Congo Gorilla Safaris itinerary

Explore a primeval forest so thick and lush that it’s called ‘Virunga’ (Virunga National Park). Come join us on a mountain gorilla trekking expedition in Congo, and let’s enjoy the splendor of the local wildlife and fauna at the Virunga National Park known as Parc National des Volcans.

Virunga National Park is a national park in the Albertine Rift Valley in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was created in 1925 and is among the first protected areas in Africa. In altitude, it ranges from 680 m in the Semliki River valley to 5,109 m in the Rwenzori Mountains.

DAY 1: ARRIVE KIGALI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

On arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be met by land tour guide and be transferred to your hotel in Kigali arriving for overnight on bed and breakfast.

Driving distance:  15 Minutes

Activity: 0

Overnight: Gloria Hotel

Meal Plan: Bed & breakfast

DAY 2: DEPART FOR NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK

Your driver will be waiting to pick you up and you will depart for Nyungwe National park which takes about 6 ½  hrs to drive via Butare visiting en route, the famous National Museum at Butare and the ancient King´s Palace at Nyanza. The museum was donated in 1989 by the Belgium government with some ethnic collection, the design and concept all realized in co-operation with the Royal Museum for Central Africa of Tervuren; Belgium. Ethnographic objects are grouped together according to the theme giving premium information on daily life. Traditional ceramics and basketry are still manufactured and belong to the finest handicrafts of the region. The National Museum remained surprisingly untouched during the civil war in 1994. Have Lunch in Butare and thereafter continue to Nyungwe national park arriving for dinner and overnight at Gisakura Guest House

Driving distance:  6 ½ hours

Activity: At Leisure

Overnight: Gisakura Guest House

Meal Plan: Full board – Lunch, dinner, bed & breakfast

DAY 3: CHIMPANZEE TREKKING + NATURE WALK

Take an early morning breakfast then with your packed lunch drive to this park for the starting point of your chimpanzee trek. Two species of chimpanzee occur in Africa. There is the Bonobo and the Common Chimpanzee Pan troglodytes (often shortened to Chimpanzee, and sometimes referred to as the Robust Chimpanzee). The largest remaining populations occur in central Africa (Gabon, DR Congo, and Cameroon). About only 400 individuals, the population in Rwanda is an endangered one. However; it should be mentioned that it is not guaranteed to see the chimps as they are unpredictable and can move long distances in one day. Nyungwe National Park is the largest block of montane forest in East and Central Africa and it is an incredibly rich area of biodiversity. Later depart for your nature walk visiting Kamiranzovu waterfall. The forest comprises amongst many things at least 200 tree species over 280 bird species and more than 100 different types of colorful butterfly which make it a true feast of the senses for the nature lover. Later return for dinner and overnight at Gisakura Guesthouse.

 Driving distance:  

Activity: Chimpanzee Trekking + Nature walk

Overnight: Gisakura Guest House

Meal Plan: Full board – Lunch, dinner, bed & breakfast

DAY 4: CANOPY WALK + DEPART FOR KIBUYE

After breakfast today we head for the canopy walk which sets 50 meters above the ground with a 150-meter walkway and is the first of its kind in East Africa and third on the continent after South Africa and Ghana. It allows visitors to see the forest from above the trees and be at eye level with birds and monkeys that inhabit the upper stories of the forest. Continue to Kibuye often hailed as the most impressive scenic spot of the lake.  The unpaved road gently curves back and forth as it weaves through hills and mountains beside the lake from Gisenyi to Cyangugu. Eucalyptus trees line the road, while every corner of the hills is terraced with bananas. Villagers smile and wave; you’ll end up with hands tired from waving, and feel like royalty at the end of the trip! Arrive for lunch at Bethany Guest House then later stay for dinner and overnight.

Driving distance:  

Activity: Canopy Walk

Overnight: Bethany Guest House

Meal Plan: Full board – Lunch, dinner, bed & breakfast

DAY 5: DEPART FOR N’KORA

After breakfast, you will depart on to N’kora by the Scenic lakeside ride with your picnic lunch. Ride on for approximately 2 hours on Lake Shores interacting with the local community and enjoying the surroundings and scenic views and banana plantations, proceed to the Rubengera junction, following the trail between community fields, crossing the river Coko after getting to Kibingo Health Centre. Picnic nearby the Gatunda village (commercial center, with the market on Tuesdays) and then descend the trail until the main Rubavu – Karongi road at Mushubati and walk again for almost two hours along the main road from Rubengera. Stay for dinner and overnight at the Kinunu Coffee washing station

Riding distance:  Whole day

Activities: Local community visit

Overnight: Kinunu Coffee Washing Station

Meal Plan: Full board – Lunch, dinner, bed & breakfast

DAY 6: DEPART FOR GISENYI

After breakfast, you will have a guided coffee washing station visit then later Take a short village visit and get to interact with the local community. Have lunch at the beach with the villagers then head to the trail for Gisenyi. From this point you can enjoy views of the surrounding, fisherman coming back from the tradition overnight fishing, kids playing in the lake. Ride overland to the village community of Rwinyoni agricultural community northwest of the lake and the trail then leads up through coffee and banana plantations on the lake shores to Gisenyi arriving at your hotel for dinner and overnight

Riding distance:  Whole day

Activities: Local community visit

Overnight: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Meal Plan: Full board – Lunch, dinner, bed & breakfast

DAY 7: DEPART FOR GOMA (DR CONGO)

After breakfast, the early part of the day is spent at leisure then after lunch departs for the Grande Barriére (Congo border). Clear with customs at the border crossing and entering the Democratic Republic of Congo you precede on a town tour of Goma- that has a story owing to the eruption of Mount Nyiragongo in January 2002. Nyiragongo erupted, sending a stream of lava 200 meters to one kilometer wide and up to two meters (6½ feet) deep through the center of the city as far as the lakeshore. Agencies monitoring the volcano were able to give a warning and most of the population of Goma evacuated to Gisenyi (Rwanda). The lava destroyed 40% of the city (more than 4,500 houses and buildings). There were some fatalities caused by the lava and by emissions of carbon dioxide, which causes asphyxiation. The lava also covered over the northern 1 km of the 3-kilometer (10,000 feet) runway of Goma International Airport, isolating the terminal and apron which were at that end. Drive on to your hotel arriving for dinner and overnight.

Driving distance:    

Activities: Town Tour

Overnight: Caritas Hotel

Meal Plan: Full board – Lunch, Dinner, bed & breakfast

DAY 8: GORILLA TRACKING (MOUNTAIN GORILLAS)

After an early breakfast depart for Parc National des Virunga and on to the starting point of your gorilla tracking experience. After completing our park formalities, we embark on a once in a lifetime experience of tracking mountain gorillas. Once you spot them you are allowed to spend an hour watching your closest long lost cousin. This is perhaps one of the most breathtaking wildlife experiences on earth!!! You get so close to these awesome giant primates. You stare at each other blankly not knowing who to break the long silence first. Tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virunga is a magical experience. These massive primates are extremely rare, with less than 700 living today. You will get within meters of the family, and be privileged to spend an hour amongst them. Return to your hotel for lunch then later dinner and overnight.

Driving distance:  

Activities: Gorilla Tracking

Overnight: Caritas Hotel

Meal Plan: Full board – Lunch, Dinner, bed & breakfast

DAY 9: MOUNT NYIRAGONGO HIKE

After an early breakfast; today is a real adventure where you spend a day hiking the live volcano Nyiragongo. At 3468 meters, Nyiragongo, one of the world’s most beautiful and active volcanoes, towers above the thick jungles of Virunga National Park. A five-hour hike to the rim of the 1.2 km wide crater reveals the fiery lava lake deep inside. Sitting on the edge of the crater at night, the red boiling lava and smoking caldera will mesmerize the visitor. The trek includes a walk through lush forest and lava fields with a steep incline near the top and includes an overnight stay in the Nyiragongo Crater Cabanas on the volcano rim. The stunning views both day and night make this an unforgettable experience. Later stay for overnight in tents at the rim of the giant crater high above the active lava lake.

Things to bring for Nyiragongo Hiking-Sleeping Bag, Food (lunch, dinner, breakfast), Water (3 liters p.p. minimum), Any other drinks required, Change of dry clothes, Rain gear, Good walking shoes, Warm Clothes (sweater, jacket) is very cold up there. Sun cream, warm Hat, Torch, Camera and your smile too.

Trekkers are strongly advised to bring full rain and cold weather gear (moisture-wicking base layer, sweater or fleece, jacket, rain resistant pants, long underwear, warm socks, and a hat). Temperatures at the summit are routinely below freezing. Although most people arrive at the summit sweating from the steep climb, this sense of warmth quickly gives way to cold. A complete change of base layers is a must. Failure to bring proper gear will lead to hypothermia. Please do not endanger yourself and others by coming unprepared for these conditions.

Driving distance:  

Activities: Nyiragongo Hiking

Overnight: Camping

Meal Plan: Half board –Dinner, Bed & Breakfast

DAY 10: MOUNT NYIRAGONGO DESCEND + DEPART FOR KIGALI (RWANDA)

After breakfast descends by 0700 hrs arriving at the trailhead before lunch. Continue to your hotel for lunch (own account) then be transferred to the Grande Barriére (Congo border) to clear with customs before proceeding to Kigali. If time permits and depending on your flight departure timings go on a complimentary tour of the city to visit interesting spots which may include the craft market, Gisozi genocide memorial site & Kigali museum. Also engage in last-minute shopping in one of the friendliest African capitals, before being dropped off at the Kigali International airport for your late evening flight back home.  End of service

Driving distance: 3 Hours

Activities: Mount Nyiragongo descend + Kigali City Tour

Overnight: 0

Meal Plan: 0

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