Gorilla Trekking and Mount Nyiragongo Hike
Gorilla trekking and mount Nyiragongo hike– Mountain gorilla trekking and Nyuiragongo hiking are the most popular safari activities done in Virunga national park of the Democratic republic of Congo. The park is a home to over 250 mountain gorillas with 8 habituated families available for tourism.
Virunga national park has well trained safari guides that lead the tourists into the forest alongside professional park rangers to offer tight security during tracking. On the other hand, most tourists prefer to combine gorilla trekking with mount Nyiragongo hike. This is an active volcano that has erupted 35 time and the recent eruption happened on 27th May 2021 after 9 years. Hiking starts at 10:00am from Kibati patrol station. Visitors are advised to be at the station as early as 9:00am to commence the hiking process with a briefing session. This trail takes approximately 4 to 6 hours depending on the speed of the hikers as well as their physical fitness. It is special to spend a night at the summit of the volcano and it gives a life time memorable experience.
We bring you a sample travel package Virunga mountain gorilla trekking and nyiragongo Hike
5 Days Gorilla Trekking and Nyiragongo Hike in Virunga national park Congo
This 5 Days Gorilla Trekking and Nyiragongo Hike safari in Virunga national park Congo gives you an opportunity to explore different sceneries, wildlife and beauty of Democratic Republic of the Congo. The safari takes to Virunga national park which is a home to a number of mountain gorillas and located in the Eastern part of Congo. This park is well known for having a number of volcanoes including the mighty mount Nyiragongo that attracts thousands of visitors for hiking experiences. Booking this package with a local tour operator like Africa Adventure Vacations, you will encounter mountain gorillas in their natural habitats and also hike to the top of Mount Nyiragongo volcano.
Highlights of 5 Days Gorilla Trekking and Nyiragongo Hike in Virunga national park Congo
Day 1: Arrival to Kigali and Transfer to Gisenyi
Day 2: Transfer from the Grande Barriere to Kibumba tented Camp
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National park
Day 4: Mount Nyiragongo Volcano Hike
Day 5: Descending from Nyiragongo Volcano and Transfer to Kigali
Day 1: Arrival to Kigali and Transfer to Gisenyi
Upon your arrival at Kigali international airport, meet and greet your guide for a quick briefing about your 5 days gorilla trekking & Nyiragongo hike and transfer to Gisenyi on the shores of Lake Kivu for overnight stay.
Journey time – 3 hours
Meal plan – Dinner
Accommodation options
Up market – Lake Kivu Serena
Mid-range – Inzozi Lodge
Budget – Paradise Malahide
Day 2: Transfer from the Grande Barriere to Kibumba tented Camp
On this day, you will have breakfast and transfer to Grande Barriere for border crossing by 12:15pm to check in with Virunga tourism offices at 13:00pm. You will be given your gorilla trekking and mount Nyiragongo hiking permits to enjoy your life time travel activities the following days. After obtaining your permits, you will transfer to Kibumba for relaxion and overnight stay.
Journey time – 1 hour
Meal plan –Full Board
Accommodation
Kibumba Tented Camp
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National park
After breakfast, drive downhill to Bukima ranger post for the briefing sessions. While here, meet your allocated ranger guides before starting a mountain gorilla trekking tour. After briefing, start your trail into the deep forest jungles of Virunga national park. This takes between 1 to 9 hours depending on the location and movement of your allocated gorilla family. After a fantastic encounter of the family, spend a full hour with them, see them how they play, interact with the family members among other behaviors. Take as many photos as possible before you descend back to the starting point. You may opt to go bird watching, nature walk or relax at the lodge
Meal plan –Full Board
Accommodation
Kibumba Tented Camp
Day 4: Nyiragongo Volcano Hike
Wake up early in the morning for breakfast and transfer to the park headquarters of Kibati patrol station latest by 9:00am to start briefing sessions about mount Nyiragongo hike. You are strongly advised to hire a porter before you commence the trail. The journey takes approximately 4 to 6 hours depending on the speed of the hikers and their physical fitness. Visitors trek through lava rocks, forested areas and the open space that offers astonishing endless views of the Virunga region. On arrival to the summit, you will enjoy the stunning views of hot lava lake. Take as many photos as possible to commemorate your journey to Africa’s most active volcanic feature.
You will spend a lovely night at the crater rim
Meal plan –Full Board
Accommodation
Day 5: Descending from Nyiragongo Volcano and Transfer to Kigali
After breakfast, descend back to the park headquarters to meet your driver for a transfer to Grande Barriere border. Continue with your journey to Kigali for a drop off at the airport or hotel to end your 5 days Gorilla Trekking and Nyiragongo Hike safari in Virunga national park
Tour Inclusions
Ground transport
Volcano trekking permit
Gorilla trekking permit
Bottled water in the safari vehicle
Full board accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
Service of an English-speaking drive guide
All mentioned activities except for the optional ones
Tour exclusions
Extras at the accommodation i.e. drinks, telephone, laundry etc
Porter fees
Tips to porters and guide
Insurance
Nyiragongo back pack
Congo Visa
In order to have the best experience of 5 days Gorilla Trekking and Nyiragongo Hike safari in Virunga national park, you are required to have sturdy hiking boots, a raincoat, thick cotton gloves, packed snack and water. It is significant to hire the services of porters for those with heavy bags and a camera to take photos while tracking the gorillas. The porters provided for Nyiragongo hiking are not personal. Their prime work is to carry supplies and help in setting up a camp however; personal porters may be hired at a cost of $10 to $15. It is also a good gesture to tip to the rangers, hotel staff and guides if you are happy with their services. The 5 days tour requires you to be in a very good shape and fit enough to complete both sets of adventure activities.
Details of optional accommodations for gorilla trekking and mount Nyiragongo hike tour
Virunga national park is endowed with a number of accommodation properties that range from budget, mid-range to luxury. These safari lodges offer classic services to travelers on their tour to the home of gorillas and stunning volcanoes. Most guests who stay at the properties are tourists looking for a number of activities such as gorilla trekking, Nyiragongo hiking, chimpanzee trekking and habituation, bird watching, nature walks and visiting Senkwenkwe gorilla orphanage.
Mikeno Lodge
Mikeno is a luxury safari lodge located Virunga National Park, well built on a forested hill and not far from the park headquarters in Rumangabo. Guests at this luxurious property enjoy magnificent views of mountain Mikeno and Nyiragongo Volcanoes. The Lodge has a total of 12 self-contained bungalows constructed using of volcanic stones and thatched roofs. Each room is spacious and private with large beds, modern bathrooms, sitting room, wireless internets, working tables, television, personal terrace to enjoy great views of the park. Other amenities include on-site bar and restaurant, large deck and a warm fireplace were tourists gather in the evening to warm themselves and also enjoy the magical sounds of the wilderness. Most guests who stay at Mikeno get an opportunity to visit Senkwekwe Gorilla orphanage center. Virunga national park managers often visit the lodge for meetings and yummy meals.
Kibumba Tented Camp
Kibumba Tented Camp is a mid-range accommodation lodge in Virunga national park, offering affordable services and breathtaking sceneries of the park and the Virunga volcanoes. The camp is owned by Virunga foundation and close to Goma and the starting point of Nyiragongo hiking. Kibumba tented camp has 18 self-contained tents with private showers and comfortable beds. Other amenities include the bar and a restaurant. The camp also has a central lounge were guests gathers to relax and share their African experiences. Guests who stay here tend to enjoy a number of activities such as gorilla trekking, hiking Nyiragongo and bird watching
Kibumba tented camp rates for accommodation (meals inclusive)
Double room US$210
Twin room US$210
Triple room US$294
Single room US$147
The rates are subject to change without prior notice
Nyiragongo Cabins / Summit Shelters
The Nyiragongo cabins are built at the summit of mount Nyiragongo and they can only accommodate tourists who make it to the top of the volcano. Nyiragongo summit shelters have a total of 12 cabins, each with two single beds where guests put their sleeping bags. It is a basic accommodation property and nothing is luxurious here. Every cabin is built 5 feet high to enable hikers enjoy spectacular views of the Virunga region and Goma town. Those without sleeping bags are offered one and food is prepared by local porters using small locally made cooking stoves to offer an authentic camping style of true African wilderness experience.
