This 6-Day Lowland Gorilla Trekking and Nyiragongo Hike in D.R. Congo is a special safari that combines primate trekking and mountain hiking. It is ideal for travelers who want to see eastern lowland gorillas and also hike an active volcano in Central Africa.
The tour takes you to Kahuzi-Biega National Park for lowland gorilla trekking and later to Virunga National Park for the Mount Nyiragongo hike. The safari starts and ends in Kigali, making travel connections easier.
Kahuzi-Biega National Park is located west of Bukavu in South Kivu Province. The park is known for protecting Grauer’s gorillas, also called eastern lowland gorillas. It covers about 6,000 square kilometers and includes two extinct volcanoes, Mount Kahuzi and Mount Biega. Trekking here gives visitors a chance to see the largest gorilla species in a forest setting.
Mount Nyiragongo is found inside Virunga National Park and rises to 3,470 meters. It is one of Africa’s most active volcanoes and is known for its lava lake at the summit. Hiking Nyiragongo is one of the most unique volcano hikes in Africa.
Day 1: Kigali to Bukavu
Upon arrival in Kigali, you will be welcomed and briefed about the 6-day lowland gorilla trekking and Nyiragongo hike safari. After the briefing, start the road transfer to Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The journey takes about seven hours with a lunch stop along the way. You will pass through border points and local towns before reaching Bukavu. On arrival, check in at your lodge or hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in Bukavu.
Day 2: Lowland Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi-Biega National Park
After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing on lowland gorilla trekking rules. Rangers will explain how to behave during the trek and while with the gorillas.
Begin the trek into the forest to search for a habituated lowland gorilla family. The trek can take between two and six hours depending on where the gorillas are located. Once you find them, you will spend one hour observing their behavior, feeding, and movement.
After the trek, return to your lodge for rest, dinner, and overnight stay.
Day 3: Bukavu to Virunga National Park
After breakfast, depart Bukavu for Virunga National Park. From Bukavu port, take a boat ride on Lake Kivu to Goma.
On arrival in Goma, meet your driver and transfer by 4×4 vehicle to Virunga National Park. Check in at your accommodation near Mount Nyiragongo and rest in preparation for the hike.
Day 4: Mount Nyiragongo Hike
Wake up early and transfer to the Kibati ranger post for a briefing. You will be assigned a guide and porters if needed. Begin the hike to the summit of Mount Nyiragongo.
The hike takes about five to six hours. The trail passes through forest and rocky areas as you gain altitude. On reaching the summit, you will see the lava lake inside the crater. Dinner and overnight stay at the summit shelters.
Day 5: Descend and Return to Kigali
After breakfast at the summit, start the descent back to Kibati ranger post. The walk down takes about three to four hours. Meet your driver and transfer back to Rwanda.
Arrive in Kigali and take a short city visit, including Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre. Dinner and overnight stay in Kigali.
Day 6: Departure
After breakfast, check out of your hotel. You may do some last-minute shopping in Kigali before being transferred to the airport for your departure or onward travel. This marks the end of the 6-Day Lowland Gorilla Trekking and Nyiragongo Hike in D.R. Congo.
