5 Days Congo Gorilla Trekking & Nyiragongo Hike Tour
This 5 Days Congo Gorilla trekking and Nyiragongo hike tour is a short tour package that gives you an ultimate life experience of great mountain gorillas and a gainful view of one of the top inactive volcanos in the country Democratic Republic of Congo. The 5-day Congo tour takes you to explore the beautiful Nyiragongo famously known for its devastating eruptions whereby in 1977 some 2,000 people were killed and in 2002 Goma largely got destroyed by lava that split the entire area thus leaving more than 100,000 people homeless and end up creating a refugee crisis and because of its inactive lava eruption has made the place more famous. You will combine it with a visit to trek mountain gorillas in the natural environments.
These two unforgettable activities gorilla trekking and Nyiragongo hike all will take you to Virunga National Park Congo’s most visited safari destination because it boosts as one of the largest parks in Africa and hosts the most rewarding attractions and activities on Congo Tours. However, Virunga National Park is located in the Eastern region of Congo and popularly known as home to a diversity of trekking the world’s famous great mountain gorilla and several stunning volcanoes with the most compelling being Nyiragongo. On a visit to this 5 days Congo gorilla trekking and Nyiragongo hike, you will have an opportunity to trek the mountain gorillas in their natural environment and gainful hike to Mountain Nyiragongo an active volcano.
Tour Highlights of 5 Days Congo Gorilla Trekking & Nyiragongo Hike Tour
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and Transfer to Gisenyi
Day2: Transfer from the Grande Barriers –Border Crossing
Day3: Gorilla Trekking –Virunga National Park
Day 4: Nyiragongo Volcano Hike
Day 5: Trek back from Nyiragongo Volcano and Transfer to Kigali
Detail Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and Transfer to Gisenyi – 3hours drive
On your first day of the Congo tour, upon your arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will meet up with our professional driver guide who will welcome you and take you through a briefing of the 5 days Congo tour as you drive from Kigali to Gisenyi on the shores of Lake Kivu for your overnight stay.
Meal plan; Dinner
Day 2: Transfer from the Grande Barriers –Virunga National Park
You will wake up and have breakfast with delicious snacks served from your lodge. Then after you will transfer to the border crossing at Grande Barriere and upon your arrival check in with Virunga offices by 13:00 pm. During this process in the tourism office, you will be given your Gorilla and Volcano trek permits which will be requested at the start of each trek. After completing the check you will be driven to your booked lodge. On arrival, you will check-in and take a rest in preparation for the next day’s activity. On your arrival, you will check in your lodge, and rest as you get ready for the next day’s activity.
Meal Plan; Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day3: Gorilla Trekking –Virunga National Park
You will have breakfast and then transfer to the Bakiga ranger post for the gorilla briefing. At the meeting point where you will meet with your ranger guides before starting the gorilla trek. Then after the briefing, you will be grouped in a group of 8 individuals and be escorted by the park ranger guide to the trekking trails while hiking through staff terrain which can take about 30 to 6 hours to allocate the mountain gorilla family. While searching gorillas in their natural habitat, expect to see other forest species like birds, small primates, and beautiful vegetation.
Once you find them, you will be given one hour to spend with mountain gorillas and learn from them how they feed, play, behave, enjoy photography, and capture memorable videos.
Meal plan; Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Nyiragongo Volcano Hike Tour
After your tasty breakfast and transfer to the park headquarter at the Kibati ranger post at 8:15 am. You will be briefed about hiking rules. Then after you can hire a porter to help you carry your heavy luggage and you shall start up the Nyiragongo volcano hike. The hiking experience will take about 6 hours but depending on your speed and fitness. If you are physically fit, you can hike its summit in fewer hours. The trekking trails go through lava rocks, forested areas, and the stunning open space for you to enjoy the views.
You will have a great opportunity to enjoy a spectacular view of the boiling lava emitting a red glow from the crusted lava and can have an unforgettable experience.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 5: Trek back from Nyiragongo Volcano and Transfer to Kigali
Wake up on a lazy morning with breakfast. After you will descend back to the park headquarters. The descending back will take you about 4 hours. On reaching the bottom you will drive back to the border at Grande Barriere.
Your driver guide will drive you back to Kigali for your departure flight or be dropped off at the hotel.
End of the 5 Days Congo Gorilla Trekking & Nyiragongo Hike Tour
Tips for gorilla trekking;
You’re advised to carry enough mineral water bottles, energy-giving snacks, comfortable hiking shoes, warm clothes, a poncho, a sweater, waterproof bags, rain jacket among others.
The rule for gorilla trekking;
Don’t eat and drink near the gorillas
Respect the time given to spend with the mountain gorilla ‘’an hour’’
The age limit for gorillas is 15 years of age and above
Wash your hand before your head out because mountain gorillas are wild animals
Stay a distance of about 5 to 7 meters away from gorillas
Stay tight in groups
Gorilla trekking is done in only 8 groups of people.
Tour Includes;
Pickups and drops
Volcano trek permit
Ground Transportation
Full board accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
Enough bottled mineral water in the safari vehicle
Full-time knowledgeable English drive guide
All mentioned activities except for the optional ones.
Tour Excludes;
Nyiragongo backpack
Extra at the accommodation – drinks, telephone, laundry, etc.
Insurance
Congo Visa
Porter/Tips to porter and driver guide.
