4 Days Nyiragongo & Gorilla Safari

Overview

The 4 days Nyiragongo hike and gorilla safari is a magical journey that takes you to observe boiling lava lake in Africa, the Nyiragongo Volcano is one of the few mountains with molten lava at the summit. The safari will take you to Virunga national park located in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The park was established in 1925 and covers an area of 7768 km2 and its home to thousand species of mammal, bird species and Reptile.

Safari breakdown

• Day 1: Transfer to Gisenyi Lake Kivu
• Day 2: Nyiragongo volcano hiking to the summit
• Day 3: Ascending Nyiragongo Volcano and transfer to Virunga national park
• Day 4: Gorilla trekking and departure.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to Gisenyi

Chosen expeditions tour guide, will pick you from the hotel or Kigali international airport, where he will brief you about the tour before you commence with the journey. The trip will start off to Gisenyi via Ruhengeri with a visit of Kigali city and Ibiwachu village found in Ruhengeri. You will have an en-route lunch at a tourist local restaurant where you will have lunch and after proceed with the journey to Gisenyi. Upon arrival, you may have an optional boat cruise on Lake Kivu. Check in at the lodge and wait for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation option;

• Lake Kivu Serena hotel
• Water front resort lodge

Driving time; 3-4 hours’ drive

Meals; lunch and dinner 

Day 2: Nyiragongo Volcano to the summit

Wake up early, have breakfast and after, your guide/driver pick you and drive you through Goma town to Virunga national park headquarters. You will be brief and given a well knowledgeable guide who will hike with you to the summit. The hike starts at 10:30am through Kibati starting point and it’s around 5-6 hours to reach Nyiragongo Mountain summit. Upon arrival at the summit, enjoy the spectacular view of the ever burning Volcano, take photos and learn more about the volcano. You will have dinner and overnight at the mountain camp tents.

Day 3: Descend Nyiragongo Volcano and departure for Virunga national park.

Have early morning breakfast, pack you stuff and trek back to the starting point. Descend down from Nyiragongo Volcano Mountain with a beautiful view of plantation, vegetation and birds. Upon arrival at the starting point, you will find your tour guide waiting to transfer you to Virunga national park where you will do gorilla trekking. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 4: Gorilla trekking and departure

Wake up early, have an morning cup of coffee, the lodge will prepare packed lunch for you, pack your trekking equipment’s and enough drinking water. The tour guide will drive you to the parks headquarter where you will be brief on the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking. You will be divided in groups with other tourists, and drive to the starting point. Enter the jungle in search of endangered mountain gorillas, remember the trek can take half an hour to 6 hours depending of the movement of the giants in search of food and where they built their nest the previous night. Once you find the gorillas, you will be allowed one hour to spend with gorillas, take photos, watch them feed, breastfeed and little ones playing. After, return to the headquarters where you will be awarded a certificate of appreciation.  Drive back to Kigali, reaching late in the night.

Inclusions

• Accommodation
• Transportation
• Professional tour guide
• Drinking water
• Gorilla permit
• Hiking fees