Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – City Tour and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Upon your arrival at Kigali International Airport, a representative from Kurikayo Africa Adventures will warmly welcome you to Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills. After a short safari briefing, you will embark on a guided Kigali city tour that offers insight into Rwanda’s history, culture, and resilience. Key stops may include the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local artisan markets, and the colorful Nyamirambo neighborhood. Following the city tour and lunch, you will drive north through the rolling green hills and terraced farmlands toward Volcanoes National Park. This scenic 2.5-hour drive offers breathtaking views of the Virunga Mountains—home to some of the last remaining mountain gorillas. Upon arrival, you’ll check into your lodge nestled on the edge of the park, where the cool mountain air and views of mist-covered peaks set the tone for your adventure. Enjoy dinner and rest well for the golden monkey trek the next day.

Day 2: Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park – Cross into Uganda

After an early breakfast, you’ll head to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing about golden monkey trekking. These endangered primates are unique to the Albertine Rift and are known for their golden-orange coats, playful behavior, and remarkable agility through bamboo forests. Accompanied by park rangers, you’ll trek into the forest where you may find a habituated troop. The trek usually takes 1 to 3 hours, and once you locate the monkeys, you’ll spend an hour observing and photographing them as they jump between branches and forage for food.

After returning from the trek and having lunch at the lodge, you’ll begin the cross-border journey into Uganda. The drive through Cyanika Border is scenic, and once you enter Uganda, the terrain becomes more dramatic, with steep hills and deep valleys blanketed by rainforest. Your final destination is Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Upon arrival, check in to your lodge and enjoy a warm welcome, a hearty dinner, and some rest in preparation for the gorilla trek tomorrow.

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Today is the highlight of your journey—the unforgettable experience of tracking endangered mountain gorillas. After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking etiquette and group allocation. You’ll then venture deep into the forest, guided by experienced rangers and trackers who will lead you through rugged terrain in search of a specific gorilla family. The trek may take anywhere between 2 and 6 hours depending on the group’s location, but the reward is tremendous. Spending an hour with the gorillas as they feed, groom, and interact in their natural habitat is a deeply moving experience. The sight of a silverback’s imposing presence or a baby gorilla clinging to its mother will remain etched in your memory forever.

After your magical hour, you’ll descend back through the forest and return to your lodge. The afternoon is yours to relax, reflect, or opt for an optional cultural visit to a Batwa community. The Batwa, who once lived as forest hunter-gatherers, now share their traditions through storytelling, dance, and demonstrations of how they once coexisted with wildlife. Your evening ends with a well-earned dinner and a peaceful night in the forest.

Day 4: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi – Canoeing and Relaxation

After breakfast, you will bid farewell to the forest and drive to Lake Bunyonyi, one of Africa’s most beautiful and tranquil lakes. The journey takes approximately 2–3 hours, winding through terraced hills and scenic viewpoints. Lake Bunyonyi, often referred to as the “Switzerland of Africa,” is dotted with 29 islands and surrounded by steep green hills. Upon arrival, you will check into a lakeside lodge where you can spend the rest of the day enjoying the serenity of the lake.

Optional activities include a guided canoe ride to visit some of the islands, such as the infamous Punishment Island, or a cultural tour of the local Bakiga communities. You may also choose to simply relax by the water, take a swim (the lake is bilharzia-free), or enjoy bird watching. This is a perfect place to unwind after two intense trekking experiences. Dinner will be served with stunning sunset views over the lake.

Day 5: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park – Evening Game Drive

After a relaxed breakfast by the lake, you’ll set off for Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s smallest savannah park yet one of its most charming. The drive takes about 5–6 hours, with opportunities to see long-horned Ankole cattle and typical rural Ugandan life along the way. Arrive in time for a late lunch or check-in at your lodge before heading out for an evening game drive. This park is home to zebra, impala, eland, topi, buffalo, and more, with rolling acacia woodlands and rocky outcrops that make it uniquely picturesque.

Lake Mburo is also a haven for bird watchers and one of the few parks where walking safaris and horseback rides are possible. The evening game drive offers golden lighting ideal for photography, and you may spot nocturnal animals just before dusk. Return to your lodge for your final night in the wild and enjoy dinner under the stars, reminiscing about the incredible moments from Rwanda to Uganda.

Day 6: Walking Safari – Transfer to Entebbe or Kampala

On your final day, rise early for a guided walking safari, a unique opportunity to explore the African bush on foot. Accompanied by an armed ranger, you will quietly walk through the savannah to observe wildlife such as zebra, bushbuck, and warthog from a different perspective. The experience is immersive and educational, offering insights into animal tracks, dung, bird calls, and medicinal plants.

After breakfast, you’ll transfer to Entebbe with a stop at the Uganda Equator for lunch and souvenir shopping. Your driver guide will ensure a smooth drop-off at Entebbe International Airport or your hotel, depending on your onward travel plans. As your 6-day adventure comes to an end, you’ll leave with memories of misty mountains, rare primates, glistening lakes, and the warm spirit of East Africa.