Murakaza neza! Welcome to Rwanda, the Land of a Thousand Hills.

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, our local team will be waiting to welcome you before transferring you to our beautiful hotel in the heart of Kigali. Depending on your arrival time, you'll have the opportunity to relax after your journey or begin exploring one of Africa's most vibrant capital cities.

This evening, we'll come together for our first group dinner, where you'll meet your fellow expeditioners, your Fernweh Chronicle's hosts, and our expert local guide. It's the perfect opportunity to get to know one another, learn more about the incredible gorilla adventure ahead, and enjoy your first taste of Rwandan hospitality.

Mövenpick Kigali is a modern urban five-star resort in the heart of Rwanda's vibrant capital. Whether visiting for business or enjoying a family escape, the hotel offers 124 stylish rooms and suites with sweeping city views, flexible meeting spaces, co-working zones, a kids' club, and a heated pool. With all-day dining, a relaxed poolside bar, and thoughtful design inspired by local culture, every detail is crafted to make your stay feel effortless and rewarding.

Meal Plan: Welcome Dinner

After breakfast, we’ll leave Kigali behind and make our way through the spectacular Rwandan countryside, passing rolling green hills, terraced farmland and small villages as we head toward the Ugandan border.

Along the way, we’ll stop at the Gorilla Guardians Village near Volcanoes National Park, a community project started by former poachers who now help protect the gorillas. Local families share traditional dance, everyday activities and, best of all, the music. Our guide tells us it’s his favorite part!

We’ll then visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and learn about the incredible conservation work dedicated to protecting mountain gorillas and their habitat. Home to the world’s longest-running gorilla research program, the Fund pairs decades of unique data with cutting-edge science to better understand gorillas and protect them.

After lunch, we’ll cross the border into Uganda and continue north to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

By afternoon, we’ll arrive at Gorilla Safari Lodge, our home for the next few nights, tucked into the lush rainforest landscape just eight minutes from the gorilla trekking briefing point.

Gorilla Safari Lodge sits comfortably at the edge of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a primeval forest and lush jungle region in south west Uganda. This national park is home to wild gorillas, forest elephants and 23 species of bird endemic to the area. Located a 5 minute walk from the briefing point for trekking makes the lodge a sought after lodge for gorilla trekking safaris. There are plenty of activities on offer, which include visit to the Batwa pygmies, mountain biking, guided community walks and forest walks to the Bayenda Falls.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

And then comes the moment we’ve all been waiting for...

After a ranger briefing, we’ll venture deep into the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. We’ll set off through the rainforest, following the trails and signs left by the gorillas as we make our way deeper into the forest. The trek can take anywhere from a couple of hours to most of the day, depending on where the gorillas are and how far they have traveled.

And then, suddenly, you see them.

Once we find the family, we’ll have one unforgettable hour to quietly observe these incredible animals in their natural habitat - watching them feed, play, climb and interact with one another just meters away.

Because gorilla trekking groups are limited in size, we’ll be divided into smaller trekking groups (based on your fitness level), but everyone will trek on the same day. We’ll all get to experience the excitement together before sharing stories back at the lodge afterward.

No two gorilla treks are ever the same, and that’s part of what makes this experience so extraordinary.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

After the excitement of the trek, we’ll slow things down and spend a full day experiencing another side of Uganda.

We’ll take part in a hands-on traditional cooking class, learning how local dishes are prepared and sharing a meal together.

We’ll also spend time with the local community, getting to know the people who live alongside the Bwindi forest. Through stories, music, dance and everyday experiences, we’ll have the opportunity to learn more about their traditions, their daily lives and their deep connection to the forest.

This is one of the parts of the trip we’re especially excited about - getting beyond the wildlife and having the chance to connect with the people and culture of this remarkable region.

If yesterday's gorilla encounter wasn't enough, you can spend Day 4 back in the forest instead, with one of two options:

A Second Gorilla Trek +$800
Head out on another trek to visit a gorilla family for one more hour. The additional cost covers the gorilla permit.

Gorilla Habituation Experience: +$1,800
Habituation is the process of getting a wild gorilla family used to people. It takes two to three years, with researchers visiting the same group every day to learn about each individual gorilla and how they behave. Join the researchers and trackers in the field and spend up to 4 hours with the gorillas. Only 6 permits are available per day, so these will go quickly.

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

After a relaxed breakfast, we’ll make our way back across the border into Rwanda, retracing the beautiful landscapes and villages we passed earlier in the trip.

Back in Kigali, we’ll enjoy lunch at Hôtel des Mille Collines, the famous Kigali hotel featured in the film Hotel Rwanda.

After lunch, we’ll visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, the final resting place of more than 250,000 victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. It’s a moving and important visit that helps us understand Rwanda’s past and the remarkable way the country has rebuilt since.

Afterward, we’ll explore Kimironko Market, one of the city’s best-known markets, where you can browse local crafts, fabrics and souvenirs, before returning to the Mövenpick to relax and get ready for our final evening together.

Mövenpick Kigali is a modern urban five-star resort in the heart of Rwanda's vibrant capital. Whether visiting for business or enjoying a family escape, the hotel offers 124 stylish rooms and suites with sweeping city views, flexible meeting spaces, co-working zones, a kids' club, and a heated pool. With all-day dining, a relaxed poolside bar, and thoughtful design inspired by local culture, every detail is crafted to make your stay feel effortless and rewarding.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and our farewell dinner.

After breakfast, our adventure comes to an end as we transfer to Kigali International Airport for your onward journey.

If you aren’t ready to say goodbye to Africa just yet, join us for a Tanzania safari to witness the Great Migration from July 9-16!

Join us in Tanzania for a remarkable East Africa Wildlife Experience where you will spot the big five and go in search of the Great Migration and experience the life of the Masai.

Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast