Gorillas Uganda

This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your short flight to Kihihi, the gateway to Queen Elizabeth National Park, your base for the next two nights.  Stretching across the western arm of the Great Rift Valley, the park is one of Uganda’s most biodiverse reserves, home to elephants, buffalo, hippos, leopards, Uganda kob, and an astonishing 600 species of bird.   Your journey takes you into the remote Ishasha sector, a landscape of wide savannah plains and shady riverine forests. This area is particularly famous for its tree-climbing lions, often seen draped across the branches of sycamore fig or acacia trees.

Today is dedicated to exploring the wild beauty of Queen Elizabeth National Park’s southern reaches. Head out on a game drive across the open savannah, keeping watch for vast herds of buffalo and elephant moving gracefully through the plains, while lions, famed for their unusual tree-climbing habit, may be spotted lounging in the branches of towering fig or acacia trees. The Ishasha sector’s quiet, untamed atmosphere makes every sighting feel intimate and rewarding.

This morning, continue your journey south with a scenic drive of around three hours to Bwindi. Along the way, pause at a local community project near Ishasha Village, a chance to gain insight into rural life and the positive initiatives supporting conservation and livelihoods in the area.

Arriving at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you are welcomed into a world of mist-shrouded hills and ancient rainforest. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of Uganda’s most biologically diverse ecosystems, home to nearly 400 plant species and an estimated 460 mountain gorillas, including several habituated families that can be visited on foot.

Today brings one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife experiences, tracking the endangered mountain gorilla. After an early breakfast, you will set off from your lodge with experienced guides and trackers, who will lead you deep into the forest’s misty slopes in search of a habituated gorilla family.

The trek itself is an adventure, winding along steep trails beneath the dense canopy, with the sounds of the rainforest all around. Depending on the gorillas’ location, the hike can take from 45 minutes to several hours and involves uneven terrain at high altitude. Hiring a local porter is highly recommended, not only to ease your trek but also to support community livelihoods.

Although mountain gorillas are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed, viewing success rates are over 95%.  When you finally come face to face with the gorillas, you’ll watch them go about their daily lives.  It is a humbling, unforgettable experience, and one to savour beyond the camera lens.  Returning to your lodge, relax with a complimentary massage to soothe tired muscles, or simply unwind on your verandah, reflecting on the day’s encounter.  Please note: The gorilla trekking experience requires a pre-purchased permit, subject to availability at the time of booking, at a cost of USD 865 per person, per trek. This permit fee is not included in your tour price and must be secured at the time of booking your safari. Minimum age: 15 years.

You will depart Bwindi this morning and travel south through Uganda’s lush highlands, a landscape often referred to as the “Little Switzerland of Africa.”  The drive winds through terraced hillsides, patchwork farmland, and bustling rural villages, with children waving as you pass. On clear days, the majestic Virunga Volcanoes rise on the horizon, their forested peaks standing like silent sentries along the border.  It is a scenic but full day on the road, taking around 7–8 hours including the border crossing into Rwanda (approximately one hour). The journey is part of the journey, offering a vivid glimpse of life in the highlands before arriving at your destination.

Straddling the Rwandan border with the DRC, Volcanoes National Park is a haven for endangered mountain gorillas. The park’s mist-draped slopes also offer opportunities to track golden monkeys, visit Dian Fossey’s tomb and the Karisoke Research Centre, or even hike Mount Bisoke to its spectacular crater lake.

This morning begins early with coffee and a briefing before setting out for your second chance to encounter the mountain gorillas, this time in Volcanoes National Park.  At the park headquarters, you’ll be grouped according to fitness level before heading into the forest with experienced guides and scouts.  The trek itself is an adventure in its own right, passing through stands of bamboo and climbing into dense, jungle-clad slopes. Depending on the gorilla family’s movements, the hike may be as short as half an hour or extend into a full day of exploration. Whichever the case, the reward is incomparable.  For those who choose not to trek, alternative activities can be arranged.   Embark on a golden monkey walk to see these playful primates darting through the trees, or hike to Dian Fossey’s grave and the site of her legendary Karisoke Research Centre, a poignant journey that sheds light on her tireless conservation work.   Please note: The gorilla trekking experience requires a pre-purchased permit, subject to availability at the time of booking, at a cost of USD 1,500 per person, per trek. This permit fee is not included in your tour price and must be secured at the time of booking your safari. Minimum age: 15 years.   The Dian Fossey Grave Hike (USD80 per person) and the Golden Monkey Trek (USD140 per person) must be pre-booked and begin in the morning.

After breakfast, we bid farewell to the Virunga Volcanoes and journey south to Rwanda’s capital, Kigali. The drive takes you through rolling hills and vibrant countryside, offering a last glimpse of the landscapes that have shaped your adventure.  In Kigali, you will visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a place of remembrance and reflection dedicated to the victims of the 1994 genocide. It is a powerful and moving experience, honouring those who lost their lives while also sharing stories of resilience and hope. The memorial also connects Rwanda’s story to other global tragedies, making it both deeply personal and universally significant.  Later, you will be transferred to Kigali International Airport in time for your onward flight. As your safari comes to an end, you leave with unforgettable memories of Uganda and Rwanda’s wild places, their extraordinary wildlife, and the warmth of their people.