7 Days Combined Rwanda & Congo Safari

Overview

This 7 days Rwanda and Congo wildlife safari is one of the best combined adventures exploring the top visited national parks in Congo and Rwanda.  You will visit three national park that is Volcanoes national park where you will do gorilla trekking, then visit Nyungwe forest national park where you will do chimpanzee tracking and Canopy walk and then lately visit Virunga national park where you will have mount Nyiragongo hiking experience. The trip starts and ends in Kigali.

Safari highlights

• Day 1: Departure to Volcanoes national park
• Day 2: Gorilla trekking and community visit
• Day 3: Transfer to Nyungwe forest national park
• Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk
• Day 5: Transfer to Gisenyi Lake Kivu
• Day 6: Ascend Nyiragongo volcano
• Day 7: Descend Nyiragongo and departure to Kigali

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Departure to Volcanoes national park

Chosen expeditions and tours experienced tour guide, will pick you up from either the hotel or Kigali international park for transfer to Volcanoes national park. Drive through the rolling hills, ever green vegetation, local markets among other beautiful views. You will have lunch from the lodge and later relax as you wait for next day activity. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Accommodation options:

• Muhabura Hotel – budget
• Le bamboo gorilla lodge – mid-range
• Mountain gorilla view lodge – luxury

Day 2: Gorilla trekking and nature walk

Start the day with a morning cup of African coffee. After pack enough snacks, water, lunch and other trekking items. The driver will drive you to the park’s headquarters where you will meet other tourists, the park warden will brief the group on the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking. Drive to the starting point and well-armed game ranger will lead the group into the jungle in search of the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. The Trek lasts for about half an hour to 7 hours depending on the movement of gorillas in search of food and where they built their nest the other night. After meeting the gorillas, you will be given one hour with them as you learn about their behaviors and take photos. Return to the office and receive your certificates.

Later in the day, head for cultural visit to the Ibyiwacu cultural village were you will watch breath taking cultural performance throughout the night. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 3: Transfer to Nyungwe forest national park

Have morning breakfast and after, check-out of the lodge and the driver will transfer you to Nyungwe forest national park with a  brief stopover at Murambi genocide memorial site and visit to Nyanza King’s palace.  You will have lunch at any tourists eating point. Proceed with the journey to the park, check in at the lodge, and relax in the evening time as you wait for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation options:

• Nyungwe Top View Hotel
• Nyungwe Forest Lodge
• Gisakura Guesthouse 

Day 4: chimpanzee tracking and Canopy walk

After breakfast, report to the park’s headquarters where you will be briefed on chimpanzee tracking rules and regulations. After briefing, commence with the trek as you walk via different trails in search of our close relatives with whom we share 98% DNA. The trek takes 2-6 hours depending on their movement. Expect to view other wildlife like moneys, baboons and birds to mention but a few. Upon finding the chimpanzees, you will spend only one hour with them just like the mountain gorillas, interact and learn more about their behaviors.  Return to the lodge, have lunch and wait for the next activity.

Head back to the forest for fascinating canopy walk which is one of best in Africa. Its 2-3 hour walk as you view entire Nyungwe forest national park at the tree top height. The walk is more rewarding and enjoyable. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Transfer to Gisenyi Lake Kivu

Take morning breakfast and check-out of the lodge. Embark on the journey to Lake Kivu with lunch stopover at any tourists eating point. Proceed with the journey with a beautiful view of rolling hills and ever green vegetation. Arrive at the lodge, check in and you may go for an optional boat cruise or spend an evening at leisure along the shores of Lake Kivu. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Accommodation options:

• Waterfront resort lodge
• Lake Kivu Serena hotel

Day 6: Ascend Mount Nyiragongo

Have breakfast early in the morning, check out of the lodge and head for mountain Nyiragongo hike, drive to Kibati patrol office where you will be briefed and a team of game rangers, a porter and food provider will join you on the hike to the summit. The hike takes 4-5 hours depending on your fitness, arrive at the summit and enjoy the moment and as you wait for the night when its most beautiful to view the lava lake boiling. Overnight stay at mountain tents.

Day 7: Descend Nyiragongo volcano and drive back to Kigali

Take morning breakfast and then descend the summit with a view of ever green vegetation. Arrive at the starting point where you will find your driver waiting to transfer you back to Kigali. You will be dropped at the hotel or Kigali international airport.

Includes

• Gorilla permit
• Chimpanzee permit
• Park entry fee
• Transportation
• English speaking guide
• Safari vehicle

Encludes

• International flights
• Items of personal nature
• Tips