4 Day Volcanoes National Park Tour, Gorillas and Golden Monkeys

Kigali Pickup, Drive to Musanze, Lodge Check-In

Your driver will meet you at Kigali International Airport. We load your bags and start the two-hour drive to Musanze. The road is fully paved and winds through steep, green hills, offering excellent views of the Rwandan countryside. We make a quick stop at the Nyirangarama rest area where you can stretch your legs and try local Rwandan tea. We then proceed to your chosen lodge near Volcanoes National Park. You will check in, eat dinner, and rest — you need to sleep early because the next day starts before dawn.

Gorilla Trekking Day, Afternoon at Leisure

Wake up at 5:30 am for a hot breakfast. We drive you to the Kinigi park headquarters by 7:00 am, where park rangers assign you to a specific gorilla family based on your fitness level and brief you on safety protocols. The trek can take 30 minutes or up to four hours, walking through thick plants and muddy trails. Porters are available for hire at the start, and we strongly suggest hiring one to carry your bag and assist you on slippery paths — it also supports the local economy.

Once you find the gorillas, you have exactly one hour to watch them, maintaining a distance of 7 metres at all times. The gorillas often move around and eat bamboo shoots, with the dominant silverback usually watching over the group. After the trek, we return you to your lodge for lunch. You spend the afternoon relaxing and recovering from the hike — you can request a boot washing service at most lodges.

Golden Monkeys, Iby Iwacu Cultural Village

You return to Kinigi headquarters early in the morning. Today you track the endangered golden monkeys, which live in the lower bamboo zones of the volcanoes. The hike is usually shorter and easier than the gorilla trek. Golden monkeys move fast and jump between bamboo branches — they are very playful and accustomed to human presence. You get one hour to take photos and watch them feed.

After lunch, we visit the Iby Iwacu Cultural Village, a community project that employs former poachers. You will watch traditional Intore dance performances and learn how locals make banana beer and shoot bows. This visit provides direct income to the families living near the park and shows the connection between conservation and community survival.

Kigali Memorial, Optional Market, Airport Drop Off

You eat breakfast at your lodge and pack your bags. We drive back to Kigali — the return trip takes about two hours. In the city, we visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which holds the remains of over 250,000 victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. It is a sobering but necessary place to understand the history of Rwanda; the audio tour takes about two hours to complete.

Depending on your flight schedule, we can visit the Kimironko Market to buy local crafts, including woven baskets, fresh coffee and printed fabrics. Finally, your driver drops you off at Kigali International Airport for your flight home.