This amazing and rewarding tour takes you to Virunga National Park, home to special places including the rare mountain gorillas. These gentle animals are our close relatives, sharing 98% of our DNA. Spending an hour with them creates memories that last a lifetime.
On this tour, you will also hike Mount Nyiragongo, where you will see a boiling lava lake at the summit.
Along the way, enjoy the beautiful scenery and visit interesting places in Kigali, including the former presidential palace, the genocide memorial, local markets, and more.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Virunga National Park
You will be briefed about the tour and then driven to Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This park is home to mountain gorillas, also known as gentle giants.
The park is named after the Virunga Massif and is also home to Mount Nyiragongo, the most active volcano in Africa with a boiling lava lake. You will arrive in the evening and head to your lodge for dinner and rest.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking
After a good breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing. You will learn about the rules for gorilla trekking, have your permits checked, and be assigned a park ranger to guide you through the forest. Begin the trek with the help of researchers, porters, and park guides.
Along the way, you may see other wildlife like vervet monkeys, olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, and different bird species. When you meet the gorilla family, you will spend one hour watching them as they feed, play, and care for their young. Take photos and videos to keep the memories. After the trek, return to the lodge for a late lunch and time to relax.
Day 3: Hike Mount Nyiragongo
Wake up early and have breakfast at 7:00 am. Your driver will take you to Kibati Gate for a briefing and hiking tips. If you have heavy bags, you can hire a local porter to help you carry them. The hike starts at around 10:00 am and is led by park rangers and local guides.
On the way, you may see animals like colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and many birds. At the summit, which is 4,370 meters above sea level, you will see the lava lake and have a chance to take photos. Spend the night at the mountain camp. It is recommended to carry a headlamp and sleeping bag for the night.
Day 4: Descend and return to Kigali
On the final day, wake up early and have breakfast before starting the descent back to the base. Descending is easier and gives more time to enjoy short breaks. Once at Kibati Gate, check out and meet your driver who will transfer you back to Kigali. There will be a stop for lunch along the way.
