The Albertine Rift, the western branch of the Great Rift Valley, is what actually created the volcanic and mountain terrain both Uganda’s and Rwanda’s gorilla populations depend on — the same geological feature running through Bwindi, the Virunga volcanoes, and Lake Kivu.
One Geological Story, Two Countries
Understanding the Albertine Rift helps explain why gorilla habitat looks the way it does in both countries — Bwindi’s ancient, low-altitude rainforest and the Virunga’s younger, higher-altitude volcanic slopes are both products of the same rift system, just at different points in its geological history.
Following the Trail
A combined Uganda-Rwanda itinerary essentially traces this rift system south — from Bwindi, along the rift valley floor, into the volcanic Virunga range in Rwanda, with Lake Kivu itself sitting directly in the rift.
A Sample Structure
Bwindi gorilla trekking, the overland border crossing, Volcanoes National Park gorilla and golden monkey trekking, and a stop on Lake Kivu to see the rift valley lake itself.
Plan the Trail
Get in touch and we’ll build this route into a full itinerary.