Mona Monkey Safari: Summary
Mona Monkey Safari in a nutshell
This sample itinerary allows you to travel at a relaxed pace, staying at luxury lodges and taking in the highlights of Rwanda. Travelling with your own private guide and vehicle, you’ll drive through rolling hills of lush farmland scattered with small villages. Stop to chat with locals and visit cultural attractions, such as the old Kings’ Palace in Butare, to get a feel for daily life in this small, dynamic country.
You start your safari at at one of the country’s most exclusive boutique lodges, Nyungwe House, set in a tea plantation tucked into the impressive rainforest jungle of Nyungwe Forest National Park. Nyungwe House is your luxurious base for trekking in search of chimpanzees. colobus monkeys, mona monkeys and forest birds.
From Nyungwe, you’ll head north to Lake Kivu, taking in the spectacular scenery as you drive along the switchback lakeshore road to the comfortable, international-style Lake Kivu Serena Hotel at Gisenyi. Spend a couple of days here to rest and relax, with the option of doing local excursions such as a sunset kayak trip, on which you may witness the lake’s fishermen singing as they cast their nets.
Your final stop is Virunga Lodge, perched high on a ridge overlooking the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, in one of the most spectacular locations in the country. This sample itinerary includes a golden monkey trek and one mountain gorilla trek on the forested slopes of the Virunga Mountains in Volcanoes National Park. This is likely to be the highlight of your trip: an hour spent with the mountain gorillas is a memory you’ll keep for a lifetime. If your budget permits, you have the option to do more than one trek.
At a glance
| Starts: | Kigali International Airport | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 nights | Nyungwe House - Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda | Full Board |
| 3 nights | Lake Kivu Serena Hotel - Lake Kivu, Rwanda | Half Board |
| 3 nights | Virunga Lodge - Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda | Full Board |
| Ends: | Kigali International Airport |
Nyungwe House
Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda
Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
Lake Kivu, Rwanda
Virunga Lodge
Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Highlights
Our thoughts on five of the top experiences of this Mona Monkey Safari.
- An unforgettable hour with mountain gorillas
- Staying in three luxury hotels in scenic locations
- Seeking out the chimpanzees of Nyungwe Forest
- Travelling with a private guide at a relaxed pace
- An insight into Rwanda's culture and history
Activities
Some activities which can be included in the Mona Monkey Safari: talk to us about those which interest you.
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Canoeing
Cultural excursion
Guided walking safari
Helicopter
Kayaking
Mountain biking
Primate trekking
Watersports
Key species to see on the Mona Monkey Safari
Based on our travellers' observations, we’ve estimated the likelihood of seeing these species during the Mona Monkey Safari. Click on the animals and our wildlife surveys page for more info.
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Side-trips whilst on this safari
We may be able to build in some of these optional excursions from the Mona 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.
Travel with peace of mind
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.
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Mountain Gorilla Safari
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Gorillas and Serengeti Safari
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Combine three iconic experiences – mountain gorillas in Rwanda, and the Serengeti plains and awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania.
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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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