4-Day Rwanda Golden Monkey Tracking & Lake Kivu Tour

This 4 day Rwanda golden monkey tracking tour is a gentler alternative to gorilla trekking: you follow a troop of golden monkeys through the bamboo forest of Volcanoes National Park, learn drumming or cooking with local hosts in Musanze, then relax by Lake Kivu and visit a tea plantation. Park fees and the golden monkey permit are included, along with full board, a local guide and all transport.

Golden monkeys are endangered and live only in the bamboo forests of the Virunga volcanoes. They move fast and chatter constantly, so tracking them is livelier than the quiet hour with gorillas. Our guide to golden monkey trekking in Rwanda and Uganda compares the two countries, and the Volcanoes National Park guide explains the park.

The rest of the trip is about Rwanda's landscape and people: a cultural afternoon in Musanze, a birdwatching walk through the sacred forest of Buhanga, a sunset canoe on Lake Kivu and a visit to a tea plantation. See the cultural experiences page and the best Rwanda cultural experiences guide for more, and the Rwanda destination page for the country as a whole.

Moderate. Golden monkey tracking involves a walk through the forest on slopes that can be steep and muddy, and the time to find the troop varies. It suits people who are comfortable with nature walks and light hiking. The other days involve short walks, boat rides and drives.

June to September and December to February are the driest months, with firmer trails. The wetter seasons make the forest muddy but quieter. Bring a rain jacket and warm layer in any season; the cool mornings at altitude surprise many visitors.

This trip suits travellers who want primates but not a long hike, families with teenagers and anyone adding a short Rwanda trip to a longer holiday. For gorillas as well see the 4-day Rwanda gorilla trekking tour, and for caves and cultural visits the 5-day golden monkeys and Musanze caves tour. The 4-day golden monkey tracking and cycling tour is the active version.

Golden monkey permits are limited, so book ahead. If you would like the same region with a conservation focus, see our Signature Journey, the 7-day Rwanda gorilla trekking tour with culture and ReGreen, which includes golden monkey tracking and tree planting, and the Hundred Trees initiative page.

Planning this trip? Our guides on the golden monkey trekking permit in Rwanda, what to do in Volcanoes National Park and a Rwanda itinerary without gorilla trekking cover the main questions to settle before you book.