The Great Gorilla Project
Enjoy witnessing the stunning Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat on this gorilla conservation project!
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Activities
On this gorilla project, you will engage in a wide variety of activities within the local communities, supporting areas of mountain gorilla conservation in and around the national parks. You will also take part in two breath-taking treks to see the beautiful endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Itinerary
Please note, itineraries are subject to change and what follows is simply a rough guideline. All trips, however, will include two gorilla treks, one chimpanzee trek and work with the local communities.
Day 1 - The Adventure Begins:
You will be met upon arrival into Kigali International Airport by a project representative and be transferred to your accommodation for your first night's stay. Here, you will meet the rest of your group and enjoy a welcome dinner together before getting some rest before the adventure begins the following morning.
Day 2 – Travel to Kisoro & Dian Fossey Museum:
After breakfast, you will take a private transfer to Kisoro which is approximately a 3-hour drive. Along the way, you will visit the Dian Fossey Museum and take a tour of the Ellen DeGeneres campus where you will also enjoy a spot of lunch. You will then finish your journey to Kisoro, crossing the Rwandan/Ugandan Border as you go, and upon arrival, will have some time to relax and settle into your accommodation.
Day 3 - Community Development Projects:
Today, you’ll be taking part in sustainable projects run by the Mgahinga Community Development Organisation which aim to give the local community a better life. These projects are a great way to integrate with and learn about the local communities and can range from teaching primary school children to helping with small building and agricultural projects to reforestation activities as you plant trees in the buffer zone of the national park.
Day 4 - Kisoro Demo School & Organic Coffee Tour:
Visit the Kisoro Demonstration School, which works primarily with deaf and blind children and children with disabilities . This will be hands-on, and you may get involved in a variety of activities from teaching and playing games with the kids to helping renovate a classroom. Afterwards, you will visit a local family project where organic arabica coffee is made. You will see all parts of the process from planting to consumption, and then get the chance to participate in the process, before tasting the coffee of course.
Day 5 - Potter’s Village & Pygmy Community Visit:
After breakfast, you’ll take a trip to Potter’s Village, a local child crisis and medical centre. Here you will see the compassionate work undertaken to care for Uganda’s abandoned, orphaned, and sick children. Included in the project fee is a donation to Potter’s Village so you will stop on route to collect the items that have been purchased and deliver them directly to the centre, allowing you to see how your participation in this project is making a real difference to local communities in need. After, you will visit a local Pygmy community and learn all about their history and culture.
Day 6 - First Gorilla Trek:
Today you will join your first of two gorilla treks as you head into Mgahinga National Park. You will be led by park guides who will impart their local knowledge and wisdom about endangered mountain gorillas, their habitat, and their conservation. This will be where some of the best memories are created as you witness the family of apes interacting and communicating with each other.
Day 7 – Leave for Lake Mburo National Park:
Your group will transfer to Lake Mburo National Park today, stopping for lunch on the way. The drive will provide the opportunity to witness and appreciate the varying landscapes of Uganda and its remarkably diverse wildlife.
Day 8 – Game Drives & Boat Trip:
Spend the morning driving through the wonders of the national park looking for all manner of iconic African species. By day, you’ll see zebras, buffalo, and birds galore! The afternoon will see you aboard a boat cruising along Lake Mburo, where you may be treated to sights of hippo pods and Nile crocodiles. Finally, you’ll wrap up the day searching for leopards on the hunt for their evening meal!
Day 9 – Transfer to Kalinzu Forest:
Today, you'll transfer to Kalinzu Forest, where you will reach your eco-friendly accommodation in time for lunch. The Cielo Country Inn is a charming family-owned hotel that runs several ecological projects that benefit the environment and the local community. This afternoon, you might have the opportunity to participate in activities such as harvesting honey!
Day 10 – Chimpanzee Habituation Experience:
Cross another experience off your bucket list by embarking on a trek to locate troops of wild chimpanzees! Once you find them, you will spend time with the troop as part of their habituation process and learn the intricacies of their conservation, alongside what makes their social hierarchy and behaviours unique.
Day 11 – Transfer to Kisoro:
Today, you will be taking an overland transfer back to Kisoro. On the way, you will stop for lunch and visit a lookout point to see stunning views of Lake Bunyonyi. In the evening, you will have free time to relax at your accommodation and rest up for more adventures to come.
Day 12 – Mgahinga National Park:
Having already spent time at the Kisoro Demonstration School, today you will get the opportunity to trek through Mgahinga National Park with some of the children. This not only provides a wonderful opportunity to interact with the kids on a personal level and share experiences, but you will also be providing them with a direct education in the forest they are being taught to protect.
Day 13 – Second Gorilla Trek:
Today you will go on your second gorilla trek, this time into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, for a chance to see the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. You will be going to see a different gorilla family, offering you the chance to understand and appreciate the difference in behaviours between the two groups of apes.
Day 14 – Final Day:
Today you will transfer back to Kigali and you will then be taken to the airport if you have arranged to catch an evening flight. Should you prefer to stay overnight and travel the following day, or if you will be staying in Rwanda for longer, you will be transferred to your accommodation in Kigali.
Durations & Prices
Accommodation
Accommodation
On the first night, you will be staying at a lovely hotel situated near Kigali International Airport. You will be given a spacious room that overlooks the beautiful gardens and has an en-suite bathroom. The accommodation in Kisoro, where you will be spending most of your time on the project, is basic but comfortable, and your room will include a mosquito net and en-suite bathroom. There is also a bar/lounge area where you can make use of the free Wi-Fi. Next, you will be in Lake Mburo National Park where you can enjoy stunning views of the lake from your safari tent. Your shared room will have an en-suite bathroom, linens, and power points to ensure your comfort after a busy day. In Kalinzu Forest you will be accommodated at an eco-friendly, family-run hotel that offers large, clean rooms with en-suite bathrooms and Wi-Fi.
All rooms are allocated on a twin-share, same-sex basis, although double rooms are available for couples. For more privacy, it is also possible to upgrade to a single room for an additional fee.
Meals & Beverages
3 meals per day are provided and for most, you will have a full menu to choose from. All beverages (including alcoholic) are not included but are available at each accommodation and throughout the trip. When taking part in the gorilla treks, water and a packed lunch will be provided.
Project Details
When is the best time to volunteer?
The most popular months to go gorilla trekking in Uganda are from May to September and December to February, as whilst it is warm throughout the year with average temperatures of 25-28°C (77-82°F), these are the driest months and so offer the best conditions for trekking.
We offer select group start dates during these months but can also offer private trips for groups of two or more throughout the year, except for in July and August as the schools are closed for holidays.
Getting There
You will need to arrive into Kigali International Airport (KGL) on the start date of your project, where you will be met by a project representative and transferred to Hotel Chez Lando in Kigali for your first night's accommodation. Arriving before 6pm is preferred as there is a welcome dinner at approximately 7pm, but if you have a flight arriving later, a transfer can still be arranged.
On the final day of the project, you are transferred back to Kigali in the afternoon and so will need to book a flight that departs Kigali International Airport after 7pm. This is because you may not get back to Kigali until 4pm so this will ensure you have enough time and will not miss your flight. You can also book another night at Hotel Chez Lando and fly the next day if there are better flight options but this will be at an additional cost.
Visa Requirements
Most nationalities will require a tourist visa to enter Rwanda and Uganda. It may be possible to obtain a visa on arrival, but if not, we recommend obtaining an East Africa Visa as this allows you to travel between Uganda and Rwanda, and means you only have to apply for 1 visa. Tourist visas for Rwanda can be applied for online at https://irembo.gov.rw/user/citizen/service/dgie/request_a_visa, and tourist visas for Uganda can be applied for online at https://visas.immigration.go.ug/.
Fitness & Skills
This project does not involve much in the way of physical labour but is heavily based around trekking on the gorilla tours - usually in fairly humid conditions. Therefore, all volunteers should have high enough levels of fitness to be able to partake in regular treks. No specific skills or experience are required, just commitment to the project and its aims. You must be prepared to work alongside other members of the team and to bring an upbeat, positive attitude to the endeavour as a whole.
Vaccinations
All visitors to Uganda are required to have a yellow fever vaccination and must present the certificate upon arrival. Any other vaccinations will depend on your medical history, so we recommend speaking with your GP/Doctor regarding your own vaccination requirements.
Videos
Discover The Great Gorilla Project
See how you could spend your time as a volunteer on The Great Gorilla Project. This project combines incredible wildlife experiences with community impact as you adventure through stunning national parks, visit indigenous communities and schools, go on a game drive and a boat cruise, and of course, join the highly anticipated gorilla and chimpanzee treks.
Volunteers Share Their Experience
Amira and Catriona share what it was like when they volunteered on The Great Gorilla Project. Over their fortnight-long adventure through Uganda, they explored the rich culture and landscapes of East Africa, visited rural communities, took part in two spectacular gorilla treks, and so much more.
Gallery
News & Stories
1
NEWS | Sep 2024
Celebrate World Gorilla Day by delving into the remarkable life of Dian Fossey and her dedication to protecting mountain gorillas. From her ground-breaking research to her fierce advocacy against poaching, learn how her legacy continues to inspire conservation efforts around the world.
1
REVIEW | Sep 2024
Volunteer Julie Lovegrove recently embarked on an incredible adventure with The Great Gorilla Project in Uganda. Among her highlights were the moments spent observing gorillas in their natural habitat and the enriching experience of visiting a pygmy tribe, where she fully immersed herself in a new and vibrant culture.
5
This Week’s Group of Volunteers’ Amazing Wildlife Encounters
UPDATE | May 2024
This week’s group of volunteers experienced some incredible gorilla sightings in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park on their first of two gorilla treks. They also encountered a herd of giraffes, amongst other wildlife, during their game drive in Lake Mburo National Park.
Reviews
I had an incredible experience on this trip, thanks to the perfect balance between wildlife adventures and community engagement. The memories I made, especially during the gorilla and chimpanzee treks, were unforgettable. But other than wildlife, I also had the chance to connect with the local communities and learn about Uganda's culture and way of life, which made the trip even more memorable. My driver, Dennis, was outstanding, extremely knowledgeable about the country and its nature, and always willing to meet my needs. Overall, this trip was well rounded and perfectly planned, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in exploring both the wildlife and culture of Uganda.
This trip in Uganda has been an incredible experience. We had the chance to immerse ourselves into the local culture with a great balance of tourist sights and local experiences. Our guide Peter was over the top: knowledgeable, caring and always going the extra mile for us, making us feeling safe all along the trip. I thought the experience with the gorilla was going to be the highlight (and it has been one of the most emotional experiences of our life) but the whole trip was a continuous 11 days highlight! Thank you so much!
All in all this was a great trip. The gorilla trekking was definitely the highlight but we also had a great time on the game drive and the chimpanzee habituation. I felt that the level of volunteering was a bit of a token effort and would have liked to of spent more time doing this. The days spent volunteering could have started much earlier and finished later with less free time. I feel that the Potters Village visit should be removed from the itinerary as we were not even allowed to walk around but understand that this is a recent change. We requested to stay at the lake where we did the conservation/tree planting and this was an excellent addition to the trip but again the tree planting was a token effort and I felt we could of done a lot more to help. Peter and Denis our guides were absolutely amazing and I couldn’t fault them. They adapted the itinerary to suit our requests and allowed us to go back to the school a second time to do more painting in our free time. I would 100% recommend this trip as an excellent insight into life in Uganda and... All in all this was a great trip. The gorilla trekking was definitely the highlight but we also had a great time on the game drive and the chimpanzee habituation. I felt that the level of volunteering was a bit of a token effort and would have liked to of spent more time doing this. The days spent volunteering could have started much earlier and finished later with less free time. I feel that the Potters Village visit should be removed from the itinerary as we were not even allowed to walk around but understand that this is a recent change. We requested to stay at the lake where we did the conservation/tree planting and this was an excellent addition to the trip but again the tree planting was a token effort and I felt we could of done a lot more to help. Peter and Denis our guides were absolutely amazing and I couldn’t fault them. They adapted the itinerary to suit our requests and allowed us to go back to the school a second time to do more painting in our free time. I would 100% recommend this trip as an excellent insight into life in Uganda and I would definitely look at another trip with The Great Projects. (Show More)
Download Project Guide
What's Included
- Two gorilla-trekking permits
- One chimpanzee habituation experience permit
- Two game drives in Lake Mburo National Park
- A boat trip on Lake Mburo
- A visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Dian Fossey Museum
- All accommodation and meals
- Transfers to and from the airport
- Full orientation and support from the project managers
- A monetary contribution to the Mgahinga Community Development Organisation and the Potters Village Child Crisis Centre
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Visas
- All beverages
From
$6,451.00€4,074.00£3,395.00$4,244.00
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Up to 6 Persons
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All Meals Included
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13 Nights
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Set dates - enquire for details
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Minimum Age 18 (Or From 15 Years Old With An Adult)
