4 Days Congo Gorilla Tour and Nyiragongo Hiking package is designed for visitors who are interested in hiking Mount Nyiragongo and doing gorilla trekking in Congo. The safari will involve visiting the Virunga National Park in Congo and going for a city tour in Kigali. The city tour includes visiting the genocide war memorial Centre, the former presidential palace (now a museum), city markets and artisan shops.
Virunga National Park in Congo is the oldest in Africa. It was established in 1925 and included the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda and parts of Mgahinga in Uganda. Virunga is a park with remarkable biodiversity and pristine wilderness. It contains many of Africa’s famous mammals and primates. You can find the rare okapi, mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. The key attractions in Virunga are the mountain gorillas and hiking mount Nyiragongo. The Nyiragongo volcano is special because it is the only one in Africa where tourists can pay to see boiling magma up-close.
The 4 days Nyiragongo hiking and gorilla safari starts and ends in Rwanda. It starts with a tour of Kigali before crossing to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The first activity is gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park and then hiking mount Nyiragongo. This will be a physically demanding 4 days and you need to be in good condition. Hiking Mount Nyiragongo and observing the boiling crater up-close is one of the most amazing and adventurous activities in the world. There is no other place like Nyiragongo. When you add gorilla trekking, it makes for a truly amazing experience.
The cost of the 4 days Nyiragongo Hike and gorilla trekking includes: –
- The Congo Visa
- A safari vehicle for the whole tour
- A Driver/Guide for the whole tour
- Fuel for 4 days
- Gorilla Permits for Congo
- Nyiragongo Hiking Permits
- Water and meals while traveling or at the hotel
- Full-board accommodation for 3 nights
- Pickup from Kigali and drop-off at the airport
- Everything else included in the itinerary
- Tour of Kigali city
- Nyiragongo Package which includes a chef and porters to carry supplies
The 4 days gorilla tour and Nyiragongo hike excludes air tickets, the Rwanda visa, personal expenses (tips, cigars, wines and insurance).
IMPORTANT NOTES
- This travel plan does not include hotels and dinner the day before and after the tour but can be arranged on request
- You need to be 15 years and above to see gorillas in the wild
- You need a yellow fever immunization card to enter Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo
- The Rwanda Visa can be got online, at the airport or from border crossings. Getting the Congo Visa is very tricky and we will help you process it through the right channels.
ACCOMMODATION
Mikeno Lodge:Â Mikeno is a luxury lodge found in Virunga National Park. It is built on a forested hill and next to the park headquarters in Rumangabo. Guests are treated with beautiful views of the Mikeno and Nyiragongo Volcanoes. The Lodge has 12 self-contained bungalows made of volcanic stones and thatched roofs. Each room is private and spacious. You will find a fireplace, large bed, sitting room, working tables, modern bathrooms, television, wireless internet and a personal terrace where you can enjoy great views of the park. Other amenities include a restaurant, a large deck and a warm fireplace were everyone gathers in the evening. One of the great things about booking with Mikeno is the opportunity to visit the Senkwekwe Gorilla orphanage. The park Managers visit the lodge for their meals and meeting.
Kibumba Tented Camp: Kibumba Tented Camp offers mid-range services that are more affordable but while also offering the same breathtaking scenery of the park and the Virunga volcanoes. It is also owned by the Virunga Foundation but is closer to Goma and the starting point for Nyiragongo hiking. Kibumba has 18 self-contained tents with everything that you would need for a comfortable time. There is a bar, private showers and comfortable beds. If you want a drink, you can go to the bar. If you want to eat something, you can go to the mess tents where food is served. There is also a central lounge were everybody gathers to relax and share their experiences in Africa.
Nyiragongo Cabins/Summit Shelters: The Nyiragongo cabins are built at the summit of the mountain. Only hikers who make it to the top of the Volcano can sleep in it. There are 12 of these summit shelters and each has two single beds where you put your sleeping bags. Nothing is luxurious here and everything is kept simple. Each cabin is built 5 feet high to allow hikers enjoy breathtaking views of the Virunga region and Goma town. If you don’t come with a sleeping bag, you will be offered one. Food is prepared by local porters using small cooking stoves to offer a true camping and wilderness experience.