5 Days Congo Gorilla Trekking and Nyiragongo Hike

The 5 days Congo gorilla trekking and Nyiragongo hike is an amazing adventure that starts and ends in Kigali. The safari will take you to Virunga national park which is one of the oldest protected areas in Africa harboring the endangered mountain gorillas which will be viewed during gorilla trekking.  During the safari you will also hike Nyiragongo volcano one of the world’s active volcano standing at an elevation of 3470 meters above the sea level. You will wrap up your safari with a city tour in Kigali one of the cleanest and most attractive cities in Africa.

High lights of the 5 days Congo gorilla trekking and Nyiragongo hike

Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Virunga national park

Day 2: Gorilla trekking

Day 3: Ascend Nyiragongo volcano

Day 4: Descend Nyiragongo volcano

Day 5: Departure to Kigali for a city tour

Detailed itinerary

Day 1 of the 5 days Congo gorilla trekking and Nyiragongo hike

Arrival and transfer to Goma, upon arrival at Kigali international airport on the first day of your 5 days Congo gorilla trekking and Nyiragongo hike, you will be welcomed by our driver guide who will brief you about your safari and then start the journey to Virunga national park which takes about 4 to 5 hours drive. You will have great views of the rolling hills in Rwanda, beautiful scenery, landscapes, homesteads among others on your way and pass via Goma Grande Barrier border. From Goma you will join the Virunga security convoy to connect to Bukima where you will check into the lodge, have dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Virunga national park

Gorilla trekking, on the second day of the 5 days Congo gorilla trekking and Nyiragongo hike you will have an early breakfast, carry packed lunch from the lodge and meet up with your driver guide to transfer to the park headquarters for the briefing about the rules, regulations and expectations of gorilla trekking. After the briefing you will be grouped into 8 people, allocated a gorilla family to trek and a park guide who will be sharing information about the mountain gorillas and also well conversant with trails in the forest.

Gorilla trekking in Virunga national park starts at around 8:00 am and takes about 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on where the mountain gorillas are located and during trekking you will have great views of different bird species like blue headed sunbird, red faced woodland warbler, kivu ground thrush, primates like chimpanzees, blue monkeys, red colobus monkeys, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, plant and tree species among others. Once the gorillas are found you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which will help you to learn more about their lifestyle, behaviors, habits, take photos and record the moments to show people back home. After the face to face encounter with the gentle giants, you will trek to the park headquarters where you will meet up with your driver guide to transfer to the lodge for an evening relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Ascend Nyiragongo Volcano

Ascend Nyiragongo volcano, after an early breakfast on the third day of the 5 days Congo Gorilla trekking and Nyiragongo Hike you will carry packed lunch from the lodge and meet up with your driver guide to transfer to the trail head at Kibat patrol post for a briefing about the expectations, stopping points, rules and regulations, what to carry among others. After the briefing you will be put in a group together with cooks and then start hiking which takes about 4 to 6 hours to reach the summit.  During hiking you will pass through areas at lower altitudes, small loose lava rocks, slippery stones in higher altitudes, steeper and cold altitudes and have great views of the beautiful scenery, landscape, different bird species, mammals, among others. when you reach on top of the volcano you will have views of the boiling lava lake, the mountain top can be freezing cold with strong winds therefore you need to be prepared with warm clothing. you will be spend an overnight in a cabin as you smell the boiling and bubbling lava, the cabin will be comprised of 2 single beds, mattress, pillow and the cooks will help you to prepare hot coffee and dinner.

Day 4: Descend from Nyiragongo Volcano

Descend from Nyiragongo Volcano, after breakfast on the fourth day of the 5 days Congo gorilla trekking and Nyiragongo hike you will start descending from the peak of the mountain which takes about 3 hours to reach the starting point Kibat patrol post. While descending down you will you pass through steep and sharp rocks where you will have scenic views of Virunga national park, Lake Kivu, Rwenzori Mountains, bird species among others. Upon arrival at the starting point, you will meet up with your driver guide and transfer to the lodge for relaxation and lunch.

Day 5: Departure to Kigali for a city tour

Departure to Kigali, after an ultimate breakfast on the last day of the 5 days Congo gorilla trekking and Nyiragongo hike you will check out of the lodge and meet up with your driver guide to start the journey back to Kigali passing through Goma Grande Barrier border. Upon arrival in Kigali you will go for a city tour where you will visit the genocide memorial centre, Kimironko market among others. After the city tour you will go for lunch in one of the restaurants and then continue the journey to Kigali international airport for your next flight.

End of 5 days Congo gorilla trekking and Nyiragongo hike

Inclusions of the 5 days Congo gorilla trekking and Nyiragongo

  • Gorilla trekking permit
  • Nyiragongo hiking permit
  • Kigali city tour
  • An English speaking driver guide
  • Full board accommodation
  • Pick up and drop off
  • Vehicle and fuel
  • Bottled drinking water

Exclusions of the 5 days Congo gorilla trekking and Nyiragongo 

  • Air flight tickets
  • Visas
  • Optional activities not included on the itinerary
  • Life insurance
  • Personal expenses like buying souvenirs, crafts, alcoholic drinks, juice, laundry services, hiring a porter, tips among others.
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