One of our seasoned Africa hands writes:

Imagine trekking up the slopes of the dramatic Virunga range, pushing through dense bamboo jungle toward one of the most unusual wildlife encounters on Earth – with the mountain gorillas of Rwanda. Famed around the globe thanks to Dian Fossey's groundbreaking conservation work, the gorillas today number only 700 in the wild; half of them inhabit the mist-shrouded hillsides of Rwanda's Parc National des Volcans.

Meeting these wonderful creatures up close is without question a life-changing moment – entirely different from any wildlife experience you've had before or are likely to have again. It's a bit like stepping back in time and holding up a mirror to find a reflection that's at once totally alien and eerily similar to your own.

In a country with limited (though rapidly improving) infrastructure, we'll ensure that your trek unfolds smoothly and unforgettably. We work only with the most experienced trackers and guides – lifetime professionals with proven records who can maximize your chances of a sighting. They'll also give you a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the conservation work that continues, introducing you to renowned scientists and gorilla vets.

For accommodations we favour small, well-managed properties providing the optimum in comfort and privacy along with your choice of transport, from high-end 4x4s to chartered aircraft or helicopters – though of course the actual trek is best enjoyed on two feet.

The Rwanda we'll show you has moved on from its troubled past. You'll be struck by the friendliness of its people and by the many natural attractions in this tiny country, now remarkably stable and peaceful, that merit a longer visit. We highly recommend Nyungwe National Park in the southwest for its stunning scenery and wildlife. Exploring one of Africa's largest mountain forests, you'll see chimpanzees and, with luck, critically endangered golden monkeys – not to mention myriad bird species and a rich variety of orchids.

Should you wish to combine your Virunga gorilla trek with a more "classic" safari experience, we can take you to Akagera National Park in Rwanda's northeast; one of the region's most untouched places, it's teeming with hippos, elephants and crocodiles. Or we could combine your discovery of Rwanda with some of the great national parks of Tanzania or Kenya.

However you ask us to craft your African adventure, with an unrivalled wildlife experience as its centrepiece, it will be the trip of a lifetime.