The 3 days gorilla trekking Congo tour introduces you to the Virunga National Park where you will trek Lowland gorillas, have an in-depth exploration of how they feed, copulate, socialize and for you to take as many pictures as possible. This Congo gorilla tour involves border crossing from Rwanda to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Your journey will begin and end in Kigali.
Virunga National Park is situated in Eastern DRC and compared to most of Africa’s national parks; it is one of the oldest. It was established in 1925 and it occupies an area of about 7800sq.km, inhabiting diversity of wildlife species including a section of mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, bird species, okapis, hippos, 109 reptiles, 78 amphibian species and many more.
• Lowland gorilla trekking
• Visit the scenic Lake Kivu
• Tour Kigali city
Day 1: Transfer from Kigali to Virunga National Park
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park
Day 3: Drive back to Kigali
Meet your safari guide after breakfast for a warm welcome and greeting then set off for a quick Kigali city tour where you will pay a visit to Kigali genocide site and the nearby local markets. After, begin your 4 hours’ journey to Goma Town in the DR Congo and later, connect to Virunga National Park about 2 hours’ drive in a good 4×4 drive safari vehicle. Check-in at your desired lodge for relaxation, dinner and a night stay.
Where to stay in the Virunga National Park
Luxury: Mikeno Lodge
Mid-range: Bukima Tented Camp
Budget: Ihusi Hotel in Goma
Trekking mountain gorillas in the jungles of Virunga National Park starts with an early morning delicious tea or coffee and later, you gather at Bukima Patrol Post for briefing on the dos and don’ts that you have to observe while in search for these special creatures. The actual trek commences at 8:00 am after you have been assigned to a group to trek in a group of 8 trekkers. Virunga National Park is comprised of 8 habituated families and they include Lulengo, Munyaga, Humba, Mapuwa, Nyakamwe, Bageni, Rugendo and Kabirizi. The whole experience may take about 2-5 hours less or more depending on your speed of hiking, nature of the habitat and where gorillas are. On finding them, you will spend an hour with gorillas, take their pictures and later get back to relax, dine and spend a night at the lodge.
Where to stay in the Virunga National Park
Luxury: Mikeno Lodge
Mid-range: Bukima Tented Camp
Budget: Ihusi Hotel: Ihusi Hotel in Goma
Sum up your stay in the Virunga National Park with a hot cup of tea or coffee and later, check out of the lodge ready to make a return journey to Kigali.
End of your 3 days gorilla trekking Congo tour
• Gorilla permit ($450 per person)
• Accommodation for 2 nights and meals
• Travel in 4×4 drive safari vehicle
• Fulltime English-speaking driver guide
• Relevant government taxes
• All activities on your travel plan excluding the optional ones
• Tips
• Airfares
• Beverages
• Visa fees
• Laundry services
• Hotel fees in Kigali
• Optional activities
• Telephone calls