This 3 Days Rwanda gorilla safari and golden Monkey trekking package at the Volcanoes National Park is ideal for primate lovers who wish to see two of Africa’s most endangered primate species. The package includes a tour of the capital Kigali and a visit to the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village to connect with the locals and their traditional culture. Both activities will be done at the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. The Volcanoes National Park is the most visited tourism destination in Rwanda. Each year thousands of travelers visit the park to take part in a variety of activities that we will discuss shortly.
The park is home to about 330 mountain gorillas. This number accounts for about a third of the overall population of the primates. Gorilla trekking is therefore the most popular activity in the park Apart from mountain gorillas, the Volcanoes National Park is also home to golden monkeys, hyenas, forest buffaloes, elephants and over 250 species of birds just to mention a few. The Volcanoes National Park is where the great primatologist Dian Fossey established her Karisoke Research Center in the 1960’s. She set up the Centre with support from the archeologist Richard Leakey. Dian Fossey discovered many interesting things about mountain gorillas. She also learnt how to make them comfortable around humans – a process known as gorilla habituation. By the late 1970’s Dian Fossey had changed focus from research to gorilla conservation. This change won her many enemies because she had to deal with poachers and animal traffickers. Her death is blamed squarely on people who were benefiting from pet trade and poaching within the park.
Apart from gorilla trekking, the other activities organized in the park include golden monkey trekking, visiting the grave of Dian Fossey and hiking one of the five mountains (Bisoke, Muhavura, Karisimbi, Sabyinyo and Gahinga) found in the park. The price for a gorilla permit in Rwanda now costs $1500 but the demand for gorilla trekking in Rwanda remains high. Golden monkey permits cost $100. For a longer and more comfortable safari, please read about the 4 days Rwanda gorilla tour and Golden monkey tracking package. If you are only interested in golden monkeys, check out our 2 days golden monkey tour in Rwanda. If you are interested in only gorillas, then you might find the 2 days Rwanda gorilla safari package more interesting.
Main Activities
- Touring Kigali city and visiting the Genocide memorial site
- Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
- A tour of the Iby’iwacu cultural village
- Golden Monkey Tracking
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Kigali city tour – Transfer to the Volcanoes National Park
The guide will come and pick you up at the airport or your hotel in the morning to start your tour. You will begin by touring the city of Kigali. Kigali is a relatively small city but clean and well planned. The city 
has many interesting landmarks but you will visit the Gisozi genocide war memorial site, the former presidential palace, the main city market and artisan shops. The genocide memorial Centre in Kigali was built in remembrance of the thousands of people who died during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. After learning about what happened during the genocide, you will visit local markets, artisan shops, the former presidential palace (now a museum) and then have lunch before starting the 2 to 3 hours’ journey to the Volcanoes national park. While traveling to the park, you will be kept awake by the beautiful mountainous countryside and see for yourself why Rwanda is often referred to as “The Land of a thousand hills”.
Dinner and Overnight at Hotel Muhabura (Budget), Da Vinci Lodge (Mid-range) and Virunga Lodge (Luxury).
Day 2: Mountain gorilla Tracking – Touring the Iby’iwacu cultural village.
Wake up very early and take breakfast before heading for briefing at the park headquarters in Musanze. The briefing about gorilla tracking takes place at 7:00am and is conducted by the head park guide. The 
briefing covers topics about the history of the park, the gorilla groups, Dian Fossey, the rules and requirements for gorilla trekking. You will also be advised on how to act around the gorilla family of your choice. After registration and assignment of gorilla groups, you will be given an opportunity to hire a porter. A gorilla safari in Rwanda involves allocated one of the 10 habituated gorilla families. The allocation is now based on the overall fitness of travelers. This is because some of the gorilla families move deep into the forest and present more challenges for hikers. A gorilla family is amazing to watch. You could spend the whole day just watching as the young ones play and roll around. Then there is the mighty silverback, juveniles and breastfeeding mothers. While watching mountain gorillas, follow instructions from your guide. Always stay calm and never make sudden movements even when a family member comes close to you.
After your one hour with the gorilla group has elapsed, you should head back to the starting point where our company guide would be waiting for you. The driver will take you back to the lodge, have lunch and rest as you wait for the next activity. Later in the afternoon, our guide will come to pick you up and take you to visit the Iby’iwacu cultural village which is located in Musanze (near the volcanoes national park). Enjoy the cultural dances and learn more about the culture of the people of Rwanda. The Centre is now known as the Gorilla Guardians Village and is said to be one of the best cultural centers in Rwanda.
Dinner and Overnight at Hotel Muhabura (Budget), Da Vinci Lodge (Mid-range) and Virunga Lodge (Luxury).
Day 3: Golden Monkey Tracking at the Volcanoes National Park – Transfer back Kigali
After yesterday’s activity, you should have rested early enough and ready for golden monkey trekking. Wake up early and take your breakfast before heading for another briefing about golden monkeys at the 
park offices. You will then head out to the forest g with your porter and park Rangers. Golden monkeys are critically endangered like mountain gorillas and several projects have been started to save them from total extinction. The monkeys can be sighted on top of short bamboo trees but will come down to forage on the ground. Take enough photos of the cute primates but do not forget to also observe them. Once you are done, head back to the lodge for lunch, rest and begin your journey back to Kigali. Our guide will drop you at either the airport or your hotel in Kigali.
End of Tour
Quote Inclusions and Exclusions
The 3 days gorilla trekking and golden monkey safari cost will include: –
- A safari vehicle and fuel for 3 days
- A Full-time company Driver
- Fuel
- Gorilla Permits
- Golden monkey permits
- Bottled drinking water per day
- Accommodation and meals for 2 nights
- Pickup from Kigali and drop-off at the airport
- Cultural visit to the Gorilla Guardians Village
- Tour of the city of Kigali
The 3 days safari cost will exclude international flights, insurance, visas, beverages and wines unless provided by the hotel for luxury travelers.
Practical Guide
After booking your gorilla tour, you also need to consider acquiring suitable boots for hiking, cotton gloves, long shirts/trousers and a raincoat. Once you arrive at the hotel, request staff to pack for you lunch/snacks and drinking water. Porters are available for hire and can help you carry extra equipment/bag. Gorilla trekking can be very demanding if you are not fully fit. Remember to be in good physical condition if you are targeting certain gorilla groups. You can read about gorilla trekking for the elderly.
Also remember to reserve some tip for the hotel staff, Guides and Rangers if they offer excellent services. Tip go for about $15 or the equivalent in local notes and is not compulsory. Whereas golden monkeys can be tracked by people of all ages, the age limit for gorilla trekking is 15 years. Visitors to Rwanda may need to have a yellow fever immunization card. The cards need to be acquired at least 2 weeks before traveling into the country. The Rwanda Visa can be got from the airport, border crossing or online.
Hotels and Lodges
Virunga Lodge: Virunga Lodge is an Eco-friendly and luxury lodge found close to the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. The lodge offers 8 bandas overlooking the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera. Each banda is spacious and has either a twin or single bed. There is also a veranda, private bathroom and sitting room in each banda. The central lodge is where the bar, restaurant, library and central lounge is located. Food is generally made up of international cuisines. The lodge uses some of the profits earned to support the community and local schools. They are currently supporting Mwiko School with scholastic materials while also providing water tanks to the local community.
Hotel Muhabura: Hotel Muhabura is often referred to as the Dian Fossey hotel. It is where Dian Fossey would reside or meet her guests away from her house high up the mountain. The lodge currently offers 30 rooms and apartments at very good rate. Each of the rooms are self-contained with their own balconies, Television, internet, tables, chairs and bathrooms. Other amenities include laundry services. The room Dian Fossey would use is very popular and costs slightly higher than the others. If you are looking for a budget friendly lodge while planning for gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking or visiting the grave of Dian Fossey, then this is the place to consider.
Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge: Da Vinci is a high quality mid-range lodge located in Kinigi – close to the Volcanoes National Park and the Musanze Caves. Each of the 6 rooms has wireless internet, a fireplace, a private patio, a desk and a safe. Other amenities include a central terrace, a restaurant, a bar, beautiful gardens, barbecue grills, newspapers at the lobby, dry cleaning services, free parking, laundry services and 24-hour staff support. If you are looking for a mid-range lodge with high quality services that rival even the luxury ones, then this is the one to choose.
Hello. I am interested in a gorilla trek but we are in Kigali for a week and so don’t need the city tour. We are a family of 4 – Two adults, two boys (12 and 14 year olds). What would the price be for a 2 or three day trek?