Your 5 Days Congo Lowland Gorillas & Nyiragongo Hiking Safari explores Congo’s famous Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega National Parks in the Eastern part of the country, spending 4 nights at the best hotels/camps/lodges inside or near these top gorilla trekking destinations.
Get a chance to get up-close with Eastern lowland gorillas (the largest great apes) and hike Mount Nyiragongo, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, with the most recent eruption in May 2021.
This Congo lowland and Nyiragongo hiking safari also includes spending one night at the Nyiragongo summit shelters, day tours of Kigali City, and a guided walk at Tshibati waterfalls before returning to Kigali City where the safari started.
Detailed Lowland Gorillas & Nyiragongo Climbing Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Kigali City to Gisenyi Town
Our 5-day Congo lowland gorillas & Nyiragongo hike departs from Kigali city in the morning heading to the popular town of Gisenyi on the shores of Lake Kivu and Rwanda-Democratic Republic of Congo border.
The meeting point before the journey is your pre-tour place of stay in Kigali at 7:00 am on the first day. Your first overnight stay will be on the shores of Lake Kivu where delicious meals, comfortable sleep, and relaxation will be provided.
Day 2: Drive to Virunga National Park, Ascend Nyiragongo Volcano
Breakfast at the lodge in Gisenyi at 7:00 am leads you to Virunga National Park. Check-in at the Virunga Tourism Office (at Grande Barriere Border) by 8:00 am on the day of the scheduled Mount Nyiragongo hike.
The Virunga Tourism office is adjacent to the passport control office in the same border crossing building where you will receive your hiking permit.
Embark on a drive to the 7,800-square kilometer Virunga National Park and meet the hiking team at Kibati Ranger Post. The hike officially begins at 10:00 am after briefing, obtaining your trekking equipment, and hiring a porter.
This takes 5-6 hours (depending on the pace of movement) to reach the camp, with several en-route attractions such as densely forested areas with primates and bird species, lava debris, and open spaces.
Get a chance to gaze at the blazing hot lava flow from the crater and enjoy photography moments.
Day 3: Descend Mount Nyiragongo and Transfer to Bukavu Town
Today, we descend from Nyiragongo Volcano starting as early as 6:30 am with your driver waiting at Kibati Ranger post. Receive your hiking certificate, interact with the hiking team, share experiences, tip (willingly), and embark on the transfer to Bukavu Town.
First, have lunch at one of the hotels and embark on a ferry crossing on Lake Kivu to Bukavu Town, where you can enjoy views of rolling hills, agricultural fields, and Virunga Mountains. Dinner and overnight will be at the reserved hotel.
Day 4: Congo Lowland Gorilla Trekking
Today, you explore Kahuzi-Biega National Park with an adventurous lowland gorilla trekking experience. First, have breakfast at the hotel, followed by a one-hour drive to the park headquarters for briefing.
The entire trekking experience lasts between two and six hours, including the magical hour with the largest gorilla species. Once located, get your camera ready to take photos of them while observing their outstanding behavior.
A picnic lunch will be enjoyed in the park, followed by a transfer to the Tshibati waterfalls area for another photography moment. Tonight, you’ll stay at the same reserved hotel in Bukavu town.
Day 5: Kahuzi-Biega National Park to Kigali City
On day 5 of your safari, enjoy a leisurely breakfast and embark on a transfer to Kigali, where the trip started.
Along the way, make stops for lunch at the King’s Palace in Nyanza and the Ethnographic Museum in Butare for historical discoveries and browse the Craft market for beautiful items.
Then continue to Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, to conclude this 5-day Congo Lowland Gorillas & Nyiragongo hike. If time permits, undertake a brief city excursion before drop-off at the agreed location.
