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Exceptional 4 Days Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trekking, Rwanda
Safari Overview
Explore Rwanda’s misty bamboo jungles in Volcanoes National Park on an exceptional 4 Days Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trekking safari. You will see the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in their natural habitat.
Volcanoes National Park is home to endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking are common activities carried out here, so you will have the opportunity to see two of the world’s endangered species in the same park.
Dian Fossey is widely known for her great works towards the conservation of mountain gorillas and their habitat, including effectively habituating mountain gorillas. Her famous Karisoke Research Centre is also nearby; you will make a quick stop to have a glimpse at her grave.
This exceptional 4 days Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trekking safari allows you to have a close observation of a family of habituated mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. As always, you’ll be allowed to spend one hour with them. You will also see other primates and a diversity of bird species within the forest canopy.
Adventure
Facets of the African Wild
We hope our guides are the perfect starting point for an Exceptional 4 Days Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trekking safari in Rwanda.
Quick Safari Details
Country: Rwanda.
Departure/End City: Kigali.
Destinations: Volcanoes National Park.
Group Type: Private.
Number of People: Tailored.
Availability: Year-Round.
Dates: Open.
Duration: 4 Days.
Cancellation Policy: Up to 90 days.
Activities: Gorilla and golden monkey tracking and visiting Dian Fossey’s resting home.
Price: Request a quote.
Safari Highlights
- Tracking mountain gorillas in Volcanoes is the top highlight of this trip and a bucket-list Africa Safari item.
- Track the endangered, cute little golden monkeys in the same jungle.
- Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial or take a city excursion around Kigali to experience authentic African cultures.
- Excellent views of Rwanda’s countryside in the most stunning natural setting during your road trip
Know Before You Go
- The 4 Days Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trekking safari will have you hiking moderately steep slopes searching the gorillas and golden monkeys at altitudes between 2400 and 4507 metres above sea level. So, consider your physical fitness for this expedition. There are strict guidelines for visiting Volcanoes to see the gorillas and golden monkeys, and you’ll be escorted by a tracker, rangers, and a guide with a group of other seven trekking travelers.
- Note that agility is required to embark and disembark whatever vessel is necessary. Wildlife viewing, quantity, and species of animals seen are dependent upon local conditions, including weather, wind, and seasonal migration patterns. The take-off time and duration of a flight (if required) and road trip may vary due to weather conditions.
Exceptional 4 Days Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trekking Safari Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Volcanoes National Park.
Arrive at Kigali International Airport, and after all the necessary paperwork, meet your private safari guide. After a quick briefing, you will drive through Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, and catch sight of the city’s cultural display, visit the genocide memorial site, the art and craft centre, the main city market, the presidential palace museum, and artisan shops.
After the city tour, your private guide will take you to a suitable spot for lunch before embarking on a scenic 3-hour road trip to Volcanoes National Park. The journey takes you through the beautiful mountainous countryside with views of vast tea plantations. Once you reach the park, you will be taken straight to your reserved lodge, where you can relax in your room or lodge gardens. You’ll be heading to the jungle the next day.
Accommodation & meals:
- Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.
- Mid-range: Gorilla Solution Lodge.
- Budget: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes NP.
This forest is home to 13 species of primates, including chimpanzees, L’Hoest monkeys, and Columbus monkeys, and over 300 bird species have been recorded here.
Have an early breakfast and drive to the park headquarters for the gorilla briefing (45 minutes). This excursion is the highlight of your 4 Days Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trekking Safari, so be ready to get excited by this once-in-a-lifetime experience. A packed lunch, comfortable clothes, shoes, and a walking stick when venturing into this gigantic forest will keep you on course.
The time spent gorilla trekking is unpredictable. It varies from 2 to 6 hours before seeing a family of habituated mountain gorillas. The location of each gorilla family depends on their feeding range, temperature, and movement from the previous day. Trackers will go before your tracking group to find the gentle giants. Strict guidelines will be issued at the briefing point. So make sure you remember the most important ones.
Visitors are allowed to spend only one hour in the presence of a habituated gorilla family (the only time allowed per day) after finding them. Save this time to watch and capture the moment as the gorillas go about playing, grooming, and eating foliage. The sight of these gentle creatures is the climax of this escapade. Later, retire to the lodge and relax for the rest of the day.
Day 3: Tracking the Golden Monkeys & Visiting Dian Fossey’s Resting Home.
Have an early morning breakfast and take a quick ride to the trailhead, of course, with your packed lunch, because we don’t expect quick activities on this episode of your tour. After a safety briefing, you will then be escorted into the misty jungles to find your nemesis. You will have the opportunity to hire a porter to help out with any heavy luggage at the briefing or starting point.
After hiking for about 2 hours, you will find the golden monkeys feeding on top of tree branches and on the ground. These pretty little primates light up the jungle and are sure to change your perceptions about wild creatures in their natural habitats across the world.
It’s a moment you want to keep forever, so be ready to get rewarded for your courage to come down to Africa. Remember, you are meant to spend only one hour with them. So make the most of what you are able to in this precious moment.
After those heartfelt moments with the golden monkeys, the guides will lead you through the forest path to Dian Fossey’s grave. That legendary primatologist took all the guts to protect these primate species from savages back in 1962, consequently making this entire trip possible. So, a visit to her grave is warranted.
Later, return to the lodge to meditate about your day’s encounters, relax, share your experience, put together your photo slideshow, and take in the African air.
Day 4: Back to Kigali.
Enjoy your last delicious breakfast here, pack up your baggage, and drive lazily back to Kigali. You will take a city excursion, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi and the Rwanda National Museum if you did not at the beginning, or just be dropped off at the airport for your departure flight.
No accommodation
Meals: Only breakfast.
End of 4 days Rwanda Gorilla & Golden Monkey Trekking safari.
Safari Includes
- Transfers in 4WD
- Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary.
- Entrance fees.
- One gorilla and golden monkey permit to be paid for in advance.
- Bottled drinking water.
- English speaking guide/driver.
- All activities in the travel plan except the optional ones.
Safari Excludes
- Visa & Travel insurance
- Emergency medical bills
- Trip cancellation insurance
- International flights
- Airport taxes
- Porter fee while trekking
- All meals and drinks not specified
- Tips and gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
Start planning a dream safari with us. You can book this safari itinerary, create one from scratch with the help of an African safari expert, or customize one of our suggested tours to suit your travel preferences.
Important Notes for the 4 Days Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trekking Safari
- The Exceptional 4 Days Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trekking Safari is limited to a maximum of six travelers per vehicle, and a 30% deposit is required on confirmation.
- Travelers with special needs may be required to pay an extra fee for trekking facilitation.
- 15 years is the minimum age for gorilla trekking. Travelers with children under 15 will be required to sign a letter of consent.
- Porters are available for hire at a cost of about $20. You can find them during the briefing or at the starting point of the trek.
- Dinner and accommodations before and after the trip are not included in the overall tour cost.
- This 4 Days Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trekking safari is tailor-made and can be customized to your own style of travel. You can set your own dates (subject to availability) and choose your accommodation facilities with our guidance. The accommodations selected here are what we think will suit this kind of safari and are where we have the best rates for you.
- Due to the uncertainty of travel during these times, you can postpone your trip up to 12 months ahead (considering accommodation availability) and have a minimum of 30 days to cancel.
Tips for your Safari
Gorilla and golden monkey tracking are amazing activities, but for the best experience, you will need
- Waterproof hiking shoes or closed shoes.
- Rain poncho/coat during the rainy season
- Camera with an additional battery and charger. No flash photography, lest you frighten the Gorillas into being defensive while trekking.
- Hand gloves.
- Sun hat.
- Sunscreen.
- Insect repellent.