8 days primate safaris in Congo and Mount Nyiragongo hike
This 8 days primate safaris in Congo and Mount Nyiragongo hike is the ultimate safari for travelers interested in enjoying both the Eastern and mountain gorillas and also get to hike Mount Nyiragongo, an active volcano in Africa. For your gorilla trekking in Congo, you will get to participate in gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park and gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park. This will give you the chance to spend an hour with the species, understanding a number of their rewarding features as they co-exist in their given gorilla families. You will also get to participate in chimpanzee trekking in Virunga National Park, which will help you explore the northern sector of the park. Continue with the detailed itinerary below, all of which will make your Congo safari quite memorable.
Highlights of your 8 days primate safaris in Congo and Mount Nyiragongo hike
Day 1: Pick-up from Kigali, Rwanda and cross to Bukavu
Day 2: Lowland gorilla trekking in Congo
Day 3: Boat transfer to Goma
Day 4: Virunga Gorilla Trekking in Congo
Day 5: chimpanzee trekking in Virunga National Park
Day 6: 2nd gorilla trekking experience in Congo
Day 7: Mount Nyiragongo hike
Day 8: Descend Nyiragongo and transfer to Kigali
Detailed itinerary of your 8 days primate safaris in Congo and Mount Nyiragongo hike
Day 1: Pick-up from Kigali Rwanda and cross to Bukavu
Depending on your location in Kigali, our company representative-guide/driver will pick you up and transfer you to Kahuzi Biega National Park. While making your way to the park, you will watch the rolling hills in Rusizi with stopovers for lunch and a refreshing break. Cross through the Cyangugu border to Bukavu town in the Democratic Republic of Congo. On arrival in Bukavu, the nearest town to Kahuzi Biega National Park, you will advance to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Panorama
Day 2: Lowland gorilla trekking in Congo
After enjoying your breakfast at the lodge, drive to the park headquarters for a briefing about the Eastern lowland gorillas and gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park, and the rules and regulations to follow. After the session, you will then set off to search for the lowland gorillas in the valleys of Kahuzi as you encounter different mammals, birds, and primates. The experience will take between 1-6 hours’ experience of the jungle, depending on the gorilla movement. You will watch them interact/play with each other as you take photos and videos. You will then descend back and meet up with your driver to drive back to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay at Panorama Hotel.
Day 3: Boat transfer to Goma
After an early morning breakfast, you will transfer to Bukavu port, where you will participate in a boat cruise to transfer you to Goma. You will have exceptional views of Mount Nyiragongo, you will watch different flora and fauna as you pass different Islands, the drive will lead you to the opposite side of the lake, and lead you to Goma. You will then be cleared at the Grand barrier and then make your way to Rumangabo to check into Mikeno lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Virunga Gorilla Trekking in Congo
After an early morning breakfast at your hotel at Mikeno lodge, you will make your way to the Bukima ranger post for a briefing about your gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park. After the briefing session, you will be allocated a guide and a range, and then make your way to the forests in search of the gentle giants. The search for the gorillas is dependent on their movements, and this can take between 2-7 hours. Later, head into the forest with your ranger guide and expect to hike for 1 to 3 hours until you find the mountain Gorillas in Virunga National Park. When you get to see them, you will enjoy one hour with them, watching their ways in the wild, and how they coexist with one another. How the juveniles groom one another. You will stay up to 1 hour maximum and head back to the Bukima camp, then be transferred back to your hotel Mikeno lodge and have the rest of the day at leisure, including time for a nature walk.
Day 5: chimpanzee trekking in Virunga National Park
After an early morning breakfast at your hotel, you will transfer to the Rumangabo sector of the park within the Mahura forest to participate in chimpanzee trekking, which will give you access to already habituated chimpanzee troops. This will give you the chance to watch how the species are able to co-exist with one another in their natural habitat. After the experience, head back to your hotel for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay.
Day 6: gorilla trekking experience in Congo
On day 6 of the 8 days primate safaris in Congo and Mount Nyiragongo hike, after an early morning breakfast at your hotel with your packed lunch box, you will embark on your second gorilla trekking experience in Congo, which will give you the chance to spend more time with the mountain gorillas exploring more about the species in the wild. After the safari experience, you will head back to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay
Day 7: Mount Nyiragongo hike
After an early morning breakfast at your hotel, you will transfer to Kibati ranger post headquarters, the starting point for all hikes in the park. While at your briefing point, you will be assigned to a ranger and guide to ensure your safety in the park during your Mount Nyiragongo hike. You will make your way to the top, which will take you between 4- hours. You will have the chance to watch the lava lake at a safe viewpoint. After the experience, you will have your meals at your camp as you wait to descend the next day.
Day 8: Descend Nyiragongo and transfer to Kigali
After breakfast, you will descend Mount Nyiragongo and head back to Kibati at 11:00 am and connect with your guide to transfer back to Kigali city. On reaching your will participate in a Kigali city tour where you will get to visit a number of destinations like the genocide memorial museum for a memorable safari experience. After the safari experience, you will later be dropped off at a location of your choice or Kigali international airport, and the end of your This 8 days primate safaris in Congo and Mount Nyiragongo hike.
Quote includes:
- Pick up and drop off in Kigali
- Lowland gorilla permit
- Congo Visa
- English/ French speaking driver/guide
- Accommodation and meals as described in the itinerary
- 4X4 safari vehicle and Fuel.
- Bottled mineral water in the car
Quote excludes:
- International flight fees
- Porters and walking sticks for trekking
- Tourist visa fees for Rwanda
- Items of a personal nature, like Laundry, Telephone calls, and luxury drinks, among others.
- Tips and gratuities to service providers
- Any other item not mentioned in the itinerary, and extra costs not included in the itinerary
