Remarkable Rwanda & Gorillas of Uganda

Murakaza neza! Welcome to Kigali, the capital of Rwanda since it gained independence in 1962. This is a country that has been striving to rebuild its economy for years and offers so much to the intrepid traveller including its welcoming people, an abundance of picturesque lakes and the wildlife-rich Virunga Mountains. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting with your fellow travellers and local leader at 6 pm.

After breakfast this morning, your trip leader will take you to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, which opened in 2004 to mark the 10th commemoration of the genocide against the Tutsi people. It serves as a memorial and a place for people to grieve lost friends and family. This afternoon, you’ll drive to Musanze – the gateway to Volcanoes National Park, home to gorillas and golden monkeys. Later, you'll visit the Gorilla Doctors headquarters – the only organisation in the world dedicated to saving the mountain and eastern lowland (Grauer’s) gorilla species. The organisation monitors the health of gorilla groups to ensure the early detection of disease and injury, and stages medical interventions when gorillas suffer from human-induced or life-threatening trauma or disease.

Today, you’ll visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. This research centre is the world leader in protecting and studying gorillas while helping communities build their conservation capabilities. During your visit, you’ll learn about Dian Fossey’s life and the conservation of endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda. There are plenty of optional activities to do in Musanze, including golden monkey trekking in the Virunga Mountains, the Mt Bisoke trek or a canoe ride on the Mukungwa River. Maybe visit Red Rocks Rwanda, where you can learn about local banana beer production and watch traditional dancing, drumming and basket-weaving demonstrations.

Today, you’ll leave Rwanda and cross the border into Uganda, making your way to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This park is home to 618 bird species, 10 species of primates including chimpanzees and 95 different types of mammals – the route to your accommodation might feel like an unofficial safari! Keep an eye out for African elephants, buffalo, hippos, warthogs, Nile crocodiles, leopards, spotted hyenas, lions and chimpanzees. Tonight, you’ll stay in a simple safari lodge within the park, overlooking the Kazinga Channel.

Embark on a 4WD safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park this morning. Be on the lookout for any wildlife you may not have seen yesterday – if you’re really lucky, you might be able to spot leopards or lions. This afternoon, you can see the park from a different perspective with an optional cruise down the Kazinga Channel, which links Lake Edward to Lake George. You’ll be joined by local guides who will share their expert insight into the landscape and the animals who live within it – be on the lookout for hippos basking on the shore, crocodiles, herds of elephants and abundant birdlife.

This morning, you’ll make your way to Ishasha, the southern section of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here, you’ll meet some residents to learn more about rural life in Uganda. Visit a local organic farm, medicine garden and homestead and learn how its owner is tackling human-wildlife conflict with his anti-crop raiding techniques. You’ll also meet a local Mukiga woman who will share her story while showing you how to sort, pound and grind millet to make porridge and other Bakiga meals. This part of the park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, so be on the lookout as you drive to your ecolodge in the northern section of the park, which is frequented by herds of elephants, buffalo and antelopes.

Today, leave the Queen Elizabeth National Park, headed for the southwest tip of Uganda. The journey is like a game drive in itself, with the chance to spot zebras, antelopes, baboons and monkeys through the window. When you arrive, you’ll make your way to your base for the next two days in Kisoro, which provides access to seven different gorilla groups located in Mgahinga, Nkuringo, Rushaga and Nshongi.

Join a local guide and trackers as you climb through the rugged, mountainous terrain of Bwindi National Park in search of mountain gorillas. Make no mistake, tracking gorillas is no walk in the park – it's called the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for a reason. It can be wet, muddy, strenuous and uncomfortable, but the incredible feeling of coming across a group of gorillas is worth the effort. Spend an hour with the gorillas as they eat, sleep, groom and play with the male silverback watching over them, then return to the lodge for dinner and reflect on this incredible experience with your fellow travellers.

After breakfast this morning, it’s time to make the journey back to Kigali. When you arrive, there are no further activities planned and your adventure comes to an end. If you’d like to spend more time here, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.