Gorillas, Golden Monkeys, and Volcano trekking

Hi,

Hoping someone can help me (and sorry in advance if these are obvious questions!). I am interested in doing the Gorilla trek, Golden Monkeys, and possibly a 2 day hike across the volcanoes in Rwanda. Is it possible to organize all this by myself (there are 2 of us) without going through a tour company - as they seem quite expensive. If so, any idea of the cost savings (say, if a tour company charges $3.5kUSD per person)?

Also, do you need to book permits to see the Golden Monkeys? Or to trek across the volcanoes? And approximately how much are these and how much advance notice is needed?

Thanks!

Justine

Yes, this is very well possible without a tour company. All activities you mention are organised by the Volcanoes National Park. A tour company just provides you the transport.

I think for the golden monkeys trek you dont need to book in advance.
For the two days volcanoes trek you do have to book in advance, as they need to organize food etc.
The golden monkeys trek is a morning activity.
Possible volcano treks:
-one day trek to the summit of Bisoke
- one day trek to Muhabura (from 2400 to 4100 meters and back!)
- two days trek Bisoke/Muhabura combined (200 USD)
- two days trek to Karisimbi (4500 m)
For the two days trek you sleep one night in a tent in the forest (at 3700 meters for Karisimbi, at 2800 meters for Bisoke/Muhabura).
Only problem: you always need to have transport to get you from the Kinigi park headquarters (where you will meet your guide) and the trailhead (the place where you start hiking). This will cost about 80 or 100 USD for every return day trip to a trailhead.

i don't know exact figures, but i wouldn't plan on your trip being cheap no matter what. going it alone will be cheaper, sure, but nowhere near cheap. the bulk of the money paid out goes to volcanoes national park. it's crazy expensive to see the gorillas and trek in the mountains.

however, i do certainly think it's worth checking out all your alternatives. but what may end up being your deciding factor is whether or not you're going to be in country early enough to buy your permit. it may be worth having an agency just to get that taken care of far in advance.

that said, last time i took some guests to volcanoes park to see the gorillas, all the permits were already sold. we just went to the park early in the morning just like everyone else was doing. and there were some permits not being used. we bought them at the $500 usd face value with no problems. but, also, my guests weren't going to be upset if they didn't get to see the gorillas... and, so, were willing to give it a try.

but let us know what you decide in the end...

http://jamesbrett.wordpress.com

Of course you can arrage the safari on your own since you are 2.
You need to pay for permits atleast 2 months in advance as gorillas are the most sought primates. For chimps, you can pay on your own.

But booking through a safari company is fun, saves time and burden

Hi there -

It is $200 each person for golden monkeys and no, you don't have to secure ahead of time. But you do need to make sure you have transport to park headquarters and a way to trailhead and back to Ruhengeri. I went through Bizidanny - they charged me I think only $20 to secure gorilla permit and from all the stories I hear of ORPTN - I am glad I didn't have that hassle. they were also my transport and were great.
Don't know on volcano trekking....
good luck...

# 3 Booking through a safari company is probably "fun" for Katunatours if you book through Katonatours.

#4 I don't know where the 200 USD for a golden monkeys trip comes from. Three weeks ago ORTPN in Kigali gave me the following prices in US dollars for foreign visitors:
- golden monkeys: 100
- gorillas: 500
- hike to Dian Fossey tomb: 75
- Bisoke volcano climb: 75
- Gahinga volcano climb: 75
- Muhabura volcano climb: 100

Two days treks:
- Karisimbi: 400, or 300 if you are more than two persons
- Muhabura/Gahinga combined: 200

hi,

3 Booking through a safari company is probably "fun" for Katunatours if you book through Katonatours
Well done Gozone ;-)

also on the all correct prices you've stated must be added a park entrance fee of $25 per visitor (except for gorillas where real fare is 475+25)

Thanks everyone for all the helpful responses. We ended up using a tour company - Amaroha Tours. They were very good and it was just the two of us - no big groups. It was expensive, but it took the stress off things. If we were doing it again I think we would definitely be able to rent a car and drive ourselves everywhere, as Rwanda seems much easier to navigate than other places in Africa. However, for first timers it made it easier. Thanks again all!

P.S. Gorillas and monkeys very cool. Volcano hike nearly killed me!
P.P.S. Blog link of our Africa trip if anyone interested (Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Rwanda). Rwanda section towards end of blog: http://journals.worldnomads.com/justinecutler/