4 Days gorilla and golden monkey trekking safari takes you to the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda for an amazing encounter with two critically endangered primates – Golden monkeys and the mountain gorilla. The package also includes a Kigali city tour, Visiting the Gorilla Guardians Village and the twin Lakes (Burera and Ruhondo).
The Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s most visited wildlife conservation site. The park was home to Dian Fossey’s famous Karisoke Research Centre. Fossey is considered to be one of the greatest primatologists of all time. She was the first to discover methods to effectively habituate mountain gorillas. One of her key findings was winning the trust of the Silverback before attempting to approach 
other group members. Fossey later on changed from research to conservation and fought hard to stop poaching and trade in infant gorillas. Her fight against poachers and animal traffickers won her many enemies leading to her death in the 1980’s.
The key attractions in the Volcanoes National Park are the mountain gorillas. Ten habituated gorilla groups are open to tourism but only 8 people can visit each group in a day. Rwanda is thought of as the best destination for gorilla trekking because accessibility and the fact that things are better organized. Apart from gorillas, one can also visit the tom of Dian Fossey, spot golden monkeys, hyenas, forest buffaloes, birds and other smaller primates. The Volcanoes National Park is home to 5 Volcanoes – Karisimbi, Bisoke, Gahinga, Sabyinyo and Muhabura. The most popular volcanos for hiking are Karisimbi and Bisoke. Climbing Mount Bisoke takes only one day while Karisimbi takes 2 days. For a more comprehensive primates tour, you might want to check out our 7 days Rwanda primates safari package. We also have the a shorter 3 days Rwanda gorilla tour and Golden Monkey trekking package.
Main Activities
- Kigali city tour including a visit to the Genocide memorial site
- Gorilla Tracking Rwanda
- Golden Monkey trekking
- Visiting the Gorilla Guardians village
- Visiting the twin Lakes (Burera and Ruhondo).
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Kigali city tour – Transfer to the Volcanoes National Park
Our tours generally start with a company guide picking you up from your hotel or airport very early in the morning. This 4 days tour will start with a tour of the city of Kigali. The Kigali city tour includes a visit to the 
Kigali genocide memorial center, the main city market, the presidential palace museum, artisan shops and a few other places that might interest you. After the city tour, out Guide will take you for lunch at a suitable spot before starting the 3-hour journey to the Volcanoes national park. The journey involves passing through beautiful mountainous country side and vast tea plantations. You will discover why Rwanda is referred to as “The Land of a thousand hills”. Once you reach the park, you will be taken straight to your hotel for check-in and relaxation in your room or hotel gardens. Ensure that you sleep early so that you are ready for gorilla trekking the next day.
Dinner and accommodation at Virunga Lodge (Luxury), Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range) and Kinigi Guesthouse (Basic).
Day 2: Gorilla trekking – Gorilla Guardians Village visit
The briefing for gorilla tracking starts at 7:00 am. This briefing is organized by park officials at the headquarters in Kinigi. All trackers must be at the park offices and should attend the briefing to get an overview of what to expect during the activity. As we already stated earlier, there are 10 habituated gorilla families in the volcanoes national park and you will be assigned one based on your overall fitness. Once the briefing is completed, you will be led into the forest by park officials. Gorilla tracking in the Volcanoes National Park takes between 2 to 6 hours. After locating your gorilla family, you only have one hour to observe them. Listen to instructions from your Guide and stay calm even when the silverback attempts to show power. Never make sudden and unnecessary movements in order to avoid alerting the gorillas.
After observing the primates for one hour, you will return back to the starting point where our guide will be waiting to take you back to your hotel for lunch. After lunch, shower and rest as you wait for the Driver to take you to the Gorilla Guardians Village. The Village was formally known as the Iby’iwacu cultural village. It started as a place where former poachers would sell souvenir to tourist but has now been rebuilt as a leading cultural center in the country. You will spend time being entertained by cultural performers and be requested to take part.
Dinner and accommodation at Virunga Lodge (Luxury), Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range) and Kinigi Guesthouse (Basic).
Day 3: Golden Monkey Tracking – Visiting Lake Burera and Ruhondo
After your breakfast, you will set off for volcanoes national park offices for another briefing on golden monkey tracking. You will have an opportunity hire a porter to help out with any heavy luggage 
during the briefing or at the starting point. After hiking for about 2 hours, you will find them feeding on top of tree branches and on the ground. Golden monkeys are found in 3 countries – Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. They are critically endangered and face great threats from human activities. Golden monkeys are very playful and cute. They live in groups consisting of about 80 individuals. They are comfortable with flash cameras unlike gorillas. After spending time with them, you will go back to the starting point and find our driver waiting for you. The next program will be lunch and refreshment after which you will be taken for a drive to visit the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera. The main activities are the lake include island hopping, canoeing, nature walks and birding.
Dinner and accommodation at Virunga Lodge (Luxury), Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range) and Kinigi Guesthouse (Basic).
Day 4: Transfer to back Kigali
Wake up and have late breakfast as you also prepare to check out and start the trip back to Kigali. The driver will take you up to the airport if you have a flight that day. If you are still in Rwanda, then he will drop you to your hotel.
End of Tour
Practical Guide
Gorilla tracking is an amazing activity but for the best experience you will need good hiking boots, hand gloves, a raincoat, drinking water and light snack. As we already mentioned earlier, porters are available for hire at a cost of about $15. The porters can be got during the briefing or the starting point of the trek. 
Remember that some of these porters are former poachers who have now been given a chance to earn a living by helping tourists gorilla trekking. It is recommended that you give tip to the Rangers, Guides and hotel staff if they impress you. Most will go out of their way to impress you but remember that they are often poorly paid. Tips are not compulsory and should only be given if you want to.
It is important to note that you may be required to have a yellow fever vaccination card before entering Rwanda. There is no minimum age for golden monkey trekking but you need to be 15 years and above to track gorillas. The Rwanda Visa can be acquired online, at the airport and while crossing borders. This 4 days package doesn’t include meals and accommodation before or after the tour.
Quote Inclusions and Exclusions
This 4 days gorilla trekking and golden monkey tour cost will include: –
- A company driver/Guide and vehicle with fuel
- Bottled drinking water while traveling and at the lodge
- Gorilla permits
- Golden Monkey permits
- Airport pickup and drop-off
- Visiting the Gorilla Guardians Village
- Visiting the twin lakes
- Kigali city Tour
- Accommodation for 3 nights
The tour cost will exclude personal insurance, air flights, visas and any personal costs.
Accommodation
Virunga Lodge: This luxury lodge is built on top of a hill with stunning views of the Virunga mountains and the twin Lakes (Ruhondo and Burera). The lodge offers 10 luxury bandas with spacious bedrooms, a fireplace and terrace with amazing views of the volcanoes. Each banda is named after one of the numerous lakes in Rwanda. Other amenities include the Dian Fossey Map Room and complementary massage. The lodge organizes village and nature walks to enjoy the beautiful scenery surrounding the lodge. If you are looking for the ultimate comfort and breathtaking scenery, this is one lodge we would recommend.
Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge: This mid-range lodge is located 10 minutes away from the Volcanoes National Park. It has 6 guestrooms that are of good quality. Each room has a fireplace, a privately furnished patio, satellite television, wireless internet, a working desk, a living room. Other services include daily housekeeping, a beautiful garden, smoking areas, free newspapers, a bar/lounge, luggage storage, free self-parking, barbecue, dry cleaning services and a front desk that is open 24 hours a day. Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge is an excellent mid-range lodge for travelers who are interested in gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, hiking one of the mountains and visiting the tomb of Dian Fossey.
Kinigi Guest House: This budget lodge is built 500 meters away from the offices of the Volcanoes National Park hence allowing easy access and convenience. The lodge has 11 standard cottages which can 
be fitted with a single or double bed depending on the need. The rooms are self-contained with water closets, warm showers, a wardrobe, Television and modern bathrooms. Kinigi Guest house also has 4 dormitories that can accommodate up to 4 travelers. These dormitories have a bed, mosquito net, a mattress but have shared showers and toilets. There is also a more luxury suite that can accommodate four people or families. The suite has a fire place and two showers. Other amenities in the hotel include a camping ground, a restaurant, bar, a terrace, a gift shop and laundry services.
