5 Day Gorilla Trek & Nyiragongo Hike

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496
5 Days 4 Nights
Kigali Airport
Kigali Airport
Max People : 200
Detail
/Detail

This 5-day tour 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.

Itinerary:

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

Day 2: Enter DRC and drive to Kibumba

Day 3: Gorilla Tracking in Virunga National Park

Day 4: Climb Nyiragongo volcano

Day 5: Descend & Transfer to Kigali Airport.

Price Includes

  • Return transfer from Kigali to Goma by Paradise Adventure Vacations representative
  • All transfers in the DR Congo by Virunga National Park
  • Visa service for DR Congo
  • Border crossing assistance at Goma Grand Barrier Border
  • Accommodation as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Park entrance fees according to program
  • 1x Gorilla Tracking permit per person
  • All activities described in the program
  • Overnight backpack for Nyiragongo Hike
  • Accompanying ranger & cook for Nyiragongo Hike
  • Drinking water during the volcano hike
  • Park entrance fees
  • Nyragongo Hiking Permit

Price Excludes

  • International flights
  • Multiple entry visa for Rwanda
  • Porter during the Gorilla Tracking and Volcano Hike
  • Personal insurance (medical/travel)
  • Government tax or park fee increases
  • Tips and gratuities to rangers, driver/guide, porter, hotel staff, etc.
  • All expenses of personal nature (e.g. drinks, laundry, optional activities, souvenirs etc.).
  • The bookingsfor the overnight at the crater rim mentioned in the program depend on availability. Reservations will only be made after your booking.
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Itinerary

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

Upon arrival to Kigali International Airport in Rwanda, a Paradise Adventure Vacations 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.

Journey Time:     2-3 hours to Gisenyi

Accommodation:         Paradise Malahide

Meal Plan: No meals inclusive today

 

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.

Journey Time:     1 hour

Accommodation: Kibumba Tented Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 3: Gorilla Tracking in Virunga National Park

Today you will stand eye-to-eye with the endangered Mountain Gorilla.

Virunga National Park is an UNESCO world heritage site and the oldest national park on the continent! This protected area contains very diverse terrain with the peaks of the Rwenzori mountains, erosion valleys, active volcanoes, rainforests 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:         Kibumba Tented Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

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. Staring into the bubbling cauldron of fire at night is one of the most incredible natural phenomenon you will ever witness. Nyiragongo is one of the world’s most active volcanoes. It last erupted in 2002 but is routinely monitored and is therefore safe for tourists to climb.

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.

Journey time:     4-6 hours hike to the top

Accommodation:         Basic hut at crater rim

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

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 surrouding volcanoes in the Virunga Range and maybe even the twinkling lights of Goma far below.

 

After a delicious breakfast made by your expedition cook (coffee, eggs, sausage & toast) 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.

Journey Time:     3-4 hour hike & 5 hour drive to Kigali                  

Accommodation: Not included

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

 

Single Supplement:

A single supplement is included for 1 person traveling alone and staying in a single room. For any additional single room occupancy the single supplement is USD 220.

 

Dates:

 

Since this is a private tour, departure can be organised for anytime throughout the year subject to the availability of accommodation and transport.

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