Every Rock My Adventure begins the same way – with a group of strangers who, over the next couple of weeks, share adventures, bucket-list experiences and unforgettable moments, and become friends.

This particular trip brought together four returning travellers back for another adventure with us, alongside three first-timers, and it didn’t take long for everyone to settle in.

We kicked things off by exploring Rwanda’s vibrant capital, wandering through the colourful streets of Nyamirambo, discovering striking street art, browsing local markets and visiting inspiring art galleries. We also discovered a new love for Rwandan coffee – especially when served with fresh ginger and chocolate!

We also took time to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, an incredibly moving experience that offers a deeper understanding of Rwanda’s history, remarkable journey and resilience.

Every Rock My Adventure seems to have at least one (usually more) random and unexpected story, and this trip didn’t disappoint! While we were having lunch in Nyamirambo, a lady from another tour group accidentally dropped her phone into a long-drop toilet. Thankfully, I’d dealt with almost exactly the same situation before, so I knew what to do. Somehow, we managed to rescue the phone, much to her relief and the entertainment of everyone gathered around. Safe to say, it wasn’t on anyone’s bingo card for the day!

On day 3 we met up with our guides Zac and Paul, then we headed north with to Musanze, staying in a beautiful spot overlooking nearby Lake Ruhondo. In the morning, some of the group headed off on their own adventures – two to track golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park and another to hike to Dian Fossey’s grave.

That afternoon, we hopped on bikes and set off to explore the area on two wheels. The ride turned out to be a little tougher than expected, so a couple of us made the very sensible decision to take a slight detour… to the pub. The others eventually joined us for a well-earned drink, where the day took an unexpected turn when our cycling guide overheard Sophie recording a happy birthday message for a friend, assumed it was her birthday, and disappeared to buy her a cake!

It wasn’t Sophie’s birthday, but obviously we ate the cake anyway. Just another perfectly normal day on a Rock My Adventure tour.

Leaving Musanze, we also visited the incredible Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, where we learned more about Dian Fossey’s work, mountain gorilla conservation and the ongoing efforts to protect them. We absolutely loved it and would definitely recommend a visit!

Our first morning at Lake Bunyonyi morning began with one of my favourite moments of the trip – an early swim in the calm waters of Lake Bunyonyi. With the mist still hanging over the surrounding hills and barely another soul around, it was the perfect way to start the day.

Later, we spent the morning with my friend Josh, who welcomed us into his world and gave us a wonderful insight into life on the lake. We explored Lake Bunyonyi by boat, visited one of the local communities and then headed to Josh’s family home, where we spent time with his beautiful family – including his gorgeous new baby. Together, we learnt how to make Uganda’s famous Rolex, a delicious rolled chapati filled with eggs and fresh vegetables.

It was one of those simple but incredibly special experiences that perfectly captures what Rock My Adventure is all about – spending time with wonderful local people, learning about their lives and creating genuine connections that you’ll remember long after you’ve returned home.

From Lake Bunyonyi, we headed to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for one of the biggest bucket-list experiences of the trip – gorilla trekking!

We were assigned the Oruzogo family, a group I’d actually trekked with before, and set off into the forest to find them. The hike wasn’t easy, but thankfully it wasn’t too brutal either. After about 1 hour, 30 minutes, we got word that the gorillas had been found – the only problem was they were on the other side of the river. After a bit of searching, we found a way across and continued through the forest towards them.

And then, there they were.

Spending time with mountain gorillas in the wild is pure magic. Although there was one slightly dramatic moment when a young male mock-charged us, causing me to step backwards, trip over a tree and fall flat on my back.

My favourite moment came when a mama gorilla walked right past us with her tiny baby clinging to her back. Watching them disappear into the forest together was something I’ll never forget.

Back at the lodge, we celebrated an incredible day with a couple of bottles of Gorilla Wine (thanks, Sarah!) and, of course, commemorative gorilla trekking t-shirts. A pretty perfect end to one of the most unforgettable days of the trip.

After the excitement of gorilla trekking, Lake Mburo offered a different side of Uganda.

Arriving at our lodge, there was enough time for a refreshing swim in the pool before heading out on a community walk to meet one of Uganda’s most treasured sights: the magnificent Ankole long-horned cattle. As well as learning about their importance to local communities, we were all fascinated (and slightly surprised!) by the traditional milking technique – definitely not something we’d seen before!

That evening, we enjoyed dinner together before some of the group headed off on an exciting night safari in search of the park’s nocturnal wildlife. The rest of us stayed behind, chatting long into the evening with our wonderful guides, Zac and Paul. Listening to their stories and learning more about life in Uganda was one of those simple but memorable moments that reminded me that travel is about so much more than the places you visit.

The following morning, we set off on our walking safari, and it couldn’t have been a better start. Surrounded by dozens of giraffes, with zebras and impala grazing nearby, we experienced the wildlife from a completely different perspective. Being on foot, with giraffes peacefully wandering all around us, was nothing short of magical and one of those moments I’ll remember for years to come.

From Lake Mburo, we made our way to Uganda’s bustling capital, Kampala, where our guide Zac had invited us to his family home.

We arrived with gifts for the family – flour, sugar, oil, coffee, wine and a few presents for his three children (including a recorder, which the kids loved – sorry, Zac!) – and received the warmest welcome from Zac’s wife, children and two of her sisters.

They had prepared the most delicious feast of pork and chicken, served with salad, plantain and potatoes, and we spent the evening eating, chatting and sampling some rather lovely Ugandan sweet wine (and listening to the recorder concert – once again, sorry Zac).

It was such a special evening and a real privilege to be welcomed into Zac’s home and spend time with his family – one of those simple, unexpected moments that often becomes a favourite memory of the trip.

Our next stop was Murchison Falls National Park, home to the world’s most powerful waterfall. On arrival, we headed straight to the top of the falls, where the mighty Nile forces its way through a narrow gorge before crashing into the river below.

Zac and Paul also treated us to some of the juiciest pineapple I’ve ever tasted. Honestly, Uganda has the best pineapple in the world!

The following morning, we headed out on safari in search of Murchison’s incredible wildlife, before swapping our safari vehicle for a boat and cruising along the Victoria Nile to see the falls from a completely different perspective.

The dramatic moment of the day came after the boat trip. Randi and I headed to the toilets and I left my bag – and our half-eaten lunchboxes – outside, asking her to keep an eye on them. Out of nowhere, two baboons swooped in and made off with our lunch.

I’d been mugged by a baboon. Again.

Yes, this has happened before!

After all that drama, we headed back to the lodge, jumped in the pool and drank cocktails as the sun went down before dinner. Not a bad way to end the day!

Leaving Murchison Falls behind, we headed to Budongo Forest to track chimpanzees.

After a brisk walk through the forest, we heard them before we saw them – their calls echoing through the trees and getting louder as we moved closer.

The chimps had recently hunted and killed a black-and-white colobus monkey, and several walked right past us carrying and eating what remained of their unfortunate prey. A slightly gruesome, but fascinating glimpse into life in the wild!

Sadly, it all happened so quickly that I didn’t manage to get my camera into gear in time to capture the moment.

The chimps soon headed up into the trees, where we spent time watching them hang out in the canopy above us. Hearing their incredible calls reverberating through the forest was very cool and made the whole experience feel even more special.

Our next stop was Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where we stayed right on the property with antelope and warthogs wandering around. We’d barely made it from the gate to the lodge before spotting our first rhino!

After some time relaxing by the pool, we headed to the restaurant for dinner. They had just opened a new bar, so we were all treated to a complimentary cocktail. As we sat sipping our drinks and looking out over the surrounding bush, a rhino casually wandered right up outside the bar to lick minerals from the soil. Just your average evening in Uganda!

The next morning, we arrived at breakfast to find three rhinos sleeping nearby. I grabbed a coffee and sat watching as they slowly woke up and started their day.

After breakfast, we headed out on foot to find more rhinos and, before long, came across seven grazing together. We spent the next hour simply standing and watching them eat their breakfast, before reluctantly tearing ourselves away and continuing our journey.

Coffee, cocktails and rhinos – I could definitely get used to life at Ziwa!

Next, we headed to Jinja – a place that’s very special to me. I first spent time volunteering here back in 2011, when I met a Ugandan family who welcomed me into their lives. We’ve stayed in touch ever since, and over the years they’ve also welcomed all of my Rock My Adventure groups into their family home. They even call me Mummy Helen!

As we arrived, the family came running out to welcome us before introducing everyone and catching up. Some of the sisters are part of a local cultural group, so we were treated to an incredible evening of drumming, singing and dancing, followed by a delicious dinner together at the family home.

The following day, most of us took to the Nile for an morning of tubing. With two safety kayakers helping us navigate the river, we floated downstream and generally had a lot of fun. We’d brought a few beers along for the journey, but when supplies ran low, our guide Rogers pulled us over at a tiny riverside bar with possibly the greatest name ever – Avoid Morning Sex Africa – to restock before continuing the fun.

That evening, we headed out for a sunset cruise, joined by Zac and Paul. With delicious snacks, music playing and the sun setting over the Nile, it wasn’t long before we were all up and dancing. Even people on the riverbanks started joining in as we sailed past!

The dancing continued back on dry land, when we met up with the family and our tubing guides at the backpackers next to our lodge. A couple of us even ended up in a local nightclub later that night – which I’m fairly certain may have opened just for us.

One of those brilliant, spontaneous Jinja days that started on the Nile and ended on the dance floor!

Our final stop was Entebbe, with a quick stop at the Jinja craft market for some last-minute souvenir shopping along the way.

Back at the lodge, we spent the afternoon packing and relaxing by the pool before coming together for our farewell dinner. After two weeks of adventures, wildlife encounters, unexpected moments and a lot of laughter, it was hard to believe the trip was already coming to an end.

The following morning, some of the group headed home, while those of us still in Uganda took a boat out into Mabamba Swamp in search of the incredible shoebill. Getting so close to these huge, prehistoric-looking birds was amazing and a pretty special final wildlife encounter.

A few of us stayed on for another couple of days, exploring more of Entebbe, visiting the Botanical Gardens and enjoying a little more time together before the final goodbyes.

And just like that, another Rock My Adventure was over.

Two weeks earlier, we’d arrived as a mix of old friends and new faces. Now, we were saying goodbye with a whole collection of shared stories – gorillas and rhinos, birthday cakes and baboon muggings, boat trips, bike rides, dancing on the Nile and plenty of moments we probably won’t ever forget.

That’s the magic of a Rock My Adventure. You come for Africa and the adventure, but it’s often the people and the moments you never could have planned that stay with you the longest.

Until the next adventure…

Helen x

If you’d like to be part of the next Uganda & Rwanda trip you can find all the details here.