Early in the morning, meet at the park headquarters for a briefing, and then hike up into the rainforest to a troop of magnificent mountain gorillas. Each troop has its own 24-hour guard, so their location is known; you usually have an hour with them, time to sit and observe them at very close quarters indeed. After the day experience return to the lodge for refreshment and cup of coffee. Overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or similar

Start early on your first morning for a trip to track the golden monkeys. These primates are beautiful, endangered and more agile than the mountain gorillas. They live in bamboo thickets on the lower slopes of the mountains – and tracking them acclimatizes you perfectly to the slight altitude, marking your last views of the park's environs, drive for roughly 2.5 hours south-east back to Kigali Airport. Here your private guide and 4WD vehicle leave you at your hotel in kigali/ to continue your journey, either home or to your next destination.