We’ll take a small break in focusing on some of the main countries we focus on more to inspire you to travel and want to lead your mind to areas which are less explored but activity wise are some of the most memorable experiences and encounters you will have throughout the world. We will take you the countries of Uganda and Rwanda where you can come within touching distance with these fabulous animals in their natural habitats. All of our consultants here at The Luxury Safari Company have seen first-hand the gorillas in both Rwanda and Uganda. Gorilla trekking is one of the most humbling and moving wildlife experiences you can have in Africa. These endangered creatures can be tracked from either of these beautiful countries. During your trek, you will spend up to an hour with a selected family group of gorillas, often with babies and always with a silverback or two. Gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda combines perfectly with a safari in Tanzania or in Kenya, or you can stay within these countries to explore their fascinating history in more depth.

Volcanoes National Park is one of the best places in Africa to trek for the rare mountain gorillas in Rwanda. There are around 6 families in total living within the national park, with only 56 permits per day being granted to trek for them. The Park is only a two-hour scenic drive from Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, making it incredibly easy and accessible before or after a safari in Kenya or Tanzania. Volcanoes National Park is home to five of the eight Virunga Mountains (Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo, all of which are covered in bamboo and rainforests.

(Views from Bisate Lodge – Bisoke Volcano is just to the left)

Volcanoes National Park was the base for Diane Fossey and visiting her memorial offers fantastic full days walk, seeing as much of the park’s flora and fauna and of course its primates, which include golden monkeys. Volcanoes National Park also includes buffalo, black fronted duiker, spotted hyena, bushbuck, okapi and the elusive forest elephant.

Places to stay vary from location to location within the National Park and are all unique and wonderful in their own way. Bisate lodge, located beneath the shadow of the nearby Bisoke volcano and the nearby Karisimba. Your stay will undoubtedly be one you won’t forget, from wonderful gorilla trekking adventures to community visit, birding, lending a hand in reforesting the local area as well as golden monkey tracking (which is a must if you have the time!). Finish your action-packed day relaxing around the fire pit retelling stories from your day and then head off to your luxury suite and fall into the most sumptuous and comfortable beds with the Rwandan forest noises lulling you into a fitful sleep, preparing you for your adventures the next day.

(Bisate‘s unusual rooms nestle snuggly against the slopes of a hill)

(Bisate Lodge‘s comfortable, cosy and spacious rooms)

(The main mess area at Bisate Lodge)

Sabyinyo is sister to the Governor’s camps in Kenya, and benefits from their professional and expert knowledge of how to run a brilliant Safari Lodge. In an ideal location just five minutes from the National Park headquarters, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is a fantastic option for gorilla tracking and style. From Sabyinyo not only can you track the rare mountain gorilla, but you can also visit the stunning lakes, visit community projects, bird watch, walk and visit nearby genocide memorials.

(one of the traditional rooms at Sabyinyo)

(views of the surrounding volcanoes on a clear day at Sabyinyo)

(The main cosy mess area at Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge)

Finally, we want to introduce you to our crème de la crème launched to stay in Rwanda. Singita Kwitonda. Singita Kwitonda has entered the fray to protect highly endangered mountain gorillas. They will use this extremely luxurious property to fund conservation initiatives, and after the usual style these conservation efforts will not only be pioneering but extremely successful. With effortlessly spaced rooms, stunning interior design, delicious food and impeccable service from staff, your state this wonderfully luxurious lodge will be one you will never forget, and it will be very hard to leave. Singita Kwitonda is located right on the very edge of the Volcanoes National Park. Its impeccable position allows some guests, depending on where the gorilla families are, to walk from the lodge to begin their trek. There are eight deliciously luxurious suites which all have heated plunge pools looking up towards one of the misty volcanoes, there are also indoor and outside fireplaces, so on those chillier nights, you can be sure to be cosy whether inside or outside.

(the entrance to each room at Singita Kwitonda)

(Spacious, comfy and very cosy rooms at Singita Kwitonda)

(Deep relaxing baths in each room at Singita Kwitonda)

If you would like to start planning your once in a lifetime adventure to track one of the most remarkable animals within Africa’s continent, then do send us through an email, or give us a call. We would love to begin planning your adventure of a lifetime.