Itinerary
The 5-Day Uganda Gorilla Trek and Nyiragongo Volcano Hike in Congo offered by Bamboo Ecotours start with a gorilla trekking experience at Bwindi National Park in Uganda. The second segment of the tour is spent in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo to hike the famous Nyiragongo active volcano. The trek is planned to start in Entebbe or Kampala in Uganda on Day 1 and end in Kigali, Rwanda, on Day 5.
Day 1: Transfer from Entebbe/Kampala to Bwindi National Park
A Bamboo Ecotours driver-guide will pick you up in Entebbe or Kampala and drive to Bwindi National Park in southwestern Uganda. Bwindi’s drive will pass through major western towns of Masaka, Mbarara, Ntungamo, and Kabale. Two stopovers are planned along the way. The first stop at the Equator line crossing. The second stop at Igongo cultural center near Mbarara for lunch. The drive time from Entebbe/Kampala to Bwindi national park is estimated to take 8hrs.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi National Park
You will head to the Bwindi National Park gate immediately after breakfast to get a briefing about the gorilla trek. The national park guide will conduct the presentation covering what to expect during the gorilla trek. The national guide will assign the gorilla trekking group during the pre-trekking briefing. Other visitors will likely join you. The gorilla trek can take from few to many hours, depending on how far the gorillas are inside the forest.
Day 3: Transfer from Bwindi National Park to Musanze/Gisenyi/Lake Kivu
In the morning, choose from optional activities around Bwindi and Mgahinga gorilla national park. Optional activities to do in Kisoro before traveling to Musanze or Gisenyi in Rwanda include; coffee making tour, golden monkey trekking at Mgahinga gorilla national park, canoeing at Lake Mutanda, and Batwa cultural experience. Once the optional activity is done, we will transfer to either Musanze town or Lake Kivu/Gisenyi area overnight as you prepare for the Nyiragongo volcano starting the following day.
Day 4: Ascend Nyiragongo Volcano. Overnight at the summit
We will drive from Musanze town or Lake Kivu lodge to Goma Grande Barriere, check-in with the Virunga tourism office at 7:00 am and obtain the Nyiragongo hiking permits. Then transfer to the Nyiragongo hike trailhead at Kibati ranger post. When you arrive at Kibati, you will get introduced to the rangers and get an opportunity to hire a porter for the hike. The hike to the Nyiragongo volcano summit will start at 10:00 am with scheduled arrival at 5:00 pm. Stay overnight at the summit of the volcano.
Day 5: Descend Nyiragongo Volcano and transfer to Kigali
On Day 5, you will leave the volcano summit and descend back to the Kibati ranger post. The average descends time from the summit to the base of the volcano is 4 hrs. You will be driven back to Goma Grande Barriere from the volcano base, where you will meet a Bamboo Ecotours driver. We will immediately clear with both the DRC and Rwanda immigration and drive back to Kigali airport or Kigali city hotel for overnight.
The quotation for the 5-day Uganda gorilla trek and Nyiragongo volcano hike typically covers the following:
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Two-night accommodation at Kibumba Tented Camp
- One-night accommodation at Nyiragongo summit shelters
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Gorilla trekking permit
- Nyiragongo volcano hiking permit
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Transport both in Rwanda and DRC
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Guide/driver and park entrance fee
Excluded in the quote:
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Nyiragongo backpack (USD100) and porter fees (USD25/15kgs)
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DRC tourist visa (USD105)
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International and domestic flights
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Accommodation in Kigali at the start and end of the tour
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Tips/gratuities/porter fees
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Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
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Soft and alcoholic Drinks