This 7 days Rwanda Congo gorilla tour is an exceptional package to trek primates in Congo and Rwanda. The trip involves double gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda and in Virunga National Park. You will also trek chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest plus a canopy walk for a complete package.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
You will be picked up from the airport and transfer to Volcanoes National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas. A drive through Kigali city is a magical feeling that welcomes to the land of a thousand hills.
The drive time from Kigali to Volcanoes National park is roughly 3 hours’ north westwards. Dinner and overnight stay at a lodge.
Day 2: 1st Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Wake up very early, have a cup of coffee and transfer to Kinigi Park head quarters for briefing and registration. You will be put together in groups of eight and allocated a gorilla family to trek. Trekking to see gorillas starts at 8:00am lasting for between 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on where gorillas will be located.
On meeting the endangered species, spend an hour in their company, learn their behaviors and enjoy this magical encounter. Return to the lodge for refreshment and if time allows go for a community tour to interact with local people. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 3: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
In the early morning, you will have a cup of breakfast and drive south westwards to Nyungwe Forest National Park. The 6 hours drive time offers you scenic views of Rwanda’s rolling hills, Virunga Volcanoes, vast tea plantations and local communities. Dinner and overnight stay at a lodge.
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walk
Have early morning breakfast, get your packed lunch and transfer to Uwinka visitor information center for pre trekking briefing. You may either trek in the main forest or in Cyamudongo Forest. The time to spend trekking is not certain but you are assured of meeting these endangered species. An encounter with chimpanzees is strictly an hour.
In the afternoon, join a canopy walk for great aerial views of the forest, Virunga volcanoes, local communities and attractions in the neighboring countries. Dinner and overnight stay at a lodge.
Day 5: Lake Kivu – Transfer to Goma – D.R. Congo
Today you wake up early, have breakfast, check out and transfer to Lake Kivu. Spend a full day relaxing at the sandy beaches of Lake Kivu, enjoy the fresh air and relax your mind from previous treks. Thereafter, proceed to Goma for dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Day 6: 2nd Gorilla Trekking in D.R. Congo
Have an early morning breakfast and with your packed lunch transfer to Virunga Park head quarters for pre gorilla trekking briefing and registration. Thereafter, start off your 2nd gorilla trekking in the jungle forest.
Trek one of the 8 gorilla families in Virunga National Park and find out the differences and similarities between the two treks in both countries.
Spends an hour with the gorillas, embrace their human like characters and have fun with your lost cousins. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Day 7: Departure
Leave Virunga in the morning, after breakfast or have an optional visit to the Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage.
Drive back to Kigali International Airport for your connecting flight.
