4 Days – Golden Monkey & Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes
Combine golden monkey and gorilla safari in Volcanoes Park. Track two incredible primate species in Rwanda Volcanoes National Park.
Planning a golden monkey gorilla safari? This 4 day journey takes you to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, home to both mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Volcanoes National Park is part of the Virunga Massif, a chain of eight volcanoes spanning Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. A golden monkey gorilla safari offers the unique opportunity to track two incredible primate species in the same beautiful bamboo and rainforest habitat.
The Volcanoes gorilla trekking destination is famous for its mountain gorillas, made famous by the work of Dian Fossey. The park is also home to several groups of golden monkeys, striking primates with bright golden orange fur found only in the Virunga Mountains. A golden monkey gorilla safari allows you to spend time with both species, creating a comprehensive primate experience.
For those interested in combining activities, the mountain gorilla trekking experience is the main attraction. However, this 4 day safari includes both gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking, giving you the best of both worlds.
This 4 day primate safari is specifically designed for travelers who want to maximize their primate viewing opportunities in Rwanda. The tour starts and ends in Kigali, with a drive to Volcanoes National Park on the first day. You will spend two full days in the park, with one day dedicated to gorilla trekking and one day dedicated to golden monkey tracking. A golden monkey gorilla safari includes park entry fees, accommodation, meals, gorilla permit, golden monkey permit, and professional guiding.
Volcanoes National Park covers 160 square kilometers and protects the Rwandan portion of the Virunga Mountains. The park is named after the chain of volcanoes that includes Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Sabyinyo. The park is famous for its mountain gorillas, with 10 habituated families available for trekking. A golden monkey gorilla safari also includes tracking the golden monkeys, which live in the bamboo forest on the lower slopes of the volcanoes.
A golden monkey gorilla safari also offers stunning mountain scenery. The views of the volcanoes are spectacular, and the bamboo forest where the golden monkeys live is beautiful. The park is also home to over 200 bird species, making it a good destination for bird watchers.
A golden monkey gorilla safari offers a unique combination of primate encounters not found elsewhere. Mountain gorillas are the main attraction, but the golden monkeys are equally fascinating. Their bright golden fur and acrobatic behavior make them a delight to watch. By tracking both species, you gain a complete understanding of the primate life in the Virunga Mountains.
This tour is ideal for photographers who want to capture images of both gorillas and golden monkeys. The gorillas are slow moving and calm, allowing for intimate portraits. The golden monkeys are fast and acrobatic, offering action photography opportunities. The different habitats, from the bamboo forest to the rainforest, provide variety in your images.
The golden monkey tracking specialist will help you locate the golden monkeys and share information about their behavior. The golden monkeys are highly social and active, making the tracking experience entertaining and engaging.
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be met by our representative and briefed on your safari. You may have time to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which provides a moving and educational insight into Rwanda history and its remarkable recovery. The memorial is one of the most important sites in Rwanda and is well worth a visit.
You will then drive to Volcanoes National Park, a journey of approximately 2 to 3 hours. The drive passes through the beautiful Rwandan countryside, with rolling hills and terraced farms that have earned Rwanda the nickname Land of a Thousand Hills. You will arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon, with time to relax and enjoy the views of the volcanoes. Your guide will brief you on the next day activities. Overnight at a lodge near Volcanoes National Park.
After an early breakfast at 5:30 AM, you will drive to the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla etiquette. The briefing covers important rules: stay at least 7 meters away from the gorillas, avoid direct eye contact with silverbacks, never use flash photography, do not eat or drink within 200 meters of the gorillas, and if you are sick with a cold or flu, do not trek as gorillas are susceptible to human diseases.
You will then be assigned to a specific gorilla family based on your fitness level and preferences. Volcanoes National Park has 10 habituated gorilla families, each with a unique story and composition. The most famous families include the Susa group, which was studied by Dian Fossey, and the Kwitonda group, named after a famous silverback.
The trek through the bamboo and rainforest can take 2 to 5 hours depending on where the gorillas slept and how far they moved overnight. The terrain can be steep, especially as you climb higher on the volcano slopes. The altitude ranges from 2,200 to 3,000 meters, so the thin air can make breathing more difficult. Trek slowly and drink plenty of water.
Porters are available for hire at 20 dollars to carry your daypack and assist with difficult sections. Hiring a porter is highly recommended regardless of your fitness level, as it supports the local economy and makes the trek much more enjoyable. Porters are strong, experienced, and incredibly helpful on steep, slippery sections.
Once you find the gorillas, you will spend one magical hour observing them. You will see silverbacks, the dominant males who protect the family, weighing up to 200 kilograms. You will see mothers cradling infants, juveniles playing in the vegetation, and blackbacks practicing their silverback behaviors. The experience is intimate and profound, bringing you face to face with our closest relatives.
After the trek, you will return to your lodge for a well deserved dinner and overnight. You will have time to relax, download your photos, and share stories with fellow travelers.
After breakfast, you will return to the park headquarters for a briefing on golden monkey tracking. Golden monkeys are smaller and more active than gorillas, and the tracking experience is very different. The golden monkeys live in the bamboo forest on the lower slopes of the volcanoes, making the trek less strenuous.
The golden monkey tracking trek takes 1 to 3 hours, depending on where the monkeys spent the night. The bamboo forest is beautiful, with tall bamboo stalks creating a cathedral like canopy. The golden monkeys are highly active, leaping between bamboo stalks and foraging for shoots and leaves.
Once you find the golden monkeys, you will spend one hour observing them. The monkeys have bright golden orange fur on their backs, flanks, and limbs, contrasting with their black faces and limbs. They are social animals, living in groups of 30 to 80 individuals. You will see them playing, grooming, and interacting with each other.
The golden monkeys are habituated to human presence and may approach you, but you must stay at least 10 meters away and never touch them. Your guide will provide information about their behavior, social structure, and ecology. The golden monkeys are a subspecies of the blue monkey and are found only in the Virunga Mountains.
After the trek, you will return to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you have the option to visit the Dian Fossey Grave site or take a nature walk on the Bisoke or Karisimbi trails. The Dian Fossey hike takes 4 to 6 hours and costs 75 dollars. The hike to the grave of the famous primatologist is challenging but rewarding, offering stunning views of the volcanoes. Overnight at your lodge near Volcanoes National Park.
After breakfast, you will drive back to Kigali. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time to visit additional sites in Kigali, such as the Caplaki Craft Village or the Rwanda Art Museum. The Caplaki Craft Village is a great place to buy souvenirs, including traditional crafts, baskets, and jewelry.
You will then be transferred to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight. This marks the end of your golden monkey gorilla safari. You will leave with incredible memories of two of the world most remarkable primates.
The best time for a golden monkey gorilla safari is during the dry seasons from June to September and December to February. During these months, the trails are less muddy, and the animals are easier to track. The dry season also offers better photography conditions with clearer skies.
The wet seasons from March to May and October to November bring heavier rains that make trails slippery. However, the forest is incredibly lush and green during these months, and you will encounter fewer tourists. The gorillas and golden monkeys are still active, and the bird watching is excellent.
Gorilla trekking is possible year round, but the dry season offers the most comfortable conditions. The park receives rainfall throughout the year due to its location in the mountains, so always be prepared for rain regardless of when you visit.
Trekking difficulty varies from moderate to strenuous depending on which gorilla family you are assigned. The altitude ranges from 2,200 to 3,000 meters, making the thin air challenging for some visitors. Most treks last 2 to 4 hours of hiking, with the actual gorilla viewing lasting exactly one hour. Porters are available to assist with difficult sections.
The success rate for gorilla trekking is over 98 percent. Trackers monitor the gorillas overnight, so guides know exactly where to go each morning. The success rate for golden monkey tracking is also very high, over 95 percent. Both experiences are reliable.
The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years. The minimum age for golden monkey tracking is 12 years. There are no exceptions to these rules.
Yes, most nationalities require a visa for Rwanda. Visas can be obtained online before travel or on arrival at Kigali International Airport. The East African Tourist Visa (100 dollars) allows entry to Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya.
The Dian Fossey hike takes you to the grave of the famous primatologist who studied mountain gorillas for 18 years. The hike passes through the forest where she worked and offers stunning views of the volcanoes. The hike takes 4 to 6 hours and requires a separate permit costing 75 dollars.
A golden monkey gorilla safari offers the unique opportunity to track two incredible primate species in one trip. The mountain gorillas are majestic and calm, while the golden monkeys are energetic and acrobatic. The contrast between the two experiences makes this safari truly special. Book your golden monkey gorilla safari today and experience the best of Rwanda primates.
