5 Days Rwanda Congo Primates Safari

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Duration

5 Days

Countries

Rwanda · DR Congo

Tour style

Gorilla trekking · Chimpanzees · Hiking

Our 5 day Rwanda Congo primate safari brings together two great primate experiences in one short trip. First, you trek mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Then, you climb Mount Nyiragongo, one of the active volcanoes of the Virunga range. Finally, you cross back into Rwanda to track chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Along the way, you also enjoy a community walk, the shores of Lake Kivu and plenty of chances for photos. As a result, this 5 day Rwanda Congo primate safari suits travellers who want gorillas, chimps and a real adventure in under a week.

5 day Rwanda Congo primate safari highlights

Mountain gorilla trekking in the Mikeno sector of Virunga, with one hour beside a gorilla family.
A community walk to meet people living near the park.
A hike up Nyiragongo volcano, with views over the Virunga volcanoes.
A scenic drive along Lake Kivu and through Rwanda’s tea country.
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe, one of Africa’s oldest mountain rainforests.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and transfer to Virunga National Park

When you land at Kigali International Airport, your driver-guide welcomes you warmly. Then he briefs you on the details of your 5 day trip in DR Congo and Rwanda.

Next, you drive to Gisenyi, where you stop for lunch. Afterwards, you continue to Goma, on the northern shore of Lake Kivu. You clear the border and drive on to your lodge in the Mikeno sector. There you have dinner and rest before the next day’s gorilla trek.

Day 2: Mountain gorilla trekking and community walk

After an early breakfast, you go to the park headquarters for a briefing. Park staff explain what to expect in the forest and go through the trekking rules. They also check your documents. Then the guides show you the trail you will follow.

Park guides and an armed ranger lead you into the forest to find the gorillas. Depending on how far the family has moved, the trek can take about 2–5 hours. You follow signs such as broken branches until you find them. Once there, stay quiet, watch, take photos and learn all you can during your one hour with the family.

After lunch, you take a short walk to meet local people in the nearby community. Later, you return to the lodge for dinner and the night.

Day 3: Hike Mount Nyiragongo

After breakfast, you set off with a packed lunch to climb Nyiragongo, one of the active volcanoes of the Virunga region. The hike starts at 10:00 am after a short briefing at the headquarters. It takes roughly 5–6 hours, depending on your pace and fitness. Therefore, bring tough hiking boots, binoculars and bottled water.

The climb is tiring. Still, the rewards are great. On the way up, you enjoy views of nearby hills, villages, forests and rivers, as well as the neighbouring Virunga volcanoes such as Nyamuragira and Karisimbi.

Day 4: Descend and transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park

After breakfast, you leave the mountain shelters and walk down Nyiragongo, which takes about 2 hours. At the base, you meet your driver-guide and set off for Nyungwe Forest in Rwanda. The drive takes roughly 3–4 hours. It passes through the Lake Kivu region, along the Congo-Nile route and past wide tea plantations.

You stop for lunch on the shores of Lake Kivu, in either Gisenyi or Kibuye. Then you continue to Nyungwe. On the winding road, enjoy views of Rwanda’s famous “thousand hills”. Finally, you reach your lodge for dinner and the night.

Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking and departure

After an early breakfast, your driver-guide takes you to the Uwinka ranger station for a briefing. Park staff explain what to expect on the trek and which trail to follow.

Chimp trekking in Nyungwe takes place from two main trailheads: Uwinka and the Cyamudongo section. The forest is one of the richest in the region. It has over 200 species of trees and flowering plants and 13 primate species, including colobus and red-tailed monkeys. In addition, it is home to around 300 bird species, many of them Albertine Rift endemics, as well as countless butterflies.

After the trek, you return to the lodge for lunch and check out. Then you drive to Kigali International Airport for your flight home.

Travel in eastern DR Congo

Conditions in eastern DR Congo can change, and park access may change with them. For this reason, Roots checks the current situation and the status of Virunga National Park before we confirm your booking. We will also keep you updated as your travel date approaches. You can follow park news on the official Virunga National Park website.

Who this primate safari suits

This trip is ideal for active travellers who love primates and hiking. However, it is a demanding week. The gorilla trek can take several hours, and the Nyiragongo climb takes most of a day on steep, rocky ground. Therefore, you should be in good physical shape. Gorilla trekking is generally limited to people aged 15 and over. In addition, you need a passport and visas that allow you to cross between Rwanda and DR Congo; we will advise you on current entry rules.

Best time to go

You can take this trip all year. Even so, the drier months, roughly June to September and December to February, usually bring easier trails and clearer views from the volcano. On the other hand, the rainy months bring lush forest and fewer visitors. Rain can fall at any time in these mountains, so always carry a rain jacket.

Tips for your trip

Good preparation makes each trek far more enjoyable:

Wear sturdy hiking boots with good grip.
Pack warm layers. It gets cold on the summit of Nyiragongo at night.
Carry plenty of water and snacks for long hikes.
Bring garden gloves for gripping vegetation on steep slopes.
Hire a porter if you want help with your bag.

Gorilla and chimpanzee permits are set by the park authorities in each country, and the rates change from time to time. We will confirm the current rates when you enquire. For more ideas, see our guide on what to pack for a gorilla trek.

Extend or combine your trip

If you would rather focus only on DR Congo, our 5 day Congo gorillas and Nyiragongo hiking safari includes a Kigali city tour instead of Nyungwe. Alternatively, you can add mountain gorillas in Rwanda with our 3 day gorilla safari in Volcanoes National Park.

Every trip with Roots Tours & Travel is tailor-made. So, just tell us your dates, group size and interests. Then we will send you a clear itinerary for free. Get in touch today to start planning.