Ever wish you could sit with endangered Mountain Gorillas in the mist, just like Dian Fossey did? Do you yearn to feel the thrill as the massive Silverback passes by?
Blackwood Safaris can make your dreams come true. Join our small-group Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trek in Rwanda, a land rich in natural treasures and cultural heritage. You can be one of 8 who will have a chance to hike in the Virungas to meet a gorilla family and take life-goal photos while Karen “Kayce” Blackwood coaches your photography skills on the spot.
Please inquire about accommodations for physical limitations or disabilities–we can get you up the mountain to see gorillas!
Here are some highlights of this trip:
Mountain Gorilla Trek,
Track rare endemic Golden Monkeys,
Tour the capital city of Kigali (pronounced "Chee-golly), including the Genocide Museum and a local fresh-air market.
Nature walk at the twin lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo.
River Mukunga canoe ride,
Local village visit,
Tour Ellen Degeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
Kareyce will be checking your settings during this exceptional experience. Gorillas are hard to photograph, but Karen will be sure you get your best shot. Join us, even if you aren’t a photographer! We’ll make you feel completely welcome.
Want more? Stay longer:
- 9-day Tanzania Great Migration & Ngorongoro Crater Photo Safari (July 24-August 1, 2026)
- 4-days In Search of Big Tuskers, Amboseli National Park Conservation Photo Safari (August 2-5, 2026)
Double and triple bookings qualify for discounts!
Expanded Itinerary:
DAY 1: Arrive in Kigali
We will meet you at Kigali International Airport (KGL, reached easily from Nairobi, London, Paris, Johannesburg and more). We’ll head to the hotel so you can relax. We will all meet for dinner and brief on our upcoming safari and the plans for the next day. We will spend the night in Kigali before beginning our advenure tomorrow. (hotel included; no meals included today)
DAY 2: Kigali City and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
We’ll start with a tour of the capital city of Kigali (pronounced “Chee-galee”). We’ll learn about the conflict between the Hutu and Tutsi tribes and the genocide that brought Rwanda onto everyone’s radar in 1994. How have they recovered in the 30 years since? We’ll learn about it firsthand from survivors.
Later, we’ll stop at a market where we can buy fresh fruit, crafts, and capture slices-of-life while we learn about the economy and culture of the warm Rwandan people.
Then we’ll head up to the mountains, stopping for a nature walk at the twin lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo along the way. We’ll have beautiful views of the surrounding dormant volcanoes reflecting on the lake. Villages dot the shores and we’re sure to say hello to local people. Birders will really enjoy spotting new species here, and of course we’ll take time to photograph them.
We’ll be ready to savor the flavors of dinner when we arrive at our accommodations.
Meals and Overnight at Da Vinci Lodge
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking & Cultural visit
On this anticipated day, we will head to the park headquarters early in the morning after breakfast. We will be briefed about the gorilla trek by the Rangers and then head to the forest in a 2 to 6-hour trek. We’ll photograph other wildlife and birds around us while we look for our closest cousins.
The goal is the gorillas, though. Once we find them, we get to stay in their presence for an hour. They are habiuated to humans, although still fully wild, but that means they are comfortable playing, eating, and resting in our presence. If we are lucky and are with a family group with youngsters, we just might be the subjects of intense curiousity. The light in the forest is tricky, and Kayce will make sure your settings will give you the best exposures for your best shots.
While still endangered, the growing population of Mountain Gorillas is a unique success story driven by naturalists, scientists, local people and tourists. We’ll learn how conservationists worked with nearby villages to save the species.
In the evening, we’ll visit one of those villages whose economy and culture are now intertwined with the safety of our closest cousins. We’ll find out what it means to live alongside wildlife in these beautiful mountains and how their experiences can help us influence other communities to preserve wildlife and ecosystems. This is a great opportunity to ask questions about the lives of locals, so think of a few good ones. Slice-of-life photos and portraits of the people here will be amazing memories for you.
Meals and Overnight at Da Vinci Lodge
DAY 4: Canoeing & the Ellen DeGeneres Campus
How would you like an easy paddle on a beautiful river that winds through local villages? The River Mukungwa begs for a canoe experience, so we’ll oblige, looking for birds and wildlife and meeting the people who live on its banks. We expect to see lots of African birds, possibly some otters, and lots of local people going about their day-to-day lives, but stopping to give us a friendly wave. No hippos or crocs here, so all you have to worry about is being playfully splashed by a fellow traveler.
Afterward our river play, we’ll have lunch to top off a lovely morning.
Remember when Ellen DeGeneres was overcome with emotion upon meeting wild Mountain Gorillas? She funded the Ellen Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, and we are going there this afternoon. Embodying the Fossey Fund’s mission to limit environmental impact, the Campus incorporates rainwater harvesting, green roofs, reforestation of former agricultural land, and a constructed wetland to treat wastewater and promote biodiversity. These initiatives have yielded positive results. The campus is now blossoming with wildlife, providing a living laboratory for researchers and students. We’re going to learn about the 55+ year history of gorilla conservation and meet the people who daily lead the way. We’ll cap the day with sundowners on the beautiful campus grounds before we head back to the hotel.
Meals and Overnight at Da Vinci Lodge
DAY 5: Golden Monkey Trek & Departure
Only about 3000 Golden Monkeys are left in the wild and they are all in the Virunga Mountains. We are going to meet some of the most gorgeous and rarest endangered primates today after breakfast. The photos will be stunning–that golden orange fur set against the verdent rainforest foliage is a photographer’s dream. We might even see other primates, like Olive Baboons and possibly even Mountain Gorillas on these paths–what a bonus if we do! We’ll watch for other wildlife species in the park and make the most of the day. What a privilege to spend time with wildlife that most people only dream of!
After this cherry-on-top ending, we’ll transfer back to Kigali for a drop-off at your hotel, or the airport, depending on your schedule. It’s always hard to say goodbye to new friends, isn’t it? (B, L)
END OF SAFARI
But wait…there’s more! Want to stay and see something amazing? Come with Blackwood Safaris to Tanzania for our Birthing Season Safari right after your trip to Rwanda! Ask about our double safari booking discount.
End of Safari
Continue your vacation and see more of East Africa. Extend with:
- 9-day Tanzania Great Migration & Ngorongoro Crater Photo Safari (July 24-August 1, 2026)
- 4-days In Search of Big Tuskers, Amboseli National Park Conservation Photo Safari (August 2-5, 2026)
Ask about our double- and triple-booking discounts!
Additional Information
Mammal Highlights
- Mountain Gorillas
- Golden Monkeys
- Olive Baboons
- Black and White Colubus Monkey
- Red Tailed Monkey
- Cape Buffalo
- Forest Elephants
- Bushbuck
- Giant Forest Hog
- Bush Pig
- Black Fronted Duiker
- Otter
- African Porcupine
- Hyrax
- Genet
- Slender Mongoose
- Civet
- Spotted Hyena
- Cane
Birding Highlights
- Scarlet Tufted Sunbird
- Grauer’s Swamp Warblers
- Lagden’s Bush Shrike
- African Green Broadbill
- Kivu Ground Thrush.
- Collared Apalis
- Ruwenzori Turaco
- Sun Bird
- Rwenzori Batis
- Rwenzori Double Collared
- Dusty Crimson Wing
- Red Faced Woodland
- Archer’s Ground Robin
- Rwenzori Turac
- Masked Mountain Apalis
- Grauer’s Rush-warbler
- Rwenzori Hill Babbler
Habitats Covered
- Savannah
- Wetlands
- Highlands
Special Moments
- Sitting eye-to-eye with Mountain Gorillas
- Hiking in the Virunga Mountains
- Walking in Dian Fossey’s footsteps
- Visiting the Ellen Degeneres Campus
- Seeing endangered Golden Monkeys
- Canoeing
- Birding
- Dormant Volcanos
- Local Markets
- Meeting friendly Rwandan people and learning about their culture
Photographic Opportunities
Excellent! You’ll be personally coached by Karen every step of the way.
Cost
Double Occupancy: $4,950 USD
Single Occupancy: $5,150 USD
Deposit: $30%
2nd Payment: 35% – 180 days prior to Safari
Final Payment: 35% – 90 days prior to Safari
Leader
Required Fitness Level
Please don’t let a disability disuade you; you can hire a sedan chair to be carried to see the gorillas. Cost varies, please contact us at info@BlackwoodSafaris.com to inquire.
Health Considerations
For more information, see your country’s health/travel website, or the CDC website: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/rwanda
Expected Weather/Temperatures
Electric Adapter
Gratuity Planning (in USD)
- Driver: $5-10/day
- Gorilla Trek Rangers: $10 – 20 each
- Porter for Gorilla Trek: $25 to hire, plus $10 – 25 tip if desired
- Golden Monkey Rangers: $10 – 15 each
- Canoe Guide – $5 each
- Nature Walk Guide – $5 each
- Staff at Lodges (staff tip box): $5/day (you may tip individuals directly if they go above & beyond for you; $1/bag for bellmen)
TOTAL for Gratuities: Minimum $150, Maximum $250
Plan for extra drinks, snacks, souveniers costs as well.
Included:
- Photography Coaching from Kayce Blackwood
- Gorilla Tracking Permits
- Golden Monkey Permits
- Canoeing Fees
- Ellen Campus Sundowner Experience
- Park Entry Fees
- Airport transfers
- 4 nights accommodations
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner on Days 2-4
- Breakfast, Lunch on Day 5
- Sufficient water during the entire trip and a cooler box in the vehicle to keep cold drinks.
Excluded:
- Local and International Airfare or Travel to/from Kigali
- Tourist Visas
- Travel, Medical, and Evacuation insurance — Mandatory
- Personal purchases
- Alcohol
- Gratuities
- Extra hotel nights
- Anything not mentioned as “included”