2 Days Congo Gorilla Tour – Starting From Kigali or Goma

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3 years ago

2 Days gorilla tour in Congo takes you to the Virunga National Park for an amazing encounter with one of man’s closest relatives. The Democratic Republic of Congo is a country blessed with incredible biodiversity. It is the only country where one can spot both mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas. Apart from gorillas, Congo is also blessed with amazing rivers, mountains and pristine wilderness. The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the only few countries where tourists can still experience pristine /unspoiled wilderness. The Virunga National Park is a good place to start in discovering the remarkable biodiversity in the county.

Virunga is the oldest game park in Congo and Africa. It was established in 1925 and is found in the eastern part of the country. The Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda were once part of the Virunga National Park before they became separate. The park is home to an amazing collection of wildlife but the key attraction remains the mountain gorillas and the rare okapi. Virunga National Park also draws visitors because of the amazing Nyiragongo Volcano. Thousands of tourists visit the park each year to climb the mountain and have a glimpse of a boiling lava lake at the summit. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and since 1994 has been listed as in danger for several reasons. Apart from poaching, authorities have had to deal with militia groups hiding in the park in the past with great success. The park management has recruited and trained rangers to patrol and monitor any human encroachments in the park. This heavy deployment of Rangers has ensured that tourists remain safe while visiting the park.

Our 2 days Congo gorilla tour starts and ends in Kigali Rwanda. Visitors can also choose to arrive and depart from Goma airport/town. If you are interested in a longer safari, you might find our 3 days gorilla safari in Congo more interesting. We also have a 4 days gorilla trekking and Nyiragongo hiking package for a more complete safari in Virunga National Park.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Pickup from Kigali – Transfer to Goma

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Congo – Transfer back to Kigali

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Pickup from Kigali and Transfer to Goma in Congo

A driver from Mission Africa Safaris will pick you up from Kigali in Rwanda and embark on a 5-hour journey through beautiful Rwanda countryside, rolling hills, forests and the great lake Kivu. Lunch will be taken in Gisenyi as you wait to cross into Congo through the Goma border crossing. After lunch, cross into Congo and enjoy the beautiful views in Goma and the park roads leading to your accommodation facility. If you stay in the luxury Mikeno lodge, you can request to go and visit the Senkwekwe Centre in the late afternoon.

Day 2: Gorilla tracking in Virunga National Park

Wake up early and prepare to be picked up and driven to the park headquarters for the briefing. The briefing covers topics about the Virunga National Park, the country, Mountain gorillas, gorilla groups in Congo, what to expect during tracking and how to act around the primates. You will then head into the forests of Virunga National park to search of the primates. Expect to spot birds, Giant forest hogs, Golden monkeys, colobus monkey and other creatures along the tracking routes. Once you locate the gorillas, you will only be allowed one hour with them. Use that time to observe the group members and study how they spend their day. Do not forget to carry a camera because you will miss an opportunity to take photos with one of the most fascinating creatures on earth. Gorilla trekking in Virunga can take long depending on the gorilla group you are assigned.

End of tour

Tour Inclusions and Exclusions

The 2 days gorilla safari in Congo includes: –

Gorilla permits
Transport in a standard tour van
An English or French Speaking Guide
Accommodation for one nigh
Bottled water throughout the tour
Government taxes

The 2 days Congo Gorilla tour excludes:

Air tickets and Visas
Tips for Guides, Rangers and hotel staff
Other personal expenses like souvenirs, alcoholic drinks and cigars
Activities that are not included in the program

Accommodation

Tchegera Island Tented Camp: This mid-range lodge is relatively new (2015) and owned by the Virunga national Park. It is located on an island in Lake Kivu but still within the Virunga National Park. The 8 self-contained safari tents all have great views of Lake Kivu, the Virunga National Park and the other volcanoes in the area. Each tent can be arranged as a twin, single or double room. Each tent has flushing toilets, a shower, working table/chair and a verandah. The lodge also has a tented shared area with a lounge, communal bar and eating place. The island is also excellent for relaxation, birdwatching and nature/bush walks as one admires the beautiful scenery. A campfire is set up by the lakeside every evening to allow guests admire the beautiful lights coming from the Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira volcanoes.

Kibumba Tented Camp: The Kibumba Tented Camp is also a mid-range lodge run by the Virunga National Park. The lodge offers excellent services and is located close to the park offices and the Nyiragongo volcano but quiet distant from the starting point for gorilla trekking. But this doesn’t matter when you consider what the lodge has to offer. The scenery around the lodge is amazing and will appeal to those who love nature and being out in the wilderness. Moreover, during the night, boiling lava from the summit of Mount Nyiragongo can lighten up the park hence providing a truly amazing spectacle.

The lodge has 18 self-contained rooms with thatched roof overlooking the lush green park and amazing volcanoes. Each room has a queen sized bed, clean bed sheets, flash toilets, hot showers, bottled drinking water and charging devices. Other amenities in the hotel include a bar, restaurant and a fire place. There is an electric fence surrounding the lodge to keep off wild animals.

Mikeno Lodge: This Luxury lodge is one of the most beautiful lodges in Central Africa and is managed by the Virunga National Park. It is built on a hill close to the Virunga office hence the perfect base for exploring the park. The scenery is amazing and some of the park animals like chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, baboons and blue monkeys can easily be sighted playing around the lodge compound. Mikeno lodge has 12 unique and spacious bungalows with great views of the park. Each room has a bathroom, a stone shower and bath. There is also a fireplace in each room and at the central lounge where visitors gather to interact. The furniture and decorations are a mixture of modern and Congolese decorations. Apart from the luxury facilities and proximity to the park office, one other advantage Mikeno has over other lodges is that it offers guests an opportunity to visit the Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage for free. The Senkwekwe Centre is the only mountain gorilla orphanage in the world. The Centre takes care of baby gorillas that were rescued from poachers and pet traders.