This short but unforgettable safari takes you from Rwanda’s vibrant capital, Kigali, across the scenic highlands into Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a life-changing gorilla trekking adventure. Perfect for travelers with limited time, this 4-day journey blends beautiful landscapes, cultural insights, and one of the most profound wildlife encounters on Earth.
Your adventure begins with a city tour of Kigali, visiting key landmarks such as the Kigali Genocide Memorial and colorful local markets. From here, cross the border into Uganda’s lush southwest, passing rolling hills, tea plantations, and charming rural communities before settling into your lodge near Bwindi.
The highlight of your trip is a full day dedicated to trekking through Bwindi’s dense rainforest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. Spending an hour with these gentle giants in their natural habitat is an awe-inspiring and deeply moving experience. The journey concludes with a scenic return to Kigali, where you can shop for souvenirs or explore more of the city before your departure.
This itinerary is ideal for travelers seeking a quick yet immersive gorilla trekking experience with the convenience of starting and ending in Kigali.
Rwanda’s capital and biggest city stretches across lush undulating hills surrounded by towering mountains, the largest of which is Mount Kigali, rising 1850 metres above sea level. Kigali is the country’s financial, commercial and cultural hub, served by an international airport and featuring a wide range of accommodation options. It also offers a collection of restaurants and points of interest, including the Kigali Genocide Centre, an atmospheric market and numerous craft shops. With its interesting architecture, busy streets, meandering boulevards, and green hillsides, Kigali is said to be one of the most attractive cities in Africa and is definitely worth a visit.
Experience the highest standard of comfort and convenience at Kigali Marriott Hotel. This premier luxury business hotel in Kigali is conveniently located along KN3 Avenue in downtown Kigali, close to the financial district, embassies, government ministries and Kigali City Hall. Timeless elegance surrounds you on arrival to a modern and spacious lobby and grand stairs. Experience spacious guest rooms decorated in warm pastel colors and fitted with the latest in technology. Visit Cucina Restaurant for tasty, innovative Italian fare and Lobby Bar for cocktails and city vistas. Complete your stay with a day of pampering at Saray Spa, the largest spa in the city, with its 5-star treatments and outdoor pool. Featuring the largest meeting space in the city, the hotel in Kigali is ideal for hosting productive conventions, elegant weddings and retreats of all sizes. Whether here for business or leisure, their Kigali luxury hotel offers all the amenities you’ll need for an unforgettable retreat in Kigali, Rwanda.
Ideally located on one of Kigali’s most charming boulevards, the five-star Kigali Serena Hotel is built around a polished granite atrium, which showcases the very best of Rwandese cultural art. Relaxed yet elegant, the hotel centres on the Executive Lounge and Bar, which opens onto a wide sundeck overlooking the newly refurbished swimming pool. Also overlooking the pool, the popular Milima Restaurant offers a wide range of all-day buffet choices, while the relaxed Sokoni Café offers inside and outside poolside seating. The capital’s natural business hub, the hotel also boasts its own extensive conference centre, 500-seater auditorium and lavish ballroom.
The hotel features 148 rooms. Guests can choose from a selection of 60 Standard Rooms, 37 Superior Rooms, 19 Deluxe Rooms, 18 Junior Suites, 7 Prime Rooms, 6 Executive Suites and a luxury Presidential Suite. In-room facilities include 24 hour room service, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, tea/coffee making facilities, mini fridge, hair dryer, private safe and a flat screen satellite TV.
Half Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Activities
Located in south-western Uganda, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is said to be Africa’s oldest rainforest. It is world-renowned for its excellent gorilla-sighting opportunities – the forest is home to half of the remaining mountain gorillas on earth. This gorilla experience takes place among a rugged landscape of dense jungle, cascading waterfalls, sparkling mountain streams, deep valleys, and steep ridges. The untouched forest has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its breath-taking natural beauty and unique ecological significance, and aside from the amazing gorilla interactions, there are other draw cards such as a network of forest walks, over 340 species of bird to spot, and a variety of brightly-coloured butterflies to identify. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the spectacular Virunga Volcanoes, three of which are still active.
Gorilla Heights Lodge is located in Nkuringo, Kisoro district in South Western Uganda. The lodge provides airport pick-up services from Kisoro airport to the lodge. The lodge features 15 cottages that all derive their names from the attractions surrounding the lodge. Elegant dining offering a variety of buffets, set menus, theme nights and ‘a la carte’ menu, serving local and international cuisine is available. The lodge also has a heated swimming pool and a spa facility with a steam bath and Sauna.
Located on the shores of one of East Africa’s most beautiful lakes – Lake Mutanda, visitors will enjoy spectacular views across the lake with its islands and surrounding hills. Chameleon Hill and its breath-taking surrounding scenery offer a variety of different activities and the perfect combination of relaxation and adventure.
Accommodation at Chameleon Hill Lodge comprises of 10 chalets. All chalets provide unobstructed views across the lake. The chalets are individually furnished and has essential features for a comfortable stay.
Common areas at Chameleon Hill Lodge include the wooden deck with picturesque views of the surroundings, and a modern lounge with a fireplace and library. Also featured at the lodge is a restaurant serving international cuisine with some African touches.
Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum |
Located just outside of Kigali City Centre in the Gasabo district, Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum was created by a joint partnership of the Kigali City Council and the UK-based Aegis Trust. The centre is an extremely moving, challenging, educational and ultimately inspiring as well as a great place to understand the cause, tragedy and successful rebuilding post-genocide.
The memorial hosts a tour which is transparent and educational but very sombre and humbling when guests realise that over 250,000 deceased are buried on the site of the memorial.
Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
Gorilla Trekking Bwindi Impenetrable Forest |
Batwa Cultural Village |
Wake early for a hearty breakfast to give you the energy needed for gorilla trekking. Before 8:00 am, report to the ranger station for registration and a talk by one of the rangers. The guides will then take you through the bush, pushing your way through the undergrowth, to track the gorillas. (Please note this trek can take from 30 minutes to 5-6 hours). A reasonable degree of fitness is required, as well as a sturdy pair of walking shoes. Sit in the forest among the gorillas, listening to them ‘talk’ to one another, and marvel at the sheer size of the dominant male, the Silverback. It is an extraordinary feeling sitting in the dense rainforest knowing you are with a few of the last remaining mountain gorillas. It’s amazing to think there are only about 650 of these beautiful creatures left.
The Batwa Cultural village is where the Batwa (Pigmies) still live in the same way they used to years ago in tree houses. The Batwa only began leaving their forest homes around 15 years ago and they have been able to remain on this land thanks to the support of a generous American benefactor who donated the land back to them and created a cultural program. The fees from visiting tourists and are given to the Batwa project and they delight in welcoming visitors to their village and demonstrating how they make weapons, dance, make fires using sticks and cook.
Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
Breakfast and Lunch
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