14 Days Rwenzori & Gorilla Trek
14 days Rwenzori trekking and Congo
This 14 day trip will have you explore the Rwenzori mountains, and different destinations in Congo, home of active volcanoes and explore famous destinations in Congo both physical and man made.
Activities
- Mt Rwenzori hike
- Congo city tour
- Kayaking on Lake kivu
- National museum visit
- Congo river visit
- Visit serpents Du Congo
- Nyiragongo hike
- Gorilla trekking in kahuzi
- Lumbabashi zoo visit
Destinations
- Rwenzori hike
- Congo city trip
- Zongo falls
- Lake kivu
- National museum
- Congo river
- Serpents Du Congo
- Gorilla trekking in kahuzi
- Lumbabashi zoo
- Nyiragongo hike
Day1: Pick up from Goma International Airport.
Day2: Gorilla Trekking in Virunga & Visit Orphanage Gorillas
Day3: Nyiragongo Hike
Day4: Descend Nyiragongo Volcano
Day5: Chimpanzee Tracking & Take Flight to Beni & transfer to Mutsora in Lulimbi Sector
Day6: Start the Hike to the Rwenzori Mountains ( Mutsora – Kalonge)
Day7: Trek from Kalonge–Mahangu base
Day8: Hike from Mahangu – Kiondo Base
Day9: Trek to Peak Margherita Via Uganda Side.
Day10: Descend from Kalonge – Mutsora
Day11: Continue to Descend to Mutsora
Highlights
Day 1: arrival to Rwenzori, and ascend
Day 2: John matte to Elena hut (4563m)
Day 3: Elena to Bujuku camp (3930m) – Hiking to the top
Day 4: Bujuku to Nyabitaba hut (2660m)
Day 5: Nyabitaba back to Nyakalengija
Day 6: transfer to Congo via Bunagana and lake kivu
Day 7: lowland gorilla trekking in kahuzi biega
Day 8: transfer to lumbabashi
Day 9: continue transfer to lumbabashi and lumbabashi zoo visit
Day 10: transfer to kinshasha, city tour, Congo river
Day 11: musuem kishasha, serpents Du Congo,
Day 12: transfer to Nyiragongo
Day 13: ascend the mountain
Day 14: descend and departure
Day1: Pick up from Goma International Airport.
Day2: Gorilla Trekking in Virunga & Visit Orphanage Gorillas
Day3: Nyiragongo Hike
Day4: Descend Nyiragongo Volcano
Day5: Chimpanzee Tracking & Take Flight to Beni & transfer to Mutsora in Lulimbi Sector
Day6: Start the Hike to the Rwenzori Mountains ( Mutsora – Kalonge)
Day7: Trek from Kalonge–Mahangu base
Day8: Hike from Mahangu – Kiondo Base
Day9: Trek to Peak Margherita Via Uganda Side.
Day10: Descend from Kalonge – Mutsora
Day11: Continue to Descend to Mutsora and Later proceed to Beni / Uganda border.
Day 12: Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day13: Relaxation at the Lodge
Day14: Transfer to Kigali International Airport.
Detailed Travel Plan.
The Logic behind the access of Margherita peak via Uganda is that you cannot Solely use the Congo trail to access the peak but it is recommended that we go via Uganda side. The Reason for the return to Beni other than using the Rwenzori Central Circuits is to enable us to get through the immigration process to be able to exit the DR congo as provided by Laws. Check on Congo Visa Guide
Day1: Pick up from Goma International Airport.
Depending on the flight to congo that you booked, Upon arrival at Goma International Airport, you will be welcomed by the experienced tour guide of Car Rental Congo or by the Safari Operator and transfer to the luxury, Mid Range hotels in Virunga National Park for Dinner and overnight. Mikeno Lodge for Luxury, Bukima Tented Camp & Kimbumba Tented Camp.
Please note: if your flight arrives early enough, you can take the Goma City tour to explore the local markets, areas that were affected by the lava of Nyiragongo, Lake Kivu, and then take the drive to your hotel in Virunga National Park.
Day2: Gorilla Trekking in Virunga & Visit Orphanage Gorillas.
After Early morning breakfast at the hotel, you will transfer to the park headquarter for briefing about the gorilla trekking rule and regulations of the mountain gorillas in the wild Virunga Mountains. Depending on the hotel that you stayed the previous night, it dedicates the region of the park that you’re visiting on the gorilla trekking, You will enter into the jungle to search for the gorillas and once found you will spend one hour with them as you take photos and videos of them with their young ones. Later return to the lodge for Lunch.
Always remember to carry enough driving water during the trek and some simple Parked Lunch during the adventure in the largest National Park in Virunga Mountains that hosts Gorilla Trekking Experiences.
Note: Optional, Clients that are spending their nights in Mikeno Lodge ( Luxury ) will enjoy the extra Safari Activity of visiting the orphanage gorillas in Senkwekwe Center (mountain gorilla orphans in Congo) to watch th gorillas on the second time.
Day3: Nyiragongo Hike
As it is well known that its mountaineering adventure into congo ! this is the lovely safari activity that is enjoyed by any traveler that selects to explore the democratic republic of congo while on primate expeditions and trekking mountains.
This is a day for hiking to the summit of Mountain Nyiragongo an active volcano in the heart of Virunga national park. You will have a morning breakfast at the hotel, drive to kibati station which is the park headquarter for all those going to trek Nyiragongo, and go for briefing at the hiking starting point. Hiking starts at 10:00 am taking you roughly 6 hours to reach the summit of the volcano. Dinner and overnight at the tented camp.
Day4: Descend Nyiragongo Volcano
In the morning, you will begin the descend of the volcano reaching the base by 11 am and drive back to the hotel to refresh and take a simple shower, relax at the hotel as you enjoy the view of the Virunga Forest & Mountains. Dinner and overnight at Mikeno Lodge / Bukima Tented Camp.
Day5: Chimpanzee Tracking & Take Flight to Beni & transfer to Mutsora in Lulimbi Sector.
After Morning breakfast at Mikeno Lodge, you will be taken for the lovely primate Safari Experience in Virunga National Park of Chimpanzee Watching, this will be short-lived safari activity since you will be having a domestic flight waiting for you to travel to Beni in preparation for the Rwenzori Trek Experience using Congo Side.
Chimpanzee Experience in Congo: you can also visit Virunga national part for these amazing experiences in chimpanzee trekking. Chimpanzee trekking safari is yet another activity that has attracted many tourists to the country to explore a number of attractions and different wildlife species.
After the Chimpanzee Tracking, you will drive back to Goma International Airpor to take the domestic flight to Beni Airstrip which is the closest city to Luilimbi Sector of Virunga National Park. Upon arrival at the airstrip, you will be transferred to Mutsora where you will spend the overnight awaiting the great Rwnori hiking adventure.
During the Rwenzori hiking, the accommodation is Camping Since there are no well developed Safari Lodge & Hotels but Huts that are used as Camping grounds on the Rwenzori Mountains. Learn More about Congo
Day6: Start the Hike to the Rwenzori Mountains ( Mutsora – Kalonge)
On this lovely first day morning of Rwenzori Trekking experience, you and experienced ranger guides, Porters leave Mutsora through Mutwanga and make your way to the first station Kyandolire, here mark the park limits. From Kyandolire, we will hike to the first hut Kalonge and spend the night.
The hike to Kalonge is approximately 5 – 6 hours and includes many stops. You will pass through a few rivers where you’re able to collect fairly clean water. Dinner and overnight at Kalonge Hut.
Level of Hike: It is not difficult compared to the other days ahead of Rwenzori Trek.
Day7: Trek from Kalonge–Mahangu base
After Morning Breakfast, you will start on the most difficult day of the Rwenzori hike Via Congo Side. It is very strenuous because you are constantly and gradually going uphill. Over the course of the day, you will ascend over 1500m taking you about 5 -5.5 hours. Dinner and Overnight at Mahangu hut (3310 meters).
Day8: Hike from Mahangu – Kiondo – Elena Hut
Trekking Rwenzori Mountains is the only experience that can’t be explained to anyone how it feels being on the Rwenzori Mountains but you have to trek it. Like Difficult it was yesterday, today involves constantly trekking over moss-covered tree trunks and roots while heading uphill. Today you will hike for about 5 hours and end up at Kiondu Hit, which sits at 4303 meters.
Kiondo hut offers a very beautiful view of the valley, the mountains, and the glacier.
Here, about an hour is recommended for a tea break before heading upward to Wasuwameso (4462m), if the weather permits. Wasuwameso is the highest point that a non-mountaineering expert can reach, and it offers an incredible view of everything – Lake Noir, the valley, Stanley Plateau, Lake Vert, Peak Albert, Peak Margherita, Peak Alexandra, and the glacier – all this, of course, depends on weather and visibility. Dinner and overnight at Kiondo Hut.
Note that Travelers who are having Magic dream of hiking the peak of Rwenzori Mountains will cross to Uganda Side via the RMS Central Circuit and they will spend their night at Elena Hut
Level of Trek: The hike can be a little slippery due to the moss-covered rocks.
Day9: Trek to Peak Margherita Via Uganda Side.
This day you will have to wake up as early as 2 am, Have breakfast at Elena hut, be ready in your warmest gear, put on your harness, warm hand gloves, and headsock, have your headlamps, and helmets and make sure you have sunglasses in the day pack on. trek to Mount Stanley, Margherita peak, through the Stanley plateau. On steep rocky areas, you will use the ropes to help you move. The guide will teach you how to use the equipment while on the ice. On the glacial parts, you will be required to use you, crampons, and ice axe.
After moving for a couple of hours after the Stanley plateau glacier, you will reach the bottom of the Margherita glacier. This is the most challenging part of the entire hiking Rwenzori experience. You will hike through this glacier up to the top of Mount Stanley, Margherita peak (5109m). At the top, you will have a view of Ireen Lake, mount Speke, and the surrounding environment. Then descend to Elena Hut for Lunch and later proceed to descend to as you cross to the DR congo side with the option of having a night at Kalonge or Elena Hut. The Group leader will guide you depending on the size of the group and the ability to cover the distance.
Day10: Descend from Kalonge – Mutsora
After Morning Breakfast, you will start on the descending adventure from Kalonge to Mutsora. The Distance s not that long as it takes around 4-5 hours. Dinner and overnight at Mutsora Camp.
You will take an additional Walk in the Lulimbi Sector of Virunga National Park that is purely Savanah area as compared to the other side where you participated in Gorilla trekking experience in Congo. Wildlife Safaris are also possible in this sector and game drives are possible.
Details
Day 1: arrival to Rwenzori, Nyakalengija (1600m) to John matte hut (3420m)
Hiking in Nyakalengija at the head office where you will be briefed and then pick your hiking equipment. The guides and porters will be ready and you will start the hike passing through the local settlements, tropical forests, montane forests, bamboo forest and part of the alpine. As you hike, you will have a stopover at Nyabitaba hut for lunch and then proceed through the Kurt Schaffer Bridge, which is at the conference of Mubuku and Bujuku Rivers. You will then reach john matte where you will have dinner and spend the night.
Day 2: John matte to Elena hut (4563m)
After breakfast at john matte, you will pass through the rocky and slippery area as you cross-different rivers and stream. Along this route, you will spot where you will be able to spot the Margherita and Alexandra peaks at a distance. You will then proceed with the hike through the lower bigo bog where boards were put to make movement easier, you will spot various plants like giant lobelia, groundsels, and everlasting flowers among others. You will continue to hike through the rocky parts of mount Stanley to Elena hut where you will have dinner and spend the night.
Day 3: Elena to Bujuku camp (3930m) – Hiking to the top
On this day you will start the hike at around 2am, get ready with your hiking gear and headlamps, you will hike through the rocky area, and you will use the ropes as you hike on some spots to the Stanley glacier. You will need your crampons. After the Stanley glacier, you will remove the crampons and continue with the hike through the rocks to the Margherita glacier. The hike through the Margherita glacier will lead you to Margherita peak, which is the highest point of the Rwenzori.
You will then descend back to Elena hut where you will rest and have lunch. And then continue to descend to Bujuku hut where you will have dinner and spend the night.
Day 4: Bujuku to Nyabitaba hut (2660m)
After breakfast at Bujuku you will move through the upper bigo bog, continue descending through the lower bigo bog to john matte where you will rest and have lunch. You will then proceed to Nyabitaba hut where you will have dinner and spend the night.
Day 5: Nyabitaba back to Nyakalengija
After breakfast at Nyabitaba, you will descend back to Nyakalengija through the bamboo forests. The path down can be slippery and muddy with little to hold on to and requires careful balancing over the vertical mud or steep rock. After about 5 hours of trekking you will reach Nyabitaba hut where you will have a stopover for lunch and continue to descend for more 3 hours to Nyakalengija.
Upon arrival at Nyakalengija in the late evening, your driver will be ready to transfer you to your hotel where you will spend the night.
Accommodation: Rwenzori sports resort
Acacia villa
Day 6: transfer to Congo via Bunagana and lake kivu
Wake up early for your breakfast and prepare to check out of the hotel as well. When you are done with this, your guide will be waiting to transfer you to Congo via Bunagana border, be sure to have all the necessary documents needed by the immigration officers at the border.
Once in Congo, your journey will continue to lake kivu where you will spend the rest of the day chilling at the lake.
The guide will lead you to the offices where you will be briefed about the kayaking experience, its precautions as well as dos and donts. Your kayak guide will lead you to the lake and here you can Spend a few hours, paddling the clear blue waters of the lake, exploring the countless inlets and bays, soaking up the spectacular scenery, meeting local fishermen, visiting hot springs and keeping an eye out for local wildlife such as long-tailed cormorants, flocks of pelicans.
After kayaking, you will return to the shore for lunch and after this, you can do anything you wish
Accomodation : Goma Serena hotel
Hotel linda
Day 7: lowland gorilla trekking in kahuzi biega
Kahuzi-Biega national park is the only national park in Congo where visitors have the opportunity to track the famous eastern lowland gorillas in their natural habitat. It also has the highest population of eastern lowland gorillas, consisting of about 250 individuals.
Meet up with your guide after your breakfast. He will drive you to kahuzi biega national park offices for check in and briefing. The park guide will lead you into the forest in search for habituated gorilla families. The search can go for about 5 hours depending on where gorillas are located that day with one hour allowance to observe the gorillas.
The lodge will provide you with packed lunch and you can carry some extra snacks with you to eat along the way.
In the evening, you will return to your lodge for dinner and relaxation.
Accommodation options Orchids Safari Club:
Coco Lodge:
Centre d’Accueil d’Ihusi
Day 8: transfer to lumbabashi via N5
Meet up with your driver after breakfast and prepare for a very long ride to lumbabashi. You will have different stop overs for refreshments and lunch along the way.
You will cover 929km and have a night in manono. The following journey will be covered in the morning.
Day 9: continue transfer to lumbabashi and lumbabashi zoo visit
Wake up early, have your breakfast and get ready to cover the remaining 600 km to lumbabashi.
While at this place, you will be driven to the zoo where you will see different animals like zebras, lions, tigers and you will be allowed time to relax, watch and video animals.
You will have lunch served at the zoo while dinner and accommodation will be at the facility you choose
Accommodation options: hotel lumbabashi
Hotel la source lumbabashi
Park hotel lumbabashi
Day 10: transfer to kinshasha, city tour, Congo river
Wake up early enough to have your breakfast, check out of the hotel and catch up with the days activities.
From lumbabashi, you will be transferred to lumbabashi international airport for a 2 hour and 30 minute flight to ndijili international airport in kinshasha.
Once you arrive, you will be welcomed by another guide and he will take you through the city for city trip.After the city tour, you will continue to Congo river. At the river, you will engage in different activities like boat cruising, interacting with the locals and sport fishing if you wish.
Lunch will be at one of the restaurants around this place and you can spend the entire afternoon at the river, enjoying the cool site
Your driver will drive to your hotel later in the evening
Accommodation options: Pullman kinshasha grand hotel
Hotel beatrice
Hotel pour vous
Day 11: musuem kishasha, serpents Du Congo, transfer to Nyiragongo
Meet up with our guide after your breakfast and he will brief you about the days’ activities. After the briefing, he will drive you to kinshasha musuem.The museum houses a diverse collection of artifacts and exhibits that showcase the country’s rich cultural, historical, and natural heritage. Visitors can explore a wide range of displays, including traditional art, archaeological finds, ethnographic objects, historical documents, and geological specimens, providing insight into the various aspects of the nation’s past and present.
After your trip around the zoo, you will be driven to serpents Du Congo This snake farm is located 28km from downtown Kinshasa and makes for a great day out. Owner Franck will gladly show you the poisonous and nonpoisonous snakes here, and you even have the opportunity to hold some of the less aggressive ones.
You will have lunch here and enjoy the rest of the evening at the farm.
Accommodation options: Pullman kinshasha grand hotel
Hotel beatrice
Hotel pour vous
Day 12: transfer to Nyiragongo
After your breakfast, prepare for your flight and check out of the hotel. You will take your flight to Nyiragongo from n’dijili international airport.
Your flight will cover a distance of about 1561 km and will last about 2 hours. Once you arrive at the park, your guide will take you to your lodge where you will be staying.
You can spend some time preparing for your hike by doing some warm ups and exercises.
The lodge will provide you with all 3 meals.
Accommodation options Mikeno Lodge
Bukima Tented Camp
Kibumba Tented Camp
Day 13: ascending the mountain
On this day you will have breakfast early morning, then your guide will take you to the briefing at the hiking departure point at Kibati patrol post. The hiking experience will take approximately 4-6 hours depending on the speed and strength of the participants in order to reach the summit of the volcano. The mountain has 5 climbing sections and after the fourth, any slow climber will be left behind so be sure to be fit and fast enough to reach the summit on time. You can also hire porters to help you carry your luggage.
You will then enjoy the views of the summit, different vegetation covers and the glowing lava lake at the top and as you ascend the mountain.
Your chef will prepare dinner for you.
Accommodation will be at the Summit shelter Camp.
Day 14: descending and departure
In the morning, after you have had your breakfast, you will descend back from the Volcano and this is much easier than ascending. Your guide will be waiting up to transfer you to your lodge or airport.
Accommodation: Mikeno Lodge
Bukima Tented Camp
Kibumba Tented Camp
Trip includes:
- Congo river visit
- Rwenzori hiking permits
- National museum
- Gorilla trekking permits
- Nyiragongo hiking permits
- City trip Congo
- Lake kivu
- Lumbashi zoo
- Serpents Du Congo
- Transfers to all destinations
- Meals
- Accommodation
- Car
- Guides
- Flights
Trip excludes
- Visa fees
- Porter fees
- Extra snacks
- Souvenirs
- Other activities not in itinerary
- Personal stuff
What to carry
- Good hiking shoes
- Insect repellents
- Rain coats
- Sleeping bags
- Extra snacks
