Mikeno Lodge
Mikeno is a high-end safari lodge located in Democratic Republic of Congo, seated on the forested hills of Virunga national park and close to the park headquarters in Rumangabo. This is the best lodge for luxury tourists intending to visit the park for gorilla treks and located in an ideal area with a diversity of birdlife and large monkey population.
Mikeno Lodge is just 1 ½ hours’ drive away from Goma town and designed to offer the perfect balance of adventure and serenity experiences. The lodge has friendly and hospitable staff.
The lodge has a total of 12 spacious rooms built with lava stones and mahogany tree. All bungalows open up to the Virunga forest with comfortable double and twin beds, decking with tranquil views of the forest and the mountainous landscape.
The general ambience of the lodge combines comfortable, high-quality, contemporary furnishings with traditional touches, such as bare-stone floors covered with rugs and carpets, local art pieces on the walls and grass thatched roofs.
The main building has stunning views to rift valley, mount Nyiragongo and Mikeno volcano with a large fireplace and a fully stocked bar. During chilly evenings, you can stay warm while enjoying a drink and chatting with other guests at the lodge.
The price for accommodation at Mikeno lodge includes 16% Govt VAT and the Rate is USD 450 per room. The price is subject to change without prior notice.
Activities to do while staying at Mikeno lodge
Mikeno lodge is located inside the park and features a number of tourist activities ranging from adventure safari to fine honeymoon holidays. Below are some of the things to do while at the lodge;
Gorilla trekking in the park.
Hiking mount nyiragongo.
Explore Rumangabo several nature trails.
Bird watching.
Community walks.
Visit the park bamboo projects.
Impact of the Mikeno lodge
Community: 30% of permit fees is used to support the community projects under direct supervision of Virunga National Park. These projects include; building health centers, schools and extending piped water to the surrounding communities.
Conservation: 50% of permit fees go to ICCN (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature). ICCN is the Congolese wildlife authority whose mandate is to conserve wildlife for future generations through proper management and conservation of Congo’s biodiversity in protected areas, carrying out of scientific research, development of ecotourism within the framework of conservation and development of communities living around different conservation areas.
20% of permit fees collected is used to meet operational costs of Virunga National Park. These costs include; ranger salaries, infrastructural development in and around the park among others.
Why choose Mikeno lodge?
The forest around the lodge offers spectacular birding opportunities with over 100 species to be found, a prized sighting being the great blue turaco.
A lot of primates can be spotted such as blue monkeys, l’hoest’s monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys and olive baboons running around the lodge. On a lucky day, you may even see wild chimpanzees around the lodge.
The staff are professional and friendly to make your stay memorable
Virunga is one of the most biologically diverse national parks in Africa hence UNESCO designated it as a World Heritage Site.
The park is also a geologic wonder with two world’s stunning active volcanoes that is Nyiragongo and Nyamurangira