From Kigali: 4-Day Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trekking Tour｜Rwanda

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Upon arriving at Kigali International Airport or being picked up from your hotel, be greeted and given a brief orientation before transferring to Volcanoes National Park.

Drive through the beautiful rolling hills and stunning landscapes of northwest Rwanda, passing by banana plantations along a comfortable paved road. The journey from Kigali to your lodge takes approximately three hours. Once you arrive, check in at your lodge, which is situated at the foot of the mountains and close to the park ranger station. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at Amikus Hotel.

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Rise early for breakfast, and around 6:30 AM, head to the Kinigi Park headquarters. Arrive at the Kinigi ranger station by 7:00 AM, where you will be assigned guides and given a briefing before entering the forest.

Track one of the eight habituated gorilla groups in Rwanda. Experienced ranger guides will accompany you as you search for the mountain gorillas. Only eight people can track each habituated group, and your search can range from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the gorillas' movements, as their territory can cover up to 40km (25mi). The park rangers and guides will clear the path and assist you through the forest.

Spend an hour with this family group for an unforgettable experience. After your hour is up, gradually make your way out of the forest and, depending on the time, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund before returning to the lodge.

Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, go to the park headquarters for your second experience with the endangered golden monkey. The trek to see them is easy and takes about 1 to 2 hours. Golden monkeys are a rare type of old-world monkey found only in the Virunga Mountain range. They are endangered and listed as such on the red list of threatened species. These monkeys live in groups of up to 90, usually led by one adult male. There are two habituated groups of golden monkeys. One group has about 80 to 100 members and is located at the foot of Mt. Sabyinyo. Like the treks to see mountain gorillas, the trek to see the golden monkeys takes place in the morning, and visitors can spend one hour with the monkeys. After this experience, visit Gorilla Guardians Village before returning to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Departure

After breakfast at 9:00 AM, drive back to Kigali. Enjoy lunch before transferring to the airport for your departure.