Group Size

Suitable for solo travelers and groups
Departure from

This tour begins at Kigali and comes to a conclusion at Kigali.
Accomodation

Extra accommodation before and after the tour can also be arranged at an extra cost
Transportation

Open-sided 4x4 vehicle
Arrival on

Can start any day
Tour type

Mid-range, private tour
Language

All meals included
Meals

English
Minimum Age

18

Overview

Experience an unforgettable 3-Day Rwanda Gorilla & Golden Monkey Trekking, exploring the majestic mountain gorillas and playful golden monkeys. This immersive trekking experience offers breathtaking views, close wildlife encounters, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect with Rwanda’s incredible biodiversity. Perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike!

Nyabarika, you’ll see the golden monkeys and do a trek to the gorillas in volcanoes park . Day four of the Uganda tour will see you hike through the forests to view the golden monkeys before going to track the impressive mountain gorillas. In the following days, you will be taken on a city tour where you will learn a lot about Kigali’s history and culture. You will be doing a genocide memorial, stroll through the markets, and explore some communities making this tour a perfect combination of wildlife and culture.

Highlights

Can start any day
Private tour
Mid-range tour
Can be customized
Suitable for solo travelers
Minimum age of 18 years
A transfer from and back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost

Day 01 :

Kigali City Tour & Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Your driver-guide will pick you up early morning to start the Kigali city tour which includes visits to the Kigali Genocide Memorial and the Kimironko Market and, perhaps, Nyamirambo neighborhood.
Lunch: For lunch, you will eat Rwandan food at a local restaurant that will be arranged for you.
In the afternoon once you have taken your lunch, you will then transfer to Volcanoes National Park which is about 2-3 hours from Kigali.
Evening: You will be transferred to the accommodation close to the park where you’ll freshen up preparatory to the gorilla trekking experience the next day.

Main Destination:

Ruhengeri (City)

Accommodation:

La Palme Hotel

A mid-range hotel to be in Ruhengeri – City in Rwanda.

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 02 :

Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

: In the early morning, you will be picked from your lodge and transferred to the Volcanoes National Park to embark on your gorilla tracking mission. Our guide will then lead you through the forest for the gorilla tracking where you will be observers to the mountain gorillas in their natural setting.
Late Morning: As you spend an unforgettable hour with the gorillas, you’ll return back to the base.
Lunch time: At this time, we shall take our lunch and rest at the lodge.

Have a cultural interaction with the Iby’iwacu village to enrich your experience.
In the evening, relax and take a break from the next day’s Golden Monkey Trekking adventure.

Main Destination:

Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)

Climate information June to August: This is the dry season and the best time to explore the hiking trails.

High SeasonJune to September (very few permits are issued)

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

Mid-range lodging, situated within sub- one-hour drive to Volcanoes National Park home to the Gorillas.

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 03 :

Golden Monkey Trekking

From your lodge, you will leave for golden monkey trekking in the Volcanoes National Park. After briefing, you will go and look at these unique and lively primates in their natural environment through a trek in the forest.
Late morning- After the trek, you will come back to the starting point and have some lunch time.
In the afternoon, you will transfer back to Kigali which is about 2- 3 hours’ drive away.
Morning: In the morning, you will be transferred to Kigali and checked in at your hotel.

Main Destination:

Kigali

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

Meals at own expense
Drinks not included

End of tour

Extra accommodation charges may apply when needed.
They also offer to take one back to the airport for some extra cash which is quite reasonable.

FAQs

Expand all

What is included in the 3-Day Gorilla & Golden Monkey Trekking tour?

During the 3-Day Gorilla & Golden Monkey Trekking package, you will undergo transportation from Kigali to Ruhengeri and Volcanoes National Park, treks permits, meals and accommodation. A professional guide will be throughout the trip, to make the experience as comfortable and educational as possible. Tour activities usually encompass park entry fees, bottled drinking water, and airport transfers. However, things like costs of personal effects, services of the tour guide, and activities that are not part of the tour package are not included.

How challenging is the 3-Day Gorilla & Golden Monkey Trekking?

The 3-Day Gorilla & Golden Monkey Trekking is a strenuous physical activity that requires participants to rise and fall in the Volcanoes National Park. Due to the vast forest cover, the period of time required to track the gorillas varies between 2- 6 hours depending with the location of your awarded gorilla family. However, the golden monkey trekking is less strenuous and may take between 1-3 hours on the more even terrains. Though moderate level of physical fitness is desirable, porters can be hired to help in carrying personal gears and assist in crossing difficult terrains.

What should I pack for the 3-Day Gorilla & Golden Monkey Trekking tour?

For the 3-Day Gorilla & Golden Monkey Trekking Tour, some of the most important things that should not be forgotten during packing include good shoes/boots for hiking, long sleeved shirts,_long trousers and a waterproof jacket in case the climate turns bad. For walking through thickets, boots and a pair of gloves may be useful. Other items to consider bringing include insect repellent, a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, a camera with extra batteries to capture the day and binoculars for a small backpack with enough bottled water and snacks for the day. However, the park offers walking sticks if you don’t own one you could carry your own.

When is it most appropriate to undertake the 3-Day Gorilla & Golden Monkey Trekking tour?

It is recommended if the 3-Day Gorilla & Golden Monkey Trekking tour is done in the two dry seasons, which are; June-September and December- February. These months as opposed to the other ones provide calm and cool weather, conditions that make the trekking easier and probability of clear views higher. Nevertheless, Volcanoes National Park is accessible for trekking throughout the year and hiking during the rainy season of March to May and October to November has less crowding.

How likely is it to encounter both gorillas and golden monkeys in the 3-Day Gorilla & Golden Monkey Trekking trip?

The probability of encountering the gorillas and golden monkeys during the 3-Day Gorilla & Golden Monkey Trekking tour is nearly certain. The gorilla groups are followed every day and rangers go out early in the morning to search for the gorilla groups as tourists start their walk. Likewise, golden monkeys are mainly in lowland bamboo forests which makes it easier to locate them. However, it must be noted that it is never certain that you will come across them but since the hike is well organized, you have high chances of seeing these fascinating creatures.

Is there any need to have special permits for the 3-Day Gorilla & Golden Monkey Trekking tour, and if so, how can one get them?

Documents Needed: As for the permits, you will need permits for the 3-Day Gorilla & Golden Monkey Trekking tour. A gorilla trekking permit costs 1500 USD per person and golden monkey trekking permit costs approximately 100 USD per person. These permits have to be obtained in advance since only a few are issued to the public. Many tour companies arrange for the permit for the travelers and make sure that all formalities are completed prior to the trekking journey. Subsequently, it is recommended that one should book a few months before the intended travel period, especially during the high travel seasons.