Rwanda + Uganda
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Sit with a family of wild mountain gorillas, walk beside rhinos on foot and watch the entire Nile squeeze through a gorge just 7 meters wide. This is East Africa at its wildest. Along the way you’ll track chimps through the treetops of Kibale, cruise past hippos and elephants on the Kazinga Channel and learn how a village turns bananas into gin. At Elephant Hab Lodge, grab a spot by the infinity pool at sunset and watch the elephants grazing below.
Inclusions
Handpicked stays
Hotel des Mille Collines in Kigali, a lakeside lodge near Bwindi, Elephant Hab Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, a safari lodge in Kibale, thatched safari tents on the Nile and Latitude 0° in Kampala.
28 meals
11 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 9 dinners, starting with a welcome dinner in Kigali and a packed lunch for gorilla day.
All activities, included
- ✓Your gorilla trekking permit
- ✓Your chimp trekking permit
- ✓The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund campus
- ✓A canoe cruise on Lake Mulehe
- ✓Game drives in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls
- ✓A private boat on the Kazinga Channel
- ✓A coffee demonstration
- ✓Banana gin in a village
- ✓The top of Murchison Falls
- ✓A rhino walk at Ziwa
- ✓The King’s Palace in Kampala
A local female guide
A local woman leads you from the welcome dinner to the last breakfast. She knows where the animals hide, how to read the rangers and exactly which roadside Rolex (a local egg dish) is worth the stop.
All transport
Airport pickup when you land in Kigali and 4×4 Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs for every drive and game drive.
A matched roommate
Our compatibility quiz pairs you with someone you’ll actually click with. Hello, safari buddy. Want your own space? Private rooms are available.
Most tips
Tips for lodges, restaurants, rangers and site guides are covered. Tipping your driver-guide is up to you.
Highlights
Sit with a family of wild mountain gorillas
One unforgettable hour with a gorilla family deep in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Track wild chimps through Kibale Forest
Follow their calls through the canopy until they’re right above you
Walk with rhinos on foot at Ziwa
The only place in Uganda to see rhinos in the wild, and you get to walk right up
Stand at the top of Murchison Falls
Watch the entire Nile squeeze through a gorge just 7 meters wide
Cruise the Kazinga Channel on a private boat
Hippos, elephants and crocs from a boat that’s just for your group
Sit with a family of wild mountain gorillas
One unforgettable hour with a gorilla family deep in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Track wild chimps through Kibale Forest
Follow their calls through the canopy until they’re right above you
Walk with rhinos on foot at Ziwa
The only place in Uganda to see rhinos in the wild, and you get to walk right up
Stand at the top of Murchison Falls
Watch the entire Nile squeeze through a gorge just 7 meters wide
Cruise the Kazinga Channel on a private boat
Hippos, elephants and crocs from a boat that’s just for your group
Your Itinerary
AFTERNOONLand at Kigali International Airport (KGL) and meet your driver-guide, who’ll take you to Hotel des Mille Collines, about 30 minutes away. Land by 3pm to settle in before the group meets.
EVENINGMeet the women you’ll spend the next 12 days with at 6pm, then head out for your first dinner together.
Dinner
MORNINGVisit the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund’s Ellen DeGeneres Campus to hear the story behind tomorrow.
AFTERNOONCross into Uganda and drive through hills so green they look edited to Lake Mulehe, about 5 hours in all.
EVENINGPaddle out on a canoe cruise across the lake, then settle into Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
MORNINGDrive about 1.5 hours to the trailhead, get briefed by the rangers and follow the trackers into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The walk can take one hour or five depending on where the gorillas are, and porters are there to carry your pack and help you up the steep bits.
AFTERNOONSpend one unforgettable hour with a family of wild mountain gorillas. The babies show off and the silverback acts like you’re not there.
EVENINGHead back to the lake and swap stories over dinner.
Breakfast, Packed lunch, Dinner
MORNINGTrade the misty highlands for the golden plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park, passing crater lakes and villages on the way.
AFTERNOONCheck in to Elephant Hab Lodge and spend the afternoon by the infinity pool, where elephants often wander past at dusk.
Breakfast, Dinner
MORNINGHead out on an early game drive for elephants, buffalo, Uganda kob and maybe lions. Want more? Add a lion tracking experience with researchers (optional extra).
AFTERNOONCruise the Kazinga Channel on a boat that’s just for your group, past hippos, elephants and crocodiles doing their best impression of a log.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
MORNINGSee how Uganda’s coffee goes from bean to cup at a local coffee demonstration.
AFTERNOONDrive about 2.5 hours to Kibale and learn how villagers turn bananas into gin over an open fire.
EVENINGCheck in to Kibale Tourist Safari Lodge, on the edge of the forest.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
MORNINGTrack wild chimpanzees through Kibale Forest, following their calls until they’re right above you, grooming, squabbling and swinging between trees.
AFTERNOONTake the afternoon off to nap, read or wander the lodge.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
MORNINGHit the road north to Murchison Falls National Park, with snacks, a podcast and plenty of stops along the way.
AFTERNOONStand at the top of Murchison Falls and watch the entire Nile squeeze through a gap about 7 meters wide.
EVENINGSettle into your thatched safari tent at Murchison River Lodge, where hippos float past.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
MORNINGHead out on a morning game drive for giraffes, elephants, buffalo and lions, with a leopard if you’re lucky.
AFTERNOONHave lunch back at the lodge by the river, then go out again as the light turns gold.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
MORNINGWalk with white rhinos at Ziwa Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda to see them in the wild. Just you, a ranger and a two-ton animal that could not care less.
AFTERNOONDrive on to Kampala and check in to Latitude 0°, with a pool, a spa and a rooftop bar.
Breakfast, Lunch
MORNINGHear the story of the Buganda kingdom at the King’s Palace.
AFTERNOONShop Kampala’s craft markets for baskets, beadwork and fabric, with your guide on hand to help you haggle.
Breakfast
MORNINGShare one last breakfast, hug it out and head to Entebbe International Airport (EBB) for your flight home. Checkout is at 10am.
Breakfast
From $7,950 · 12 days · Max 14 women · $1,300 holds your spot
Where you’ll stay
QUEEN ELIZABETH · 2 NIGHTS
Elephant Hab Lodge
A quiet lodge on the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park, with an infinity pool where elephants wander past at dusk. Order a passion fruit mojito and watch the light go gold.
MURCHISON FALLS · 2 NIGHTS
Murchison River Lodge
Thatched safari tents right by the Nile, with hammocks facing the river and hippos floating past. Lunch between game drives comes with a river view.
KAMPALA · 2 NIGHTS
Latitude 0°
A boutique hotel in the middle of Kampala, tucked into its own little forest, with a pool, a spa and a rooftop bar for your last sunsets.
Roommates, matched
Our compatibility quiz, built with a matchmaker and psychologist, pairs you with someone you’ll actually click with. Or upgrade to a private room.
Who you’ll travel with
Up to 13 other women, most of whom booked on their own. They range from 28 to 88, and it’s the gorilla trek, the chimp chaos and the hippos at dinner that bond you. 92% of our travelers say they keep in touch after the trip ends.
✓Meet your group on WhatsApp before you fly
✓A welcome dinner on night one, with your guide making the introductions
✓Solo time built in, so you’re never forced to be “on”
“Travelling with like minded women is comforting when going solo.”
Jennifer E. · Uganda
The people behind your trip
Your guide
Veronica
Veronica has spent years guiding travelers across Uganda and East Africa as a driver-guide, from game drives to primate tracking and birding. She’s a proud member of the Uganda Safari Guides Association, the Uganda Women Guides Association and Uganda Women Birders.
More than that, Veronica is patient and kind and a total powerhouse. She’s one of few female driver-guides and holds her own. She can change a tire, spot a little bird high in the tree-tops, and find the cook the best local food (if you ask her nicely, she may borrow a lodge kitchen and make something for you).
Founder
Amanda Black
After getting robbed as a backpacker, Amanda vowed no woman traveling alone should ever feel that stranded. Since 2018 and hundreds of group trips, she’s still keeping that promise.
Behind the scenes
Our operations team
You’ll see Veronica and our local partners. Behind them, our team follows every day of your trip to keep you safe and on track.
In their words
★★★★★ 4.7 on Trustpilot · Read all reviews
★★★★★
“The rhino walk was insane! We got so close, it was wild, something I never even considered doing and my favorite thing next to the gorillas.”
Elizabeth O.
Uganda
★★★★★
“Wow, what an adventure. This trip exceeded all of my expectations. Well done, SoFe!”
Lily R.
Uganda
★★★★★
“Everything felt well organized and prepared, so it made it easy to sit back and enjoy my time there. The game drives had to be a highlight, but all of it was great. Our driver and guide were fantastic.”
Jennifer E.
Uganda
Your Safety on tour
Never on your own, unless you want to be
“Despite being out in the wilderness, I felt so safe with Veronica. She’s a bad*ss for sure and an incredible guide.”
Gerri B. · Uganda
A local female guide, every day
We meet you at the airport
Private transport, vetted routes
Pre-trip guides, so you land prepared
Rangers and trackers on every trek
One guide in front, a whole team behind her
“Despite being out in the wilderness, I felt so safe with Veronica. She’s a bad*ss for sure and an incredible guide.”
Gerri B. · Uganda
Choose your departure
$1,300 holds your spot
It comes off your total and goes straight to your gorilla and chimp permits.
Pay at your pace
As much and as often as you like. Balance due 90 days out.
Plans change?
With 90+ days’ notice, move what you’ve paid beyond the deposit to another trip. The deposit buys your permits, so it can’t be refunded or transferred.
Per person, USD · Other currencies at checkout · 🔒 Secure checkout with Stripe
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Rwanda + Uganda May 31 - June 11, 2027
Rwanda + Uganda Dec 1 - 12, 2027
Questions women ask before booking
Is this trip right for me?
Gorilla day is a workout. The trek can take one hour or five depending on where the gorillas are. Porters carry your pack and help you up the steep bits.
Two countries, two airports. You fly into Kigali, Rwanda (KGL) and home from Entebbe, Uganda (EBB).
Permits sell out fast. That’s why the $1,300 deposit is nonrefundable. We use it right away to buy your gorilla and chimp permits.
How active is this trip?
Active. The gorilla trek in Bwindi is steep, muddy and humid, and can take one to five hours. Chimp tracking and the rhino walk are easier, and the rest is game drives and boat rides.
Uganda is big and beautiful, so there are a few road trip days. The longest is about 8 hours to Murchison Falls, with plenty of stops.
Where do I arrive and leave from?
Arrive: Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Rwanda on day one, and we’ll pick you up. Land by 3pm so you’re settled in time for the welcome meeting at 6pm.
Leave: Entebbe International Airport (EBB) in Uganda any time on the last day. Checkout is at 10am. Your airport drop-off isn’t included, but your guide can help you arrange a ride.
Do I have to share a room?
Only if you want to. Twin-share rooms are included in the price, or you can upgrade to a private room. If you share, you’ll take our roommate compatibility quiz, built with a professional matchmaker and psychologist, and we pair you with someone who fits how you travel: early riser or night owl, social butterfly or quiet recharger.
Will we stay in the places shown on this page?
Usually, yes. These are the places we book. Now and then one is unavailable, and we swap it for a stay of the same standard or better.
Do I need a visa?
Yes, for both countries. For Rwanda, you get a transit visa when you land in Kigali. For Uganda, you apply online before you go, because there’s no visa on arrival. A yellow fever vaccination is required too.
Requirements depend on your passport, so once you book, we’ll walk you through exactly what you need, step by step.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes, travel insurance is required for every traveler. When you book your spot, you can add a plan from our preferred insurance partner in a couple of clicks, or choose your own provider and add your policy details any time before departure.
What’s not included?
International flights.
Travel insurance, which is required.
Visa fees for Rwanda and Uganda.
Tips for your driver-guide.
Your airport drop-off on the last day.
Meals not listed in the itinerary.
Optional extras, like lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth.
What if I need to cancel?
Your $1,300 deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable, because we use it right away to buy your gorilla and chimp permits, which sell out fast.
90 or more days before departure: we’ll move anything you’ve paid beyond the deposit to another SoFe trip, any date or any destination, or hold it for up to a year.
Fewer than 90 days before departure: payments are non-refundable, so you’d claim through your travel insurance. That’s exactly what it’s there for.
Everything you need before you go
The dress code, a printable packing list, and books and films to get you in the mood.
Your spot is waiting.
From $7,950 · 12 days · Max 14 women · $1,300 holds your spot
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