6 Days Great Ape with Nyiragongo Safari
6 Days Great Ape with Nyiragongo Safari: Take on a 6 days Congo safari visiting the mountain gorillas twice, trek the chimpanzees of Mahura forest and conclude the safari with an overnight hike on Mount Nyiragongo. These can all be done in Virunga national park Congo and this safari starts and ends in Kigali. You can book this safari anytime of the year but note that it sets off from Goma on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Trip highlights of the 6 Days Great Ape with Nyiragongo Safari
- Day 1: Drive from Kigali and cross to Virunga national park
- Day 2: Mountain gorilla trek in Virunga national park
- Day 3: Second mountain gorilla trek in Virunga national park
- Day 4: Chimpanzee trek and Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage visit
- Day 5: Hike up Mount Nyiragongo
- Day 6: Descend mount Nyiragongo and drive back to Kigali.
Trip description
Day 1: Drive from Kigali and cross to Virunga national park
By 8 am, you will be expected to be ready to set out to start your transfer to Virunga national park. You will drive 5 hours west of Rwanda and check in at the Virunga tourism office at the Grande Barrier border building. After receiving your permits for your next day’s activities, you will join the team headed to the Virunga national park.
Arrive at your lodge in time for a late lunch and spend the rest of the day relaxing at your lodge as you wait for nightfall. Dinner and overnight will be in Virunga national park.
Hotel options in Virunga national park.
- Kibumba Tented camp for midrange
- Bukima tented camp for midrange
- Mikeno lodge for luxury
Day 2: Mountain gorilla trekking in Virunga national park
By 7 am, you should be done with breakfast and ready to set out to the Bukima ranger post to receive the morning briefing before you enter the forest in search of the mountain gorillas. You will be assigned a gorilla family to trek and connect with a ranger guide for the experience.
You will trek for about 2 to 4 hours until you meet your gorilla family of the day. Spend an hour in their prescence after head out to exit the forest. You will have lunch at Bukima tented camp where you will spend the rest of the day and night.
Day 3: Second mountain gorilla trekking in Virunga national park
Wake up energized and ready for your second chance with the mountain gorillas. You will drive back to the Bukima ranger post for the morning briefing right after breakfast. Get allocated your mountain gorilla group of the day. You can opt to trek the same family or a different gorilla family for a change.
Set out into the forest searching for the mountain gorillas. When you meet you these gentle giants, spend one hour in their natural habitat and after exit the forest. You will drive back to Mikeno lodge where the rest of the day will be spent.
Day 4: Chimpanzee trek and Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage visit
Chimpanzees are early risers so you will be expected to rise early by 5 am to set out into the Mahura forest to join the team habituating the chimpanzee family. You will watch the chimpanzees swing from one tree branch to another. Very authentic experience!
Return to your lodge for a late breakfast and spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying the lodge’s amenities. Later in the afternoon, you will go to the Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage the world’s only gorilla orphanage for a visit. Return in time for dinner and another night stay at Mikeno lodge.
Day 5: Hike up Mount Nyiragongo
Breakfast will be served and you will drive to the starting point of the Nyiragongo hike. Attend a briefing before you ascend uphill. Start your 5 hour hike up hill with 2 stopover points to refresh and cool off.
You will reach the Nyiragongo summit in the early evening hours giving you ample time to enjoy the views from the top as dinner gets ready. You will spend the night in the Nyiragongo summit shelters.
Day 6: Descend mount Nyiragongo and drive back to Kigali
Wake up early enough to catch the sunrise at the top of Nyiragongo. Grab your simple breakfast shortly before you pack your bags to start on the descent. You will leave the crater rim headed to the trailhead arriving at around midday.
Your driver guide will be waiting to transfer you back to Kigali for drop off. If you have time, you can take on a brief Kigali city tour and be dropped off as you will advise.
End of the 6 Days Great Ape with Nyiragongo Safari
Trip quote includes:
- Full time safari vehicle
- English/ French speaking driver guide
- DRCongo tourist visa
- Accommodation all nights
- Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Bottled water
- Mountain gorilla permit
- Mount Nyiragongo hike permit
- Chimpanzee trek permit
Trip quote excludes:
- Rwanda visa
- Flight fares
- Optional activities
- Personal needs like phone service, laundry, gratuities.
