For our three special-interest territories within the region see:
Gorilla National Parks
Lake Bunyonyi
Congo Nile Trail
Right in the centre of the African continent, Rwanda is in many ways an exemplary country: orderly, clean and rapidly developing. Its northern neighbour Uganda has been dubbed the “Pearl of Africa” for many good reasons. The Democratic Republic of the Congo that borders both countries to the west is a land that simply evokes adventure. Together they make a destination like no other, the real essence of the continent, the Gorilla Highlands.
Travellers from all over the world come to the Gorilla Highlands region for the epiphany of staring into the eyes of our giant relatives. Yet our region offers much more: vibrant cultures bubbling through the surface and a landscape that opens your heart to adventure.
But Gorilla Highlands Experts activities unite people far beyond the volcanoes and rainforests … Our wider area of interest is western Uganda, Rwanda and eastern DR Congo, with a fabulous mix of cultures and cuisines.
The region is defined by the Virunga volcanoes — some of them still active — and the ancient rainforest of Bwindi that represent the last home of the mountain gorilla. From the countless islands of Lake Bunyonyi to the seaside feel of Lake Kivu, water bodies are sprinkled all over the valleys, interrupted by beautifully terraced hills.
To reach the Gorilla Highlands, you can fly to Rwanda’s capital Kigali, Uganda’s Entebbe near Kampala or Congo’s Goma. Numerous attractions are lined up on the way but Queen Elizabeth NP with tree-climbing lions and Akagera NP with the Big 5 undoubtedly top the list.
Rwanda, the central country of our region, offers quite a range of highlights and environments: volcanoes (Volcanoes NP), savannah (Akagera NP) and rainforest (Nyungwe NP). Wherever you go in the three countries, there will be no lack of accommodation options for any pocket!
Stories About Regional Attractions:
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Kinunu Coffee Tour: Best Coffee Experience on the Congo Nile Trail
Planning to hike or bike the Congo Nile Trail in Rwanda? No matter where you start or how far you go, be sure to include a coffee experience in your itinerary. There are several on offer (and clearly signposted) along the Trail, but the leader of the pack is the Kinunu Coffee Tour. Here’s why…
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Digital Superman under Rwanda’s Famous Breast
“Cows are everything to me. They are my siblings, my comfort zone, my love. They raised me, fed me, and shaped who I am,” says Alexis Ngabo Karegeya. His passion for cattle is contagious, and it’s turned him into a fascinating guide for visitors to the lush pastures of Bigogwe. Found on the southern side…
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Fishing Experiences on the Congo Nile Trail
Three connected boats, powered only by singing fishermen with no engine in sight — the Dutch TV crew was impressed! They came to Rwanda to film a travel documentary for 3 op Reis/BNNVARA, with the Congo Nile Trail as a featured highlight. Since the trail hugs Lake Kivu’s shore, capturing lake life was essential. Consider…
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5 Historical and Cultural Curiosities of Lake Mutanda
Lying in between Uganda’s Mgahinga and Bwindi National Parks, Lake Mutanda is a handy spot to relax after your gorilla tracking. There is much more on offer here, however, than its awesome views of the Virungas and many water sports … 1. Island of the Dead, Kyangushu The island was traditionally used as a burial…
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How to Get Out of Musanze Caves with Photos You’ll Treasure
It’s always nice to be surprised, to come across something unexpected. A field of wildflowers on your game drive, perhaps. Or a cave system when you think you are in Musanze merely to hike the Virungas and see gorillas? It’s a nice way to spend 2.5 hours with an expert local guide, and you don’t…
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The Shadowy Secrets of Sunbird Hill: Who Would Visit Kibale for Chimps?!
National park megastars can be annoying. Allow a park to get famous for one specific thing and that’s all people are going to think about. In the case of Kibale NP in western Uganda, it’s the chimpanzee! But picture an enchanting place — right on the jungle fringe — where a nature lover can get…
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The Three Beaches of Lake Nabugabo
Wondering where to stop for a picturesque sleepover between Uganda’s southwest and Kampala? It’s a looong drive to Entebbe Airport if you embark from somewhere around Bwindi Impenetrable or Mgahinga National Park … Lake Nabugabo is an ideally situated layover, lying 23km/14mi from the town of Masaka, and blessed with a good tarmac road most…
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Eastern DR Congo: Beautifully Chaotic & Captivating
We finally took our first guests to Congo — we found two brave Scandinavians who decided to include it in their tour! Six years after we started to work towards integrating the eastern DRC into the Gorilla Highlands region and had our first Congolese participant at the Bootcamp, this very man, Espoir, led us through…
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Into the Snow and Ice of Africa
Looking for something very cool as a special add-on to your trip in the Gorilla Highlands region? A week-long trip to the magnificent Rwenzori mountains in western Uganda, bordering DR Congo, can be it! If you seek a physical challenge and thick slice of adventure, go conquer Mount Margherita at 5,109 m/16,795 ft — the…
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SABA Episode #20 — The Magical Forest of Nyungwe & Mt Sabyinyo
Immersing yourself in pristine wilderness doesn’t need to be a romantic fantasy. You can take the plunge too, inspired by this episode’s guest, Patrick Westöö. A Swedish business development expert and a seasoned traveller, Patrick has an intriguing way of getting to know our planet. He makes abrupt destination choices but then spends a…
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Congo Nile Trail Can Be Brief But Sweet
With bigger tour groups it’s even more important what happens in the background. Olivier had to get 13 top-notch bicycles from Rubavu/Gisenyi to Kinunu yesterday, a multi-hour motorboat ride, so that a cycling adventure could take place today. A dozen Ravbar travellers (one of them a 10-year girl that needed a smaller bike) cycled downhill…
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Grand Vistas? Consider It Covered!
It has started! Here are Brina and Miha, struck by the majesty of our Gorilla Highlands region, the first two guests from the many upcoming Rwanda and Uganda tours. A year ago we were still mostly known for hiking trips on Gorilla Highlands Trails but now we are already well established as creators of tailor-made…
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Do You Know How You Can Visit All the Countries of Our Region at the Same Time?
Mt Sabinyo (or, as our Rwandan brothers call it, Sabyinyo) is the answer! Its highest peak proudly stands at 3,669m/12,037ft, lies in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo at the same time, and is absolutely the preferred volcano for hiking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. We have previously presented Mt Gahinga and Mt Muhabura with ample…
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SABA Episode #16 – Wow! The Masisi Virtual Experience …
First Miha’s photos hit me. The beauty of the place was quite breathtaking. There is a certain aura about the Masisi territory and it absolutely did not look like I had imagined Congo. I had some quick glances of some very green pictures before my co-host left Uganda but I never found the time to…
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SABA Episode #14 — Rwanda Beyond Mountain Gorillas
Hello everyone! This is your favourite mini-blogger, Enyanja! My dad asked me to write something to support Episode #14 of the SEE AFRICA BREATHE AFRICA podcast that talks about Rwanda beyond gorillas. (Now, this has really turned into a family business! Haha! My 14-year-old brother, Maani, is usually the person who approves the final edit…
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SABA Episode #3 — Africa’s Secret History
This episode of SEE AFRICA BREATHE AFRICA might surprise those who thought we would be a podcast preoccupied with conventional travel questions. We are literally open to any question about Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo, and when a distinguished member wants to know how history is taught at schools, we go full blast! But the…
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Kisiizi Falls: From Tragedy to Hope
I consider myself privileged to live right beside of one the gems of the Gorilla Highlands region, the 30m/98ft Kisiizi Falls. This beautiful waterfall gives life to Kisiizi Hospital, Uganda’s remarkable upcountry health institution where I work — in stark contrast to the tragic history of the place. Having experienced the peace and tranquility around…
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Rwanda’s Hidden Historical Landmark: Imbabazi, a Center For Hope
We are opening the last week of our Regional Attractions theme with Rwanda’s hidden jewel, the home of the famous Roz Carr presently known as Imbabazi — a Center For Hope.This is a historical landmark not to miss when you travel between the Virunga volcanoes and Lake Kivu, especially if you’re cycling or hiking. It’s…
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Exciting Lake Options on the Congo Nile Trail
The 227km/141mi Congo Nile Trail traverses the Western Province of Rwanda, following the shores of Lake Kivu. It was established in 2010 by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) to show visitors and investors the opportunities in this amazing part of our country, and to create jobs for local people. As you cycle or hike on…
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The Lake Bunyonyi Poem
TRAVELLERAfter a night in ruins at a late disco –its relentless thump and monstrous decibelpitched on nearly till dawn outside my window – I am come to Lake Bunyonyi, and all is well.After a month of hurtling round Uganda –my days stretched out in an endless pell-mellof bus and over-filled taxi in road-delirium –I am come…
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Get To Know Rwanda’s Twin Lakes With a True Muturage
I am Rukundo, a Twin Lakes muturage from Gitare Village in Burera District. This is where I was born and grew up, all the 27 years of my life, making me a real member of baturage. I did translation and interpreting at university — this is why I am teasing you with Kinyarwanda in my…
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Lake Life
24mm, f/6,3, 1/320s, ISO125The Gorilla Highlands region is a land of lakes, and no visit here is complete without a bit of canoeing. This was how I was first introduced to this part of Africa, way back in 2012, though this photo is from a few years later. The canoeing itself is fun (albeit a…
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A Decade of Successes (and Personal Milestones) in Akagera National Park, Rwanda
Named for the Akagera river which winds from south to north — in and out of Rwanda and Tanzania along the eastern border of the park — Akagera National Park lies in the warmer, drier, lower-lying east of Rwanda. Although it hosts the Big Five again, its real advantage is in the spectacular scenery and…
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Funny and Scary Anecdotes From Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park
Savannah greetings to you all! This time I am sharing as I have always shared — but not from my current post in the mountains of Mgahinga for a change. Instead, I am taking you to Queen Elizabeth National Park, right on the equator. It covers 1978 square kilometres (764 square miles) and spans everything…
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Safari Time!
600mm, f/5, 1/640s, ISO160Few people travel to the Gorilla Highlands region to go on safaris that don’t involve gorillas or chimpanzees, but maybe you should? This week we are presenting some truly excellent savannah destinations within a stone’s throw of those primates, so why not take the time to enjoy them? Two national parks stand…
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Personal Take: Hikes in Gorilla Parks of Rwanda and Uganda
Marcus’s introduction to our series of walking articles reminded me of my unique position: I must be one of the few who have done (almost) everything in all mountain gorilla parks of Uganda and Rwanda. I am also a lover of walking trips and it’s kinda my duty to share with others like me!Then again,…
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Little-Known Hiking Overnights in Southwestern Uganda
I am Levi Ayebare, 28, and I have been working with Gorilla Highlands Experts on the Ugandan side of the region as a tecnico. This means that I am providing technical support to hiking groups on the Gorilla Highlands Trails. I take care of setting up camps, allowing tired trekkers to hit the mattresses as…
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Our Gorilla Trek Well Beyond Gorillas
Strange enough, it all started in Prague.It was summer 2009, my wife Marta and I were in town for our vacations, and decided to pay a visit to the local zoo.That was the first time we had the chance to meet face to face with the gorillas, and we spent more than an hour marvelling at…
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Slow and Sweaty Travel
24mm, f/8, 1/250s, ISO800This week I have the (dis)pleasure of introducing the next level of our August theme, the regional attractions — hiking! I have a love-hate relationship with it. When I’m slogging my way up a particularly tough mountain, cameras and other equipment weighing way too much for my comfort, I do tend to…
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We Were Ready for a Gorilla Battle
Members of the Gorilla Highlands Experts global community, something special happened in Uganda’s Bwindi today! Something that I really need to share with you …I have been a ranger for 12 years, taking visitors to gorillas in both Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks — and yet I had never seen anything like that! You know,…