3-Day Rwanda Gorillas and Golden Monkey Trekking Safari

Set off on a thrilling 3-Day Rwanda Gorillas and Golden Monkey Trekking Safari through the lush jungles of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park is one of four national parks in Africa where travelers can witness endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Located in northwestern Rwanda, in the Virunga Massif, the park is also home to a fine population of habituated golden monkeys and a variety of wildlife, making it a premier safari destination.

This thrilling 3-day Rwanda gorillas and golden monkey trekking safari brings you face to face with the legendary mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, two of East Africa’s rarest and most fascinating primates. With scenic drives, guided treks, and cultural insights, this 3-day Rwanda primate safari promises a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will remain etched in your heart forever. Our 3-day Rwanda gorilla and golden monkey trekking safari starts and ends in Kigali, Rwanda.

Safari Highlights;

Kigali City tour (if time permits)
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Scenic sightseeing across the rolling hills and lush countryside of Rwanda

Detailed Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

3-Day Rwanda Gorillas and Golden Monkey Trekking Safari, Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional driver-guide. Depending on your arrival time, you may embark on a brief Kigali City Tour, one of Africa’s cleanest and most organized cities. While here, explore sites like Kimironko Market and the Kigali Genocide Memorial to gain a deeper understanding of Rwanda’s past and remarkable heritage.

Enjoy a delicious local lunch in the city before beginning your scenic drive north-westward to Volcanoes National Park. The 2 top 3-hour journey winds through picturesque hills and terraced countryside, earning Rwanda its title as the Land of a Thousand Hills. Arrive in the park lodge just before dusk and check into your lodge. Enjoy a hearty dinner and prepare for an early start the next day. Overnight stay in Volcanoes National Park.

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in the Volcanoes National Park

Begin the day with a warm breakfast at 6:30 am, before heading to the park headquarters at Kinigi for a detailed gorilla trekking briefing. After the briefing, you will be distributed into groups of eight pax and assigned a gorilla group to trek, depending on your physical fitness and preferences. By 7:30 am, you will be accompanied by experienced ranger-guides on your trek to see your habituated gorilla family. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park can take anywhere between 1 to 4 hours, depending on the movements of the gorillas in the forest. Nonetheless, once you locate them, it is a feeling like no other! You will be allocated an hour observing their social interactions, feeding habits, and quiet majesty. Being face-to-face with mountain gorillas is a moment that words can barely capture: raw, humbling, and profoundly moving.

You will be allowed to take as many photos and videos to capture as many memories as you want with these gentle giants. However, flash photography is prohibited during gorilla trekking, so please be cautious. After your trek, you will be led back to the park headquarters where you will be awarded a certificate of participation, and then return to the lodge for lunch. Overnight stay in Volcanoes National Park.

Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking – Return to Kigali

Rise early and savor a delicious breakfast before returning to the park headquarters for your golden monkey trekking experience, which also starts with a briefing at 7:30 am. With the guidance of experienced ranger-guides, set off into the bamboo forests in search of the elusive, playful golden monkeys. Like gorilla trekking, the trek may last from 1 to 4 hours, depending on the troop’s location in the forest. However, expect to encounter a range of other forest dwellers such as exotic birds, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, and endemic flora like the majestic giant lobelia.

Volcanoes National Park is one of only two national parks in Africa where the endangered golden monkeys can be found, besides Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. Golden monkeys in Rwanda reside in the bamboo forests in the volcanoes, and habituation has enabled them to overcome their initial shyness enough to tolerate frequent visits from researchers and visitors. These uncommon species are likewise categorized as endangered by the IUCN, and Volcanoes National Park now boasts two habituated golden monkey tribes that tourists may visit, each with around 80 individuals.

Once you locate the golden monkeys, you will also have an hour to spend time with them, after which you will trek back to your lodge. Enjoy a refreshing lunch and embark on your journey back to Kigali. Depending on your flight schedule, you may spend the night in Kigali or transfer to the airport for your departure flight back home. This marks the end of your 3-day Rwanda gorilla and golden monkey trekking safari.

Trip Inclusions

2 nights’ accommodation on full board
Rwanda gorilla trekking permit ($1500)
Rwanda Golden monkey trekking permit ($100)
All activities as per the safari itinerary
Private transfers to and from Kigali International Airport
Service of a professional English-speaking driver-guide
Bottled drinking water during transfers

Trip Exclusions

International and domestic flights
Visa fees
Travel insurance
Personal expenses (tips, souvenirs, alcohol, etc.)
Optional activities and excursions

Things to Know When Going on a Rwanda Gorilla Trek

A Rwanda gorilla trekking permit costs $1,500 and must be booked in advance.
Gorilla treks in Volcanoes start as early as 7:00 am, with a briefing at Kinigi Park HQ by 7:00 AM for briefing.
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes can be tough, with hikes varying from 30 minutes to 6 hours on steep terrain.
To trek mountain gorillas in Volcanoes, one must be 15 years and above
Dress appropriately for the trek. Wear hiking boots, long sleeves, rain gear, and gloves.
Pack essentials such as plenty of drinking water, insect repellent, snacks, a face mask, a good camera with extra batteries, and a walking stick.
To trek mountain gorillas, one must be healthy, and sick travelers may be denied trekking. This is because gorillas are vulnerable to human diseases.
Tourists are required to respect the gorilla trekking rules and follow the guides’ lead during trekking.
The best time to embark on a Rwanda gorilla trek is during the dry seasons, typically from June to September and December to February, when the trekking conditions are favorable.