The 5 days Congo tour is a special African safari taking you on a thrilling hike to the top of Nyiragongo Volcano and also a guided gorilla trekking adventure. This tour package focuses on the D.R. Congo hiking and gorilla experiences all enjoyable in the Virunga National Park.
The Virunga National Park Congo is situated in the Eastern side of the country, stretching up to 7800sq.km. This park is most famous for its iconic attractions; Nyiragongo and mountain gorillas. Virunga NP officially became a park in 1991 and shelters variety of fauna including okapis, elephants, and over 706 bird species like forest ground thrush, Rwenzori turacos, francolin nobilis and more.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up & drive to Goma through the Gisenyi border
Day 2: Transfer from the hotel to Kibati, hike to the top of Nyiragongo
Day 3: Descend from the summits of Nyiragongo and connect to Bukima
Day 4: Gorilla trekking adventure in Virunga
Day 5: Bukima –Kigali in Rwanda
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up & drive to Goma through the Gisenyi border
At the hotel in Kigali, enjoy a hefty breakfast and you will be picked up by the experienced guide. Drive off from Kigali to the Rwanda –Congo border to clear with the border authorities. From the border, proceed to the hotel or lodge for relaxation, dinner and retire for a night.
Accommodation
- Lake Kivu Lodge
Day 2: Transfer from the hotel to Kibati, hike to the top of Nyiragongo
Enjoy your delicious cup of tea or coffee and after, leave the lodge for briefing at Kibati patrol post. Get to understand the safety measures to observe on a guided hiking adventure. Today’s adventure will begin at 10:00am at Kibati with an experienced guide and expect to take 4-6 hours.
The half day hike comes with spectacular views of the surrounding areas, floral species and fauna at the base area of the volcano then breathtaking views of the boiling Crater Lava Lake at the summit –best during the night. Have great moment at the summits of Nyiragongo Volcano and take pictures, then retire for the night at Nyiragongo summit shelters.
Day 3: Descend from the summits of Nyiragongo and connect to Bukima
In the morning, breakfast will be provided at the summit shelters and after, begin descending down to Kibati patrol post. At Kibati, meet the experienced guide ready for road transfer to Bukima area
Accommodation
- Mikeno Lodge
Day 4: Gorilla trekking adventure in Virunga
The Virunga National Park gorilla trekking experience begins at Bukima patrol post with briefing. The park official will take you through the guidelines for gorilla trekking and also assign to you any of the 8 gorilla families to visit. On actual gorilla trek, you will be led by an experienced guide on a search for mountain gorillas and depending on the speed of hiking, expect to take 2-6 hours.
Once you have met the family of Virunga gorillas, the park guide will let you interact with these apes face-to-face with them in the wild, observing how they behave and taking photos. You will then start trekking back to the lodge to have the long evening relaxation or consider paying a visit to Senkwekwe Orphanage.
Accommodation
- Mikeno Lodge
Day 5: Bukima –Kigali in Rwanda
It is your day to exit Virunga National Park and your journey begins after breakfast and check out. Drive from Bukima to Kigali capital or direct to the airport and this marks the end of Congo tour.
End of tour
Tour Inclusions
- Valid gorilla & hiking permits
- Full time English-speaking guide or driver
- Bottled water
- All trip activities except optional ones
- Accommodation and meals
Tour Exclusions
- Porter fees
- Tipping to guides, drivers, waitresses/waiters
- Travel Insurance
- Shopping
- Laundry services