Nyungwe & Volcanoes National Park
8-Day Rwanda: Nyungwe, Lake Kivu & Gorillas
Price on request
View itinerary3-Day Rwanda Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trekking Safari
Gorillas, golden monkeys and a cultural village in the Virungas
- Duration3 days / 2 nights
- LocationVolcanoes National Park
- Minimum age15+
- DifficultyModerate
Tour overview
About this journey
3-Days Rwanda gorilla safari and golden monkey trekking will give you two prime safari activities in the volcanoes national park – Rwanda gorilla and golden monkey trekking. You have an opportunity to learn a bit about the Rwandan culture by visiting a cultural village after your primate trekking experience.
Trip highlights
- Mountain gorilla trek with expert trackers
- Golden monkey trekking in the bamboo forest
- Cultural village visit after your trek
- Short, easy-to-fit itinerary from Kigali
- Starts
- Kigali International Airport
- Ends
- Kigali
- Best time
- All year · best June–September & December–February
- Style
- Private & tailor-made
Your route
- Kigali
- Volcanoes NP
- Kigali
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
-
Day1
On arrival at the airport, you will find our experienced driver guide waiting to welcome you to ‘the land of a thousand hills’. You will start with a tour of Kigali city before you proceed to Volcanoes national park.
Depending on time of arrival and consequently time in the city before the drive to Musanze, you have options of places to visit which include; Kigali Genocide Memorial Center, Craft markets in Kigali and the Kandt National Museum. The city tour is optional, you can choose to immediately embark on your journey to Musanze as you await the Rwanda gorilla trekking the next day.
After the brief tour of Kigali city, you have lunch in the city. After lunch you start the drive to Musanze on your way going you will be having time to discover, view Rwandan Landscapes and also visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus by the Diana Fossey fund in the preparation for the gorilla trekking.
Accommodation Options: Virunga inn resort (Luxury), Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (Mid-range).
- Airport pick-up
- Scenic drive
-
Day2
After an early morning breakfast the driver guide will transfer you to the reception and briefing area at the headquarters of Volcanoes national park. The ranger guide will share tips on your time in the park and encountering mountain gorillas. In the meantime you will enjoy the pure Rwandan coffee as you wait to start your trek.
After the briefing you are distributed in different gorilla groups to different starting point,start the trek. Gorilla trekking requires that you be relatively fit to enjoy hiking in the Volcanoes.
If the family of gorillas you visit is nearby and you are able to finish this activity in the morning, there is an option of visiting the gorilla guardians village to learn more about the Rwandan culture and the people who co-existed with the gorillas for centuries.
Accommodation Options: Virunga inn resort(Luxury), Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (Mid-range).
- Gorilla trekking
- Cultural village
-
Day3
Today after breakfast, we transfer again to the briefing area but this time for golden monkey trekking. Golden monkeys are primates that reside in the Virunga regions. The golden monkey are generally more active than the gorillas.
This requires that for great photos you will continuously follow them as they forage for food especially the delicious bamboo shoots.
Sometimes they are seen getting into the surrounding gardens for potatoes. However to note is that they are generally not located too far so the trek to their habitat is much more manageable than some of the gorilla families. You will receive a briefing at the park headquarters before you start your golden monkey trek just like the previous day.
You can carry packed lunch but usually the trek lasts a few minutes and you are able to return to the lodge for lunch. After lunch the driver guide will transfer you to Kigali to return to your hotel or take your flight home.
- Golden monkey trek
End of your Pride Adventure — with memories for life.
Drive times are approximate. Lodges are confirmed with you when you book, matched to your budget and availability.
Price details
What’s included
Included
- Gorilla Permit
- Accommodations
- Transportation
- Professional guide
Not included
- International flights
- Tips
- Taxes
- Insurance
Gallery
Photos from the trail
Before you go
Good to know
What to pack
- Waterproof hiking boots with good grip
- Light rain jacket (it can rain any time)
- Long trousers and long-sleeved shirt
- Gardening gloves for grabbing vegetation
- Day pack, 2 litres of water and snacks
- Camera without flash, and spare batteries
- Passport (needed to collect permits)
Travel with confidence
- Licensed and insured tours
- Local driver-guides who know every trail
- 24/7 on-ground support
- Permits and lodges booked for you
Questions
Frequently asked
Can this itinerary be customised?
Yes. Every Pride Adventure trip is tailor-made. We can add or remove days, change the order, upgrade or downgrade lodges and add activities. Send us a request and we will send you a proposal.
Is the gorilla permit included?
Yes, the gorilla permit is included in this tour. Permits are limited each day, so book early, especially for June–September and December–February.
How fit do I need to be for gorilla trekking?
You should be able to walk for 1 to 6 hours on steep, muddy forest paths. Porters and walking sticks are available at the park and help you a lot. Minimum age is 15.
What is the best time to go?
The long dry season (June–September) and the short dry season (December–February) are the easiest for trekking and game drives. The green seasons are quieter, lush and good value.
How do I book?
Send us a request with your dates and group size. We reply within 24 hours with a quote. When you confirm, we book permits and lodges and send you a full travel pack.
Free quote
Request this tour
Tell us your dates and group. We will confirm availability and send you a tailored price within 24 hours.
What travellers say
Traveller testimonials
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