4-Day Golden Monkey Tracking in Rwanda and Cycling Tour

This 4 day Rwanda cycling and golden monkey tour sees the area around Volcanoes National Park at two speeds: on foot, tracking golden monkeys through the bamboo forest, and by bicycle, riding the red-earth tracks to the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. You also visit the Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village. A mountain bike, permits, full board, a private vehicle and a driver guide are included.

Rwanda is known for its cycling, and the quickest way to understand the countryside is from a bike: you hear the wheels on red-earth tracks, greet farmers in their fields and watch the Twin Lakes appear below the volcano skyline. Our guide to road cycling tours in Rwanda explains more about the sport in the country, and the 8-day gravel cycling adventure goes much further.

Golden monkeys are endangered and live only in the Virunga ecosystem. They are fast and noisy, and tracking them is a livelier experience than gorilla trekking. Read our golden monkey trekking guide for how it works, and the Volcanoes National Park guide for the park. See the Rwanda destination page and our cultural experiences page for the village visit.

Moderate, and best for people who are happy being active for several hours. The golden monkey trek is mostly easy walking, but the forest can be wet, muddy and uneven with some steeper sections, and the troop may be some distance away. The cycling day asks for more endurance than a sightseeing ride: the route to the Twin Lakes is about 40 kilometres round trip, with some climbing before you reach the village tracks and viewpoints. Distance and route are adjusted to the group and the weather. You should be comfortable riding on mixed surfaces and walking on uneven ground.

June to mid-September is usually the easiest time, with firmer trails. In the wetter months the forest paths and cycling tracks get muddy, but the countryside is greener and the mood more atmospheric. Slow down on wet tracks, and use the packing list to prepare for rain.

It suits active travellers who like to combine wildlife with exercise. The 4-day golden monkey tracking and Lake Kivu tour is the gentler version, and the 3-day Mount Bisoke hike is the more demanding one. This tour is not suitable for people who find cycling or hiking difficult.

Golden monkey permits are limited, so book ahead. If you want a longer trip with community and conservation built in, see our Signature Journey, the 8-day Rwanda cultural experience and birding tour, and read about our community projects.