There are destinations one visits, and others one lives. A journey to Uganda and Rwanda belongs to the second kind: an experience that connects you with nature at its wildest and reveals some of the most spectacular ecosystems on the planet.
On this route we venture into tropical rainforests, sail rivers teeming with life and have the chance to observe, in the wild, two of Africa’s great primates: chimpanzees and the magnificent mountain gorillas. This is the journey we design, and this is how you will live it.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park
The journey begins in Kibale National Park, regarded as one of the finest places in the world to observe chimpanzees in the wild. This tropical forest is home to one of the highest concentrations of primates in Africa, with more than a dozen different species.
Accompanied by specialist guides, we set out on a trek through the forest, following the chimpanzees’ trails. The route winds through lush vegetation where the calls of birds and monkeys accompany us at every step.
The moment the group appears among the trees is, quite simply, unforgettable. Watching them play, feed, communicate or care for their young in their natural habitat brings home the immense richness of these ecosystems and how much it matters to protect them.
Meeting the mountain gorillas
If there is one experience capable of moving even the most seasoned travellers, it is trekking to see mountain gorillas. Very few remain in the world, and they live only in the mountains shared by Uganda, Rwanda and the Congo.
After a walk through the dense forest, the effort is rewarded when a family of gorillas appears, resting among the vegetation. For roughly an hour they are observed from a safe distance, always respecting the strict conservation rules.
The gaze of the silverback, the tenderness with which the mothers care for their young and the calm the whole group conveys make this encounter one of the most powerful moments Africa can offer. Few experiences bring you as close to nature as sharing a few moments with a species so emblematic and so endangered.
Boat safari: wildlife seen from the water
The journey continues with a spectacular boat safari along one of Uganda’s great rivers, where nature puts on a constant show.
As you glide along, you take in vast pods of hippos resting in the water, Nile crocodiles basking on the banks, elephants coming down to drink, buffalo, antelope and an extraordinary variety of birds that make the route a paradise for anyone who loves photography.
Observing wildlife from the water offers an entirely different perspective —quieter, closer— as the African landscape unfolds before your eyes.
What to know before you go
A journey like this is designed well in advance, because three things shape it:
- Gorilla permits are limited. Only a very small number of people are allowed to visit each family every day, and places sell out months ahead. It is the first thing we secure.
- The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15. For families with younger children, we design the journey around the chimpanzees, the boat safari and the lodges, and reserve the gorillas for the older ones.
- The best time to go usually coincides with the dry seasons —roughly June to September and December to February— when the forest trails are easier to walk. The rest of the year is possible too, with more rain and fewer people.
And a fourth, the one that changes the journey most: where you sleep. The lodges in the area range from the decent to the extraordinary, and the difference shows in how you rest after each trek. That is where we take particular care.
Much more than a safari
Uganda and Rwanda offer a different way to discover Africa. Here it is not only about searching for animals from a vehicle, but about walking through the forest, listening to its sounds, feeling the humidity of the woods and becoming part, if only for a few hours, of one of the most fascinating ecosystems on the planet.
The combination of chimpanzee trekking, the encounter with the mountain gorillas and the boat safari creates an extraordinary journey for anyone seeking an authentic, sustainable and deeply moving adventure. If you are looking for a more classic safari or are travelling with young children, you may first want to read our guide to a luxury family safari.
Why choose this journey
- Observing chimpanzees in the wild in Kibale National Park.
- Trekking to see mountain gorillas up close in their natural habitat.
- A boat safari among hippos, crocodiles, elephants and a great diversity of birds.
- Spectacular landscapes of tropical forests, mountains and rivers.
- Small groups and experiences that respect wildlife conservation.
- A unique journey for lovers of nature, photography and adventure.
Live one of Africa’s great experiences
If you dream of seeing the last mountain gorillas on the planet, walking among wild chimpanzees and sailing African rivers surrounded by life, Uganda and Rwanda await you with one of the most thrilling adventures there is. Discover how we design it on our page for tailor-made journeys to Uganda.
Shall we go and see the gorillas?
Permits go fast. Tell us your dates and we’ll secure first what won’t wait.
Design your journey →Article written by the Away Travel Designer team, a tailor-made travel agency in Seville. We design luxury tailor-made journeys for travellers who won’t settle for the ordinary.