4 days Rwanda gorillas & golden monkeys – Rwanda Primate Safari
4 days Rwanda gorillas & golden monkeys is combination of 2 primate adventures; gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking. It introduces you to Volcanoes National Park Rwanda for a short primate safari tour. On this primate trip, you also a chance to explore Kigali on Kigali city tour and visiting the Iby’Iwacu village on cultural experience.
Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s top safari destination, mostly visited for gorilla trekking. The 160sq.kms protected area is perched in the Northern Province of Rwanda, Ruhengeri about 2-3 hours’ drive from Kigali capital city. Your 4 days Rwanda gorillas & golden monkeys tour begins and ends in Kigali Rwanda.
Detailed itinerary for the 4 days Rwanda gorillas & Golden monkeys
Day 1: Kigali city expedition-drive to Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
Your trip will begin with breakfast at the hotel or pick up from Kigali airport by your Rwanda safari guide. You get briefed on your 4 days Rwanda gorillas & golden monkeys tour then you go for Kigali city expedition. Your city tour will include visiting the main market within the city, Kigali genocide site, craft shops and others.
Lunch will follow after Kigali city expedition and you will get on a road trip to Volcanoes National Park in Ruhengeri. On your 2-3 hours’ drive trip, you have en-route remarkable view of countryside rolling hills and later, check into the gorilla lodge for a relaxed dinner and later, overnight stay.
Places to stay
Budget: Kinigi Guesthouse or Hotel Muhabura
Mid-range: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
Luxury: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest or Virunga Lodge
Day 2: Gorilla trekking & visit to Gorilla Guardians Village
Following your early morning breakfast, get to Kinigi for briefing on gorilla trekking regulations from the park official. You will have a gorilla group assigned to your group of 8 trekkers and park guide to take you through. 10 habituated gorilla groups exist for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda-Ruhengeri and actual trek begins at 8:00am but lasts for 2-6 hours.
Note, gorilla trekking isn’t predictable because you can take fewer hours or more to find gorillas and once you come across them, there is 1 hour given to you for observing, photography and learning about their behaviors.
After that magical encounter, you will get back as you enjoy sight of more creatures Volcanoes National Park is blessed with including birds, other primates and mammals. But you are advised to carry enough drinking water, snacks and dress appropriately especially be on environmentally friendly attire.
Next, go enjoy cultural experience in the Gorilla Guardians village/Iby’Iwacu village. This includes exploring their daily activities, enjoying music and dance performances, learning about their traditions and storytelling. Get back afterwards to retire in your comfortable lodge.
Places to stay.
Budget: Kinigi Guesthouse or Hotel Muhabura
Mid-range: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
Luxury: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest or Virunga Lodge
Day 3: Trekking to see golden monkeys & visit to Dian Fossey tomb/Twin Lakes
Have a hefty breakfast and after, join others for briefing on golden monkey regulations and to be allocated to a park guide to lead through the jungles of Volcanoes National Park. This primate adventure can last for 2-4 hours or more and it covers an hour with golden monkeys. Retreat after 1 hour of photography and observing golden monkeys then relax at the lodge.
After lunch and refreshment, pay a visit to Dian Fossey tomb or Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. On Dian Fossey tomb hike, you will have insight about Dian Fossey gorilla conservation legacy. If you are visiting the Twin Lakes, you can embark on a boat ride to one of their islands or go for a nature walk/birding. Return after your experience and have overnight stay at the lodge.
Places to stay
Budget: Kinigi Guesthouse or Hotel Muhabura
Mid-range: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
Luxury: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest or Virunga Lodge
Day 4: Return to Kigali Rwanda-2 to 3 hours’ drive
Wake up for an early morning breakfast and after, ensure you have checked out of the lodge. Begin your drive back to Kigali for departure at Kigali Airport and this marks the end of 4 days Rwanda gorillas & golden monkeys.
End of 4 days Rwanda gorillas & golden monkeys
Tour inclusions
- Golden monkey & gorilla permits
- Pick up and drop off
- Kigali city expedition
- Accommodation for 3 nights & meals
- Bottled drinking water
- Travel in 4WD car plus English-speaking guide services
Tour exclusions
- Visas
- Insurances
- Any personal expenses