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FROM US$9,710-US$11,270

Golden Monkey Safari

Combine four key areas of Rwanda on this excellent-value trip, for a true wildlife and cultural experience. The perfect itinerary for those who want to see all the highlights of Rwanda.

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

Days 1-3

Since it was opened in 2012, Ruzizi Tented Lodge, has proved a welcome addition to Akagera National Park. It’s a simple, eco-friendly lodge located within the park itself, in a good position to explore the varying landscapes of Akagera.

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Kigali Serena Hotel

Day 3

Kigali Serena Hotel, formerly known as Kigali InterContinental Hotel, is a large, upmarket hotel with plenty of modern facilities. Located in Rwanda’s busy capital city, it is just 10km from Kigali International Airport.

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Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Days 4-7

Opened in 2011, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel is a short drive off the main road, on top of a steep hill. From its hilltop vantage point, Top View has beautiful views across the neighbouring forest and tea plantations, and its proximity to the headquarters of Nyungwe Forest National Park makes it is a good base for trekking to see the chimpanzees and exploring the forest.

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Cormoran Lodge

Days 7-9

Set on a steep hill, leading down to the shore of Rwanda’s Lake Kivu, the rustic yet stylish Cormoran Lodge in Kibuye has a small number of wooden cabins, each affording beautiful views over the lake.

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Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Days 9-13

On the slopes of Mount Sabyinyo, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge has beautiful views of the surrounding volcanoes.

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Ruzizi Tented Lodge

Ruzizi Tented Lodge

Akagera National Park, Rwanda

Kigali Serena Hotel

Kigali Serena Hotel

Kigali, Rwanda

Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Nyungwe Top View Hill

Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda

Cormoran Lodge

Cormoran Lodge

Lake Kivu, Rwanda

Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Mountain Gorilla View

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

About image

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

About image
MOUNTAIN GORILLA VIEW LODGE in VOLCANOES

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.


Mountain Gorilla

100% chance

Chimpanzee

100% chance

Buffalo

100% chance

Eland

100% chance

Elephant

100% chance

Giraffe

100% chance

Hippo

100% chance

White Rhino

100% chance

Zebra

100% chance

Lion

43% chance

Roan antelope

43% chance

Spotted Hyena

43% chance

Leopard

0% chance

Aardvark

0% chance

Black Rhino

0% chance

Pangolin

0% chance

Sable antelope

0% chance

Sitatunga

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

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
87% (11 reviews)
Canoeing in Rwanda

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
96% (9 reviews)
Mount Bisoke Trek

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
95% (4 reviews)
Mount Karisimbi Trek - 2 day 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
100% (1 reviews)
Trek to Dian Fossey’s Grave

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
100% (1 reviews)
Bird Walk in Nyungwe Forest

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 Walk
100% (2 reviews)

Let 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.


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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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Mona Monkey Safari

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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.

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Mountain Gorilla Safari

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Staying in great-value lodges, with a private driver-guide and 4WD, this adventure includes two treks to get up close with groups of mountain gorillas.

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L'Hoest's Monkey Safari

7 days • 3 locations • 1 country
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Meet three iconic primates – gorillas, chimps and golden monkeys – and explore Rwanda's fascinating culture on this excellent value privately guided adventure.

Visiting Volcanoes, Lake Kivu and 1 other area

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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

4 days • 1 location • 1 country
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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$10,170 - US$13,040 per person

Read more about the Silverback Gorilla Safari

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Gorillas and Maasai Mara Safari

9 days • 3 locations • 2 country
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.

Visiting Kigali, Volcanoes and 1 other area

US$11,270 - US$14,090 per person

Read more about the Gorillas and Maasai Mara Safari

Map

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$12,160 - US$17,600 per person

Read more about the Mona Monkey Safari

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