Venture into one of Africa’s wildest corners to trek an active volcano and meet endangered mountain gorillas. This unique 5-day experience in DR Congo’s Virunga National Park combines high-altitude adventure with awe-inspiring wildlife encounters. A rare and raw expedition designed for thrill-seekers with a love for conservation and exploration.
Meet your guide at Kigali International Airport or at your hotel, then begin your journey through the scenic northern region of Rwanda, where you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the Virunga volcano chain. After crossing the Gisenyi–Goma border, continue on to the Virunga National Park headquarters for a briefing. You’ll spend the night at your lodge in Goma or just outside the park, preparing for the adventure ahead.
Overnight: Mikeno Lodge / Lac Kivu Lodge
Meals: Dinner
After an early breakfast, transfer to the Bukima Patrol Post, the starting point for your mountain gorilla trek. Here, you’ll meet the park rangers and join a small group for the guided hike through dense tropical forest, which typically takes between 2 to 5 hours depending on the gorillas’ location. Once you find the habituated gorilla family, spend a precious hour observing their interactions, feeding, and natural behavior in the wild. After this unforgettable experience, return to Bukima and transfer back to your lodge for rest and reflection.
Overnight: Bukima Tented Camp / Mikeno Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Begin your day with an early transfer to the Kibati Ranger Post, the starting point for your trek to the summit of Mt. Nyiragongo, which stands at 3,470 meters. Accompanied by experienced rangers and porters, you’ll embark on a 4–6 hour climb through lush forest and rugged volcanic terrain. Upon reaching the crater rim, you'll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the world’s largest lava lake, glowing brilliantly after sunset. Spend the night in summit shelters, camping above the fiery abyss and taking in the dramatic beauty of this volcanic wonder.
Overnight: Nyiragongo Summit Cabins
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Begin an early descent from the volcano, enjoying sweeping panoramic views as the sun rises over the landscape. Upon reaching the base, transfer back to Goma where you can choose to relax at your lodge or explore the vibrant art and craft markets in town. Spend the night in Goma, with dinner served overlooking the tranquil waters of Lake Kivu.
Overnight: Lac Kivu Lodge / Serena Goma
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast and check-out, begin your drive back to Kigali, a scenic journey of approximately 4 to 5 hours. Along the way, you may choose to stop for local shopping, a coffee tour, or lunch at a charming spot en route. Upon arrival in Kigali, you’ll be dropped off at the airport for your international flight or at your hotel for continued relaxation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
All listed prices are in USD and apply to bookings made from outside Rwanda. For Rwandan residents, please contact us directly to make a booking and receive rates in local currency.
Prices shown are in USD and include all applicable Rwandan taxes. If you wish to pay in Rwandan Francs (RWF), please request an offline booking. More details can be found in our Payment Options.
Please note that foreign medical insurance does not cover helicopter evacuation in Rwanda. For your safety, all our tours include emergency evacuation insurance as standard. We also strongly recommend that every traveler carries comprehensive emergency evacuation coverage.
At Virunga Ecotours, we are dedicated to ethical practices. We pay fair wages and make regular contributions to pensions, maternity benefits, and community health schemes for all our employees.
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