4-Day Rwanda-Uganda Golden Monkey and Gorilla Safari

You will be met by our driver-guide at Kigali International Airport and begin a guided city tour through the fast-growing neighborhoods that are transforming Rwanda’s capital.

You will have the opportunity to visit the Presidential Museum, the former residence of two Rwandan presidents, where you will learn about the country’s political history. The tour continues through older commercial and residential areas, with a major stop at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which commemorates the 1994 Genocide.

After lunch, you will drive to Musanze. If time allows, you may also visit the scenic Twin Lakes—Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo—known for their deep blue waters, surrounding hills, waterfalls, and views of the Virunga volcanoes.

You will then proceed to your booked hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Main Destination: Volcanoes National Park 

Best Time To Visit June to August (It is drier and hiking is easier)

High Season June to September (Permits are scarce)

Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Accommodation: Classic Resort Lodge

• Mid-range hotelless than 1hr drive from Volcanoes NP (Gorillas, Rwanda)

Meals & Drinks:

• Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Wake up early for breakfast and transfer to Kinigi Park Headquarters by 7:00 am, where you will join other trekkers for a short briefing with the ranger guide about the golden monkey experience in Volcanoes National Park.

At around 8:00 am, you will head to the trailhead just outside the park and begin your trek through scenic volcanic landscapes. The golden monkeys are usually found in the bamboo forests near the park edges, where the terrain is relatively flat and easy to hike.

Once located, you will follow them as they feed and move through the forest, observing how they skillfully pick young bamboo shoots—and sometimes wander into nearby potato fields.

After an exciting one-hour encounter, you will return to the trailhead and drive back to your lodge for lunch. Later, you will proceed to the border, clear immigration, and continue your journey into Uganda, heading towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Main Destination: Volcanoes National Park 

Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge

• Mid-range lodge just outside Rushaga (Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Uganda)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

After an early breakfast, you will walk to the park headquarters in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a briefing on the guidelines for gorilla trekking.

You will then proceed to the gorilla trail, where trekking can take between 2 to 8 hours—or even a full day—depending on the location of the gorilla family. Once found, you will spend up to one unforgettable hour observing these magnificent primates in their natural habitat. Since timing is unpredictable, you will carry a packed lunch provided for the day.

After the trek, you will transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, driving through one of Uganda’s most scenic regions often referred to as the “Switzerland of Africa” due to its cool climate and rolling hills despite its equatorial location.

Lake Bunyonyi is the second deepest lake in Africa at about 900 meters and is one of the few lakes in Uganda considered safe for swimming as it is free of bilharzia. Upon arrival, enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at your lodge.

Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 

Best Time To Visit June to August and December to February (Gorilla trekking is easiest)

High Season June to September (Gorilla permits are scarce)

Best Weather June to July and December to February (Less rainfall)

Accommodation: Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort

• Mid-range resort located at Lake Bunyonyi (Uganda)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

After breakfast, you will enjoy a boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi, exploring its beautiful islands and scenic surroundings.

Later, you will proceed to the Katuna border to cross back into Rwanda. Upon arrival in Kigali, you will begin a city tour starting with a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, followed by exploration of key city landmarks and local craft markets.

Main Destination: Kigali 

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)