Le Petit Mikeno is a four-day package that involves encountering Virunga national park’s
Mighty mountain gorillas and Nyiragongo mountain hiking plus a night at the luxurious
Mikeno lodge. The genesis and the end of this trip is in Kigali city of Rwanda.
Details.
Day one: Kigali city to Virunga through Goma boarder.
Having had your breakfast at any place of your choice at Kigali city, head to Virunga National Park (Congo and Africa’s oldest conservation area), it is advisable that you begin your journey as early as 8:00am in order to be at Goma Grand Barriere by midday. It is at the passport control station that you purchase a visa, gorilla trekking permits and Nyiragongo hiking permits.
This is followed by joining a patrol team that will drive you to Rumangabo sector at Mikeno lodge in the mighty Virunga NP.
It is at the lodge that you have a lip-smirking lunch and either spend leisure time enjoying breeze of the jungle or explore Rumangabo’s nature trails as you watch birds plus visiting Congo hounds.
Day two: Gorilla trekking and Senkwekwe Gorilla orphanage visit.
After a delicious breakfast, drive to Bukima sector for a pre-trek briefing that lasts for thirty to sixty minutes. From here you will be escorted to the gorgeous Virunga forest that marks the beginning of the search of gorillas.
The adventure lasts for 2-3 hours depending on the weather, nature of the terrain and the gorilla family being trekked. You are then given a full hour in the presence of these mighty apes to watch them dine, play mate and take pictures with them. Retreat to Bukima patrol post and then be transported to Mikeno lodge for a delicious lunch.
Here you may decide to spend the afternoon at the lodge terrace or join a local guide for the Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage in the neighborhood of the lodge.
Day three: Mount. Nyiragongo climb.
Bless your stomach with a special breakfast at the lodge and then head to the base of the giant Nyiragongo volcano, Kibati patrol station. It is here that all hikes start from at around 10:00a.m and briefing also happens here.
There is an opportunity for you to hire porters and ranger guides for the two-day climb. Stay at Nyiragongo huts with magical views of the burning magma.
Day four: Nyiragongo Descent and departure.
After breakfast, hikers start a four-hour descent back to the Patrol station from where they will be transported to Goma boarder and join the local driver or guide as you head back to Kigali city, marking the end of this fun trip.
