The 5 Days Nyiragongo Volcano and Rwanda Gorilla Tour package is designed for those who are interested in hiking mount Nyiragongo but tracking the primates in Rwanda. During the tour, there will be visits to Lake Kivu and the Iby’iwacu cultural village. There will also be opportunities to spot the beautiful countryside. Silverback gorilla tours are more exciting when combined with other thrilling activities like mountain hiking, cultural tours and game drives.
Day 1: Kigali City Tour – Transfer to Congo
A Gorilla Adventure Tours safari guide will pick you from your hotel in Kigali and take you on a tour of the city. You will be taken to visit the Gisozi Genocide Memorial site to learn about what transpired during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. You will also visit other important landmarks, the central market, artisan shops and the former presidential palace. Afterwards, you will start the journey to the Congo border through Lake Kivu and amazing countryside. You should arrive in Gisenyi before 2:00pm and take lunch before going to the immigration office for clearance. Ensure that you have your yellow fever vaccination card and passport ready so that you can be allowed to cross to Congo. The Visa would be in the system by the time you speak to migration office. After clearing with immigration, you will cross and find the team from Virunga waiting for you from the Congo side.
Day 2: Nyiragongo Mountain Hiking
You will have an early breakfast and wait for park authorities to pick you up from your hotel. You will be driven towards Goma and branch off to Kibati village which is the starting point for Mount Nyiragongo hiking. The park officials will brief you about the hike and introduce you to the porters who will be carrying supplies up the mountain. One of the porters will be your chef. Everything is kept basic while climbing mount Nyiragongo. Climbing to the top of the volcano takes between 4 to 6 hours depending on the level of fitness of the group. No one is left behind until you get to the 4th section. There are 5 sections to be completed before reaching the top. Once you get to the summit, you will find your cabins waiting for you. The best time for viewing the boiling magma is in the night.
Day 3: Transfer to the Volcanoes National Park
Wake up from your cabin at 7:00am and take breakfast as you wait for everybody to start descending the volcano at 8:00am. On reaching the starting point, the park officials will drive you to Goma and then to the border office were you will clear with the Rwanda immigration. A Gorilla Adventure Tours driver will be waiting for you at the Rwanda side of the border to take you to the Volcanoes National Park.
Day 4: Gorilla Tracking in Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park involves choosing among 10 habituated gorilla groups. You will be assigned one based on your overall fitness. Tracking can take between 2 to 6 hours depending on which family you are assigned. The activity can be challenging especially if you are not in good shape or mentally prepared to complete it. However, the one hour spent with the gorilla family is a lifetime experience which you will never forget. Watching a group of gorillas in the wild is an uncomfortable reminder of just how much we have in common with them. You could spend hours just watching the little ones roll around and play. Mountain Gorillas can be very playful and curious especially if they see something unfamiliar. While with the gorilla family, it’s important to listen to instructions from your guide.
Day 5: Transfer back to Kigali – Departure
Wake at your own time and take breakfast as you prepare for the trip back to Kigali. The journey from the Volcanoes National Park to Kigali takes about 3 hours. If you missed the Kigali city tour on day 1, you will have it on this day before proceeding to the airport for your departure flight out.
End of the 5 Days Nyiragongo Volcano and Rwanda Gorilla Tour.
The 5 Days Nyiragongo Volcano and Rwanda Gorilla Tour cost includes;
- 1 Gorilla trekking permit per person.
- Accommodation & meals as indicated.
- Nyiragongo Hiking Permit.
- 4×4 safari vehicle.
- A professional English speaking knowledgeable driver guide.
- Bottled drinking water on board.
However, the 5 Days Nyiragongo Volcano and Rwanda Gorilla Tour cost excludes;
- International flights & Visas.
- Tips.
- Drinks.
- Any changes to the itinerary.
- Laundry.