3 days Congo gorilla trekking safari – Mountain Gorilla Tour in DR Congo
A 3 days Virunga gorilla trekking safari is an unforgettable Congo safari that takes you into the centre of the Virunga Mountains, home to the majestic and endangered mountain gorillas. This immersive experience allows you to trek through the lush rainforests and the rugged terrain of Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, accompanied by the expert guides and trackers who will lead you to the habitat of these incredible creatures. As you hike through the dense undergrowth, the thrill of catching your first glimpse of a mountain gorilla is an experience you will never forget, and the subsequent hours spent observing these gentle giants in their natural habitat will leave you in awe of their majesty and charm. With only a limited number of permits available each day, this exclusive experience is a rare privilege, and the memories of your encounters with the mountain gorillas will stay with you forever, making the 3 days The Virunga gorilla trekking safari is an absolute must-do for any wildlife enthusiast or adventurer.
Tour Highlights.
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to the Bukima sector of Virunga National Park.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park.
Day 3: Departure.
Detailed itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to the Bukima sector of Virunga National Park.
Your safari guide from Chopper Tour And Travel will pick you up from Kigali International Airport in Rwanda or from your hotel in Kigali. He will welcome you and believe you about the safari. After the briefing, depending on the time of your flight arrival, you will first do a Kigali city tour. This is where you are going to explore the cleanest city in Africa by visiting the most historical sites of Rwanda, like the Genocide memorial sites, the Presidential Palace museum, the Inema Art Centre, and the Kimironko market, through interacting with the locals as they do their daily work activities in the city. After the city tour, you will be transferred to one of the hotels for lunch.
After lunch, you will be transferred to the Bukima sector, which is the sector of Virunga National Park, using road transport that will offer you the magnificent views along the way. You will drive through the Rwanda-Congo border to Goma. Make sure you have the requirements, like visas for both countries, as well as the yellow fever vaccination card. After that, you will embark on the park and check in at your lodge for relaxation and an overnight stay.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park.
Get up early in the morning and be served with a hearty breakfast; after breakfast, with your packed lunch, meet your safari guide and get ready for the Congo gorilla trekking. You will be transferred to the Bukima ranger post, the starting point for the gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park. You will first be given a briefing about the rules and regulations and expectations during gorilla trekking by the park ranger. After the briefing, you will be grouped into various groups of 8 members per group, and each group will be allocated the gorilla family to track. The Congo gorilla family allocation is based on the physical fitness of the traveller and also the traveller’s preference. You will embark in the forest and search for the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Gorilla trekking takes a period from thirty minutes to 5 hours, depending on the location of the Congo gorillas. As the rangers and guides share their knowledge of the park and point out the important features, you will spot a diverse number of animal species like elephants, bush pigs and other primates, bird species, plant species and others. And once you find the gorillas, you will be given a period of one hour to be in the presence of the gorillas, which includes watching them doing their daily activities, watching them feed, watching female gorillas breastfeed their young ones, watching them make nests for their next night, and taking their pictures and recording their movies using cameras with less or no flash because flash disrupts the mountain gorillas. After the experience of one hour, you will trek back to the starting point, where you will be awarded the gorilla trekking certificates for taking part in gorilla trekking.
Later, you can proceed to the Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage experience after your lunch. This is a heartwarming and educational visit to the only mountain gorilla orphanage in the world, which is located in the Virunga Mountains. You will interact with the rescued and rehabilitated orphaned gorillas, learning about their stories and habits and conservation, and support the efforts of the dedicated caretakers and conservationists working to protect these incredible creatures. After the experience, you will be transferred to your lodge for dinner, relaxation and an overnight stay.
Day 3: Departure.
Wake up early and enjoy your breakfast. After, you will check out from your lodge, meet your safari guide and transfer back to Kigali with the wonderful views along the way. The drive is charming, and you will enjoy it, as you will make stopovers to interact with the locals along the way. You will have lunch en route as well and proceed with your journey.
And once you are, you will be dropped off at your convenience, either at Kigali International Airport for your next flight back home or dropped off at your hotel in Kigali.
End of the 3 days Virunga Gorilla Trekking safari
Safari inclusions.
- Gorilla trekking permits.
- Full board accommodation.
- Full-time English-speaking safari guide.
- Bottled drinking water.
Safari exclusions.
- Porter fees.
- Souvenirs and Tips.
- Personal expenses like laundry and telephone.
