8 days Best of Congo & Rwanda Safari
8 Days Congo and Rwanda Safari Package journeys Nyiragongo for Nyiragongo climbing, Virunga for mountain Gorilla trekking, twin Lakes (Ruhondo & Bulera) for birding, Volcanoes for Dian Fossey Hike & Karisimbi hike
Day 1: Arrival to Kigali and Transfer to Gisenyi-Lake Kivu
Be ready to meet our driver guide who will briefly enlighten you about the 5 days Mountain Gorilla trekking & Nyiragongo hiking Safari Congo Package. Thereafter you will set off for Gisenyi, nearby the Goma border crossing for an overnight. En-route, you can stop for Iby’Iwachu cultural experience, and Boat cruise on Lake Kivu
Accommodation Options: Luxury – Lake Kivu Serena, Waterfront Resort Lodge, Mid-range – Inzozi Lodge, Budget – Paradise Malahide
Day 2: From Grande Barriere to Nyiragongo Volcano Summit
Following your early morning breakfast, you will proceed to the border at Grande Barriere crossing by 7:00 am to check with the Virunga offices to submit your passport and visa so that you will be issued with the Nyiragongo Volcano Permit and Gorilla trekking permit.
Thereafter, transfer to the starting point of the hike, at Kibati ranger post, you will be briefed then after start the hike up Nyiragongo at 10:00am. For the next 6 hours, depending on your group’s physical & mental strength, and fitness, you will trek to the top of Nyiragongo Volcano.
The trail heads through the forested areas, lava flows and the open space, with great opportunities to observe and enjoy spectacular views of the boiling lava with red glow from the glaze lava, alongside pleasant photography moments.
Dinner will be served, then later have a restful night in your assigned cabin
Day 3: Descend Nyiragongo & transfer to transfer to Goma
Following your morning breakfast, descend from the top to the foot hills, where you will meet your driver for a transfer to Goma where you can have nature walks in Goma village and overnight spent from mikeno lodge.
Accommodation Options:
Ihusi Hotel
Minkeno Lodge
Bukima tented Camp
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National park
Take breakfast early, then after transfer down hill to Bukima ranger post for the gorilla trekking briefing. You will be assigned gorilla group, meet with your ranger guides, then set off for gorilla trekking, and don’t forget hiring a porter. Thereafter begin hiking through the challenging terrains for about 1-4 hours as you look for the assigned mountain gorilla family. Upon finding them, you will stay with them for up to 1 hour with the gorillas after which you return to your camp for late lunch.
After the trek, you will then transfer to Musanze arriving in the evening for dinner and Overnight at Kinigi gest house
Day 5: Twin Lakes & birding Tour in Rugezi Marsh
Have breakfast very early in the morning and head for the twin lakes tour, which starts at 8:00 am. The twin lakes sit at the edges of the Mount Muhabura in northern Rwanda, which forms a an international borderline with Uganda. The twin lakes – Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo feature steep hills and large waterfalls against the spectacular backdrop of the Virunga volcanic mountains which offers impressive views. Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo are separated by a 1 km wide ridge of land with water flowing from Lake Burera to Lake Ruhondo, forming an area surface of 2800 hectares.
The twin Lakes of Ruhondo & Burera Is 17km long, one way from Musanze town, making around loop of 34km in total. The tour visits small trading centers and villages, with opportunities of interacting with local people on your way until you reach the twin lakes, and cross by lake to Ruhondo Resort. You will also enjoy the beautiful views of 5 peaks of the virunga volcanoes of Muhabura, Gahinga, Sabyinyo, Karisimbi and Bisoke.
Dinner and overnight at Kinigi Guest House.
Day 6: Dian Fossey Trek
Have breakfast early, then transfer along with your packed lunch to the park head quarters for briefing and begin your Dian Fossey grave hike at Karisoke. The trek is tough and lasts for about 7 to 8 hours . Spend the evening at leisure and another night at Kinigi Guest House.
Day 7: Karisimbi Hike
You will wake up early for breakfast, then proceed for a 6 hours Karisimbi hike with a ranger guide. Karisimbi volcano has the highest peak, out of the 8 volcanoes in the Virunga Massif. Hiking to the peak offers beautiful and breathtaking views of several volcanoes including Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira. Hiking Mount Karisimbi is quite challenging and difficult which requires enough physical and Mental strength to do this hike. This 6 hour hike offers magnificent views, numerous bird species and primates. You will reach stop at the first campsites at 3700m where you will spend a night.
Day 8: Reach the summit, descend and return to Kigali
After an early morning breakfast, proceed for an hour steep hike to Karisimbi summit. You will traverse through pristine jungles covered by beautiful scenery. While at the peak, enjoy the tranquil weather of the surrounding areas like mount Muhabura.
Thereafter the celebration, embark on your descent to the base of Mount Karisimbi ,where you will meet up with your driver, readily waiting to connect you for lunch.
You will then embark on your journey back to Kigali city where you will be dropped off at a location of your choice in Kigali city or at Kigali international airport.
