Where misty mountains, wild encounters and unforgettable gorilla moments call you into the heart of Africa.
If Africa has a few places that seem determined to keep their best secrets hidden, Uganda and Rwanda are right up there.
Here, misty mountains rise out of lush green forests, volcanoes disappear into the clouds and somewhere beyond the next bend, a family of mountain gorillas may be quietly watching you back. Add wide-open savannah, shimmering lakes, chimpanzees, golden monkeys, elephants and some seriously beautiful landscapes, and you have two countries that are hard to forget. But it’s not just the wildlife that gets under your skin it’s the people, the warmth, the sense of adventure and those unexpected moments when you find yourself thinking, how is this even real?
Come for the gorillas, stay for everything else. And trust us… you’ll want to stay a little longer.
If Africa has a few places that seem determined to keep their best secrets hidden, Uganda and Rwanda are right up there.
Here, misty mountains rise out of lush green forests, volcanoes disappear into the clouds and somewhere beyond the next bend, a family of mountain gorillas may be quietly watching you back. Add wide-open savannah, shimmering lakes, chimpanzees, golden monkeys, elephants and some seriously beautiful landscapes, and you have two countries that are hard to forget. But it’s not just the wildlife that gets under your skin it’s the people, the warmth, the sense of adventure and those unexpected moments when you find yourself thinking, how is this even real?
Come for the gorillas, stay for everything else. And trust us… you’ll want to stay a little longer.
Kigali – Capital City
Kigali is one of those cities that quietly wins you over. Clean, green and beautifully organised, it has a relaxed energy that makes it easy to explore before or after your safari. Wander through the streets, visit the markets, enjoy some local food and take time to experience the city rather than simply passing through it. But Kigali also asks you to pause and remember. A visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial is a deeply moving experience and an important part of understanding Rwanda’s past and the remarkable journey the country has taken since. After that, exploring Kigali feels different — you notice the warmth, resilience and optimism of the people even more. It’s a city with plenty of heart, and well worth more than a quick overnight stop.
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is spectacular before you’ve even spotted a gorilla. The Virunga Mountains rise dramatically around you, their volcanic peaks disappearing into the clouds and creating an incredible backdrop for one of Africa’s most memorable wildlife experiences. Trekking through the forest in search of mountain gorillas can be challenging. There are steep slopes, thick vegetation and plenty of moments when you wonder exactly how your guide makes it look so easy! But then you find the gorillas, and suddenly the effort feels completely worthwhile. Keep an eye out for golden monkeys too, because these lively little characters are rather good at stealing the show. It’s an adventure, not a walk in the park and that’s exactly what makes it special.
Akagera National Park
Akagera is a wonderful reminder that Rwanda isn’t only about mountains and gorillas. Out in the east of the country, the landscape opens into rolling savannah, lakes, wetlands and wide-open spaces where traditional safari really comes into its own. Game drives can bring elephants, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, antelope and lions, while the lakes and wetlands add a completely different feel to the experience. It’s the sort of place where you head out thinking you’ll just have a quick look around and end up staying out far longer than planned because something interesting keeps appearing. Add the possibility of seeing the Big Five and you have a very good reason to put Akagera on the itinerary. Rwanda certainly knows how to surprise you.
Nyungwe National Park
Nyungwe feels like stepping into a completely different side of Rwanda. One of the oldest Rainforest in Africa. This vast, ancient rainforest is misty, green and wonderfully mysterious, with enormous trees rising above a forest floor alive with birds, monkeys and all sorts of creatures that seem determined to stay just out of sight. Chimpanzee trekking is one of the big experiences here, but the forest offers plenty more for curious explorers, including canopy walks high above the treetops , one of Africa’s longest ziplines, and the enchanting Ndambarare and Kamiranozu waterfalls. And yes, looking down from a suspended walkway while the forest stretches out beneath you is every bit as exciting as it sounds! We love Nyungwe because it rewards patience. Slow down, listen carefully and keep looking — the forest has a habit of revealing its secrets when you least expect them.
Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is where Rwanda gives you permission to slow things down. Stretching between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the lake is surrounded by green hills, little villages and beautiful scenery that seems almost too peaceful after a few days of gorilla trekking and safari adventures. Spend time on the water, explore the shoreline, enjoy a lakeside meal or simply find somewhere comfortable and watch the boats go by. We think Lake Kivu is the perfect place to breathe out and say, “Right… we’re on holiday now.” Swimming, kayaking and boat trips add a little adventure, but there’s no need to rush. Sometimes the best plan is to have no plan at all.
Rwanda Coffee
Rwanda’s coffee story is one of those discoveries that makes you want to slow down and savour the experience, quite literally. Grown in Rwanda’s fertile highlands, coffee is closely connected to the landscape and the communities who produce it. Visiting a coffee experience gives you the chance to see how those little beans make their journey from the plant to your morning cup, often with plenty of tasting along the way. And honestly, we’re very happy to support research of this kind! Rwanda’s coffee is known for its distinctive quality and flavour, and tasting it where it’s grown somehow makes that morning cup taste even better. Add beautiful hills, friendly people and a freshly brewed coffee in your hand, and suddenly you understand why Rwanda takes its coffee rather seriously.
Kampala – Capital City
Kampala is busy, colourful, noisy and wonderfully alive. The kind of city where you can turn a corner and have absolutely no idea what you’re going to find next. There are markets overflowing with fresh produce, little roadside food spots, buzzing streets and plenty of friendly faces. We love getting out and experiencing the city rather than simply passing through it. Try some local food, wander through the markets, soak up the atmosphere and watch Kampala doing what Kampala does best — keeping everyone on their toes! It’s not necessarily a city you come to sit quietly in a corner with a cup of tea, but that’s part of the fun. Give yourself some time here and you’ll quickly discover there’s much more to Uganda than the wildlife.
Entebbe
Entebbe has a completely different feel from bustling Kampala. Sitting right on the shores of Lake Victoria, it’s green, relaxed and a rather lovely place to catch your breath before or after an adventure. Stroll through the botanical gardens, explore the lakeside or simply enjoy the slower pace while watching the world go by. There’s something wonderfully unhurried about Entebbe — which is probably exactly what you need after a long flight! And with monkeys, birds and lush tropical vegetation all around, nature never feels very far away. We think Entebbe is more than just the place where your Ugandan adventure begins. Give it a little time and you may find yourself wishing your departure flight wasn’t quite so soon.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi is one of those places where the name really does tell you what you’re in for. Dense, ancient rainforest covers the steep hills, and trekking through it feels like stepping into another world. But the real magic comes when you finally find the mountain gorillas. Seeing them in their natural habitat is one of those experiences that quiets everyone down, even the person who normally can’t stop talking! You might spend hours hiking through thick vegetation, climbing and slipping your way along forest trails, but the moment you come face to face with a gorilla, none of that seems to matter anymore. It’s wild, intimate and incredibly humbling. And somehow, those few precious minutes never feel long enough.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park gives you a wonderful mix of open savannah, lakes, wetlands and wildlife, so there’s always something happening somewhere. Early morning game drives can bring elephants, buffalo, antelope and lions, while the famous tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha area are definitely worth keeping an eye out for. Then swap the vehicle for a boat and cruise along the Kazinga Channel, where hippos, crocodiles and an incredible variety of birds gather along the water. We love the contrast — one minute you’re scanning the plains, the next you’re drifting quietly past a pod of hippos giving you that unmistakable “this is our river” look. Keep your binoculars handy; there’s usually something worth looking at.
Kibale National Park
Kibale is where you go when you want to get properly up close and personal with Uganda’s primates. The rainforest is lush, mysterious and absolutely alive with noise, movement and curious creatures. Chimpanzee trekking is the big draw, and following their calls through the forest while trying to spot them swinging through the canopy is an experience you won’t forget. Then there are red colobus monkeys, blue monkeys and plenty of other residents who seem perfectly happy to watch you stumbling along below them. We love the feeling of never quite knowing what will appear next. Just when you think you’ve spotted everything, a branch moves and suddenly there’s a pair of eyes staring straight back at you. Forest walks don’t get much more entertaining than that.
Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls is where the Nile decides it has places to be — and makes its intentions very clear! The mighty river squeezes through a narrow gorge before exploding into the falls below, creating an incredible display of power and spray. But the waterfall is only part of the adventure. Out in the park, wide savannah landscapes are home to elephants, giraffes, buffalo, antelope and lions, while a boat trip along the Nile brings you close to hippos, crocodiles and an extraordinary variety of birds. We love doing both because the park feels completely different from the water and from the vehicle. And standing near the falls, listening to all that water thunder through the gorge, you can’t help but think nature occasionally likes to show off a little.
