Rwanda Gorillas & Golden Monkeys
Gorilla and golden monkey trekking in the Virungas, the Dian Fossey memorial hike, and two nights on Lake Kivu.
Rwanda's gorillas are the most accessible on earth — Volcanoes National Park is a two-hour drive from Kigali airport, and the terrain is gentler than Bwindi. This itinerary pairs the gorilla trek with golden monkey trekking, the hike to Dian Fossey's grave at the old Karisoke site, and a decompression stop on Lake Kivu.
The Rwanda gorilla permit costs $1,500 and is included.
Trip at a glance
Highlights
- Rwanda gorilla permit included ($1,500 value)
- Golden monkey trekking — endemic to the Virungas
- Hike to Dian Fossey's grave and the Karisoke research site
- Two nights on Lake Kivu at Gisenyi
- Kigali Genocide Memorial guided visit
What's included
Included
- Park and reserve entrance fees for all listed parks
- Transport in a 4×4 pop-up-roof safari land cruiser or minivan
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Full-board accommodation (breakfast, lunch, dinner) as per itinerary
- Unlimited bottled drinking water in the vehicle
- All game drives as described
- Government taxes and levies
- Flying-doctor emergency evacuation cover
Not included
- International flights and visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips for your driver-guide and lodge staff
- Drinks, laundry and items of a personal nature
- Optional activities (balloon safari, cultural village visits)
- Accommodation before and after the safari
- Any increase in park fees or government taxes
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrive Kigali
Airport meet and greet, Kigali Genocide Memorial visit, then transfer to Musanze near the park. Dinner and overnight.
Gorilla trek
Early briefing at Kinigi headquarters, then trek to your assigned gorilla family for one hour. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight.
Golden monkeys & Dian Fossey
Morning golden monkey trek, afternoon hike to the Dian Fossey memorial. Dinner and overnight.
Musanze → Lake Kivu
Scenic drive along the Congo Nile Trail to Gisenyi on Lake Kivu. Afternoon at leisure by the water. Dinner and overnight.
Lake Kivu → Kigali
Morning at the lake, then the drive back to Kigali for your onward flight.
Where you'll be
Good to know
Before you travel
- Passport valid 6+ months beyond your return date
- Kenya eTA or the East Africa Tourist Visa ($100, covers 3 countries)
- Yellow fever certificate if arriving from an endemic country
- Antimalarials — speak to a travel clinic 6 weeks out
- Travel insurance covering cancellation and medical repatriation
Booking & payment
- 30% deposit secures your dates; balance due 30 days before departure
- Card, M-PESA and Airtel Money via Pesapal; bank transfer on request
- Confirmation and receipt by e-mail within minutes
- Free changes up to 21 days before departure
- Track your booking any time with your reference number
On safari
- Pop-up-roof 4×4 with a guaranteed window seat for everyone
- Neutral clothing; avoid dark blue and black (tsetse flies)
- Binoculars, a 200mm+ lens and a power bank earn their place
- Light aircraft transfers cap luggage at 15kg in a soft bag
- Flying-doctor evacuation cover included at no extra charge
After your trip
- We e-mail a short feedback form — we read every one
- Returning guests get priority on peak-season dates
- Photos shared with us may feature in our gallery, with credit
- Any concern raised within 28 days gets a reply in 14
$3,180 is per person sharing a twin or double room, in USD. Solo travellers pay a single supplement of $700. Rates are held for 30 days from the date we quote you and are subject to availability.
Park fees are set by the relevant wildlife authority and occasionally change without notice; where that happens we pass on the difference at cost and never mark it up. Peak-season dates (July–October and Christmas/New Year) may carry a supplement, which we will always state in writing before you pay. Full terms are in our Terms & Conditions.
Questions about this safari?
Ask us anything — dates, lodges, whether it suits your family. We reply within 24 hours.