The Great Ape Package
per person
The Great Ape package is among the exciting tour packages offered in Virunga national park that gives an opportunity to travelers to meet the great ape taxa in the park. Guests stay 4 nights at Mikeno Lodge with two exciting gorilla treks and chimpanzee habituation experience. This package starts from Goma on Mondays and Wednesdays at 13:00.
The Great Ape Package Highlight
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to the park
Day 2: First gorilla trekking experience
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking
Day 4: Second gorilla trek
Day 5: Transfer to Goma
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to the park
Arrival at Grande Barriere border crossing by 11:00 am and get ready for check-in with Virunga tourism office by 11:30 am. The tourism office is located in the Grande Barriere border post building just opposite passport control room. You will be issued gorilla permits that you will present to the authorities every before the start of your trek. Transfer to Mikeno Lodge at the headquarters of Virunga national park in Rumangabo. Upon arrival to the lodge, you will have lunch and later relax at the lodge and get ready for tomorrow’s activities. Alternatively, you may take a nature walk to explore several trails in Rumangabo, go bird watching or take a visit to Virunga’s Congohounds.
Day 2: First gorilla trekking experience
Have breakfast and head to Bukima ranger post to meet your ranger guides for briefing sessions. Later start your trail to Virunga forest in search for your allocated gorilla family. Trekking takes approximately 1 to 2 ½ hours each way depending on the location of the family you were allocated to. After encountering the gorilla group, you will spend a full hour with them, see how they play, feed and interact with group members. Take as many photos as possible to commemorate your tour to the park. After, return to Bukima ranger post and Mikeno Lodge for a late lunch. Spend the rest of the time relaxing at the lodge.
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking
Wake up early and go for chimpanzee tracking and habituation in Mahura forest. After meeting them, you will spend atleast an hour to interact with them before returning to the lodge for leisurely breakfast. Later for a community interaction to visit the window’s workshop, explore Rumangabo and watch a number of birds. Alternatively, you may decide to stay at the lodge to relax and enjoy the camp fire in the evening while listening to everyone’s stories of the day with a gin and tonic.
Day 4: Second gorilla trek
After an early breakfast, transfer to Bukima ranger post for a second gorilla trek. You will go through the same process as it was in the first gorilla trekking experience. After a very successful gorilla tour, travel back to Mikeno Lodge for a late lunch. In the afternoon, you will visit and explore Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage center or remain at the lodge relaxing.
Day 5: Transfer to Goma
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Goma with drop-off at the Grande Barriere border post to end the Great Ape package in Virunga national park.
Included in this package
4 nights full board accommodation at Mikeno Lodge,
2 permits for gorilla trekking
1 Chimpanzee habituation permit
All transport to, from and within the park once in country.
Not included in this package
DRC Visa
Drinks
Gratuities and anything of personal nature.
What To Carry For the Great Ape package?
Are you looking for what to pack and carry for gorilla trekking and chimpanzee habituation in Virunga national park Democratic Republic of Congo? Yes., the park is located in the tropical rainforest region of Africa hence you need to plans perfectly if you intend to book for the great ape package to avoid any disturbances during tour excursions.
Below is a list of items you need to carry for Virunga national park tour and safari;
Hiking Boots
Long-Sleeved Shirts / Blouse
Garden Gloves
Rain Jacket
Hat and Sun Glasses
Pair of Binoculars
Cameras and extra batteries
Energy giving snacks
Walking stick