4 Days Golden Monkeys and Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

rwanda silverback gorilla

Overview

This 4 days golden monkey and gorilla trekking safari takes place in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, in the northwestern province. Mountain gorillas can only be found in Africa's Virunga ranges. They are the largest and most powerful land-dwelling monkeys, cautious but gentle and they leave in families lead by a dominating silverback.

Volcanoes National Park is home to a fourth of the population. Golden monkeys are one of the most beautiful animals on the planet, yet they aren't found everywhere. In Volcanoes National Park, you'll monitor both primates in their natural habitat, eat delicious meals, sleep luxuriously, and enjoy on-time transfers. It's once-in-a-lifetime journey that begins and ends in Kigali.

Detailed trip

Day 1: Pickup, city tour and transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Today: Upon connecting, meet and be informed by our company driver guide. After that, you'll go on a tour of Kigali, the country's capital and one of Africa's safest towns. There are various historical and cultural sites to see, including the local markets, where you may connect with the locals while shopping and exchanging money to local currency if necessary.

The next stop will be the Genocide Memorial center, where visitors will learn about the tragic ethnic conflict of 1994 between Hutu and Tutsi. After that, you'll enjoy lunch in the city and head to Volcanoes National Park on a 2-3 hours’ scenic journey. Arrive at the lodge and check in for dinner, followed by a relaxed slumber.

Day 2: Gorilla trekking adventure

After an early breakfast, pack your lunch, gather all necessary documentation and dress in recommended hiking gear before heading to the park headquarters for a pre-trekking briefing. The briefing lasts about 30 minutes, with the trekking guidelines clearly presented and a maximum of eight people assigned to each gorilla group.

Each family has its own name, is commanded by a silverback, and has its own home. The hiking exercise lasts roughly 2-8 hours, plus an extra hour for taking photos and asking questions, after first confirming where they were last seen. Over 95% of the time, you'll run into the gorilla group you've been assigned.

After that, you'll take a lunch break before returning to the lodge to unwind while you wait for supper and bedtime. You can still go on a cave exploration trip in the evening if you have a strong desire for adventure.

Day 3: Golden monkey trekking and cultural adventure

The first thing you should do this morning is feed your intestines with a hearty breakfast. After that, collect your hiking gear and join the other golden monkey fans at the park headquarters for document verification and briefing session. Golden monkeys are among the most attractive primates on the globe, and they are both playful and timid.

It takes approximately 2-5 hours to locate them deep in the jungle, plus an hour for photography, queries, and other activities. During your search, you might come across some additional birds, primates and forest mammals if you're lucky.

After the golden monkey experience, return to the resort for some refreshments and lunch, followed by an evening cultural tour. This allows visitors to gain a better understanding of rural life, native Rwandan people and best entertainment at the end of this tour. You'll return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay before sunset.

Day 4: Departure. End of tour

A leisurely breakfast sets the mood for the day, followed by optional two-hour birdwatching on the authorized routes or short visit to the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. Following your photo opportunities and interactions with the birds, you will check out of the lodge and be transferred to Kigali International Airport or at your Kigali hotel. This panoramic journey will take about 2-3 hours.

Affiliations

UWA AUTO USAGA UTB