This 5-Day Virunga Gorilla Trekking & Mount Nyiragongo Hiking Adventure is a perfect way to explore Virunga’s best attractions in Congo. Enjoy a great moment discovering the beauty of Virunga National Park, with a gorilla trekking experience and a hike up Nyiragongo, one of Africa’s most active volcanic mountains.
Spend an hour in the presence of mountain gorillas and another day hiking to view the boiling lava lake at the summit of Mount Nyiragongo.
Virunga National Park shelters up to 8 habituated gorilla families and two active volcanoes, offering the best of an African adventure safari. See the detailed itinerary for this 5-Day Virunga Gorillas & Mount Nyiragongo Hike below.
5-Day Congo Tour Highlights
- Day 1: Arrive and Transfer to a hotel in Kigali, Rwanda
- Day 2: Transfer to Goma Town near Virunga National Park
- Day 3: Gorilla Trekking Adventure
- Day 4: Hike to Nyiragongo Volcano
- Day 5: Descend and transfer back to Kigali, Rwanda
Detailed 5-Day Congo Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive and Transfer to a hotel in Kigali, Rwanda
On this first day of your 5-Day Virunga Gorilla Trekking & Mount Nyiragongo Hiking Adventure, arrive at Kigali airport and transfer to a hotel in Kigali city. If you arrive early, take a short city tour visiting attractions like the Kigali Memorial Grounds, the former Presidential Palace Museum, local markets, and more.
Day 2: Transfer to Goma Town near Virunga National Park
Leave Kigali city in the morning and head to Virunga National Park, crossing the Cyangugu border. The journey takes about 4 to 6 hours, including border crossing time. Virunga National Park is one of the oldest in Africa, home to a diverse range of wildlife including mountain gorillas encountered during the Nyiragongo mountain hike. Arrive and check into your booked lodge by the end of the day.
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking Adventure
Head to the park office for a briefing before embarking on your gorilla trekking adventure. This briefing is essential for understanding the dos and don’ts in the forest and being guided by park rangers who possess extensive knowledge. Start the trek, encountering attractions like red-tailed monkeys, colobus monkeys, various bird species, and more. Locate the trekked gorilla family and spend an hour in their presence, creating memorable moments. Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.
Optional afternoon activities could include visiting the Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage, community walks, exploring plantations, or simply relaxing on your balcony listening to the soothing sounds of the Virunga jungle.
Day 4: Hike to Nyiragongo Volcano
Return to the park offices to begin the hike up Nyiragongo. The hike starts with a briefing covering necessary equipment such as walking sticks, torches, axes (if needed), and the option to hire porters and cooks. Begin the hike through lowland rainforests, where you may spot various primates and bird species as you ascend.
Continue along the trail, possibly encountering mountain gorillas, and reach the summit after a 4 to 5-hour hike. Enjoy views of the boiling lava lake from the summit. Spend the night at shelters on the crater rim, sharing stories around the campfire under the African skies. Note that Mount Nyiragongo last erupted in May 2020.
Day 5: Descend and transfer back to Kigali, Rwanda
Descend early in the morning to the park gate, which takes about 2.5 hours. Sign out, meet your guide, and drive back to Kigali via the Goma border. Later in the afternoon, you will be dropped off at Kigali International Airport for your onward flight.
End of 5-Day Virunga Gorilla Trekking & Mount Nyiragongo Hiking Adventure.
