LE PETIT MIKENO.
Overview.
This 4 days package, code-named Le Petit Mikeno is an interesting encounter with the mighty mountain gorillas in Virunga national park, as well as a hike to the top of Nyiragongo volcano and one night stay at the luxurious Mikeno Lodge. The tour starts and ends in Kigali city.
Detailed tour.
Day 1: Leave Kigali to Virunga, via Goma.
After breakfast at your place of stay in Kigali, transfer to Virunga national park – Congo and Africa’s oldest conservation area. Leave as early as 8:00am so that you are at Goma Grande Barriere border by 12:30pm. Check in at the passport control station where you will buy gorilla permit, Nyiragongo hiking permit and a Visa. These are the requirements to enter into D.R. Congo.
After this, you will join the patrol team who will drive you to Rumangabo sector at the luxurious Mikeno Lodge in the heart of Virunga National Park.
Check in at the lodge, have lunch and spend the rest of afternoon/evening at leisure; chilling at the balcony of your lodge enjoying the breeze of Virunga jungle. Alternatively you can explore some of the Rumangabo’s nature trails to watch birds and visit the Congo hounds.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking and optional visit to the Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage.
Catch an early warm breakfast ahead of the magical encounter with gorillas. Drive from the lodge to Bukima sector where you will attend a pre-trek briefing together with other visitors and local pisteurs. This briefing takes about 30-60 minutes and after you will be escorted into the lush Virunga forest to begin a search for your close cousins.
A typical gorilla adventure in Virunga national park lasts for about 2-3 hours each way, but depends of the weather, nature of terrain and the gorilla family being trekked. Upon meeting a habituated gorilla family, you’re given an hour for observing and learning about them. Depart immediately your 1 hour elapses and return to Bukima patrol post where you will be transported back to Mikeno lodge for lunch (in case you didn’t take box lunch).
Spend the afternoon lounging at the lodge terrace or you may decide to join a local guide for a visit to the Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage which is in the neighborhood.
Day 3: First day of Nyiragongo climb.
Have an early breakfast at the lodge and transfer to the base of giant Nyiragongo volcano, at Kibati patrol station. Here is where all hikes to Nyiragongo begin from. Have a briefing from one of the experienced ranger guides and start the hike at around 10am.
You will also get an opportunity to hire porters and ranger guides for a 2 – day climb. The first ascent takes about 6 hours and visitors are hosted at the magnificent Nyiragongo mountain huts with magical views of the burning magma.
Day 4: Nyiragongo Descent and depart.
Hikers will leave the mountain top after breakfast to begin a four – hour descent back to Kibati patrol station. Upon arriving at the mountain base, you’ll be transported back to Goma boarder where you’ll re-unite with your local driver / guide for return trip to Kigali. This marks the end of your Le petit Mikeno tour.

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