This 4 days double gorilla trekking safari in Virunga National Park is designed specially for you, a mountain gorilla enthusiast and gives you an unmatched chance to visit the mighty gorillas twice within Africa’s oldest and most diverse conservation area.
Virunga national park has up to 8 habituated gorilla families, and an opportunity to trek at least two gorilla families in a single safari is like no other.
Other than gorilla trekking, this safari also presents to you a myriad of other mammal and bird species resident to this park, abundant flora as well as unequaled views of the Virunga chain of mountains.
4 Days Congo Double Gorilla Trekking Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali & Transfer to Goma
Arrive in Kigali this morning, and find your guide at the airport waiting to transfer you to a nearby restaurant to refresh, have breakfast and begin your 4 days gorilla tour in Virunga national park. The journey from Kigali to Goma takes approximately 4h 15m, traversing Kigali’s most picturesque landscapes, rolling mountains, extensive plantations, the famous Congo – Nile drive as well as the amazing views of Lake Kivu. Arrive in Goma, the eastern border of Rwanda and D.R. Congo in the afternoon, have lunch and take an evening tour of Goma town.
Day 2: First Gorilla Trekking in Virunga
After an early breakfast, leave your lodge and drive to Virunga national park headquarters for briefing, and thereafter begin your long awaited gorilla trek. Ready with your trekking gear, head out into the forest to face this day with excitement and expectations. You will be divided into groups of eight during pre-trek briefing session. Each group is allocated a guide, ranger and a gorilla family to track.
The trek may be quite tough, tiresome and strenuous depending on the weather conditions and gorilla group you’re tracking, passing through impenetrable forests, misty and slippery jungles, but the eventual face to face meeting with a family of mountain gorillas is worth it all. Getting really up close to the gigantic silverback is completely magical as he’ll look back with rather an intelligent and thoughtful stare, mindful that you’re another individual.
A gorilla trekking tour in Virunga national park presents an unforgettable encounter that surpasses any other wildlife experience in Africa and world over. After the one hour meeting with these gentle apes, trek back to the lodge for afternoon relaxation, and enjoy the cool breeze of Virunga forest all day long.
Day 3: Second Gorilla Trek
Wake up to another magical gorilla adventure in Virunga national park. Pick up from your lodge and transfer to the starting point for yet another briefing session and allocation of gorilla families to be tracked. Out in the forest you go, through misty jungles and slippery slopes as you search for the mighty mountain gorillas.
In the forest, you will be fortunate to encounter other forest mammals, including buffaloes, elephants, monkeys, baboons, bush pigs, an array of birds and abundant bird life. Trekking gorillas takes somewhat between 1-8 hours, but upon meeting you’re only allowed 1 hour to be with them, as you take pictures, watch them closely as they feed, play, and learn about their lifestyle. Trek back to the starting point, link up with your guide and drive to the lodge for relaxation and overnight stay.
Day 4: Return to Kigali, Optional City Tour
This morning, have a relaxed breakfast and later connect with your driver / guide who will transfer you back to Kigali. Traverse through the Rwanda’s most scenic highlands, enjoy the views of Virunga mountains, and finally arrive in Kigali for lunch. After lunch, depending on your departure flight time, undertake a short city tour to visit the iconic tourist sites in Kigali.
These include the Kigali Genocide museum, Kigali craft market for souvenir shopping, visit Hotel Rwanda – an upmarket hotel that became famous for the impact it had during the time of genocide. Later be dropped off at the airport for your departure flight, marking the end of this 4 Days double Gorilla Trekking in Virunga national park.
End of 4 Days Virunga double gorilla trekking safari.
