Luxury Safari & Gorilla Trekking in Uganda & Rwanda

Welcome to Uganda. After your long journey, settle into a charming guesthouse surrounded by tropical gardens near Lake Victoria. Take an easy stroll among the flowers, sip a fresh juice by the pool, or choose an optional sunset boat ride on Lake Victoria—the largest lake in Africa by surface area and the second-largest freshwater lake in the world by area. Three countries share the lake: Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya. This first evening is all about finding your rhythm and letting excitement build for the adventure ahead.

Board a short scenic flight to Kasese with sweeping views of crater lakes and lush forest canopy below. Your lodge sits in the heart of the Kibale and Kyambura region, known worldwide as the Primate Capital. Enjoy lunch on the terrace, then unwind with a complimentary massage as you listen to the forest chorus. We experienced a talk by a famed primatologist from the Kibale Chimpanzee Project with drinks around the fire before dinner.

Rise early and venture into Kibale Forest with expert trackers. You will follow fresh prints and calls until you find a troop of wild chimpanzees. They swing through ancient trees, rush across the forest floor, and interact with each other in fascinating ways. This is an intimate encounter few ever experience. After a leisurely afternoon, continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a late-day cruise along the Kazinga Channel. Hippos jostle in the water, buffalo graze along the banks, and spectacular birdlife fills the sky with movement and color. I could not get over the amount of wildlife we experienced in Queen Elizabeth Park as well as on the channel—elephants, herds of buffalo, more bird species than I could ever count! An Amazing wildlife day.

Take a beautiful guided walk right from your lodge to the dramatic Kyambura Gorge, carved deep through the savannah. The scenery shifts as you descend, revealing a hidden pocket of jungle alive with monkeys, riverine birds, and lots of hippos!! After lunch, travel south toward Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, with scenic stops along the way. Arrive at Bwindi Lodge in time to relax, enjoy a spa treatment, and savor dinner overlooking the misty canopy where the gorillas live.

Today is life-changing. Trek through thick emerald forest with highly trained guides who know every plant and gorilla family by heart. When you come face to face with a silverback or a gentle mother and her babies, the world falls silent. Their eyes will stay with you forever. The experience exceeded my expectations. These gorillas are habituated and are so docile around humans. They know we are not there to harm them. It was incredible to see how much like humans they truly are. I loved watching the adults be so gentle with the babies. Spend your afternoon at leisure or visit a local women’s cooperative and the cozy Bwindi Bar for a true community experience. Those who want more time with the gorillas may add a second trek.

Enjoy a scenic transfer across the border into Rwanda, with views of terraced hillsides and the iconic Virunga volcano chain. Stop for a meaningful tour of the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to learn how conservation protects both wildlife and communities. This was an incredibly moving experience and I would say it truly should not be missed. Continue to your perched hillside lodge with spellbinding views. Settle in with a fresh juice or a candlelit dinner under the stars.

Another chance to meet mountain gorillas, this time in Rwanda’s legendary Volcanoes National Park. Trackers locate the family early, giving you more time to follow them as they graze, groom, and tumble through the bamboo. The experience in Rwanda was very different from Uganda, but no less magical. A soothing massage awaits after your trek, followed by a celebratory farewell dinner to toast your incredible achievement and newfound connection to Africa.

Enjoy one last sunset from Virunga Lodge before departing. Drive to Kigali with a thoughtful guided visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial. The experience is powerful and compassionate, and it deepens respect for Rwanda’s resilience. Head the airport for departure, carrying memories that stay with you for a lifetime.