The 5-Day Nyiragongo & Lake Kivu Safari begins and ends in Rwanda’s Kigali City but involves exploring the tranquil Lake Kivu, the country’s largest freshwater lake also shared by the D.R. Congo. Then, cross the border to hike Mount Nyiragongo in Virunga National Park.
Detailed Nyiragongo & Kivu Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Drive from Kigali City to Gisenyi Area, Lake Kivu
On the first day of your Safari prepare yourself for pick-up from the Airport or Hotel in Kigali for a 3 hours’ drive to Gisenyi area, on the shores of Lake Kivu. Arrive on-time for Lunch at your Lodge/Hotel overlooking the serene waters.
Enjoy a guided community walk to interact with locals, explore their interesting cultures in addition to sighting numerous bird species. After this 2-3 hours’ walk, be driven to your Hotel/Lodge within Gisenyi area for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Entire day exploring the tranquil Lake Kivu
On this day, you will have breakfast and explore the unspoiled beauty of Lake Kivu, with its lush Islands, green surrounding vegetation and bird/wildlife species. Choose to undertake boat cruises or other activities along the shores such as biking or hiking along part of the extensive Congo-Nile Trail.
The activity chosen takes half a day, after which you have lunch at your lodge, then in the evening choose between swimming in the bilharzia-free waters or unwinding within the sandy beaches on the shores. After experiencing the unspoiled beauty of the lake, return to your Lodge within Gisenyi area for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Cross the border to Virunga National Park via Grande Barriere
Leisurely breakfast and check-out of the lodge in Gisenyi Area to visit the Gisenyi Genocide Memorial Site on the shores of Lake Kivu. Leave this site and be at Grande Barriere border point at 11:00am for check-in with the Virunga Tourism Office by 12:00pm.
This Office is also found in the Grande Barriere building and it is where you will receive your Congo tourist Visa and Mount. Nyiragongo hiking permit that will be presented at the briefing point in Kibati Ranger Post. Continue to the Lodge for Lunch and relax for the rest of the evening.
Day 4: Ascend the awe-inspiring Mount. Nyiragongo
Check-out of the Lodge after breakfast, carry a Lunch box, passport and hiking permit for a drive to Kibati Ranger Post for briefing, to hire a porter and meet with your hiking crew. Make sure to carry a war sweater, warm gloves, and rain jacket and wear hiking boots as well as long pants. At 10:00am begin the hike through the tropical rainforest, shrubs and rocks as you ascend to the summit of Mount. Nyiragongo.
This active Volcano is one of the 8 Virunga Mountains spread across the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. Along the way, look-out for primates, birds, unique tree species and butterflies and on getting to the summit be treated to the daytime views of Lake Kivu and nighttime views of its blazing peaks. Overnight stay and dinner at the established tents on the summits of the Mountain.
Day 5: Descend Mount. Nyiragongo and drive back to Kigali for departure
Wake up at the breathtaking summit of Mount Nyiragongo as early as 6:30am and pack all your belongings for descent to Kibati ranger post, at the base of the mountain. Start descending while taking photos of en-route attractions and continue to the town of Goma for lunch.
Later embark on the return journey to Kigali hotel or airport for departure. This marks the end of this 5 days Nyiragongo & Lake Kivu Tour.
End of 5 Days Nyiragongo & Lake Kivu Safari.
