Giravex Safaris designs and handles tailor made tours through Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar, from mountain gorillas in Bwindi to the great wildebeest migration on the Serengeti plains.
Giravex Safaris is a Uganda based Tour Destination Management Company, run by guides and planners who grew up among the parks, forests and communities we now share with our guests.
Built and run by East Africans who plan every route from firsthand knowledge, not a brochure.
Every itinerary is adjusted to your pace, budget and interests, never a fixed package.
A local team and direct contact are reachable throughout your trip, not only before booking.
We work with community and conservation partners so your visit gives something back.
Every trip we design fits one of these styles, or a blend of a few, tell us which one sounds like you.
The team who will actually plan and support your trip, each one with years on the ground across East Africa.
Fifteen years planning gorilla and wildlife itineraries across Uganda and Rwanda.
Coordinates every vehicle, permit and lodge booking behind the scenes on the ground.
Designs cross border trips through Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar.
A licensed guide who leads many of our gorilla and chimp treks personally.
Tourism only works long term if the parks, forests and communities behind it are still standing to welcome the next visitor. We build that thinking into how we operate, not as a marketing line but as daily practice.
Uganda packs more variety per mile than almost anywhere else in East Africa - mountain gorillas in misty rain…
Kenya wrote the modern idea of the safari - wide open savannah, the Masai Mara's big cats and, for a few mont…
Rwanda pairs some of the most accessible mountain gorilla trekking in the world with a country that is remark…
Tanzania holds the country's biggest natural spectacles in one place - the endless plains of the Serengeti, t…
Zanzibar is the classic way to close an East Africa safari - warm Indian Ocean water, sugar-white beaches and…
Zambia is where the modern walking safari was born, and South Luangwa National Park remains one of the best p…
Every detail was handled before we even landed. Our guide's knowledge of the forest made the trek itself feel effortless, and the hour with the gorilla family is something I still think about.
We told Giravex roughly what we wanted and they built something better than we could have planned ourselves. The camps were exactly the kind of quiet, private spots we'd hoped for.
Traveling with two kids under ten made us nervous, but the pacing was perfect and our guide kept them engaged the whole trip. Genuinely one of our best family holidays.
The crew's pacing and altitude management made the difference between our group and others we met on the mountain. Every one of us reached the summit.
Fast, efficient, and beautifully organized. Two hours from Kigali to the gorillas, then a completely different pace by the lake. Couldn't have asked for a smoother trip.
We saw more wildlife in five days than we expected to see in two weeks. Our guide's tracking instincts were incredible - he'd spot a leopard from what felt like a mile away.
Send an enquiry or request a quote with your dates, interests and rough budget.
A specialist builds a draft itinerary around what you told us, adjusted until it fits.
Once you are happy with the plan, we secure your permits, lodges and transport.
Your driver guide and our office are reachable throughout your trip, start to finish.
Tell us where you would like to go and we will get back to you with a tailored itinerary and pricing, usually within one business day.
Most visitors need a visa. Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda are covered by the East Africa Tourist Visa, which allows travel between all three on one visa. Tanzania and Zanzibar require a separate visa. We'll confirm exactly what you need once we know your itinerary and nationality.
A Uganda gorilla permit costs $800 per person, and a Rwanda permit costs $1,500 per person. Permits are limited and sell out months in advance, especially in peak season, so we recommend booking as early as possible.
Uganda and Rwanda can be visited year-round for gorilla trekking, though the June to September and December to February dry seasons make for easier hiking. For the wildebeest migration in Kenya and Tanzania, timing depends on which stage of the migration you want to see.
A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for entry into Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania. We recommend visiting a travel clinic 4-6 weeks before departure for a full personal recommendation, including malaria prevention.
Yes. Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania are popular, well-established safari destinations with a strong tourism safety record. Our guides and drivers are experienced, our vehicles are well maintained, and we stay in regular contact with you throughout your trip.
Neutral-colored clothing, a warm layer for early mornings, waterproof hiking boots for gorilla trekking, a rain jacket, insect repellent, sun protection and a good camera. We send every guest a detailed packing list once their trip is booked.
It varies. Some treks take under an hour; others can take up to six. The terrain is steep and can be muddy. A reasonable level of fitness helps, but porters are available to carry your bag and assist you on the trail, and our guides set a pace that works for the group.
Wildlife safaris are family-friendly at most ages. Gorilla trekking has a minimum age requirement of 15 years old, set by the park authorities, so younger children can join a safari but not a gorilla permit.
We accept bank transfer and major credit cards. A deposit (typically 30%) secures your booking and permits, with the balance due before travel. We'll walk you through the exact terms when we send your itinerary and invoice.
For gorilla trekking, 4-6 months ahead is ideal since permits are limited, especially for July, August and December. For general wildlife safaris, 2-3 months' notice is usually enough, though earlier is always better for the best lodge availability.
