Tour Overview
| Duration | 8 Days / 7 Nights |
|---|---|
| Country | Democratic Republic of the Congo — Virunga National Park (UNESCO) |
| Price From | $3,995 per person (twin share) |
| Tour Style | Expedition / Wildlife & Volcano |
| Data Source | Virunga National Park / TourRadar — 2026 |
Itinerary Highlights
Day 1: Arrive Goma — Gateway to Virunga
Arrive at Goma International Airport on the shores of Lake Kivu. Transfer to your lodge with views of Nyiragongo Volcano glowing red on the horizon. Safety briefing from Virunga National Park rangers — Virunga is Africa’s oldest national park (est. 1925) and one of the most biodiverse places on Earth despite ongoing challenges. Overnight at lodge near Goma.
Day 2: Mountain Gorilla Trekking — The Ultimate Encounter
Pre-dawn departure for the gorilla trekking starting point. After a briefing by park rangers, hike through dense montane forest in search of one of Virunga’s habituated mountain gorilla families. The trek can take 2-6 hours depending on where the gorillas are — every step is worth it. The moment you first lock eyes with a 200kg silverback from just 7 meters away, with his family feeding and playing around you, is life-changing. You have exactly one hour with the gorillas — one of the most precious hours you’ll ever spend. Only about 1,000 mountain gorillas remain on Earth, and Virunga protects roughly one-third of them. Overnight at lodge.
Day 3: Nyiragongo Volcano — Hike to the Lava Lake
Morning departure for the Nyiragongo Volcano hike. This 5-6 hour ascent gains 1,500m through changing vegetation zones — farmland, then rainforest, then the otherworldly alpine zone of giant lobelia and senecio. At the summit (3,470m): the world’s largest permanent lava lake — a seething cauldron of molten rock the size of a football field. As darkness falls, the crater glows a hellish red that illuminates the clouds above. Sleep in basic summit shelters, watching the lava churn and boil through the night. Overnight at Nyiragongo summit shelters.
Day 4: Nyiragongo Summit Sunrise & Descent
Dawn at the crater rim — watching the sunrise illuminate the lake of fire is one of Africa’s most extraordinary experiences. Descent (3-4 hours). Afternoon: well-deserved rest at the lodge. Overnight at lodge.
Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking & Senkwekwe Centre
Morning chimpanzee trekking in the lower forests of Virunga. Track our closest relatives as they swing through the canopy, communicate with pant-hoots, and display their remarkable intelligence. Afternoon: visit the Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage, the world’s only facility caring for orphaned mountain gorillas — a powerful reminder of the conservation challenges in Virunga. Meet the dedicated Congolese rangers who risk their lives daily to protect the park’s wildlife. Overnight at lodge.
Day 6: Lake Kivu & Tchegera Island
Morning boat trip on Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes. Visit fishing villages where traditional boats with outriggers dot the shoreline. Cross to Tchegera Island for lunch — a collapsed volcanic caldera now a paradise of birds and views. Swim in the lake’s warm, methane-rich waters. Overnight at lodge.
Day 7: Bukima & Farewell Safari
Optional second gorilla trek (Bukima sector, different gorilla family) or morning nature walks in the park’s buffer zone for birdwatching (African green broadbill, Rwenzori turaco). Afternoon visit to a local community project supported by the park. Farewell dinner with Congolese music. Overnight at lodge.
Day 8: Depart Goma
Transfer to airport.
Inclusions
- 7 nights (5 lodge + 1 Nyiragongo summit + 1 lodge)
- All meals during Virunga stay
- Mountain gorilla trekking permit ($400 value)
- Nyiragongo Volcano trek (summit overnight)
- Chimpanzee trekking
- Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage visit
- Lake Kivu boat trip
- All park entry fees
- Armed ranger escorts (mandatory in Virunga)
- Airport transfers
- English-speaking guide
Why DR Congo
- Virunga NP — Africa’s oldest and most biodiverse national park, protecting mountain gorillas
- Nyiragongo — the world’s largest permanent lava lake, a bucket-list volcano experience
- Mountain gorillas — one hour face-to-face with one of the world’s rarest animals
- Senkwekwe Centre — the only mountain gorilla orphanage on Earth
- Lake Kivu — one of Africa’s Great Lakes, framed by volcanoes
