6 Days Best of Congo Gorilla Safari

Welcome to the Democratic Republic of Congo, a land of raw beauty and home to some of the world’s most critically endangered primates. Rwakabunga Safaris invites you to embark on an exclusive, luxury-based adventure, the “6 Days Best of Congo Gorilla Safari,” designed for discerning tourists seeking an immersive yet supremely comfortable experience. This itinerary combines the thrill of tracking both Mountain Gorillas in Virunga National Park and the majestic Eastern Lowland Gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park, complemented by the unforgettable challenge of hiking the active Nyiragongo Volcano to witness its spectacular lava lake. You will be transported in luxury vehicles and stay in the finest accommodations, ensuring your journey through this stunning, wild landscape is nothing short of extraordinary. Prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with nature’s gentle giants and an adventure that will redefine your perspective on luxury travel.

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – Luxurious Transfer to Goma (DR Congo)

Your journey begins in Kigali, Rwanda, where your professional guide will meet you and commence the luxurious transfer to Goma, DR Congo. The drive is scenic, taking you through Rwanda’s lush, hilly countryside towards the border crossing at Grande Barrière. Once formalities are complete, you will proceed to your opulent accommodation near Virunga National Park. The remainder of the afternoon is dedicated to relaxation, allowing you to settle into the tranquil environment of your lodge, perhaps enjoying the views of the distant volcanoes. Dinner will be a gourmet affair, preparing you for the exciting adventures ahead.

Accommodation Options: Mikeno Lodge, Ngila Lodge, Tchegera Island Camp

Meals: (Lunch, Dinner)

Day 2: Exclusive Mountain Gorilla Trekking Experience

An early start sees tourists transferred to the Virunga National Park headquarters for a detailed briefing on the Mountain Gorilla trekking etiquette. Accompanied by experienced trackers and armed rangers, you will venture into the dense forest, an often-steep and challenging trek that is fully rewarded upon locating a habituated gorilla family. Spending the magical, exclusive hour with these magnificent primates in their natural habitat is the absolute highlight, offering a profoundly moving experience as you observe their intimate social interactions. After the trek, you will return to the lodge for a sumptuous late lunch and spend the afternoon at leisure, perhaps visiting the Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage, the only one of its kind globally, for an additional poignant encounter.

Accommodation Options: Mikeno Lodge, Ngila Lodge, Bukima Tented Camp

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3: Majestic Nyiragongo Volcano Hike – Ascend

Today, tourists embark on one of Africa’s most iconic hiking adventures—the ascent of the mighty Nyiragongo Volcano, home to the world’s largest and most volatile lava lake. You will transfer to the Kibati Patrol Post for a pre-hike briefing before commencing the approximately five to six-hour climb, a challenging but rewarding trek across diverse terrain, including lush forest and rugged lava rock. Porters will be provided to carry your main luggage, ensuring maximum comfort throughout the ascent. Upon reaching the summit, you will settle into your basic yet exclusive summit shelter before enjoying a spectacular evening watching the phenomenal glow of the bubbling lava lake beneath the canopy of stars.

Accommodation Options: Nyiragongo Summit Shelters

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4: Descend Nyiragongo – Transfer to Bukavu via Lake Kivu

Waking to a breathtaking sunrise over the Virunga Massif, tourists will enjoy a prompt breakfast at the crater rim before beginning the descent back down Nyiragongo. The downhill hike takes approximately three to four hours and is generally less strenuous, bringing you back to the Kibati Patrol Post. Your waiting safari vehicle will then transfer you back to Goma, where you will board a private speedboat for a scenic, high-speed cruise across the vast expanse of Lake Kivu to the port town of Bukavu in the south. This allows for a comfortable and efficient transfer, bypassing the long and bumpy road journey. Upon arrival in Bukavu, a short drive will take you to your luxury lakeside hotel for check-in and an exquisite dinner overlooking the shimmering lake.

Accommodation Options: Orchids Safari Club, Lake Kivu Lodge (Bukavu), Hotel Panorama (Bukavu)

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5: Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi-Biega National Park

Today presents the incredible contrast of tracking the Eastern Lowland Gorillas, a distinctly different subspecies from their Mountain Gorilla cousins, known for their larger size. After an early breakfast, tourists are driven to the headquarters of Kahuzi-Biega National Park for a briefing before entering the forest. The trek here is often less demanding than in Virunga, taking you through the lower slopes to find these magnificent lowland families. The one-hour encounter is a powerful experience, observing the lowland silverbacks and their troops in the dense, equatorial rainforest. Following this memorable wildlife viewing, you will return to your luxury hotel for a celebratory lunch and a relaxing final afternoon by Lake Kivu, reflecting on your incredible primate encounters.

Accommodation Options: Orchids Safari Club, Lake Kivu Lodge (Bukavu), Hotel Panorama (Bukavu)

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6: Departure – Transfer from Bukavu back to Kigali

On your final day, tourists will enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, savoring the final moments of tranquility on the shores of Lake Kivu. Your guide will coordinate the final cross-border formalities and commence the scenic drive from Bukavu, through the Rusizi border, back into Rwanda. The drive to Kigali is long but comfortable and allows for a final appreciation of the Great Rift Valley’s stunning landscape. A final lunch will be provided en route. Upon reaching Kigali, you will be transferred directly to Kigali International Airport (KGL) or your chosen post-tour accommodation, marking the conclusion of your luxury 6 Days Best of Congo Gorilla Safari with Rwakabunga Safaris.

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch)

End of the 6 Days Best of Congo Gorilla Safari.