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6 Days Rwanda Gorilla, Golden Monkey and Lake Kivu Safari
Overview – 6 Days Rwanda Gorilla Golden Monkey and Lake Kivu Safari
The 6 Days Rwanda Gorilla Golden Monkey and Lake Kivu Safari is an unforgettable Rwanda primate adventure combining extraordinary wildlife encounters with scenic lakeside relaxation and cultural experiences. Your journey begins in Kigali with a scenic transfer to Volcanoes National Park, home to endangered mountain gorillas and playful golden monkeys. Enjoy an unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking experience, spending up to one hour observing a habituated gorilla family in its natural habitat, followed by an exciting golden monkey trekking adventure through the beautiful bamboo forests of the Virunga Mountains.
Your 6 Days Rwanda Gorilla Golden Monkey and Lake Kivu Safari continues to the magnificent shores of Lake Kivu, where you will enjoy a relaxing holiday surrounded by beautiful green hills, peaceful beaches and breathtaking lake views. Discover the lake’s scenic beauty through a guided boat cruise, explore local fishing communities, experience Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage and enjoy time relaxing along the waterfront. With private transportation, carefully selected accommodation and an experienced driver-guide, this Rwanda gorilla safari offers a wonderful combination of primate encounters, spectacular landscapes and lakeside relaxation before returning to Kigali for departure.
Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary – 6 Days Rwanda Gorilla Golden Monkey and Lake Kivu Safari
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – Transfer to Your Hotel
Your 6 Days Rwanda Gorilla Golden Monkey and Lake Kivu Safari begins upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, where your professional English-speaking driver-guide will warmly welcome you and assist with your luggage. After completing the airport formalities, you will receive a brief introduction to your upcoming safari before enjoying a comfortable private transfer to your selected hotel in Kigali. Along the way, you will have your first impressions of Rwanda’s beautiful capital, known for its green hills, welcoming atmosphere and modern development.
Upon arrival at your hotel, you will check in and spend the remainder of the day relaxing after your international journey. Depending on your arrival time, you may explore the hotel’s surroundings or simply enjoy a peaceful evening. Dinner and overnight will be at your hotel as you prepare for the exciting experiences ahead.
Meal Plan: Dinner, depending on arrival time.
Day 2: Kigali City Tour – Scenic Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast at your hotel, begin your day with a guided Kigali city tour, exploring some of Rwanda’s important cultural and historical attractions. Your experience will include a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where you will learn about the country’s history and remarkable journey towards reconciliation and rebuilding. Depending on the available time, you may also visit local craft markets or cultural centres to experience aspects of everyday life in Rwanda’s capital.
Following lunch, you will begin your scenic transfer to Volcanoes National Park, located approximately 2–3 hours from Kigali. The journey takes you through beautiful rolling hills, traditional villages and green agricultural landscapes, with impressive views of the Virunga Mountains as you approach Musanze. Upon arrival, check in at your selected lodge or hotel, enjoy the peaceful mountain surroundings and prepare for the following morning’s gorilla trekking adventure.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Today is one of the most exciting days of your safari as you prepare for an unforgettable encounter with endangered mountain gorillas. After an early breakfast, your driver-guide will transfer you to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi for registration and the morning trekking briefing. Experienced park rangers will explain the trekking procedures, conservation regulations and safety guidelines before accompanying you into the beautiful bamboo forests and volcanic slopes.
Your mountain gorilla trekking experience takes you through dense vegetation in search of a habituated gorilla family. Once located, you will spend up to one extraordinary hour observing the gorillas in their natural habitat. You may witness powerful silverbacks, playful youngsters and mothers caring for their infants while learning about their fascinating social behaviour.
After completing your trek, return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. Spend the afternoon enjoying the refreshing mountain atmosphere, admiring the beautiful Virunga scenery or simply resting after your remarkable wildlife adventure. Dinner and overnight will be at your selected lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Golden Monkey Trekking – Scenic Transfer to Lake Kivu
After breakfast, return to Volcanoes National Park for another exciting primate adventure featuring the beautiful golden monkeys. Following a briefing at the park headquarters, you will enter the bamboo forests with experienced ranger guides in search of these playful and colourful primates. Golden monkeys are known for their energetic movements, distinctive golden-orange fur and fascinating social behaviour, making them wonderful subjects for wildlife observation and photography.
During your guided golden monkey trekking experience, you will have up to one hour observing these remarkable primates as they feed, play and move through the bamboo vegetation. After completing your trek, return for lunch before beginning the scenic journey towards Lake Kivu, approximately 1½–2 hours away in the Rubavu/Gisenyi area.
Upon arrival, check in at your selected lakeside hotel and enjoy the beautiful views of Lake Kivu, surrounded by rolling green hills and peaceful shorelines. Spend the evening relaxing by the waterfront, appreciating the refreshing lakeside atmosphere before enjoying dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Lake Kivu Boat Cruise – Cultural Experiences and Lakeside Relaxation
After breakfast, enjoy a relaxing day exploring the beautiful surroundings of Lake Kivu, one of Rwanda’s most scenic holiday destinations. Begin with a guided boat cruise across the lake’s peaceful waters, enjoying spectacular views of the surrounding hills, picturesque islands and lakeside communities. Your boat excursion provides wonderful opportunities for photography, nature appreciation and discovering the lake’s beautiful landscapes from a different perspective.
Depending on your interests and the arrangements for your excursion, you may explore selected islands or visit traditional fishing communities along the shoreline. These experiences offer an opportunity to learn about local fishing practices, community traditions and the importance of Lake Kivu to the people living around it.
In the afternoon, return to your hotel for relaxation and leisure. You may enjoy a peaceful beach walk, admire the magnificent lake views or simply relax along the waterfront. As evening approaches, appreciate the beautiful sunset over Lake Kivu before enjoying dinner and another comfortable overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Scenic Transfer from Lake Kivu to Kigali – Departure
After breakfast, enjoy your final moments along the beautiful shores of Lake Kivu before preparing for your return journey to Kigali. Depending on your departure schedule, you may have some time for a leisurely morning walk, photography or simply relaxing while admiring the peaceful lake scenery.
Following checkout, meet your professional driver-guide and begin the scenic journey back to Kigali. The approximately 3–4-hour drive from Rubavu/Gisenyi takes you through Rwanda’s beautiful rolling hills, traditional villages and green countryside. Along the way, you will enjoy impressive landscapes and wonderful views of the country’s picturesque rural surroundings.
Upon arrival in Kigali, your driver-guide will transfer you to Kigali International Airport in time for your scheduled departure flight. This marks the end of your unforgettable six-day Rwanda safari, leaving you with wonderful memories of mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkey encounters, scenic landscapes and peaceful relaxation along Lake Kivu.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Approximate Transfer Time: 3–4 hours.
Departure Recommendation: An afternoon or evening international flight is recommended.
Book your 6 Days Rwanda Gorilla Golden Monkey and Lake Kivu Safari
Included/Exclude
- One Rwanda gorilla trekking permit per person (USD 1,500).
- One golden monkey trekking permit per person in Volcanoes National Park.
- Accommodation for 5 nights in selected hotels and lodges.
- Meals as specified in the safari itinerary.
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with a professional English-speaking driver-guide.
- Airport pickup and drop-off, including all scheduled ground transfers.
- Guided Lake Kivu boat cruise and cultural experiences.
- Applicable national park entrance and activity fees.
- Bottled drinking water during transfers.
- International flights.Visa fees.
- Personal travel insurance.
- Tips and gratuities.
