Safari Overview
A 4-day, 3-night trip that combines mountain gorilla and golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park with a visit to the Dian Fossey Karisoke Research Centre and a community banana-beer experience. You travel in a private 4WD with a driver-guide, and both trekking permits are included.
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Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrival and drive to Musanze, Karisoke Research Centre
Your journey begins the moment you land at Kigali International Airport. Our meet-and-greet team welcomes you, helps you through immigration and with your luggage, and hands you over to your driver-guide, who stays with you throughout your time in Rwanda. After a short introduction, take the scenic 3-hour drive to Musanze, Rwanda's second-largest town, set against the five volcanoes of the Virunga range. Check in at your hotel for lunch. Later, visit the Karisoke Research Centre. Dr Dian Fossey founded the Karisoke Research Centre in 1967 and began her research on gorilla behaviour there; it is the world's longest-running gorilla research site. Highlights include a replica of her forest cabin with original artefacts, a 360-degree theatre showing gorilla footage and a virtual-reality experience. Return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Golden monkey tracking and intercultural exchange
This day is set aside for golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park. You walk through dense stands of bamboo and open glades into golden monkey territory, where guides lead you to habituated groups. Viewing is limited to one hour, during which adults feed on bamboo leaves and leap from perch to perch and females carry their young. Return to the lodge for lunch, then drive to the Redrocks Intercultural Exchange Centre to join local brew makers and learn how beer is made from bananas. You can help the women squeeze the juice from the bananas (optional), see how the juice turns to alcohol once sorghum flour is added, and taste the local brew. The centre also offers basket weaving, and your visit supports local families. Later, drive to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay. Your permit covers the park entrance fee and a ranger-guide. A porter is optional at USD 25 per porter.
Mountain gorilla tracking and drive to Kigali
After an early breakfast, drive to Kinigi, the Volcanoes National Park headquarters, to meet your guides. Once park formalities are complete you set off to track mountain gorillas through the forest on the slopes of the Virungas. When you find the family you spend one hour with them, close enough to watch them feed, play and rest. The trek can be strenuous, up to six hours or longer at altitude, so good fitness is recommended. If you cannot trek far, ask your driver-guide to request a group with a shorter walk. Bring hiking boots, long trousers, gloves for stinging nettles, snacks for yourself and plenty of water. Return to the lodge for lunch, then drive to Kigali, arriving at your hotel for check-in and an overnight stay. Your permit covers the park entrance fee and a ranger-guide. A porter is optional at USD 25 per porter.
Kigali city tour and departure
After breakfast your day starts with a tour of Kigali. Kigali is often described as one of Africa's best-kept cities, with tree-lined streets, a striking modern convention centre and hillsides of red-roofed homes and terraced farmland. Rwanda is called the land of a thousand hills. Stops may include the craft market, the Gisozi genocide memorial and the Kigali museum. Depending on your flight time, enjoy some last-minute shopping in one of Africa's friendliest capitals before returning to the airport for your flight home. End of service.
Rates per person by group size
| Travellers | 2026 (USD) | 2027 (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5,786 | $5,986 |
| 2 | $4,885 | $5,085 |
| 3 | $4,701 | $4,901 |
| 4 | $4,610 | $4,810 |
| 5 | $4,555 | $4,755 |
| 6 | $4,519 | $4,719 |
| 7 | $4,492 | $4,692 |
| Single room supplement | $351 | $451 |
Rates are per person and depend on the number of travellers sharing the private vehicle. Please confirm current rates when you enquire.
Hotels & Camps Used
Tiloreza Eco Lodge
Musanze
Four Points by Sheraton Hotel
Kigali
Included
- Transport in a 4WD safari vehicle used only by your group
- Pick-up and drop-off at Kigali International Airport, with meet and greet
- Professionally trained English-speaking driver-guide and all guide fees
- One gorilla tracking permit per person (US$1,500) and one golden monkey tracking permit per person
- One litre of drinking water per person per day in the vehicle
- Flying Doctors registration and evacuation fee
- Activities in the programme
- Meals and accommodation as listed
- All applicable taxes and service charges
Not Included
- International flights and Rwanda tourist visa
- Travel insurance
- Tips for the driver-guide or local escorts
- Drinks, dining-room tips and personal items such as phone calls and laundry
- Porter for treks (optional, USD 25 per porter)
- Activities not in the programme
- Upgrades to more expensive accommodation than quoted
Optional Extras
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Rwanda Primates Safari cost?+
The 4 Days / 3 Nights Rwanda Primates Safari starts from $4,492. The final price depends on your travel dates, group size and room category, so please enquire for an exact quote.
What is the itinerary for the Rwanda Primates Safari?+
Day 1: Arrival and drive to Musanze, Karisoke Research Centre. Day 2: Golden monkey tracking and intercultural exchange. Day 3: Mountain gorilla tracking and drive to Kigali. Day 4: Kigali city tour and departure.
Where will we stay on this trip?+
Tiloreza Eco Lodge (Musanze); Four Points by Sheraton Hotel (Kigali).
What is included in the price?+
Transport in a 4WD safari vehicle used only by your group; Pick-up and drop-off at Kigali International Airport, with meet and greet; Professionally trained English-speaking driver-guide and all guide fees; One gorilla tracking permit per person (US$1,500) and one golden monkey tracking permit per person; One litre of drinking water per person per day in the vehicle; Flying Doctors registration and evacuation fee; Activities in the programme; Meals and accommodation as listed; All applicable taxes and service charges.
What is not included?+
International flights and Rwanda tourist visa; Travel insurance; Tips for the driver-guide or local escorts; Drinks, dining-room tips and personal items such as phone calls and laundry; Porter for treks (optional, USD 25 per porter); Activities not in the programme; Upgrades to more expensive accommodation than quoted.
Good to Know
- Rates are per person, based on group size (see the rates table), and exclude international flights and visas.
- Primate trekking is physically demanding, up to six hours or longer at altitude. Permits give a fixed one-hour visit with the group.
- We recommend comprehensive travel insurance for the full duration of your trip.
- Errors and omissions are excluded.
