The 7 Days Kahuzi Biega, Virunga and Nyiragongo Hiking safari is an exhilarating adventure that takes you through the wonderful Democratic republic of Congo’s most breathtaking landscapes. This epic journey begins in Kahuzi Biega national park where you trek the endangered eastern lowland gorillas, before heading to Virunga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to explore its stunning volcanic landscapes and diverse wildlife. The piece de resistance is the hike to the summit of Nyiragongo, an active volcano with a mesmerizing lava lake, offering a once-in-a lifetime experience amidst breathtaking scenery, making this safari an unforgettable odyssey of discovery and adventure.
7 Days Kahuzi Biega, Virunga and Nyiragongo Hiking safari Highlights.
Day 1: Pick up and cross to Bukavu.
Day 2: Eastern Lowland gorilla trekking.
Day 3: Boat transfer to Goma.
Day 4: Gorilla trekking experience in Virunga National Park.
Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking.
Day 6: Nyiragongo hike.
Day 7: Descent Mount Nyiragongo and transfer to Kigali.
Detailed itinerary.
Day 1: Pick up and cross to Bukavu.
On the 1st day of the safari, your safari guide from African Vacation Safaris, will pick you from either at Kigali International Airport or from your hotel in Kigali, he will welcome you and belief you about the 7 days Kahuzi Biega, Virunga and Nyiragongo hiking safari, and after the beliefing you embark on your journey to democratic republic of Congo with the massive views along the way of the dense forests and winding roads that hug the contours of the hills, along the way you will have an enroute lunch and some other refreshments. After you will proceed with your journey until you reach the Cyangugu border to Bukavu town in Democratic Republic of Congo. And once you arrive, at Bukavu that is the nearby town to Kahuzi Biega National Park you will be transferred to your lodge for dinner, relaxation and overnight stay.
Day 2: Eastern Lowland gorilla trekking.
On the 2nd of the safari, wake up early in the morning, and enjoy your hearty breakfast, after breakfast you will meet your safari guide with your packed lunch and transfer to the headquarters at Kahuzi Beiga national park where you are going to receive a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during the eastern lowland gorilla trekking by the park guides and rangers. After the briefing you will explore the forest with the park rangers and guides to look for the gorillas that takes around 1 to 5 hours depending on the location of these gorillas because they are always spread around the forest while looking for the gorillas. And along the way you will be impressed with the sighting diverse animal species, bird species, and other primate species. After the once the gorillas are found you will be given a period of one hour to be in the presence of the gorillas, while watching them doing their daily activities that is watching them feeding, playing, making their nests, mothers grooming their young ones, taking their pictures and recording their movies. After one hour you will trek back to the starting point and be awarded with gorilla trekking certificates for taking part in eastern gorilla trekking. After you will be transferred back to your lodge for dinner, relaxation and overnight stay.
Day 3: Boat transfer to Goma.
On the 3rd day of the safari, wake up in the morning and enjoy your hearty breakfast, after breakfast you will out from your lodge and then transfer to Goma. This is where you are going to transfer using the boat and you arrive at Grande Barriere border crossing by 11:00 am and then check in with the Virunga tourism office, the office is located in the Grande Barriere border post building that is opposite passport control. These permits should be presented before at the start of each trek. From your Mikeno lodge at the park headquarters in Rumangabo. And once you arrive you will check in and enjoy your lunch. After lunch you can enjoy various optional safari activities around that includes bird watching, nature walks around Rumangabo’s or visiting Virunga’s Congo hounds and among others. After the experiences you will be returned to your lodge for dinner, relaxation and overnight stay.
Day 4: Gorilla trekking experience in Virunga National Park.
On the 4th day of the safari, get up early in the morning enjoy your breakfast, you will meet your safari guide and transfer to Bukima Ranger Post. And once you arrive you will meet your ranger guides and they will give you a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during mountain gorilla trekking. After the briefing you will explore the forest with the park rangers and start gorilla trekking that takes a period from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the location of the gorillas. Along the way looking for the gorillas you will be fascinated with the unique sightings of biodiversity. And once you find the gorillas you will be given one hour to be in the presence of the gorillas watching them doing their daily activities. And after the experience you will be transferred back to the starting point and then transfer back to your lodge for lunch. And after lunch you experience Bukima the one of the breathtaking natural beauty, with the stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, you can as well visit the nearby village offering traditional Congolese culture with warm hospitality or you can visit the gorilla orphans at Senkwekwe Gorilla Center. After the experience you will be transferred to your lodge for dinner, relaxation and overnight stay.
Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking.
On the 5th day of the safari, wake up early in the morning and enjoy breakfast, after breakfast you will be transferred to the park headquarters for the chimpanzee trekking. You will trek these chimpanzees this is a unique experience that allows you to join the team, as they study and habituate the family of chimpanzees found in the Mahura Forest surrounding Rumangabo. Chimpanzee trekking takes a period from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the location of the chimpanzees, and once the chimpanzees are located you will be given a period of one hour to be in the presence of the chimpanzees, that is watching then chimpanzees feeding, climbing from the trees, and many others. And after the experience you will transferred to your lodge for relaxation and engaging in optional activities around your lodge, and after you will have dinner, relaxation and overnight stay.
Day 6: Nyiragongo hike.
On the 6th day of the safari, wake up early in the morning and enjoy your breakfast, after breakfast you will check out from your lodge and meet your safari guide and then be transferred back to the Goma with drop-off at the Grande Barriere border post to join the team for the Nyiragongo hike, you will report to Bukima and start your Nyiragongo hike that will take you about 5 hours until you reach the summit, you will enjoy lunch along the way while hiking. And with the perfect views of the animal species and bird species towards the summit, and once you arrive you will witness the molten lava in the drop back of the magnificent landscape. After the experience you will have dinner, relaxation at your camp.
Day 7: Descent Mount Nyiragongo and transfer to Kigali.
On the last day of the safari, you will have breakfast and then get ready to transfer back to Kigali. You will descend back to Nyiragongo back to Bukima and then depart Democratic Republic of Congo to Kigali in the later afternoon with the lunch enroute along the way, depending on your flight time you can visit the genocide memorial site, or visiting the Caplaki crafts village, visiting Kimironko market and after you will be dropped off to our convenient place that is either Kigali International Airport or to your hotel in Kigali that will make your safari come to the end.
End of 7 Days Kahuzi Biega, Virunga and Nyiragongo Hiking safari
Safari inclusions.
Gorilla trekking permits.
Chimpanzee trekking permits.
Hiking fees.
Full board accommodation.
Transport.
Full time English speaking safari guide.
Bottled drinking water.
Safari exclusions.
Beverages.
Porter fees.
Souvenirs and Tips.
Flights.
Personal expenses like laundry, telephone.
