The Virunga Classic Package

The Virunga Classic package is a 6 days and 5 nights tour to Virunga national park. You will spend 4 nights at Mikeno lodge and 1 night at the summit of Nyiragingo volcano. This trip departs from Goma and scheduled on Monday. You will have an opportunity to go double gorilla trekking, chimpanzee habituation and hike to the top of mount Nyiragongo.

The Virunga Classic Package Highlights

Day 1: Arrival and Transfer
Day 2: First gorilla trekking experience
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking
Day 4: Second gorilla trekking
Day 5: Mount Nyiragongo Hiking
Day 6: Descend and Transfer to Grand Barriere

Day 1:   Arrival and Transfer

You will arrive at Grande Barriere border by 11:00am and check in with the Virunga tourism office by 11:30am. Please note that tourism office is located right at Grande Barriere border post building, opposite the passport control room. You will be given gorilla and volcano trek permits during check-in. These permits must be presented to the park authorities before starting of any treks. After this process, you will be transferred to Mikeno Lodge at the park headquarters in Rumangabo. Upon arrival to Mikeno Lodge, you will have late delicious lunch and later relax at the lodge as you prepare yourself gorilla trekking experiences the following day. Alternatively, you may enjoy an evening walk to explore different trails in Rumangabo, go bird watching or you may opt to visit Congohounds in Virunga.

Day 2: First gorilla trekking experience

After an early breakfast, you will set off to Bukima ranger post to meet your ranger guides and local pisteurs for quick briefing and later start your gorilla trek. The duration for gorilla trekking is about 1 to 2 ½ hours of hiking each way, depending on location of your allocated gorilla family and the nature of the terrain. After encountering them, you will spend a full hour with them, see them how they play, feed and interact with the group members. Later return to Mikeno Lodge to have lunch and spend the rest of afternoon hours relaxing at the lodge as you enjoy the serenity of the jungle.

Day 3:  Chimpanzee tracking

Wake up early and head to the forest in search for chimpanzees that reside in and around Mahura Forest. After meeting them, spend some time to interact with them and later return to the lodge for breakfast. Later go for an experiential visit to Senkwekwe Centre to spend your time with orphaned gorillas, take a bird walk and, in the afternoon, you will explore the Virunga park headquarters.

Day 4:  Second gorilla trekking

Have early breakfast and transfer to Bukima Ranger post for a second gorilla trekking experience in Virunga national park. You will go through the same process as it was with your first gorilla trek. After meeting the gorillas, you will travel back to Mikeno Lodge for a late lunch. You may spend the entire afternoon visiting the widow’s workshop or enjoy the camp fire in the evening.

Day 5: Mount Nyiragongo Hiking

Have breakfast at Mikeno Lodge and transfer to Kibati ranger post to hike Nyiragongo volcano. Once you arrive at the post, your guide will brief you on the entire tour. At this point, you may hire a porter to help you while hiking the most Africa’s active volcano. The hike to the top of the volcano takes approximately 4 to 6 hours depending on the physical fitness of the hikers in the group. Trekkers have dinner and overnight stay at the summit.

Day 6:  Descend and Transfer to Grand Barriere

At 6:30, leave the crater rim and start to descend back to Kibati. This journey takes approximately 4 hours. Upon arrival to the volcano base, you will be transferred to Goma with a drop off at Grande Barriere border to end The Virunga Classic Package.

Included in this package:

Full board accommodation in Mikeno for 4 nights

1night stay on Nyiragongo summit

2 gorilla trekking permits,

1 volcano trekking permit

All transport to, from and within Virunga National Park once in DR Congo.

Excluded in The Virunga Classic Package:

DRC visa

Drinks

Rental of Nyiragongo backpack

Porter fees, gratuities and anything of personal in nature.

What to pack for The Virunga Classic Package in DR Congo

Rain jacket

Suitable hiking boots

Portable power bank

Flash light

Warm clothes and sleeping bag

Hire a porter

A hat and sunscreen

Packed lunch and Water

Camera and Binoculars

Backpack