5 Days Nyiragongo & Gorillas

Upon arrival to Kigali International Airport,  Nsavi Safaris representative will be waiting to take you to Gisenyi, a border town between Rwanda and the DRC, beautifully located on the shores of Lake Kivu. In the afternoon you can relax at the lodge or explore Gisenyi town. The lodge can arrange several optional activities in the area. Activities today are at your own expense.

After an early breakfast your driver will pick you up at 6 AM and take you to the Grand Barrier border to Goma, in the DRC after the visa formalities a driver from Virunga National Park will be waiting to take you to the Kibati patrol post at the foot of Nyiragongo volcano. Here you will receive your overnight backpack. The hike will start around 10 AM in the morning and will take about 4-6 hours to complete depending on your fitness level. The trail will take you through lush rainforests, to bare volcanic rock slopes at higher elevations. The trail can be steep and some parts covered in loose volcanic rocks. There will be several stops along the way to take in the views and catch your breath. You will reach the crater rim sometime in the late afternoon and will have an extraordinary view of the crater and the biggest lava lake in the world within. You will have all evening to watch as the lava lake gets more visible and bright as the light fades with the day. Staring into the bubbling cauldron of fire at night is one of the most incredible natural phenomenon you will ever witness. Nyiragongo is one of the world’s most active volcanoes. The excellent crew from Virunga National Park will make your stay comfortable, a cook will provide a hot meal in the evening and a nice big breakfast in the morning. You will spend the night in one of the basic huts located right on the crater rim and on a clear night you might see the red glow from the lava lake through the window of your hut

Today, you will make your way down to the base camp in Kibati around 6:30 AM. Take a boat ride to Bukavu and proceed to the lodge for an overnight.

Wake up to an early morning breakfast and your driver or guide will pick you up from your lodge and head to the park quarters for briefing before the gorilla trekking expeditions, head to the trail head and begin your treks transfer. You are allowed to spend one hour with the eastern lowland gorillas once you meet the gorillas you will return to the park for few minutes relaxation and later drive back to the hotel in Bukavu enjoying the evening view of Lake Kivu .

Today you will cross the border back to Rwanda. You may choose to take a flight back from Kamembe airport near the Congo Border or take the 7-8 hours’ drive back to Kigali international Airport for the late evening onward flight back.