7 Days Congo Wilderness Safaris: Gorilla Tracking, Nyiragongo Volcano Adventure and the trekking of the Eastern Lowland Gorilla in Kahuzi Biega National Park.
Day1: Arrive in Kigali international Airport & Transfer to Virunga National Park in Congo.
Upon reaching Kigali international airport, you will be met and warmly welcomed by our professional driver guide who will transfer you to Virunga Park in Congo. The drive journey of about 4-5 hours without enroute stopovers is very interesting. The drive will take you through majestic landscape and rolling winding hills of Rwanda before crossing to the green natural environment of DR Congo. On arrival to the park, you will advance to the lodge to check-in, have dinner and overnight at Nyiragongo Volcano Summit Shelters (Budget),Bukima tented camp (mid-range),Mikeno lodge(Luxury).
Day 2: Do Early Morning Gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park.
After your relaxed breakfast, you will be transfer to Bukima park station in the Virunga National Park where trekkers assemble for an early morning registration, allocation of the gorilla family to trek and briefing on how to conduct when trekking the mountain gorillas in the dense forested areas of Virunga National Park. After the briefing, you will proceed to the appropriate starting point for the trek to confront the gorilla group you have been allocated. The length of the trek varies depending on movements of the gorillas as well as weather conditions. Meeting these gentle giants in their natural habitat is a unique and wonderful experience. When you meet these ape species, you will be given one hour to observe and take photos of these stunning Apes. After the one magical hour allocated to you, you will retire back to the trekking base and thereafter retreat back to your hotel/lodge for the late lunch and relaxation at Nyiragongo Volcano Summit Shelters (Budget),Bukima tented camp (mid-range),Mikeno lodge(Luxury).
Day 3: Early Morning Nyiragongo Volcano Hike
After an early morning breakfast, you will embark on 30 kms transfer drive from your Mikeno lodge to Kibat Patrol Post in Nyiragongo Volcano. On arrival to the hike trail head, Park rangers will brief you and afterwards lead you with your porters to start hike to the top of Nyiragongo Volcanoes. Nyiragongo Volcano hike will take you around 4-6 hours to reach to the summit of the world’s most active Volcano. The path to the summit of the Volcano is relatively easy but a bit strenuous, often in hot and uncomfortable conditions. Along the trial, you may enjoy the views and sights of rare bird species and small mammal species. Upon reaching the top, you will enjoy the views of lakes of hot lava and relax on top of the volcano. The night will be spent in tents on the rim of the giant crater, high above the active lava lake.
Day 4: Make Decent from Nyiragongo Volcano
After an early morning breakfast, you will begin your descent from the summit of Nyiragongo to the head trail in Kibat Patrol Post. You will enjoy the beautiful views of the volcano and surrounding areas, if lucky meet the primate species as well as bird species as you slope from the summit on volcano. On arrive at the trail head; you will transfer to your lodge for lunch and relaxation at Nyiragongo Volcano Summit Shelters (Budget), Bukima tented camp (mid-range), Mikeno lodge (Luxury).
Day 5: Transfer from Virunga national park to Bukavu
Enjoy your breakfast and depart your respective lodge transferring to Bukavu town in Eastern DR Congo. The drive transfer to Bukavu is very interesting as it will take you through fascinating landscape full of scenic views. On arrival to Bukavu, you will connect to your pre-booked lodge/hotel for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at at Horizon hotel (budget) Orchid safari lodge (mid-range/luxury).
Day 6: Lowland Gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega – DR Congo & Afternoon Nature Walks
After an early morning breakfast, embark on an early morning drive transfer to the park headquarters for an early morning briefing about the dos and don’ts of lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National park. After briefing, you will head for the memorable adventure of tracking the lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National park. Trekking lowland Gorillas offers unique experience of its own and it usually takes 1-4 hours. The lowland Gorillas stay in bigger families as compared to mountain gorillas; you will not regret the safari effort once you meet the amazing Gorillas. After one memorable hour of encounter with the lowland gorillas, you will retire back to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. After lunch, embark on an afternoon nature walk in the Kahuzi Biega Park .The nature walks will take you through Tshibati waterfalls, visit Bukavu town, Mbayo tea plantations, the research Centre and the surrounding traditional homes. Thereafter, return back to the lodge for dinner and overnight at Horizon hotel (budget) Orchid safari lodge (mid-range/luxury).
Day 7: Transfer from Bukavu –DR Congo back to Kigali
Following an early morning breakfast, you will embark on transfer drive to Kigali Capital City. The drive journey will take you through Bukavu in Congo crossing via Cyangugu boarder to Rwanda. You will have an en route stop in Butare, where you will visit the national museum of Rwanda, the king’s palace in Nyanza, and the Rwanda genocide memorial site. On arrival to Kigali, you will have your lunch and thereafter advance with the drive to Kigali International Air Port for your scheduled flight back home.
End of the Safari