This 4 days Congo gorilla safari Virunga national park & Nyiragongo hike is a 4 days Virunga gorilla trekking safari in Congo and mount Nyiragongo hike.
The safari features mountain gorilla tracking and a hike to the summit of mount Nyiragongo, one of the most active volcanoes in the world.
The 4 days Virunga gorilla trek and Nyiragongo hike is best for those tourists going to do a gorilla trek in Virunga national park and hike mount Nyiragongo starting and ending the safari in Kigali-Rwanda’s capital.
Your safari starts with a pick up from Kigali international airport by a professional Congo gorilla safari driver guide who will brief you about the safari and start the drive to Congo using a 4×4 safari land cruiser.
You will spend the night in a close accommodation in Virunga national park, go gorilla trekking in Virunga national park the next day, hike mount Nyiragongo on day 3 then descend mount Nyiragongo and depart on day 4 of your gorilla trekking safari in Congo.
Driving past the beautiful virunga landscapes is one of the best moments of this safari.
Both mountain gorilla trekking in Congo and hiking or climbing mountain Nyiragongo require physical strength and therefore you will need some level of fitness.
Gorilla trekking involves hiking in a tropical forest starting at 8:00am with only 1 hour spent with the mountain gorillas and a total of about 2-6 hours in the jungle.
Your prior booked gorilla trekking tour Congo permit is key for the activity required before trekking that you do along with 7 other trekkers.
Hiking mount Nyiragongo takes about 5-6 hours and requires some level of fitness, you spend a night at the summit of the mountain then descend the next day. So be ready to spend a night at the summit of one of the most active volcanoes in the world.
Day 1: Upon arrival at Kigali international airport your driver guide will pick you up and transfer from Kigali-Rwanda to Congo.
Day 2: You will do gorilla trekking in Virunga national park for about 2-6 hours.
Day 3: You will hike to the summit of mount Nyiragongo and spend the night there.
Day 4: Descend from Nyiragongo volcano summit and transfer back to Kigali international airport for departure.
Up on arrival in Kigali international airport, you will meet your safari guide waiting to take you through your 3 days gorilla safari Congo.
You embark on a 6 hours’ drive to Bukima in Virunga national park arriving in Congo in the evening for dinner, relaxation and preparation for gorilla trekking in Congo the next day at your lodging facility of preference.
Accommodation options for day 1 of your 4 days Congo gorilla safari Virunga national park & Nyiragongo hike
Luxury: Orchids’ safari club hotel/Mikeno lodge/Lulimbi tented camp/
Mid-range:Mountain gorilla view lodge
After breakfast at your lodging facility, your driver guide will drive you to the park headquarters for a Congo gorilla trekking safari experience that starts with briefing at 8:00am by the park rangers.
After briefing you start on the 2-6 hours trek into Virunga national park in search of the gorilla family allocated to you alongside 7 other tourists undertaking gorilla tracking in Congo.
After a single memorable hour in the presence of the mountain gorillas, you are returned to your hotel by your driver guide for relaxation and dinner.
Accommodation options for day 2 of your 4 days Congo gorilla safari Virunga national park & Nyiragongo hike
Luxury: Orchids’ safari club hotel/Mikeno lodge/Lulimbi tented camp/
Mid-range: Mountain gorilla view lodge
On the third day, just after your breakfast, your driver guide will transfer you to Kibat station where the hike to Nyiragongo begins.
The mountain is about 3,470m high with two distinct lava benches once known as the most voluminous lava lake. The hike to the summit usually takes about 6 hours depending on your energy levels.
The hike is tiring but what await you on the top is good scenery of the lava lake found nowhere else. During the hike you see several bird species. You will spend the night at the summit cabins with meals that can be prepared by the porters.
Accommodation for day 3 of your 4 days Congo gorilla safari Virunga national park & Nyiragongo hike
Mount Nyiragongo summit cabins
On day 4 you embark on a descend from the summit of Mount Nyiragongo back to Kibat. Your driver guide will be waiting for you at the station and transfer you back to Kigali international airport for departure.
You have lunch in Kigali and visit some craft shops for craft purchase before the driver takes you to the airport for departure.
Virunga national park is the oldest national park in Africa and the only national park with mountain gorillas in West Africa.
The park is the main Congo gorilla safaris destination since its close to the border with Rwanda that has an international airport with daily flights.
Virunga national park is adjacent to Mgahinga gorilla national park and Volcanoes national park for Uganda gorilla safari tours and Rwanda gorilla safaris respectively.
Congo is exceptional as a destination with gorilla trekking and mount Nyiragongo hike as part of the most exciting and memorable safari activities the country has to offer.
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Samuel
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