Two primates, two forests, one short trip. Track golden monkeys in the bamboo of Mgahinga, then spend up to four hours with a gorilla family in Rushaga, starting and ending in Kigali.
In short: Golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the Gorilla Habituation Experience in Rushaga and nights at Lake Mutanda and in Rushaga, with transfers from and to Kigali.
Kisoro, in Uganda’s far southwest, sits between two remarkable forests. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park covers the Ugandan slopes of the Virunga volcanoes, where bamboo forest is home to the golden monkey, an endangered primate with a bright orange-gold coat. An hour or two away lies Rushaga, the only place in Uganda offering the Gorilla Habituation Experience.
This itinerary combines the two from a Kigali start. Golden monkey tracking is an easier walk than a gorilla day, which makes it a good warm-up for the altitude, and the troops are lively and photogenic in the filtered light of the bamboo.
You spend two nights at Lake Mutanda, below the volcanoes, and two in Rushaga, so neither trek day begins with a long drive.
Drive from Kigali through Musanze and cross into Uganda at Cyanika. From Kisoro it is a short drive to Lake Mutanda, where you arrive in time for an afternoon on the lake terrace with the Virunga volcanoes on the horizon.
Overnight: Chameleon Hill Lodge, Lake Mutanda · Meals: Lunch, dinner
An early drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for golden monkey tracking. A ranger leads you into the bamboo zone on the volcano slopes, where you spend time with a habituated troop as they feed and leap through the canopy. The walk is usually shorter and gentler than a gorilla trek. Afternoon free, with an optional canoe trip on Lake Mutanda.
Overnight: Chameleon Hill Lodge, Lake Mutanda · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
A short morning transfer to Rushaga on the edge of Bwindi. Spend the afternoon on a community walk or resting before your habituation day.
Overnight: Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Registration and briefing at the Rushaga park office, then into the forest with the trackers and researchers. You spend up to four hours with a gorilla family still being habituated, then walk out and collect your certificate.
Overnight: Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga · Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
After breakfast you drive back via Cyanika to Kigali, arriving in the afternoon for your hotel or flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Colourful chalets above Lake Mutanda with views of the Virunga volcanoes, an easy base for both Mgahinga and Rushaga.
Forest-edge cottages 6 km, about 10 minutes, from the Rushaga briefing point. En-suite rooms, full-board meals and packed lunches on trek days. Read our guide.
Lodges are chosen for location first. We can swap any of them for a different style or budget.
Priced per person and quoted for your dates, group size and lodge choice, always including the US$1,500 habituation permit. Groups of four are the most cost-effective, because four people fill a whole habituation group.
See our gorilla trip cost guide for typical flight, visa, insurance and tipping costs.
In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park near Kisoro, on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. It is about an hour or two from Rushaga.
It is usually easier than gorilla trekking, with a shorter walk on the lower volcano slopes. Good walking shoes and a rain jacket are enough for most people.
Yes. Starting in Entebbe adds a long drive or a flight to Kisoro each way, so we usually add a day. Ask us for an Entebbe version.
Golden monkeys are on day 2 and habituation on day 4, with a lighter day in between.
No. Gorilla and golden monkey permits are non-refundable once issued.
Only eight habituation places open each day in Uganda. Send your dates and we will confirm availability and a price, usually within one working day.
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