Overview

ITINERARY OF 5 DAYS D.R. CONGO AND RWANDA SAFARI TOUR

DAY ONE: City tour of Kigali – Transfer to Congo

Shalom safaris Guide/Driver will be at your hotel very early in the morning to start your 5 days Congo and Rwanda safari tour. If you are not already in a hotel, then you will be picked up from the airport.

You will start with a tour of Kigali city where you will be taken to visit the Gisozi genocide memorial site to learn about what transpired during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.

You will also visit other important landmarks, the central market, artisan shops and the former presidential palace. Afterwards, you will start the journey to the Congo border through Lake Kivu and amazing countryside.

You should arrive in Gisenyi before 2:00pm and take lunch before going to the immigration office for clearance. Ensure that you have your yellow fever vaccination card and passport ready so that you can be allowed to cross to Congo.

The Visa would be in the system by the time you speak to the migration office. After clearing with immigration, you will cross and find the team from Virunga waiting for you from the Congo side. End of 1st day Congo and Rwanda safari tour.

DAY TWO: Mount Nyiragongo Hiking – Viewing the Lava Lake

On day 2, your Congo and Rwanda safari tour will start right early breakfast and wait for park authorities to pick you up from your hotel. You will be driven towards Goma and branch off to Kibati village which is the starting point for Mount Nyiragongo hiking.

The park officials will brief you about the hike and introduce you to the porters who will be carrying supplies up the mountain. One of the porters will be your chef.

Everything is kept basic while climbing mount Nyiragongo. Do not expect the luxuries that you had at the lodge. Climbing to the top of the volcano takes between 4 to 6 hours depending on the level of fitness of the group. No one is left behind until you get to the 4^th section.

There are 5 sections to be completed before reaching the top. Once you get to the summit, you will find your cabins waiting for you. The best time for viewing the boiling magma is in the night.

DAY THREE: Descend the Volcano –  Transfer to the Volcanoes National Park

Wake up from your cabin at 7:00am and getting prepared for your 3rd day Congo and Rwanda Safari tour, take breakfast as you wait for everybody to start descending the volcano at 8:00am. Climbing mount Nyiragongo is not just about viewing the lava lake.

It is an opportunity to also admire beautiful views of the other Virunga volcanoes, Lake Kivu, Virunga National Park, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, the Rwenzori Mountains and national parks in Uganda.

The best time to get these views is in the morning and also while descending the volcano. On reaching the starting point, the park officials will drive you to Goma and then to the border office were you will clear with the Rwanda immigration.

They will charge you another $30 for the Rwanda Visa. Our driver will be waiting for you at the Rwanda side of the border to take you to the Volcanoes national park.

The journey from the Congo/Rwanda border to the Volcanoes National Park takes between 2 to 3 hours.

DAY FOUR: Gorilla Tracking in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda – Gorilla Guardians village tour

Briefing for gorilla trekking takes place before 8:00 am at the park headquarters in Kinigi. All trackers must be at the park office in time for the briefing which is led by the park Guide.

Gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park involves choosing among 10 habituated gorilla groups. You will be assigned one based on your overall fitness. Tracking can take between 2 to 6 hours depending on which family you are assigned.

The activity can be challenging especially if you are not in good shape or mentally prepared to complete it. However, the one hour spent with the gorilla family is a lifetime experience which you will never forget.

Watching a group of gorillas in the wild is an uncomfortable reminder of just how much we have in common with them. You could spend hours just watching the little ones roll around and play.   

Mountain Gorillas can be very playful and curious especially if they see something unfamiliar.  While with the gorilla family, it’s important to listen to instructions from your guide. Always remain calm and never make sudden movements.

After your one hour with the gorilla group, return back to the starting point where you will meet our guide to driving you back to your hotel for lunch and rest.

Late in the afternoon, you will head out for a visit to the Iby’iwacu cultural village in Musanze. Now known as the Gorilla Guardians Village, the Centre started as a place where former poachers would showcase their products.

The government of Rwanda revamped the place and rebuilt it to become a modern cultural Centre that competes with the best in East Africa.

You will find all the tribes in Rwanda including the Batwa performing cultural dances and songs. You can also participate by putting on local robes, entering some of the traditional huts and dancing with the troupe. End of 4th day Congo and Rwanda safari tour.

DAY FIVE: Transfer back to Kigali – Departure

Wake at your own time and take breakfast as you prepare for the trip back to Kigali. The journey from the Volcanoes National Park to Kigali takes about 3 hours.

If for some reason you missed the Kigali city tour on day 1, you will have it on this day before separating with our Guide. End of service of 5 days Congo and Rwanda Safari.