Gorillas & Golden Monkeys

Day 1 : Kigali > Volcanoes National Park

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be met and transferred to the spellbinding beauty of Volcanoes National Park. The park consists of mighty Virunga volcanoes and stands as one of the most enchanting national parks in Africa. One of the very rare places where mountain gorillas and golden monkeys – both declared ‘endangered’ by the World Wildlife Federation – can be seen in their natural habitat. Unwind and relax as you get ready for the following day’s gorilla trekking.

Day 2 : Volcanoes National Park

The lodges are situated a few minutes from the main entrance to the National Park where there are eight families of gorilla living on the slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes that you can trek to see.

Rise up early and assemble at the park headquarters for registration, where the park staff determines which group of gorillas you will visit. Each group’s Lead Guide briefs the trekkers of the trekking procedures as well as the “do’s and don’ts” while in the presence of gorillas. After the briefing, trekkers return to their respective vehicles for the drive up the mountain to the starting point. Porters may be hired for the trek to carry your backpack and gear.

Trekking can take from two to six or more hours if the gorillas move before the park rangers locate them the next morning. The guides stop frequently to allow trekkers a chance to rest and take photos along the way. Upon sighting the gorillas, you will stay with them for a magical hour as they go about their daily life, feeding, playing, resting; raising their young. Coming face to face with a giant silverback must truly be one of the greatest wildlife experiences on earth!

Day 3 : Volcanoes National Park

Rise up early and report to the park headquarters by 7am where you meet the ranger guides for a briefing and then drive to the starting point of today’s trek to visit the endangered Rwandan golden monkeys, located in the Virunga Mountain ranges and often caught swinging on bamboo or casually lounging in the shade. Tracking of the golden monkeys is a thrilling experience that gives an opportunity to witness this beautiful species of monkeys with their golden fur coats.

By just following the traces of fresh leftovers from the bamboo shoots eaten, the trackers are able to locate them with in less than an hour. You will get to spend 1 hour watching these beautiful creatures as they try picking the bamboo shoots and make vast leaps from tree to tree and this is possible with their long tails that provide balance.

In the afternoon, you get to visit the Red Rocks Rwanda Initiative, a social enterprise that is all about the community promoting sustainable tourism through conservation programs bringing under-served communities into the tourism supply chain and supporting community development projects that help people help themselves. Here you can optionally choose to indulge in activities such as banana beer production, basket weaving, art & live painting, bee keeping and more.

Day 4 : Volcanoes National Park > Kigali

Transfer to Kigali Airport for your onward flight.