3 Days Mount Nyiragongo Hiking In Congo
per person
3 days Mount Nyiragongo volcano hiking safari and tour takes you to Virunga national park in DR Congo to the see the only volcano with a lava lake; observe a boiling Magma Lake! Virunga national park is one of the oldest game reserves in Africa under the Virunga conservation area. Other member parks are Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda. Virunga national park was designated as a world heritage site by UNESCO and it is a home to the rare okapi, Mountain gorillas, lions, forest elephants, buffaloes, leopards, Bongo antelopes, chimpanzee and various bird species. The main attraction in the park is the mountain gorillas and the boiling lava at the summit of Nyiragongo volcano.
Our 3 Days mount Nyiragongo hiking safari is very popular package however, if you are already in Goma town or in Gisenyi Rwanda but interested in a short trip to hike the volcano, you may book a 2 days Nyiragongo Hiking Package. We also have an adventurous 4 days Nyiragongo hike and mountain gorilla trekking tour package in Virunga national park DR Congo. If you are interested in trekking gorillas in Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Mount Nyiragongo hike, you may book a 5 days Rwanda gorilla tour and Nyiragongo Hike safari.
3 Days Mount Nyiragongo Hiking In Congo Highlights
Day 1: Pick up from Kigali
Day 2: Mount Nyiragongo Hike
Day 3: Transfer to Kigali
Day 1: Pickup – Kigali City Tour – Drive from Kigali to DR Congo
Meet and greet our company representative from either Kigali international airport or from your hotel in Kigali. Be briefed and later start your city tour to explore several historical, cultural and business places in Kigali such as genocide memorial sites, the presidential palace museum, the main city market and artisan shops. Kigali is relatively small city compared to most of other cities in Africa. After an exciting city tour, you will start your journey to Goma for border crossing through Gisenyi. During this road trip, you will see Rwanda’s beautiful countryside such as the green tea plantations, rolling hills, smiling local people and the beautiful Lake Kivu. You will have enroute lunch may be in Gisenyi just by the side of Lake Kivu or at a hotel restaurant next to the border crossing. After lunch, head to Goma border to clear with the immigration office and also get your Nyiragango volcano permit for hiking experiences from the Virunga tourism office that is located just opposite the passport control.
Your DR Congo Visa should be in the system and you should hold a valid yellow fever card and passport to allow you cross over to DR Congo for your next activities. Once your documents have been thoroughly checked, you will cross over to meet a team from Virunga National Park waiting to drive you to your booked lodge.
Accommodation option: Kibumba Tented Camp (Standard), Bukima Tented Camp (Mid-range) of Mikeno Lodge (Luxury).
Day 2: Nyiragongo Hike – Fantastic views of Lava Lake
Wake up for early morning breakfast and transfer to Kibati ranger post for registration and the briefing about mount Nyiragongo Hiking. You will meet other hikers interested in the trip at Kibati hiking starting point. At this point, you are advised to hire a porter if you have a big luggage. During you 3 days mount Nyiragongo hiking tour, you will notice that the lower mountain slopes are full of lush green rain-forest and these forests are home to various mammals, birds, small primates such as chimpanzees, monkey species plus rare plant species. As you hike up, you will observe less vegetation, this is because most vegetation cover was destroyed by hot lave during the last eruption. Dotted vegetation at the summit allows climbers to see spectacular landscapes including the Rwenzori Mountains, Virunga national park, several Virunga Volcanoes, Kahuzi Biega National Park, Goma town and Lake Kivu. Hiking to the summit of mount Nyiragongo takes between 4 – 6 hours depending on the overall physical fitness of the climbers. Remember that no group member is left behind during mountain climbing. In most cases, hikers reach to the summit at around 5: 00pm. On arrival to the top, you will go straight to the view point to see the amazing boiling lava lake. Your dinner and overnight at the summit cabins.
Day 3: Descend the Nyiragongo volcano and transfer to Kigali.
Wake up early and prepare yourself to descend to the base of the volcano. The journey normally starts at 6:30am and it takes approximately 4 hours. Upon arrival to the bottom on mount Nyiragongo, you will be transferred to Goma with a drop off at Grande Barriere border to cross over to Rwanda for onward activities. If you never toured Kigali on the first day of the tour, this is the day to execute your program.
The cost of the 3 Days mount Nyiragongo Hiking In Congo will include:
Airport transfers
An English speaking driver/guide
The Nyiragongo volcano Hike permit
The Nyiragongo Hiking package (fees, Guide/Ranger and porters to carry supplies)
Bottled water and lunch while traveling
Transport in 4X4 vehicle
Accommodation and meals
The cost of the 3 days mount Nyiragongo hiking in Congo excludes:
International flights and Visas
Personal expenses on laundry, crafts, drinks, cigars, souvenirs and tips.
Personal Porters to carry your back pack and heavy cameras. The Chef and Porters to carry supplies are covered in the tour cost.
Details about Accommodation for 3 Days Mount Nyiragongo Hiking In Congo
Bukima Tented Camp
Bukima Tented camp is a luxury accommodation facility located in Bukima Virunga national park DR Congo. The lodge derived its name from Bukima which means “Monkeys”.
Originally the lodge was built to house researchers of Virunga national park, Bukima tented camp is simple and charming with everything you would expect from a traditional tented camp. The mess tent act as the main building and has unique safari chairs designed in an African style at the lounge, an incredibly well-stocked bar with different liquors and large dining table at the restaurant where hearty three-course feasts appear like clockwork for lunch and dinner. The lodge also has a camp fire where guests gathers in the evening to share amazing stories while sipping some wines, Coffee and teas.
Rooms at the camp are very spacious and raised on platforms built in meru-style tents, dotted around the African bushes and overlooking the magnificent landscape of the park. The lodge has six tents and four are double rooms with king-size beds while the two have twin beds. All are extremely comfortable with en suite bathrooms, flushing loos & running water, hot water bottles are provided in the evening to warm guests over the chilly nights.
Rates for rooms at Bukima Tented Camp are $390 per room per night for single occupancy and $490 per room per night for double occupancy. These rates are based on full board (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) and inclusive of 16% government VAT. Prices are subject to change without prior notice.
Why Stay at Bukima Tented Camp?
Bukima is the closest lodge to the starting point for gorilla trekking, so it’s a good first stop on a Virunga trip.
It probably goes without saying, but a reminder that this a simple camp with simple facilities so don’t expect wifi or Nespresso machines.
Much to the disapproval of the wardens, the gorillas have sometimes been known to come straight into camp. Brilliant, thrilling and totally nerve-shattering all at the same time.
Kibumba Tented Camp
Kibumba tented camp is a standard accommodation property in Virunga national park, located near a trailhead to mount Nyiragongo. This tented camp is a very comfortable and hosts large numbers of budget travelers interested in exploring the park with amazing adventure activities like volcano trek and gorilla tracking experiences.
The camp has a total of 18 tents with 9 doubles and 9 twins hence the lodge can comfortably accommodate 36 guests. These tents are spacious and designed with necessary amenities such as private bathrooms, flushing toilets, full time water supply among others.
In addition, the facility has an on-site well stocked bar and restaurant that serves both local and international dishes that meet guests’ choice on breakfast, Lunch and dinner. WiFi is also available in the main building to help guests stay connected with their friends and family. Other services include laundry, pick-ups and drop offs, camping fire, ample parking space among others.
Why choose kibumba tented camp?
The camp is surrounded by the forest and offers spectacular birding opportunities. Over 100 species can to be spotted including the great blue turaco.
Virunga National Park is one of the most biologically diverse conservation areas not only in Africa but also the entire world. It was designated as World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The park is also a geologic wonder with Mountain Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira as active volcanoes.
Kibumba tented camp is strategically located for gorilla trekking activities in Virunga national park and other tourist destination such as lake Kivu where traveler can relax at the beach after a long adventure trip in Virunga.
Mikeno Lodge in Virunga National Park
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.
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
Mount Nyiragongo Summit Shelter
Mount Nyiragongo Summit Shelter is a simple accommodation property located on top of Nyiragongo volcano. This is a camping facility for travelers who book their hiking trips to the most active and stunning volcano of Virunga National Park DR Congo. Mount Nyiragongo Summit Shelter has a total of 12 cabins each with two single beds where visitors put their respective sleeping bags. The cabins are also built about 5 feet high from the ground to allow tourists enjoy the spectacular views of the surrounding area including the lave lake. Surely there is no place you will relax as you enjoy the eye-catching views Virunga national park except within this Camp. Comfortable sleeping bags are offered for tourist who did trave with their own (We recommend you take your own.)
There’s no running water at the summit therefore, you are advised to carry wet wipes and the long-drop loo is reached via a short, steep walk on a rocky path, fitted with a safety rope to help you back up. You’ll be happy, even without the chocs.
Food is always prepared locally by porters on small cooking stoves to give that authentic African camping experience in the wilderness.
What To Pack For A Mount Nyiragongo Hike?
Like any hiking expedition elsewhere, you need to pack some items to make your trip successful. Below is a list of things you need to park for Mount Nyiragongo hike;
A sleeping bag
Warm Clothing
Good hiking boots
Enough Drinking water
A hat and sunscreen
Camera and Binoculars
Backpack
Portable charger
A Torch