🦍 Safaris! (4 of 4) | Rwanda & Uganda | Lodge Highlight - Wilderness Bisate

WHERE TO NEXT?

Dear Traveler,

From Washington DC to the land of the wallabies – it’s been quite a travel week! Over 15,000 miles flown (almost 3/4 around the globe) and 35 hours in a plane seat.

Is it worth it?

Yes!

I’m surrounded by kangaroos, koalas and crocodiles (figuratively) and immersed in the beauty and amazingness of Australia with so much to share with you already!

It’s quite hard for me not to write about Australia today.

But today’s newsletter is about gorillas!

Do you like the feeling of being in on a secret?

I’ll share one with you…

Watching gorillas in their natural habitat feels like being let in on a secret.

You are one of the few visitors to experience their exclusive, remote, hidden world.

They are wild and what they do in front of you is as if you weren’t there.

It’s a beyond magical experience that is truly an experiential gift you will never forget.

One visit to the mountain gorillas is never enough, because the more you see of them, the more you want to go back to see them again. Read more about them below.

Last week’s most popular article was 10 Trips in the United States Everyone Should Add to Their Bucket List.

This week’s inspirational articles include colorful fall trips, secret villas, the best time to go on safari, mountain biking in the Serengeti and the best thing to do with a sabbatical is travel.

Also articles on Caribbean, Scotland, Botswana and Tanzania.

The informational articles include a study showing travel can slow the aging process, a $65 million ski home with its own gondola, career break coaches helping you figure out your next step and moving into wellness resorts.

Since I arrived in Australia my colleagues and I went all over Sydney. Then this morning we flew down to Adelaide to catch a PC12 to Southern Ocean Lodge. It’s already 10:30pm Wednesday night here. Fun fact – our time difference is currently 13.5 hours from ET because Kangaroo Island is a 30 minute time difference from Sydney.

This iconic lodge has an incredible history – it burned down during the Kangaroo Island wildfires in 2020. The passion of the local people inspired it to come back even better. It is one of my client’s favorite places in the whole world. Want to learn more? Watch this video.

On the flight over and the drive here we saw lush landscapes and…. kangaroos! Tomorrow we are going on a wildlife safari and I look forward to sharing much more with you next week!

Where to next for you?

Warmly,

Below:

This week’s Africa focus – Rwanda & Uganda
Where to Next? Wilderness Bisate
Articles to Inspire+Inform

RWANDA & UGANDA

📷 Wilderness

Waking before sunrise for your early departure today will be easy.

You’re motivated.

You’re on your way to trek into the jungle in search of a gorilla family. Once you’ve arrived, the one hour in their presence will fly by quickly. So quickly that when it’s over, you will want to do it again tomorrow (if you planned ahead, you can).

I can easily say I’m in love with gorillas, especially baby gorillas with their mommas. Thanks to my colleague, Michele, for sharing the photos at the top and below from her recent trip to Rwanda. These are of the same momma gorilla with her little baby. Just look at how tenderly she is gazing at him and holding him so sweetly.

Gorillas share 97% of our DNA, and when you witness moments like this in person you can’t help but feel that connection.

See a video of this large gorilla family here.

And read about a client’s gorilla trekking experience in a prior newsletter here.

To experience the once in a lifetime opportunity to get up close with the mountain gorillas, Rwanda or Uganda are the places to visit.

But how do you know which is best for you?

Rwanda and Uganda both have access to the mountain gorillas but the experiences are quite different.

Rwanda

If you are looking for the most luxurious accommodations, Rwanda is the best place for you. Rwanda has easier access than neighboring Uganda to get to the gorillas.

Rwanda also gives you the ability to see more wildlife:

Golden monkeys
Chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park
Akagera National Park to search for the Big Five

Seeing the highly endangered golden monkeys in the wild is a delightful experience of being surrounded by up to one hundred monkeys foraging in the forest and jumping from tree to tree.

They are very active, are fun to watch and photograph. The golden monkey trek is one of the least strenuous activities in the park as the monkeys live in the bamboo forest and the terrain is relatively flat and easy for hiking. There are three main troops of golden monkeys, each with about 50 to 100 members.

📷 Singita

Rwanda gorilla trekking in numbers:

14 fully habituated gorilla families living
max 8 people in a trekking group
minimum age to view gorillas is 15
96 permits/day
10 meters – the distance between you an the gorillas. However, gorillas are used to people and can get closer, especially while moving around and feeding.
$1500 permit per person

If you are interested in the history of Rwanda, the capital of Kigali has a museum dedicated to learning about Rwanda’s past including the genocide that occurred in 1994.

Uganda

If you like to be more off the beaten path and are ok with fewer luxuries, Uganda may be the best place for you. In addition to gorillas, there are opportunities to go chimpanzee trekking in the Kibale Forest and to go on traditional game drives to see the Big Five. For birders Uganda has a staggering 1,000 plus species for you to spot!

Uganda also offers active experiences like white water rafting on the Victoria Nile or hiking in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park.

Their gorilla permit is $800/day per person.

You might wonder how the gorillas aren’t startled by human presence.

They’ve been habituated over time. And at the moment you arrive, similar to when you have a visitor come to your house, your guide will alert the gorillas to your arrival in their language – “Ummm-ummm, ummm-ummm,” [a low, rumbling sound]. When they do that, the gorillas know a friend is coming to visit.

The silverback will respond, “Aaaeeehhhyyy,” which is their version of “Come in, welcome.”

You will stay about 30 feet away from the gorillas, but baby gorillas are particularly curious and may come closer to you.

TYPICAL TREK in Rwanda

The day before:
You will receive an essential, pre-trek briefing to:

learn what your day will be like from a practical perspective
find out more about the various gorilla families – insights into the personalities and behaviors to look out for
receive an important safety briefing on maintaining safe distances, interactions and etiquette

The morning of:
(This is timing when staying at a very close lodge. It will be moved up if you are staying further away)

5:30a wake up
6a meet at the main lodge for a light continental breakfast and a cup of freshly brewed Rwandan coffee
6:45am depart for the Trekking Headquarters at Volcanoes National Park
7a arrive, enjoy more local coffeee. Your driver guide will secure your spot with specific gorilla families (selecting the most suitable family depending on the group’s requirements)
Join your group and VNP guide for detailed briefing.
8a vehicles will depart to the various trailheads for 15min-1hour drive, depending upon your allocated gorilla family
Upon arrival at the trailhead, you will be allocated a porter to assist with carrying bags and navigating challenging terrain (this is recommended)
The time that it takes to reach the gorilla family varies and can be anything from 30 minutes to 3-4 hours, and treks reach an altitude from 2,500-4,000m.

On arrival to the gorilla family:

VNP Trackers (who are on the mountain at night and early in the morning to locate the gorilla families ahead of visitors’ departures) will be on hand to assist you with your interactions with the gorillas.
Once you reach your allocated gorilla family, you are allowed to spend one hour watching them (this goes so fast!).
After your hour is up, you’ll have lunch, and take a moment to reflect, before making your way down the mountain to the trailhead and returning to the lodge.

The arrival time back to the lodge could range from 12p-5p. It all depends on the duration of the trek.

Once you return, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure – have a glass of wine, gaze at the mountains, relax in your private heated plunge pool, sit by your fireplace, get a massage, have a private dinner in your suite and reflect on your incredible day.

When to go?
There are two different seasons separated by shoulder seasons.

April-May is rainy season.

Trails will likely be muddier and there may be rain, but not the whole day. On a positive note gorillas tend to be at lower altitudes so they can be easier to reach.

July-September is dry season. (June, October, November December also relatively dry)

Gorillas tend to move to higher altitudes during the dry season, so it can be further to reach them, but the weather is clearer.

Other tidbits:
Gorilla trekking is an accessible experience. People in wheelchairs or with limited mobility can be carried up on specially designed stretchers to close gorilla families.

For a guaranteed exclusive trek, the rate is $15,000. This affords certain other privileges for your group:

You can choose a departure time between 8am and 10am.
Your briefing with the VNP guide will be done exclusively for you at your lodge before you depart
You are not required to meet at the Volcanoes National Park Head Quarters and can depart directly from the lodge (if staying close). This will be a walk or drive, depending on the gorilla family selected.

Also visit:

Dian Fossey Museum – visit before or after gorilla trekking. I have a bit of a preference for before.
Kigali Genocide Memorial – reviews the history of the country, and provides context and history to educate yourself on the events surrounding the 1994 genocide.

And if you can visit in the early fall consider the annual Kwita Izina festival in September when baby mountain gorillas born in Volcanoes National Park the year before receive their names.

Defining – starbed or sleep out

Deep in the bush, amidst the wildlife, often in “the middle of nowhere” far from other people, is a sleep out. AKA a star bed.

Sleepouts range from rustic to contemporary. They all have safety considerations built in so no leopards will end up in your bed. Often open air, with mosquito netting. Some with more formal window screens.

Fall asleep listening to the sounds of wildlife big and small. Maybe the roar of a lion, or the cackle of a hyena, or the hiss of a vulture. Looking up overhead, with no light pollution, you see the milky way in all its glory.

It is an exclusive addition to your safari.

For those who are slightly less adventurous, some lodges have starbeds on the roof of your room – allowing you to go up as long as you wish and then retire to the comfort of your room to sleep (or stay up top).

📷 Segera

Curious about what it costs to go on safari?
Read…
Q&A How much does it cost to go on safari?

When you are ready to learn more, fill out the safari inquiry form below and let’s meet for a brainstorming call.

Why plan your safari with Mimi?

I understand this is a once in a lifetime experience for you. I take the time to truly understand your family, your desires, preferences and reasons behind wanting to go on this big adventure.
Selecting lodges ideal for you is a key component. I know the non-negotiable features to look for in my clients’ lodges and experiences (no big mass market lodges for us).
I will help you understand the factors influencing a safari budget so that you can talk with me about what you value the most.
I’ve got your back and will ensure you are well taken care. When you arrive in Africa, you will be met as you get off the plane, whisked through VIP immigration, have local guides who are great storytellers and be attended to throughout by my trusted partners on the ground. 24/7 emergency assistance is always there for you.

Fill out your Safari Inquiry

HERE

🌟 One of our favorite lodges in Rwanda is Wilderness Bisate.

Why is Wilderness Bisate so special?

With only six forest villas offering stunning views of the Bisoke, Karisimbi, and Mikeno volcanoes, each villa features a cozy fireplace and is thoughtfully designed with sustainability in mind. The property also boasts a wine cellar, library, spa, and a tree nursery (to help with reforesting).
Nestled near the Virunga Mountains, the views from Wilderness Bisate are absolutely breathtaking, particularly during sunrise and sunset.
Located in one of the best areas for tracking mountain gorillas, Wilderness Bisate offers unforgettable wildlife encounters in their natural habitat.

Do as much or as little as you like:

Hike the nearby Bisoke Volcano with views of lush forests and valleys. At the summit, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning crater lake.
Connect with local communities by visiting villages and participating in traditional activities to gain insights into Rwandan culture.
Unwind at the lodge with its spa and cozy lounges that offer spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.

‼️ Don’t miss….Gorilla trekking! Experience the unforgettable excitement of trekking to see mountain gorillas up close in their natural habitat. The absolute highlight of a stay at Bisate.