Tchegera Island

Tchegera Island

Tchegera Island is a lovely little known U-shaped collapsed volcanic caldera island found in the northern shores of Lake Kivu that is shared by both Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Tchegera is located in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, only about 15-20 minutes boat ride from the Goa harbour.

Much as little is known about Tchegera to many travellers who visit the Congo, Tchegera is one of the most captivating, amazing and relaxing destination in the Congo. Tchegera Island is the perfect destination to be after enjoying your gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park, or gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park. Tchegera Island is actually most often made the climax of most Congo safaris, especially Congo gorilla safaris.

Tchegera is a perfect relaxation destination in the Congo, with great sceneries, landscapes, wildlife including the amazing blue monkeys, birds like the African fish eagle and cormorants among others. While at Tchegera Island, travellers have so much to encounter and experience including spectacular views of Mount Nyiragongo and Mount Nyamulagira in the Virungas as they majestically glow in the night, as well as Mount Mikeno and Mount Karisimbi which can be viewed while at Tchegera Island.

Activities in Tchegera Island

Tchegera has a number of activities that travellers can enjoy while at the park, including among others;

• Paddle Boarding and kayaking. These are great and adventurous activities in Tchegera that can be enjoyed especially by those adventurous travellers, after some thrill. Kayaking however can be done at a more relaxed pace, with travellers having ample time to enjoy the island and its inhabitants as well as spot various bird species.
• Bird watching. Bird watching in Tchegera Island is one of the most rewarding activities in the island, that bird watchers can spot a good variety of bird species. Bird watching in Tchegera can be enjoyed while on nature walks, kayaking, canoeing, where travellers can spot bird species in the island say the African eagles, gulls and so many more. While bird watching in Tchegera Island, you shall also have an opportunity to spot a number of other wildlife in Tchegera including blue monkeys.

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Other activities in Tchegera that travellers can enjoy include guided bush walks, snorkelling, scenic and sunset viewing, swimming on Lake Kivu, as well as sport fishing. 

Tchegera has the Tchegera Tented Camp which is the most often used and only available accommodation by travellers who visit the island. With about 10 well equipped but far apart Meru tents, travellers can surely enjoy their stay at the Tchegera Island, even privately. Each of the tents has an en-suite bathroom, running hot water, flush toilet, electric hair driers, power supply, with luxury torches. The tents have terraces from where guests can sit and enjoy spectacular views while sipping a glass of wine or a hot cup of coffee. Privacy at the Tchegera Tented Camp is one of the priorities, honeymooners can therefore enjoy their stay here.

How to get to Tchegera Island

Tchegera can be accessed by boat. The Virunga boat is available for hire, or have a private boat, speed boat or kayak to Tchegera. The Goma port is the most often used by travellers, especially after gorilla trekking safaris in the Virungas, with a boat transfer from Goma to Tchegera Island taking about 20 minutes only. After your stay at the Tchegera Island, you should know that the boat from the island leaves as early as 7:30am, an early wake is therefore very crucial lest you missed out.

Tchegera is indeed an amazing place to be for perfect relaxation and exclusion. Whereas Tchegera is often times visited as the last activity on one’s travel itinerary on a Congo safaris tour, after enjoying activities like gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park, hiking Mount Nyiragongo, gorilla habituation in the Virungas, game viewing safaris in Virunga National Park as well as eastern lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park among so many other activities and destinations on the Congo, Tchegera can still be visited solely say on a 2 days Tchegera getaway, or even for more days especially for those on honeymoon. Visit Tchegera and be fascinated by the black sand at the beach, and so much more.