6 Days Virunga Classic Package
The 6 Days Virunga Classic Package has been specifically designed to fit the needs of travellers who are interested in exploring Virunga National Park. The park is situated in the eastern province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The main highlights of these 6 days Virunga Classic Package includes the rare mountain gorillas and a hiking expedition to the summit of Mount Nyiragongo, with the highlight of your hike being the molten lava lake that is at the top of the mountain.
Please note that to embark on this 6 days Virunga safari, you will have to arrive in Kigali city, Rwanda. There, you will be picked up by our guide and transferred to Virunga national park in Congo. It is also important for you to note that this specific package departs Goma only on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Detailed Itinerary for 6 Days Virunga Classic Package.
Day 1: Pick up from Kigali by 7am and Transfer to Goma then Mikeno Lodge.
Pickup and transfer to Goma: Day 1 of your 6 Days Virunga Classic Package, pick up from Kigali (either from your hotel or Kigali International Airport) and transfer to Goma. You will cross the border at Le Grand Barrier by 10:30am and clear with the Virunga Tourism Office by 11:15am. Lucky for you, the tourism office is strategically located at the Grand Barrier Border post building, just opposite the passport control office. The tourism staff will then provide you with your gorilla and volcano trek permits. Once you are done with your check-in, you will then be transported to Mikeno Lodge at the park headquarters in Rumangabo. Upon your arrival at the lodge, check-in and later have lunch. You can choose to relax at the lodge for the rest of the afternoon or explore Rumangabo’s numerous hiking trails, do some bird watching, or pay a visit to Virunga’s Congo hounds. Dinner and overnight at Mikeno Lodge.
Day 2: First Gorilla Trek.
1st Gorilla Trek: Have breakfast early in the morning and transfer to Bukima Patrol Post in Virunga national park. This is where you begin your gorilla trek from. After a short briefing from a park official, you will be placed in trekking groups each consisting of eight members. You can hire a porter to carry your luggage from this patrol post. You will spend about 1 to 2⅟₂ hours hiking or even more depending on the location of the gorilla group and the difficulty of the terrain. Once a gorilla group has been located, you will be given only one hour to spend with the gorillas. After your Gorilla trekking Tour, you will head to Bukima tented camp for lunch and relax for the rest of the afternoon. Later in the afternoon you can explore Bukima, do some bird watching or visit the park’s bamboo project. Dinner and overnight at Bukima Tented Camp.
Day 3: Second Gorilla Trek.
2nd Gorilla Trek: Have breakfast and head out for your second gorilla trek. You will start you gorilla trek at 8:30am. You will be tracking a different gorilla group on this day. Head back to Bukima camp for lunch after your gorilla trek. Once all trekkers have returned, you will be transported back to Mikeno Lodge where you will spend the rest of the afternoon at your leisure. Dinner and overnight at Mikeno Lodge.
Day 4: Free Day.
You will spend the entire day relaxing and chilling at the lodge. You can explore all the beautiful scenery at the lodge. Dinner and overnight at Mikeno Lodge.
Day 5: Ascend Mount Nyiragongo.
Nyiragongo Hike: After having your breakfast, you will be transported to Kibati Patrol Post where you will begin your hike up Mount Nyiragongo. After a short briefing, you will have the opportunity to hire some porters to carry your luggage. Ascending the mountain usually takes four to six hours depending on your hiking experience and pace. Spend a night at the shelters built on the mountain with dinner under the red lit skyline while watching the stars.
Day 6: Descend Mount Nyiragongo and Transfer back to Kigali.
Have breakfast early in the morning and leave the crater rim. Proceed with your descent down the mountain and back to Kibati patrol post. It takes approximately four to descend the mountain. Upon your arrival at Kibati, you will proceed with your transfer back to Kigali city in Rwanda. You may have a tour of Kigali city depending on your departure schedule. End of Tour.
