Experience an exhilarating 8-day Rwanda and Nyiragongo hiking safari that combines twice-found mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda, lowland gorilla encounters in Kahuzi-Biega (DRC), and a sunrise hike to the molten crater of Mount Nyiragongo. Additionally, enjoy cultural walks, city highlights, and scenic transfers between Volcanoes National Park, Virunga National Park, and Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
Key Highlights
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda) and Virunga National Park (DRC).
Lowland gorilla trek in Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
Summit hike and overnight crater camp on Mount Nyiragongo.
Kigali city tour (including Kimironko Market and genocide sites).
Cultural Batwa community walk, Tshibati waterfalls, Mbayo tea estates and Bukavu town visit.
Professional guides, park briefings, packed lunches, certificates and lodge stays.
Quick Day-by-Day Snapshot
Day 1: Transfer Kigali → Volcanoes NP; Kigali city tour.
Day 2: Mountain gorilla trekking (Volcanoes NP).
Day 3: Transfer to Bukavu, DRC via Cyangugu; Butare & cultural sites en route.
Day 4: Eastern lowland gorilla trek (Kahuzi-Biega).
Day 5: Transfer to Goma and Virunga NP area.
Day 6: Mountain gorilla trekking (Virunga NP).
Day 7: Hike Mount Nyiragongo; overnight at crater camp.
Day 8: Descend Nyiragongo → Goma → return to Rwanda (Kigali).
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Kigali to Volcanoes National Park
Your guide meets you at Kigali International Airport or hotel. First, enjoy a concise Kigali city tour with stops at Kimironko Market and key genocide memorial sites. After lunch, drive to Volcanoes National Park. Finally, check into your lodge for dinner and an overnight rest.
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Day 2: Gorilla Trekking (Volcanoes NP)
Early breakfast precedes a short drive to the park HQ for a ranger briefing. Then, trek through lush forest trek times vary from 30 minutes to 3 hours. Once located, enjoy one hour with the gorillas. Afterwards, return to the lodge for lunch and later take a community walk to meet the Batwa people. Finally, dinner and overnight at your lodge.
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Day 3: Transfer to Bukavu, DRC (via Cyangugu)
After breakfast, check out and proceed toward the Cyangugu border. En route, stop at Butare to visit the national museum, the king’s palace and a genocide site. Then enjoy views of Lake Kivu before crossing into DRC and settling into your Bukavu lodge for dinner.
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Day 4: Lowland Gorilla Trekking (Kahuzi-Biega)
Rise early for breakfast and a packed lunch, then meet at park HQ for briefing. Next, trek Kahuzi-Biega’s rainforest in search of eastern lowland gorillas; trek durations range from 30 minutes to 6 hours. When found, spend one hour observing and photographing them. Afterwards, explore Tshibati waterfalls, nearby tea plantations and local villages, then return to lodge for dinner.
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Day 5: Transfer to Goma & Virunga Area
After breakfast, cross back toward Rwanda briefly, then continue to Goma and re-enter DRC toward Virunga. Meanwhile, enjoy town sights and a relaxed lunch. Finally, arrive at your Goma lodge to prepare for the next day’s trek.
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Day 6: Mountain Gorilla Trekking (Virunga NP)
Begin early with breakfast and a park briefing at Virunga HQ. Then, trek under ranger escort-trek times vary between 30 minutes and 6 hours spotting diverse flora and birdlife. Once gorillas are found, spend your allotted one hour with them, capture photos, and then receive your trekking certificate before returning to Goma.
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Day 7: Mount Nyiragongo Hike
Early breakfast precedes a briefing at the park center. Next, begin the 4–5 hour ascent through montane forest, observing unique plant and bird species along the way. At the summit, marvel at the lava lake and spend the evening at the crater camp to watch the glowing panorama.
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Day 8: Descent & Return to Rwanda
After breakfast at the crater camp, descend Mount Nyiragongo and transfer to Goma. Then, after lunch, continue travel back to Rwanda and arrive at Kigali (airport or hotel) to conclude your safari.
Practical Notes & What’s Included
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Guides & briefing: Professional driver-guides and park ranger briefings for every trek.
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Meals & accommodation: Breakfasts, packed lunches for treks, dinners and lodge/camp overnight stays.
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Permits & certificates: Gorilla permits and trekking certificates are arranged and issued on completion.
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Fitness: Treks vary from easy to strenuous; therefore, good physical condition is recommended.