Wildlife & Culture Tour
6 Days Congo tour, virunga national park,tchegera island,lake kivu,nyiragongo volcano
Overview
6 Days 5 Nights Virunga National Park Gorilla Safari, Nyiragongo Volcano Hike & Lake Kivu Tour (DR Congo)
Experience one of Africa’s most extraordinary adventure safaris on this 6 Days 5 Nights Tchegera Island, Lake Kivu, Mount Nyiragongo Volcano Hike, and Virunga National Park Gorilla Trekking Safari. This journey combines mountain gorillas, an active volcano, tropical islands, and the breathtaking scenery of Lake Kivu in the heart of Eastern DR Congo.
This safari is perfect for adventurous travelers seeking a rare and authentic African wilderness experience guided by professional English-speaking experts from Ultimate Wild Safaris.
Safari Highlights
- Mountain gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park
- Hiking the active Mount Nyiragongo Volcano (world’s largest lava lake)
- Relaxation at Tchegera Island on Lake Kivu
- Scenic boat experience on Lake Kivu
- Private guided safari with English-speaking expert
- Unforgettable photography opportunities
6 Days 5 Nights Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – City Tour
Arrival at Kigali International Airport. Meet your safari guide and enjoy a Kigali city tour, including optional visits to craft markets or the genocide memorial. Overnight in Kigali.
Day 2: Transfer to Virunga National Park (DR Congo)
Early morning drive to the Rwanda–DR Congo border at Goma. Cross into the Virunga National Park region and transfer to your lodge near the park.
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park
Early breakfast, then transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing. Begin your gorilla trekking adventure in the lush rainforest of Virunga National Park. Spend 1 magical hour with mountain gorillas observing their natural behavior. Return to the lodge for relaxation.
Day 4: Mount Nyiragongo Volcano Hike
Start your hike to the summit of Mount Nyiragongo Volcano (approx. 4–6 hours ascent). Experience breathtaking views and reach the world’s largest active lava lake. Overnight at summit cabins above the volcano.
Day 5: Descend Nyiragongo – Transfer to Tchegera Island
Early morning descent from the volcano. Transfer to Lake Kivu and enjoy a relaxing boat ride to Tchegera Island ????️. Spend the day relaxing in a peaceful volcanic island environment. Overnight at the island lodge.
Day 6: Lake Kivu Relaxation – Return to Kigali
Morning relaxation on Lake Kivu shores. Transfer back to Kigali for airport drop-off and departure.
Packing List for Congo Gorilla & Volcano Safari
Hiking Essentials
- Waterproof hiking boots (very important)
- Long trousers & long-sleeved shirts
- Lightweight rain jacket or poncho
- Garden gloves for forest protection
Safari Gear
- Small waterproof backpack
- Binoculars for wildlife viewing
- Camera (no flash allowed) + extra batteries
- Portable charger/power bank
Personal Items
- Insect repellent
- Sun hat & sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Drinking water (1–2 liters daily)
- Energy snacks
Gorilla Trekking & Hiking Tips
- Minimum age: 15 years
- Maintain a 7-meter distance from gorillas
- No flash photography allowed
- Do not trek if sick (flu, cough, etc.)
- Follow the ranger's instructions at all times
- Be physically fit for long hikes (2–8 hours trekking possible)
- Porters available for assistance ($15–$20)
Why Choose This Congo Safari?
This is one of Africa’s most powerful adventure combinations, offering:
- Rare mountain gorilla encounters in Virunga
- Active volcano hiking experience in Nyiragongo
- Relaxation on the volcanic islands of Lake Kivu
- Untouched rainforest and biodiversity
- Fully guided cross-border safari experience
✨ Optional Extensions
- Kahuzi-Biéga lowland gorilla trekking
- Rwanda Volcanoes National Park extension
- Uganda gorilla trekking (Bwindi)
- Queen Elizabeth National Park safari
Final Note
This 6 Days 5 Nights DR Congo Safari is a once-in-a-lifetime expedition combining gorilla trekking, volcano adventure, and island relaxation. It is ideal for travelers seeking a raw, authentic, and unforgettable African wilderness experience.
Tour Overview
Availability
Nov 18- Mar 17
Duration
6D/5N
Pickup Location
pickup avaiable from airport, train and also cruise
Language
English
Car PickUp
Available
Tour Guide
Included
Included
- Experienced and qualified guide
- Breakfast
- SightSeeing
- Hotel Accomodation
- Meals
Excluded
- Camp Fire
- Sports Elements
Itenary
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08:00 AM
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali- Rwanda!
The ultimate Wild Safaris driver guide will be at Kigali Airport to pick you up from your flight to your hotel for checking in. Depending on your arrival time you can visit some of Kigali’s craft markets, to browse amongst the pottery, carvings, batik, weaving, sculpture, musical instruments, leather, and fabrics on offer. Prepare to haggle. You will spend a night in the accommodation of choice it can be either budget, mid-range, and luxury.
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08:00 AM
Day 2: Transfer To Virunga National Park.
Today you will meet with your Ultimate Wild Safaris driver guide who will transfer you to DR Congo. You will pass through the rolling hills of Rwanda to the border town of Goma. The Virunga National Park is the oldest national park in Africa and it is the most varied region on the entire continent and home to the endangered Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzee. This park boasts the only glacier in Africa with its Rwenzori Mountains and has typical savanna grassland near Lake Edward and the Rwindi plains.
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08:00 AM
Day 3: Mountain Gorilla Tracking
In the morning after breakfast, you will be transferred for an exciting activity of the day to track the mountain gorillas. Today you will stand eye-to-eye with the mountain gorillas of Virunga national park. This Park is a UNESCO world heritage site and the oldest national park on the African continent! It is a diverse protected area with the peaks of the Ruwenzori Mountains, erosion valleys, active volcanoes, forest, and even savanna areas. This national park has been hidden from the public for a long time due to civil war and unrest in Eastern Congo. At this moment it is fully operational and the perfect place to track the mountain gorillas in the wild. Starting at the headquarters in Rumangabo you will go for a challenging hike in search of these gentle giants.
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08:00 AM
Day 4: Nyiragongo Volcano
In the morning after an early breakfast, your driver will be there to pick you up and drive you to the impressive Nyiragongo volcano. You will start hiking at 10 AM in the morning. You will get a backpack from Ultimate wild safaris which includes; a lunch package, warm fleece vest, and a sleeping bag. You will have a personal cook preparing a hot meal at the summit. You can hire a porter to carry your luggage at US$ 24 per porter to be paid on the ground. Nyiragongo is one of the world’s most active volcanoes. It recently erupted in 2002 creating a mass destruction of Goma city where the lava lakes can still be seen and important buildings have been destroyed by it. In the evening you will reach the top with an extraordinary view of the crater filled with a sea of lava. You are one of the few persons to admire this spectacle. After a nice hot meal prepared by the cook, you will sleep in one of the huts on the crater rim. Please note that the huts on the crater rim are basic shelters.
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08:00 AM
Day 5: Relaxation at Tchegera Island
In the morning you will enjoy your breakfast with the breathtaking view overlooking the crater before you descend. Around noon you will be back at base camp. After this amazing experience, it is time to relax. Your driver/guide will take you to Goma harbor where you will take a short boat ride on the lake to Tchegera Island. The tented camp offers spectacular views of the lake and four volcanoes. On clear nights, Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira volcanoes add to the drama by turning the night sky red with their glowing lava. There is also an abundance of birdlife on the island. You can choose to relax on the beach or explore other parts of the island in a sea kayak or by paddleboard.
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08:00 AM
Day 6: Departure
Today is, unfortunately, your last day with Ultimate Wild Safaris. Depending on your international departure at Kigali airport you can still have time to relax on the beautiful Tchegera Island or do an optional activity. Your tour leader will make sure you are at the airport in time to catch your flight home. Sadly this is where you say goodbye to Rwanda & DR Congo. It is possible to arrange a day room on one of the hotels in Kigali to refresh yourself before your flight.
"Our guide, Moses, was an amazing host, always making sure we were comfortable and that we had a once in a lifetime experience. Working with the tour company was easy- they were quick to respond and answered all our questions,and making this trip happen. "
"I had the best experience in Congo , it’s a perfect package for a group , since I traveled with my friends and we all had fun ! Thank you Ultimate Wild safaris for making this trip happen !"
5/5
5.0/5
Customer Review

Rai
29th May, 2020Our guide, Moses, was an amazing host, always making sure we were comfortable and that we had a once in a lifetime experience. Working with the tour company was easy- they were quick to respond and answered all our questions,and making this trip happen.
Natalia
14th Apr, 2020I had the best experience in Congo , it’s a perfect package for a group , since I traveled with my friends and we all had fun ! Thank you Ultimate Wild safaris for making this trip happen !