Gorillas and Golden Monkeys in Rwanda

Home » Overview » Gorillas and Golden Monkeys in Rwanda

Gorillas and Golden Monkeys in Rwanda

Be mesmerized by the captivating world of gorillas, golden monkeys and stunning, lush scenery with this five-day discovery of Rwanda.

Spend your first night in Rwanda’s capital city—Kigali—and embark on a city tour visiting sites such as the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Inema Arts, the presidential museum and a local market.

An approximate three-hour drive will take you to Musanze for a beautiful three-night stay at Virunga Lodge. From here you will depart on an unforgettable gorilla trekking experience and golden monkey trek in the Volcanoes National Park. End off your stay with a canoe ride on Lake Ruhondo.

Package Highlights

Embark on a city tour of Kigali, visiting sites such as the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Inema Arts, the presidential museum and a local market
Join a once-in-a-lifetime Gorilla Trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park
Meet the golden monkeys of Volcanoes National Park on a guided walk

Best time to go

5 days / 4 nights

> Click for inclusions & exclusions

Enquire

Day 1: Kigali

You will be warmly welcomed upon arrival at Kigali International Airport where you will receive a safari briefing and be introduced to your driver guide. You will be transferred to Kigali Serena Hotel for check-in and lunch (lunch depends on time of arrival). Embark on a city tour of Kigali in the afternoon, which includes the Kigali (Gisozi) Genocide Memorial site, the Inema Arts Center, the Presidential Palace Museum and a local market. The Kigali Memorial site is a permanent memorial to those who fell victim to the genocide in 1994. Dealing with a topic of international importance, it is designed to engage and challenge an international visitor base. You will be able to visit the three permanent exhibitions, the largest of which documents the genocide and pays tribute to its victims. Your visit to the Inema Arts Center will allow you to discover contemporary African arts, crafts, music and dance and to appreciate the creative talent of Rwandan artists-in-residence. Overnight at Kigali Serena Hotel. [L]

Day 2: Kigali - Musanze

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and enjoy a scenic three-hour drive to Musanze. Arrive and check in at Virunga Lodge and enjoy a delicious lunch. This afternoon you will visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural village for a chance to meet and interact with the locals to learn more about their cultures and livelihoods. Iby’iwacu is an organization that aims to improve the lives of the communities around Volcanoes National Park through provision of conservation incentives, supporting community enterprise development and livelihood-based projects. Overnight at Virunga Lodge. [B, L, D]

Day 3: Volcanoes National Park (Gorilla Trekking)

Enjoy an early breakfast at the lodge, and transfer to the park headquarters in time for the Gorilla Trekking briefing at 07h00, before setting out on the guided walk of a lifetime! Volcanoes National Park protects the steep slopes of this spectacular mountain range and is home to the rare mountain gorilla and rich mosaic of ecosystems which embrace evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp and heath. The highlight of this guided trek will be spending an hour with the gorillas which, despite their size and appearance, are remarkably peaceful. Watch as they go about their daily life, feeding, playing, resting and raising their young. After this memorable experience, return to the lodge for a well-deserved lunch. The afternoon will be at leisure to enjoy the lodge and its surroundings. Overnight at Virunga Lodge. [B, L, D]

Day 4: Volcanoes National Park (Golden Monkey Trek)

The day begins with another early breakfast before being transferred to the park headquarters for an exciting guided golden monkey trek! First attend the briefing then embark on your adventure at about 08h00. Trekking to see the golden monkeys is another highlight of Volcanoes National Park. The golden monkey is a local sub-species of the widespread sykes monkey – also known as the “blue monkey” – and is endemic to the high-altitude forests. The monkeys are playful and inquisitive and often spend their time leaping from bamboo branches or frolicking on the forest floor. Return to the lodge for lunch before setting off on a canoe ride on Lake Ruhondo. Overnight at Virunga Lodge. [B, L, D]

Day 5: Musanze - Kigali

Enjoy breakfast at the lodge before checking out. Relax on a leisurely drive of around three hours back to Kigali. On arrival, take the time to enjoy lunch before being taken into the city for some last-minute shopping before the transfer to the airport for your outbound flight. [B, L]