How To Spend 5 Days In Virunga National Park

Find how to spend 5 days in Virunga National Park located in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Virunga national park is one of the homes of the only leftover mountain gorillas in the world. Its shares boundaries with Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, and Volcanoes National park in Rwanda. Virunga National Park sits on 8090 sq km of land but the biggest part of its topography is occupied by volcanic work. The park has an altitude of 680 m in Puembo River to 5109 m in Mountain Stanley.

Virunga National Park was gazette in 1925 by King Albert of Belgium in order to conserve the endangered mountain gorillas. Recent civil wars and poaching are some of the hindrances to the conservation of mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park.

Currently, 6 gorilla families have been habituated for tourist viewing and these include Kabirizi gorilla family, Rugendo gorilla family, Munyaga gorilla family, Humba gorilla family, Mapuwa gorilla family, and Lulengo gorilla family.

A number of other primates spend the day in the forest like chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, De Brazaa monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, Hamlyn’s monkeys, blue monkeys, and others.

Virunga National park has not only the mountain gorillas but even other wild animals like forest elephants, yellow-backed duikers,  African Buffaloes, Okapi, blue duikers, giant forest hogs, water chevrotain, and red river hog to mention but a few.

5 day Plan For Virunga National Park

Day 1 Drive to Virunga National Park

Coming from Kigali airport in Rwanda is the shortest route to Virunga National Park in D.R.Congo. A driver-guide picks you up from Kigali and drives through a winding road shielded in between numerous hills on either side. Enjoy the incredible views of green shade on the slopes of hills in Rwanda. This drive is about 5 hours to the Ngoma border or Gisenyi for overnight in one of the lodges.

A limited choice of accommodation facilities is available in this area some of which include Paradise Malahide Hotel

 Day 2 Hike Nyiragongo Volcanic Mountain in Congo

After breakfast, drive to Kibati Petro post the starting point for Hiking Nyiragongo mountain. The ranger guide takes you through the procedures of hiking this active crater. Nyiragongo Volcano erupted in 2022 spitting out magma that covered over 30 km.

Hire a porter who will carry your belongings while hiking. It is one way of directly supporting the local community directly.

The ranger guide also moves up with you to the mountain top. This trek last about 6 hours remember to carry your packed lunch and dinner is prepared from the premises at the top. A budget accommodation facility is available for overnight but you have to sleep on the floor to get a clearer picture of the sounds produced by the active volcano.

At night when you look down into the large caldera on the mountain, you can see the ever-boiling lava of this active volcano especially clearer by downfall. The caldera on Mountain Nyiragongo is the largest in the world.

Overnight at the modest wooden accommodation facility at the top.

Day 3 Descend Nyiragongo head to Bukima or Kibumba

A night on top of an active volcano is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure anyone can do. After breakfast, slope to the bottom at Kibati. Your driver guide takes you to Kibumba Tented Camp or Bukima Tented Camp.

After descending, Nyiragongo relaxes at your lodge or take an optional visit to Kibumba market where you may get the chance to experience the unique cultural performance of the locals. If your choice of overnight is Bukima Tented Camp, the chances of a visit from the gorillas are high.

Relax in your lodge for the night. Do not forget to put together all the necessary gorilla trekking gear.

Day 4 Gorilla trekking in Virunga National park

Carrying your packed gorilla trekking gear and a mask, head to Bukima Patrol where gorilla trekking starts from. Listen to the briefing from the ranger guide who later escorts you into the forest. They are armed rangers to protect you while in the jungle.

Look out for other primates that enjoy the forest like De Brazaar’s monkeys, Hamlyn’s monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, golden monkeys, olive baboons,  Dent’s monkeys to mention but a few. The forest also harbors several wild animals like forest elephants, okapi, duikers, giant forest hogs, African Buffaloes, aardvark, and others.

A number of birds spend their day in the forest including rare Albertine endemics. Some of the birds you may get to spot include Green Board Bill, Strange weaver, Grauer’s rush Warbler, Arch’s Robin- chart, African golden oriole, mountain buzzed, red sheeted, White beilled robin-chat, and others.

 When you finally meet the mountain gorillas try not to show freight despite their sheer size and dark hairy face. Watch the family go on snacking on leaves, soft stems, and the bamboo delicacy. Watch out for the silverback whose autonomy is at full capacity. Every family member is answerable to his leadership and it’s uncontested. He is responsible for looking for new feeding grounds when they run out of food. He fights to the last breath to defend the honor of his gorilla family when attacked by another family.

Take photos as memories of spending your holiday in Africa with the mountain gorillas.  Retreat back to your lodge. The gorilla trekking safari in Virunga National park takes a short time compared to other parks but you may opt to spend the Night in Gisenyi in Rwanda

Day 5 Departure

After taking off the time with the mountain gorillas in Virunga National park and hiking the world’s most active volcanic Mountain Nyiragongo drive through Kigali City in Rwanda to Kigali Airport.

Note

You may opt to do Kigali city tour on your way to the Kigali Airport. A visit to the genocide memorial in Kigali gives you an insight into the tragic 100 days of ignorance and brutality. Wall of Kigali genocide memorial has over 800000 names of victims. Some of the remains of victims of the genocide are preserved to remind the locals not to take that direction again.

A special section where children remain are preserved as a way of paying respect to the juvenile soul who was innocent victims of the genocide is embedded in the memorial.

How To Book Gorilla Trekking Permits For Virunga National Park

Virunga National Park permits are sold on arrival since the park is less visited. Each gorilla permit costs $400. The regulating board for gorilla permits in D.R.Congo are Institute Congolais Pour La conservation (ICCN) and Virunga Foundation for mountain gorillas.

The regulating boards for lowland gorillas are Kahuzi Beiga with Institute Congolais Pour La Conservation.

The proceed got from selling the gorilla trekking permits are used to support gorilla conservation and a part of it given to the close-by community to support their projects. Although the gorilla trekking permit price seems high, its worth it because the number of gorillas has increased over time and also regulates the number of travelers who would trample the plants.

What Is The Age Limit for Doing Gorilla Trekking In Virunga National Park

15 years and above are allowed to do gorilla trekking in Virunga National park. This is cuts across all the countries that host mountain gorillas that is Rwanda and Uganda too. This is because of the nature of the topography of Virunga area where gorillas live.

Some hiking is required to get to the gorillas which may be quite hectic for children below these years. The first time look at the massive body and dark brown eyes of the gorillas is quite scary even with adults. It may be hard for a child below this age to contain their adrenaline which may cause commotion in the forest.

What To Pack For Gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park

A pair of tracking boots

Long-sleeved shirts and trousers in a dirt-friendly color that will not make you feel uncomfortable while in the jungle.

Energy bites to keep energized while searching for the mountain gorillas

Insect repellant to protect your skin from stinging insects

A poncho or warm wear as the forest is always cold throughout the day.

Carry a waterproof bag to protect your belongings from getting wet as the forest is humid.

An extra full battery to exchange with when one runs low

A Camera without flash photography. The flash scares mountain gorillas and may send them into hiding.

Pack a torch in case lights go off, you can easily trace your way in the room.

Some cash to change into Local currency since most domestic purchases or payments are made in local currency.

When Is the best time to book Gorilla Trekking Safari in Virunga National park

All year round gorilla trekking in Virunga National park is open however the drier months that is June to September and December are more comfortable. The trails in the forest are not so soggy even if a number of rivers cross the forest. There is less undergrowth too because the majority of the plants creep on tall trees to get some sunlight.

Why Encounter Africa Safaris

With over 15 years of experience operating in the greater East African region, Encounter Africa Safaris is one of the few trusted and tested tour operators that will guarantee you the best experience when it comes to safaris to see mountain gorillas and wildlife in Africa.  We decided to go green and promote responsible travel whenever we visit sites in Africa. We have a team of professionally trained office and field staff ready to serve you with diligence. Our satisfied clients always leave some reviews on trip advisor as well as Safari booking. Feel free to contact us on the best way to spend 5 days in Virunga National Park Congo.