Multi-Day Journeys through

Bwindi, Virunga, and Lake Mutanda

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7-Day Excursion

Spend seven days between misty forest, volcanic lakes, coffee country, and the creative rhythms of Kisoro Art Island. This journey combines one of East Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife encounters with time on Lake Mutanda, cultural and community experiences, and space to slow down in a setting shaped by nature, design, and creativity.

    • 6 nights at Kisoro Art Island 

      • Get comfortable in our unique and relaxing accommodations, options to stay in a Sanctuary Villa or Art Frame, pricing below.

    • All Meals Included

      • Enjoy fresh, nourishing meals prepared on the island, with ingredients inspired by the region and produce grown in our gardens. We are happy to accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences.

    • Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

      • Experience one of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife experiences in the misty forests surrounding Kisoro, where expert-guided trekking offers rare and deeply moving encounters with mountain gorillas.

    • Coffee Farm Visit and Tasting

      • Explore the region’s rich coffee culture through a farm visit and tasting experience that offers a closer look at local cultivation, craft, and flavor.

    • Guided Hikes on the Island + Regional Area

      • Discover the region on guided walks and hikes tailored to your preferred pace, interest, and level of difficulty.  Discover forest draped trails, local homesteads, and sweeping views of the Virunga landscape.

    • Activities on Lake Mutanda

      • Spend time on the water with activities shaped by your interests and comfort level.  Options include stand-up paddle boarding, canoeing, boat tours, and swimming, all set against the backdrop of volcano views and the calm waters of Lake Mutanda. 

    • Primary School Visit

      • Visit the island’s primary school to meet local children and learn how Kisoro Art Island supports creativity and engagement through art programming.

    • Cultural Immersion

      • Experience Bafumbira culture through meaningful time on the island and in the surrounding community, with opportunities for storytelling, traditional food preparation, music and dance, and insight into daily life.

    • Round Trip transport from Kigali or Kisoro Airport

    • Transport to and from all activities

    • Boat Transfers from Kisoro Town to Kisoro Art Island

    • Round trip flights to Kigali or Kisoro Airports

    • Uganda Tourist Visa

    • Alcohol beverages (available for purchase)

Pricing

(7-Day Excursion | $3,600-$4,500)

  • Includes accommodation, all meals, gorilla permit, ground transfers from Kigali or Kisoro, boat transfers, local activity transport, and the curated experiences listed above.

    Our Sanctuary Villas offer a spacious and comfortable stay, with a queen bed, private bathroom, and private deck. Sanctuary Villas can accommodate up to three guests when configured with an additional single bed.

    $4,500 per person

  • Includes accommodation, all meals, gorilla permit, ground transfers from Kigali or Kisoro, boat transfers, local activity transport, and the curated experiences listed above.

    Our Art Frames offer a cozy and distinctive stay immersed in the island landscape. Each Art Frame accommodates up to two guests and includes a full bed, with access to a shared bathroom and outdoor shower.

    $3,600 per person

BOOK

9-Day Excursion

This nine-day journey allows for a deeper immersion into the landscapes, wildlife, and cultural life of the Virunga region. Anchored at Kisoro Art Island, it combines extraordinary wildlife encounters with Lake Mutanda, coffee tasting, community connection, and hands-on creativity, while offering more space to settle into a place shaped by nature, design, and culture.

    • 8 nights at Kisoro Art Island 

      • Get comfortable in our unique and relaxing accommodations, options to stay in a Sanctuary Villa or Art Frame, pricing below.

    • Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

      • Experience one of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife experiences in the misty forests surrounding Kisoro, where expert-guided trekking offers rare and deeply moving encounters with mountain gorillas.

    • Golden Monkey Trekking in Mgahinga National Park

      • Venture into the forest and encounter golden monkeys, fast-moving and playful primates native to the Virunga landscape. These treks offer a dynamic complement to gorilla trekking and another extraordinary way to experience the region’s biodiversity.

    • Coffee Farm Visit and Tasting

      • Explore the region’s rich coffee culture through a farm visit and tasting experience that offers a closer look at local cultivation, craft, and flavor.

    • Guided Hikes on the Island + Regional Area

      • Discover the region on guided walks and hikes tailored to your preferred pace, interest, and level of difficulty.  Discover forest draped trails, local homesteads, and sweeping views of the Virunga landscape.

    • Activities on Lake Mutanda

      • Spend time on the water with activities shaped by your interests and comfort level.  Options include stand-up paddle boarding, canoeing, boat tours, and swimming, all set against the backdrop of volcano views and the calm waters of Lake Mutanda. 

    • Primary School Visit

      • Visit the island’s primary school to meet local children and learn how Kisoro Art Island supports creativity and engagement through art programming.

    • Cultural Immersion

      • Experience Bafumbira culture through meaningful time on the island and in the surrounding community, with opportunities for storytelling, traditional food preparation, music and dance, and insight into daily life.

    • Hands-on Art Experience

      • Explore the art installations woven into Kisoro Art Island’s landscape created by local, international, and refugee artists. Take part in your own hands-on creative session with one of our artists in residence, with the experience shaped by your interests and the day’s creative flow.

    • Round Trip transport from Kigali or Kisoro Airport

    • Transport to and from all activities

    • Boat Transfers from Kisoro Town to Kisoro Art Island

    • Round trip flights to Kigali or Kisoro Airports

    • Uganda Tourist Visa

    • Alcohol beverages (available for purchase)

Pricing

(9-Day Excursion| $5,000-$6,000)

  • Includes accommodation, all meals, gorilla permit, ground transfers from Kigali or Kisoro, boat transfers, local activity transport, and the curated experiences listed above.

    Our Sanctuary Villas offer a spacious and comfortable stay, with a queen bed, private bathroom, and private deck. Sanctuary Villas can accommodate up to three guests when configured with an additional single bed.

    $6,000 per person

  • Includes accommodation, all meals, gorilla permit, ground transfers from Kigali or Kisoro, boat transfers, local activity transport, and the curated experiences listed above.

    Our Art Frames offer a cozy and distinctive stay immersed in the island landscape. Each Art Frame accommodates up to two guests and includes a full bed, with access to a shared bathroom and outdoor shower.

    $5,000 per person

BOOK

Sharing Accommodations

If you are planning to share accommodations, please indicate this in the inquiry form. We will then prepare a custom group rate per person that reflects the shared accommodation arrangement alongside the full trip experience.

  • Art Frame: accommodates up to 2 guests

  • Sanctuary Villa: accommodates up to 3 guests

Travel Planning

  • Travelers are responsible for securing their own Uganda tourist visa, though our team is happy to help guide you through the process. Standard tourist visas are typically around $100, and applications are generally completed online in advance of travel. If you have questions as you prepare your documents, we’re glad to assist.

  • Uganda requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for all travelers.  This is a standard travel vaccine widely available at clinics and vaccination centers.  You’ll want to ensure the location is an authorized Yellow Fever Vaccine Clinic that will provide you with the International Certificate of Vaccination (“yellow card”).  This certificate is considered valid 10 days after the shot, so ensure that you receive the vaccine and certificate no later than 10 days before you depart.

  • Fly into Kigali International Airport (KGL).  From there, we will pick you up for a three hour drive to Kisoro, and then a 20 minute boat ride to the island.  We only do this drive during the day in order to ensure your safety.  If your flight arrives in Kigali after dark, we will take you to a hotel nearby and drive you to Kisoro in the morning.

  • Fly into Entebbe, and take an AeroLink flight from Entebbe to Kisoro.  From there, we will pick you up at the Kisoro Airport for a short ride into town, followed by a 20 minute boat ride to the island.  We DO NOT offer transportation from Entebbe to Kisoro.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • May in the Lake Mutanda area has daytime temperatures between 68-75 and evening temperatures between 50-55.  There’s a chance of rain year round, we will be at the end of the

  • As the trip approaches we will provide you with a detailed packing list.  Bring clothes for hot days plus evening layers, rain gear, and sturdy, waterproof shoes!

  • You don’t need to be an athlete to join, but you should be comfortable with walking/hiking on uneven ground and being active for a few hours on certain days. Our planned hikes are easy to moderate.  Gorilla trekking time, location, and physical intensity will be based on where the gorilla families are that day.  If you have mobility concerns, please let us know ahead of time so we can make accommodates for you!

  • We take safety seriously, and have designed this trip around small-group travel, trusted local partners, and conservative logistics. Like many countries, Uganda has travel advisories that cite risks such as crime and civil unrest.  We plan accordingly, staying in well-traveled areas, use vetted drivers and tour operators, and avoid unnecessary risks. Our international staff has spent extensive time in this region, feel free to ask them any questions that will help you feel safe and supported!

  • We strongly recommend getting travel insurance! At minimum, your coverage should include travel medical and emergency evacuation medical as we’ll be traveling in remote regions.  We also recommend considering plans that include trip cancellation / interruption, as flights to the area can be costly depending on your origin location.  Be sure to confirm that your policy covers the activities we plan to do (hiking, gorilla trekking, boda rides, etc) and check exclusions, pre-existing condition rules, and claim requirements.

  • We will have WiFi available at Kisoro Art Island.  However, it can be spotty and may not be available 24/7.  Please plan accordingly.

  • You are welcome to come early or stay late at Kisoro Art Island!  Subject to availability, as we will be open for general operations and guest bookings on either end of this trip.