Join us on a life-changing journey through Rwanda, a land made up of rainforests, volcanoes, jungles and primates.
Track the endangered mountain gorillas of Rwanda and throw yourself into local community life. Witness these giants in their natural habitat and be in awe at their gentle nature and human-like qualities.
Spending time with the Gorilla Doctors, who run a mountain gorilla veterinary project, you will learn about their efforts and projects to help save these endangered primates as they not only educate the locals on anti-poaching practices but also how to sustain the fragile environment the mountain gorillas need for survival. Discover the Iby’Iwacu cultural village, a local community embracing eco-tourism practices and now producing locally made musical instruments. A perfect safari to combine with your East Africa experience in Kenya and Tanzania.
Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start your planning offline!
Private Departures 
Welcome to Rwanda, the Land of a Thousand Hills! On arrival we have organised a meet and greet with express privileges through immigration. After processing your visa, the meet and greet team will take you through customs and introduce you to your guide. After introductions, you will be assisted to your safari vehicle(s) and depart on a city tour of Kigali.
Your first stop is the Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum. Located just outside of Kigali City Centre in the Gasabo district, Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum, a highly transparent, educational, and challenging tour which takes you through the causes, atrocities and ultimately inspiring reconciliation and rebuild by the Rwandan people. This is a visit you will not forget.
Nyamirambo Women’s Centre for some local activities with some truly inspiring Women. Nyamirambo Women’s Centre (NWC), a Rwandan NGO, was launched at the end of 2007 by 18 Rwandese women living in Nyamirambo, Kigali. Together, they created a project which aimed to address gender-based violence, gender inequality and discrimination.
Today, NWC’s mission is to provide education and vocational training to women who do not have the means to pay for such training on their own, so that they can gain better opportunities for employment.
We begin our Nyamirambo Women’s Centre experience with a walking tour of the surrounding suburb. Start with a traditional snack, a quick Kinyarwanda language lesson, and an introduction to the Centre and its activities. It then weaves through Nyamirambo, one of Kigali’s oldest neighbourhoods. Along the way guides lead participants into a women’s hairdressing salon where the adventurous type can get a free braid; into a family compound to pound cassava leaves; by two mosques and a lookout view over Kigali and into a tailor shop to feel the fabrics you’ll otherwise see styled on the streets. The tour concludes with a traditional lunch made and served in the home of Aminatha, NWC’s best cook.
After lunch, leave Kigali and drive through the beautiful, terraced hillsides that characterise much of Rwanda’s landscape and gradually climb to the base of the Virunga Volcanoes (115 km | 2 hours 40 minutes). If the weather is clear, you can sometimes see as many as five peaks. Upon arrival at your lodge, check in and spend a couple of hours resting and enjoying the tremendous views and traditional dancers at the lodge.
At 5:45pm, we take you for a very interesting educational behind the scenes presentation at the Gorilla Doctors. This organisation works closely with the Karisoke Dian Fossey Mountain Gorilla Fund to administer treatment to injured or sick Mountain Gorillas. Their knowledge of Gorilla anatomy, genetics, language, and habits is at expert level and will give you amazing insights into our ancient ancestors. The presentation will add a lot of value to your trek tomorrow.
Return to the lodge for dinner at around 7:30pm. Many of the ingredients come straight from the chef’s garden and local farms. (L,D)
Overnight – Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (3*), Ingagi Park View Lodge (3.5*) or Amarembo Gorilla Village (4*)
Today you will have the rare opportunity to observe the Rwandan mountain gorillas. Tracking the gorillas through the 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.
Your climb begins through the scenic terrain of rainforest that covers the Virungas. The length of your trek will generally be between 2-6 hours (moderate-difficult trekking) depending on the position of the gorillas, and will commence at about 2,000m above sea level. The ground can be slippery, and the temperature may change instantaneously from hot and humid to a cool chill, and being close to the equator, rain can fall at any time. Once you reach the family of gorillas you will enjoy a remarkable experience. Gorilla family’s range in size from six to 40 gorillas, usually with at least one silverback male. Your guide will advise you on the appropriate protocol and behaviours around these territorial mammals.
This afternoon, you will visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Fund. This extraordinary new campus was Ellen’s wife, Portia’s birthday gift to Ellen to permanently connect Ellen’s passion for Wildlife Conservation with her childhood hero Dian Fossey. This start of the art centre has enabled the temporarily housed Dian Fossey Fund to find a permanent home and expand education and research into Mountain Gorilla Conservation. This campus will make an everlasting positive contribution to the communities of Volcanoes National Park and the future of Mountain Gorillas. After this visit you will return to your accommodation. (B,L,D)
Overnight – Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (3*), Ingagi Park View Lodge (3.5*) or Amarembo Gorilla Village (4*)
Following an early breakfast, embark on a special trek to visit the grave site of Dian Fossey. This courageous pioneer studied her beloved Mountain Gorillas for 15 years before her death. In the same area is the Gorilla graveyard where her beloved Digit and others rest nearby. Occasionally the Gorillas visit, it’s as if they know.
The trek is approx. 3 km return and will take approximately 3-6 hours, depending on weather, track conditions, and group fitness. You start at an altitude of 2500m, before climbing to Dian Fossey’s Tomb at 2967m.This is a moderate to difficult trek, depending on track conditions.
Return to the lodge for lunch followed by a leisurely rest or your choice of inclusive optional activities:
The evening is yours at leisure. (B,L,D)
Overnight – Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (3*), Ingagi Park View Lodge (3.5*) or Amarembo Gorilla Village (4*)
After breakfast, you will visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, a sustainable tourism concept created for the communities who live around the mountain gorilla’s national park. The concept is designed to stop poaching and raise the income levels of the communities through a participative approach as an incentive for conservation. It encompasses what gorilla trekkers have been missing, a place where people and cultures can meet to appreciate the wonders of nature while embracing the history where traditions still run, while the modern world carries on.
You will return to the lodge for lunch before departing the wonderful Volcanoes National Park driving south past lush coffee, tea, and banana plantations on a breathtakingly scenic drive back to Kigali (119km, 3hrs). Once in Kigali, you have a final activity with a Question Coffee masterclass.
Rwanda is famous for its Mountains Gorillas, recovery post-genocide and rich culture but did you know Rwanda has some of the finest speciality coffee in the world? High altitudes, high rainfall and volcanic soil are perfect conditions for growing coffee and Rwanda has all of these. Question Coffee is the leading producer, roaster, and exporter in Rwanda, and they will host you for a 3-hour coffee master class where you will learn about the coffee history of Rwanda, coffee growing, roasting & packing & of course, tasting. At the end of the masterclass you will have your branded gift coffee presented to you.
We then transfer you to check in to Kigali’s finest accommodation, Kigali Marriott Hotel. (B,D)
Overnight – Kigali Marriott Hotel or similar
This morning sleep in and enjoy the facilities and amazing breakfast at your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy. We can recommend and transfer you to several activities (paid locally) if you wish:
Most flights leave late evening out of Kigali International, so we have arranged a farewell dinner at Kigali’s best local restaurant Republika. After dinner, it’s only a short transfer to Kigali International to bid you safe onward travel and great memories that last long after you return home. (B, D)
Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start your planning offline!
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**Please note that this tour can be organised on request for private departures.
* Pricing is subject to change at anytime until full payment has been received.
* A minimum of 2 adults is required to guarantee this departure.
A non-refundable deposit of $1000 AUD per person + Gorilla permit payment is required to secure your place. Final payment is due no later than 60 days prior to departure. Travel insurance is mandatory for travelling with Crooked Compass. For full terms and conditions, please click here.
Small group tours providing intimate connections to gain a deeper understanding and emotional connection to the community, tribes, cultures and lands explored.
Exploring the world’s most remote reaches and challenging destinations requires a high level of expertise which can only be learned from first-hand experience. We know because we go.
In an ever-changing global landscape of rules, regulations and restrictions, rest-assured you are being looked after by those in the know. Given the remote regions that we explore, our passengers safety is our top priority.
Stay up to date with the latest travel trends and new destinations opening up. To be the first to go, you need to be the first to know.
Travel professionals are welcome. For partnerships or agent enquiries, we recommend contacting us directly.
This category of tours involves light trekking, walking, cycling, rafting or kayaking for a few hours each day with a small amount of inclines and declines. You will require a reasonable level of fitness and good health to participate. It is important to note that due to the nature of some of our trips, they may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and can involve long travelling days on various modes of transport.
Suggested preparation : At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake aerobic exercise (this may include jogging, cycling or fast walking) for 30 minutes, three times a week. It is also advised to walk on variable terrain and in variable weather conditions. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week is recommended and for adventures which involve paddling and kayaking, it is important to gain confidence and rhythm rather than speed prior to departure.
This category of tours involve trekking, kayaking and cycling for period of 6 to 8 hours a day at a fairly consistent pace. Ideal for people looking to slightly increase the heart rate. For our moderately rated tours, you must have a good level of fitness and also be in good health. It is also important to be prepared for variable weather conditions. Altitude may also come into play. This category of tours may involve visiting remote areas where facilities can be quite basic. Accommodation may also involve camping, homestays or basic accommodation where facilities may not be considered of western standards. To enjoy this style of travel, it is suggested for travellers to have a reasonable level of fitness and health, a positive attitude, as well as a fairly active lifestyle. An open mind is also required.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake 45mins – 1 hour of aerobic exercise, three to four times a week. Some potential exercises that could be beneficial include hill walking with a backpack on over variable terrain and weather conditions, as well as running and cycling dependent on the activity you plan on undertaking.
This category of tours involves trekking, kayaking, cycling or other adventure activities in remote areas for up to 8 to 10 hours a day. It is important to note that with the remoteness of some regions comes a variety of other challenges such as variable weather conditions, accommodation as well as facilities. You must have an excellent level of fitness and good health to be able to partake in this category of tour. You must have confidence in your own ability and be in good physical condition. Includes extended periods of endurance.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 to 4 months of strenuous exercise, four times a week. When preparing for treks it would be beneficial to participate in hill walks with a weighted day pack (approximately 5-8 kg) once a week for aerobic fitness and strengthening of leg muscles. It is also important to do this on variable terrain to prepare for challenging adventures. When preparing for cycling adventures, regular bike riding (at least 4 to 5 times a week for 1-4 hours is essential). It is also important to cycle on uneven surfaces or even participate in other aerobic exercises such as running or swimming to build up strength and stamina. Altitude may also be a factor in these tours.
This category of tour often involves extreme trekking, cycling or other extreme adventure activities. It is important to expect remote and poorly defined tracks and to be prepared for variable weather conditions for 10 to 12 hours per day (may sometimes be more depending on weather and altitude). These adventures are suitable for travellers who have prior experience in strenuous travel and activities, are extremely fit and have excellent health. It is also important to note that some of the terrain on these adventures will involve trekking in snow, at high attitude levels and may require technical equipment.
Suggested preparation: It is important to note that physical fitness should be an ongoing activity, commencing around 5-6 months prior to departure, or even before if you have no prior fitness. Exercise should focus on building maximum endurance and stamina. Four to five hard sessions of 40-60 mins per week should be completed and can include exercises such as going to the gym, running, swimming or cycling to focus on building aerobic stamina. It could also be beneficial to prepare by hiking on rough terrain, in extreme weather conditions or partake in altitude training.
Our Signature Tours are the cornerstone of the Crooked Compass journey: meticulously designed small-group itineraries that balance authenticity, comfort, and ease. These are destinations where travel can be complex—from navigating evolving logistics to reaching places far from the usual tourist path—yet our expertise ensures your experience feels smooth, effortless, and deeply rewarding.
From the moment you arrive, every detail is handled with care. You’re welcomed personally on arrival and met for a private transfer to your accommodation, where you’ll join the rest of your group. Your guide will walk you through an orientation, helping you understand the rhythm of the journey ahead and settling you in with clear, practical insights from the very start.
Accommodation is selected for both comfort and character, reflecting the richness of its locality through thoughtful design, creative ingenuity, and a genuine sense of place. Whether it’s a boutique property, a sustainable lodge or a homestay, each choice is made to connect you meaningfully with the destination.
Cultural integration sits at the heart of our approach. Every itinerary is crafted with respect for local communities, aligning sensitively with their values and protecting the authenticity of their culture. Through this, travellers experience a deeper connection —stories shared firsthand, traditions encountered in their true context, and moments that shift perspectives long after returning home.
With a maximum of 12 travellers and our most trusted local partners, you explore with confidence, guided by teams who combine deep regional knowledge with an intuitive understanding of Western traveller expectations. Through the powerful medium of storytelling, our journeys inspire personal reflection and spark genuine emotion, turning travel into something transformative.
For travellers seeking even more flexibility or personalisation, our Tours By Design journeys are crafted with the same care — mindfully designed around your interests for a more tailored experience.
Why travellers love our Signature Tours:
More about our Tour Styles.
Our Founders Tours are rare, one-of-a-kind journeys personally hosted by Crooked Compass founder, Lisa Pagotto. Designed for the traveller who seeks more than just adventure, these exclusive small-group expeditions uncover places few have ever seen – experiences not featured in our regular collection, chosen for their depth, beauty, and story.
Each itinerary is hand-crafted by Lisa to offer meaningful connection and unique access built through years of trust and collaboration with local communities. Travelling alongside her gives you an unparalleled perspective into the world of ethical exploration – from the behind-the-scenes partnerships that shape our journeys, to the human stories that inspire them.
With an intimate group size and seamless support from our expert team, a Founders Tour is less a trip, and more a masterclass in discovery.
Why travellers love Founders Tours:
More about our Tour Styles.
Set sail on a rare journey across remote islands, wild coastlines, and untouched ecosystems aboard a small, luxury expedition vessel. Travelling by sea unlocks access to places few travellers ever reach – from isolated villages and pristine reefs to dramatic landscapes that can’t be accessed by land – while each evening, you return to the comfort of your beautifully appointed cabin.
These voyages blend adventure with refinement. Expert-led excursions bring you face-to-face with raw nature and vibrant cultures, while exceptional onboard dining, service, and comfort allow time to unwind and reflect.
To complete your experience, Crooked Compass can seamlessly craft pre- or post-cruise land extensions, ensuring your journey flows effortlessly from sea to shore.
Why travellers love our Expedition Cruises:
More about out Tour Styles.
Our Tours by Design experiences are private journeys curated exclusively for you by the Crooked Compass team. Whether you’re drawn to one of our existing itineraries, wish to adapt a small-group tour for private travel, or want to design something entirely new, we’ll craft a journey that reflects your pace, passions, and sense of discovery.
Why pay for inclusions that don’t fit? With Tours by Design, every detail is intentional – from the destinations and experiences to your style of travel and choice of accommodation. Each itinerary is hand-built through our deep local partnerships and expertise, ensuring authenticity, comfort, and connection in every moment.
Why travellers love Tours by Design:
More about our Tour Styles.
Our Partner Tours are carefully chosen group journeys operated by our long-standing, in-country partners — experts who share our values of authenticity, cultural respect, and meaningful connection. These departures, averaging between 17 and 22 travellers, are designed and delivered by our partners, while Crooked Compass manages your booking and provides full support from start to finish.
Enjoy the reassurance of booking through an Australian-based company, delivering our same personalised service and attention to detail you expect from Crooked Compass. We take care of the logistics, so you can focus on what matters most – the journey itself.
Why travellers love our Partner Tours:
More about our Tour Styles.
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