World famous for the ecotourism success story of the endangered Mountain Gorillas, these neighbours also offer a chance to track chimpanzees and golden monkeys, climb volcanoes, interact with local communities, embark on a traditional safari, and soak up some of Africa’s most glorious panoramas and lush landscapes.
Get active beyond the unmissable gorilla trekking to also include a full day chimpanzee habituation experience, exhilarating white water rafting on The Nile, hike end-to-end through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, explore the wild bush by foot and horseback, and enjoy many other outdoor activities around this enchanting country.
Embark on an epic 1000-mile road trip across one of Africa’s most beautiful countries, ranging from traditional safari grasslands to thick teaming jungle, via jaw-dropping lakes and mesmerising volcanos. Meet gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys and tree-climbing lions, alongside community projects and cultural initiatives that aim to provide a sustainable future.
Enjoy the wildlife wonders of Uganda in supreme comfort, staying at three of the country’s most luxurious and stylish lodges. You will have opportunities to track Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees and Golden Monkeys, as well as embark on game drives and boat trips to find large numbers of elephants, hippos, buffalo and of the course the famous local tree-climbing lions.
If you wanted to add the iconic Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda to your African adventures, this short luxurious extension to any Ugandan, Tanzanian or South African itinerary is a wonderful way to do it. Stay at one of the world famous 5-star eco lodges around Volcanos National Park for your gorilla trekking, where life-affirming experiences meet a world class conservation success story.
Quite simply our favourite wildlife experience, coming face to face with a family of endangered Mountain Gorillas is an unforgettable, heart-in-mouth, life-affirming event. Permit numbers are strictly limited and sell out up to a year in advance however, so make sure you plan way in advance
If you’d like to see something truly different on your safari, Ishasha is one of only two places in Africa where you can witness lions climbing (and lounging in) trees. Conveniently located on the long drive between Uganda’s Chimpanzee and Gorilla tracking regions, it’s a must see detour.
Whilst gorillas may be the headline act, tracking a group of the more agile and elusive Chimpanzees is an equally exhilarating experience (if you are lucky enough to find them). Kyambura Gorge and Kibale are the prime spots in Uganda, along with tiny Nyungwe NP in Rwanda.
Ishasha Wilderness Camp – Set on the edge of the Ntungwe river in Queen Elizabeth NP, Ishasha is a classic African tented safari camp in the heart of the wilderness. Each tent is fully equipped with en-suite bathrooms and private verandas overlooking the river, where you may be lucky enough to see elephants, buffalo or hippo.
Kyambura Gorge Lodge – With unique locally styled bandas, charming service and stunning views, this is the perfect base for tracking Chimpanzees in the lush Kyambura Gorge below. Included safari game drives in Queen Elizabeth NP and a Kazinga Channel boat trip add to the wildlife wonderland experience.
Bwindi Lodge – Set on the edge of tiny Buhoma town – the launch point for Gorilla trekking – Bwindi Lodge offers stylish luxury bandas, delicious food, immersive views of the mountainous rainforest, and a sustainable partnership with the local community via the Bwindi Bar and adjacent tea plantation.
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge – Perched dramatically on the Nteko Ridge, Clouds features breathtaking views from high over the canopy of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest from its ten luxury stone cottages. Uniquely in the area, it was built as a multi-agency partnership to help protect both the habitat of the mountain gorilla and the local Nkuringo community.
Mount Gahinga Lodge – Beautifully situated in the shadow of three iconic volcanoes, Gahinga is your Ugandan base for combining both Mountain Gorillas and Golden Monkeys, as well as opportunities to climb one of the volcanoes, and experience the fascinating Batwa culture, the oldest inhabitants of the Central African rainforest.
Virunga Lodge – This pioneering hilltop eco-lodge overlooks the Virunga Volcanoes to the west and lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera to the east, offering one of the finest panoramas in all Africa. The ten bandas ooze chic Rwandese character and luxurious living, perfect for relaxing after a day of unforgettable gorilla tracking.
Uganda has a population of 46 million people, and is heavily rural with less than 2 million living in the capital and biggest city, Kampala.
Rwanda is significantly smaller with 13 million inhabitants, with around 1 million in the capital Kigali.
Rwanda and Uganda are 2 hours and 3 hours respectively head of GMT
At the time of writing GBP £1 equates to roughly 5000 Ugandan Shillings or 1400 Rwandan Francs.
Most comfortable (and popular) are the dry seasons of December to February and June to August, particularly for long days tracking gorillas or chimpanzees. However, if you bring your waterproofs and don’t mind mud, you can visit at any time of the year and still see it all.
You will need to fly to the capital Kigali for Rwanda, and to Entebee international airport for Uganda, on the shores of Lake Victoria 30 miles from Kampala.
