Overview of the 4 days Congo gorilla safari in Virunga and Nyiragongo hike

This 4 days Congo gorilla safari in Virunga and Nyiragongo hike is the best opportunity to trek the mountain gorillas in Congo and reach the summit of one of the most active volcanoes in the world. In these 4 days you will have a chance to trek mountain gorillas, hike mount Nyiragongo, tour Kigali and sight the best views of the Virunga mountain. The safari starts and ends in Kigali international airport in Rwanda since it is the nearest international airport to the park.

Virunga national park is the oldest national park in Africa and the only national park with mountain gorillas in West Africa. The park is the main Congo gorilla safaris destination since its close to the border with Uganda and Rwanda. Virunga national park is adjacent to Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda and Volcanoes national park in Rwanda for Uganda gorilla tours and gorilla safaris in Rwanda respectively. 8 habituated families of gentle giants are in the park with 8 tourists allowed to trek each family in a day.

Mount Nyiragongo in Congo is one of Africa’s recently active stratovolcano. Mount Nyiragongo lava lake has ever been known as the most voluminous lava lake. The mountain is about 3,470m high with two distinct lava benches one about 3,175m (10,417ft) and the other at 2,975m (9,760ft).  It’s a non-rivaled experience to hike this volcanic mountain on a Congo tour.

Highlights of the 4 days Congo gorilla safari in Virunga and Nyiragongo hike

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali international airport and transfer to Congo. In Kigali, you can stop at the Gisozi genocide memorial center in Kigali.

Day 2: You will do gorilla trekking in Virunga national park and do a community tour in the evening then transfer back to your hotel.

Day 3: You will take the challenging hike to mount Nyiragongo summit and spend an overnight at the summit.

Day 4: After an early morning breakfast, you will descend from Nyiragongo volcano and then transfer back to Kigali.

Detailed itinerary of the 4 days Congo gorilla safari in Virunga and Nyiragongo hike

Day 1 of your 4 days Congo gorilla safari in Virunga and Nyiragongo hike

Meeting and greeting with your professional safari guide will be the first thing you do when you arrive at Kigali international airport for your safari. After briefing, depending on your time of arrival, you can do a Kigali city tour to Gisozi genocide memorial center where you will view photographs, video clips and artifacts of the 1994 Rwanda genocide. After lunch you embark on a 6 hours’ drive to Bukima in Virunga national park. You need a Congo Visa which is secured at Goma at the border of Rwanda with Congo. You arrive to your hotel in the evening for dinner and relaxation.

Day 2 of your 4 days Congo gorilla safari in Virunga and Nyiragongo hike

After your morning breakfast at the foothills of Virunga, you will be driven by your safari guide to the park headquarters in Virunga national park. Gorilla trekking starts at 8:00am after briefing by the park rangers at the park headquarters. The actual trek lasts about 3 hours after which you come across the gentle giants and only 1 memorable hour is spent with the gorillas. After the trek, you can embark on a community tour then return to your hotel for relaxation and dinner.

Day 3 of your 4 days Congo gorilla safari in Virunga and Nyiragongo hike

The day to get to the brave’s cake comes just after a rest from the gorilla trek. Your driver guide will transfer you to Kibat station where the hike to Nyiragongo summit begins. The hike to the summit usually takes about 6 hours depending on your energy levels. The hike is tiring but what awaits you at the top is the best of lava lake found nowhere else. During the hike you will see several bird species. The night is spent at the summit cabins with meals that can be prepared by the porters.

Day 4 of your 4 days Congo gorilla safari in Virunga and Nyiragongo hike

On this last day, you will descend from the summit of Mount Nyiragongo back to the park headquarters in Kibat. Your driver guide will be waiting for you at the station and transfer you back to Kigali international airport for departure back home or to your next destination. When you arrive in Kigali you can visit some craft shops for craft purchase before the driver takes you to the airport for departure.

End of tour

These 4 days can be the best ever safari days in two countries. Plan to visit Virunga national park and hike the very spectacular mount Nyiragongo.