DRC Mountain Gorillas, Virunga, and Congo Nyiragongo Volcano Tour - Luxury Lodges

Explore the legendary Virunga jungle region, among the mighty snow-capped Rwenzori (Mountains of the Moon). Take a journey into timeless and ancient Africa and see its spectacular large animals, volcanoes, jungles, and forests. Peer inside a live raging volcano and at wild silverback mountain gorillas, both from a safe while intensely intimate distance. Visit villages, tribes, traditional homes, and experience some of the richest and most unique cultures of Africa in this “Great Lakes” region of eastern DR Congo. Learn about the history of the most troubled part of Africa through a safe conduit to its most green and rich heart.

The Virunga national park is a world heritage site where dwells the rare Mountain Gorilla & most of the big game animals of Africa. It has the highest amount of biodiversity of any park in Africa and is It is the oldest African Park.

Itinerary - Virunga and Volcano (Luxury Lodges)

Why Us?

We work directly with the Virunga National Park Authority (visitvirunga.org) and ICCN to bring tourists and grant visas to incomers and provide secure transport and safari guides, and are a supplier and supporter of the Virunga lodges, staff, and conservation efforts, and supply about half of their operators too in the Congo with logistics and materials in the region. Our mission is literally to promote the park to you.

We can arrange everything from your before-and-after hotels to custom requests.

We have experience in many different situations in the region, in many different challenges and local circumstances, know all routes in and out and safety procedures, have guides and friends in the parks with deep education and experience in the wildlife and their movement, and have long standing contacts within the many different groups and cultures in the Kivus region. - Decades' worth.

This tour can start in Kigali, and we can arrange transportation and visa for all tourists with Virunga Park, and with pickup at all hotels and locations in Kigali.

Day 1: Arrival and Welcome

Welcome to your CTT Virunga and Volcano Luxury Lodge Tour. Start from Kigali today at your hotel and take the 3 hour drive to the frontier with the border where you will be granted a DRC Visa on arrival (we can also arrange it in advance at your home embassy to save time this day.) Our next DRC-based representative picks you up in Goma or Gisenyi, and you transfer over the afternoon to Bukima Lodge (4 Star with all meals included.)

After you comfortably check-in to your hotel, you have an option of a short tour, or just enjoy a rest and refreshment after a briefing from the local guide. You can also take a night walk. The staff will attend to your turndown service and evening campfire and drinks.
Overnight at The Bukima Tented Camp

Day 2: Mountain Gorilla Tracking 

Early wake in Bukima where you’ll get a full panoramic view of the volcanoes where the mountain gorillas reside. Take a three hour trek through the rainforest to share what is sure to be a memorable moment with the mountain gorillas in their natural environment in the Virunga National Park. Picnic will be provided. This activity will take most of the rest of the day. To safeguard the health of Virunga’s gorillas, visitors will be required to wear surgical masks (provided) when in the presence of gorillas. Time with the gorillas is strictly limited to one hour. 

Overnight at The Bukima Tented Camp

Day 3: Mikeno Lodge and Virunga Park Tours

After breakfast head to the beautiful Mikeno Lodge terrace with a view overlooking the park of Virunga a walk of about two hours awaits you. Accompanied by a guide you will optionally have the opportunity to visit a coffee plantation or you can go for a walk in the forest; as well as the Senkwekwe sanctuary for orphaned gorillas, Congohounds or Widows’ Workshop.

Overnight at the Mikeno Lodge

Day 4: Nyiragongo Volcano 

This morning depart to Kibati one hour from Mikeno Lodge and up towards Rutshuru, through the lava fields. You will climb, during 3-5 hours, the Nyiragongo volcano (3,470m high). A picnic is provided and you will reach the smoldering summit and gaze into Mordor itself!

When you reach the top of the volcano, you will be welcomed by your private chef. Dinner and accomodation are provided in small chalets in wooden minimalist luxury (2 people/chalet). All the night, you will observe breathtaking and unforgettable views of the live volcano! It glows red at night and is the single largest volcanic live lava lake on earth!

Overnight at the Summit Crater Lodges

Day 5: Nyiragongo Volcano

After admiring the once-in-a-lifetime sunrise (which takes place around 6 o’clock) and the masses of swirling clouds glazing the valleys below you, gaze out between the sister volcanoes of Karisimbi and Visoke, and after taking a hearty breakfast in the frigid air, you will walk down the volcano amidst beautiful and highly diversified volcanic flora, and some positively alien and bizarre plants. Picnic and make your way back to Mikeno Lodge to rest your legs and relax tonight with full gourmet luxury dinner.

Overnight at the Mikeno Lodge

Day 6: Back to Kigali and Farewell from DRC and Virunga

After a delicious breakfast at Mikeno Lodge, spend the morning enjoying the park and seeing some last vistas of Virunga. In the afternoon you drive back to Goma and on (if requested, to Kigali to be dropped off and waved goodbye.)

END OF SERVICES

Notes and Optional Additions:

-CTT Can arrange your roundtrip private transfer (RT) from anywhere in Kigali on Day 1 & 6 for $399 for a car with 3 people
-CTT Can arrange your visa for DRC on arrival at the park (at the Goma/Gisenyi border) or in advance in any DRC Embassy
-Yellow Fever Vaccination is required for entrance into DRC, as well as any other mandatory vaccinations (Ask Us.)
-Virunga is visitable year-round and the park is currently open and safe for tourists.