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 Kampala 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 before finishing in Kigali, Rwanda.

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.

We’ll begin our journey in Uganda’s as we head to Kibale Forest: a lush, emerald world alive with the chatter of primates and the hum of the wild. Guided by expert rangers, we’ll channel our inner Jane Goodall and trek beneath the canopy to meet Uganda’s famous chimpanzees — playful, curious, and astonishingly human.

Between forest calls and rustling leaves, we’ll wind down with a serene walk through the Bigodi Wetlands, where life moves at nature’s pace. From there, we’ll venture south to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where golden savannahs stretch toward volcanic horizons. Expect your chance of seeing elephants grazing by the water’s edge, lions draped across fig trees, and those long, honey-colored sunsets that make you fall in love with Africa all over again.

Finally, we’ll continue into the mist-covered hills of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest — one of the most biodiverse sanctuaries on earth. Here, you’ll embark on a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trek through the jungle, guided by local trackers. The moment you lock eyes with these gentle giants — one of fewer than a thousand left on earth — will stay with you forever. We’ll wrap our adventure with a scenic drive across the Rwandan border, ending in Kigali, Rwanda.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 Kigali 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.

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.

Check into our starting hotel by 3 PM local time in Kampala, Uganda. We will have no planned activities except for our kickoff meeting at 5 PM local time. Please be aware of the kick off meeting time when booking flights.

Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park, home of the great chimpanzees. The scenic drive takes approximately 5–6 hours through lush countryside, tea plantations, and local villages. Check into your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

After an early breakfast, transfer to Kanyanchu for a briefing and begin your chimpanzee trek in Kibale Forest. The trek offers close encounters with habituated chimps and sightings of other primates such as red colobus, black-and-white colobus, and L’Hoest’s monkeys. Enjoy one full hour with the chimps once found.

Return to the lodge for lunch, then proceed to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided nature walk known for birds (especially the Great Blue Turaco), monkeys, and community interaction.

Later, depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park, driving through stunning crater lake landscapes and the Rwenzori foothills. Arrive in the early evening, check in, relax, and enjoy dinner at the lodge.

Start the day with an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park, the best area for spotting predators. Look out for lions, hyenas, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, waterbucks, and a variety of savannah birds as the park becomes active at sunrise.

Return to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation. In the afternoon, head to the Mweya jetty for the famous Kazinga Channel boat cruise. This slow, scenic voyage offers some of the best wildlife viewing in East Africa—large pods of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and abundant birdlife gathering along the water’s edge.

After the cruise, enjoy a short game drive as you exit and return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, check out and drive south toward the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions. Enjoy a game drive through the open savannah in search of lions resting in fig trees, as well as elephants, topis, buffaloes, and rich birdlife.

Continue the scenic journey through rolling hills, banana plantations, and terraced farms as you enter the highlands of southwestern Uganda. Arrive in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the late afternoon, check in to your lodge, relax, and prepare for the next day’s gorilla trekking adventure.

After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for briefing before beginning your gorilla trek. Trekking can take anywhere between 2–8 hours depending on the gorilla family's location. Once you find them, you'll spend one magical hour observing these incredible creatures.

In the evening, enjoy a cultural walk to visit the Batwa community (Pygmies) to learn about their traditions, songs, and way of life. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

After breakfast, drive through the scenic highlands to cross the Gatuna border into Rwanda. Arrive in Kigali (approx. 4.5 hours) in time for lunch and an optional city tour before being dropped off at your hotel. Please do not plan to book a flight home on this day in case of delays. If you need assistance booking a hotel, Ally can take care of this for you!