Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – Rwanda’s Clean and Calm Capital

Your adventure begins the moment you touch down in Kigali International Airport, where you’ll be warmly welcomed by your driver-guide. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a brief city tour through Kigali’s green boulevards, cultural landmarks, and markets—a gentle introduction to East Africa.

Afterward, check in to your Kigali hotel and unwind from your journey. From modern luxury to boutique comfort, your stay includes dinner and a pre-safari briefing to prepare you for the days ahead. Rest well, as tomorrow the wild calls from just across the border.

Day 2: Scenic Drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – Uganda’s Hidden Gem

After breakfast, you’ll begin your scenic drive from Kigali into Uganda, crossing at the Cyanika border post near Kisoro. The journey itself is stunning—rolling Rwandan hills give way to Ugandan crater lakes, steep terraced farms, and the dramatic Virunga volcano chain. After immigration formalities, continue to your lodge near Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda’s smallest but most dramatic park, nestled between three towering volcanoes.

Check in, enjoy a warm lunch, and take in the high-altitude tranquility. In the afternoon, opt for a short guided walk around the local community, or simply relax with the distant rumble of Mount Muhabura as your backdrop. Dinner is served under a sky full of stars, and you’ll sleep surrounded by cool mountain air, ready for your first gorilla trekking experience tomorrow.

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga – Among Volcanoes and Bamboo

Today is your first gorilla trekking day—a heart-pounding, soul-stirring experience that takes place in one of Uganda’s most scenic parks. After an early breakfast, you’ll head to Ntebeko Visitor Centre for a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. Mgahinga is home to the Nyakagezi Gorilla Family, known for its playful juveniles and a laid-back silverback who often enjoys sunning himself on mossy slopes.

The trek may lead you through bamboo forests, steep ridges, and open clearings where golden monkeys chatter and the occasional buffalo path winds across your trail. Depending on the group’s location, the hike can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours, but the reward is profound: an hour face-to-face with the mountain gorillas, watching them feed, nap, play, and exist just feet away. It’s a moment that will replay in your mind for years to come.

After the trek, return to the lodge for a relaxed afternoon. Enjoy lunch, perhaps a massage, or explore the cultural Batwa trail (optional), where you’ll hear stories of the forest from its original human inhabitants.

Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – From Volcanoes to Jungle Depths

Today, you’ll drive through some of Uganda’s most beautiful and remote landscapes as you transfer from Mgahinga to the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The road winds through highland farms, mountain passes, and tea plantations until the thick, vine-wrapped forest of Bwindi comes into view—an ancient place where light and shadow play among trees older than any city.

Arrive at your eco-lodge tucked within the forest, where you’ll check in and enjoy a leisurely lunch. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore or rest. You may opt for a community walk to meet local artisans, visit a forest waterfall, or simply sit back and let the sounds of the jungle wash over you.

Day 5: Second Gorilla Trek in Bwindi – A New Family, A New Perspective

Today you rise early for your second gorilla trekking adventure, this time in the legendary Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and stronghold for over half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. You’ll head to the park headquarters, where rangers will guide you into the dense, misty forest to track a different gorilla family group.

The terrain here is steeper, more rugged, and deeply layered in foliage—adding an extra level of intimacy and mystery to the experience. Each family in Bwindi has its own personality and rhythm. From shy infants peeking from behind leaves to the noble calm of an elder silverback, this second trek offers a fresh and deeper understanding of these incredible creatures. You’ll feel the difference not just in setting, but in the emotion—by now, your eye is more attuned, your connection stronger.

After your hour with the gorillas, return to your lodge for a late lunch and celebratory rest. The afternoon is free for journaling, spa time, or reflecting with fellow trekkers by the fireplace. It’s a perfect way to end your twin-trekking dream.

Day 6: Return to Kigali – The Journey Comes Full Circle

After breakfast, you’ll begin your return drive to Kigali, crossing the border back into Rwanda. Depending on your flight schedule, you may enjoy a stop at the Kigali Genocide Memorial or craft markets for last-minute souvenirs. Later, transfer to Kigali International Airport for your outbound flight, with your heart full and your spirit forever changed.