6 days Virunga classic package

Trip summary

6 days Virunga classic package : Take on a 6 day Virunga classic package to experience the Virunga forest and take on a double mountain gorilla trekking experience and also take some time to visit the chimpanzee family in the Virunga and then hike up one of the world’s most active volcanic mountain, the Mount Nyiragongo. You may even take on a Kigali city tour on the first day or the last day depending on the time available.

The Virunga national park is a much sought after national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This park is located a few meters from the Goma town and has a number of accommodations you can book yourself into.

Trip highlights

Day 1: Transfer to Mikeno lodge from Kigali/ Goma
Day 2: First Gorilla trekking in Virunga national park
Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking/ Free day
Day 4: Second gorilla trekking in Virunga national park
Day 5: Mount Nyiragongo hike up
Day 6: Mount Nyiragongo descent

Trip description

Day 1: Transfer to Mikeno lodge from Kigali/ Goma

Once you have your test results ready and are set to start your safari, your driver guide will be waiting to transfer you to the Mikeno Lodge. You will leave Kigali by 9 am and drive 5 hours headed to the west side of Rwanda. You will cross into the DR Congo via the Goma Gisenyi Grande Barrier border building.

You will check in with the Virunga tourism office and after connect with the security convoy headed to the Mikeno lodge. Get to Mikeno lodge in time for lunch and spend the rest of the day settling in as you wait for dinner. The night will be spent at Mikeno lodge.

Day 2: First Gorilla trekking in Virunga national park

Wake up excited for this amazing highlight of the trip. Grab a cup of coffee and set out for the hike. Arrive in time for the pre trekking briefing by the ranger guides and after enter the forest in search for the mountain gorillas.

You will hike to the mountain slopes where these gorillas like to spend their time and once you meet the gorilla family of the day, spend a magical hour with them and after head back to your camp for lunch.

You may opt to spend the rest of the day at the lodge or take on an optional guided community visit and get back in time for dinner. You will spend another night in Mikeno lodge

Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking/ free day

Chimpanzees are early risers so you will be expected to be awake and ready by 5 am. You will join the group of individuals headed to the forest to habituate the chimpanzee family in the Mahura forest of Virunga.

After spending some time with the chimpanzee family, you will exit the park and head back to the hotel for a late breakfast and relax. Later in the day, you visit the Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage and return to your camp for dinner and spend another night in the Mikeno lodge.

Day 4: Second gorilla trekking in Virunga national park

Have an early breakfast at the luxury Mikeno lodge and head out for your second chance with the mountain gorillas. You will reach the Bukima ranger post for the briefing before the trek and head out into the forest with more experience.

After the mountain gorilla trekking, you will head back to the Mikeno lodge for a late lunch and the rest of the day will be spent relaxing as you anticipate the next day. Spend a fourth night in the Mikeno lodge.

Day 5: Mount Nyiragongo hike up

Get your bags packed ready to leave the Mikeno lodge after the sumptuous breakfast. You will be driven to the Bukima ranger post where the hike uphill the Mount Nyiragongo also starts from. You will receive a briefing and start on the 5 hour ascent.

You will have 2 stopovers and continue to reach the summit in the early evening hours. Dinner will be served at the top and you will have a night in the Nyiragongo summit shelters.

Day 6: Mount Nyiragongo descent

Wake up with the view of the sun rising from the top of the active volcano. You will enjoy a simple breakfast and after start the descent back to the Nyiragongo trailhead. You will reach the trailhead by about 12 pm and your driver guide will be ready to drive you to your next destination for drop off.

You may be dropped off in Kigali or in Goma as you will advise.

Trip quote to include

4WD Safari vehicle with fuel
Full time English/ French speaking driver guide
Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary
Meals; breakfast, lunch and dinner
Mountain gorilla trekking permit x2
Chimpanzee trekking permit
Mount Nyiragongo hike permit
Mount Nyiragongo backpack
DR Congo tourist visa

Trip quote to exclude

International flights
Other visa fees
PCR Covid test
Optional activities not indicated
Personal needs like insurance, medicines, airtime, laundry, tips, porter fees etc