Overview
The 3 Days Rwanda gorillas and golden monkeys perfectly introduces you to Volcanoes National Park to experience both mountain gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking. This short tour offers you captivating encounters with the unique golden monkeys and gorillas. Volcanoes National Park is one of the exceptional destinations in the Virunga region that guarantees both golden monkeys and mountain gorillas.
Both golden monkey and gorilla trekking experiences allow you to immerse into the natural forest. Expect to spend a great part of your day with the park expert as you look for already habituated golden monkey troops or mountain gorilla groups. Embarking on this sensational primate adventure is possible for visitors who prefer short Rwanda safaris.
The Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Airport/hotel transfer in Kigali to Volcanoes National Park by road
Today marks the official start of your 3 Days Rwanda gorillas and golden monkeys tour. Expect to arrive early morning at Kigali International Airport (KGL) and meet the professional driver guide from Apex Africa & transfer to a hotel. Alternatively, our driver guide can also pick you up from the hotel property you had an overnight.
Considering the short distance to connect to Volcanoes National Park, there will be a chance to go for a city tour. On the Kigali city tour, you will be exploring amazing landmarks like the Gisozi/Kigali genocide site. At the genocide memorial site, expect to have an in-depth detail on what actually took place during the 1994 civil war. Other historical centres, local markets, or craft shops within Kigali will be paid a visit to before you have lunch.
From Kigali, start your journey to Ruhengeri, Northwestern Rwanda. The afternoon journey will be for you to visit Volcanoes National Park to check into the lodges. It is here where you will wait to be picked up the next day for you to be transferred to Kinigi for briefing.
Volcanoes National Park sits within the Musanze area and is a rich, compact protected area in Rwanda. Gazetted around 1925, Volcanoes only covers an area of 160 sq km and supports diverse attractions including buffaloes, golden monkeys, gorillas, elephants, 200 bird species, and 5 Virunga Mountains.
Day 2: Pick up & Transfer to Kinigi, enjoy Gorilla Trekking
Begin your day with a hefty breakfast served to you in your respective lodges in or around Volcanoes National Park. After having breakfast, leave the lodges for a briefing, which is to be done at Kinigi visitor center, where the offices of Volcanoes National Park are located. Meet the park team to clear you, and you join the actual briefing session where you will get to understand the respective gorilla trekking regulations.
As per the procedures of gorilla trekking, expect to be allocated a habituated group plus park ranger guides this morning while at Kinigi. Later, you will depart from Kinigi, and you will start the hike to find gorillas. The journey isn’t entirely predictable, but be ready to enjoy at least 2-6 hours. The advantage of your thrilling trek is that it includes one hour where you will be observing the family of mountain gorillas as they play, feed, and bond; & also taking photos.
After utilizing your one hour with gorillas, expect to be led back to Kinigi by a local guide from Volcanoes National Park. The driver guide will then take over by transferring you back to your lodges for relaxation. Today’s evening will be dedicated to you to reflect on the adventure or have an additional cultural experience at Iby’Iwacu Village.
Day 3: Golden monkey tracking from Kinigi & Depart for Kigali Airport
Enjoy an early morning breakfast, and after, meet your safari driver to take you back to Kinigi. At Kinigi, the briefing session will mainly focus on golden monkey tracking regulations. Both golden monkey troops and ranger guides will be assigned to you today by the park official from Volcanoes National Park.
The actual visit to see golden monkeys will begin at around 8:00 am after getting briefed. It will run for 2-5 hours, involving walking through the natural forest, and upon locating golden monkeys, you will have1-hour to take pictures.
Today, you will only have a golden monkey tracking session, and after that, you will return to check out. Leave the lodge after an early lunch and proceed to Kigali, where you will be dropped off at the hotel/airport.
End of Primate Tour