This Is the Place Avicii Meant When Singing ‘The Nights’
Bwindi Impenetrable, Volcanoes National Park & the Forgotten Bridge of Mgahinga – A Soul-Bound Journey Through Africa’s Misty Crownlands
“He said, one day you’ll leave this world behind, so live a life you will remember…” – Avicii
This Is The Place Avicii Meant When Singing — Those words don’t just echo through concert halls or nightclubs. They live, breathe, and ripple through the mist-drenched mountains of East Africa. Where silence is a language, mist is a curtain, and the forest pulses with ancestral memory. Here, in the heart of the Albertine Rift, three destinations rise together like chapters in a spiritual memoir: the mysterious Bwindi Impenetrable Forest of Uganda, the majestic Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda, and the rarely spoken yet symbolically vital Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which acts as the quiet bridge between them.
Together, these places form the wildest trilogy in Africa—a place where dreams confront their own meaning, and where travel becomes something sacred. This isn’t just about gorilla trekking. This is about walking into a legend, living it fully, and leaving changed. This is where Avicii’s lyrics stop being metaphor and begin to manifest. This is where you don’t just live for the nights you won’t remember—but for the ones that will never fade.
Why These Destinations?
The Trilogy of Soul: Bwindi, Mgahinga & Volcanoes
These three destinations are tied together not only by geography but by emotion, ecological wonder, and timeless cultural value. Each offers a different dimension of what it means to truly “feel” Africa—not through a lens of entertainment, but through moments of deep wilderness intimacy.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest: The Spirit-Wrapped Wilderness
Bwindi is Africa in its most primal form. Located in southwestern Uganda, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the oldest rainforests on earth—estimated to be over 25,000 years old. Here, every vine, fern, and moss-covered tree feels ancestral. The forest is so thick and uncuttable that it earned its name “Impenetrable”, and rightly so—only the most determined make it through.
The true climax, of course, is coming face-to-face with the endangered mountain gorillas—of which roughly half of the world’s total population live here. These majestic beings are more than just wildlife; they are mirrors of ourselves. The depth in their eyes, the familial interactions, the calm power they exude—it brings many trekkers to tears.
But even outside gorillas, Bwindi is a treasure trove for biodiversity lovers. From over 350 bird species (including the African green broadbill and Shelley’s crimsonwing) to rare forest elephants, butterflies, medicinal plants, and endangered primates like the L’Hoest’s monkey—every footstep here is a brushstroke on a living canvas.
️Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: The Sacred Bridge Between Worlds
Tucked quietly between the drama of Bwindi and the majesty of Rwanda’s volcanoes lies Mgahinga, Uganda’s smallest national park—but by no means the least. If Bwindi is the soul and Volcanoes the crown, Mgahinga is the beating heart—a bridge not only geographically but spiritually.
Mgahinga sits on the edge of the Virunga Volcano chain, where three dormant volcanoes—Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhabura, and Mount Sabyinyo—stand like ancient sentinels. These mountains form the boundary between Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It’s a place where borders dissolve and the earth itself becomes the storyteller.
Here, the mountain gorillas roam freely across boundaries, and the elusive golden monkeys swing through bamboo forests like sparks of joy. You can hike to the summit of a volcano in a day, trek through craters, or walk the Batwa Trail—a guided experience that reveals the forest through the eyes of its original inhabitants, the Batwa pygmies.
Mgahinga is often skipped because it lacks the size and fame of its neighbors—but that’s precisely why it’s magic. It offers solitude, unspoiled trails, and a sense of discovery that feels deeply personal.
Volcanoes National Park: Rwanda’s Crown Jewel of Conservation
Cross into Rwanda and step into Volcanoes National Park—a symbol of rebirth, resilience, and reverence. Made globally famous by Dian Fossey’s legacy and the film Gorillas in the Mist, Volcanoes is where modern gorilla conservation was born. The park’s boundaries contain five of the eight Virunga Volcanoes and are a sanctuary to over a dozen gorilla families.
The beauty here is cinematic. Treks begin in the lush foothills of Musanze, and as you ascend, the air cools and the mist thickens until you find yourself walking through the clouds—sometimes literally. The forest floor is soft with moss, and the air is filled with a mysterious stillness.
Beyond gorillas, the park also offers treks to the tombs of Dian Fossey, climbs up Mount Bisoke to its crater lake, and encounters with golden monkeys. Every step in Volcanoes feels like a tribute—to nature, to legacy, to hope.
Cost Breakdown – What to Expect Financially
Gorilla trekking is a premium experience for a reason: it funds conservation, pays local trackers and rangers, and ensures communities around the parks see real benefit from protecting the gorillas. Here’s a realistic breakdown of what to expect:
Gorilla Trekking Permits
Uganda (Bwindi & Mgahinga): $800 per person (valid for 1-hour encounter)
Rwanda (Volcanoes): $1,500 per person
Accommodations
Budget Lodges & Guesthouses: $40 – $90 per night (hostels, local-run stays)
Mid-Range Lodges: $100 – $300 per night (comfort with warm hospitality)
Luxury Lodges: $400 – $1,200 per night (wildlife-facing villas, private decks, butler service)
Guided Tours & Transport
3-day package (permit + transfers + mid-range lodging + meals): $1,500–$2,000
6–9-day combo across all three parks: $2,800 – $5,000+, depending on style
Optional Add-Ons
Golden monkey permit: $60 (Uganda), $100 (Rwanda)
Porter: $10–$20 per trek (recommended)
Local guide tips: $10–$50 depending on service
Accessibility – Getting There and Between
Though remote by design, these parks are accessible with a bit of planning—and the journey is half the magic.
International Entry
Entebbe International Airport (Uganda) – ideal if starting in Bwindi or Mgahinga
Kigali International Airport (Rwanda) – best for Volcanoes and Mgahinga (shortest drives)
Onward Travel
Kigali to Volcanoes NP (Musanze): 2.5-hour paved road
Kigali to Bwindi/Mgahinga (via Cyanika/Katuna border): 4–5 hours scenic drive
Bwindi to Mgahinga: 2–3 hours depending on sector (Nkuringo to Ntebeko route)
A 4×4 vehicle is essential. Most tour operators arrange these transfers, including border handling. The East Africa Tourist Visa ($100) allows travel between Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya for 90 days.
Why Africa? Why This Journey?
Because Africa is not just a continent—it’s the mother of memory. And this journey is not just a safari—it’s a soul-return.
The mountains don’t speak in words, but in silence.
The gorillas don’t pose, but they gaze—and that gaze changes you.
The mist doesn’t hide—it reveals.
In the West, we chase moments to feel alive. In these forests, you simply are. Unplugged. Undistracted. Unearthed.
You came for gorillas, yes. But you’ll leave with a piece of yourself you didn’t know was missing. That’s the magic of Africa.
Activities to Stir the Deepest Parts of You
- Mountain Gorilla Trekking (Uganda or Rwanda): The pinnacle experience—raw, humbling, and life-altering.
- Golden Monkey Tracking: Delightful, fast-moving primates in the bamboo zones of Mgahinga and Volcanoes.
- Volcano Climbing: Summit Gahinga, Muhabura, or Bisoke for views over three countries.
- Birdwatching in Bwindi: Over 350 species, including Albertine Rift endemics for hardcore birders.
- Batwa Cultural Trail (Mgahinga): Experience the forest through indigenous eyes—one of the most respectful and authentic cultural walks in Africa.
- Dian Fossey’s Tomb Hike: A pilgrimage to the legendary conservationist’s final resting place, halfway up the volcano she loved.
How to Book This Journey – Step by Step
Start With the Trekking Permit
Permits are limited and should be booked at least 4–6 months in advance.
Go through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or Rwanda Development Board (RDB)—or a certified local operator.
Select Your Route
Start in Kigali for shortest access to all parks.
Loop from Kigali → Volcanoes → Mgahinga → Bwindi for the most fluid itinerary.
Choose a Trusted Tour Operator
Operators based in Uganda or Rwanda will handle permits, guides, transport, accommodation, and border logistics. Go for ones registered with AUTO or RTTA for credibility.
Book Lodges That Match Your Mood
Go rustic if you want full immersion.
Go luxury if you want nature with indulgence.
Pack and Prepare
Hiking boots, gloves, gaiters, waterproofs, camera with zoom lens, binoculars, layered clothing, rehydration salts, and emotional readiness.
