6 Days Nyiragongo Double Night Gorillas & Tchegera island

6 Days Nyiragongo Double Night Gorillas & Tchegera island: Take on this 6 days double night on Mount Nyiragongo with gorilla trekking and the Tchegera Island safari in Virunga national park along with a visit to the Tchergera Island to cool off from the demanding hike uphill.

This Congo safari gives you an opportunity to hike Mount Nyiragongo and not only spend one night at the summit but 2 nights. Mount Nyiragongo is one of the few active volcanic mountains of the region. Along with the neighbouring Mount Nyamulagira, Mount Nyiragongo is said to be responsible for up to 40% of the eruptions of Africa. Mount Nyiragongo also has the widest crater lava lake in Africa all which you will get to enjoy and know about on this day. Take on some Island activities like swimming, snorkeling, paddle boarding or a nature walk in this undisturbed island.

Also visit the endangered mountain gorillas of the DR Congo in Virunga national park on this Congo safari. This package is available for booking on specific dates of the month so be sure to reach out so as to plan for you appropriately.

Trip highlights of the 6 Days Nyiragongo Double Night Gorillas & Tchegera island tour

Day 1: Transfer to Virunga national park from Kigali
Day 2: Mountain gorilla trekking in Virunga national park
Day 3: Hike up Mount Nyiragongo
Day 4: Free day at the summit
Day 5: Descend Mount Nyiragongo and transfer to Tchegera Island
Day 6: Half day at Tchegera Island and drive back to Kigali

Trip description

Day 1: Transfer to Virunga national park from Kigali or Gisenyi

Your driver guide will be waiting on your communication on if you are ready to transfer to the Virunga national park. You will be picked up from Kigali or Gisenyi as advised. The road transfer from Kigali to Goma is a 5 hour transfer. You will be expected to check in with the Virunga national park office on arrival to DR Congo after clearance.

You will receive your trekking and hike permits and connect to join the headed to the park. There will be a security convoy that you will have to drive with throughout the Congo safari. Arrive at your hotel in time for a late lunch. Settle in as you await for dinner to be served and spend your first night in Virunga national park.

Hotel options in Virunga national park

Kibumba Tented Camp for budget
Bukima tented camp for midrange
Mikeno lodge for luxury

Day 2: Mountain gorilla trekking in Virunga national park

Rise up in time for your mountain gorilla experience in Virunga national park. You will have breakfast and after connect with your driver guide who will be waiting to drive you to the Bukima ranger post where all the treks in Virunga start from with a morning brief. You will attend the 20 to 30 minute brief before you enter the forest where you will address any concerns.

Follow your ranger guides into the forest and trek for about 2 hours until you meet your mountain gorilla family of the day. You will spend a magical one hour with the gorilla family as they go about their daily routine at a 7 meters distance. Ensure to follow all guidelines shared to avoid attack from these habituated but still wild animals. Exit the forest and connect back to your hotel for a late lunch. You will enjoy the lodge for the rest of the day or take on an optional community tour or a guide nature walk but ensure to return before nightfall for dinner. You will spend a second night in Virunga national park.

Day 3: Hike up Mount Nyiragongo

As early as 7 am, you should be done with breakfast at your hotel and ready to head out to the trailhead of the Nyiragongo hike. Your driver guide will drive you to the Bukima ranger post for your pre hike brief. Attend the briefing and hire your necessary equipment for this 2 night hike up at the Mount Nyiragongo.

You will set out with your ranger guides, driver guide and your porter if there was need for one. You will hike 5 to 7 hours uphill depending on your speed. You will have 2 stopovers enroute to catch a breath and continue to the summit. You will arrive at the summit in the early evening hours. Enjoy the views from the top and settle in as dinner is getting ready to be served. Spend your first night at the Mount Nyiragongo summit.

Day 4: Free day at the summit

Wake up at leisure and have a simple breakfast served at the top of the Nyiragongo. Mount Nyiragongo is one of the few active volcanic mountains of the region. Along with the neighbouring Mount Nyamulagira, Mount Nyiragongo is said to be responsible for up to 40% of the eruptions of Africa. Mount Nyiragongo also has the widest crater lava lake in Africa all which you will get to enjoy and know about on this day.

You will retire and wait for the day to end. All meals will be had at the top of the summit and a second night will be spent in the Mount Nyiragongo cabin shelters.

Day 5: Descend Mount Nyiragongo and transfer to Tchegera Island.

Wake up ready to leave the summit of Mount Nyiragongo. You will pack your luggage and grab some breakfast before you start to descend the volcano. You will enjoy your last moments at the top of Mount Nyiragongo and after set out back to the trailhead. You are expected to be at the foot of the Mount Nyiragongo by midday. You will connect to Kituku port to catch the boat headed to the Tchegera Island.

You will arrive in time for late lunch. Enjoy your lunch with the cool breeze from Lake Kivu to relax your muscles after the demanding past 2 days. Enjoy the luxury resort and dinner will be served and you will spend your night at the Tchegera Tented camp.

Day 6: Leave Tchegera Island for Kigali via Goma

Wake up at leisure and connect for a luxury breakfast at the hotel and set out to enjoy a few activities at the resort like swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding or a nature walk in this undisturbed island. You will connect back to the resort for lunch and after connect with the afternoon speed boat headed back to Kituku port. Once on land, you will drive with your guide headed to exit DRCongo back to Rwanda for drop off in Kigali as you will advise.

End of the 6 Days Nyiragongo Double Night Gorillas & Tchegera island tour

Trip quote to include:

Full-time safari vehicle with fuel
English / French speaking driver-guide
Accommodation
Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
DRCongo tourist visa
Nyiragongo hike permit
Nyiragongo backpack
Tchegera Island visit
Mountain gorilla trek permit
Bottled water

Trip quote to exclude:

Flights
PCR COVID-19 tests
Rwanda visa
Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
Personal needs like laundry, medicines, phone service, tips and gratuities, alcoholic drinks.