6 Days Lowland Gorillas and Nyiragongo Hiking Tour
This 6 days lowland gorillas and Nyiragongo hiking tour is an adventurous safari that starts and ends in Kigali. The safari will take you to Kahuzi Biega national park in Congo where you will engage in an interesting and breathtaking gorilla trekking activity to visit the Eastern lowland gorillas. after gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega national park you will connect to Virunga national park to climb Nyiragongo volcano an active volcano and one of the 8 volcanoes in Virunga conservation region.
Highlights of the 6 days lowland gorillas and Nyiragongo hiking tour
Day 1: Pick up and transfer to a hotel in Kigali
Day 2: Transfer to Kahuzi Biega national park
Day 3: Gorilla trekking
Day 4: Transfer to Mikeno lodge
Day 5: Ascend Nyiragongo volcano to the summit
Day 6: Descend from Nyiragongo volcano summit and departure to Kigali
Detailed itinerary
Day 1 of the 6 days lowland gorillas and Nyiragongo hiking tour
Arrival and transfer to Kigali, upon arrival at Kigali international airport on the first day of the 6 days lowland gorillas and Nyiragongo hiking tour you will be welcomed by our driver guide who will brief you shortly about the safari and then transfer to Kigali for a city tour. During the tour you will visit different attractions like the Kigali genocide memorial centre, craft centers like Inema art center, Kimironko market among others. After the city tour you will drive to a hotel in Kigali for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Transfer to Kahuzi Biega national park
On the second day of the 6 days lowland gorillas and Nyiragongo hiking tour, you will have breakfast and your driver guide will pick you up to start the journey to Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo. On your way you will have great views of Lake Kivu, rolling hills in Rwanda, beautiful scenery, landscapes, visit the King’s Palace, Nyanza Museum among others. After the kings palace tour you will have en-route lunch and then continue the journey passing via Cyangugu border to Bukavu. Upon arrival you will continue to check in at the lodge, have dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega national park
Lowland gorilla trekking, after an early breakfast on the third day of the 6 days lowland gorillas and Nyiragongo hiking tour you will carry packed lunch, meet up with your driver guide to transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing about the rules and regulations of lowland gorilla trekking. After the briefing you will be grouped into 8 people, allocated a gorilla family to trek and a park guide who is well conversant with trails in the forest. Gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega national park starts at 8:00am and takes about 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on where the lowland gorillas are located because they like to move from one area to another in search of food.
During trekking you will have great views of other wildlife species including bird species like weavers, hornbills, sun birds, bar tailed trogon, barbets, primates like red tailed monkeys, grey cheeked magabey, black and white colobus monkeys, plant species among others. Once the lowland gorillas are found you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn more about their behaviors, lifestyle, watch them carry out their daily activities, take photos, record video, ask questions about the lowland gorillas among others. After the breathtaking experience with the lowland gorillas you will trek back to the park starting point where you will meet your driver guide and transfer to the lodge for lunch.
Guided nature walk, after lunch you will go for a guided nature walk which starts from the camp at Tshivanga . There are different routes to follow during the nature walk such as the Lwiro route that takes you to Tshibati waterfall where you will be able to enjoy the cool breeze, relax you mind and breath fresh air. During the guided nature walk in the park, you will have scenic views of different bird species such as Rwenzori turaco, Shelleys crimsonwing, grauers broadbill, forest dwellers, plant and tree species among others. In case you still have time you will be able to visit Mbayo tea plantations, the local communities around the park where you will be able to interact with the local people, visit their farmlands, homesteads, learn about their culture, tradition among others. After the guided nature walk you will meet up with your driver guide and transfer to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Transfer to Goma town
After breakfast on the fourth day of the 6 days lowland gorillas and Nyiragongo hiking tour, you will check out of the lodge and meet up with your driver guide to transfer to Goma town. You will have great views on your way and upon arrival you will have lunch. After lunch you will connect to Mikeno lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Ascend Nyiragongo volcano to the summit
Ascend Nyiragongo volcano, after an early breakfast on the second day of the 6 days lowland gorillas and Nyiragongo hiking tour 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 rules and regulations, expectations, stopping points, what to carry among others. After the briefing you will be grouped together with cooks and then start hiking which takes about 4 to 6 hours to reach the summit depending on the physical fitness of the group. During hiking you will have scenic views of beautiful landscapes, different bird species, primates like chimpanzees, monkeys, mammals, plant species among others as you pass through lower and high altitude areas, lava rocks, slippery stones, steep areas and rain forests. When you reach on top of the volcano you will have spectacular views of the boiling lava lake and the cooks will help you to prepare hot coffee and dinner. You will spend an overnight in a cabin as you smell the boiling and bubbling lava
Day 6: Descend from Nyiragongo Volcano and departure to Kigali
Descend from Nyiragongo Volcano, on the last day of the 6 days lowland gorillas and Nyiragongo hiking Tour you will have an ultimate breakfast and then start descending from the peak of the mountain which takes about 3 hours to reach the starting point at Kibat patrol post. While descending you will have views of other volcanic mountains, Virunga national park, Rwenzori Mountains, Lake Kivu among others as you pass through steep and sharp rocks and upon arrival at Kibat patrol post, you will meet up with your driver guide and transfer to the lodge for lunch.
Departure to Kigali, after lunch you will check out of the lodge and meet up with your driver guide to transfer to Kigali. You will pass via Goma Grande Barrier border and upon arrival your driver guide will drop you off at Kigali international airport in case you have a flight to catch or drop you off at any place of convenience.
End of 6 days lowland gorillas and Nyiragongo hiking tour
Inclusions of the 6 days lowland gorillas and Nyiragongo hiking tour
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Kigali city tour
- Guided nature walk
- Nyiragongo hiking permit
- An English speaking driver guide
- Full board accommodation
- Pick up and drop off
- Vehicle and fuel
- Bottled water
Exclusions of the 6 days lowland gorillas and Nyiragongo hiking tour
- Air flight tickets
- Visas
- Optional activities not included on the itinerary
- Personal expenses like buying souvenirs, crafts, drinks, laundry services, hiring a porter, tips among others.
