The Ultimate 5 Days Congo Gorillas & Nyiragongo Hike for Adventure Lovers.
Prepare for the most exhilarating primate and hiking adventure on this 5 Days Congo Gorillas & Nyiragongo hike. This tour perfectly introduces you to the scenic Virunga National Park where you will have the best mountain gorilla trekking and Nyiragongo Volcano hiking adventure.
Virunga is the biggest of all the renowned mountain gorilla safari parks. Gazetted as a Congo National Park in 1925, Virunga National Park extends over 7800sq.km and is one of the most exceptional gorilla trekking destinations.
Within the vast Virunga National Park Congo, there reside over 8 habituated gorilla families/groups; Mapuwa, Bageni, Nyakamwe, Munyaga, Rugendo, Humba, Lulengo, and Kabirizi.
Your gorilla trek begins at Bukima ranger post with a briefing about gorilla trekking regulations and the allocation of gorilla families plus park guides. Virunga National Park is an extensive park in Eastern Congo and shelters more than mountain gorillas.
There are also chimpanzees, okapis, hippos, elephants, and over 706 bird species, etc. Your trip to explore Virunga National Park wonders begins and ends in Kigali, Rwanda.
Brief 5 Days Congo Gorillas Nyiragongo Hike Itinerary;
- Day 1: Pick up at Kigali & drive through Rwanda-Congo border to Virunga NP
- Day 2: Enjoy a thrilling Virunga gorilla trekking
- Day 3: Bukima-Kibati, ascend to Nyiragongo summits
- Day 4: Descend from Nyiragongo summits and proceed to Gisenyi in Rwanda
- Day 5: To Kigali & Departure
Detailed 5 Days Congo Gorillas Nyiragongo Hike Itinerary:
Day 1: Pick up at Kigali & drive through the Rwanda-Congo border to Virunga National Park.
After a hefty breakfast at your respective places of stay, meet our company driver guide for a warm welcome and later, get briefing about this Congo safari. Leave Kigali for Virunga National Park, driving via the Congo border to the lodge inside or nearby Virunga National Park. Settle for a leisurely dinner and a night stay.
Accommodation
- Mikeno Lodge
- Bukima Tented Camp
Day 2: Enjoy a thrilling Virunga gorilla trekking.
Leave your accommodation facility for Bukima ranger post where you will find the park official. Arrive early such that you get briefed on the safety measures to be observed on a gorilla trekking.
The park official from Virunga will allocate a gorilla family and an armed park ranger guide to accompany you. This remarkable primate excursion will run for 2-6 hours and includes an hour of observing how gorillas behave and taking photos.
Get back to the lodge and have a relaxed moment with your dear ones. You may have an addition of Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage visit/tour and return for dinner plus a night stay.
Accommodation
- Mikeno Lodge
- Bukima Tented Camp
Day 3: Bukima-Kibati, ascend to Nyiragongo summits.
Early morning after you have enjoyed breakfast, set off from Bukima area to Kitabi for another briefing. Today, get insight into the safety measures to be followed while hiking to the summits of Nyiragongo Volcano. The actual trek to Nyiragongo summits begins by 10:00am and expect to take 5-6 hours with the lead of an experienced guide plus porters.
Once you have reach the summits, the key highlight is the breathtaking views of the Lava crater lake that glows, and do not miss night insights. You will retire for the night at the set Nyiragongo Summit Shelters.
Day 4: Descend from Nyiragongo summits and proceed to Gisenyi in Rwanda.
After breakfast, you will be leaving the summits of Nyiragongo Volcano with the guide on lead. At Kibati, find your driver guide waiting to pick you up, and from here, connect to Gisenyi to relax in one of the comfortable hotels.
Accommodation
- Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
- Paradise Malahide
Day 5: To Kigali & Departure
A hefty breakfast be enjoyed early morning and after, depart from Gisenyi to Kigali capital. Arrive at the city early and pay a visit to Gisozi genocide memorial plus other places including the Kimironko market, Kigali’s biggest local market with plenty of freshly harvested fruits and other vegetables.
Settle for lunch at the hotel of your preference and later, drive to the airport for departure.
End of safari
Tour Inclusions and Exclusions of the 5 Days Congo Gorillas & Nyiragongo hike
5 Days Congo Gorillas Nyiragongo Hike Inclusions
- Valid gorilla permit
- Nyiragongo Volcano hike
- Accommodation and all meals as per the itinerary
- Travel on ground & service of driver or park guide
- Bottled water
- All relevant government taxes
Exclusions
- Tips
- Laundry
- Extra activities
- Telephone bills
- Insurance
- Shopping
- Airfares
- Beverages
Travel Gear to Consider
- sturdy hiking boots
- waterproof clothing
- Pairs of daypack, gloves
- Insect repellent
- light waterproof Rain Jacket
- Energetic snacks and enough water
- A good digital camera.
About the Current Situation in Virunga National Park
Due to ongoing security concerns, Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains closed to tourists. The resurgence of armed conflict involving M23 rebels has led to instability, particularly in areas hosting key attractions such as mountain gorilla habitats and Mount Nyiragongo.
These regions are largely inaccessible, and the safety of visitors cannot be guaranteed. Conservation efforts have also been disrupted, posing challenges to wildlife protection. Until stability is restored, activities like gorilla trekking and hiking are on hold. Tourists are encouraged to explore other nearby destinations such as Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Congo Kahuzi-Biega National Park.