Rock My Uganda, Rwanda & DRC Adventure
16 Nights from £3,695*
Tour Highlights
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to feel the heat from an active volcano? Or look a gorilla right in the eye? Or get up close with white rhinos? Or go on safari?
Then join us on this incredible adventure spanning 3 incredible countries – Rwanda, Uganda, and the DRC! If you love nature and adventure – this is the trip for you!
Are you ready for the most epic adventure of your life?
“Africa changes you forever, like nowhere on earth. Once you have been there, you will never be the same.” (Brian Jackman)
Kigali
Mount Nyiragongo
Lake Bunyoni
Gorilla Trekking
Rhino Trekking
Murchison Falls
Jinja
Entebbe
Tour Overview
Tour Dates
- 24 July – 9 August 2024 BOOK NOW
- For 2023 dates CLICK HERE
- Please note the 2023 trip follows a different itinerary and does not include Mount Nyiragongo in the DRC.
Cost – £3,695*
- Payment Plan:
- Deposit: £800 (non-refundable)
- 2nd Payment: £2,095 (due 62 days before the departure date).
- 3rd Payment: $1,000 (local payment, paid on arrival).
* Subject to current USD to GBP exchange rates.
What’s Included
- 16 Nights Accommodation
- 16 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 12 Dinners
- Rock My Adventure Group Leader & Local Guides
- Comprehensive Pre-Departure Information
- Most In-Country Transport
- Kigali City Tour
- Kigali Genocide Memorial
- Mount Nyiragongo Expedition (DRC visa included)
- Goma City Tour
- Lake Bunyoni Tour
- Gorilla Trekking (permit included in tour cost)
- Ruhija Community Walk
- Ugandan Food Tour
- White Rhino Trekking (permit included in tour cost)
- Chimpanzee Tracking (permit included)
- Murchison Falls
- Murchison Falls Safari
- Victoria Nile Boat Trip
- Jinja Craft Market
- Ugandan Family Dinner & Cultural Dancing
- Lake Victoria Sunset Cruise (including snacks and drinks)
Please Note
- This is one of our most popular trips so please book early to avoid disappointment.
- Gorilla Permits are extremely limited in number, so to ensure your place on the tour we recommend that you book between 6 months to a year in advance.
- We are only able to run the DRC part of the trip if the DRC and Virunga National Park are open to foreign visitors. This is something out of our control and can change at short notice. If the Virunga National Park is closed, we will hike the Congo Nile Trail in Rwanda instead.
- We are unable to issue deposit refunds if the Virunga National Park closes for any reason as we will have already secured your gorilla permits and they are non-refundable.
“It has taken me 8 months to write this review because I couldn’t find the right words to describe it. It was perfect. Helen (you) are the perfect host. You know your stuff. You are good to the local guides you work with. You were always smiling, It was by far the best thing Jon and I have done together since backpacking through SEA in the early 90’s. You gave us the opportunity to experience a kind of authenticity that we thought was lost to ‘iPhone travel’ (the type of travel that no longer requires a book, a guide and help from the locals). We thought we had lost the opportunity to feel that authentic travel. We are very experienced travellers, flashpackers, and there is no way we could have arranged this on our own. We loved that it never ever felt like we were on a tour. We felt like we met up with long lost friends for a backpacking reunion. The cast of characters and the relationships formed were because of how you put this trip together. The gorillas. No words. It. Was. Life changing. All of it. The trip was so good Helen. I am so lucky I stumbled across your site. I’ve recommended you to everyone I know. Thank you. Well done.”
HEATHER & JON / CANADA / ROCK MY UGANDA & RWANDA ADVENTURE 2018
Itinerary
Day 1: Kigali, Rwanda
Arrive in Kigali and transfer to your accommodation for the night. Relax and get to know your fellow travellers during a welcome meal.
Your Rock My Uganda, Rwanda & DRC Adventure starts here and we can’t wait to show you around these three amazing and beautiful countries!
* If you have the time and can arrive earlier, we can organise any other activities you wish to do. Additional accommodation and activities charged separately.
- Meals: Dinner
- Accommodation: Guesthouse (Ensuite)
- Activities: None
Day 2: Kigali, Rwanda
We’ll spend our first day exploring the beautiful and cosmopolitan city of Kigali, the ‘Singapore of Africa’.
We’ll visit some of my favourite places in the city, including the Nyamirambo neighbourhood, a local women’s centre, a social enterprise, a great local market (where you can buy beautiful African fabrics), and fantastic arts centre, all the while learning about Rwandan culture and experiencing it first hand.
On the tour, we’ll enjoy a lovely Rwandan meal cooked by the local ladies in Nyamirambo.
The evening is free to relax at the guesthouse and prepare for the next stage of our trip or to explore the city’s nightlife.
- Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
- Accommodation: Guesthouse (Ensuite)
- Activities: Kigali City Tour
Day 3: Lake Kivu, Rwanda
In the morning we’ll visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial to learn about the events and circumstances of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. This is a harrowing experience, but a must for anyone visiting Rwanda.
Afterwards, we’ll head east to beautiful Lake Kivu, which borders the DRC where we’ll rest up for the night before our strenuous trek the following morning!
- Meals: Breakfast
- Accommodation: Glamping Lodge
- Activities: Kigali Genocide Memorial
Day 4: Mount Nyiragongo, DRC
Early in the morning, we’ll transfer across the border to Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo to start our ascent of Mount Nyiragongo (3,470m) in the Virunga National Park, one of the most incredible places on the planet.
It’s a stunning but very difficult ascent on volcanic terrain but one of the most rewarding hikes you will ever undertake.
This volcano is famous for being the world’s largest lava lake and we’ll spend the night staying on the crater rim.
Seeing the lava lake for the first time will take your breath away, but it’s when the sun goes down that you will really see the true beauty of this magnificent place as it glows bright red.
This is an out-of-this-world experience!
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Mountain Huts (All Camping Equipment & Bedding Provided)
- Activities: Mount Nyiragongo Ascent, Lava Lake Viewing
Day 5: Lake Kivu, Rwanda
Getting up early, we’ll have a warm breakfast and hot drinks whilst watching the sunrise over the misty Virunga mountains.
After breakfast we’ll make our way down the mountain, taking in the beautiful views over the surrounding area.
Once down from the mountain, we’ll have lunch and take a look around Goma, the vibrant and chaotic border town.
Leaving DRC, we’ll make our way back to Gisenyi for a celebratory meal.
- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
- Accommodation: Hotel (Ensuite)
- Activities: Mount Nyiragongo Descent, Goma City Tour
Day 6: Lake Bunyoni, Uganda
After a little lie-in, we’ll cross over the border into Uganda and make our way to Lake Bunyoni, one of the most tranquil and stunning locations in all of Africa.
Here we can relax our weary bodies and recover after our Mount Nyiragongo trek and get ready for gorilla trekking.
- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
- Accommodation: Lodge (Ensuite)
- Activities: None
Day 7: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
In the morning, we’ll take a tour of island-studded Lake Bunyoni with my friend Josh, to get an insight into the lives of the people who call the lake home.
You’ll enjoy a ‘Rolex’ lunch on Josh’s Island before we head to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to get ready for gorilla trekking!
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Lodge (Ensuite)
- Activities: Lake Bunyoni Tour
Day 8: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
Early in the morning, we’ll head to the gorilla trekking start point, where you’ll receive a safety briefing before trekking through the jungle to find the endangered mountain gorillas.
When I say trekking through the jungle, I really mean trekking through the jungle! This is a difficult trek and requires a good level of fitness, stamina, and determination*.
However, spending time with these beautiful primates was one of the most magical experiences of my life and one that you will never forget, so the effort is 110% worth it.
Once we find the gorillas, we’ll have around an hour with them to observe and stare in awe at just how amazing they are. When one looks you in the eye, you’ll experience one of life’s real ‘wow’ moments and think of yourself as the luckiest person in the world.
In the afternoon we’ll do a community walk though the village, to stretch our weary legs and learn about the people and culture of the area.
* You can hire porters (extra cost) to help you on the trek.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Lodge (Ensuite)
- Activities: Gorilla Trekking, Community Walk
Day 9: Lake Mburo, Uganda
Today is a drive day as we make our way towards Kampala, stopping overnight in the Lake Mburo region.
In the afternoon, we’ll relax at our beautiful lodge which has incredible views over Lake Mburo National Park.
Time permitting, you will be able to take part in some optional activities such as a sunset boat tour, night game drive or a bike ride.
In the evening, we’ll enjoy a wonderful meal at the lodge.
- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
- Accommodation: Lodge (Ensuite)
- Activities: None
Day 10: Kampala, Uganda
After breakfast, we’ll travel to Uganda’s bustling capital Kampala.
In the afternoon, we’ll do a food tour of the city and afterwards, those who want to can head out on the town and experience Kampala’s excellent nightlife and party scene!
- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
- Accommodation: Hotel (Ensuite)
- Activities: Ugandan Food Tour
Day 11: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Uganda
In the morning, we’ll depart for the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary. At the moment, the sanctuary is home to approximately 19 white rhino.
After lunch, we’ll go trekking to see Uganda’s only white rhino who are part of a project to re-introduce these magnificent creatures back into Uganda.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Lodge (Ensuite)
- Activities: Rhino Walk
Day 12: Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda
In the morning, we’ll depart for Budongo Forest where you will go chimpanzee trekking.
You will have the chance to spend an hour with the chimps in their natural habitat. Past Rock My Adventurers have loved this activity!
In the afternoon, we’ll visit the top of Murchison falls where we can marvel at the most powerful waterfall in the world! It’s a beautiful sight and perfect for taking incredible photos!
In the evening, we’ll enjoy dinner at our beautiful lodge.
- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
- Accommodation: Lodge (Ensuite)
- Activities: Chimpanzee Trekking, Murchison Falls
Day 13: Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda
We’ll spend the morning on a game drive. A safari in Murchison Falls is a magical experience, with beautiful, lush scenery and all the animals you could wish for.
You will not be disappointed! If we’re lucky, we may spot giraffes, hippos, lions, crocodiles, elephants, and buffaloes!
Welcome to Uganda’s version of the ‘Lion King’ meets ‘The Jungle Book’ (how one of our past guests described it).
In the afternoon, we’ll take a boat trip out on the Victoria Nile to see the falls from a different perspective and try to spot some animals!
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Lodge (Ensuite)
- Activities: Murchison Falls Safari & Boat Trip
Day 14: Jinja, Uganda
Today we’re heading to Bujagali village near Jinja – the adventure capital of East Africa. On the way, we’ll stop at the Jinja Craft Market to shop for lunch and pick up some souvenirs!
In the early evening, we’ll head into the village to have dinner with my Ugandan family and see a cultural dancing and drumming show – an unforgettable experience full of fun, laughter and tasty food!
- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guesthouse (Ensuite)
- Activities: Jinja Craft Market, Ugandan Family Dinner & Dance Show
Day 15: Jinja, Uganda
Today is a full free day to explore as you wish, however you may want to spend the day going white water rafting.
But if that isn’t your cup of tea, there are plenty of other activities to keep you occupied, like cycling, horse riding, mountain biking, bungee jumping or kayaking (to name but a few of the activities on offer).
Or you could just take a wander through the village, try the street food from one of the stalls outside or volunteer with a local charity.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Accommodation: Guesthouse (Ensuite)
- Activities: None
Day 16: Entebbe, Uganda
After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll travel to Entebbe, where we’ll end our time together with a sunset cruise on beautiful Lake Victoria (all drinks and snacks included).
This is always a fun evening and may or may not end in lots of dancing and merriment!
Afterward, those who want to can visit a great local restaurant on the beach for dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Accommodation: Hotel (Ensuite)
- Activities: Sunset Cruise on Lake Victoria
Day 17: Departure Day
Today is always a sad day as we say goodbye to our new friends, but the memories and shared experiences will last a lifetime.
We can arrange your transfer to Entebbe Airport or you can continue your Africa travels from there.
If you need any support with your pre or post-tour Africa travels, please don’t hesitate to contact us. It’s all part of the Rock My Adventure service!
- Meals: Breakfast
- Accommodation: None
- Activities: None
Please bear in mind that the itinerary is subject to minor changes, ‘This is Africa’! But whatever happens, we’ll ensure you have an amazing trip!!
Have a question? Feel free contact us here or take a look at our FAQ’s page.
Essential Info
Duration: 16 Nights
Dates:
-
- 24 July – 9 August 2024 BOOK NOW
- For 2023 dates CLICK HERE
- Please note the 2023 trip follows a different itinerary and does not include Mount Nyiragongo in the DRC.
Start: Kigali, Rwanda
Finish: Entebbe, Uganda
Maximum Group Size: 10 people
Minimum Age: 18
Total Cost: £3,695*
Payment Plan:
- Deposit: £800 (non-refundable)
- 2nd Payment: £2,095 (due 62 days before the departure date)
- 3rd Payment: $1,000 (local payment, paid on arrival)
* Subject to current USD to GBP exchange rates.
Support
- Rock My Adventure Group Leader, comprehensive pre-departure information & planning advice.
Meals
- 16 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 12 dinners (includes 1 light dinner on the sunset cruise).
Accommodation
- 16 nights accommodation in good quality lodges, hotels, guesthouses, and camps. For Mount Nyiragongo, we will be staying in basic huts on the crater rim as that’s all there is (sleeping bag & mattress included).
Transport
- All transport within Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC to and from included excursions and between the main destinations on the tour (includes – taxi, safari van, minibus & boat).
Activities
- Kigali City Tour
- Kigali Genocide Memorial
- Mount Nyiragongo Expedition (DRC visa included)
- Goma City Tour
- Lake Bunyoni Tour
- Gorilla Trekking (permit included in tour cost)
- Ruhija Community Walk
- Ugandan Food Tour
- White Rhino Trekking (permit included in tour cost)
- Chimpanzee Tracking (permit included)
- Murchison Falls
- Murchison Falls Safari
- Victoria Nile Boat Trip
- Jinja Craft Market
- Ugandan Family Dinner & Cultural Dancing
- Lake Victoria Sunset Cruise (including snacks and drinks)
- Flights.
- Airport transfers (however we can arrange these for you).
- Visas (if needed).
- Medications, antimalarials or vaccinations.
- Travel/health insurance (required).
- Drinks & meals not mentioned.
- Optional activities.
- Tips for local guides.
You will make 3 payments:
- Deposit: Paid in GBP upon booking.
- Balance: The remainder of the GBP balance (minus deposit) paid 62 days before arrival.
- Local Payment: Paid on arrival to your Tour Leader in Africa.
The local payment is separate from the initial price you pay prior to the trip. You pay the local payment to your Tour Leader in US Dollars upon arrival in Africa.
This includes the on tour expenses that we cannot pay prior to arrival, such as national park entry fees, food, local transport and some activities.
Travel insurance is essential for ALL Rock My Adventure trips.
Your health and safety when travelling is of the utmost importance, so it is vital that you have travel insurance policy that covers you for your trip to Africa. Adequate travel insurance is a condition of your contract with us and you will not be able to join a trip without it.
You must be satisfied that your insurance fully covers all your personal requirements including cancellation charges, theft, medical expenses and repatriation in the event of accident or illness.
Your insurance should also cover you for any adventurous activities that you wish to do – this includes the ‘included’ activities on the tour and any ‘optional’ activities.
Please be aware that some hazardous activities such as (but not limited to) white water rafting on grade 5 rapids, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, safari walks, bungee jumping and sky diving may not be covered by all policies, so you may have to take out a higher level of cover.
Medical care is not free in Africa and even the cost of getting to hospital can be super expensive, so you need to be covered in case of a medical emergency, including air ambulance evacuation and repatriation in the event of accident or illness. For example, if your appendix bursts whilst we are in the Serengeti, you will need to be evacuated by helicopter to Nairobi. Without insurance you would need to pay for that out of your own pocket.
If you are bringing along any electrical equipment such as cameras and laptops, you should also ensure your insurance covers those items too. Some policies only have this as an add-on.
If you are travelling to an area that is subject to foreign office warnings, this may void your travel insurance, so you may need to take out an additional policy for the days you are in the danger zones.
Please always read the small print.
Your tour leader will collect your travel insurance details on the first day of your trip, so please have the following information ready for them:
- Name of insurance provider.
- Your policy number.
- The telephone number to call in the event of an emergency.
- Your next of kin name and number.
What are you waiting for?
Have a question? Then contact us using the form below!
If you’d prefer to talk to us over the phone, just let us know and we can set up a Skype/Whatsapp call!
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CONTACT INFO
Email: [email protected]
Whatsapp: +447809710257
Address: 353 - 355 Station Road, Bamber Bridge, Preston PR5 6EE
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