rwanda & uganda
For those of you who have summited Kilimanjaro, witnessed the Great Migration and kayaked the Okavango, but remain in search of the next great African adventure; we bring you Rwanda and Uganda. These destinations take you into the heart of Africa to discover more than just the Big Five. Here, you will have the chance to have a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with Africa’s largest primates, the mountain gorilla.
destination highlights
Below, are the can’t miss highlights every traveler needs on their list, when traveling to Rwanda & Uganda.
• Track the elusive mountain gorilla in Volcanoes National Park, the Virungas and Bwindi Forest.
• Enjoy guided visits to nearby hillside communities.
• Hike to Dian Fossey’s Grave and Karisoke.
• Guided Walks in Volcanoes National Park; and for the adventurous, hike to the summit of Mount Bisoke (3711 m).
• Trek the lush trails of Kibale National park alongside playful chimpanzees and do the only canopy walk in East Africa.
• Visit the Genocide Memorial Centre in Kigali which gives an incredibly moving account of the genocide through written and video testimonials, photographs and physical remnants of weapons used and possessions destroyed.
uganda
when to GO
MAY TO OCTOBER
timeframe
7+ Days
FLIGHTS
Kigali (KGL) / Entebbe (EBB)
CURRENCY
Rwandan franc / Ugandan Shilling
languages
Rwanda: Kinyarwanda, French, English / Uganda: Swahili, English
our favourite accommodations
Nothing but the best. Here are a few of the lodges and camps that may feature in your bespoke itinerary.
rwanda
Rwanda is our top choice for a high-end gorilla safari – each year a privileged few are afforded the chance to encounter these majestic animals up close in the mist-shrouded forests of the Volcanoes National Park.
One&ONly Nyungwe House
Edge of Nyungwe Forest At One&Only Nyungwe House, you are constantly attuned to your lush surroundings – a working tea plantation on the edge of ancient rainforest in mountainous southwest Rwanda. Clusters of rustic villas house 22 rooms and suites designed to frame the stunning landscape; extended balconies create private havens to watch wildlife. Expect organic, farm-to-table cuisine and highly tailored experiences, ranging from locally inspired spa treatments to chimpanzee tracking. Visit the hotel website.
One&Only Gorilla's Nest
Closest resort to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda Feel at one with nature at Gorilla’s Nest, a luxury resort set against the historic mountains of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National park. Stay in one of 21 treehouse-style lodges or suites framed by eucalyptus and rainforest views, then savour local, seasonal cuisine and bespoke cocktails in the jungle-chic Nest Restaurant or Nest Bar. When it’s time to explore, the resort offers a range of truly once-in-a-lifetime experiences, from drumming circles to gorilla encounters. Visit the hotel website.
Singita Volcanoes National Park
Edge of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda Singita’s Volcanoes National Park, home to more than a third of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, is a welcome reprieve. The eight-suite lodge and its exclusive-use Kataza House sit right at the park’s border – the closest visitors can stay to these gentle giants. Join cloud forest treks and local village tours, then take a dip in a private plunge pool, get an en suite massage, and relax by the indoor fireplace or outdoor firepit over the dramatic landscape of mountains and lakes. Visit the hotel website.
virunga lodge
Rwanda The magnificent Virunga Lodge is the premier luxury gorilla lodge of Rwanda and one of Africa’s finest and most renowned lodges. The lodge is perched high on a ridge with stunning views. Each of our ten luxurious bandas has a private terrace from which our guests can watch the sunrise over the dramatic landscape of mountains and lakes.
sabinayo silverback lodge
Adjacent to Volcanoes National Park The lodge, situated in the foothills of the mighty Virungas, affords wonderful views of the volcanoes. Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is Rwanda’s first ever community owned lodge. The lodge ownership rests with a Community Trust, SACOLA, which uses rentals and community fees from the lodge to drive socio-economic and conservation initiatives in the communities adjacent to the National Park.
bisate lodge
Adjacent to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda Also located in the Virunga Mountains area is Bisate Lodge, with a location adjacent to the Volcanoes National Park. Bisate is built in a remnant of an old volcano crater, the lodge has just six spacious en-suite forest villas and offers a luxurious base from which to enjoy extraordinary gorilla conservation experience and life-changing journey to this beautiful region.
Uganda
Uganda is a larger country to explore than Rwanda and there is more travel involved to reach the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in south-western Uganda where there is a population of approximately 350 mountain gorillas living under the canopy of the 25,000 year-old rainforest, which is only accessible on foot.
Kyambura gorge lodge
Uganda This safari lodge, has been converted from an old coffee store to create a breathtakingly beautiful space. Located on the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park with sweeping views of the rolling savanna, the distant mountains of the moon, and the sunken Kyambura Gorge.
Ndali Lodge
Uganda Perched on the edge of an ancient volcano, Ndali Lodge is a traditional colonial lodge perfectly located for chimp trekking in Kibale National Park, home to one to one of the world’s largest concentrations of chimpanzees. This rustic and intimate lodge perched on the rim of an extinct volcano.
Bwindi Lodge
Uganda. With only eight bandas, Bwindi Lodge is one of our best-kept African secrets. Overlooking Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and with dramatic views of the forest canopy across a serene stream, it is one of Africa’s unique properties. The gorillas frequently come to relax in the verdant bush around the lodge!
Mount gahinga lodge
Uganda Nestled at the base of the Virunga Volcanoes, Mount Gahinga Lodge is a stunning luxury adventure lodge hidden in the southern corner of Uganda. Gahinga Lodge is the perfect base to go gorilla tracking, track the rare golden monkey, climb a volcano, walk through local villages and most of all to share the culture of the Batwa, the oldest inhabitants of the Central African rain forest. Visit the hotel website.
clouds mountain gorilla lodge
Uganda Set on a forested ridge near the entrance to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge boasts eight spacious cottages built from volcanic stone. Spectacular views stretch all the way to the Virunga Volcanoes of Rwanda, as well as across the border into the Congo, where the glow of Nyiragongo Volcano can be seen on a clear night.
featured destination:
ONe&ONLY gorilla’s nest
Looking to extend your trip?
Combine gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda, with a more traditional safari in Kenya or Tanzania.