5 DAYS VIRUNGA AND KAHUZI-BIEGA COMBINED GORILLA SAFARI
The 5 Days Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega Combined Gorilla Safari is an amazing package that allows visitors to trek two most popular gorilla species-Mountain Gorillas and Eastern Lowland Gorillas (both sub-species of the Eastern Gorillas) within the Democratic Republic of Congo. This Safari starts and ends in Kigali, Rwanda but involves visiting two amazing gorilla destinations-Virunga National Park (for the mountain gorillas) and Kahuzi-Biega National Park (for the Eastern lowland Gorillas) on top of undertaking a City Tour.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Travel from Kigali City to Bukavu, in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Be prepared for pick-up from the Hotel in Kigali City or Kigali International Airport to embark on the transfer to Bukavu Town. The 6-7 hours’ journey involves en-route visits to the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza, The Nyanza Genocide Memorial Site and Lunch break before arriving Bukavu Town (40 kilometers of Kahuzi-Biega National Park) in the evening. Phenomenal views of rolling hills, tea estates, banana plantations and the countryside should also be expected and the rest of the evening at the Lodge is at leisure.
Day 2: The awe-inspiring Lowland Gorilla Trekking adventure in Kahuzi-Biega National Park
Having enjoyed breakfast at the Hotel in Bukavu, make sure to have packed your trekking permit as well as other trekking gear before meeting up with your driver for a drive to Kahuzi-Biega Park Offices. Meet other fascinated trekkers and together be briefed by Park Officials, be allocated a gorilla group (either Mugaruka or Chimanuka), followed by being assigned Ranger guides and hiring porters prior to beginning the trek. Lowland Gorilla Trekking takes 1-3 hours and the allotted time with the lowland gorillas is one hour. The process of trekking the Eastern lowland gorillas is challenging but the feeling of finally seeing their stocky bodies is indescribable in words. Descend to the Park Offices where you will find you driver waiting to drive back to the Lodge for a hot meal, relaxation and overnight.
Day 3: Transfer from Kahuzi-Biega National Park to Virunga National Park
Early breakfast at the Lodge/Hotel in Bukavu Town, then undertake a refreshing boat ride on Lake Kivu to Goma while watching different bird species. On reaching Goma, have Lunch and proceed to Virunga National Park arriving in the evening for check-in, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: The amazing Mountain Gorilla Trekking experience in Virunga National Park
Virunga National Park, a renowned gorilla trekking destination is a home to at least 25% of the World’s surviving mountain gorillas. So far 8 gorilla groups have been habituated for trekking in this Park and for your safari, you will get a chance to spend time with one of them. A briefing will be conducted by Park Officials at Bukima Ranger Post, starting at 7:00am and ending by 8:00am when the actual treks begin. Hire porters (at your own expense) then move to the trailhead to start searching for the mountain gorillas in the jungles. Spend the allocated hour to take photos and watch their outstanding characteristics in silent wonderment and get back to the Lodge for a cold bathe and late Lunch. Spend the evening unwinding in your room, the Lodge terrace with a book and glass of wine or undertake guided walks through the Park Headquarters.
Day 5: Drive back to Kigali City for departures
Breakfast and check-out are followed by a drive back to Kigali City. Depending on your flight departure time, undertake a brief City Tour, have Lunch and connect to the Airport for scheduled flights to the next destination. This marks the end of your marvelous 5 days Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega Combined Gorilla Safari.

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