5 Days Gorilla Trekking and Nyiragongo Hike

Virunga National Park in Eastern Democratic republic of Congo has many attractions, which include Nyiragongo active volcano, Mountain gorillas, Chimpanzees among others. These can be done in five days starting and ending in Kigali as below;

Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Gisenyi.
On arrival in Kigali, if still early, you will be welcomed by your guide and take you for optional brief Kigali city tour. Visit the genocide memorial, local markets, among others. You will then drive a scenic journey to Lake Kivu in Gisenyi with en route view of Virunga mountain ranges reaching in the evening. Dinner and overnight at Paradise malahide/Kivu Serena Hotel.

Day 2: Nyiragongo hiking.
Early morning, you will cross over to Democratic republic of Congo via Goma border and drive up to Kibatsi village where you will start the hike of Nyiragongo from. The hike will take 5-6 hours depending on the strength of the hikers before reaching the top for dinner and overnight at the top shelters while viewing the lave lake.

Day 3: Descend to Volcano.
In the morning after breakfast, you will begin descending the volcano reaching Goma early by midday where you will have a city tour. You will then drive to Virunga Forest reaching early in the evening for dinner and overnight at Mikeno Lodge/Bukima tented camp.

Day 4: Gorilla tracking adventure.
Early morning, you will set off to the park headquarters for briefing about the dos and don’ts while with the gorillas. You will then enter the forest for gorilla tracking which will take you 1-6 hours before encountering the gorillas. You will stay one hour with the gorillas once you encounter them, which will be enough to take photos and interact with the gorillas. You will then transfer back to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking and transfer back to Kigali.
In the morning, you will set off to the forest for chimpanzee tracking where you will enjoy them play in the forest in search of food. On return, you will cross back to Rwanda and drive back to Kigali reaching early in the evening and transfer to the airport for departure flight if on schedule.

End of tour.