This is the most exciting D.R. Congo safari where you will be able to visit the two national parks; that’s Virunga national park for endangered mountain gorillas and Kahuzi-Biega national park for low land gorillas, the safari will start and end in Kigali, Rwanda and involves visiting different attractions like Rwanda genocide memorial centre, kings’ palace and ethnographic museum en-route.
The safari will reward you with the combined gorilla trekking with a boat cruise on Lake Kivu, one of the water bodies in Rwanda and D.R. Congo. Remember that this safari suits all groups of travellers; budget, midrange and luxury.
Detailed itinerary.
Day 1: Transfer to Bukavu from Kigali.
Transfer to Bukavu after a pick up from the airport in Kigali, Rwanda the land of 1000 hills on your arrival. The tour driver guide will be dressed in our company’s uniform and drive towards D.R. Congo with a visit to the king’s palace, museum and Rwanda genocide memorial centre with an enroute lunch depending on the pickup point. After, continue with the road trip passing through the rolling hills and valleys. And you will check in your place of accommodation in Bukavu.
Day 2: Lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi-Biega N/park.
Enjoy a heavy breakfast and then head to the park offices and start with a briefing where you will be instructed about the dos and don’ts while in the forest. This can take about 30 minutes and then head to into the forest, on locating them you will notice their behaviours which are similar to those of humans.
An hour will also be granted to you with a keen eye watching as you take photos and record memorable photos. After a great experience which can even take about 3-4 hours thrilling in the forest, you will transfer back to your accommodation site for leisure.
Day 3: Transfer to Virunga National Park.
Have a leisurely breakfast at the lodge with the tour driver-guide and afterwards transfer to Virunga national park. The drive will take you to Lake Kivu and then have a boat cruise while watching the different birds as you cruise on Lake Kivu.
Cross to Goma and meet your Congolese driver guide who will take you to the booked safari lodge in Virunga national park. This is a home of mountain gorillas and while here you will have a chance to trek these refugees the next day in the morning.
Day 4: Mountain gorilla trekking.
Begin the exciting day with breakfast at the lodge and head to the park headquarters for a briefing session which will be an important session for your wellbeing while in the park. Some of the information provided do not throw rubbish in the park, don’t make noise, don’t feed animals, stay on track with the park ranger guide among others.
Thereafter, head to the forest and on locating them, you will have an hour in their presence and after the trek back to the headquarters of the park and be rewarded with a certificate of recognition for trekking.
Remember while in the forest in the presence of these gorillas, you will notice the difference between the mountain gorillas and the low land gorillas of Kahuzi-Biega. Thereafter, you will have to transfer back to your safari lodge
Day 5: Transfer back to Kigali and departure.
Transfer to Kigali on this last day of your safari, after checking out of the hotel room. You will enjoy the journey which is full of thrilling hills and valleys and again enjoy an en route lunch and various attractions.
Thereafter, drive straight to the airport where you will be dropped for your departure flight.
