3-Day Rwanda Mountain Gorillas and Golden Monkeys Tour

After arriving in Kigali, meet your driver-guide and begin your journey north toward Volcanoes National Park. Travel through Rwanda’s rolling green hills, terraced farmland and rural communities in your private pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a short city orientation or proceed directly toward Musanze.

Arrive at your lodge near the park, settle in and receive a briefing about the next day’s mountain gorilla trek. Your guide can help you review suitable clothing, walking shoes, rain protection and other essentials. Rest well, as the gorilla trek may involve several hours of walking through forest terrain.

Meals: Lunch and dinner, depending on arrival time and package arrangements.
Transport: Kigali to Volcanoes National Park area — approximately 105–115 km, around 2–3 hours by private pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle, excluding stops and traffic.

After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for your gorilla trekking briefing. Park staff will assign your group and explain the trekking guidelines before you enter the forest with authorized guides and trackers. The trek may take a few hours or longer, depending on the gorilla family’s location and the terrain.

Once your assigned gorilla family is found, you will generally have up to one hour to observe these remarkable primates from the permitted distance. Watch their interactions, feeding behavior and family dynamics while following all park instructions. Return to your lodge afterward for lunch or a relaxed afternoon, with time to reflect on the experience and prepare for golden monkey tracking the following day.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Transport: Lodge to park headquarters and back — local transfers, with journey time depending on the lodge’s location. The main trekking activity is on foot with park-authorized guides.

Begin with breakfast before heading to the park headquarters for your golden monkey tracking briefing. Follow your guides into the bamboo forest to look for these striking primates as they move through the vegetation, feed and interact. Golden monkey tracking is often less demanding than gorilla trekking, although walking conditions and the time needed to locate the troop vary.

After the activity, return to your lodge area, collect your belongings and begin the drive back to Kigali in your private pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle. If time permits, enjoy a short stop for refreshments or countryside photographs along the way. For international departures, we recommend scheduling a late flight or arranging an additional night in Kigali if the trekking activity or road journey runs longer than expected.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch; dinner depends on your departure time and package arrangements.
Transport: Volcanoes National Park area to Kigali — approximately 105–115 km, around 2–3 hours by private pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle, excluding stops and traffic.