Climb to the crater lake on Mount Bisoke, track golden monkeys and spend an afternoon in a Rwandan village.
Not everyone who comes to the Virungas wants to trek gorillas. This journey is for walkers: a full day on Mount Bisoke, whose summit crater holds a perfect green lake, and a morning with the golden monkeys.
We stay at Virunga Lodge, perched above the Twin Lakes with views of five volcanoes, and spend an afternoon with the community at Iby’iwacu cultural village.
Rwanda
Luxury safari
Handpicked luxury lodges and camps, chosen for their setting, service and guiding.
Private safari
Your own vehicle and guide for the whole journey, never shared with other travellers.
Made to measure
Change the pace, a lodge or an activity and we rebuild the itinerary around you.
Start any day
Travel on the dates that suit you, subject to lodge and permit availability.
Solo travellers welcome
Priced for one on request, with the single supplement shown under Rates.
Minimum age 12
Suitable for travellers aged 12 and over.
Pace and fitness
Active, fitness: challenging.
We meet you at Kigali International Airport and take you to The Retreat, a calm boutique hotel with a saltwater pool. Dinner at Fusion, the hotel restaurant, is a lovely start.
Overnight
The Retreat by Heaven (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A small, solar-powered boutique hotel in Kigali with its own spa and Fusion restaurant.
Visit the Genocide Memorial and the Kimironko market before driving north. Virunga Lodge sits high above Lakes Burera and Ruhondo, and the sunset from the terrace is one of the best in the country.
Overnight
Virunga Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A hilltop lodge between the Burera and Ruhondo lakes, with views of five volcanoes.
Start early for the climb through bamboo and hagenia forest to the rim of Bisoke’s crater lake. It is a steep, muddy and very rewarding hike. After a hot lunch, visit Iby’iwacu cultural village, where former poachers share traditional dance, medicine and daily life.
Overnight
Virunga Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A hilltop lodge between the Burera and Ruhondo lakes, with views of five volcanoes.
Track the golden monkeys in the bamboo this morning, then drive back to Kigali for your onward journey.
The Retreat by Heaven (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A small, solar-powered boutique hotel in Kigali with its own spa and Fusion restaurant.
Dinner
Virunga Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A hilltop lodge between the Burera and Ruhondo lakes, with views of five volcanoes.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Important to know
Rates per person
| Season | Solo | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 5 people | 6 people | 7+ people |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High season (Jun to Oct, Dec to Feb) | US$3,410 | US$2,690 | US$2,529 | US$2,529 | US$2,529 | US$2,529 | Get quote |
| Low season (Mar to May, Nov) | US$3,090 | US$2,370 | US$2,228 | US$2,228 | US$2,228 | US$2,228 | Get quote |
Prices are per person, in US dollars, and depend on the number of travellers sharing the vehicle and guide. They are sample rates for planning and will be confirmed when you enquire, as lodge and permit prices change each year.
Best time for this trip Jun to Sep, Dec to Feb
For gorilla and chimp treks, bring sturdy waterproof hiking boots, long trousers you can tuck into your socks, a long-sleeved shirt, a light rain jacket and gardening gloves for grabbing vines. Porters are available at the trailhead and we recommend hiring one: it helps your trek and supports the local community.
Pack light, neutral colours for game drives, a warm fleece for early mornings, a sun hat and good sunscreen. Light aircraft have a soft-bag limit of 15 kg per person including hand luggage, so leave the hard suitcases at home.
Made to measure
Every Uwera safari is private. Slow the pace, add a night by a lake, swap a lodge or bring the children: tell us in your request and we will rebuild the itinerary around you.
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