5 Days Mount Nyiragongo & Karisimbi Hike

8 days mountaineering Congo safari with gorillas in Virunga national park and Volcanoes national park

8 days mountaineering Congo safari with gorillas in Virunga national park and Volcanoes national park

8 days mountaineering Congo safari with gorillas : Take on an 8 days mountaineering Congo safari with mountain gorillas in the Virunga national park and the Volcanoes national park. Spend 8 days hiking up 3 of the 8 Virunga mountains that are in Rwanda and the DR Congo. Get to trek the mountain gorillas of the Virunga national park then continue to hike up the Mount Nyiragongo and spend a night at the summit, take a break to refuel at the Lake Kivu, continue to hike up the Mount Karisimbi and spend a night at the campsite on the way to the summit. You will end this mountaineering Congo safari with a day hike up the Mount Bisoke.

Trip highlights

  • Day 1: Drive from Kigali and cross to Virunga national park- DR Congo
  • Day 2: Mountain gorilla trekking
  • Day 3: Mount Nyiragongo hike
  • Day 4: Mount Nyiragongo descent and back to Rwanda
  • Day 5: Leisure day on Lake Kivu and transfer to Volcanoes national park
  • Day 6: Mount Karisimbi hike up
  • Day 7: Descend Mount karisimbi
  • Day 8: Mount Bisoke and transfer back to Kigali

Trip description

Day 1: Drive from Kigali and cross to Virunga national park- DR Congo

Meet up with your driver guide who will be looking forward to meeting you to take you on your 8 days mountaineering with mountain gorillas Congo safari. You will exchange pleasantries, enjoy a briefing and after head out to cross into the Democratic republic of Congo. This is a 5 hour road transfer.

Arrive at the Grande Barrier border building to check in for your visit to Virunga. Join the security convoy headed to the hotel in Virunga national park. You will be welcomed with a late lunch and settle in at your hotel. Dinner will be served later and you will spend a night in Virunga national park

Hotel options in Virunga national park

  • Kibumba Tented camp
  • Bukima Tented camp
  • Mikeno lodge
  • Ngila lodge

Day 2: Mountain gorilla trekking

Wake up in time to grab an early breakfast and later head out to the Bukima Ranger post for the briefing ahead of the mountain gorilla trekking. You will after head out on the search and once you meet the gorilla family of the day, you will enjoy a whole hour with them at a 6 meter distance, taking photos and videos and after all this, you will make your way out of the forest with the ranger guides.

Get back to your hotel for lunch and relax as the sun cools down. Later in the evening, you may opt to visit a community or the Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage if you are staying at the Mikeno lodge and be back ahead of dinner time.

8 days mountaineering Congo safari with gorillas in Virunga national park and Volcanoes national park
Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage

Enjoy your dinner and spend another night in the Virunga national park.

Day 3: Mount Nyiragongo hike

Have breakfast and be at the trailhead of the Mount Nyiragongo hike by 8 am. Attend the briefing ahead of the ascent and hire all you may need for this overnight hike. You will climb up with 2 stopovers to catch a breath.

You will arrive at the summit of the mountain in the early evening hours and get to enjoy the views of the Goma town from the top. You will spend your night in the Nyiragongo summit shelters.

Day 4: Mount Nyiragongo descent and back to Rwanda

Once the sun is out, breakfast at the top will be served and you will enjoy this simple Congolese breakfast and prepare to descend. After taking photos and you are ready, start to slop and expect to be back at the trailhead in about 5 hours that is by midday.

You will connect to Goma for lunch and after drive to exit the DR Congo for Gisenyi Rwanda. You will check in at your hotel in Gisenyi where you will spend the night.

Accommodation in Gisenyi

  • Paradise Malahide
  • Le Palme beach hotel
  • Lake Kivu serena hotel

Day 5: Leisure day on Lake Kivu and transfer to Volcanoes national park

Wake up at leisure for breakfast at your hotel and prepare to spend your day at leisure. You will connect to the Lake Kivu to enjoy the sandy beach. You may take on a boat trip on the Lake Kivu and later return for lunch at the shores.

You will there after drive to connect to the Volcanoes national park where you will spend the night.

Accommodation in Volcanoes national park

  • Virunga lodge
  • Le Bambou gorilla lodge
  • Muhabura hotel

Day 6: Mount Karisimbi hike up

You will be expected at the Volcanoes national park headquarters where the briefing will take place by 7am. This brief is given by your ranger guides and you will set out on one the most challenging hikes. The 6 hour hike up hill will give you breathtaking views along the way and this day you will hike to the camp at 3,700 meters where you will spend the night. You will need to be physically fit and prepared for this hike.

8 days mountaineering Congo safari with gorillas in Virunga national park and Volcanoes national park
Mount Karisimbi hike up

Day 7: Descend Mount karisimbi

After having your cup of coffee, you will get back on the hiking towards the summit of Mount Karisimbi. The Mount Karisimbi is the highest of the 8 Virunga mountain ranges and you will be able to reach the highest peak on this day. Get to spot the other Virunga mountains from the top of Mount Karisimbi.

Once you have had enough of the top, you will descend back to the trailhead where your driver guide will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in volcanoes for lunch. You will rest and anticipate for the next day’s hike. The night will be spent at your hotel in Volcanoes national park.

Day 8: Mount Bisoke and transfer back to Kigali

Mount Bisoke hike is a one day hike in the Volcanoes national park. You will have an early breakfast at your hotel and set back to the park headquarters for the briefing of hiking Mount Bisoke. You will head out on the same trail that is famous for the mountain gorillas and also spot great birdlife as you ascend. This is a 4 hour hike.

Once you have completed your hike, you will connect to Musanze for lunch and your driver guide will later drop you off at your preferred drop off point.

Trip quote inclusive of

  • Tourist vehicle with fuel
  • English speaking driver guide
  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • Mountain gorilla hike permit
  • Activity/ Hike permits
  • Nyiragongo backpack
  • Camping gear
  • Boat trip on Lake Kivu
  • DR Congo tourist visa
  • Transfers, pick up and drop off

Trip quote exclusive of

  • PCR tests
  • Flights
  • Rwanda visa
  • Items of personal nature like laundry, tip, airtime
  • Optional activities
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