6-Day Virunga Classic Safari

Virunga National Park

6 Days Virunga Classic. Mount Nyiragongo. Discovery Journeys

6-Day Virunga Classic Safari

Virunga National Park

Duration

6 days

Min Age

15+ Years

Tour Type

Trip Overview

The 6-day Virunga classic safari and incredible safari plan to explore the best of Virunga National Park including Mountain gorilla trekking. It features 4 nights at the luxurious Mikeno Lodge and one night on Mount Nyiragongo. Virunga National Park is famous for its diverse wildlife species and in the 6 Days Virunga Classic Safari you will see a number of these.

You will start this exclusive Discovery Journeys safari with a mountain gorilla trek following one of the habituated gorilla families in the park. Hike through the forested mountains to meet the mountain gorillas in their most preferred habitats as you will other wildlife species, especially birds and other primates.

Mikeno Lodge is strategically located within the Mahura forest and your stay here will be filled with a lot of wildlife adventures. Your primate and birding safaris will start right from the lodge and while here you will get to see the major wildlife species in the park. From you will head for the second gorilla trek following another mountain gorilla family. This can be with infants in case you prefer to track a gorilla family with that setup.

This 6-day Virunga classic Safari also features a hike to Mount Nyiragongo where you will get to see the lava lake. Mount Nyiragongo is among the active Volcanic mountains in East Africa and a hike to the summit allows you to see live volcanic activity. This safari package is the real deal for adventure lovers and would work well for those seeking to explore more and take on off-beaten paths. The safari requires a certain level of fitness especially for hiking the mountain.

Tour Highlights

Day 1: Transfer To Virunga National Park
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking Adventure
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking Experience
Day 4: 2nd Gorilla Trekking Adventure
Day 5: Nyiragongo Hike
Day 5: Descend the Volcano & Departure

End of Tour

Full Tour Package

Day 1: Transfer to Virunga National Park

You will be picked up from your Hotel and then transferred to Virunga National Park. You will drive through the Congo countryside enjoy the calm environment and the great scenic views. You will arrive at Mikeno lodge early enough for a lunch break and spend the afternoon exploring Mahura forest or relaxing at the lodge. Dinner and overnight at Mikeno Lodge

Day 2: Mountain Gorilla Trekking Adventure

After breakfast an early breakfast at your lodge you will be taken for briefing at the Bukima ranger post. You will then hike the forested park for about 2 hours or more depending on the movement of the gorillas until you get to them. Stay in the presence of the gorillas for an hour getting to know more about them and later be brought back to your lodge for a rest. Meals and overnight at Mikeno Lodge

Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking

You will have breakfast at your lodge and head to explore the Mahura forest home to chimpanzees and many other primates and birds. Enjoy this incredible primate adventure where you will also see a number of birds endemic to the Central African forests and the Albertine Rift Valley. Later return for a lunch break and spend the afternoon visiting the Senkwekwe Center for orphaned gorillas. Meals and overnight at Mikeno Lodge

Day 4: 2nd Gorilla Trekking Experience

On this day you have your second gorilla trek following another mountain gorilla family. Start with the briefing at the park headquarters and then be led to the park hiking amidst sightings of the different wildlife species. After meeting the mountain gorillas, stay in their presence for an hour and later return for a transfer back to your lodge for a rest ahead of the Mount Nyiragongo Hike the following day. Meals and overnight at Mikeno Lodge

Day 5: Mount Nyiragongo Hike

Leave Mikeno lodge early morning for a transfer to Kibati Ranger post for a briefing about mount Nyiragongo Hike. You will hike the mountain through the different canopy layers in the mountain for 4 to 6 hours. While on the hike you will see a number of wildlife species and great scenic views of the other major Virunga mountains and the great Rift Valley areas. You will reach the summit and check in your chalets at the edge of the Volcanic crater.

Day 6: Descend the Volcanoes & Departure

The early morning and late evening time is the best to see the hot lava in the crater. You will enjoy moments at the summit and later begin the descent back for about 4 hours. On reaching the Kibati post you will be transferred back to Goma for a drop off at your Hotel or back to the border depending on schedule.

End of Tour.