This 3-Day Congo Gorilla Trekking Tour brings you close to the wonders of Africa’s oldest national park, located in the east of D.R. Congo near the border with Uganda and Rwanda.
The trip exposes you to the world’s most amazing encounter with the most endangered primates on earth.
The 3-Day Congo Gorilla Trekking Tour starts and ends in Kigali, offering a lifetime opportunity to trek the endangered mountain gorillas in Virunga as well as great views of Nyiragongo Mountain, a spectacular and highly active volcano within the Virunga massif.
3-Day Congo Tour Highlights
- Day 1: Transfer to Virunga National Park
- Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park
- Day 3: Transfer to Kigali
Detailed 3-Day Congo Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Virunga National Park
Leave Kigali city early after breakfast for a roughly 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 with terraced hillsides dotted with traditional settlements.
Arrive at picturesque accommodation on the outskirts of the forest in the late afternoon or overnight in Goma city. Dinner and overnight at Camp/Lodge.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park
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 conducted by park rangers.
They will inform you about the 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.
The hike into the forest begins with a porter, ranger guide, and tracker, commencing the search for the allocated mountain gorilla family.
The duration of gorilla trekking is highly unpredictable, usually taking between one to six hours depending on the movement and location of the gorilla family you are tracking.
Some gorilla families reside deep in the forest, while others are more easily found, so inquire about the movements during the briefing for proper allocation.
Trekking through challenging jungles, slippery, rough, and steep slopes, meeting and sighting these gentle giants brings immense joy and is worth every step of the hike.
Besides gorilla trekking, Virunga National Park offers opportunities to encounter other forest animals such as buffaloes, elephants, bush pigs, and numerous primates.
Upon encountering the mountain gorillas, spend one hour photographing and observing their human-like behaviors, watching mothers groom their babies and Silverbacks offering utmost protection.
Trek back to the starting point, find your driver, and transfer to your lodge. Spend the entire afternoon relaxing at the edge of Virunga’s legendary forest, listening to birds singing, monkeys chattering, snakes hissing, and enjoying the serenity and cool breeze typical of the Virunga region.
Day 3: Transfer to Kigali
Wake up to a leisurely breakfast at the edge of Virunga forests, check out from the lodge, and begin your drive back to Kigali. Have an en-route lunch in Gisenyi and continue to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.
This marks the end of your 3-Day Congo Gorilla Trekking Tour.