Get up close with both the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in the wild on our expertly designed 3 days tour. This short primate trip takes you to Volcanoes National Park in Ruhengeri district, Northwestern Rwanda. The two primate adventures to expect to engage in while on this tour include gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking. It also includes a cultural visit/tour in the Iby’Iwacu village to explore Rwandese unique traditions and cultures.
Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s most explored primate destination. It attracts primate lovers worldwide who come to track mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, as well as engage in other activities such as Dian Fossey tomb hike, nature walk, birding, volcano hiking (Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura and Gahinga), and more. About 30% of the world’s 1063 mountain gorillas reside in the Volcanoes Park jungles co-existing with other mammals such as elephants, forest buffaloes, hyenas, 200 bird species, and others.
Detailed Itinerary
Day one: Kigali city tour & Volcanoes N/Park tour
Kigali is a beautiful city in Rwanda, a commercial hub and also a tourist city. After breakfast, you will be dedicated for you to explore and experience Kigali, and this includes visiting its remarkable landmarks such as the Gisozi memorial center, the former presidential palace, craft shops, and the local market- Kirimonko market. Gisozi/Kigali memorial site is one place that offers a deep insight into what occurred during the 1994 Rwanda genocide.
From Kigali, you will drive to Volcanoes National Park located in Ruhengeri 2-3 hours’ drive. This is after you have had lunch in Kigali, and en route trip comes with incredible views of the rolling hills in the countryside. Once you have arrived, you will have a long evening relaxing at the comfort of your gorilla tour lodge in or around Volcanoes N Park. Your accommodation will be close to Kinigi such that you can easily connect for a briefing about gorilla trekking rules the following day.
Day two: Gorilla trekking & cultural/village tour
Gorilla trekking takes 2-6 hours less or more, and we recommend that you leave the lodge with a pack of high-energy giving snacks and bottled water. At 7:00 am you should be present at Kinigi where briefing and allocation of gorilla families will be conducted. 12 habituated families of mountain gorillas are open for tourism in this protected area and you will be visiting only one today with one hour guaranteed for you to get up close and personal with these apes in the wild.
Return from Volcanoes NP jungles, and settle for lunch if you were not provided. Chill while sipping some drink and in the evening, visit Iby’Iwacu village to explore more about the cultures and traditions of Rwanda as well as local initiatives aimed at boosting and promoting gorilla conservation.
Day three: Golden monkey trekking & transfer back to Kigali
Enjoy early breakfast and after you will be transferred to Kinigi to get briefed about golden monkey tracking rules. The park guide will also be assigned to you on this day, and the actual visit to see golden monkeys begins at 8:00 am taking 2-4 hours which includes one hour of a magical encounter, observing the behaviors of golden monkeys, and also take pictures then return to check out of the lodge.
After, drive back to Kigali capital 2-3 hours drive with en route scenic view of the rolling hills and surrounding communities.
End of tour
