Rwanda’s highlights in five days: Kigali’s history and culture, golden monkeys in the bamboo, a gorilla trek, and a hike to Dian Fossey’s research site or Bisoke’s crater lake.
This five-day itinerary covers the best of northern Rwanda at a comfortable pace. You start in Kigali with the city’s history and culture, then spend three nights near Volcanoes National Park for golden monkeys, a gorilla trek and a hike to either Dian Fossey’s research site or the crater lake of Mount Bisoke.
Each day in Volcanoes brings a different experience: the lively golden monkeys in the bamboo, the intensity of the gorilla hour, and a longer hike with history or views. Evenings are spent at a lodge near the park, with fireplaces and views of the volcanoes.
Arrive in Kigali and, after a short rest, set out with your guide to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where exhibitions explain the history of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and Rwanda’s path to reconciliation. In the afternoon, explore Kimironko market and an art studio, and end the day with dinner at one of the city’s good restaurants.
Leave Kigali early and drive north-west through the hills to Kinigi. After the 7:00am briefing at Kinigi, set out to track golden monkeys in the bamboo zone at the foot of the volcanoes. These endangered monkeys, with their bright orange-gold backs, live only in the Virunga region. Troops are lively and noisy, leaping between bamboo stems and feeding on shoots, and the habituated group is usually found within an hour. You spend one hour with them; photography is a challenge as they move quickly, which makes it all the more fun.
Leave your lodge early for the 7:00am briefing at the Kinigi park headquarters, where traditional dancers often perform while guides assign visitors to the habituated gorilla families according to fitness. Each family is visited by a maximum of eight people a day.
Drive to the trailhead at the edge of the park and walk through farmland to the stone wall that marks the forest boundary, then into bamboo and hagenia woodland on the slopes of the volcanoes. Some families are reached in under an hour, others take three or four. When you find them, you spend one hour watching the gorillas feed, rest and play, keeping a respectful distance, before walking back down to receive your certificate.
Spend the afternoon resting at the lodge or visiting the Gorilla Guardians Village.
Choose your hike. The Dian Fossey trail climbs through farmland and forest on Mount Bisoke to the ruins of the Karisoke Research Center, founded in 1967, and to the graves of Dian Fossey and her favourite gorilla, Digit; it takes 3–4 hours return. Alternatively, climb Mount Bisoke itself, a steep 6–7 hour round trip to a crater lake at about 3,700 metres, with views across the Virunga volcanoes on clear days. Both hikes cost US$75 including park entry. Read hike to Dian Fossey’s research site and Bisoke crater lake hike.
After a leisurely breakfast with views of the volcanoes, drive back to Kigali, stopping at viewpoints along the way. You arrive by early afternoon, in time for an evening flight or a final coffee in the city.
Lodges shown match the quoted price. Ask us about mid-range and luxury upgrades.
The Dian Fossey hike is shorter and focused on history; Bisoke is a tougher climb with spectacular views and a crater lake. Both are muddy, so good boots are essential.
For the north, yes. To add Lake Kivu, Nyungwe or Akagera, see our 8-day Rwanda itinerary.
Golden monkeys, gorillas and the Dian Fossey hike require a minimum age of 15; Kigali activities suit all ages.
Waterproof boots, rain jacket, long trousers, gloves, warm layers for the evenings and smart-casual clothes for Kigali.
Yes: gorillas, golden monkeys and your chosen hike.
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Change the dates, add a night, upgrade a lodge or combine it with Rwanda or Kenya. Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll send a revised plan and price.
