This 7 Days Congo Gorillas and Chimpanzee Trekking is one among the best package of Congo safari. Congo is a gifted nature with beauty rare to find anywhere else. During this safari you will be able to see mountain gorillas in Virunga national park, low land gorillas in Kahunzi Beiga national park, and the little cousin chimpanzees in the Mahura Congo forest.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali airport &Transfer to Kahunzi Beiga National Park
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be welcomed by your safari guide. Refresh at the airport restaurant with a short briefing about your 7-day Congo safari. Alternatively, pick up from the hotel in Kigali. This journey to kahunzi Beiga, home to low land gorillas is a 7-hour scenic drive through the green rolling hills of the countryside. You will go past Nyungwe forest National Park and a stopover at Nyanza to explore the king’s palace, have lunch, and proceed to the Rusinzi border crossing over to Bukavu near Kahunzi Beiga national park. On arrival, you will be checked in at the lodge for and overnight at
Accommodation options; Orchid’s safari lodge/ Hotel panaroma/ Elizabeth Hotel Bukavu
Day 2: Low land Gorilla trekking
You will wake up for breakfast and prepare for briefing at Kahunzi park headquarters, it is a 45 minutes drive from the hotel, once you reach, you are welcomed and handed over to the park officials for the next guidance. You are briefed on your expectations and there after led into the park to search for the low land gorillas, the experience usually takes 1-6 hours trek. There are more than 5 habituated families and you will be able to successfully track and see one of the families. Once you find the low land gorillas, 7 Days Congo Gorillas and Chimpanzee, spend the one-hour time given observing, take videos and trek back to your start point back to the lodge. Spend the rest of the evening relaxing at the hotel as you wait for your dinner.
Accommodation options; Orchid’s safari lodge/ Hotel panaroma/ Elizabeth Hotel Bukavu
Day 3: Boat cruise to Goma
Your day starts with a morning breakfast and checks out of the lodge, picked by your safari guide for a Boat cruise to Goma, it’s a short distance connection of about 3 hours on the boat to Goma rather than driving. It’s also another thrilling experience on the water, you will reach the other side early mid-morning and be welcomed by Virunga National Park officials, you will find your gorilla permits ready and transfer you to your accommodation facility. Upon arrival have lunch and enjoy an afternoon nature walk and visit the neighboring communities.
Accommodation options; Mikeno Lodge/ Kibumba Tented Camp
Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Virunga national park
On this day, you are required to wake up early, have breakfast at the lodge and be transferred to the park headquarters for briefing. Pre gorilla trek briefing starts at exactly 8 am with guidelines, dos, and don’ts. Remember gorillas are wild much as they are habituated, take precautions seriously and you will enjoy your experience with the endangered species in their natural setting. You will be led into Virunga national park by the ranger guides in search of the allocated gorilla family. Based on your physical fitness the hike may be strenuous or easy but never less it is worth it once you find a settled gorilla family. Stay in the company of your group, relax and enjoy one hour with the gorillas taking as many photographs as you can. Trek back to the start point and transfer to the lodge.
Day 5: Double gorilla trekking
Early morning breakfast and back to the park headquarters for briefing like the previous day, this time you will follow the different trail and track a different gorilla family. After your one hour with the gorillas, return back to the starting point where you will meet your guide to drive back to the lodge for rest. In the evening, you can take a walk, relax at the hotel or visit the gorilla orphanage at the Senkwekwe Centre.
Day 6: Chimpanzee trekking Experience
Today you will have another primate walk, chimpanzee trekking starts as early as 6:00 am before they get out of their nest. Have a very early morning breakfast and transfer to Mahura forest in Rumagabo, the experience won’t take long, and you will return back to the lodge for hot lunch and evening relaxation at the lodge or nature walk.
Accommodation options; Mikeno Lodge/ Kibumba Tented Camp
Day 7: Transfer back to Kigali
Wake up at leisure, have breakfast, and check out of the lodge back to Kigali. Before crossing the border at the migration office, you are supposed to pay for the entry visa back into Kigali unless you hold a tourist East African Visa. Proceed with your scenic journey to Kigali with lunch en-route. Once you will reach, optional city tour to the local and craft markets to buy souvenirs. Drop off at the hotel or airport if a flight is on schedule. End 7 Days Congo Gorillas and Chimpanzee
This tour includes
- Gorilla tracking permits
- Low land gorilla permits
- Chimpanzee trekking
- All ground transport including pick and drop off
- Full board meals and accommodation
- Park entry
- And all other activities mentioned in the itinerary
It Excludes;
- Visa entry fees
- Expenses on personal nature
- Tipping
- Air tickets and any other not mentioned in the itinerary.
