Golden Monkey Safari: Summary
Golden Monkey Safari in a nutshell
You’ll be met at Kigali Airport by your guide and private 4WD and head east to Akagera National Park. Akagera is a park of diverse landscapes with dry savannah, rolling grassland and a complex network of lakes and channels, lined with papyrus swamps. Plains game is plentiful, predator and elephant numbers are growing, and this is a birders' paradise.
Following a short overnight stop back in Kigali you’ll drive to Volcanoes National Park. First, visit the playful endemic golden monkeys on the lower mountain slopes, to help you acclimatise. On your second and third mornings, you’ll wake early and trek into the forest in search of the famous mountain gorillas. Surprisingly unphased by your presence, they offer without a doubt an unforgettable wildlife encounter.
After your time in the Volcanoes you’ll head to one of Africa’s Great Lakes – Lake Kivu. Here, you can try your hand at kayaking or visit a nearby coffee farm, or just simply relax on the lakeshore.
Finally, rested and rejuvenated, make your way to the stunning and biodiverse Nyungwe Forest. Explore the area on a variety of different forest walks and – if you are feeling brave – try the canopy rope bridge. Your real highlight is likely to be an early-morning trek in search of chimpanzees, who may be dancing in the trees or feeding on the forest floor; be prepared to move fast to keep up with them!
At a glance
| Starts: | Kigali International Airport | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 nights | Ruzizi Tented Lodge - Akagera National Park, Rwanda | Full Board |
| 1 night | Kigali Serena Hotel - Kigali, Rwanda | Bed & Breakfast |
| 3 nights | Nyungwe Top View Hill - Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda | Full Board |
| 2 nights | Cormoran Lodge - Lake Kivu, Rwanda | Full Board |
| 4 nights | Mountain Gorilla View - Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda | Full Board |
| Ends: | Kigali International Airport |
Ruzizi Tented Lodge
Akagera National Park, Rwanda
Kigali Serena Hotel
Kigali, Rwanda
Nyungwe Top View Hill
Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda
Cormoran Lodge
Lake Kivu, Rwanda
Mountain Gorilla View
Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Highlights
Our thoughts on five of the top experiences of this Golden Monkey Safari.
- A boat trip on a papyrus-lined lake in Akagera
- Come face to face with the famed mountain gorillas
- Watch playful golden monkeys in bamboo thickets
- Kayak on the calm waters of Lake Kivu
- Witness chimpanzees swinging from Nyungwe's trees
Activities
Some activities which can be included in the Golden Monkey Safari: talk to us about those which interest you.
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Canoeing
Cultural excursion
Fishing
Guided walking safari
Helicopter
Kayaking
Night drive
Primate trekking
Watersports
Key species to see on the Golden Monkey Safari
Based on our travellers' observations, we’ve estimated the likelihood of seeing these species during the Golden Monkey Safari. Click on the animals and our wildlife surveys page for more info.
100% chance
100% chance
100% chance
100% chance
100% chance
100% chance
100% chance
100% chance
100% chance
43% chance
43% chance
43% chance
0% chance
0% chance
0% chance
0% chance
0% chance
0% chance
Side-trips whilst on this safari
We may be able to build in some of these optional excursions from the Golden Monkey Safari. Talk to us: they’re usually best arranged when you book.
Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest
Two - three hours
The Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest opened in 2010 and was one of the first high-level bridges of this kind to cross a forest canopy on the African continent. You'll be amazed by this easy walk high above the forest canopy.
More about Canopy Walk
Canoeing in Rwanda
Half day - approx. 3 hours on the water
This half-day adventure takes place through lush farmland, on the meandering Mukungwa River near Musanze town. Discovering Rwanda’s countryside in a canoe is great fun: the launch spot is just half an hour from Volcanoes National Park and you'll be guided along the shallow waterway by an expert local canoeist. Your driver-guide from Kigali will operate your transfers and introduce you to your canoe group and guide.
More about Canoeing
Mount Bisoke Trek
Full day
For something a little different, set out on a one-day hike to the summit of Mt Bisoke in the Volcanoes National Park, home to Rwanda’s famous mountain gorillas. Discover the beautiful scenery of the Virunga Mountains, spot birds and wildlife, and enjoy spectacular views from the crater lake.
More about Mount Bisoke Trek
Mount Karisimbi Trek - 2 day trek
Two days - overnight on Mt Karisimbi
Set out on a two-day hike to the summit of Mount Karisimbi, which at over 4,507m is one of the highest in Africa. This is a challenge for the adventurous! With a local guide, you’ll traverse bamboo forests and rugged terrain, then camp on the slopes of this dormant volcano before enjoying sunrise from the summit.
More about Mount Karisimbi Trek
Trek to Dian Fossey’s Grave
Half day, usually five hours
Dian Fossey is best known for her research and conservation work with the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. She dedicated her life to researching and protecting these ‘gentle giants’ from harm, however she was tragically found murdered at her research camp in 1985. Today visitors can join a local guide to trek through the tropical forest to visit her grave, and learn about the impact of her work.
More about Dian Fossey Trek
Bird Walk in Nyungwe Forest
Two–four hours
For many, the wealth of birds that inhabit Nyungwe Forest is the park’s greatest attraction. Spend a morning or afternoon exploring in the company of a birding specialist, following forest trails as you watch out for the colourful, the secretive and sometimes the extremely rare birds of this ancient tropical rainforest.
More about Bird WalkLet us help you customise your trip
All of our holidays on this site are just ideas; none are fixed. All of our trips are tailor-made, so we'll always adapt them to suit you. Talk to an Expert and let us help you to work out your perfect trip.
Talk to an Expert
Call us now! We’ll match you with the Specialist in our team who is best suited to help you. Then together we can start planning your trip.
Set up your itinerary
Based on our experience and your ideas, your specialist will create a detailed, costed itinerary. We’ll refine it together, until we have a trip that you’re perfectly happy with.
Prepare for your trip
The same Specialist will make the seamless arrangements for your trip, send you detailed travel documents, and be available to answer any questions before you depart.
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After you set off, you’ll be cared for by our partners in Africa, most of whom have worked with Expert Africa for decades. And if you ever need us urgently, we’re available 24/7.
When you return
We love to learn about your trip, and so will always be grateful if you’ve the time to give feedback to your Specialist when you return.
Other ideas for Rwanda safaris
Look at these ideas in Rwanda: then talk to us. Will will design a trip that's perfect for you.
Silverback Gorilla Safari
4 days • 1 location • 1 country
KIGALI AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT
Fly into Rwanda and you can be trekking to meet a family of mountain gorillas the next morning. An itinerary like this could easily be combined with a safari in Kenya or Tanzania.
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9 days • 3 locations • 2 country
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This luxury safari combines two iconic wildlife experiences: trekking to see the mountain gorillas in Rwanda, then flying to the northern Serengeti in search of the wildebeest migration and spectacular river crossings.
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Silverback Gorilla Safari
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KIGALI AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT
Fly into Rwanda and you can be trekking to meet a family of mountain gorillas the next morning. An itinerary like this could easily be combined with a safari in Kenya or Tanzania.
Visiting Volcanoes
US$10,680 - US$14,080 per person
Gorillas and Maasai Mara Safari
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KIGALI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
This trip combines two of Africa's most unforgettable wildlife experiences – Rwanda's mountain gorillas and Kenya's Maasai Mara.
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Mona Monkey Safari
9 days • 3 locations • 1 country
KIGALI AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT
This example of a luxury holiday explores the wildlife of Nyungwe Forest, the scenic shores of Lake Kivu and the mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park, all accompanied by a private guide and vehicle.
Visiting Volcanoes, Lake Kivu and 1 other area
US$12,770 - US$19,000 per person
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