3 Days Rwanda Gorillas & Golden Monkey Trekking
Overview
In Volcanoes National Park, one of the few surviving sites in East Africa where both of these endangered primate species may be found, go on an amazing 3-day Rwanda Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trekking Safari. Standing only seven meters from a habituated gorilla family, headed by a formidable 200-kilogram silverback, in their natural habitat is one of Rwanda’s most memorable wildlife experiences.
Nearly half of the world’s 1,063 surviving mountain gorillas may be found in Volcanoes National Park, providing once-in-a-lifetime chances to get up close and personal with these gentle giants. One of the most well-liked options for nature enthusiasts traveling to Rwanda is this quick but intense 3-day Gorilla and Golden Monkey trekking schedule.
The safari delivers two distinct primate tracking experiences without requiring an extended stay. It is the perfect option for travelers with limited time, while still capturing the true magic of the Virunga Mountains and Rwanda’s exceptional wildlife.
Tour Highlights
- Trekking the vibrant golden monkeys in the bamboo forests of the park
- 1hour of face to face encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas
- Scenic drives through rwanda’s country side
- A stay at some of the best lodges overlooking the Virunga Volcanoes
- An optional cultural visit to the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village
Detailed Itinerary
Your experienced driver-guide will greet you warmly when you arrive at Kigali International Airport. Following a quick introduction and rundown of your thrilling three-day wildlife safari in Rwanda, you will embark on a picturesque two to three-hour journey toward the Virunga Volcanoes’ foothills.
Check into your lodge upon arrival, have a small lunch, or just relax with a glass of wine while admiring the stunning views of Mount Bisoke, Mount Karisimbi, and Mount Sabyinyo. The serene surroundings make for the ideal beginning to your journey.
If your arrival is early enough, you may choose to spend the afternoon on an optional visit to the nearby Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village. Here, you will experience vibrant traditional Intore dance performances and gain meaningful insight into the Batwa pygmy culture, learning about Rwanda’s rich heritage and community traditions.
Overnight Stay at: Luxury: Bisate Lodge | Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge | Singita Kataza House
Mid-range: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge | Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Budget: La Palme Hotel or Kinigi Guesthouse
Arrive at the park headquarters by 7:00 am for a pre-gorilla trekking briefing on this particular day, having risen early at roughly 6:00 am to give yourself enough time to prepare and eat breakfast. To ensure the safety of both visitors and the gorillas, an expert park ranger leads the workshop, which covers the regulations and safety precautions to take when visiting the gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
After the briefing, trekkers are divided into small groups of up to eight people and allocated a habituated gorilla family, an armed park ranger guide, and porters upon request. Depending on the gorilla family’s location and the trekking circumstances of the day, gorilla trekking in Rwanda usually lasts one to four hours.
In contrast to dry days, mobility might be slower on steep and slick routes during the rainy season. After locating the gorilla family, guests are treated to a breathtaking one-hour experience where they can safely observe the primates from a distance of roughly seven meters. You will witness mothers caring for their young, strong silverbacks protecting the family, and young gorillas playing.
Go back to the lodge to relax and rejuvenate after the hike. A leisurely stroll through the forest or a visit to the Dian Fossey burial, which provides a more in-depth understanding of the history of gorilla conservation, are potential evening activities.
You will be taken to Kinigi Park Headquarters to attend the golden monkey trekking briefing at 7:00 a.m. following an early breakfast. Known for their eye-catching golden-orange coats, these endangered primates are primarily found in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park’s bamboo woods.
Golden monkey trekking is appropriate for most fitness levels because it is typically shorter and less taxing than mountain gorilla trekking, lasting one to two hours on average. After locating the monkeys, you will have a typical one-hour session to watch and take pictures of their lively movements, entertaining eating patterns, and intriguing social interactions.
Your amazing Rwanda primate journey will come to an end when you return to your lodge to freshen up and check out, especially if you are planning to leave early.
Tour Inclusions & Exclusions
Safari Inclusion
- private transfers
- 2 nights accommodation
- Mountain Gorilla Trekking Permit
- Golden Monkey Trekking Permit
- Professional English speaking driver guide
- bottled mineral water
- All park entrance fees and ranger fees
- All government taxes and levies
Safari Exclusion
- International flights
- Rwanda tourist visa
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional activities such as Iby’iwacu Cultural Village and Dian Fossey grave hike
- alcoholic beverages
- Laundry services, spa treatments, and other personal expenses
- Extra meals or activities
Essential packing List to Consider
- Hat/cap and sunglasses
- Lightweight, breathable long-sleeved shirts
- Lightweight long trekking trousers
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Good quality waterproof hiking boots
- Reusable water bottle
- insect repellent and Sunscreen
- Personal first-aid kit
- Copy of passport, visa, insurance policy, and permit confirmation
- waterproof bag or plastic bags to keep your gadgets safe from rain .
Gorilla & Golden Monkey Permits – 2025 Prices & Booking
- Mountain Gorilla Permit: A Rwanda gorilla permit costs US$1,500 per person and is valid for 24hrs
- A Rwanda Golden Monkey Permit costs US$150 per person
Both of these permits must be booked months in advance especially if you are visit during the Rwanda peak travel seasons. At maranatha tours and travel, we handle all the booking processes for you.
Best Time for Gorilla & Golden Monkey Trekking in Rwanda
The best time for gorilla and golden monkey trekking in Rwanda is during the dry seasonsJune to September ad mid-December to mid-Februarywhen gorilla trails are less muddy, slippery and trekking is easier.
For fewer crowds and lower lodge rates, consider the green seasons of March to May and October to mid-December. Gorilla trekking is possible year-round, and rain simply makes the forest lusher and more atmospheric.
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Gorilla Tours
Top Silverback Gorilla Tours
Embark on an exciting 3 days Rwanda gorillas and golden monkey trekking safaris in volcanoes national park, one of the few homes in East Africa to these endangered and exciting two primate’s species. Few wildlife experience in Rwanda rival standing just 7 meters away from an habituated Rwanda gorilla family led by the dominant 200 kilogram silverback gorilla. Volcanoes national park Rwanda is a h0me to roughly half of the remaining 1,063 mountain gorilla population and offers different bucket list encounters with these gentle giants. This compact 3 Days Rwanda Gorilla & Golden Monkey Trekking Safari is one of the popular Rwanda itinerary among different nature enthusiats to the country.
It gives you two completely different primate tracking experiences without the need for a longer safari. It is an ideal option for those with limited time yet still delivering the full magic of Rwanda’s Virunga mountains.
Tour Highlights
- Trekking the vibrant golden monkeys in the bamboo forests of the park
- 1hour of face to face encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas
- Scenic drives through rwanda’s country side
- A stay at some of the best lodges overlooking the Virunga Volcanoes
- An optional cultural visit to the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village
Trip summary
Day 1 – Arrival in Kigali and transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day 2 – Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Day 3 – Golden Monkey Trekking and return transfer to Kigali
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali & Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
You are received by a driver guide upon arrival at Kigali International Airport. After a simple briefing about this exciting 3 days Rwanda short wildlife tour, you begin on a scenic 2 to 3 hours transfer to an accommodation found at the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes. Here, you check in, grab a bite or relax with a glass of wine accompanied with stunning views of Mount Sabyinyo, Karisimbi, and Bisoke. If you arrived very early, In the afternoon, you can chose to embark on an optional visit to the nearby Iby’iwacu Cultural Village for traditional Intore dancing and insights into Batwa pygmy culture of Rwanda.
Overnight Stay at:
Luxury: Bisate Lodge | Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge | Singita Kataza House
Mid-range: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge | Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Budget: La Palme Hotel or Kinigi Guesthouse
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking
On this day, wake up as early 6:00 am to get enough time to prepare, have breakfast and be at the park headquarters by 7:00 am to attend a pre gorilla trek briefing. This is conducted by an experienced and knowledgeable park ranger and focuses mainly on the volcanoes national park gorilla trekking rules and regulations to follow while in the gorilla’s natural habitat to ensure their wellbeing and your safety.
After, each group of 8 trekkers is assigned one specific habituated Rwanda gorilla family, an armed park guide, and porters if asked for.
Time of Gorilla trekking in Rwanda varies from 1-4hours depending on the location of your assigned gorilla family and the day’s conditions.
On rainy days, terrains are often steepy and muddy taking much time to manuever through compared to the dry days.
Once you locate the gorilla family, you have one magical hour of watching them go by their daily activities. You watch them interact at a close 7m range, see the juveniles play, mothers grooming and silverbacks watching out for them to ensure their safety.
After a return and relaxation at the lodge, optional evening activities you can engage in include a forest walk, a visit to Dian Fossey grave.
Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking & Departure
After an early breakfast, you are transferred to kinigi park headquarters to attend a 7:00 a.m golden monkey briefing. These endangered primates with vibrant striking orange golden fur are found high in the bamboo zones of Volcanoes national park Rwanda. A golden monkey trek is generally shorter and less strenuous than a mountain gorilla trek, taking about 1 to 2 hours.
It as well offers you a standard time of one hour to photograph and observe their acrobatic feeding and social behavior.
After the trek, you return to your lodges for a quick preparation to check out incase you have an early departure.
Tour Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- private transfers
- 2 nights accommodation
- Mountain Gorilla Trekking Permit
- Golden Monkey Trekking Permit
- Professional English speaking driver guide
- bottled mineral water
- All park entrance fees and ranger fees
- All government taxes and levies
Exclusions
- International flights
- Rwanda tourist visa
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional activities such as Iby’iwacu Cultural Village and Dian Fossey grave hike
- alcoholic beverages
- Laundry services, spa treatments, and other personal expenses
- Extra meals or activities
Essential Packing List to consider
- Lightweight, breathable long-sleeved shirts
- Lightweight long trekking trousers
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Good quality waterproof hiking boots
- Gaiters and Walking poles
- Gardening gloves or lightweight leather gloves
- Hat/cap and sunglasses
- Reusable water bottle
- insect repellent and Sunscreen
- Personal first-aid kit
- Copy of passport, visa, insurance policy, and permit confirmation
- waterproof bag or plastic bags to keep your gadgets safe from rain .
Gorilla & Golden Monkey Permits – 2025 Prices & Booking
- Mountain Gorilla Permit: A Rwanda gorilla permit costs US$1,500 per person and is valid for 24hrs
- A Rwanda Golden Monkey Permit costs US$150 per person
Both of these permits must be booked months in advance especially if you are visit during the Rwanda peak travel seasons. At maranatha tours and travel, we handle all the booking processes for you.
Best Time for Gorilla & Golden Monkey Trekking in Rwanda
The best time for gorilla and golden monkey trekking in Rwanda is during the dry seasons—June to September ad mid-December to mid-February—when gorilla trails are less muddy, slippery and trekking is easier.
For fewer crowds and lower lodge rates, consider the green seasons of March to May and October to mid-December. Gorilla trekking is possible year-round, and rain simply makes the forest lusher and more atmospheric.