Discover Rwanda & Uganda’s Gorillas

Murakaza neza! Welcome to Kigali. On arrival, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel, where your journey begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm this evening.
Your stay for the next two nights is at the iconic Hotel des Mille Collines — a place of powerful history, known for sheltering and saving over 1,000 people during the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
If you arrive early, take time to explore the city at your own pace. Head to Nyamirambo, the vibrant Muslim quarter, to try freshly grilled tilapia, or relax in a local café and discover why Rwandan coffee is considered among the best in the world.

This evening, join your leader for dinner at a popular East African restaurant. Enjoy live music, cocktails, sweeping views and a shared dining experience rich in regional flavors — the perfect introduction to Rwanda.

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

You will be travelling in a 4x4 Land Cruiser throughout your trip. Each land cruiser has a maximum capacity of six passengers per vehicle, ensuring that everyone has a window seat and access to the pop-up roof. For groups of seven or more, we provide a second vehicle.

This morning, leave the city for a deeply moving visit to Ntarama Genocide Memorial. With a local guide, learn about the tragic events that took place here, where thousands lost their lives during the genocide — a powerful and sobering introduction to Rwanda’s recent history.
Continue to the Nyamata Genocide Memorial Centre, a former church where tens of thousands were killed. Here, your leader will explain how places once seen as sanctuaries became sites of unimaginable loss.
You’ll then visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial — an essential and emotional experience that offers deeper understanding of the tragedy, while also highlighting the resilience and unity of the Rwandan people.
In the afternoon, pause for a local lunch and sample traditional Rwandan and Ugandan dishes before exploring Kigali further on a guided tour. Visit the bustling Kimironko Market, where vibrant colors, local crafts and daily life come together.
The evening is yours to spend at your own pace — whether relaxing or continuing to explore the city.

After breakfast, depart Kigali and journey across the border into Uganda, heading toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Arrive at your Feature Stay — Gorilla Heights Lodge — where you’ll spend the next three nights. Perched high on Nteko Ridge, the lodge offers sweeping views over the forest canopy and across the dramatic Virunga Mountains, which stretch across Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Each cottage features a private balcony and is thoughtfully designed with solar power, blending comfort with sustainability.
This evening, enjoy an exclusive experience as a field veterinarian from Gorilla Doctors joins you for a fireside talk. Learn how this dedicated team works to protect endangered mountain and eastern lowland (Grauer’s) gorillas through veterinary care, research and conservation — offering a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the efforts to safeguard these incredible animals.

Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Rise early this morning and head to the park headquarters of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where the Uganda Wildlife Authority will brief you on your gorilla trek.
The journey through the dense rainforest can be challenging — often steep, muddy and humid — but the extraordinary biodiversity and the chance to encounter mountain gorillas make every step worthwhile. You may wish to hire a local porter to assist with your pack and guide you along the way, making the trek more comfortable while also supporting the local community.

Gorilla trekking is carefully regulated to protect these incredible animals. Once you locate a gorilla family, you’ll spend one unforgettable hour observing them in their natural habitat — watching them feed, play, groom each other and interact under the calm authority of a powerful silverback.
Enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by the sights and sounds of the rainforest — a truly immersive experience in the heart of the wild.

1. Trekking conditions
Today’s gorilla trek can be physically demanding, reaching altitudes of up to 2000 meters. Trails may be steep, muddy and slippery depending on weather conditions, and trekking time can vary based on the location of the gorillas — a good level of fitness is recommended.
2. Group allocation
Rangers may assign you to different trekking groups based on fitness levels, and your group may be split to ensure the best possible experience for everyone.
3. Support on the trek
You’ll be provided with a walking stick, and you have the option to hire a porter (USD 20, cash + optional tip). Porters assist with carrying your day pack and navigating the terrain, making the trek more comfortable.
4. Supporting local communities

• Hiring a porter also directly supports the local community — many porters are former poachers who now play an important role in gorilla conservation efforts

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast on the terrace, overlooking the lush forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This morning is yours to enjoy at your own pace — whether you choose to unwind or opt for a second gorilla trekking experience for another unforgettable wildlife encounter.
In the afternoon, take part in the Buniga Batwa Cultural Trail — a meaningful experience that offers insight into the lives of the indigenous Batwa people. Once forest-dwelling hunter-gatherers, the Batwa were displaced when the forests became protected national parks. With a local guide and translator, walk through the forest as you learn how they traditionally foraged for food, set traps, created tools and medicines from nature, and built shelters to protect their families. Watch demonstrations of hunting techniques and fire-making, gaining a deeper understanding of their rich cultural heritage.
Later, return to your lodge and join your group for dinner in a scenic terraced restaurant, surrounded by breathtaking mountain views.

1. Optional second gorilla trek
If you’d like to join a second gorilla trek today, please speak with your booking agent in advance to secure an additional permit. Availability is limited and pre-booking is essential.
2. Additional local costs
The permit covers the trekking experience only — additional expenses such as transport will need to be paid locally. Costs vary depending on group size (e.g. approximately USD 250 per person when shared between up to six travellers).
3. Payment details
All optional activities must be paid in cash, either in USD (preferred) or Ugandan shillings.

After breakfast today, depart the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and begin the journey back over the border into Kigali. After arriving at the capital, your adventure will come to an end at around 1 pm.

Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
Make sure to not book any international flights departing before 6 pm this evening, to allow for any unexpected delays. If you would like to extend your stay in Kigali, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.