Package Details

Details Info

TRIP OVERVIEW

The golden monkey trekking tour in Volcanoes National Park is one of the top adventures in Rwanda. The activity involves a relatively easy trek through the bamboo jungles in the lower zones of the Virunga Volcanoes to find and spend an hour with the striking golden monkeys. Afterwards, head to misty Bwindi which is home to more than half the population of the remaining 720 mountain gorillas. Bwindi offers a unique upbringing opportunity, cultural experiences and elusive primates.

ITINERARY

DAY 1: TRANSFER TO VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

You will be met by our driver guide at the Kigali National Airport and proceed with the guided tour to the fast growing neighborhoods of Kigali that are changing the face of the city. There is an opportunity to visit the Presidential museum which is the residence of two former presidents of Rwanda. Here you will have the opportunity to learn about the political history of Rwanda. We will drive through the older commercial and residential areas with a major stop at Kigali Genocide Memorial site commemorating the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. Stop for lunch then drive to Musanze and then visit the two twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo. Their deep blue waters ringed by the steep hills and tall waterfalls with the outlines of the nearby Virunga volcanoes which provide a spectacular backdrop. Your overnight stay will be at the booked hotel or lodge.

Main Destination: Volcanoes National Park

Accommodation: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge

Meals and drinks: All meals included

DAY 2: GORILLA TREKKING AND TRANSFER TO LAKE BUNYONYI

After an early morning breakfast, you will transfer to the park head offices to join other golden monkey trekkers and meet the ranger guide. You will then transfer to the trailhead just outside the park to enjoy great views of the mountain scenery as you start your trek into the park to find the golden monkeys. The golden monkeys live near the edge of the park in the bamboo forests where the ground is relatively flat and easy to trek. Find the monkeys and follow them as they feed noticing how they skillfully pick the young bamboo leaves from the bamboo trees. They may also move out of the park into the potato fields. After an amazing one hour with the golden monkeys, you will return to the trailhead and drive back to the lodge for lunch and thereafter head to the border and clear to proceed to Bwindi.

Main destination: Bwindi Impenetrable NP

Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla lodge

Meals and drinks: All meals included

DAY 3: GORILLA TREKKING AND TRANSFER TO LAKE BUNYONYI

After early morning breakfast, walk to the park headquarters for a briefing on the do’s and don’ts during gorilla tracking. Thereafter, you will proceed to the gorilla trail. Gorilla tracking normally lasts between 2-8 hours or even a day to encounter the gorillas. However, you will be allowed to stay in the presence of these awesome apes for at least an hour. It is advisable that you carry packed lunch which will be provided as one cannot determine how long it takes to encounter the mountain gorillas.

Later transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, the drive is through a beautiful part of the country often referred to as the “Switzerland of Africa” because of its unique cool weather despite being near the equator. This lake is said to be one of the most beautiful places in Uganda. It is the second deepest lake in Africa also one of the few places where it is considered safe to swim as it bilharzia free. Dinner and overnight will be at the lodge.

Main Destination: Lake Bunyonyi

Accommodation: Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort

Meals and Drinks: All meals included

DAY 4: LAKE BUNYONYI ACTIVITIES AND TRANSFER TO KIGALI

After breakfast, you will take a boat ride on this lake to tour different islands. Then we will head to another border this time the Katuna border to cross Rwanda. Upon reaching, we will do a Kigali city tour starting off with the Kigali Genocide Memorial center visit. We will check different city landmarks and craft markets. Thereafter, be transferred to Kigali Airport to catch your departure flight back to home.

Main Destination: Kigali

Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals and Drinks: All meals included