In these 7 days combined tour in the Democratic Republic of Congo, expect an all exciting and unforgettable experience, a lifetime opportunity to grab. You will hike Mount Nyiragongo, one of the world’s most active volcano, encounter the endangered mountain Gorillas in Virunga national park, one of Africa’s oldest national parks and track the Eastern Lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega national park.
The adventure also comprises a tour around Kigali city, Boat cruise at Lake Kivu, and an amazing scenic viewing among others. The trip starts and ends at Kigali, Rwanda.
Detailed safari
Day one: Pickup and city tour
As you land at Kigali international airport, our company representative will be glad to welcome you for the ultimate seven-day experience at the Democratic Republic of Congo, going ahead to brief you about the entire safari.
If time allows, he will drive you around the Kigali city, visiting the local markets to buy some souvenirs and items to use during the trip, as well as visiting the Rwanda Genocide memorial before proceeding to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day two: Depart Kigali city for Virunga national park
On sunrise, you will be served with a cup of heavy coffee, before hitting the road to Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a 5-6 hours’ drive but with an en-route stopover at Lake Kivu for lunch and an exciting boat ride.
Proceed with the drive that gives you an opportunity of watching the eye-catching landscape and the evergreen flourishing vegetation by the countryside. You will cross the scenic Goma border where you need to acquire some documents before proceeding to your lodge at or nearby Virunga national park.
Day three: Mountain Gorilla trekking in Virunga national park
On this day, breakfast is served a bit early because you have to catch-up with the pre trekking briefing and document verification by the knowledgeable park rangers who will tell you acceptable behaviors while tracking the Mountain gorillas.
Thereafter, they will lead you to the Jungle, right from the last place the gentle apes were spotted, following the broken tree branches and footsteps, as well as sound. This can last for up to 4 hours depending on your fitness and speed, with one hour left for you to watch the creatures take care of themselves, feed and play.
After meeting and interacting with your closest relatives, the Mountain Gorillas, that possess 98% human DNA, you will return to the park for lunch and the evening for yourself followed by a delicious dinner meal and overnight.
Day four: Hiking to the peak of Mount Nyiragongo
You will have breakfast first before driving to Kabitsa village, where you will join other members for the briefing session handled by expert rangers at 10:00 am, before commencing with the hike at 10:30am. Mount Nyiragongo is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, and you will take 5-6 hours to reach its peak, with a lunch break enroute.
The Hiking difficulty is not felt because of the fascinating sceneries, primates, birds, green vegetation, the aerial view of Virunga national park and the undulating hills. Dinner and overnight will be at the top of the mountain so make it appoint to move with warm clothes.
Day five: Descend and transfer to Kahuzi-Biega national park
Start this day with a hefty cup of coffee before descending Mount Nyiragongo while having beautiful views of the scattered homesteads, the rolling hills, and the Vast Virunga national park. You will need to move carefully so as no one slides or gets injured because more adventure awaits you.
After arriving at the base, your driver-guide while take you for lunch before embarking on a 3-4 hours’ drive to Kahuzi-Biega national park, where you will have dinner and overnight as you wait to track the lowland gorillas.
Day six: Eastern lowland gorilla tracking
You will welcome this day with breakfast, before being driven to the park s headquarters for a pre trekking briefing by knowledgeable park rangers who will tell you the dos and don’ts while at the park with these gentle creatures, as well verifying your trekking documents.
Here is where you expect to spot the eastern lowland gorillas, which are relatively different from their friends the Mountain gorillas because they have bigger bodies and climb trees higher than the Mountain Gorillas.
After the briefing, the park rangers accompany you to the Jungle in a hike that can last for approximately 2-4 hours depending on your fitness and how far the primates have moved. Upon tracing for the lowland gorillas, one hour is yours to take photos and closely their unique characteristics such as mothers feeding their young ones, the group playing as the dominant silverbacks are on the walk.
You will then return to your lodge for Lunch and relaxation or nature walk, depending on your strength before dinner and overnight
Day seven: Departure
On this day, you will have a relaxed breakfast when you wake up from a night of very relaxed sleep, then after, check out of the lodge for a smooth 4-5 hours’ drive by your driver, back to Kigali international airport for a flight back to your home or to the next destination.
