8 Days Kahuzi-Biega, Virunga and Nyiragongo Hike: This 8 days Kahuzi –Biega, Virunga and Nyiragongo Hike Safari is a typical Congo safari tour package that entails you visiting top tourist destinations in the Democratic Republic of Congo including Kahuzi-Biega national park where you will be tracking the eastern lowland gorilla and the transfer to Virunga national park where you will track mountain gorillas and hike the world famous Nyiragongo Volcano. This 8 days Congo safari begins and ends in Kigali city, Rwanda.
Highlights for 8 Days Kahuzi-Biega, Virunga and Nyiragongo Hike.
Day 1: Pick-up and cross to Bukavu
Day 2: Lowland gorilla trekking – Cyangungu
Day 3: Boat transfer to Goma and Transfer to Mikeno Lodge
Day 4: First Gorilla Trek
Day 5: Second Gorilla Trek
Day 6: Chimpanzee trek
Day 7: Nyiragongo hike
Day 8: Descend Nyiragongo & transfer to Kigali
Detailed itinerary 8 Days Kahuzi-Biega, Virunga and Nyiragongo Hike.
Day 1: Pick-up and cross to Bukavu
Depending on your location in Kigali, our company representative-guide/driver will pick you up and drive for about 7 hours through Nyungwe national park with amazing rolling hill in Rusizi with stopovers for lunch and refreshing. Cross through Cyangugu border to Bukavu town in Democratic Republic of Congo. On arrival at Bukavu, nearest town to Kahuzi Biega, advance to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Panorama
Day 2: Lowland gorilla trekking – Cyangungu
After enjoying your breakfast at the lodge, drive to the park headquarters for about 45 minutes for briefing about the Eastern lowland gorillas. You will then set off to your fascinating experience of the lowland gorillas in the valleys of Kahuzi as you encounter different mammals, birds and primates. It’s usually a 1-6 hours’ experience of the jungle, depending on their movement while watching them interact/play with each other as you take photos and videos
You will then descend back and meet up with your driver back to your hotel for Dinner and overnight at Hotel Panorama as night before.
Day 3: Boat transfer to Goma and Transfer to Mikeno Lodge
Catch the early morning speed boat from Bukavu to Goma. This will take about 3 hours, arrive at Grande Barriere border crossing by 11:00am and ensure check-in with the Virunga tourism office. The tourism office is conveniently located in the Grande Barrière border post building, opposite passport control. Tourism staff will provide guests with gorilla permits at check-in. These permits must be presented before the start of each trek. Guest will then be transported to Mikeno Lodge at the Park headquarters in Rumangabo. On arrival to Mikeno Lodge, a late lunch will be served and the afternoon can be enjoyed at leisure, including exploring Rumangabo’s several nature trails, bird watching or paying a visit to Virunga’s Congo hounds.
Day 4: First Gorilla Trek
After an early breakfast at Mikeno Lodge, guests will set off for the gorilla trek at Bukima Ranger Post. On arrival to Bukima, trekkers will meet their Ranger guides and receive a briefing before starting the gorilla trek. Treks usually require 1-2.5 hours of hiking each way, depending on location of the group being trekked and the difficulty of the terrain. After spending the allotted hour with the gorillas, trekkers will return to Bukima camp where a late lunch will be served. Guests will have the rest of the afternoon off to explore Bukima, including bird watching and visiting the Park’s bamboo project.
Day 5: Second Gorilla Trek
At 8:30am, guest will start their second gorilla trek. Upon return from the trek, a quick lunch will be served at Bukima camp and when all gorilla trekkers have returned, guests will be transported back to Mikeno Lodge. On arrival to Mikeno Lodge, guests have the afternoon at leisure, free to relax on the lodge terrace or visit the gorilla orphans at the Senkwekwe Gorilla Center.
Day 6: Chimpanzee trek
At 6:00am, guests will head out for a chimpanzee trek. A trek with these animals is a unique experience that allows visitors to join our team as they study and habituate the family of chimpanzees found in the Mahura Forest surrounding Rumangabo. Returning for a late breakfast, guests will be invited to spend the rest of the day exploring the Park headquarters or just relaxing with a book on the terrace of Mikeno Lodge.
Day 7: Nyiragongo hike
After breakfast, guest will be transported back to the Goma with drop-off at the Grande Barrière border post to join the team for the Nyiragongo hike. Report to Bukima and start your Nyiragongo hike that will take about 5 hours until you reach the summit. You will overnight at the summit where you will enjoy exciting views of the lava lake.
Day 8: Descend Nyiragongo & Transfer to Kigali
You will descend Nyiragongo back to Bukima by 11am and depart Congo transferring to Kigali arriving in the late afternoon or early evening. Have lunch and visit the genocide memorial site, visit the Caplaki crafts village and transfer to your hotel or the airport for your departure flight. End of Congo Safari.
