Ultimate Congo Expedition: Gorillas, Volcano & Rainforest – 8 Days

Ultimate Congo Expedition: Gorillas, Volcano & Rainforest – 8 Days

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali — Transfer to Goma

Arrive at Kigali International Airport (Rwanda) — the preferred gateway to eastern Congo. After immigration, transfer north through Rwanda’s “Land of a Thousand Hills” to the Goma border at Gisenyi/Goma (approximately 3.5 hours). Cross into DR Congo at the Grande Barrière. Settle into your lakeside hotel in Goma. Evening welcome dinner and comprehensive expedition briefing.

Day 2: Mountain Gorilla Trekking — Virunga National Park

Pre-dawn departure to Bukima patrol post. After the ranger briefing, enter Virunga’s misty forests. Trek through bamboo, across streams, and up volcanic slopes to find a habituated mountain gorilla family. The one hour with these magnificent creatures is a life-changing encounter — a silverback’s gaze, infants playing, the complex social dynamics of our closest wild relatives. Return to Goma in the afternoon for rest and reflection.

Day 3: Nyiragongo Volcano — Overnight at the Lava Lake

Morning at leisure in Goma to rest after the gorilla trek. Late morning transfer to Kibati village. Begin the Nyiragongo ascent at midday — the 5-6 hour climb through rainforest, bamboo, old lava flows, and alpine vegetation. Reach the summit by late afternoon and settle into the basic cabins. The evening spectacle: the world’s largest lava lake glowing and churning in the crater, visible from your sleeping quarters. This is one of Earth’s most dramatic overnight experiences.

Day 4: Nyiragongo Descent & Lake Kivu Recovery

Sunrise over the lava lake — an unforgettable sight. Breakfast at the summit, then the 3-4 hour descent to Kibati. Return to Goma for a restorative afternoon: hot shower, good meal, and relaxation by Lake Kivu. Optional visit to the Goma Volcano Observatory. Evening seafood dinner at the port.

Day 5: Goma to Bukavu — Lake Kivu Crossing

Morning boat transfer across the length of Lake Kivu from Goma to Bukavu (3-4 hours). The journey offers spectacular views of the Virunga volcanoes, traditional fishing villages, and the green hills of the Albertine Rift. Arrive in Bukavu, a charming colonial city built on five peninsulas. Afternoon visit to the Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary (Jane Goodall Centre) to see rescued chimpanzees and learn about primate conservation. Overnight at a lodge with panoramic lake views.

Day 6: Lowland Gorilla Trekking — Kahuzi-Biega National Park

Early morning transfer to Kahuzi-Biega National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the only place to see Grauer’s (Eastern Lowland) gorillas in the wild. These critically endangered gorillas are larger and often more arboreal than their mountain cousins. Trek through pristine primary rainforest to find a habituated family. Spend one hour observing lowland gorillas in their natural habitat — an experience possible nowhere else on Earth. Return to Bukavu for the evening.

Day 7: Bukavu to Goma — Tongo Chimpanzees

Morning boat transfer back to Goma across Lake Kivu. After lunch, afternoon expedition to Tongo Forest on the slopes of Nyamulagira volcano for chimpanzee tracking. This habituation site allows extended observation of wild chimpanzees going about their daily lives. Return to Goma for the farewell dinner — a celebration of an extraordinary Congolese expedition.

Day 8: Goma to Kigali — Departure

Morning visit to the Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage (subject to availability) or the Goma artisan market for final souvenir shopping. Cross back into Rwanda at Gisenyi. Transfer to Kigali International Airport (3.5 hours). Optional: time permitting, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial for a powerful and important historical perspective. Depart with memories of mountain gorillas, lowland gorillas, wild chimpanzees, and the lava lake of Nyiragongo — the ultimate Congo experience.

What’s Included

• 7 nights accommodation (5 hotels/lodges + 1 summit cabin + 1 Bukavu lodge)
• All meals
• Expert English-speaking guide throughout
• Mountain gorilla permit Virunga ($400)
• Lowland gorilla permit Kahuzi-Biega ($400)
• Nyiragongo volcano permit ($300)
• Chimpanzee tracking Tongo Forest ($100)
• Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary
• Round-trip Lake Kivu boat transfers
• All park entrance fees
• Armed ranger escorts throughout
• Porters for Nyiragongo
• All transfers including Kigali-Goma round trip

What’s Excluded

• International flights to Kigali
• Rwanda visa (if required for your nationality)
• DR Congo visa ($50-100)
• Travel insurance (required, must cover gorilla trekking)
• Tips for guides, rangers & porters
• Alcoholic beverages
• Personal trekking gear
• Kigali Genocide Memorial (optional, donation-based)