Rwanda: 3-Day Gorilla & Golden Monkey Combo — Double Primate Encounter

Rwanda: 3-Day Gorilla & Golden Monkey Combo — Double Primate Encounter

Maximize your primate experience in Rwanda with this compact 3-day combo tour. Track mountain gorillas on one day and the endangered golden monkeys on the next — two of Africa’s most extraordinary primate encounters in a single trip. Volcanoes National Park is the only place on Earth where you can see both species in their natural habitat within 48 hours. The golden monkey, with its striking golden-orange back and playful nature, provides a completely different tracking experience — set in the park’s bamboo zone, with lighter trekking and abundant photographic opportunities.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Kigali — Volcanoes National Park
Arrive Kigali, transfer to Volcanoes National Park. Afternoon visit to Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village — experience traditional Rwandan dance, drumming, and meet former poachers turned conservation guardians. Check into your lodge with Virunga volcano views. Pre-trek briefing. Overnight.

Day 2: Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Early morning trek to encounter one of Rwanda’s habituated mountain gorilla families. The full-day experience includes transfer to park HQ, briefing, trek (1-4 hours), the magical one-hour gorilla encounter, and return to lodge. Afternoon at leisure to reflect on the experience — possibly the most moving wildlife encounter of your life.

Day 3: Golden Monkey Tracking — Kigali Departure
Morning golden monkey tracking in the bamboo zone. Unlike gorilla trekking, the terrain is gentler and the monkeys are highly active — leaping through bamboo, foraging, and displaying their acrobatic prowess. Return to lodge for lunch before the drive back to Kigali. Airport transfer for evening departure.

Inclusions

• 2 nights mountain lodge (full board)
• 1 gorilla permit ($1,500 value)
• 1 golden monkey permit ($100 value)
• Private guide, 4×4 vehicle, airport transfers
• Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village visit