OVERVIEW
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 the elusive primates.
Day 1:Travel to Volcano National Park
You will be met by our driver guide at the Kigali Airport/Hotel in Kigali and we’ll proceed with a 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 the 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 a budget hotel.
Day 2:Golden Monkey Trekking and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Wake up for early breakfast and transfer to the park head offices in Kinigi by 7.00 am. Join the other golden monkey 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, notice 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. Drive back to the lodge for lunch and thereafter, head to the border. After clearing, we will proceed to Bwindi.
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Transfer to Kigali Airport
You will have an early breakfast and be driven to the park headquarters for a briefing about what to do and not do while on a gorilla trek. After the briefing, you will set for the trekking in very thick vegetation. Trekking gorillas in Bwindi, Uganda, is quite challenging as it involves moving over the rugged terrain of steep slopes and valleys. The jungle is very lively with rich forest sounds. The trek ranges between 2–8 hours and you’ll have one hour to stay with the Gorillas once sited. Come back and we’ll head to the border to cross to Rwanda. You will drive to Kigali to catch your evening departure flight.