This eight day wildlife experience combines two countries where you can come face to face with endangered mountain gorillas in the wild. Explore Queen Elizabeth National Park with its tree-climbing lions and trek gorillas in both the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park with experienced guides/ rangers.
The Bwindi National Park, located in south western Uganda on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, is considered the most diverse forest in Uganda. The park contains almost one half of the world’s population of the endangered Mountain Gorilla, making it an extremely valuable conservation site. Coming face to face with mountain gorillas is a rare experience! The opportunity to come within meters of these magnificent apes, sharing in their daily lives and experiencing their day-to-day activities, is an experience you won’t soon forget! Mountain gorillas are extremely rare with only an estimated 880 remaining in the wild.
The Volcanoes National Park is home to the Rwandan section of the Virungas. Comprising five volcanoes, the Virungas are breathtaking and home not just to mountain gorillas but rare golden monkeys, a troop of which have been habituated to human contact, can also be visited.
A rare wilderness region of outstanding beauty, Rwanda is home to a vast savannah teeming with iconic wildlife. Akagera National Park, in the far east of Rwanda and overlooking beautiful Lake Rwanyakazinga, comprises some of the most scenic savannah in East Africa. Here, open plains, woodlands, lakes, swamp and grassy low mountains are home to prolific plains game and to one of Africa’s highest hippo densities, some very large crocodiles and a healthy population of lion as well as the rare sitatunga and black rhino, along with more than 520 bird species.
Wilderness Magashi:
This award-winning luxury safari camp is located in a private concession within Akagera National Park. With just 8 spacious en-suite tented suites, the camp’s layout is designed to maximise the glorious views over Lake Rwanyakazinga.The main areas consist of a chic lounge, dining area, bar and pool – every corner boasting glorious views, while the expansive viewing deck is the perfect stage for sundowners and storytelling at the convivial fire pit.
Wilderness Magashi Peninsula:
Also situated in a private concession at the furthest reaches of Akagera National Park, Magashi Peninsula offers an elevated luxury wilderness experience, with just two suites and one exclusive-use villa. The suites are ideal for couples, offering excellent views, additional beds on the rooftop, and a private plunge pool. Families and groups will love the exclusive-use villa, with their own private guide and dedicated in-villa meals, two en-suite rooms plus an extra space adaptable as a gym, office or children’s room, plus its own living space with lounge, dining, kitchen & plunge pool.
At both camps, guests enjoy thrilling game viewing by boat on elevated seating for unimpeded sightings. Game drives offer guests the opportunity to help conservation efforts, by tracking and identifying the lions and leopards of the area through the use of identikits. At night, listen to the songs and stories of the land during a traditional Kugisha supper around a roaring fire with friends old and new.
Every Wilderness camp directly contributes funds to conservation through a dedicated conservation initiative, the Wilderness Trust. Wilderness also runs community partnerships in every region it operates — from community trusts in Botswana and Namibia to reforestation programmes in Rwanda.
A wildlife experience like no other. Hike through lush bamboo, hygenia rainforest and open grassland to find the habituated mountain gorillas and the no less precious and rare golden monkeys. These forests were once the research base for the late American primatologist Dian Fossey, and the setting of the film, Gorillas in the Mist.
The Virungas mountainous region includes Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda), Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Uganda) and Virunga National Park (Democratic Republic of Congo) where over eight families (480 gorillas) live. Stay at your choice of lodges, all located in the Volcanoes National Park.
Virunga Lodge (4-star)
Set on a stunning hillside, the magnificent Virunga Lodge boasts panoramic vistas of the Virunga Volcanoes and the beautiful lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera. Each of ten luxurious bandas named after the Rwandan lakes features a spacious bedroom with a cosy fireplace, as well as a private terrace with sweeping views of the breathtaking surrounds.
Those in need of relaxation can revel in the comfort of the main lodge or spend some time in the Dian Fossey Map Room. Each guest will enjoy the opportunity for a relaxing complimentary massage. It is worthwhile visiting the nearby village in the company of one of the staff members to get to know some of the local people.
Wilderness Sabyinyo Lodge (5-star)
Discover the future of impactful tourism at Rwanda’s first-ever community-owned lodge. Set on a lush 10.78-hectare property, Sabyinyo invites you in with its dramatic backdrop of the misty volcanoes. Besides thrilling mountain gorilla and golden monkey trekking, there is much to see and discover. Guests can enjoy local hikes, walk to the ruin of Dian Fossey’s research centre and grave, take nature walks in search of endemic bird species, enjoy a stroll in the vegetable garden, or be inspired by a cultural tour.
Sabyinyo has six charming cottages, each with a spacious sitting area, a fireplace and extra-roomy en-suite bathroom. Space heaters by the beds supplement the log fire, to create a haven of warmth. Outdoors, a spacious veranda invites you to relax and enjoy the bird-filled gardens. There is also a spacious Family Cottage and two extra-spacious luxury Suites.
Wilderness Bisate Lodge (5.5-star)
This award-winning, sustainable lodge offers just six luxury Forest Villas, set in a cloud forest with breath-taking views of six volcanoes. Edifying cultural interactions, sophisticated, health-conscious dining, and exuberant hospitality all make your stay superior.
Although spacious, the Forest Villas feel warm and intimate, thanks to the carefully designed layout which includes a reception area, luxury bedroom and en-suite bathroom – all warmed by a generous central fireplace. The true luxury lies in the exclusivity and privacy that surrounds Bisate and the rare, raw beauty of its setting.
