You are met on arrival at airport and transfer to Kigali. After lunch depart for Park National des Volcans. The journey north goes through the beautiful, terraced hillsides that characterise much of Rwanda's landscape, gradually climbing to the base of the awesome volcanoes, sometimes with as many as 5 peaks visible.

Rustic mountain lodge near the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

Go gorilla tracking in Parc National des Volcans (subject to permit availability at the time of booking). Tracking the gorillas through the lush forested slopes of the Virungas is a magical experience. If you are lucky you can get to the gorillas, spend an hour with them, and be back at the base in time for a late lunch! Some gorilla families however are more elusive and tracking can take a full day, especially when it is wet and muddy.

Rustic mountain lodge near the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

There is a wide selection of activities for you to choose from today. You can either go gorilla tracking again in Parc National des Volcans (on payment of supplement at time of booking), visit the endangered golden monkeys or trek to Dian Fossey's grave.

Other options available include driving to Gisenyi, visiting Ross Carr's orphanage and Lake Kivu or climbing the Visoke/Muhavura volcanoes, visiting the local school and community projects or walking to Lake Bulera.

Rustic mountain lodge near the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

In the morning either relax or walk near the lodge, visit the golden monkeys or trek to Dian Fossey's grave. After lunch you transfer to Uganda [clocks go forward 1hr], before continuing to Mount Gahinga.

Gorilla-tracking lodge at the base of 3 dormant volcanoes.

You can go gorilla tracking again, this time in Mgahinga on the northern side of the Virunga mountains, (on payment of supplement at time of booking), or climb the Muhavura or Gahinga volcano; go for a nature walk, or visit Lake Mutanda.

Gorilla-tracking lodge at the base of 3 dormant volcanoes.

Drive to Bwindi through the Switzerland of Africa, with the road winding through many hills and valleys, offering distant views of the volcanoes and lakes. Time permitting, go for a guided nature walk in the thick forest rich in birds, butterflies and monkeys. Alternatively, look for monkeys and birds near the river below the lodge.

An eco-lodge overlooking the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Gorilla tracking on day 7 (on payment of supplement at time of booking) involves walking up steep densely forested hills. In this thick and humid forest you almost have to cut your way through the undergrowth, but finally coming across the gorillas camouflaged in the vegetation is an inspiring moment. Tracking in Bwindi requires stamina and can often take most of the day; viewing can be restricted due to the dense vegetation.

Alternatively, go for a shorter, more leisurely nature walk on one of the different trails that meanders through the Impenetrable Forest.

An eco-lodge overlooking the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Either go gorilla tracking again (on payment of supplement at the time of booking subject to permit availability), there are 4 habituated gorilla falimies living in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Another option is to go on a guided nature walk to see birds, butterflies, orchids and primates, or you may prefer to go on a community walk.

An eco-lodge overlooking the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Leave for Queen Elizabeth National Park. Either drive via Ishasha, home of the tree climbing lion, roads permitting, or take the alternative route through cultivated expanses. If you have enough time on arrival, you can go for an evening game drive.

Standard tree house lodge tucked away in the dense forest of Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Safari-style lodge in Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Go for an early morning game drive to seek out wildlife, the game seen will depend on the season. You have a good chance of spotting lion, which inhabit the Kasenyi plains in large numbers. The Mweya peninsula is usually good to view large mammals, such as bushbuck, waterbuck, and elephant, as well as the unusual giant forest hog; leopard may also be seen in this area. The area around the 7 crater lakes in the northern hills is very scenic but game viewing is erratic.

You can rest during the heat of the day and later there is the option of an evening game drive.

Standard tree house lodge tucked away in the dense forest of Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Safari-style lodge in Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park.

You partake in an excursion to the nearby Kyambura gorge to track the fast-moving, elusive chimpanzees, one of man's closest relations. It's worth noting that the chimp population is quite mobile and viewing is unpredictable, nevertheless, the walk in this "lost world" is enchanting.

Alternatively, go for a nature walk in Maramagambo Forest; this forest harbours some unusual species - red-tailed and L'Hoest's monkey, potto, giant forest hog, pygmy antelope, and giant elephant shrew. You can also visit the bat caves and the blue lake. In the afternoon a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel is an especially rewarding occasion to view a variety of game, especially hippo, buffalo, elephant and a vast array of birds.

Safari-style lodge in Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Standard tree house lodge tucked away in the dense forest of Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park.

En route to Kampala you stop to see the royal drum makers, stand on the Equator and be in both hemispheres at once, and bargain at the roadside markets bursting with fruit and vegetables. You have the chance to freshen up in the day rooms at Windsor Lake Victoria Hotel in Entebbe until your transfer to the airport for your return flight.