4 Days Congo Safari Adventure

Tour Overview

The 4 Days Congo tour adventure with Nyiragongo volcano hiking and gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Expect to engage in gorilla trekking to see mountain gorillas, explore their unique behaviors and take photos. You will also embark on the guided hiking adventure to the summits of Mount Nyiragongo.

Gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park involves exploring Virunga National Park on foot to look for a family of mountain gorillas. The available gorilla groups to explore in the Virunga National Park include Munyaga, Mapuwa gorilla family, Rugendo group, Humba group, Kabirizi, Nyakamwe, Bageni, and others. During the gorilla trekking, you will be exploring one of the park’s habituated gorilla groups.

Tour Details

Safari Highlights for the 4 Days Congo Gorillas & Nyiragongo tour

• Gorilla trekking
• Nyiragongo Volcano hiking
• Kigali City tour
• Border crossing

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to Virunga via Rwanda-Congo border

Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Congo & Senkwekwe Centre visit

Day 3: Drive to Kibati to hike to the summits of Mt Nyiragongo

Day 4: Descend back to Kibati & drive to Kigali

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to Virunga via Rwanda-Congo border

After a heavy breakfast, you will be picked up by the professional driver guide. Before you exit Kigali, expect to have a short briefing about your 4-day Congo gorillas and Nyiragongo tour. After the briefing, board a 4×4 safari vehicle, and today, you will be transferred to Virunga National Park. Your journey will include border crossing via the Rwanda-Congo border where you will clear with the immigration office. The essential documents to have and you will need to present to the immigration office include a yellow fever vaccination certificate, passports, and others.

On crossing the border, you will proceed to the lodge to check-in. At the lodge, you will have a relaxed moment, dinner, and overnight stay.

Accommodation

• Luxury: Mikeno Lodge
• Midrange: Kibumba Tented Camp
• Budget: Lulimbi Tented Camp

Meal plan: Half board

Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Congo & Senkwekwe Centre visit

Enjoy a hot cup of tea or coffee and after, you will report to Bukima to get briefed about gorilla trekking regulations. It is on this day when you will be allocated a gorilla group to visit plus the park ranger guide to accompany you on the entire gorilla trekking session. The gorilla groups to be visited include Bageni group, Humba, Mapuwa gorilla group, Rugendo group, Nyakamwe, and Kabirizi group.

A single gorilla group will be visited by a maximum of 8 visitors and each visitors will be assigned an experienced and armed park ranger guide. Expect to take about 2-6 hours in the jungles searching for a family of mountain gorillas and a maximum of one hour will be availed for your up close and personal encounter with these large apes.

After the gorilla trekking, you will be accompanied back to the lodge. Have a relaxed afternoon till when you are picked up ready to visit the Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage centre. The Senkwekwe orphanage tour is ideal for guests around Mikeno Lodge or nearby park offices.

Accommodation

• Luxury: Mikeno Lodge
• Midrange: Kibumba Tented Camp
• Budget: Lulimbi Tented Camp

Meal plan: Full board

Day 3: Drive to Kibati to hike to the summits of Mt Nyiragongo

Have a hefty breakfast and early morning, you will transfer to Kibati to get briefed about your volcano hike. You will begin your trek to the summit at around 10:30 am and expect to take about 4-6 hours. The hike involves navigating via the lush forest cover at the base and also expect to enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes.

When you get to the summits, you will have jaw-dropping views of the Crater with bubbling Lava. A night will be spent at the summit shelters while viewing the bubbling lava on the crater.

Accommodation

• Nyiragongo Summit Shelters

Day 4: Descend back to Kibati & drive to Kigali

After breakfast, you will begin descending back to the base of Nyiragongo Volcano about 4 hours. On reaching the base, meet the driver guide and you will embark on a return trip to Kigali. Arrive in Kigali late in the afternoon/evening and you will be dropped off at the hotel or airport if you have your flight scheduled in the night the same day, but preferably, you will need a rest at the hotel.

End of safari

Inclusions

• Gorilla permits
• Volcano hiking
• Transportation in a 4×4 car
• Accommodation and meals
• An experienced driver or park guide services
• Bottled water
• Airport transfers

Exclusions

• Visas
• Tips
• Cigars
• Wines
• Insurance
• Telephone bills
• Optional activities
• Laundry services

What to carry for your safari

The packing list to consider for your 4 days Congo gorillas and Nyiragongo tour includes waterproof and sturdy hiking boots, a waterproof daypack, insect repellent, a camera with extra battery plus a memory card, long trousers, and a sun hat. You may also need a warm sweater, a waterproof poncho or a rain jacket, a torch, long-sleeved shirts, pants, and others.

When to visit

Virunga National Park in Congo is an all-year-round primate destination, however, the dry months offer favorable weather conditions for gorilla trekking and Nyiragongo volcano climbing. The dry months in Virunga fall from July to September and are characterized by low or no rainfall.

Other attractions in Virunga National Park

Besides mountain gorillas and Nyiragongo Volcano, the Virunga National Park also provides refuge to other distinct attractions. Over 706 bird species include collared apalis, Rwenzori batis, Rwenzori turacos, Kivu ground thrush, handsome spurfowl, red-faced woodland warblers, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, Shelley’s crimson wing, northern pintail, Hottentot teal, red-billed teal, and tropical boubou.

Other birds in the Virunga National Park include the grey-throated barbet, papyrus yellow warblers, African olive pigeon, Angolan swallow, white-headed wood hoopoe, Egyptian goose, Garganey, fulvous whistling duck, yellow rumped tinker bird, egrets, shoebill storks, francolin nobilis, white-faced whistling duck, alpine swift, and other.

Aside from gorilla trekking and Nyiragongo hikes, Virunga National Park also offers the best birding or bird-watching tours, nature walks, and chimpanzee habituation.