4 Days Rwanda Gorillas & Golden Monkey Trek

Staying at Davinci Gorilla Lodge

Safari Overview

The 4 Days Rwanda Gorillas & Golden Monkey Trek is the most affordable Rwanda safari itinerary on offer in 2026, designed for travellers who want to experience the very best of Rwanda’s primate encounters without needing an extended stay. Based for three nights at the comfortable Davinci Gorilla Lodge in Volcanoes National Park, this tour combines mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, cultural immersion, and a dose of Rwandan history at the Kigali Genocide Memorial. It is an ideal choice for travelers on a tighter schedule who still want a complete and meaningful Rwanda experience.

What’s Included

• Airport transfers
• All activities highlighted in the itinerary
• 3 nights at Volcanoes National Park, at Davinci Gorilla Lodge, on a full-board meal plan
• Visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Museum
• 1 gorilla trekking permit per person (includes RDB briefing, guide, and trek) – US$1,500
• 1 golden monkey trekking permit per person (includes RDB briefing, guide, and trek) – US$100
• Visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
• Visit to the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
• Exclusive use of a private 4×4 safari land cruiser, with Wi-Fi where available
• Services of a professional, experienced French-speaking driver-guide
• Bottled mineral water in the vehicle throughout the tour
• Ongoing assistance from our team

What’s Excluded

• International and domestic flights, unless otherwise stated
• Additional activities, visits, entrance fees, and extra meals or drinks not listed in the itinerary
• Entry visa fees
• Optional extras while in Kigali
• Drinks throughout the trip
• Tips and gratuities
• Personal expenses such as phone calls, mini-bar charges, porterage, and travel insurance

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Your adventure begins on the volcanic slopes of the Virunga Mountains, bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo. Volcanoes National Park is world-renowned as a sanctuary for the rare mountain gorilla, drawing travellers from across the globe for the chance at a face-to-face encounter with these remarkable animals. Beyond the gorillas, the park offers scenic hiking trails, including the popular day hike up Mount Bisoke to its crater lake, along with the historic Karisoke Research Centre and the tomb of renowned primatologist Dian Fossey.

Itinerary:

• 09h00 – Estimated arrival time in Kigali
• 09h30 – Meet your guide and transfer to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Museum
• 11h00 – Depart for Volcanoes National Park
• 13h20 – Lunch at the lodge
• 13h30 – Estimated arrival and check-in
• 15h00 – Visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
• 18h00 – Dinner and overnight at your lodge

Featured Activities

Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum: Located in the Gasabo district just outside Kigali city centre, the memorial was established through a partnership between the Kigali City Council and the UK-based Aegis Trust. It offers a moving, educational, and ultimately inspiring look at Rwanda’s history — the tragedy of the genocide and the country’s remarkable recovery since. The tour is sombre and humbling, particularly when visitors learn that over 250,000 victims are laid to rest at the site.

The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund: This 12-acre campus sits adjacent to Volcanoes National Park and showcases sustainable architecture and environmentally responsible design. It houses state-of-the-art laboratories, a scientific conservation library, and meeting spaces, all built to inspire visitors toward a lifelong commitment to gorilla conservation.

Meal Plan: Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch, and Activities

Day 2: Mountain Gorilla Trekking, Volcanoes National Park

Itinerary:

• 06h00 – Breakfast at the lodge
• 06h30 – Transfer to park headquarters for the gorilla trekking briefing
• 08h00 – Begin your gorilla trek
• 12h00 – Estimated return from the forest
• 12h30 – Transfer back to the lodge
• 13h00 – Lunch at the lodge
• 15h00 – Afternoon at leisure
• 18h00 – Dinner and overnight at your lodge

Featured Activity

Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park: This is the heart of the tour — the chance to spend an hour with one of ten habituated gorilla families living within the park. Trekkers are grouped in parties of up to eight according to fitness level, with each group accompanied by a guide and two trained scouts equipped to handle emergencies. Trek duration varies considerably depending on where each gorilla family happens to be that day; some encounters take under an hour to reach, while others require the better part of a day of hiking through dense montane forest. Regardless of the walk, the reward is an unforgettable hour observing gorillas feeding, playing, resting, and raising their young in the wild.

Meal Plan: Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch, and Activities

Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking & Cultural Village Visit

Itinerary:

• 06h00 – Breakfast at the lodge
• 06h30 – Transfer to park headquarters for the golden monkey trekking briefing
• 08h00 – Begin your golden monkey trek
• 12h00 – Return from the forest
• 13h00 – Lunch at the lodge
• 15h00 – Afternoon visit to the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
• 18h00 – Dinner and overnight at your lodge

Featured Activities

Golden Monkey Trekking: Volcanoes National Park is also home to troops of golden monkeys, found in groups of up to eight for trekking purposes. These lively primates are found closer to the base of the volcanoes, where they feast on the abundant bamboo vegetation. Unlike the more reserved gorillas, golden monkeys are energetic and highly active, often putting on a show for the tourists and researchers they encounter daily.

Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village: This visit offers a window into traditional rural Rwandan life in a village that has coexisted with mountain gorillas in the shadow of the Virunga volcanoes for centuries. Guests are welcomed as honoured visitors and given a genuine glimpse into local customs, beliefs, and daily life — from grinding seeds and firing traditional bows to watching an intore dance. It is a warm, community-led experience that rounds out the wildlife-focused days with a human story.

Meal Plan: Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch, and Activities

Day 4: Departure

Itinerary:

• 07h00 – Breakfast at the lodge
• 09h00 – Depart for Kigali
• 13h00 – Lunch in Kigali, with time for local market shopping
• 16h00 – Transfer to Kigali International Airport
• 16h20 – Estimated arrival at the airport
• 16h30 – Check in for your outbound flight
• TBA – Departure flight time to be confirmed

Accommodation: Davinci Gorilla Lodge

Nestled within Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda, Davinci Gorilla Lodge serves as an ideal base for both gorilla and golden monkey tracking. Rooms come equipped with free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, heating, satellite TV, safety deposit boxes, mosquito nets, and hairdryers. Guests can enjoy local and international cuisine at the on-site restaurant, along with a well-stocked bar and 24-hour room service.

Important Note on Permits

Gorilla and golden monkey trekking permits are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged once secured. Only 96 gorilla permits are issued per day across all of Rwanda, so it is essential to confirm permit availability for your group size before booking is finalised.

Wishing you an unforgettable Rwanda adventure!