4 Days Nyiragongo Gorilla trekking Safari

Overview

This 4-Day Nyiragongo Gorilla Trekking Safari offers an incredible opportunity to experience the majestic mountain gorillas and the stunning Nyiragongo volcano. You will also immerse yourself in the beautiful landscapes and rich culture of Congo. The tour begins and ends in Kigali, Rwanda, with a dedicated driver and guide to ensure you visit the best spots in Virunga National Park, one of Africa’s oldest and most biodiverse national parks. Expect comfortable accommodations, delicious meals, and plenty of drinking water throughout your journey, culminating in an unforgettable experience of nature and wildlife.

Tour Highlights

Visit Bukima in the Congo
Gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park-Congo
Hiking Nyiragongo Volcano Summit
Going through the beautiful rainforest and then the lava eruption fissures and reach the top

Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Pick up from Kigali to Bukima in Congo

You will start your safari early in the morning. The driver will pick you up from the hotel and tell you about the safari. He will drive you from Kigali to Bukima in Congo. It will take 4 hours to get to Goma town where you will have lunch. After lunch, he will drive you to Bukima where you will sleep and have dinner.

Accommodation: Mikeno Lodge or Bukima Tented camp

Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park-Congo

You will have breakfast early in the morning. Your guide will drive you to the Park Headquarters. You will join other people for briefing before going into the Virunga forest for your gorilla trek. This trek can be short or long depending on where the mountain gorilla family you are trekking is. It can take from 30 minutes to 7 hours. When you find the gorillas, you will spend one hour with them. You will watch their behavior, take photos, and then go back to the Park Headquarters to end the trek. You will then go to Goma after the gorilla trek overnight.

Accommodation: Overnight at Gora

Day 3: Hiking Nyiragongo Volcano Summit

You will start your day with an early breakfast before departing from Goma to Kibati, where your ascent of Nyiragongo Volcano begins. At the Kibati Ranger Post, situated at an altitude of 1,870 meters, you will receive a briefing from park rangers about the hike ahead. The trek to the summit, which stands at 3,470 meters, covers approximately 6.5 kilometers and typically takes between 4 to 6 hours to complete

The hike is divided into five sections, with breaks of about 15 minutes at each stop. The first section takes you through the lush rainforest where you may spot wildlife such as monkeys and bushbuck. As you progress, the trail opens up, offering stunning views of the valley below. The third segment crosses old lava flows and steaming fissures, leading into a high montane forest for the fourth section. Finally, the last ascent is a steep climb of about 300 meters to the summit

Upon reaching the summit, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the crater and the mesmerizing sight of the world’s largest lava lake glowing beneath you. After enjoying the scenery and possibly witnessing a spectacular sunset over the lava lake, you will have dinner and spend the night in basic cabins at the summit.

Day 4: Descend the Nyiragongo Volcano and Departure to Kigali to End the tour

After breakfast on Day 4, you will begin your descent from Nyiragongo Volcano. The return trip typically takes around 4 hours. Once back at Kibati, you will meet your driver for a return journey to Goma. If time permits, a city tour of Goma can be arranged, which may include visits to local attractions such as Goma Caves.

Following your exploration of Goma, you will head back to Kigali. You can choose to either stay in Kigali or catch a flight out on your last day. During your journey back, there will be an opportunity for a stop at the Rwanda-Congo border where you can take photos, purchase souvenirs, or simply relax before concluding your tour.

Main Destination: Kigali Accommodation:

End of the Tour, No accommodation

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch