2 Days Golden Monkey Trekking In Rwanda

2 Days Golden Monkey Trekking in Rwanda

Safari vacations and ravel services bring the 2 Days golden monkey trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanos National Park that takes you to one of Africa’s oldest wildlife conservation areas.

Brief introduction

The Volcanoes National Park is situated in the northwestern part of Rwanda. It is no doubt the most popular national park in Rwanda. The park has seen a significant increase in the number of visitors ever since reopening in 1999 after the civil war and genocide. The key attraction is the endangered mountain gorillas but the park is also home to golden monkeys, forest elephants, buffaloes, bush duikers, and spotted hyenas. The Volcanoes National park has 178 species of birds on record. The park has diverse vegetation including afro-alpine types (on higher altitudes), bamboo forests on the lower mountain slopes, hygienic rainforests, savanna grasslands, and swamps. The existence of five volcanoes within the park that is; Mount Karisimbi, Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Bisoke, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Muhabura. Is a key factor for its remarkable biodiversity.

The Volcanoes national park caught the attention of the world during the late 1960s and early 1970s as a result of the work of the great primatologist Dian Fossey. Dian Fossey studied mountain gorillas in the area for two decades and died as a result of her stand against poachers. She studied mountain gorillas in detail and introduced new methods of gorilla habituation. She later changed her focus from research only to gorilla conservation in Africa. Dian Fossey is credited for helping end excessive poaching of park animals and mountain gorillas in particular. Without her efforts in attracting funding and bringing to the attention of the world the critical challenges faced by mountain gorillas, they would probably be extinct by now.

2 Days of Golden monkey trekking in Rwanda involve hiking through diverse vegetation to encounter one of the cutest monkeys on earth. Golden monkeys are a sub-species of the blue monkey. They are only found within the Virunga ranges in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In Uganda, 2 Days golden monkey tracking safari they are found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park while in Congo they are found in Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega National Parks.

Rwanda does not only have the golden monkeys in Volcanoes National park, but also in Gishwati-Mukura National Park and Nyungwe National Park. Golden Monkeys are recognized by fur coats that are golden-orange in color. They live in troops that can have 80 individuals. Golden monkeys feed on mostly bamboo, and insects and will raid gardens for potatoes. Their most enemy is the African Eagle. They are always on the lookout for Eagles especially when it is raining. The golden monkeys in Nyungwe and Gishwati-Mukura are not habituated however there are 2 habituated groups of golden monkeys in the Volcanoes National Park totaling about 85. These two habituated groups live on the slopes of Mount Sabinyo.

Golden monkey trekking is the unique reason being that there is no age limit. Even families with kids can go to track the primates. Unfortunately, golden monkeys are endangered just like the mountain gorillas. Their numbers have dropped in the last two decades and there are concerns among primatologists that if nothing is done, they could become extinct.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Pickup from Kigali – Kigali City Tour – Transfer to Ruhengeri – Iby’iwacu Cultural Village

One of our professional Guides will pick you up from Kigali in the morning from your hotel or at the airport. He will brief you about the tour and take you on a city tour of Kigali. The city tour in Kigali involves visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, the former presidential palace, city markets, and craft shops. You will have lunch on the 2 Days Golden Monkey tracking tour and then proceed to the Volcanoes National Park. The journey takes about 2 hours through the amazing countryside with beautiful rolling hills and sights of people working in their gardens. Once you reach your lodge, check-in, refresh and briefly enjoy the majestic views of the Virunga volcanoes. The driver will come to pick you up and take you for a tour of the Iby’iwacu Cultural Center, Rwanda’s most visited cultural site. Due to it being all of Rwanda’s tribes gather to showcase their cultural heritage through dance, drama, and storytelling. This is where you will learn everything there is to know about the people and culture of Rwanda. You will be requested to participate and buy one of the local souvenirs.

Dinner and Overnight at either Kinigi Guest House (Budget), Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range) and Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury).

Day 2: Golden Monkey trekking – Departure to Kigali

Wake up early and take your breakfast before transferring to the headquarters in Kinigi. The briefing starts at 7:30 and ends at 8:00 am. From there, you will be taken along other trackers to the starting point which is at the foot of the Volcano. The scenery is beautiful with dense green forest and the five volcanoes standing in all directions. Finding the monkeys is easy because they love eating bamboo which is found on the lower slopes of the Volcanoes. After finding them, you are allowed one hour with them. You are free to follow them if they move about. Golden monkeys are not shy once they finish the 2 Days Golden Monkey Trekking in Rwanda process of habituation.

Expect to have close encounters with them which will allow you to get nice photos of them. Unlike mountain gorillas, golden monkeys don’t mind flash cameras. In fact, they love being photographed. Taking good photos is not easy because of their mobility but you will have no issues with videos.

Golden monkeys are very playful primates and you will be amazed as you watch them showcase their natural skills in climbing trees and picking tasty shoots from the edges of bamboo trees. They love potatoes and will not hesitate to go out into human gardens to get a few. You will learn more about their behavior and why they are endangered.  You will return to the starting point after one hour with the gorillas and then continue the journey back to Kigali.

End of Tour

Note: the 2 days of golden monkey trekking in Rwanda has included and excluded and they are as follows.

Tour includes

• Park fees
• Permits for golden monkeys
• Transport and fuel for a 4X4 tour van
• A Guide with excellent English speaking skills
• One-night Full board accommodation
• All meals during the tour
• Bottled water the entire tour
• Airport transfers
• All activities indicated in the itinerary
• Government taxes

Tour Excludes

• Air tickets and Visas
• Fees for Porters
• Tips to porters, Guides, Rangers, or hotel staff
• Travel insurance
• The cost of purchasing any shopping-related expenses
• Laundry services, telephone bills
• Luxury spirits and wines or soft drinks
• Accommodation

Accommodation

Mountain Gorilla View Lodge:

This is a luxury lodge built close to the entrance of the Volcanoes National Park in a place called Kinigi. The lodge is located at the foot of Mount Karisimbi and Sabyinyo. Karisimbi is the fourth highest mountain in Africa. Mountain Gorilla View Lodge is part of the 3B Group of hotels which run four accommodation facilities in Kigali, Lake Kivu, Akagera, and the Volcanoes National Park. The group has built a reputation for building luxury lodges at a relatively modest price when compared to some of the other lodges in their class. The lodge has 30 spacious and comfortable chalets. High-quality and durable local material was used to build the chalets. Each chalet is self-contained with a coffee-making machine, fireplace, and balcony. The lodge supports nearby communities by purchasing their farm products and preparing them for guests at the restaurant.

Muhabura hotel:

Muhabura Hotel is ideal for tourists who have come golden monkey trekking, visiting the grave of Dian Fossey, gorilla trekking, or hiking the Virunga Volcanoes. This hotel is set in a calm neighborhood in the northern province of Rwanda close to the Volcanoes National Park. Muhabura Hotel has 30 self-contained rooms with showers, working desks/tables, mosquito nets, flush toilets, televisions, and a balcony. The rooms are categorized into single rooms, twins, and doubles. To cater to families, six apartments with very spacious interiors were built. Other facilities in the hotel include free Wi-Fi, laundry services, scenic gardens for relaxation, a children’s playground, and a fully stocked shop.

La Palme Hotel:

La Palme Hotel is a mid-range hotel located in the city of Musanze. The hotel is a favorite for business travelers as well as tourists. The hotel stands out for its famous restaurant which offers excellent French cuisines. The hotel also has a well-stocked bar with both local and international drinks. The hotel has free Wi-Fi, conference facilities, airport transfer services, and a large parking space. There are four conference rooms that can accommodate between 10 to 150 people. So if you are planning on having a teleconference, meeting, or workshop during your tour of the park, this could be a great choice. Are you planning to track golden monkeys at the volcanoes national park or visit the Musanze caves in Rwanda, La Palme will be your perfect choice.