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5 Day Rwanda Gorilla and Golden Monkey Safari with Lake Kivu

Trek mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park, then travel to Karongi for a Lake Kivu boat cruise, island visits and a night beside the water.

Plan This Safari

5 Days / 4 Nights / Kigali Return / Private Safari

Mountain gorilla in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park / Mountain Gorillas
5 Days 4 Lodge Nights
2 Primate Treks Gorillas and Golden Monkeys
1 Lake Night Karongi on Lake Kivu
Private 4x4 Kigali Pickup and Drop-Off
Your Journey at a Glance

From Rwanda's mountain forests to the shores of Lake Kivu

Spend 3 nights near Volcanoes National Park and 1 night in Karongi, with a separate morning for each primate trek.

01 / DAY 1

Kigali to Kinigi

Meet your driver and travel north to your lodge near the park.

02 / DAYS 2 AND 3

Volcanoes

Gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking and time to rest between outings.

03 / DAY 4

Lake Kivu

Drive to Karongi for a boat cruise, island visits and a lakeside overnight.

04 / DAY 5

Return to Kigali

Leave the lake after breakfast and continue to your agreed drop-off.

Forest Mornings and Lake Afternoons

Gorillas, golden monkeys and time beside the lake

This 5 day Rwanda gorilla and golden monkey safari starts in Kigali and keeps the first 3 nights near Volcanoes National Park . Staying in the same lodge means you can prepare for both trekking mornings without packing up between them.

Your gorilla trek takes place on Day 2. Rangers lead the walk through the forest to your assigned family, with up to one hour for viewing once the gorillas are reached. Day 3 brings golden monkey tracking through bamboo habitat, where the pace changes as the monkeys feed and move between stems.

After the forest days, continue to Karongi on Lake Kivu. Take a boat to Napoleon Island and Amahoro Island, then settle into your hotel for the final night. The lake stay leaves room to put down your trekking boots and enjoy a slower afternoon.

Private road transfers connect each stop and bring you back to Kigali on Day 5. Travellers with more time can compare our Rwanda safari packages or extend their stay around Lake Kivu.

What Your Safari Includes

Safari Highlights

01

Trek mountain gorillas with park rangers in Volcanoes National Park.

02

Spend up to one hour watching your assigned gorilla family.

03

Track golden monkeys through the park's bamboo forest.

04

Stay 3 nights near the park, with free afternoons after trekking.

05

Cruise Lake Kivu from Karongi and visit Napoleon and Amahoro islands.

06

Enjoy 1 lakeside night and private transfers from and back to Kigali.

Mountain gorilla in Rwanda's forest
Mountain Gorillas
Golden monkey in Rwanda
Golden Monkey Tracking
Fishing boats on Lake Kivu in Rwanda
Lake Kivu
Your 5 Day Journey

Rwanda safari day by day

3 nights near Volcanoes National Park, followed by 1 night in Karongi. Both primate permits are included for each participating traveller.

01

Arrive in Kigali and transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Meet your BLS Safaris driver at Kigali International Airport or your agreed city pickup point. Travel north through cultivated hills and small towns towards Musanze and the Kinigi area. Allow about 2.5 to 3 hours for the drive, depending on traffic and your lodge location.

Check in and settle into your room. Keep the afternoon free to rest after the journey. Before dinner, your driver will confirm the next morning's departure and help you prepare your boots, rain jacket and daypack.

Wilderness Sabyinyo / Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge Dinner, Subject to Arrival Time Approximately 2.5 to 3 Hours by Road
A late flight arrival can require a Kigali overnight before travelling north. Share your flight schedule before confirming the trekking dates.
02

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Have an early breakfast and drive to Kinigi for the 7 am park briefing. Complete registration, meet the rangers and receive your gorilla-family allocation before continuing to the trailhead. Tell the team about your walking ability and any mobility concerns.

Walk into the forest at the ranger's pace. The route can cross bamboo, muddy ground and uneven slopes. The gorillas' movements determine how far you walk, so keep the day free for the trek and return.

Once your group reaches the family, spend up to one hour watching the gorillas feed, rest and move through the vegetation. Follow the ranger's instructions, keep the required distance and take photographs without flash.

Walk back to your vehicle and return to the lodge. Lunch arrangements depend on the length of your outing, with a packed meal arranged when needed. Rest during the afternoon and enjoy dinner at the lodge.

Wilderness Sabyinyo / Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner one Gorilla Permit per Trekking Guest Up to one Hour With Gorillas
Gorilla trekking has a minimum age of 15 years. Porter assistance can be arranged separately. Guests with a contagious illness must not enter the forest to visit gorillas.
03

Golden monkey tracking and a free afternoon

After breakfast, return to Kinigi for your golden monkey briefing. Meet the park team and continue to the starting point for the walk. The trackers will direct your group towards the monkeys' feeding area.

Follow the trail into bamboo habitat and watch for movement above and beside the path. Golden monkeys are quick on their feet, feeding among the stems and jumping between branches. Keep your camera ready, with the flash switched off.

Spend up to one hour with the group once it is reached. Walking to find the monkeys and returning to the vehicle take additional time. Return to the lodge for lunch and an afternoon at your own pace.

If you would like another outing, a visit to Gorilla Guardians Village can be arranged at an additional cost. Otherwise, relax at the lodge before tomorrow's drive to Lake Kivu.

Wilderness Sabyinyo / Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner one Golden Monkey Permit per Trekking Guest Optional Cultural Visit at Extra Cost
04

Drive to Lake Kivu, boat cruise and island visits

After breakfast, leave your lodge and travel to Karongi on Lake Kivu. Allow about 3 to 4 hours for the drive, with additional time for stops and changing road conditions. The scenery opens onto hills, lakeside settlements and bays as you approach Karongi.

Have lunch before meeting your local boat crew. Head onto the lake for visits to Napoleon Island and Amahoro Island. On Napoleon Island, follow the walking trail and look for fruit bats in the trees. Wear shoes with grip for the sloping island paths.

Continue to Amahoro Island for time beside the water before returning to Karongi. Check into your hotel and spend the evening overlooking the lake.

For a longer lakeside stay, our Lake Kivu and coffee tour adds time around Rubavu and the northern coffee-growing area.

Cleo Lake Kivu Hotel / Moriah Hill Resort Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Lake Kivu Boat Cruise Napoleon and Amahoro Islands
The boat route and island landings depend on lake conditions. Your crew will confirm the day's arrangements before departure.
05

Karongi to Kigali and departure

Enjoy breakfast beside Lake Kivu before checking out. Begin the return journey through Rwanda's hills to Kigali. Allow around 3 hours on the road, with extra time for stops and city traffic.

If your flight schedule allows, a Kigali Genocide Memorial visit can be arranged before your airport transfer. Confirm this addition in advance so enough time is kept for the visit and airport check-in.

Your driver will take you to Kigali International Airport or your agreed city hotel. This ends your 5 day Rwanda gorilla, golden monkey and Lake Kivu safari.

Breakfast Kigali Airport or Hotel Drop-Off No Overnight Included
Keep a comfortable margin between the road transfer and your flight. A morning departure from Kigali requires a change to the final overnight arrangements.
Your Safari Arrangements

Safari Inclusions and Exclusions

What's Included

  • Kigali pickup and drop-off at the agreed airport or hotel.
  • Private 4x4 transport for the scheduled road journey and activity transfers.
  • Professional English-speaking driver.
  • 3 nights near Volcanoes National Park and 1 night in Karongi.
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary and confirmed quotation.
  • 1 Rwanda gorilla trekking permit per participating traveller.
  • 1 golden monkey tracking permit per participating traveller.
  • Park ranger services for both scheduled primate treks.
  • Lake Kivu boat cruise with Napoleon and Amahoro island visits.
  • Applicable fees for the scheduled activities.
  • Bottled drinking water during road transfers.
  • BLS Safaris support during the journey.

What's Not Included

  • International flights.
  • Rwanda visa fees.
  • Travel and medical insurance.
  • Porter fees for the forest treks.
  • Tips for rangers, porters, drivers and lodge staff.
  • Gorilla Guardians Village visit, unless added to the quotation.
  • Kigali Genocide Memorial visit and associated arrangements, unless confirmed in the quotation.
  • Drinks outside the selected accommodation's meal plan.
  • Laundry, personal shopping, telephone calls and souvenirs.
  • Additional meals and activities outside the confirmed programme.
  • Accommodation before or after the 5 day safari.
Before You Travel

Rwanda Gorilla and Golden Monkey Safari FAQs

Answers to the main questions about the treks, accommodation and Lake Kivu stay.

1. How many gorilla treks are included?
This safari includes 1 gorilla trek on Day 2 and 1 golden monkey trek on Day 3. Each participating traveller receives the permits for those activities. A second gorilla trek requires another permit and a change to the itinerary.
2. How much time do we spend with the gorillas?
You have up to 1 hour with the gorilla family once your group reaches it. The walk to find the gorillas and the return to the trailhead take additional time. Keep the day free because the length of the walk changes with the family's location.
3. What is the minimum age for this safari?
Travellers taking both treks must be at least 15 years old because that is the minimum age for gorilla trekking. Rwanda's golden monkey tracking minimum is 12 years. Tell us the ages of younger travellers so suitable alternatives can be arranged.
4. How fit do I need to be?
Be comfortable walking on uneven, muddy slopes for several hours. Tell us about your walking ability before travel and explain any concerns during the park briefing. A porter can carry your bag and help on difficult sections. The final gorilla allocation is made by the park team.
5. What should I pack for the treks?
Bring hiking boots with grip, long trousers, long sleeves, a waterproof jacket and a small daypack. Gloves help around nettles and rough vegetation. Carry drinking water, your camera and a warm layer for the early start. Keep a dry change of clothes at the lodge.
6. When is the best time to take this safari?
June to September and December to February bring generally drier walking conditions. March to May and October to November are wetter, with muddier trails. The safari runs throughout the year, and rain protection is needed in every season.
7. Which lodges are used for the 4 nights?
Near Volcanoes, the options are Wilderness Sabyinyo or Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge for 3 nights. At Lake Kivu, the options are Cleo Lake Kivu Hotel or Moriah Hill Resort for 1 night. Your quotation names the selected properties and confirms availability and meal plans.
8. Can I fly out of Kigali on Day 5?
Yes, when the flight leaves enough time for the Karongi road transfer and airport check-in. Allow around 3 hours for the drive, with extra time for stops and traffic. Send your flight schedule before confirming the trip. A morning flight requires different final-night arrangements.
Your Rwanda Safari Starts Here

Meet the primates. Slow down beside Lake Kivu.

Share your travel dates, number of travellers and preferred accommodation with BLS Safaris. We will arrange your gorilla and golden monkey permits, 4 lodge nights, private transfers and Lake Kivu boat outing.

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BLS Safaris Ltd