4 Days Gorilla Trekking and Golden Monkey Trekking Rwanda

Safari highlights

• Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
• Golden monkey trekking in bamboo forest
• Kigali Genocide Memorial visit
• Views of the Virunga volcanoes
• Time to relax in the Musanze area

Itinerary route map

1. Kigali
2. Volcanoes National Park

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 01
   Day 1 Arrival in Kigali and city tour

   You are met at Kigali International Airport by your driver-guide and transferred to your hotel in the city. After you have checked in and had time to rest, you begin the day with a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial. It is a moving and respectful place that tells the story of the 1994 genocide and honours the victims.

   In the afternoon, you take a short city tour that includes viewpoints over Kigali's hills, a visit to a local craft market and a look at some of the city's neighbourhoods. Kigali is known for being clean, safe and orderly, and the tour offers a good introduction to Rwandan culture and daily life.

   You return to your hotel in the evening, where your guide briefs you on the days ahead. You can enjoy dinner at one of the city's many restaurants, which serve both local dishes and international food. Rest well, because tomorrow involves an early start and a drive to the north.

2. 02
   Day 2 Kigali to Musanze and golden monkey trekking

   After breakfast, you drive north from Kigali to Musanze, which takes about two hours, and then continue to the park headquarters for your golden monkey tracking. Golden monkeys are an endangered species found only in the Virunga region, and they live in the bamboo forest on the lower slopes of the volcanoes.

   A ranger briefs you on the rules, and you walk through farmland and into the forest with your guide. The trek is generally shorter and easier than gorilla trekking, though the ground can be wet and slippery. You may see the monkeys feeding on bamboo shoots, leaping through the branches and playing in the canopy.

   You spend about one hour with the golden monkeys, taking photographs of their bright orange-gold coats. After the trek, you return to your lodge for lunch and spend the afternoon relaxing or exploring the Musanze area. The minimum age for golden monkey tracking is twelve years. Rest well, because tomorrow brings your much-anticipated gorilla trek.

3. 03
   Day 3 Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park

   After an early breakfast, you drive to the park headquarters at Kinigi for the 7:00 briefing. Rangers explain the rules of gorilla trekking and assign each group to a habituated family, taking into account fitness levels. Traditional dancers often welcome visitors, and it is a good time to take photographs before you set off.

   The trek begins across farmland and enters the bamboo and montane forest on the volcano slopes. The hike lasts from one to several hours depending on the location of the gorillas, and the terrain can be steep and muddy. Porters are available to carry your bag and assist you on difficult sections.

   When you reach the gorillas, you spend one hour observing them from a short distance, watching the silverback, females and playful young. After returning to the park office, you receive a trekking certificate. The rest of the day is free to relax at the lodge or to enjoy a short cultural visit nearby.

4. 04
   Day 4 Musanze to Kigali

   After a relaxed breakfast, you may take a morning to enjoy the area around your lodge, perhaps with a short walk through the farmland or a visit to a local village. The views of the volcanoes are often clearest in the early morning, which makes it a good time for photographs.

   You then check out and drive south to Kigali, which takes about two hours. Your guide can stop at a viewpoint, a roadside market or a craft shop on the way. The scenery is a patchwork of terraced fields, eucalyptus trees and small villages, and shows everyday Rwandan life. The drive is easy and a good chance to reflect on your trek and the memories you have made.

   You arrive in Kigali in the late morning or early afternoon, in time for lunch or for your onward flight. Your driver-guide drops you at your hotel or the airport and helps with luggage. The safari ends here, and you leave with memories of the mountain gorillas. Thank you for travelling with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Rwanda soon.