Duration
4-Day
Accra, Botswana
The golden monkey trekking tour in Volcanoes National Park is one of the top adventures to do 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 birding opportunity, cultural experiences and elusive primates.
Plan snapshot
Duration
4-Day
Route
Kigali to Kigali (Kigali)
Via Volcanoes NP (Gorillas), Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi
Country & park
Botswana
Style
Mid-range safari
Group size
1-12 travelers
Starts
Any day if available
Minimum age
15 years
Activities
gorilla trekking
Accommodation
Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge - Mid-range lodge less than 1hr drive from Volcanoes NP (Gorillas, Rwanda) – Lunch & Dinner Included
Meals
Lunch & Dinner Included; All Meals Included
Pickup
Airport transfer included
Booking
Request quote
Currency
USD
Rates
USD
Before booking
Quote flow
This mid-range tour uses lodges.
This tour will be organized exclusively for you and won't be shared with others.
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
You can request changes to this tour.
Solo travelers cannot book this private tour.
The minimum age for this tour is 15 years.
Day 1
Mid-range lodge less than 1hr drive from Volcanoes NP (Gorillas, Rwanda) – Lunch & Dinner Included
Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 2
Mid-range lodge bordering Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas, Uganda) without fences – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 3
Mid-range lodge at Lake Bunyonyi (Uganda) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 4
(No accommodation)
All Meals Included
Tour step
You'll be collected from the airport. Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
Day 1
You will be met by our driver guide at the Kigali 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 of the former Presidents of Rwanda. Here you will have an opportunity to learn a bit 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. If time allows, you will visit two twin Lakes Burera and Ruhondo. Their deep blue waters ringed by steep hills and tall waterfalls with the outlines of the nearby Virunga Volcanoes provide a spectacular backdrop. Your overnight will be at the booked hotel. Mid-range lodge less than 1hr drive from Volcanoes NP (Gorillas, Rwanda) Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included) Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 2
Wake up for an early breakfast and transfer to the park head offices in Kinigi by 7:00 am. Join other golden monkeys trekkers and meet the ranger guide for a few minutes to talk about the activity and the park. At 8:00 am, you'll transfer to the trailhead just outside the park. 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 tip of the bamboo tree. They may also move out of the park into the potato fields. How they love the potatoes! After an amazing one hour with the golden monkeys, you will return to the trailhead and drive back to the lodge for lunch. Thereafter, head to the border where after clearing we will proceed to Bwindi. Mid-range lodge bordering Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas, Uganda) without fences All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 3
After early morning breakfast, walk to the park headquarters for a briefing on the dos and don’ts during gorilla tracking. Thereafter, you will proceed to the gorilla trail. Gorilla tracking normally lasts between 2 to 8 hours or even a day to encounter the gorillas. However, you'll 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 may take 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 western Uganda. It is the second deepest lake in Africa [900 meters deep] and also one of the few places in the country where it is considered safe to swim as it is bilharzia free. Dinner and overnight will be at your lodge. Mid-range lodge located at Lake Bunyonyi (Uganda) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 4
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 to Rwanda. Upon reaching, we will do a Kigali city tour starting off with the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre visit. We will check different city landmarks and craft markets. Thereafter, be transferred to Kigali Airport to catch your departure flight back home. All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Tour step
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost. You'll be dropped off at the airport.
Park fees (For non-residents)
Gorilla permits(One per person, non-resident)
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
International flights (From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Offered by
Cycads African Safaris specializes in organizing off beaten track Safaris in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania. Great deals on Uganda Rwanda Gorilla trekking tours, Big five trips, Private safaris, Car hire and short excursions.......
Office In
Uganda
Size
5-10 employees (Founded in 2005)
Member Of
NU, AUTO, USAGA & UWA
Tour Types
Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
Destinations
Botswana, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda
Traveler feedback
Overall
5.0/5Communication
5.0/5Accuracy
5.0/5Value
5.0/5Safety clarity
5.0/5Cultural value
5.0/5In January/February 2020 we travelled 3 weeks through Uganda with Cycads African Safaris. Our driver/guide was Aschad and he cared for us in every way: He drove us safe, he bought and served fresh fruits like bananas, mangos and pineapples for us and with his sharp eyes he found every wild animal we wished to see - thank you so much for that! We liked to drive through the little villages because of the insights of the life of the residents and we enjoyed the impressive mountainous regions, the green fruitful landscapes and the rainforest areas, we learned that Uganda is a very originelly country and how nice the people are. The 13 lodges during our trip were all very individual, every place has its own special point, we really liked all of these places. Due to a perfect organisation, luck during the game drives and Aschad we expierenced a really great holiday.
Rolf and Birgit · Germany
For 2,5 weeks we travelled through Uganda and Rwanda. Our guide was Ashadu, who really took care of us in an unbelievable way. Everything worked without any complications. Beside the fact, that Uganda and Rwanda with its very beautiful landscapes are really worth a trip, Ashadu never got tired to tell us about the countries, the people and the culture. He drove very safely, answered all of our questions and this made this trip unforgettable. The accomodation and the food were excellent during the journey and especially the trackings to the Chimpanzees, the Gorillas and the golden monkeys have been a unique experience. Thanks again to Cycads and especially to Ashadu.
Karl-Heinz (Charly) · Germany
On our 2 weeks tour all our expectations were exceedet, because Ashad was an excellent guide and safe driver and he took care of us like a father! He was always in time, friendly and he never got tired of informing us about everything we wanted to know and making game drives several times a day and he always made the best places on our boat trips! (Steven, the guide on our very last day was also very nice!) All of the lodges were great, the food was excellent and everybody spoiled us! So thumbs up for Cycad/Thürmer Tours (Germany) and ASHAD!
Sabine · Austria
My girlfriend and I booked a gorilla trekking and Queen Elizabeth Park game trip with Cycads. Everything was handled flawlessly. Our knowledgable and friendly guide Ashadu was a very safe driver and always on time. We booked the deluxe accommodations - which only cost a little more than the budget places - and were rewarded with the most spectacular views either one of us have ever seen from a hotel we were staying at. Halfway through the trip we decided to add chimp trekking in Kyambura Gorge in QENP (highly recommended) and this change in the itinerary, which added an extra day, was handled without issue. Overall great company, definitely check them out.
Denny · United States
Practical answers
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
This tour is offered in US dollars (USD).
This tour accepts children who are 15 years and older.
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
You can request changes to this tour.
Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge - Mid-range lodge less than 1hr drive from Volcanoes NP (Gorillas, Rwanda) – Lunch & Dinner Included. Meals: Lunch & Dinner Included
This tour starts and ends in Kigali
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Operator policy
This tour is offered by Cycads African Safaris, not SafariBookings.
This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
Gorilla tracking permits are subject to availability.
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