This 8 Days Kahuzi Biega and Nyiragongo Volcano Tour combines visits to Kahuzi Biega and Virunga National areas, two of the top primate areas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Seize the chance to walk the world-famous Nyiragongo Mountain, gorilla trekking in the Virunga National Park, and tracking the eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park. The starting and finishing points of this 8 Days Kahuzi Biega and Nyiragongo Volcano Tour is Kigali, Rwanda.
Detailed Itinerary.
Day 1: Transfer to Bukavu, DRC.
Upon your arrival in Kigali, our company representative / tour guide will arrange to have you picked up and driven through the stunning rolling hills of Nyungwe National Park, stopping for lunch and refreshments along the way. The trip should take approximately 7 hours. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, cross the border from Cyangugu to Bukavu. You will travel to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay at Hotel Panorama after arriving in Bukavu, the town nearest to Kahuzi Biega.
Day 2: Lowland Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park
Drive to the park headquarters for a 45-minute briefing about Eastern lowland gorillas after breakfast at the lodge. After that, you will start your incredible journey with lowland gorillas in the Kahuzi valleys, where you will encounter a variety of wildlife, including birds and primates. Depending on how mobile they are, the jungle experience often lasts between one and six hours as you take pictures and videos of them interacting and having fun.
Subsequently, you will descend and rendezvous with your chauffeur to head back to your lodging for dinner and rest at Hotel Panorama, just as you did the previous evening.
Day 3: Boat Transfer to Goma
Early in the morning, take a speed boat from Bukavu to Goma. This should take three hours or so. Make sure to check in with the Virunga tourism office at the border crossing at the Grande Barrière by 11:00 a.m. Conveniently located across from passport control in the Grande Barrière border post building is the tourist office. Tourism staff will issue gorilla permits at check-in. Each expedition must start with the production of these licences. Subsequently, the tourist will be taken to Mikeno Lodge, situated at the Park headquarters in Rumangabo. After checking into Mikeno Lodge, there will be a late lunch served. The afternoon is free to explore the many nature pathways in Rumangabo, go bird watching, or see the Congo hounds of Virunga.
Day 4: First Gorilla Trek in Virunga National Park
Following an early breakfast at Mikeno Lodge, visitors will head to the gorilla walk at Bukima Ranger Post. Before starting their gorilla trek, trekkers will meet their Ranger guides when they get to Bukima and get briefed. Treks often take between one and two and a half to three hours total, depending on the group’s location and the difficulty of the terrain. Trekkers that spend the allocated hour with the gorillas will return to Bukima camp for a late lunch. Guests are free to explore Bukima for the remainder of the day, which includes witnessing the Park’s bamboo project and bird watching.
Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking Experience
At six in the morning, guests will go on a chimp trek. Joining our crew on a trip with these animals is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn about and get to know the chimp family living in the Mahura Forest close to Rumangabo. Guests are welcome to return for a late breakfast and then spend the rest of the day relaxing with a book on the Mikeno Lodge terrace or seeing the Park headquarters.
Day 6: Second Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park
At 8:30 a.m., the second gorilla trip will start. When all gorilla trekkers have returned from their walk, guests will be taken back to Mikeno Lodge following a quick lunch at Bukima camp. When guests arrive at Mikeno Lodge, they are free to observe the gorilla orphans at the Senkwekwe Centre or relax on the lodge terrace.
Day 7: Nyiragongo Volcano Hiking Experience
Following breakfast, visitors will be taken back to Goma, where they will meet up with the crew for the Nyiragongo climb at the Grande Barrière border station. Your Nyiragongo walk will start when you report to Bukima and take approximately five hours to reach the summit. At the summit, where you will receive breathtaking views of the lava lake, you will spend the night.
Day 8: Descend Nyiragongo – Return to Kigali
You will leave Congo by 11 a.m. and make your way back down Nyiragongo to Bukima, arriving in Kigali in the late afternoon or early evening. After visiting Caplaki Crafts Village, the location of the genocide memorial, proceed to your hotel or the airport in time for your departure.
End of the 8 Days Kahuzi Biega and Nyiragongo Volcano Tour.
The 8 Days Kahuzi Biega and Nyiragongo Volcano Tour includes;
- 3 Gorilla Trekking Permit per person.
- 1 Chimpanzee Permit per person.
- Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary.
- Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle.
- Nyiragongo Volcano Hiking.
- Services of an English-speaking tour guide.
- Park entrance fees.
- Tour guide allowances.
- Government taxes.
However, the tour cost excludes; Visa fees, International Air fare, Personal travel insurance, tips to local guides, souvenirs, items of personal nature such as laundry, cigarettes, personal shopping bills and items not listed as included in the cost.