Group Size

Suitable for solo travelers and groups
Departure from

This tour begins and ends in Kigali.
Accomodation

Extra lodging a day or two before and after or at the end of the tour can also be arranged at an extra charge
Transportation

Pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle
Arrival on

Can start any day
Tour type

Mid-range, private tour
Meals

All meals included
Language

English
Minimum Age

15

Overview

Embark on a 3-Day Gorillas and Golden Monkeys Trek in Rwanda. Explore the lush Volcanoes National Park, trek to see majestic mountain gorillas and playful golden monkeys, and experience an unforgettable wildlife adventure in one of Africa’s most stunning locations

This 3 days Rwanda Uganda gorilla and golden monkey tracking tour will carry you to Volcanoes National park for golden monkeys tracking and Bwindi Impenetrable National park for gorilla tracking in Uganda. From the winding hills in the countryside, you will get to the home of the endangered mountain gorillas. Your safari begins in Kigali. You will tour Volcanoes National Park to see the famous golden monkeys and then go for the gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.

Highlights

Can start any day
Private tour
Mid-range tour
Can be customized
Suitable for solo travelers
Minimum age of 15 years
A transfer from and back to the airport is included

Day 01 :

Transfer from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park

Your guide will meet you at the airport when you arrive at Kigali airport or at your accommodation place. You will also undertake a city tour of the Kigali Genocide Memorial. You will then travel to the Volcanoes National Park offering stunning views of the land of thousand hills in the northern region of Rwanda. Once you reach Musanze, you will be taken to the hotel for lunch and overnight accommodation.

Main Destination:

Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)

ClimateThe coast experiences tropical weather and the best time to visit is during the dry season, which is from June to August as the nature and hikes are less challenging.

Touring permits are limited from June to September considered high season.

Best WeatherJune to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Wildlife in Volcanoes NP

Gorilla, Chimpanzee, Elephant, Buffalo, White Rhino, Black Rhino, Giraffe, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Zebra, Wildebeest, Hippo

Accommodation:

La Palme Hotel

Affordable accommodation less than 1 hour drive from Volcanoes National Park where tourists can interact with Gorillas in Rwanda.

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 02 :

Golden Monkey Trekking and Transfer to Bwindi/Uganda

In the morning, you will take your breakfast then go for golden monkey tracking which is much easier than that of the gorillas. Afterwards, you will go back for lunch before proceeding to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest located in the South Western Uganda. You will get an opportunity to see the wonderful view and nature terracing farming to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the home of half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas with an en-route lunch. Lunch will be served at the lodge and your overnight accommodation will be at the lodge as well.

Main Destination:

Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation:

Rushaga Gorilla Lodge

Mid-range lodgejust outside Rushaga (Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Uganda)

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
Drinks not included

Day 03 :

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi and Drive Back to Kigali

You will start your day with a good morning cup of coffee before setting for a briefing by the Uganda wildlife authorities. You will then move to the jungle where you will look for the elusive mountain gorillas and see how they live in their natural habitat. Where you can sit for as long as one full hour staring at these large round eyes of the great apes you meet while visiting the gorillas. Some basic exercise is required on a gorilla safari as well as comfortable shoes, packed meals and mineral water, insect repellent, sunscreen, and hut. Gorilla tracking is a half or a one day activity as these primates are known to move around in a circuitous pattern. Thus, this experience of tracking the gorillas in Uganda will be one of the most informative and memorable ones in your life. After breakfast, you will have lunch and then be driven back to Kigali. You will either be transferred to your hotel or to the airport to connect with your evening flight.

Main Destination:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Best Time To VisitJune to October and December to February (Gorilla trekking is easiest)

High SeasonJune to September (There are limited permits for Gorilla trekking)

Best WeatherJune to July and December to February (Less rainfall)

Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable NP

Gorilla, Chimpanzee, Elephant, White Rhino, Black Rhino, Lion, Giraffe, Leopard, Cheetah, Buffalo, Zebra, Wildebeest, Hippo

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

Meals at own expense
Drinks not included

End of tour

Extra accommodation is also available at an additional cost.
But you will be dropped-off at the airport.

FAQs

Expand all

What activities are covered by the 3-Day Gorillas and Golden Monkeys Trek tour?

The 3-Day Gorillas and Golden Monkeys Trekking usually includes all the permits for both the gorilla and the golden monkey tracking, meals, two nights’ accommodation, and park fees and transfer from Kigali to Volcanoes in Rwanda and Bwindi, Uganda. It also includes costs of park fees/entrances, the services of a park ranger or tour guide and bottled water. Nevertheless, costs like the tipping the flight attendants, drinks and international airfare are often excluded.

How strenuous is the 3-Day Gorillas and Golden Monkeys Trek?

The 3-Day Gorillas and Golden Monkeys Trekking is rated as moderate to a high-level physical and endurance activity. It is worth noting that gorilla trekking in both Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park takes one to six hours depending on the location of the chimp groups. It involves crossing through mountains, going up steep slopes and at times crossing through muddy areas with several trees. Hence though golden monkey tracking is slightly easier it involves moving through the bamboo vegetation. Everyone should be moderately fit and prepared for hiking and getting from one location to another physically.

Which permits are necessary for the 3-Day Gorillas and Golden Monkeys Trekking, and how can one acquire the permits?

For the 3-Day Gorillas and Golden Monkeys Trek, the participants will require a Rwanda gorilla trek permit to Volcanoes National Park and a Uganda gorilla trek permit to Bwindi Impentrable forest but this will be combined with a golden monkey trek permit to Volcanoes National Park. These have to be ordered beforehand because these are much in demand. Another issue that probably had to do with the permit arrangements is that most tour operators arrange for it to be included in the package and, so, make sure that participants have the paperwork ready by the time the trek commences.

When is the best time to do the 3-Day Gorillas and Golden Monkeys Trek?

The most favoured time to undertake the 3-Day Gorillas and Golden Monkeys trek is on the dry season that runs from June to September and December to February for both Rwanda and Uganda. In the course of these months, there are fewer chances of mud on the trails and hence trekking becomes a bit easier. Nevertheless, the tracking of the gorillas and the monkeys can be done at any time of the year though the best time is the wet season due to the fact that there are few people around, the landscape is beautiful though the trekking is rough.

What is recommended when it comes to the packing requirements for the 3-Day Gorillas and Golden Monkeys Trek?

To enjoy the trekking experience of the 3-Day Gorillas and Golden Monkeys, it is important to pack adequately. Some of the important objects include waterproof hiking boots, long sleeve, pale shirt, pale trousers to protect from insects, rain coat and hat. Items like drinking water, snacks, and gloves for holding stems are some of the necessities that can be taken in a knapsack. An umbrella or a walking stick, which can often be rented at the location of the trekking route, is useful when crossing steep terrains. Bring along a good camera along with some spare batteries for when you are photographing the magnificent and stunning wildlife.

Apart from the gorillas and golden monkeys, which other kinds of wildlife are we likely to encounter during the 3-Day Gorillas and Golden Monkeys Trek ?

Besides the key attractions which includes mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park, other animals may be spotted during tracking. There are numerous bird species, forest elephants, buffalos, duikers, blue monkeys, and L’Hoest’s monkeys among the different varieties in the parks. These cons also contribute to the over arching appeal of the 3-Day Gorillas and Golden Monkeys Trek.