5 Days Congo Great Ape Safari (Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking)
5 Days Congo Great Ape Safari (gorilla and chimpanzee trekking) is an amazing adventure that starts and ends in Kigali Rwanda. The safari will take you to Virunga national park in Democratic republic of Congo where you will take part in chimpanzee trekking in Mahura forest and double gorilla trek which gives you an opportunity to compare experiences of two gorilla families.
Highlights of the 5 Days Congo Great Ape Safari (Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking)
- Day 1: Pick up from Kigali airport and transfer to Virunga national park
- Day 2: First gorilla trek in Virunga national park
- Day 3: Second gorilla trek in Virunga national park
- Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking in Virunga national park
- Day 5: Departure to Kigali
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Virunga national park, depending on your location on the first day of the 5 Days Congo Great Ape Safari you will be welcomed by our driver guide who will brief you about the safari and then start the journey to Virunga national park which is located in the eastern part of democratic republic of Congo. The journey takes about 4 hours drive passing via Goma Grande Barrier border to check in with the Virunga offices and pick your gorilla trekking permit. From Goma you will join the Virunga security convoy and connect to Bukima where you will check into the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: First gorilla trek in Virunga national park
First gorilla trek, after an early breakfast on the second day of the 5 Days Congo Great Ape Safari you will carry packed lunch and meet up with your driver guide to transfer to the Bukima park headquarters for a briefing about the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking. After the briefing you will be allocated a habituated gorilla family to trek and a park guide who is knowledgeable about the mountain gorillas and also conversant with trails in the forest. Gorilla trekking in Virunga national park takes about 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on where the mountain gorillas are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking you will have scenic views of forest bird, different plant species, other primates among others and once the mountain gorillas are found you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn about their habits, behaviors, watch them feed, play, breastfeed, groom young ones, take photos and record the moments. After the one hour with the gentle giants you will trek back to the park headquarters where you will meet up with your driver guide to return back to the lodge for an evening relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Second gorilla trek in Virunga national park
Second gorilla trekking, on the third day of the 5 days great ape safari (gorilla and chimpanzee trekking) you will carry your lunch box and meet up with your driver guide to transfer to the park headquarters where you will be briefed for your second gorilla trek. After the briefing you will be allocated a new gorilla family, an experienced park guide and start trekking in the forest which takes about 30 minutes to 7 hours. During trekking you will have views of other wildlife species and once the gorilla family is located you will be able to spend one hour with the gorillas in their environment where you will have a chance to observe their behaviors, take photos, watch them carry out their daily activities, record videos with a flash less camera among others. After the interesting moment with the mountain gorillas you will trek back to the park headquarters where you will meet up with your driver guide to transfer to the lodge where you will enjoy stunning views of the terraces, have dinner and spend an overnight.
Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking in Virunga national park
Chimpanzee trekking, after an early breakfast on the fourth day of the 5 days great ape safari (gorilla and chimpanzee trekking) your driver guide will pick you up from the lodge and drive to Mahura forest in Virunga national park for a chimpanzee trekking briefing. Chimpanzee trekking in the park is done much earlier than gorilla trekking because chimpanzees like to move from one place to another in search of food. during trekking you will be able to view other wildlife species like birds, plants, other primates and once the chimpanzees are found you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their habitat which helps you to know more about their behaviors, lifestyle, watch them feed, breastfeed, play, hunt, fight, mate, rest, tae photos and record the incredible moments to show people back home after the safari. After the one hour encounter with the chimpanzees you will trek back to the starting point, meet up with your driver guide to return back to the lodge for lunch. After lunch you can go for an optional nature walk, visit the Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage, visit the local communities or even relax at the lodge as you wait for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Departure to Kigali
After a relaxed Congolese breakfast on the last day of the 5 Days Congo Great Ape Safari (gorilla and chimpanzee trekking), you will check out of the lodge and meet up with your drive guide to transfer back to Kigali. You will drive to Goma Grande barrier border where you will check out and continue to Kigali town. Upon arrival in Kigali you will go for a city tour where you will explore some interesting attractions like Kigali genocide memorial center, Kimironko market, craft markets among others. After the city tour you have lunch and later drive to Kigali international airport for your departure flight or drive to the hotel in Kigali depending on your schedule.
End of the 5 Days Congo Great Ape Safari
5 days great ape safari includes
- 2 Gorilla trekking permit
- Kigali city tour
- All inclusive activities
- An English speaking driver guide
- Full board accommodation
- Pick up and drop off
- Vehicle and fuel
- Bottled water
5 days great ape safari excludes
- Air flight tickets
- Visas
- Optional activities not included on the itinerary
- Life insurance
- Personal expenses like buying souvenirs, crafts, drinks, laundry services, hiring a porter, tips among others.
What to park for your gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari in Virunga national park
- Hiking shoes
- Garden gloves
- Long sleeved shirt and trouser
- Insect repellent
- Water proof rain jacket
- Warm sweaters
- Long cotton stockings
- Water proof back pack to carry your equipment’s
- Camera
- Drinking water and packed lunch from the lodge
- Walking stick
- Hiring a Porter who will help you carry your equipment’s and gives you a pull or a push in steep and slippery areas.
