7 Days eastern lowland gorilla, chimpanzee and Nyiragongo trekking trip

Arrival and pick up from Kigali international airport

On arrival at Kigali Rwanda, you meet your private guide and 4 Wheel Drive and discuss the itinerary. Visit bustling local markets, get an overview with a city tour, relax by the hotel's pool, or head to the Kigali Memorial Centre, a moving and highly informative monument to the country's genocide.

Transfer from Kigali to Virunga national park

Leave Kigali and start your journey to the Virunga National Park. Virunga National Park is one of the most biologically diverse protected areas on the planet. Half of all the biodiversity in sub-Saharan Africa can be found in Virunga.

The park is also a geologic wonder and contains two of the world's most active volcanoes. For much of its long history, though, Virunga National Park has been severely threatened by armed conflict.

Gorilla trekking in Virunga national park

Another early morning starts as you head to the park's headquarters for a briefing on the dos and don'ts while with mountain gorillas.

An experienced park ranger leads you up into the forest to view a troop, which is usually led by a huge male silverback. You have an unforgettable hour to observe them from close quarters - an amazing wildlife experience.

Because of the close contact between gorillas and visitors (often as little as 7m), and the risk of passing on infections which are fatal for them, travelers who are sick will not be allowed on gorilla trekking trips.

Spend the afternoon at your lodge or enquire with your guide what else you can do.

Chimpanzee habituation experience in Virunga national park

Chimpanzee habituation walks, In February 2014, a Congolese team trained by Frankfurt Zoological Society began habituating a group of chimpanzees living in the forests around park headquarters in Rumangabo. Guests staying at Mikeno Lodge can join this team on their daily visits to the chimpanzees.

The day begins when a group of local trackers leave their camp at 4:30 am to locate where the chimpanzees spent the previous night. Lodge guests set out at 6:00 am to find the chimpanzees. Groups are limited to 4 people and time with the chimpanzees is restricted to one hour.

Nyiragongo volcano trekking

Nyiragongo volcano hike is a beautiful stratovolcano that features the world's largest lava lake. The volcano's forested lower slopes are home to a variety of animals, including chimpanzees, monkeys, and bushbuck.

Nyiragongo's summit rim is largely devoid of vegetation and is sometimes dusted with snow. From the rim, visitors can peer down into a churning lava lake and see and hear hot gasses exploding up though a mosaic of molten lava.

Descend Nyiragongo Virunga national park, Democratic Republic Of Congo and transfer to Lake Kivu, Rwanda

At 06:00am you will begin to descend the Nyiragongo Volcano arriving Kibati Ranger station at around 11am and proceed to Goma and Cross To Rwanda. Stop first at the northern town of Gisenyi.

Wander in to the town to sample the food at one of the local restaurants, or ask your driver to take you down to the nearby hot-springs where the locals sometimes cook their vegetables!

Transfer from Lake Kivu to Kigali international airport

Enjoy your last excellent breakfast from the lodge and begin the drive towards Kigali where you will either catch a flight home, or continue your adventure elsewhere for the subsequent end of the 7 Days Virunga National Park Gorilla, Chimpanzee and Nyiragongo Trekking Safari