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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: Day-by-day

Our aim is always to design a trip around your wishes; this is simply an idea for a safari with your own personal guide and 4WD. Do talk to us to design your perfect trip.


Day 1

Starts: Kigali International Airport

Day 1

Kigali to Akagera by private 4WD

Having met your guide at the airport, you'll be driven east in your own 4WD through rolling hills and small farms with bananas and tropical fruit growing on the side of the road. It's a beautiful drive, usually arriving at Ruzizi Tented Lodge on the shores of Lake Ihema after around three hours. Should you wish to stop, however – perhaps to take photos or to visit a village – just chat to your guide about the options. This is very much your trip.

Kigali Tour and Genocide Memorial Visit
Day 1

Kigali Tour and Genocide Memorial Visit

You'll be driven around Kigali to see the highlights of the city, with a main stop at the Genocide Memorial and museum. This will give you a fascinating, though sobering, insight into Rwanda's modern history. It is remarkable to learn just how far Rwanda has come in such a short period of time and it certainly adds a deeper understanding about the Rwandan people. Read all about Kigali Tour & Genocide Memorial Visit

Ruzizi Tented Lodge
Days 1-3

Ruzizi Tented Lodge

2 nights
Full BoardAkagera National Park, Rwanda

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.

Ruzizi Tented Lodge

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.

"Extremely comfortable and well run. Lovely position on the lakeside."

Mr & Mrs RfromGlos

Arrived 18 Jul 2022, 3 nights

Ruzizi Tented Lodge is a simple but comfortable safari lodge, with a commendable eco policy. The food is excellent, considering the location and the power sources, and the location beautiful and serene. Staff are friendly and offer efficient service. This is our favourite accommodation in Akagera and makes a great stop as part of a longer trip around Rwanda. See our full report on Ruzizi Tented Lodge

100%
6 reviews of Ruzizi Tented Lodge by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Boat trip

Fishing

Guided walking safari

Night drive

Akagera Sunset Boat Safari
Day 2

Akagera Sunset Boat Safari

Akagera’s Lake Ihema is a beautiful contrast to the rolling hills of the east of Rwanda, and the flatter plains to the north. Relax and enjoy the peace and quiet on your cruise, while watching the sunset over the lake and the national park beyond. Read all about Sunset Boat Safari

Day 3

Akagera to Kigali by road

Today's journey back to Kigali gives you the chance to absorb the beauty of the surroundings as you leave Akagera. Do discuss the drive with your guide beforehand so you can enjoy the trip at your own pace – perhaps including a stop for coffee or lunch before arriving at the Kigali Serena Hotel in the centre of the Rwandan capital.

Kigali Serena Hotel
Day 3

Kigali Serena Hotel

1 night
Bed & BreakfastKigali, Rwanda

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.

Kigali Serena Hotel

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.

"Location was so convenient "

Gina DaifromNYC

Arrived 13 Oct 2023, 1 night

Overall, on our last visit to the Kigali Serena in May 2017, we were really impressed. The hotel was clean and comfortable and we felt it had a much more relaxed feel than some of the other international hotels in the city. The service was friendly and relatively efficient (compared to our experiences elsewhere in Rwanda) and the food was good. This is our favourite option for a night or two in Kigali. See our full report on Kigali Serena Hotel

89%
75 reviews of Kigali Serena Hotel by travellers since August 2007

Activities

Cultural excursion

Day 4

Kigali to Nyungwe Forest NP by road

Your private guide will collect you from the Kigali Serena Hotel for the journey to Nyungwe, continuing your exploration of this "country of a thousand hills". The drive takes you through farmland and rice fields, with lunch en route, typically reaching Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, with its stunning forest views, after around six hours. But this is very much your trip, so if you'd like to stop for photos, to visit a village, or to take in the King's Palace, do chat to your guide about the options.

King’s Palace & Museum Visit
Day 4

King’s Palace & Museum Visit

If your trip in Rwanda incorporates travelling south from Kigali, a visit to the King’s Palace and Museum gives an interesting insight into Rwanda’s cultural history and monarchy. It's also ideally placed to break up the long journey to Nyungwe Forest. Read all about King’s Palace

Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
Days 4-7

Nyungwe Top View Hill

3 nights
Full BoardNyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda

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.

Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

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.

"The position is very scenic"

Mr & Mrs RfromGlos

Arrived 22 Jul 2022, 3 nights

At first glance, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel looks quite smart, but on closer inspection it is a little scruffy. The furniture may be modern but it's a mish-mash of design, and is quite cheaply made. And we were pretty disappointed with the food. Yet regardless of the hotel's imperfections we thought the location was great and it is certainly comfortable enough, offering relatively good value. Indeed, the slight scruffiness and the odd mix of styles is rather endearing. In addition, the staff try really hard and we'd expect the friendly atmosphere and welcoming service to add enormously to the overall experience. See our full report on Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

80%
19 reviews of Nyungwe Top View Hill by travellers since August 2007

Activities

Birdwatching

Cultural excursion

Guided walking safari

Primate trekking

Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest
Day 5

Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest

Trekking to see the chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park can be exhilarating. While sighting them in dense forest can be challenging, to watch them cavorting in the tree tops, their all-too-human characteristics to the fore, makes this an exceptionally rewarding half-day excursion. Read all about Chimpanzee Trekking

Colobus Trekking in Nyungwe
Day 6

Colobus Trekking in Nyungwe

Visiting the black-and-white colobus monkeys of Nyungwe Forest is a highly enjoyable excursion. A gentler walk than trekking in search of chimpanzees, it takes you through lush green tea plantations surrounding an isolated patch of rainforest, where these striking primates can be spotted jumping around the trees. Read all about Colobus Monkey Trekking

Day 7

Nyungwe to Lake Kivu by 4WD

As you travel north today, the forests of Nyungwe give way to stunning views over Lake Kivu and its islands, stretching as far as the Democratic Republic of Congo. It's not a long drive – around three hours – but with the flexibility to choose where and when you stop, you can spend as long as you like taking photographs or just revelling in the scenery before arriving at Cormoran Lodge, overlooking the lake.

Cormoran Lodge
Days 7-9

Cormoran Lodge

2 nights
Full BoardLake Kivu, Rwanda

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.

Cormoran Lodge

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.

"Location is excellent and idyllic."

Mr F & familyfromBelgium

Arrived 3 Feb 2019, 1 night

Overall, we love the location of Cormoran Lodge, and the view over the lake is stunning. It's quirky style, and rustic interiors offer a cosy atmosphere, reminiscent of an alpine ski lodge! The staff are friendly and the food, although a little hit and miss, is on the whole fairly good. It’s a great place for a few days’ rest and relaxation by the water, and would be ideal for those looking for something that is small in size, personal and relatively economical in this area. See our full report on Cormoran Lodge

85%
29 reviews of Cormoran Lodge by travellers since August 2007

Activities

Birdwatching

Boat trip

Kayaking

Watersports

Day 9

Lake Kivu to Volcanoes NP by private 4WD

This morning you'll drive north, leaving the lake behind, the increasingly hilly terrain culminating after around four hours in the foothills of Volcanoes National Park, and Mountain Gorilla View Lodge. On the way, you'll pass a number of tea or coffee plantations interspersed by the occasional village, so if you'd like to stop to explore, or perhaps look round the Museum of the Environment near Kibuye, have a chat with your guide; the choice is yours.

Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Days 9-13

Mountain Gorilla View

4 nights
Full BoardVolcanoes National Park, Rwanda

On the slopes of Mount Sabyinyo, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge has beautiful views of the surrounding volcanoes. Nestled beneath the towering, forested Virunga range, and perfectly placed for gorilla trekking, the lodge is aptly named. The setting, the friendly atmosphere and the best value for money in the area combine to give this lodge enduring appeal.

Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

On the slopes of Mount Sabyinyo, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge has beautiful views of the surrounding volcanoes. Nestled beneath the towering, forested Virunga range, and perfectly placed for gorilla trekking, the lodge is aptly named. The setting, the friendly atmosphere and the best value for money in the area combine to give this lodge enduring appeal.

First up are the sizeable grounds on the slopes of the extinct Mount Sabyinyo, the trees alive with birds and monkeys, and views at almost every turn.

Dotted around the site, 40 large, rather rustic cottages constructed of stone and thatch offer plenty of privacy. Comfortable yet simply furnished, if rather old-fashioned, they have plain plastered walls, a sleeping area raised slightly above the lounge, and a colourful bathroom.

To offset the chill of mountain evenings, there’s a fireplace in each room and in the main area, whose burnt-red walls, patterned rugs and zebra-print sofas afford a somewhat eclectic charm.

Its setting aside, the hotel’s entire raison d’être is its proximity to Rwanda’s habituated mountain gorilla families. Just a 15-minute drive brings you to the start of the trek in Volcanoes National Park, while seeking out golden monkeys, hiking or even canoeing are also on the agenda.

"My room was very nice and an excellent view. "

KrisfromArizona

Arrived 15 Oct 2023, 4 nights

Then, come the evening, settle down on the lawn to watch traditional Rwandan Intore dancing before drinks around the firepit and a homely dinner to round off the day. See our full report on Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

87%
114 reviews of Mountain Gorilla View by travellers since August 2007

Activities

Birdwatching

Canoeing

Cultural excursion

Helicopter

Primate trekking

Golden Monkey Trekking
Day 10

Golden Monkey Trekking

Spend a morning trekking to find the golden monkeys in the Volcanoes National Park. These endangered monkeys are endemic to the Albertine Rift area and are characterised by their golden-orange fur. You’ll be able to enjoy an hour watching them jump through the bamboo and hunker down to chew bamboo leaves, curiously watching you, as you watch them.
Your driver-guide from Kigali will operate your transfers to the park headquarters and introduce you to your trekking group and parks guide. Read all about Golden Monkey Trekking

Gorilla Trekking Safari
Day 11

Gorilla Trekking Safari

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is a magical experience, transcending any other wildlife encounter we know. Meeting a gorilla family in their forest home, led by a dominant male silverback and a cluster of females and young, is a natural adventure that fully repays the cost in unforgettable memories and images.
Your driver-guide from Kigali will operate your transfers to the park headquarters and introduce you to your trekking group and parks guide. Read all about Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla Trekking Safari
Day 12

Gorilla Trekking Safari

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is a magical experience, transcending any other wildlife encounter we know. Meeting a gorilla family in their forest home, led by a dominant male silverback and a cluster of females and young, is a natural adventure that fully repays the cost in unforgettable memories and images.
Your driver-guide from Kigali will operate your transfers to the park headquarters and introduce you to your trekking group and parks guide. Read all about Gorilla Trekking

Day 13

Volcanoes National Park to Kigali by road

On leaving Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, the drive back to Kigali Airport takes you through the fertile, rolling hills of western Rwanda. It's a fascinating journey of around four hours, depending on any stops you make en route (do ask your guide about the options) before arriving in time for you to make your onward connections.



Day 13

Ends: Kigali International Airport

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Experiences you can add to this trip.

Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst staying at lodges on this trip. These are usually best arranged in advance so talk to us.


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)

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