5 Days Gorilla & Nyiragongo Trek

Itinerary

Day 1: City tour of Kigali, Transfer to Congo

You will be welcomed by the Climbing Nyiragongo Safari Guide, to start the 5 days Rwanda Gorilla Safari & Nyiragongo Trekking in Congo, its the alternative for the 9 days gorilla safari & Nyiragongo Trekking . Depending on the time of arrival , you will go for Kigali City tour where you will visit the genocide memorials , local markets and later transfer to gisenyi city with en route lunch . Gisenyi is located at the border of Democratic republic of Congo and Rwanda , its the business city in Rwanda that hosts all the happenings in Congo, close to Lake Kivu , it grants it a chance to enjoy water safari activities like boat cruise, kayaking and cultural experiences of the Rwandan Culture.

Key Points to visit on Rwanda City tour with Climbing Nyiragongo include Gisozi genocide memorial site to learn about what transpired during the 100 days genocide in Rwanda.

Upon arrival in Gisenyi , you will be cleared to enter democratic republic of Congo by the immigration, you will cross with your safari guide and head to Goma Serena Hotel for Dinner and overnights as you enjoy the beautiful views of the lava throughout the night. Dinner and overnight at Serena Hotel Goma

Day 2: Mount Nyiragongo Hiking – Viewing the Lava Lake

The long waited Nyiragongo trekking is starting on this magical day in Congo with Climbing Nyiragongo. you will have early breakfast and  your  Safari guide will transfer you to the park headquarter for the registration of  your Nyiragongo trekking permits and selection of the porters, and mikeno package selection , then by 10 am start on the trek into the Mount Nyiragongo.

Climbing to the top of the volcano takes between 4 to 6 hours depending on the level of fitness of the group. Once you get to the summit, you will find your cabins waiting for you.Dinner and overnight in cabins as you enjoy the beautiful views of the lava throughout the night.

Day 3: Descend the Volcano –  Transfer to the Volcanoes National Park

 Wake up from your cabin at 5:00am, as it becomes brighter at the peak faster than the normal days, enjoy your breakfast as you wait for your group to be ready to start descending the volcano at 6:30am. Climbing mount Nyiragongo is an opportunity to also admire beautiful views of the other Virunga volcanoes, Lake Kivu, Virunga National Park, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, the Rwenzori Mountains and national parks in Uganda. During the descend you will by pass with the group that is ascending on that day , arrive in the mid morning at the base ( Kibati ) where you will find your safari guide ready to take you to goma for city tour , as you enjoy the view of the fresh waters of Lake kivu , Boat cruise is an option that is available at an extra cost.

Note : Rwanda Visa They will charge you another $30 for the Rwanda Visa. and you will proceed to drive with your safari guide to to the Volcanoes national park in Rwanda which is the home for the Mountain Gorillas , Golden Monkey and other virunga Massifs which are open for trekking.

Accommodation  :     five Volcanoes Lodge (Luxury),

Da vinci Lodge (Mid-range)

Day 4: Gorilla Tracking in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda – Gorilla Guardians village tour

After morning breakfast at the lodge you will head to the park headquarters for briefing about the gorilla trekking rules and regulations which are uniform for Uganda , Rwanda and Congo.  You will be registered for the gorilla trekking by presenting the gorilla permits , passport copies and later proceed to drive to the family located to you with your guide where you will proceed to walk into the jungle to search for the Mountain gorillas in the wilderness of Volcanoes National Park where you may spot birds , vegetation and flowers with Volcanoes Park rangers.  Upon sighting the Gorillas , you will spend one hour watching the play , feed and however, the one hour spent with the gorilla family is a lifetime experience which you will never forget.

Note : All trackers must be at the park office in time for the briefing which is led by the park Guide. Tracking can take between 2 to 6 hours depending on which family you are assigned and group fitness.

Mountain Gorillas can be very playful and curious especially if they see something unfamiliar. While with the gorilla family, it’s important to listen to instructions from your guide. Always remain calm and never make sudden movements. After your one hour with the gorilla group, return back to the starting point where you will meet your guide to drive you back to your hotel for lunch and rest.

Late in the afternoon, you will head out for a visit to the Iby’iwacu cultural village. Now known as the Gorilla Guardians Village, the Center started as a place where former poachers would showcase their products.

The government of Rwanda revamped the place and rebuilt it to become a modern cultural Center that competes with the best in East Africa. There are local people performing cultural dances and songs. You can also participate by putting on local robes, entering some of the traditional huts and dancing with the troupe.

Accommodation  :     five Volcanoes Lodge (Luxury),

Da vinci Lodge (Mid-range)

Day 5: Golden Monkey Tracking & Transfer back to Kigali , Departure

You will head again back to the park headquarter for the briefing about the rules of the golden monkey tracking and later enter into the forest to search for the golden monkey which are shy primates compared to the mountain gorillas and they move faster than the gorillas , jumping on the trees as they feed and always in big numbers compared to the gorillas, once golden monkey tracking is done you will return to the point where tou left your guide , go for lunch and later proceed to connect to Kigali Rwanda for the flight back home.

Notes

• Do not expect the luxuries that you had at the lodge while hiking nyiragongo
• We recommend that you accept and we add on Mikeno package
• The best time for viewing the boiling magma is in the night.
• There are 5 resting points on Mount Nyiragongo  before reaching the top.