This 2-Day Virunga Gorilla Trekking Tour takes you to Virunga National Park, home of the rare mountain gorillas in D.R. Congo.
It entails hiking in Congo’s oldest and virgin impenetrable forest, Africa’s oldest conservation area, which is also a habitat for more than 95 mammals, verdant vegetation, and approximately 260 bird species. The 2-Day Virunga Gorilla Trekking Tour starts and ends in Kigali, Rwanda.
2-Day Congo Gorilla Tour Highlights
- Day 1: Transfer to Virunga National Park
- Day 2: Gorilla Trekking & Return to Kigali
Detailed 2-Day Congo Gorilla Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Virunga National Park
Leaving Kigali city early after breakfast, it’s roughly a 6-hour drive through the beautiful Rwandan countryside to the ancient rainforests of Virunga National Park in eastern D.R. Congo.
On the way, circumnavigate the northern shores of Lake Kivu, and admire the mountainous northwestern region of Rwanda through terraced hillsides dotted with traditional settlements.
Arrive at the picturesque accommodation on the outskirts of the forest in the late afternoon or overnight in Goma city.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking & Return to Kigali
As early as 6:00 am, have breakfast. With packed lunch and bottled water, join your guide and drive to Virunga National Park headquarters for a pre-gorilla trek briefing.
This is conducted by the park rangers, who inform you about the entire national park, resident gorilla families, trekking etiquette, and allocation of respective gorilla families to track.
By 8:30 am, proceed to the starting point of the gorilla trek. From here, the hike into the forest begins, accompanied by a porter, ranger guide, and tracker, as you search for the allocated mountain gorilla family.
Gorilla trekking duration is highly unpredictable; however, it usually takes between one to six hours, depending on the movement and location of the gorilla family you’re tracking.
Some gorilla families stay deep in the forest, while others can be easily found, so inquire about the movements of gorilla families during the briefing, and the ranger can allocate accordingly.
Associated with challenging jungles, slippery, rough, and steep slopes, meeting and sighting these gentle giants brings back all the joy, and it is worth every step of the hike taken.
Other than gorilla trekking, Virunga National Park offers chances of encountering other forest animals, such as buffaloes, elephants, bush pigs, and numerous primates.
Upon meeting the mountain gorillas, spend one hour photographing and observing their human-like behaviors, view mothers grooming their babies, and Silverback offering utmost protection.
Trek back to the lodge after this, have lunch, and refresh. In the afternoon, return to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.
This marks the end of your 2-Day Virunga Gorilla Trekking Tour.
