5 Day Gorilla Tracking & Volcano Hike in the DRC

Code: GBDVSA
5 DAYS - 4 NIGHTS
Category:
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  • congo-trimmed
  • Signs-Of-Eruptions-750×450-1
  • 3 Day Gorilla tracking
  • What-a-day-of-gorilla-tracking-like-1200×675

This 5-day tour is the ultimate adventure for the intrepid traveler who wants to explore the best highlights of Eastern DR Congo. Suitable for the extreme adventurer, this tour includes a hike up the active Nyiragongo volcano to see the largest lava lake in the world, and a visit to the endangered mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park, Africa’s oldest national park.

DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION Kigali International Airport
DEPARTURE TIME Please arrive at least 2 hours before the flight.
INCLUDED
Entrance Fee Accommodations
2 days cruise Professional guide
NOT INCLUDED

1

Day 1: Arrival to Kigali, Rwanda & Transfer to Gisenyi

Upon arrival to Kigali International Airport a Wild gallery Safaris Tour representative will be waiting to take you to Gisenyi, a border town between Rwanda and the DRC, beautifully located on the shores of Lake Kivu.

In the afternoon you can relax at the lodge or explore Gisenyi town. The lodge can arrange several optional activities in the area. Activities today are at your own expense.

Accommodation at Paradise Malahide
with no meals inclusive today

2

Day 2: Enter DRC & Drive to Kibumba

After breakfast today your driver will pick you up at 11 AM and take you to the Grand Barrier border and enter Goma, in the DRC. Your visa will be delivered at the border post and you be assisted with the border crossing procedure to unsure a hassle-free experience for you.

A driver from Virunga National Park will be waiting on the Congo side of the border to take you to your tented camp in Virunga National Park.

Accommodation at Kibumba Tented Camp with Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

3

Day 3 Gorilla Tracking in Virunga National Park

Today you will stand eye-to-eye with the endangered Mountain Gorilla.
Virunga National Park is a UNESCO world heritage site and the oldest national park on the continent! This protected area contains very diverse terrain with the peaks of the volcanic mountains, erosion valleys, active volcanoes, rain forests and Savannah plains.

This national park has been hidden from the public for a long time due to civil war and unrest in Eastern Congo. At this moment it is fully operational and the perfect place to track the mountain gorillas in the wild. Starting at the headquarters in Rumangabo you will go for a challenging hike in search of these gentle giants.

Accommodation at Kibumba Tented Camp with Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

4

Day 4 Hike Nyiragongo

After breakfast today your Virunga National Park driver will transfer you to the foot of the impressive Nyiragongo Volcano to start your hike to the rim. You will be provided with an overnight backpack which includes; a packed lunch, 6 litres of drinking water, a warm jacket (it gets very cold at the top!), a sleeping bag and a rain poncho. A personal cook will come along for the hike to prepare a hot meal at the summit.You can hire a porter (USD 25 per porter) to help you carry this gear up to the top of the mountain. This is highly recommended, as you will not only be supporting the local economy but it can be quite heavy to carry all the necessary gear up over nearly 2000 meters of elevation gain!

The hike will start around 10 AM in the morning and will take about 4-6 hours to complete depending on your fitness level. The trail will take you through lush rainforests, to bare volcanic rock slopes at higher elevations. The trail can be steep and some parts covered in loose volcanic rocks, sturdy hiking boots will help you here.There will be several stops along the way to take in the views and catch your breath. You will reach the crater rim sometime in the late afternoon and will have an extraordinary view of the crater and the biggest lava lake in the world within. You will have all evening to watch as the lava lake gets more visible and bright as the light fades with the day.

The excellent crew from Virunga National Park will make your stay comfortable. A cook will provide a hot meal in the evening and a nice big breakfast in the morning. You will spend the night in one of the basic huts located right on the crater rim. From your mattress on the floor you will be able to hear the faint roar of the volcano below and on a clear night you might see the red glow from the lava lake through the window of your hut.Accommodation at Basic hut at crater rim withBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner

5

Day 5 Descend & Transfer to Kigali Airport

If you get up around 5AM you will have a chance to see the lava lake in complete darkness one last time, and watch as the sun rises over the landscape. Mornings can be a bit clearer so you may even see some of the surrounding volcanoes in the Virunga Range and maybe even the twinkling lights of Goma far below.

After a delicious breakfast made by your expedition cook then you will make your way down to the base camp in Kibati around 6:30 AM. A driver from Virunga National Park will be waiting at the bottom to take you back to the border with Rwanda. Here you will be met by your driver from the start of your trip who will take you to Kigali Airport in time for you flight. Please note that you will not be back in Kigali before 6 PM so if you are planning to fly on the same day, you will need to book a night flight.

Note: Accommodation for tonight is not inclusive. If you need an extra night in Kigali we will be happy to organize this for you. Contact your Travel Consultant for more information.This is the end of a once-in-a-lifetime experience in DR Congo!

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