4 Days Gorillas & Golden Monkey trekking in Rwanda
The 4 Days Gorillas & Golden monkey trekking safari is your best package to explore the endangered primates of Rwanda. The 4 Days safari takes you to Volcanoes National park that shelters both mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Volcanoes National park is home to the highest gorilla population in the Virunga Conservation Area with 10 gorilla families habituated and open for trekking. The Park also home to 2 golden monkey communities ready to welcome visitors. Mountain gorilla trekking and golden monkey watching are the most done activities in Volcanoes National Park. The permit to see gorillas in Rwanda costs $1500 while golden monkey trekking permit costs $100. You there need a total of $1600 to trek gorillas and golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park. The 4 Days Rwanda safari also entails Kigali city tour and a community visits to the guardian village, the former Iby’iwacu cultural village. Combing mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, city tour and a cultural experience make this whole trip enjoyable and memorable. Meet face to face with the gorillas, man’s close relatives see the playful monkeys and interact with local people to learn their day-to-day life and the traditions. Primate trekking and conservation in Rwanda is managed by Rwanda Development Board
Trip summary
Day 1: City tour & transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day 2: Mountain gorilla trekking
Day 3: Golden monkey trekking & visit the gorilla guardian village
Day 4: Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: City tour & transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After pick up from your hotel or Kigali International Airport, go for a city tour in Kigali. Explore the hidden gem in this small clean city; visit genocide memorial centers, local markets, shopping malls, art galleries and other interesting places in Kigali. Have lunch at any hotel/restaurant in Kigali and thereafter drive headed to Volcanoes National park in the northwestern province of Rwanda.
Day 2: Mountain gorilla trekking
In the early morning, rise up, freshen up, have breakfast and transfer to Volcanoes National par head quarters at kinigi. Ensure to carry packed lunch and enough drinking water since the actual time to spend with gorillas is not specific. You will be put in groups of eight travelers and each given a gorilla family to visit. Your group will be assigned two armed rangers to escort and guide you throughout the trek. Porters are also highly recommended to help you carry baggage to and from the jungle easing your trek through dense forests. A porter also helps to hold your hand in slippery grounds. The trek time to see gorillas is not certain but can range between 30 minutes to over 7 hours. However despite the long hikes, you are 99% if not 100% sure of meeting these endangered species. Spend an hour with gorillas, embrace their humanly characters, see how lovely mums nurse little babies while the silverback gorillas keeps his yes open to ensure safety of his family members. Those who have trekked gorillas before rate this encounter as the best wildlife experience in the world worth your money, effort and time
Day 3: Golden monkey trekking & visit the gorilla guardian village
Like the previous day, today starts with heavy breakfast at your lodge and a transfer to Kinigi Park head quarters where pre trekking briefing and registration takes place. You will then hike into the bamboo forest searching for the endangered golden monkeys. In most cases, the trek to see these primates is quite short 3-4 hours or even less compared to gorilla treks. The shaking tree branches and bushes will notify you that you have reached the territory of the golden monkeys. These apes are so generally playful and active which make them more interesting compared to other primates. You are reminded to hold your cameras tight and keep a distance to enjoy this magical experience. Be ready for the little monkeys will actively jump over your head across tree branches. Like in other primates (gorillas & chimpanzees), you will be given an hour with golden monkeys counted from when you locate them. Hike down and drive to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the gorilla guardian village to meet and interact with local people. Take part and enjoy traditional practices, learn the traditions, norms and customs of Rwanda people, which make them different from other counties. Rwanda majorly comprise of two ethnic group, the Hutu and Ttusi whose norms are similar
Day 4: Departure
Enjoy your morning sleep, wakeup to have a relaxed well-spiced breakfast at the lodge, check out and get ready for departure. Leave the lodge and transfer to Kigali for your flight. If you have time, you can drive through Kigali to explore a few interesting places as you head to the airport.
End of the tour
Tour Inclusions
- Mountain gorilla trekking permit
- Golden monkey permit
- Accommodation & meals
- Bottled drinking water
- Full time English speaking guide
- Ground Transport
- All activities included in the itinerary
- Government taxes
- Miscellaneous
Tour Exclusions
- Porter’s fee & tips
- Personal expenses (phone calls and shopping)
- Extra activities not included in the itinerary
- Alcoholic beverages
- Guide tips