Congo Gorilla Safari: Mountain & Lowland Gorillas – 6 Days

Congo Gorilla Safari: Mountain & Lowland Gorillas – 6 Days

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Goma — Virunga Gateway

Arrive at Goma International Airport. Transfer to your lakeside hotel. Afternoon visit to the Goma Volcano Observatory to learn about the region’s volcanic activity and the ongoing monitoring of Nyiragongo. Walk along the lava-covered streets of Goma’s “Volcano Quarter,” where the 2002 eruption left a permanent scar now transformed into a resilient community. Welcome dinner with views of Lake Kivu.

Day 2: Mountain Gorilla Trekking — Virunga National Park

Pre-dawn departure to Bukima patrol post in Virunga National Park. After the ranger briefing, trek into the misty forest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. The encounter — one hour with these magnificent creatures — is profound and unforgettable. With fewer than 1,000 mountain gorillas left on Earth, this is one of conservation’s greatest success stories and most powerful wildlife experiences. Return to Goma for the evening.

Day 3: Goma to Bukavu — Across Lake Kivu

Scenic morning boat transfer across Lake Kivu from Goma to Bukavu (approximately 3 hours). The journey offers spectacular views of the Virunga volcanoes, fishing villages along the shoreline, and the lush green hills of the Albertine Rift. Arrive in Bukavu, a charming colonial-era city on five peninsulas jutting into the lake. Afternoon visit to the Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary (Jane Goodall Centre), home to rescued chimpanzees and primates. Overnight at a lodge overlooking Lake Kivu.

Day 4: Lowland Gorilla Trekking — Kahuzi-Biega National Park

Early morning transfer to Kahuzi-Biega National Park (UNESCO World Heritage). This is the only place on Earth where you can trek to see Grauer’s (Eastern Lowland) gorillas — a critically endangered subspecies with fewer than 4,000 individuals. Unlike mountain gorillas, lowland gorillas are often found in more open forest, sometimes feeding in trees. The trek through Kahuzi-Biega’s pristine primary forest reveals stunning biodiversity. Spend one hour with a habituated lowland gorilla family, observing the differences from their mountain cousins — larger size, different diet, and distinct social dynamics. Return to Bukavu for the evening.

Day 5: Bukavu to Goma — Nyiragongo Ascent

Morning boat transfer back to Goma. After lunch and a rest, transfer to Kibati village for the Nyiragongo ascent. The 5-6 hour climb to 3,470m is your final adventure. Arrive at the summit shelters as the sun sets, revealing the world’s largest lava lake in all its glory. Spend the night above the churning cauldron of molten rock, watching the ever-changing patterns of incandescent lava under the African stars.

Day 6: Summit Sunrise & Farewell

Dawn at the crater rim for the final spectacular sunrise over the Virunga chain. Breakfast at the summit, then the 3-4 hour descent. Return to Goma for a celebratory lunch. Afternoon transfer to Goma Airport for departure. Take home the rarest of achievements: having trekked with both mountain and lowland gorillas in their natural habitats, and having stood at the edge of the world’s largest lava lake — three of Africa’s most extraordinary experiences in one journey.

What’s Included

• 5 nights accommodation (hotels, lodges, summit cabin)
• All meals
• Expert English-speaking guide
• Mountain gorilla permit Virunga ($400)
• Lowland gorilla permit Kahuzi-Biega ($400)
• Nyiragongo volcano permit ($300)
• Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary visit
• Round-trip boat transfer Goma-Bukavu across Lake Kivu
• All park entrance fees & armed escorts
• Porters for Nyiragongo
• Airport transfers

What’s Excluded

• International flights
• DR Congo visa (required for Virunga & Kahuzi-Biega)
• Travel insurance (required)
• Tips for guides, rangers & porters
• Alcoholic beverages
• Personal trekking gear