4 days Rwanda golden monkeys and Uganda gorillas tour

Trip overview

This 4 days golden monkeys and gorillas trip starts from Kigali Rwanda and combines the golden monkeys trek in Rwanda and the gorilla trekking in Uganda. You will trek the bamboo forests in the base of the magnificent Sabyinyo volcano in Volcanoes National Park to find and get up close and personal with the striking golden monkeys. After the trek in the Virungas you shall cross over into Uganda for the gorilla trekking adventure in the dense jungles of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 – pick up from Kigali and transfer to Musanze, canoe ride on Mukungwa river

You will be picked up from your hotel in Kigali and you will travel to Musanze in the north of Rwanda which will be a 2 hour drive.

Arrive and check into your lodge.

In the afternoon you shall go for the canoe trip on River Mukungwa in Musanze. The 3 hours ride offers a perfect way for you to explore the lush countryside and enjoy the amazing scenery, meet the locals down the river and get an insight into their lifestyles and watch some wildlife including lots of water birds and possibly otters

Accommodation options to choose from:

Budget: Isange Paradise Resort

Midrange: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

Upmarket: Amakoro Songa Lodge

Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2 – golden monkey tracking in volcanoes national park and transfer to Bwindi in Uganda

Today you shall transfer to the Volcanoes National Park office at 7am for briefing and then go for the golden monkeys adventure in the base of the Sabyinyo volcano. The monkeys are easy to find because they live in the bamboo forest in lower areas of the mountains.

After a beautiful trek in the Virungas and an exciting encounter with the monkeys, you shall have lunch and transfer to Uganda and overnight near Bwindi forest

Optional activity:

Instead of the golden monkeys trek you can do the following activities:

Dian Fossey tomb trail hike: This is a beautiful trail in the valley between two mountains – Bisoke and Karisimbi. You will learn about the remarkable researcher Dian Fossey who dedicated her life to learning and protecting the gorillas, enjoy the amazing scenery of the Virungas, encounter a lot of wildlife with a chance to see gorillas along the trail

Accommodation options:

Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Camp

Midrange: Lake Mulehe Lodge

Upmarket: Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 – gorilla tracking in Bwindi Forest Uganda

After early breakfast, you shall transfer to Bwindi for the gorilla trekking adventure. Meet the park guides at 7am for briefing and allocation of the gorilla groups and thereafter set off into the forest to find the gorillas. With up to 19 habituated gorilla families, the most of any park, Bwindi is arguably the best gorilla tracking destination.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 – drive back to Kigali

After breakfast, you will check out and depart back to Kigali

Meal plan: Breakfast

Trips includes/excludes

How to prepare for your trip

Book and confirm your tour well in advance because the limited gorilla permits mean you can miss out on your preferred dates
Get into good fitness and prepare for a longer trek and to enable you enjoy the hike
Ensure you are free from contagious diseases such as cough and flue which can easily be transmitted to the gorillas since they share 98% DNA with humans. Otherwise if you are found to have any of these you shall not be allowed to do the tour
Essential items to bring for the trek include: good hiking shoes, long pants and long-sleeved shirt, rain jacket or poncho, insect repellent, sunscreen, gaiter, cap, and small backpack.

Uganda tours