The Congo Virunga Classic

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Goma and transfer to Mikeno Lodge

Pass By: Virunga National Park, Goma Democratic Republic of the Congo
Early in the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel in Kigali by our representative guide who will drive you to the DR Congo. You will arrive at the Grande Barriere border crossing by 10:00 am and then we will make sure to check you in with Virunga tourism office by 11:00am. The tourism office is conveniently located in the Grande Barriere border post building, opposite passport control. The guests shall be provided with gorilla trekking permits and volcano trek permits. These permits must be presented before the start any of the treks. Guests will then be transported to Mikeno Lodge at the Park headquarters in Rumangabo once they are done checking in with the tourism office. When the guests arrive at mikeno lodge, they will be served late lunch and, in the afternoon,, they can enjoy their leisure, including exploring Rumangabo’s several nature trails, bird watching or paying a visit to the Virunga Congo hounds.

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Mikeno Lodge

Day 2: First Gorilla trek in Bukima

Stop At: Virunga National Park, Goma Democratic Republic of the Congo
In this second day, of the Congo Virunga Classic, guests shall have early breakfast and will set off for the first gorilla trek at Bukima Ranger Post. When the trekkers reach Bukima post, trekkers will meet their Ranger guides and local pisteurs to receive a briefing before starting the gorilla trek. The gorilla treks usually take about 3 hours of hiking each way and the depend on the location of the gorilla group being trekked and the difficulty of the terrain. When the guests meet the mountain gorillas, they will spend at least 1 hour observing and taking photos and later they shall return to Bukima camp where a late lunch will be served. Guests will have the rest of the afternoon off to explore Bukima including bird watching and visiting the Park’s bamboo project.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Mikeno Lodge

Day 3: Second Gorilla trek in Bukima

Stop At: Virunga National Park, Goma Democratic Republic of the Congo
At 8:30am, guests will start their second gorilla trek. When they return, a quick lunch will be served at Bukima and when all gorilla trekkers have returned, guests will be transported back to Mikeno Lodge. When the guests reach the lodge, they will have their afternoon at own leisure, free to explore the Park HQ or cosy up with a nice book by the fire.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Mikeno Lodge

Day 4: Relax and exploration of surroundings of Mikeno Lodge

Stop At: Virunga National Park, Goma Democratic Republic of the Congo
This is a day to relax, explore and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Mikeno Lodge.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Mikeno Lodge

Day 5: Nyiragongo volcano hike

Stop At: Mount Nyiragongo, 21 Gm, Goma Democratic Republic of the Congo
Guests wake up early morning, take breakfast and will be transported to the Kibati Ranger Post which is the departure point for the Nyiragongo volcano trek. When the trekkers reach Kibati, climbers will receive a briefing and will have the opportunity to hire porters who help them carry their luggage. The climb up the volcano takes around four to six hours and trekkers will overnight on the summit.
Duration: 10 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at the summit of Nyiragongo in Wooden Shelter

Day 6: Descent of Nyiragongo and the end of the trip

Pass By: ihusi building, Boulevard Kanyamuhanga, Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo
In this last day of the Congo Virunga Classic, early in the morning, climbers will leave the crater rim and start the descent back to Kibati. Average descent time is four hours. Once at the bottom, guests will be transported back to Kigali International Airport through the Grande Barriere border crossing.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.