Our 2 Days golden monkey trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanos National Park takes you to one of Africa’s oldest wildlife conservation areas. The Volcanoes National Park is found in the northwestern part of Rwanda. It is arguably the most popular national park in Rwanda. The park has seen a significant increase in the number of visitors ever since reopening in 1999 after the civil war and genocide. The Key attraction are the endangered mountain gorillas but the park is also home to golden monkeys, forest elephants, buffaloes, bush duikers and spotted hyenas.
The Volcanoes National park has 178 species of birds on record. The park has diverse vegetation including afro-alpine types (on higher altitudes), bamboo forest on the lower mountain slopes, hygenia 
rainforests, savanna grasslands and swamps. The main reason for this remarkable biodiversity is the existence of five volcanoes within the park – Mount Karisimbi, Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Bisoke, Mount Gahinga and Mount Muhabura.
The Volcanoes national park caught the attention of the world during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s as a result of the work of the great primatologist Dian Fossey. Dian Fossey studied mountain gorillas in the area for two decades and died as a result of her stand against poachers. She studied mountain gorillas in detail and introduced new methods of gorilla habituation. She later changed focus from research only to gorilla conservation in Africa. Dian Fossey is credited for helping end excessive poaching of park animals and mountain gorillas in particular. Without her efforts in attracting funding and bringing to attention of the world the critical challenges faces by mountain gorillas, they would probably be extinct by now.
3 days Golden monkey trekking in Rwanda involves hiking through diverse vegetation to encounter one of the cutest monkeys on earth. Golden monkeys are a sub-species of the blue monkey. They are only found within the Virunga ranges in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Uganda, they are found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park while in Congo they are found in Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega National Parks. 
Apart from the Volcanoes National park, Rwanda has golden monkeys in Gishwati-Mukura National Park and Nyungwe National Park. Golden Monkeys are characterized by fur coats which are golden-orange in color. They live in troops that can have 80 individuals. Golden monkeys feed on mostly bamboo, insects and will raid gardens for potatoes. Their chief enemy is the African Eagle. They are always on the lookout for Eagles especially when it is raining. The golden monkeys in Nyungwe and Gishwati-Mukura are not habituated. There are 2 habituated groups of golden monkeys in the Volcanoes National Park numbering about 85. These two habituated groups live in the slopes of Mount Sabinyo.
Golden monkey trekking is special because there is no age limit. Even families with kids can go to track the primates. Unfortunately, golden monkeys are endangered just like the mountain gorillas. Their numbers have dwindled in the last two decades and there are concerns among primatologists that if nothing is done, they could become extinct.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pickup from Kigali – Kigali City Tour – Transfer to Ruhengeri – Iby’iwacu Cultural Village
The Guide will pick you up from Kigali in the morning from your hotel or at the airport. He will brief you about the tour and take you for a city tour of Kigali. The city tour in Kigali involves visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, the former presidential palace, city markets and the craft shops. You will have lunch 
and then proceed to the Volcanoes National Park. The journey takes about 2 hours through amazing countryside with beautiful rolling hills and sights of people working in their gardens. Once you reach your lodge, check in, refresh and briefly enjoy the majestic views of the Virunga volcanoes. The driver will come to pick you and take you for a tour of the Iby’iwacu Cultural Centre. The Iby’iwacu Cultural Village is Rwanda’s most visited cultural site. It is being all Rwanda’s tribes gather to showcase their cultural heritage through dance, drama and storytelling. This is where you will learn everything there is to know about the people and culture of Rwanda. You will be requested to participate and buy one of the local souvenirs.
Dinner and Overnight at Kinigi Guest House (Budget), Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range) and Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury).
Day 2: Golden Monkey trekking – Departure to Kigali.
Wake up early and take your breakfast before transferring to the headquarters in Kinigi. The briefing starts at 7:30 and ends at 8:00am. From there, you will be taken along other trackers to the starting point which is at the foot of the Volcano. The scenery is beautiful with dense green forest and the five volcanoes standing in all directions. Finding the monkeys is easy because they love eating bamboos which are found on the lower slopes of the Volcanoes. After finding them, you are allowed one hour with them. You are free to follow them if they move about. Golden monkeys are not shy once they finish the process of habituation. Expect to have close encounters with them which will allow you get nice photos of them. Unlike mountain gorillas, golden monkeys don’t mind flash cameras. In fact, they love being photographed. Taking good photos is not easy because of their mobility but you will have no issues with videos. Golden monkeys are very playful primates and you will be amazed as you watch them demonstrate their natural skills in climbing trees and picking tasty shoots from the edges of bamboo trees. They love potatoes and will not hesitate to go out into human gardens to a get a few. You will learn more about their behavior and why they are endangered. You will return to the starting point after the one hour with the gorillas and then continue the journey back to Kigali.
End of Tour
Tour Includes and Excludes
Tour includes
- Park fees
- Permits for golden monkeys
- Transport and fuel for a 4X4 tour van
- A Guide with excellent English speaking skills
- One-night Full board accommodation
- All meals during the tour
- Bottled water throughout the tour
- Airport transfers
- All activities indicated in the itinerary
- Government taxes
Tour Excludes
- Air tickets and Visas
- Fees for Porters
- Tips to porters, Guides, Rangers or hotel staff
- Travel insurance
- The cost of purchasing Souvenirs or any shopping related expenses
- Laundry services, telephone bills
- Luxury spirits and wines or soft drinks
Accommodation
Accommodation
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge: This is a luxury lodge built close to the entrance of the Volcanoes National Park in a place called Kinigi. The lodge is located at the foot of Mount Karisimbi and Sabyinyo. Karisimbi is the fourth highest mountain in Africa. Mountain Gorilla View lodge is part of the 3B Group of hotels which run four accommodation facilities in Kigali, Lake Kivu, Akagera and the Volcanoes National Park. The group has built a reputation for building luxury lodges at a relatively modest price when compared to some of the other lodges in their class. The lodge has 30 spacious and comfortable chalets. High quality and durable local material was used to build the chalets. Each chalet is self-contained with a coffee making machine, fireplace and balcony. The lodge supports nearby communities by purchasing their farm products and preparing them for guests at the restaurant.
La Palme Hotel: La Palme Hotel is a mid-range hotel located in the city of Musanze. The hotel is a favorite for business travelers as well as tourists. The hotel stands out for its famous restaurant which offers excellent French cuisines. The hotel also has a well-stocked bar with both local and international drinks. The hotel has free Wi-Fi, conference facilities, airport transfer services and a large parking space. There are four conference rooms that can accommodate between 10 to 150 people. So if you are planning on having a teleconference, meeting or workshop during your tour of the park, this could be a great choice. La Palme is also excellent for those who are planning to track golden monkeys at the volcanoes national park or visit the Musanze caves in Rwanda.
Muhabura hotel: This hotel is set in a calm neighborhood in the northern province of Rwanda close to the Volcanoes National Park. Muhabura Hotel has 30 self-contained rooms with showers, working desks/tables, mosquito nets, flash toilets, televisions and a balcony. The rooms are categorized into single rooms, twins and doubles. To cater for families, six apartments with very spacious interiors were built. Other facilities in the hotel include free Wi-Fi, laundry services, scenic gardens for relaxation, a children’s playground and a souvenir shop. Muhabura Hotel is an excellent choice for tourists who have come golden monkey trekking, visiting the grave of Dian Fossey, gorilla trekking or hiking the Virunga Volcanoes.
Good morning,
Could you please provide a quote for the 2 day Golden Monkey Tours with accommodation at the Mountain Gorilla View Lodge for 2 people
pick up from Kigali on Saturday January 25th (Radisson Blue hotel) and return Sunday Jan 26th?
Hi Lucas,
thank you for contacting us. An email has been sent to you with the details by one our Tour Consultants.