makes this dream trip easier to plan and pay off with our Girls Trip Series payment plans.

Reviewing Entry Requirements

PASSPORT
You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally andmost countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details.

We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS & VISAS

Please ensure you’ve checked the passport and visa requirements for both Rwanda and Uganda based on your specific nationality/passport, as entry rules can vary and may require advance applications.

MEDICAL REQUIRMENTS

We also strongly recommend reviewing all medical and vaccination guidelines for travel to both Uganda and Rwanda. This may include yellow fever, routine immunizations, malaria prevention, and other region-specific considerations. Please consult with your doctor or a travel health clinic to make sure you’re fully prepared, protected, and confident for this adventure.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is mandatory for all Girls Trip Series travelers, and every guest must carry emergency medical coverage and trip interruption insurance for the full duration of the trip. Please take the time to review your policy carefully and confirm that it covers all activities included in this itinerary. Many basic insurance plans do not automatically cover gorilla or chimpanzee trekking, wildlife safaris, or adventure-based activities, which can void parts of your coverage if not added in advance. We strongly recommend speaking directly with your insurance provider to ensure you have the proper add-ons or upgraded protection so you can travel confidently and without worry.

Other Important Information

  1. This is an overland trip. That means you’ll be travelling with a group in a purpose-built vehicle, visiting remote communities and parts of this world. Some drives can be long, windy or bumpy so be prepared to be on a road trip through Uganda and Rwanda.

  2. There will be many early starts either to make use of the better safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days.

  3. This trip booking will have you placed in a shared room with another traveller. An upgrade to a single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability.

  4. This trip finishes on arrival in Kampala on Day 7. Please do not book any flights out this evening incase there are delays. There is no hotel included for this evening as the trip ends at dropoff. If you need assistance booking a hotel, Ally can arrange this for you.

  5. The weight of baggage that can be brought on this trip is limited by the packing space and weight restrictions of our truck. The weight limit for luggage is a maximum of 20kgs per person, plus a maximum of 5kgs for your day pack. Backpacks shouldn’t have an external frame unless it can easily be removed and stored separately to avoid damaging other people’s luggage. We strongly advise passengers to travel with a backpack or a duffel bag, and it is essential that no hard suitcases be brought on this trip.

  6. The itinerary is subject to changes. Sometimes things come up when travelling that will require us to pivot. We ask in the event of adjustments, we are met with understanding and patience.

Cancellation & Departure Requirements

Please note that this trip requires a minimum of 5 women to run. The trip will be confirmed on or before August 15th, 2026. All trip payments are 100% non-refundable unless the trip is cancelled in which case all payments will be returned. This is an non-negotiable and by signing up you agree to these terms.

Filling your cancelled spot is the responsibility of the traveller and not The Girls Trip Series.

What's included

6 Nights, 7 Days Accoms

In mid-range lodges

Meals

5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners

Transportation

throughout the trip

Local guides

For all treks, safaris and activities

Gorilla Trekking Permit

Chimp Trekking Permit

All Park Entry Fees

Gorilla Trek

Bwindi

Cultural Walk

Batwa Community

Safari Game Drive

Queen Elizabeth Park

River Cruise Safari

For Hippo & croc spotting

Chimpanzee Trek

Kibale Forest

Bigodi Nature Walk

Exploring Wetlands

What's not included

Flights

Travel Insurance

Note that special travel insurance may be required for gorilla trekking

Spending Money

Tipping For Guides

Local Guides, Not The Girls Trip Series <3

Medical Requirements

Vaccinations etc.

Visas

Please see your passport requirments for entry into Rwanda and Uganda.

Day 1

Day 1 image

Arrival Day & Free Time.

Check into our starting hotel by 3 PM local time in Kigali, Rwanda.

We will have no planned activities except for our kickoff meeting at 5 PM local time.

Day 2

Day 2 image

KIGALI TO BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST NATIONAL PARK

Our local guide will pick us from Kigali, and transfer us to Uganda through Gatuna  Immigration boarder point to the northern sector of Bwindi impenetrable Forest national park.

  • This scenic drive will take approximately 4.5 hours, with lunch enroute.

  • Upon arrival at Bwindi, check-in at your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

  • It is recommended to get into Kigali at least 1 day prior to trip departure to avoid any issues with flight delays.

Day 3

Day 3 image

GORILLA TREKKING AND CULTURAL WALK

Have an early morning breakfast and head to the park headquarters for briefing by the ranger guides before embarking on your gorilla trek. Head into the forest and trek until you find the gorillas. Gorilla trekking can take 2 to 8 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas. After finding the gorillas in Bwindi, we will be allowed only 1 hour with them before returning back to the lodge.

In the evening, you may go for cultural walk in the nearby Batwa (Pygmies) community, where you will be entertained and given tales of their unique culture.

Day 4

Day 4 image

TRANSFER TO QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

After an early morning breakfast, we'll depart from Bwindi and head to Queen Elizabeth National Park where we will do a game drive in the Ishasha Sector popular for the tree climbing lions. You may also see some other wildlife including hippos, Elephants, Buffaloes, Antelopes, Leopards, warthogs and so much more. 

Continue to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5

Day 5 image

MORNING GAME DRIVE, BOAT CRUISE,AND TRANSFER TO KIBALE FOREST

Go for an early morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth NP where you may spot a lot of wildlife including African elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, impala, among others and a lot of birds.

Return to the lodge for breakfast, relax a bit and enjoy your lunch. In the afternoon, go for a launch cruise along the Kazinga channel inside Queen Elizabeth Park where you may come up close with hippos, crocodiles among other aquatic life and an array of birds on the bay! 

Day 6

Day 6 image

CHIMPANZEE TREKKING AND AFTERNOON BIGODI NATURE WALK

After breakfast on an early morning, set out with the driver guide as he will transfer you t the park head offices for briefing. After briefing, at around 8:00am start chimpanzee trekking through this rain-forest as you will be guided by the park rangers. It is always a thrilling and an unforgettable experience meeting chimpanzees face to face and watching them engage in their daily activities like playing, jumping feeding etc. Also other animals can be spotted such as the grey cheeked mangabeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and also different birds.

Day 7

Day 7 image

TRANSFER TO KAMPALA

Take your breakfast at leisure at your hotel and later be ready to transfer to Kampala, Uganda. Say your goodbyes and continue on home or on an extra journey of your choice

About your organizer

Small, curated experience around the globe for the solo female traveller who hates the idea of being stuck on a tour.

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