4 Day Rwanda Gorilla and Golden Monkey Safari
Arrival in Kigali, City Tour & Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
On arrival at Kigali International Airport, or from your hotel in Kigali, meet your Kenzi Safaris driver-guide for a short briefing about your safari.
Begin with a tour of Kigali, Rwanda’s capital city.
Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial to learn about Rwanda’s history and journey of remembrance and recovery. You may also visit Kimironko Market for a glimpse into everyday life in the city.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before leaving Kigali and travelling north towards Volcanoes National Park.
The journey takes you through Rwanda’s beautiful countryside, with views of rolling hills, farmland and small communities. As you approach Musanze, enjoy views of the Virunga Mountains rising above the surrounding landscape.
Arrive at your lodge, check in and spend the evening relaxing.
Safari Activities
- Meet your Kenzi Safaris driver-guide and receive a safari briefing.
- Kigali city tour.
- Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial.
- Optional visit to Kimironko Market.
- Lunch at a local restaurant.
- Travel from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park/Musanze.
- Enjoy scenic views of Rwanda’s countryside and Virunga Mountains.
- Arrive at the lodge, check in and relax.
Meals
Lunch · Dinner
Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
After an early breakfast, transfer to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for your golden monkey trekking experience.
Meet your ranger guides for a briefing before entering the forest in search of a habituated golden monkey troop.
The trek takes you through the beautiful bamboo forests on the lower slopes of the Virunga Mountains.
Once the golden monkeys are located, spend the permitted viewing time watching these active primates as they feed, climb and leap between the bamboo.
Their playful behaviour and fast movement through the forest make golden monkey trekking an exciting experience and a wonderful opportunity for photography.
After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch and spend the rest of the day relaxing.
Safari Activities
- Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
- Ranger briefing before entering the forest.
- Forest trek through bamboo forests on the Virunga Mountain slopes.
- Golden monkey viewing and photography — observing their feeding, climbing and playful behaviour.
- Return to the lodge for lunch.
- Afternoon at leisure / relaxation at the lodge.
Meals
Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Cultural Experience & Nature Walk
After breakfast, spend the day discovering another side of the Volcanoes region through a combination of culture and nature.
Visit a local community for an introduction to traditional Rwandan life, customs, music, dance and everyday activities.
The experience provides an opportunity to meet local people and learn more about the communities living around Volcanoes National Park.
Later, enjoy a guided nature walk through the beautiful countryside surrounding the park. Take in views of the Virunga Mountains while learning more about the area's plants, birds and natural environment.
Return to your lodge in the afternoon and spend the rest of the day relaxing before your gorilla trekking adventure the following morning.
Safari Activities
- Local Community Visit
- Rwandan Cultural Experience – Traditional life, customs, music and dance
- Community Interaction – Meet and engage with local people
- Guided Nature Walk
- Bird and Plant Observation
- Virunga Mountains Scenic Viewing
- Return to Lodge & Relaxation
- Preparation for Gorilla Trekking
Meals
Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Gorilla Trekking & Transfer to Kigali
Today is the highlight of your Rwanda safari — mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters with your packed lunch.
Meet your ranger guides for a briefing about the trekking experience and the guidelines to follow while in the forest.
You will then enter the forest and begin your search for a habituated mountain gorilla family.
The trek can take several hours, depending on the gorillas' location and the condition of the forest trails.
Once the gorillas are located, you will spend the permitted viewing time observing them in their natural habitat. Watch them feed, rest, play and interact while your ranger guide helps you understand their behaviour and family structure.
After your gorilla encounter, trek back to the starting point and meet your Kenzi Safaris driver-guide.
Begin your journey back to Kigali, where you will be dropped at your hotel or Kigali International Airport.
This marks the end of your 4-Day Rwanda Gorilla & Golden Monkey Safari.
Gorilla Trekking Note
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park involves walking through natural mountain and forest terrain at higher elevations.
The length and difficulty of the trek varies depending on the location of the gorilla family, so a reasonable level of fitness is recommended.
Local porters are available to carry backpacks and provide assistance along more challenging sections of the trail.
Safari Activities
- Early breakfast and transfer to Volcanoes National Park headquarters.
- Gorilla trekking briefing with ranger guides.
- Mountain gorilla trekking through the forest to find a habituated gorilla family.
- Mountain gorilla viewing and observation in their natural habitat.
- Trek back to the starting point after the gorilla encounter.
- Drive back to Kigali with your Kenzi Safaris driver-guide.
- Drop-off at Kigali hotel or Kigali International Airport.
- End of the 4-Day Rwanda Gorilla & Golden Monkey Safari.
Meals
Breakfast · Lunch
Included
- One Rwanda gorilla trekking permit per person
- One golden monkey trekking permit per person
- Three nights' accommodation
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Professional English-speaking safari driver-guide
- Private transport in a 4x4 safari vehicle
- Fuel for all scheduled safari transfers
- Bottled drinking water during the safari
- Kigali city tour
- Scheduled cultural experience
- Scheduled nature walk
- National park entrance fees for included activities
- Airport or hotel pick-up and drop-off in Kigali
- Government taxes applicable to the safari package
Not Included
- International and domestic flights unless specifically included
- Rwanda visa and other immigration fees
- Travel insurance
- Accommodation before or after the safari
- Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks and other beverages not included with meals
- Laundry services
- Telephone calls and other personal expenses
- Tips and gratuities
- Porter fees during gorilla trekking
- Souvenirs and personal shopping
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Additional meals or services not included in the confirmed safari package
- Government-imposed increases in park fees, permits or taxes after booking