6 days Rwanda gorilla and Nyiragongo hike – Gorilla Safaris
A 6 days Rwanda gorilla and Nyiragongo hike involve trekking to see mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park which is set in Musanze Province, Northwestern Rwanda and hiking to the top of Mount Nyiragongo in the Virunga National Park, eastern Democratic Republic Congo (DRC). Your 6 days Rwanda gorilla and volcano hiking adventure will commence and end in Kigali.
What to do on 6 days Rwanda gorilla and Nyiragongo hike
• Mountain gorilla trekking
• Nyiragongo volcano hiking
• Transportation in 4×4 safari vehicle
Brief itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Day 3: Drive to DR Congo, brief city tour in Goma
Day 4: Hike to Mount Nyiragongo
Day 5: Descend from Nyiragongo Volcano and drive to Goma
Day 6: Drive back to Kigali
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Arrival at Kigali International Airport early in the morning or pick up at your hotel in Kigali after breakfast by our company representative who will take you through what your 6 days Rwanda gorilla and Nyiragongo tour covers. After, you will pay a visit to Kigali/Gisozi genocide site to explore what took place during the 1994 Rwanda genocide. Later, you will be transferred to Volcanoes National Park where a section of mountain gorillas live and this will take you about 2-3 hours. Arrive early enough at Volcanoes National Park to check-in at your lodge to relax, dine and spend a night.
Travel plan: 2-3 hours
Meal plan: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation choices
Bisate Lodge/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury)
Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge/Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range)
Muhabura Hotel/Kinigi Guesthouse (Budget)
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Start the day with a hot cup of tea or coffee and after, you will join other visitors at Kinigi park offices where you will be briefed on the set gorilla trekking guidelines. You will trek one habituated family in a group of 8 trekkers and an armed park ranger guide will accompany you plus trackers who are sent to ascertain where these creatures are located before trekkers embark on the actual trek. If you have heavy luggage, you will also be joined by porters who will be carrying your luggage. The ten (10) groups to explore in Volcanoes National Park include Susa A, Sabyinyo, Hirwa, Ugenda, Kwitonda, Umubano, Karisimbi family, Amahoro group and Agashya. This adventure will start at 8:00 a.m and can take you about 2 to 6 hours which also includes one hour of face to face encounter with gorillas; explore their behaviors and body gestures. Because it is a strenuous adventure, you need some packed lunch/energy giving snacks and bottled water. After you will get back to the lodge to relax and in the afternoon/evening, you have a nature walk to the Twin Lakes; Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation choices
Bisate Lodge/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury)
Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge/Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range)
Muhabura Hotel/Kinigi Guesthouse (Budget)
Day 3: Drive to DR Congo, brief city tour in Goma
Get up early in the morning to enjoy your cup of tea or coffee and after, you will drive to DRC. At Goma, you will stop to have lunch and a brief city tour.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation choices in Goma Town
Ihusi Hotel/Lake Kivu Lodge (Luxury)
Centre d’ Accueil Caritas/Hotel des Grands Lacs (Midrange)
Shu Shu Guesthouse (Budget)
Day 4: Hike to Mount Nyiragongo
Have breakfast early in the morning and after, embark on the actual hike to the summit of Nyiragongo Volcano. This will take you about 4-6 hours and along the way, you enjoy the lush forest with the opportunity to sight at other primates, birds. At the summit, you will be amazed by this glowing volcano. Dine and spend a night at Nyiragongo Volcano Summit Shelters.
Day 5: Descend from Nyiragongo Volcano and drive to Goma
Today, you will be served breakfast and after, you will descend from Mount Nyiragongo to point where you commenced your adventure the previous day. Meet your driver-guide and transfer to Goma to relax in a hotel of your choice.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation choices in Goma
Ihusi Hotel/Lake Kivu Lodge (Luxury)
Centre d’ Accueil Caritas/Hotel des Grands Lacs (Midrange)
Shu Shu Guesthouse (Budget)
Day 6: Drive back to Kigali
Enjoy your breakfast and after, drive back to Kigali and this marks the end of your 6 days Rwanda gorilla and Nyiragongo hike.
End of 6 days Rwanda gorilla and Nyiragongo hike
6 days Rwanda gorilla and Nyiragongo tour includes
• Gorilla trekking (gorilla permits cost $1500 per person in R`wanda)
• Nyiragongo Hike
• Ground transportation in 4×4 safari car
• Fulltime English speaking driver-guide
• Bottled water
• Relevant government taxes
6 days Rwanda gorilla and Nyiragongo tour excludes
• Rwanda Visa fees
• DR Congo visa
• Insurance
• Personal expenses like tips, cigarettes, laundry services, optional activities, accommodation outside itinerary, telephone calls, airfares, and many others.
What to bring
• Waterproof hiking boots
• Bottled water and energy-giving snacks
• Long-sleeved shirts/t-shirt
• Camera
• Rain jacket/poncho
• First aid kit
• Insect repellent
• Walking stick (get one at park offices or lodge)
Guidelines for gorilla trekking
• You should be at least 15 years if you are to trek gorillas
• A maximum of one hour is given to you to be with mountain gorillas
• You are advised to keep a distance of 7 meters away from gorillas at all times
• Only 8 visitors are allowed to track one gorilla family
• You are advised to keep your voices low while on a gorilla trek
• No flashlight camera is allowed when taking photos of gorillas
• Do not go trekking gorillas if you are sick
