6 Days Virunga Gorilla Trekking and Nyiragongo Hike (Virunga Classic)

6 Days Virunga Gorilla Trekking and Nyiragongo Hike (Virunga Classic): Book yourself this amazing 6 days in the Virunga National Park which is the home of the mountain gorillas of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This package is offered and organized by the Virunga Park and sets off from Goma on Mondays and Wednesdays by 11 am so ensure to make your travel plans aligning with this schedule.

Trip Highlights of the 6 Days Virunga Gorilla Trekking and Nyiragongo Hike (Virunga Classic)

Double gorilla trek
An overnight hike to Mount Nyiragongo
Nights at Mikeno lodge
Nights at Bukima tented camp

Trip Description

Day 1: Drive from Kigali to Mikeno lodge

Drive from Kigali to Mikeno lodge: On the first day of this 6 Days Virunga Gorilla Trekking and Nyiragongo Hike, you will be met by your driver guide at the communicated pick up point in Kigali by 8 am so as to drive to Goma and check in with the Virunga tourism office in time for check in. After all protocol has been followed, you will join the Virunga security team headed to Mikeno lodge.
Arrive in time for lunch and spend the evening at leisure. You may opt to visit the Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage or the Virunga park headquarters as you wait for the sundown. Return to your hotel a luxury dinner and spend your first night in the park.

Day 2: First gorilla trek

First gorilla trek: A highlight of the 6 Days Virunga Gorilla Trekking and Nyiragongo Hike as it is your first time visiting the mountain gorillas. Get up early enough to grab some breakfast before you set out to the park headquarters for a briefing. Listen to the 30 minutes brief, hire your porters if necessary, and follow the park rangers into the forest.
Trek for about 2 hours until you meet a gorilla family according to how far into the forest they are. Spend an hour enjoying the mountain gorillas and take as many photos then exit the forest. Drive to Bukima for lunch and this will be your home for that night.
Dinner and overnight for your second night will be at Bukima tented camp.

Day 3: Second Gorilla Trek

Second gorilla trek: Wake up still anticipating the turn out of your second visit to the mountain gorillas of Virunga national park. Drive from the hotel back to the park headquarters for the second gorilla trek. Arrive in time for the brief and after set back into the forest for the magical one hour when you encounter the mountain gorillas. You may visit the same gorilla family or opt for a different family for a change
You will be driven back to Mikeno lodge for lunch and where you will get to spend the third night. You will connect to the dining area for the luxury dinner prepared by the skilled Congolese chefs and return to your rooms for the rest of the night.

Day 4: Free day

Free day: Wake up at leisure to a luxury breakfast offered at the Mikeno lodge. After breakfast, you will be at liberty to either return to your rooms or opt to take on a guided nature walk, visit one of the community’s projects or even spend the day lounging at the terrace reading a book as it will be a day with no activity but to enjoy the prestigious Mikeno lodge of Virunga National park.

Day 5: Hike up the Mount Nyiragongo

Hike up the Mount Nyiragongo: The hike up to mount Nyiragongo summit is one of the most sought after activities at the Virunga national park. Mount Nyiragongo is one of the remaining active volcanic mountains in the world and has the world’s largest Crater Lake at the top. You will meet at the Kibati ranger post that is the starting point of the hike uphill also where you will be briefed and get to hire a porter. This is a 6-hour hike up hill with a stopover to catch a breath and refreshments.

Upon reaching at the summit, you will offload and enjoy the breathtaking scenery from the top with the view of the boiling hot magma in the lava lake. Dinner will be served and you will retire back into the Nyiragongo summit shelters. Ensure to pack enough warm clothes as it can get as cold as 0 degrees at the top in the night.

Day 6: Exit DRCongo to Kigali Rwanda

Exit DRCongo to Kigali Rwanda: The last day of the 6 Days Virunga Gorilla Trekking and Nyiragongo Hike hits different. You will wake up early to catch the sunrise which you will be blown away by on a clear day. Have a simple Congolese breakfast prepared for you and start the descent to the hike’s trailhead where your driver-guide will be ready to transfer you to Kigali Rwanda for your drop off. You will advise if you would like to have a Kigali city tour or be dropped off immediately after the tour.

End of the 6 Days Virunga Gorilla Trekking and Nyiragongo Hike (Virunga Classic)

Trip includes

Full time English/ French speaking guide
Fully fueled 4WD safari vehicle
Accommodation as in the itinerary
Double gorilla trek
Mount Nyiragongo hike permit
Pick up and drop off in Kigali
DRCongo tourist visa

Trip excludes

International flight fares
Rwanda visa fees
Optional activities
Personal expenses like gratuities, tips, laundry, and airtime.