This 5 Days Gorillas and Nyiragongo hike package is a perfect combination in Virunga national, having an incredible moment with the endangered species in the whole world, so far more than 1000 surviving in Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. Virunga is diverse that you may not move far to find the beauty you are looking for, the gorillas share space with the world’s active volcanic mountain. During the 5 Days Gorillas and Nyirangongo hike, you will have a gorilla trekking experience and thereafter hike to the top of the volcano mountain.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Virunga National Park
You will be picked up at the hotel or airport by your safari guide for the 5days tour. Your tour starts within Kigali before you cross borders, you will visit the nearby historical places in Kigali city among them include Gisozi genocide memorial site, here you here the historical holocaust of 1994 where thousands of people lost their lives. There is a lot of information that you would not want to miss out here, other important landmarks include local and craft markets to buy souvenirs. After this brief city tour, you will proceed to the Congo border, with lunch enroute. You are reminded to have a yellow vaccination card and a valid entry visa before you reach immigration office, no photograph is allowed at the border. After crossing, you will be welcomed by the team from Virunga National Park and transferred you to your lodge.
Accommodation options; Mikeno Lodge/ Kibumba Tented Camp (Mid-range).
Day 2: Gorilla trekking experience
On this day, you are required to wake up early, have breakfast at the lodge and you 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 the less it worth 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. 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.
Accommodation options; Mikeno Lodge/ Kibumba Tented Camp
Day 3: Mount Nyirangongo Hiking – Viewing the Lava Lake
On this day, you will hike to one of the most volcanic mountains with in Virunga national park. You will be transferred to Kibati park station as your starting point, then briefing of the trail heads to follow as well getting mentally prepared for the hike. At this point consider hiring a porter to carry for you the luggage and supplies. While planning to hike, pack the basic necessities to avoid over load. You will start your hike at around 8 am, the average time spent during hiking ranges between 4-6 hours depending on the level of physical fitness of the group. Once you reach the top, refresh at your cabins. In the night you will have a clear view of the red boiling lava Lake. Dinner and overnight stay at the summit.
Day 3: Descend the Volcano – Transfer to the Volcanoes National Park
Rise up early from your Cabins by 7:00am and have breakfast. In the morning you will have clear views of the Virunga ranges, Lake Kivu and Rwenzori mountains as you descend the mountain. Once again in your group at 8:00 am start you descend back to Kibati park quarters. The best time to get these views is in the morning and also while descending the volcano. On reaching the starting point, 5 Days Gorillas and Nyirangongo hike the park officials will drive you back to Goma border and clear with Migration office back to Rwanda where you will meet up with your guide and transfer to Volcanoes national park. The journey along is scenic with the green rolling hills and undulating landscape. You will reach the lodge in the late afternoon and you have the rest of the evening to rest and refresh. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation options; Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel/ Gorilla Mountain view lodge/ Virunga lodge.
Day 4: Gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda – Gorilla Guardians village tour.
You will wake up early for a morning refreshing cup of coffee, and proceed for another edition of gorilla tracking in Volcanoes national park. At Kinigi park headquarters you will be welcomed with traditional entertainment of the local and traditional dances accompanied by a hot cup of coffee as you wait for a briefing from the park officials. Remember to come along with enough drinking. By 8 am all protocol should be done and you are then led into the park forest by the ranger guides in search of the endangered mountain gorillas. Trekking depends on how far the gorillas have moved but definitely, you will find yourself hiking one of the volcanoes within the park. When you finally find a settled family, utilize the one hour given time to observe and take as many photographs as you can. Trek back to the starting point and back to the lodge for afternoon relation and in the evening, you will head out for a visit to the Iby’iwachu cultural village in Musanze. Now known as the Gorilla Guardians Village, the Centre started as a place where former poachers would showcase their products. The government of Rwanda revamped the place and rebuilt it to become a modern cultural Centre that competes with the best in East Africa. You will find all the tribes in Rwanda including the Batwa performing cultural dances and songs. You can also participate by putting on local robes, entering some of the traditional huts and dancing with the troupe.
Accommodation options; Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel/ Gorilla Mountain view lodge/ Virunga lodge.
Day 5: Transfer back to Kigali – Departure
Wake up at leisure, have breakfast and prepare to check out of the lodge back to Kigali. This journey takes only 3 hours therefore you have optional city tour to other places you may have missed on day 1. Drop off at the lodge or airport for departure. End 5 Days Gorillas and Nyirangongo hike
End of Tour
