7 days Mount Nyiragongo, Kahuzi Biega national park and Nyungwe forest national park
7 Days Mount Nyiragongo, Kahuzi Biega national park and Nyungwe forest national park
7 days Mount Nyiragongo, Kahuzi Biega national park and Nyungwe forest national park : Take on this 7 days Congo safari visiting the Virunga national park for the overnight Mount Nyiragongo hike and connect to the Kahuzi Biega national park and conclude the Nyungwe forest national park.
Get to also enjoy a day at the Gisenyi Lake Kivu, one of the longest lakes in Africa. Mount Nyiragongo is an active volcanic mountain and on the hike to the summit you will be able to see the red boiling magma on a clear night. Visit the lowland gorillas and get to spot the largest numbers of gorillas in their natural habitat while on a Congo Safari.
Trip Highlights
- Day 1: Spend a day at Gisenyi
- Day 2: Mount Nyiragongo hike up
- Day 3: Mount Nyiragongo hike down
- Day 4: Boat transfer to Bukavu
- Day 5: Lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega national park
- Day 6: Transfer to Nyungwe forest national park
- Day 7: Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe and transfer back to Kigali
Trip Description
Day 1: Spend a day at Gisenyi
Once you get your test results, you will meet up with your driver guide to set out on a leisurely transfer to Gisenyi. You will drive westwards for the start of this Rwanda safari. You will have a first stop at the Kigali Genocide memorial ground for a visit and also visit the Kimironko market for a chance to buy some locally made artifacts.
You will have lunch and continue for your afternoon boat trip on the Lake Kivu. Enjoy a few hours on the lake shores and connect to your hotel where you will spend the rest of the day. Check in at your hotel and have dinner.
Accommodation in Gisenyi
- Paradise Malahide for budget option
- Le Palme Beach hotel for midrange option
- Lake Kivu Serena lodge for luxury option
Day 2: Mount Nyiragongo hike up
Be up early and head out to the Grande Barrier border building for check in for your Mount Nyiragongo hike. You will be at the Bukima ranger post by 9 am and start on this 5 hour hike up hill. This is a strenuous hike so be sure to be physically ready for this hike.
You will have two stopovers uphill and arrive at the summit by 5 pm. You will have dinner and enjoy a night at the Nyiragongo summit shelters.
Day 3: Mount Nyiragongo hike down
Wake up to catch the sunrise from the top and have breakfast. Prepare your belongings to descend the mountain. You will arrive back at the trailhead by midday.
You will connect to your hotel for lunch in Goma and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Hotel options in Goma
- Hotel Linda for budget option
- La Joie Plaza for midrange option
- Lac Kivu serena lodge for luxury option
Day 4: Boat transfer to Bukavu
Wake up at leisure and have breakfast at your hotel in Goma. You will have a Goma city tour visiting some of the historical points and also get to see the effects of the past eruptions of the Mount Nyiragongo on the city. You will have lunch in Goma and after connect to Bolengo for your boat transfer to Bukavu.
You will arrive in Bukavu in time to check in at your hotel and settle in as you wait for dinner to be served
Hotel options in Bukavu
- Hotel Elizabeth for budget option
- Panorama hotel for midrange option
- Orchid lodge for luxury option
Day 5: Lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega national park
Wake up excited for this experience in Kahuzi Biega national park. You will have breakfast and later head out to the park headquarters to attend the briefing on the expectations and code of conduct while in the forest.
You will enter the forest searching for the lowland gorillas of the Kahuzi Biega national park and once you meet them, you will enjoy an hour in their natural habitat. You will after exit the park and head back to your hotel in Bukavu. You will spend the rest of the day at your hotel and dinner will be served and you enjoy another night in Bukavu.
Day 6: Transfer to Nyungwe forest national park
You will have breakfast at your hotel and check out of your hotel headed for your next destination. You will make your way to the Rusizi border to connect back into Rwanda. You will drive about 2 hours until you arrive in Nyungwe forest.
You will check in at your hotel in Nyungwe forest and have lunch. You may spend the rest of the day at leisure or opt to take on an optional activity like community visit or tea plantation visit and return to your hotel before night fall for dinner.
Hotel options in Nyungwe forest national park
- Gisakura Visitor Center for budget option
- Nyungwe top hill view for midrange option
- One and Only Nyungwe house for luxury option
Day 7: Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe and transfer back to Kigali
Be up as early as 5 am to connect with your driver guide who will be waiting to transfer you to the park reception for the briefing ahead of your chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest. You will enter the Nyungwe forest in search of the chimpanzees. You will spot these playful creatures swinging from one tree branch to another.
Once after the chimpanzee trekking, you will retire back to your accommodation for lunch and freshen up and after set out back to Kigali. This is a 5 hour road transfer where you will arrive back in Kigali for drop off at the hotel or airport as you will advise.
