Day One — Arrival in Kigali

Touch down in Kigali and settle into the rhythm of the Land of a Thousand Hills. Your private guide will meet you for a smooth transfer to your city retreat, where an evening of rest awaits before the safari begins in earnest.
Luxury stays: Kigali Serena Hotel, One&Only Nyungwe House’s sister city property, or The Retreat by Heaven — a boutique five-star boutique hotel favoured by discerning travellers for its intimate scale and garden setting. (Bed and breakfast basis.)

Day Two — Kigali City & Onward to the Volcanoes

After breakfast, a private mid-morning tour reveals Kigali’s story, anchored by a visit to the Genocide Memorial — a moving, essential introduction to Rwanda’s modern history. From there, wind up through terraced hillsides and volcanic peaks toward Volcanoes National Park, gateway to the mountain gorillas. Arrive at your lodge in time to unwind before dinner.
Luxury stays: Bisate Lodge (Wilderness Safaris), whose six forest villas sit inside an eroded volcanic cone with sweeping views of Mount Bisoke and Karisimbi, or Singita Kwitonda Lodge, whose minimalist architecture frames the Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura volcanoes, with each villa featuring a fireplace, private deck, and sweeping views, alongside gourmet cuisine and curated wine pairings. Alternatives include Wilderness Sabyinyo or the more exclusive Wilderness Bisate Reserve, a private sister camp offering an entirely secluded base for trekking. (Full board.)

Day Three — First Gorilla Trek

A pre-dawn briefing from national park rangers precedes your first encounter with the mountain gorillas. Guided by expert trackers, you’ll follow fresh trails through bamboo forest until a habituated family comes into view — an hour spent in their company that few experiences on Earth can rival. Return to the lodge for a leisurely lunch, then spend the afternoon exploring nearby communities before a relaxed dinner. Overnight remains at your Volcanoes lodge.

Day Four — Crossing into Uganda

Depart Rwanda through the border town of Kisoro, tracing the base of the Virunga range into Uganda. The drive itself is scenic, threading between volcanic peaks toward your next gorilla destination.
Luxury stays: Mount Gahinga Lodge or Chameleon Hill Lodge on the shores of Lake Mutanda, positioned equidistant from Bwindi and Mgahinga for effortless access to your next trek.

Day Five — Second Gorilla Trek, Mgahinga/Southern Bwindi

Guided by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers, set out into dense montane forest for your second gorilla encounter — each trek distinct in terrain, family dynamics, and atmosphere. Afterward, retreat to your lodge for a well-earned dinner beneath star-filled skies.

Day Six — Onward to Buhoma & Cultural Immersion

Drive to Buhoma, arriving in time for lunch at your forest lodge. The afternoon unfolds as a rich cultural experience: a village walk introduces a traditional healer and a local brewery, culminating in a performance by the Batwa — the forest’s original inhabitants, whose songs and dances carry centuries of history.
Luxury stays: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge, the only luxury property inside Buhoma itself, reopened in 2025 following an extensive rebuild and is just a five-minute walk from the trekking start point, occupying an enviable hillside location inside the gates of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest; or Buhoma Lodge, whose ten forest chalets are built with local materials, each with an en-suite rain shower and, in the honeymoon chalet, a private lounge with an open fireplace. Mahogany Springs Lodge, known for exceptional cuisine, is a further option.

Day Seven — Third Gorilla Trek, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

A short walk to the park office brings your final gorilla briefing before setting off through ancient rainforest — one of the most biodiverse habitats on Earth, alive with birds, butterflies, and forest duikers. Trackers relay the gorillas’ location via two-way radio, guiding your group to a fresh sighting. Enjoy a bush picnic after the trek before returning to the lodge for dinner.

Day Eight — Ishasha & the Chimpanzees of Kyambura Gorge

Depart with a picnic lunch along the wild Ishasha road, where tree-climbing lions, elephants, topi, and Uganda kob roam the plains — a true taste of East African savanna. By afternoon, descend into Kyambura Gorge, tracking a troop of wild chimpanzees through this sunken rainforest, often located first by their calls echoing from the canopy.
Luxury stays: Kyambura Gorge Lodge, a former coffee store transformed into one of Uganda’s most celebrated properties, with eight contemporary bandas overlooking the savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Rwenzori Mountains beyond, complete with spa, saltwater pool, and a complimentary massage per guest. Katara Lodge, perched above the Kazinga Channel, is an elegant alternative.

Day Nine — Fort Portal & Kibale Forest

Cross through Queen Elizabeth National Park with the Rwenzori — the fabled Mountains of the Moon — rising in the distance, arriving at Fort Portal for an early lunch. The afternoon offers a leisurely swim before settling in beside Kibale’s forest edge.
Luxury stays: Ndali Lodge, perched on the rim of an extinct volcano overlooking Lake Nyinambuga with views toward the Mountains of the Moon, or Kyaninga Lodge, overlooking its own private crater lake in one of Uganda’s most romantic settings.

Day Ten — Chimpanzee Tracking, Kibale Forest

Your final primate encounter unfolds in Kibale, home to the highest density of chimpanzees in East Africa. Trackers split the group at dawn, following calls and fresh trails until the chimps are located — an hour of observation follows before a relaxed picnic lunch. Return to the lodge for a final dinner amid the forest’s evening chorus.
Luxury stays: Continue at Ndali Lodge, or opt for Primate Lodge Kibale, the only property inside the park itself and steps from the Kanyanchu trailhead, offering glass-fronted luxury cottages and a forest treehouse.

Day Eleven — Departure

Transfer from Ndali via Kabale for lunch, then cross the border back into Rwanda for a final night at the Kigali Serena, from where your onward flight departs the following morning.

Safari Investment: Priced per person according to lodge category and group size, reflecting the premium properties selected at each stage of the journey.

Includes: Private airport transfers, luxury accommodation on a full-board basis, gorilla trekking permits (x3), chimpanzee tracking permits (x2), all park entrance fees, and private 4×4 safari vehicle with driver-guide throughout.