3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Safari and Golden Monkey Trekking
Overview of the 3 Days Rwanda Gorilla trekking and Golden Monkey safari
The 3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Golden Monkey safari is a thrilling wildlife experience that offers travelers the chance to explore the lush rainforests of Volcanoes National Park, home to some of Rwanda’s most iconic primates. This carefully designed 3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking itinerary combines two of the park’s most sought-after activities—gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking—making it one of the most memorable short safaris in the region. Ideal for wildlife enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike, this 3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking tour provides a deep and personal connection with nature as you track the rare mountain gorillas and the playful golden monkeys that inhabit the misty slopes of the Virunga Mountains.
Your 3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking adventure begins with an immersive hike into the thick rainforest where you’ll spend a magical hour observing a habituated family of gorillas in their natural environment. Witnessing their interactions, expressions, and behaviors at such close range is a profound and humbling experience. On the second day of this 3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Golden Monkey safari, you’ll set out on another exciting trek, this time in search of the vibrant and energetic golden monkeys. This combined gorilla and golden monkey trekking experience gives you a chance to see two of Volcanoes National Park’s most remarkable primates in one unforgettable trip.
In addition to the wildlife encounters, this 3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking safari includes a cultural component that allows you to connect with Rwanda’s rich traditions. You’ll visit a local cultural village where you can learn about ancient customs, traditional medicine, music, and dance. This cultural immersion adds depth to the 3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking experience, rounding out the adventure with insight into the daily lives and heritage of the Rwandan people. Whether you’re here for gorillas, golden monkeys, or Rwanda’s warm hospitality, the 3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking safari is the perfect combination of wildlife, culture, and lasting memories.
3 Days Rwanda gorilla trekking & Golden Monkey safari Itinerary
Day 1: Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Your adventure begins with a warm welcome from your Universal Ventures Rwanda driver-guide, who will take you on a half-day guided tour of Kigali, Rwanda’s vibrant and clean capital. You’ll explore key cultural and historical landmarks including the Kigali Genocide Memorial, the Kandt House Museum, and bustling local craft markets where you can browse handmade souvenirs and art. After lunch at a local restaurant in the city, depart for Volcanoes National Park, enjoying the scenic drive through Rwanda’s stunning countryside. Upon arrival, you’ll head to the park for registration, followed by a cultural visit to the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village. Here, you’ll learn about Rwanda’s traditional customs, medicine, dance, and wedding practices. The day ends with check-in at your lodge near the park, where you’ll enjoy dinner and a relaxing overnight stay.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
After an early breakfast, your guide will transfer you to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi for a pre-trek briefing by park rangers. Volcanoes National Park is home to 10 habituated mountain gorilla families, and your assigned group will determine the trek’s duration and difficulty. The park forms part of the greater Virunga Massif, which spans the borders of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Once you locate the gorilla family, you’ll spend an unforgettable one hour in close proximity to these gentle giants—observing their behavior, taking photos, and witnessing the strong familial bonds that define their social groups. After this extraordinary wildlife encounter, return to your lodge for a relaxed evening and overnight stay.
Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking and Return to Kigali
This morning, after breakfast, you’ll head back to the park headquarters for a second briefing, this time for your golden monkey trekking experience. Golden monkeys are lively, playful primates that live in the bamboo forests of the Virunga Mountains. Unlike gorillas, they are highly active, often leaping between branches and foraging for bamboo shoots and fruits. This trek is generally less demanding, as the golden monkeys are usually found closer to the base of the forest. You’ll have the chance to follow and photograph them as they move through their habitat—even occasionally sneaking into local gardens for potatoes! After your trek, enjoy lunch in Musanze before beginning the return drive to Kigali, where you’ll be dropped off at your hotel or the airport, depending on your schedule.
End of the 3 Days Gorilla & Golden Monkey Trek Safari in Rwanda
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✅ What’s included of 3 Days Rwanda gorilla trekking
- Entrance Fee
- Gorilla Trekking Permit
- Entry fee-Golden monkeys
- Entry fee-Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
- Accommodation: 3-4 Stars
- Transportation 4×4 jeep
- Meals and soft drinks
- Wi-Fi internet
- Bottled water
- Professional driver guide
- Pick-up and drop-off
- Pick-up & Drop-off.
❌ Exclusions of 3 Days Rwanda gorilla trekking
- Alcoholic drinks
- Anything not explicitly mentioned.
🧳 What do I need to bring?
- Comfortable clothing
- Sturdy and comfortable footwear
- Rain gear
- Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Camera and extra batteries
Cancellation policy:
- Bookings are non-refundable. All sales are final.
Book for this Gorilla trekking tour
Posted on Karsten Sidelmann VajhøjVerified Akagera National Park It was a very interesting day in Akagera National Park. We saw many different animals, and the nature was beautiful. Kim was great at spotting the game and was also a very nice and pleasant person to talk to throughout the whole tour.Posted on Kaushik BVerified Memorable trip to see the gorillas! Really enjoyed this trip to Volcanoes national park. Uviversal Ventures arranged it perfectly well. The driver was very punctual and friendly. He did an excellent job not only as a driver but also as a guide by providing useful information about visiting the park, etc.Posted on Caroline LVerified A wonderful experience! We had a really great 1 day trekking tour with Universal Ventures Rwanda. Everything was beautifully organized, with great attention to small details. Our driver, Christian, truly went above and beyond to make sure that we had an amazing experience thanks to his professionalism and kindness. He carefully answered every question, and was sure to point out spots of interest. We are so thankful!Posted on rosaVerified Amazing experiences, the company you need to book with! Cannot recommend this company enough! 20/10 would recommend both for solo and couple/friend travels. We actually did three different activities with them: Gorilla trekking 1 day, Kigali tour and 2night/3d in Lake Kivu. It was super professional, safe, beyond reliable and so well organized. First of all, our guide Christian (ask for him!) was incredible. Super professional, knowledgeable and great ressources provided. He really made sure we had the best experience. Suggested experiences along the way and made sure we got to them even though they were not included in the initial itinerary and did not even blink at the idea of prolonging his long day just for our benefit. He was also the nicest human being. One of us got sick and he simply brought us back to the hotel for her to rest and continued the itinerary with the rest of the group. He also helped us run errands even though he absolutely did not have to. He is also super punctual and really just cares about the guests. Super nice guy and really goes above and beyond. Also takes the best pictures and knows the best spots for your feed 😄 Second, Emmanuel (company owner) was the most responsive and helpful person we have ever interacted with. Super thorough and present. Third, the vehicles were in excellent conditions and water was always available. Lastly, the vendors/companies they work with are amazing. The boat tours in Kibuye (ask to go with Fabrice!), the hotel on Lake Kivu, all amazing! They truly are a gem of a company :) would definitely rebook with them without hesitations!Posted on Andrei RVerified Awesome Outstanding experience ! My guide Shadady went above and beyond paying attention to all my needs.Highly recommended !Posted on EdMotionVerified Nzirorera was just chill The Rwanda admissions fee of US$1500 is excessive for the experience. But the tour guide company’s service was easy and just fine. My guide and driver was Nzirorera Shadady who was extremely chill and helpful and conversational guy who gave me insights into many things about his country. My sneakers was fully submerged in deep mud during the walk and he got someone from the town nearby to clean my shoe completely while we had lunch after the experience. The gorillas? Akin to meeting them in a zoo. Except that here we had to trek 4-5 km. Something to be done once in our lives, I guess although I met Americans who were paying the $1500 per person for five days in a row. Even the locals were impressed by such extravagance.Posted on Amy CVerified Smooth and great experience for gorilla trekking I booked my trip from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park with Universal Travel at the very last minute, and the entire experience was incredibly smooth and well-organized. I already purchased my permit but neglected transportation until the day before. Really appreciate them for accommodating us!Seeing the gorillas was absolutely unforgettable. Christian, our driver and guide, picked us up directly from our hotel in Kigali and made sure we were comfortable, informed, and perfectly on time for every key moment of the trek. The drive itself can be intense, so we were especially grateful for his skill, calmness, and guidance throughout the journey.Overall, a fantastic experience. Highly recommend Universal Travel and Christian for anyone planning a gorilla trek in Rwanda.Posted on Gilberto JVerified Experience BEYOND AMAZING! A must do in Rwanda I booked a one-day tour from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking, and it was absolutely exceptional from start to finish. The company handled everything with professionalism — including arranging all the official trekking logistics directly with the national park — which made the whole experience completely stress-free.My guide, Christian, was outstanding. He picked me up exactly on time in a new, clean, and very comfortable car, which immediately set the tone for a great day. Throughout the entire journey, he made sure I was comfortable, informed, and fully prepared for the trek ahead.Christian stayed with me through every step of the process, from check-in to the briefing area to the trailhead, always making sure I was ok. It felt like exploring with someone truly invested in making sure I had the best possible day.The gorilla trekking itself was unforgettable, but the quality of service is what made the day seamless and memorable.Highly, highly recommended for anyone considering a day trip from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park. I would absolutely book with this company again.Posted on sb12015Verified Extraordinary experience I had the pleasure of exploring Rwanda with Christian as my guide, and he was exceptional from start to finish. He’s the kind of guide who instantly makes you feel at ease — professional, attentive, and genuinely passionate about sharing his country’s culture, wildlife, and history.Posted on NarraGirl01Verified Once in a Life Time We had the good fortune to have Fidel as our guide for this once in a lifetime opportunity. Fidel and his team of porters and trackers were fantastic. We were assigned to a large family of gorillas (24) took about 2hrs to trek to them. It was such a memorable and wonderful experience. The guides/porters really knew how to respect and communicate with the gorillas. I cannot recommend this highly enough. The park and the activities are well managed and organised (in addition to gorillas).
