An experience like no other is the true definition of this amazing 5days Virunga and Nyiragongo hiking safari in the Democratic Republic of Congo. You will hike the most active volcano with the most recent eruption happening in 2012, living behind a treasure that will amaze you one arrival at the peak of the 11000 meters high Mountain Nyiragongo.
Then a lifetime opportunity of tracking your closest relatives, the endangered mountain Gorillas, residing in one of the oldest national parks in Africa, Nyiragongo National park situated within the Virunga volcanoes. The safari starts and ends in Kigali international airport Rwanda, but the Hiking and Gorilla trekking takes place in Virunga national park, then other activities will include visiting Lake Kivu, and cultural encounter among others
Details
Day 1: Pickup and drive to Lake Kivu
Upon arrival at the airport, our company representative will be glad to welcome you for the 5 days’ safari experience in Virunga national park. He will start by briefing you about everything you have to expect during the trip as well as responding to your concerns as you refresh from the Long hour flight with a glass of juice.
Start the 5-6 hours’ drive to Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but first, making an en-route stopover at Lake Kivu where you will enjoy a 30minute boat ride and Lunch before proceeding to Goma while enjoying some of the beautiful views of the rolling hills, and green vegetations. Arrival will be in the evening when you will have dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking
Your Driver Guide will pick you up from your lodge as soon as breakfast is done, then take you to the park’s headquarters very early in the morning to join fellow trackers on apretrekking briefing, and document verification that lasts for approximately 30mins.
After that, you will be given a particular gorilla family to track for the next 1-6 hours, through the guidance of an expert Park ranger who will start the quest from the point they last saw the gentle. The tracking exercise is so exciting because you get the opportunity of seeing birds, and other primates such as the vervet monkeys and many more you had not thought of encountering.
Upon finding the gentle giants, take as many photos as you can as you watch them play, feed, and interact with each other.
After the tracking session, you will drive back to the Lodge for Late Lunch and relaxation by the beautiful gardens, while enjoying cold breath until dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Hiking to the peak of Mount Nyiragongo
After enjoying an energy-giving cup of coffee, your driver-guide will take you to Kibati patrol post, where you converge as a group for apre-hiking briefing at 10:30, followed by the actual hike to the peak of the most active volcano, a journey that lasts for approximately 5-6 hours, following the speed of the slowest person in the group.
Never stop admiring the beautiful sceneries you encounter on the way to the top, as well as those spread beneath this mountain, referred by many as general Nyiragongo because when it roars, everyone scatters. As you arrive at the peak of the mountain, take photos and enjoy the beautiful views of the blazing volcano before dinner and overnight at the campsite.
Day 4: Descend mount Nyiragongo
On this day, you will have a very heavy breakfast in the morning before descending the Mount Nyiragongo. While enjoying the beautiful views of the scattered homesteads beneath the mountain as well as the rolling hills and cool environment
As you reach the Mountain Base, the driver guide will gladly receive you and drive you to the lodge for lunch and have the afternoon to yourself as you wait for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Visiting the Genocide Memorial Grounds, local markets and Kigali international airport
Depending on your flight time, you will have an early morning breakfast, before checking out of the lodge for a journey to Kigali international airport, with an enroute stop at the genocide memorial grounds to learn about thousands of innocent people who were innocently killed but then buried in a mass grave.
Thereafter, proceed for Lunch before visiting the local markets where you will buy some souvenirs to take home in remembrance of this amazing 5day adventure. After, proceed to Kigali international airport for your next destination.
End of safari
