Overview
Our Mikeno Mist Package is a 4 days / 3 nightsmountain gorilla trekking and Mount Nyiragongo climbing safari in the iconic Virunga National Park. This package in unlike any other Congo gorilla safari because of the three nights, two will be spent within Kibumba Tented Camp with a trekking adventure while another night at the Nyiragongo summit shelters.
Virunga is one of the four mountain gorilla trekking National Parks, situated in the east of Democratic Republic of Congo. This beautifully secluded destination came into existence in 1925 as Albert National Park, after many years of suffering habitat loss, enrichment and poaching on its unique wildlife including the mountain gorillas. Gorilla safaris in Virunga are undertaken within the 8 habituated gorilla groups.
The park is also home to some of the most extraordinary mountain, including Nyiragongo which will he climbed during this trip. Unlike other safaris that start and end in Kigali, this one will kick-off and conclude in Goma Town, near Virunga National Park.
Detailed Itinerary
We reach the Grande Barriere Border crossing building by 11:30am, to allow us check-in with the Virunga Tourism Office by a half past noon. This office is interestingly also within the building and is face to face with the passport control office. It is here that we shall secure our gorilla trekking as well as Nyiragongo hiking permits, that have to be shown at the respective Ranger posts. We shall then continue until over place of stay-at Kibumba Tented Camp.
This is a great day in our Mikeno Mist package and starts with early breakfast, followed by procession to meet the Park Rangers for briefing at Bukima Ranger Post. As it is in other gorilla Parks, it is mandatory for visitors to be briefed before undertaking gorilla treks as a way of getting them acquainted to the guidelines of searching as well as being with the mountain gorillas. Guided walks through the forest in search of gentle giants normally last 1- 3 hours of challenging hikes each day, although it largely depends on the location of the allocated gorilla group as well as the level of terrain difficulty.
After spending the mandatory one hour with the mountain gorillas, we return to the place of lodging for late lunch. The remainder of the afternoon and evening will be spent at leisure with a whole lot of options to choose from-birding tours, guided walks around Rumangabo and touring the bamboo projects.
Another wonderful day in this safari with a fresh start with delicious breakfast, followed by transportation to Kibati Ranger Post by 8:00am. This is the trailhead for the Mount Nyiragongo climb and on getting there, briefing and registration is done before porters are hired to offer support during this hike. Start the ascent towards the summit of this active Volcano in five phases, lasting 4-6 hours. Overnight camping at the summit shelters.
After a wonderful breakfast, we shall leave the rim of the World’s largest Lava Lake by 6:00am and embark on the descent back to Kibati Ranger post. Expect about 4 hours of continuous descending and reach the ranger post on-time where the driver will be waiting to drop us off at Grande Barriere Border crossing. This marks the end of your Mikeno Mist package.
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