Uganda & Congo Gorilla Safari – Nyiragongo Hike
Explore the legendary Virunga jungle region, among the mighty snow-capped Rwenzori (Mountains of the Moon). Take a 7 Day Uganda – Congo Gorilla Safari journey into timeless and ancient Africa and see its spectacular large animals, volcanoes, jungles, and forests. Peer inside a live raging volcano and at wild silver back mountain gorillas, both from a safe while intensely intimate distance. The Virunga national park is a world heritage site where dwells the rare Mountain Gorilla & most of the big game animals of Africa. It has the highest amount of biodiversity of any park in Africa and it is the oldest African Park.
Start from Entebbe or Kampala today at your hotel and take the 9 hour’s drive to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, where you experience the first gorilla trekking experience and you can either stay in Luxury, Mid – range or Budget lodges around the park and then the next day cross via Kisoro – Cyanika border to Gisenyi beach holiday town staying at the Rwanda side along the shores of Lake Kivu and then next day you will be granted a Democratic Republic of Congo Tourist Visa.
Our next Democratic Republic of Congo based representative picks you up in Goma or Gisenyi, and you transfer over the afternoon to Bukima Lodge Patrol Post Campground (Tent rentals are available on request, or bring your own.) After you comfortably check-in and set up, you have an option of a short tour, or just enjoy a rest and refreshment after a briefing from the local guide. You can also take a night walk. The staff will attend to your questions and evening campfire and offer drinks. Overnight at the Bukima Patrol Post
On the next day, take a three hour trek through the rain forest to share what is sure to be a memorable moment with the mountain gorillas in their natural environment in the Virunga National Park. This activity will take most of the rest of the day. To safeguard the health of Virunga’s gorillas, visitors will be required to wear surgical masks (provided) when in the presence of gorillas. Time with the gorillas is strictly limited to one hour. Overnight at the Bukima Patrol Post
Transfer to the Centre Town for shopping then drive around 9am to the Nyiragongo Volcano trail heading in Virunga National Park. The climb up Nyiragongo takes around five hours, in strenuous and often in hot and uncomfortable conditions, but the path is relatively easy and not excessively steep; there are also a lot of rare birds and small mammals along the trail and the view, when you reach the top, is stunning and other-worldly. Again, it is important to have the right equipment in order to make the most of the hike. Equipment to bring: walking boots, a day back pack, light clothing, waterproof clothing, sun glasses, and clothes for the upper region of the volcano where you will spend the night and walking poles for hiking.