Golden Monkeys in the Virunga Bamboo on a Day Trip
This private day tour takes you from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park to spend time with golden monkeys, the lively, golden-orange primates of the Virunga volcanoes. Your driver/guide picks you up from your hotel at about 4:30 AM for the two-and-a-half-hour drive north, in time for the 7:00 AM briefing at park headquarters.
The trek through the bamboo forest is moderate, and you’ll have up to one hour with the troop. Afterward, you’ll take a guided tour of the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund before heading back to Kigali. With no gorilla permit to pay for, it costs far less than our 1-day gorilla trek.
Why You’ll Love This Safari
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Trip Details
Trip Details
Price
Price on request. Tell us your dates and group size, and we’ll send you a quote.
Meeting point
Your hotel in Kigali
Availability
Year-round, 7 days a week
Duration
1 day
Group size
Min. 1 person
Included
- Park fees (for non-residents)
- Golden monkey permits (one per person, non-resident)
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- A professional driver/guide
- Private vehicle (Toyota Prado, Land Cruiser or safari van, depending on group size) with hotel pickup and drop-off in Kigali
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- All taxes/VAT
- Drinking water
Not included
- International flights (from/to home)
- Accommodation in Kigali before and after the tour
- Meals
- Tips
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Porter fees
What to bring
- Waterproof jacket
- Warm jacket (the 4:30 AM start can be cold)
- Neutral-colored clothing (avoid bright colors)
- Long-sleeved shirt
- Long pants
- Good hiking shoes
- Gaiters (for mud and nettles)
- Hat
- Gloves
- Light backpack
- Sunscreen
- Snacks and lunch (meals are not included)
- Light face mask
Participation requirements
Min. age of 15 years old required to participate in this tour. Expect a long day: a 4:30 AM pickup and about five hours of driving in total, plus a moderate trek.
About your guide
Your safari will be led by an experienced local guide who will share facts about the wildlife, landscapes, and culture. Your guide is dedicated to ensuring your safari is safe, informative, and tailored to your interests.
What You’ll See & Do
Day 1: Golden Monkey Trek and the Ellen DeGeneres Campus
Your driver/guide will pick you up from your Kigali hotel at about 4:30 AM. The drive north to Volcanoes National Park takes about two and a half hours, and the hills come into view as the sun rises. You’ll reach park headquarters at around 7:00 AM to check in and join the pre-trek briefing.
Guides then lead you into the bamboo forest on the lower slopes of the volcanoes. The trek is moderate, and once you find the golden monkeys, you’ll have up to one hour to watch them jump between the bamboo stems and search the ground for food.
After the trek, you’ll take a guided tour of the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, close to the park. Its museum and research facilities explain Dian Fossey’s work and how Rwanda’s primates are protected today. Then you’ll drive back to Kigali for drop-off at your hotel.
Meals Included: None (drinking water provided)
Frequently Asked Questions
It suits travelers with one free day in Kigali who want to see the Virunga volcanoes and a rare primate without the cost of a gorilla permit. It also works the day before or after a gorilla trek, or if gorilla permits are sold out for your dates. Everyone on the trek must be at least 15 years old, and you should be ready for a 4:30 AM start.
It is a moderate walk, mostly through bamboo forest on the lower slopes of the volcanoes, and usually easier than a gorilla trek. Trails can be muddy, so wear good hiking shoes and long pants. Once you find the troop, the time with them is limited to one hour. Local porters can carry your bag; porter fees are not included.
We quote the price for your dates and group size. It includes the golden monkey permit, park fees for non-residents, the guided tour of the Ellen DeGeneres Campus, your driver/guide and vehicle for the round trip from your Kigali hotel, and drinking water. Meals are not included, so bring snacks or ask us about a lunch stop. Accommodation, tips and porter fees are extra.
Both are day trips from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park with a 4:30 AM pickup. The 1-day gorilla trek includes a $1,500 gorilla permit and an hour with a mountain gorilla family. This tour visits golden monkeys instead and adds the Ellen DeGeneres Campus, so it costs far less. If you have two days, our 2-day gorilla and golden monkey tour includes both treks.
Book as early as you can, especially for July and August, the busiest months in Volcanoes National Park. A 50% deposit confirms your booking. Because this is a private tour, we can turn it into an overnight trip with a gorilla trek the next morning, subject to permit availability. Send us your dates and we’ll suggest the best fit.
Our gorilla trekking permit guide explains how permits work and how far ahead to book them.
