A Taste For Adventure!
The Democratic Republic of Congo is not for the faint of heart. From the vast expanse of Africa's largest rainforest and high concentration of diverse wildlife to the awesome sight of the towering volcanoes in Virunga - the continent's oldest national park - the DRC is an adventurer's heaven on earth.
We would love to be your guides as you trek the Virungas for the endangered mountain gorilla, go on a scenic game drive, or experience the Congolese culture. It's an experience of a lifetime, and one we guarantee you will never forget!
Please take a look at the unique DRC package we offer and the lodges we're partnered with. We can also tailor this safari, per your specific request if necessary. Please don't hesitate to contact us should you have any questions.
We hope that you will come see all there is to offer in the DRC, as you adventure Africa with experts!
We would love to be your guides as you trek the Virungas for the endangered mountain gorilla, go on a scenic game drive, or experience the Congolese culture. It's an experience of a lifetime, and one we guarantee you will never forget!
Please take a look at the unique DRC package we offer and the lodges we're partnered with. We can also tailor this safari, per your specific request if necessary. Please don't hesitate to contact us should you have any questions.
We hope that you will come see all there is to offer in the DRC, as you adventure Africa with experts!
Great Africa Exploration
The Great Africa Exploration Safari will take you to three countries - Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda. We want you to see the infamous Virunga National Park. We want you to take in the breathtaking views of the lava lake on Mount Nyiragongo. You'll see mountain gorillas, different rainforests, chimpanzees, and a host of other wildlife within each national park you visit. We hope to host you on your Great Africa Exploration Safari!
DAY 1: MEETING, DINNER, AND OVERNIGHT
You will be met by your guide at the airport in Kigali, Rwanda. You will stay at either the Kigali Serena Hotel or the Milles Collines Hotel where dinner will be provided. Breakfast will also be available the following morning.
DAY 2: KIGALI TRANSFER TO PARC NATIONAL DES VOLCANS
You will be taken on a short drive to Parc National des Volcans. You will spend the day at the Mountain Gorilla View Lodge complete with dinner and overnight lodgings.
DAY 3: GORILLA TREKKING
There will be an early morning wake up. Afterward, you will be taken to the starting point of your trek. There will be a debriefing by the game rangers who will explain all of the rules before your trek begins. From there, you will be guided into the rainforest for your gorilla encounter. Please note that you should be in good physical condition, as the terrain requires a lot of vertical hiking. Please visit our frequently asked questions page for an overview of what to bring, and gorilla trekking rules and regulations. When your trek is over, you will be taken to a scenic spot to enjoy your lunch, which will be provided by the lodge. Finally, you will be taken back to the lodge for your dinner and overnight.
DAY 4: RWANDA TO DRC
You will be driven to Gisenyi through the beautiful volcanic mountains of Rswana toward Lake Kivu on the border. Once we cross the border into the DRC, we will be going on a day hike to the top of Mount Nyiragongo, an active volcano with an elevation of 3470 meters (11384 feet). Please note that you should be in good physical condition to attempt this hike. Your dinner and overnight will be at the top of Nyiragongo.
DAY 5: NYIRAGONGO TO VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK
There will be some time spent on the top of Nyiragongo. Afterward, you will return to base camp. Your dinner and overnight will be either at the Mikeno Lodge or the Bukima Tented Camp.
DAY 6: CONGO GORILLA TREKKING
There will be an early morning wake up. Afterward, you will be taken to the starting point of your trek. There will be a debriefing by the game rangers who will explain all of the rules before your trek begins. From there, you will be guided into the Virunga rainforest for your gorilla encounter. Please note that you should be in good physical condition, as the terrain requires a lot of vertical hiking. Please visit our frequently asked questions page for an overview of what to bring, and gorilla trekking rules and regulations. When your trek is over, you will be taken to a scenic spot to enjoy your lunch, which will be provided by the lodge. Finally, you will be taken back to the lodge for your dinner and overnight.
DAY 7: VIRUNGA TO LAKE MUTANDA
We will be departing to Kisoro in Uganda via the Cyanika boarder en route to Lake Mutanda. Famous for its beautiful islands and prolific bird life, you will have a relaxing day spent at the Mutanda Lake Resort or the Nkuringo Gorilla Camp. This will include your dinner and overnight.
DAY 8: GORILLA TREK OR GUIDED NATURE WALK IN BWINDI
You will have the option of either a third gorilla trek or a guided nature walk in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Your dinner and overnight will be at the Gorilla Safari Lodge.
DAY 9: BWINDI RAINFOREST TO QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
We will be setting off to Queen Elizabeth National Park via the Ishasha sector. There you will take a mid morning game drive to look for Uganda's famous tree climbing lions. We will check in at the Mweya Safari Lodge or the Bush Lodge. After lunch and relaxation, we will proceed to Kasenyi for an evening game drive and a stop at the Mweya peninsula to see elephant herds. Your dinner and overnight will be at the lodge.
DAY 10: CHIMPANZEE TRACKING AND KAZINGA CHANNEL BOAT CRUISE
We will drive to the Kyambura Gorge to track the wild chimpanzees. Kyambura harbours the only family of habituated cimpanzees in Africa. Other wildlife includes red tailed monkeys, vervet, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, and giant forest hogs. Later that day, you will take a relaxing ride along the Kazinga channel, which connects Lake George to Lake Edward. Here you will see herds of buffalo, elephants, waterbuck, and kob along with crocodiles and one of the greatest populations of hippos on the continent. Dinner and overnight will be either at the Bush Lodge or the Mweya Safari Lodge.
DAY 11: QUEEN ELIZABETH GAME DRIVE AND KIBALE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
You will wake up early for a morning game drive in Kasenyi plains. After returning to the lodge, there will be breakfast and time to relax. After lunch, we will depart for the Kibale Forest National Park. Your dinner and overnight will be at the Mountains of the Moon Hotel.
DAY 12: CHIMPANZEE TREKKING IN KIBALE
This will be a day similar to chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth. The difference, however, will be the beautiful scenery of Kibale Forest National Park, home to colobus monkeys, forest hogs, grey cheeked mangabeys, and over 350 different bird species. After lunch, we will drive back to Kampala/Entebbe for your dinner and overnight either at the Laico Lake Victoria Hotel or the Protea Hotel.
DAY 13: FISHING OR CULTURAL TOUR AND DEPARTURE
Your last day will be a fishing experience at Lake Victoria with seasoned fishermen. You also have the option of going on a cultural tour of Kampala instead. Afterward, you will be driven to the airport in Entebbe to fly home.
*Note: If you are already traveling in Africa and decide to visit the Virunga National Park, you must obtain your visa at the border of Congo. Visas obtained at the border cost $300 US dollars per person. Even if you succeed in obtaining a Congo visa in a neighboring country other than your own, immigration officers at the border are likely to refuse honoring it. Letters of invitation are unnecessary when obtaining a visa at the border. The visa to Uganda costs $50 US dollars per person and for Rwanda you will need a multiple visa, which costs $80 US dollars per person. These can all be purchased at the borders.*
DAY 1: MEETING, DINNER, AND OVERNIGHT
You will be met by your guide at the airport in Kigali, Rwanda. You will stay at either the Kigali Serena Hotel or the Milles Collines Hotel where dinner will be provided. Breakfast will also be available the following morning.
DAY 2: KIGALI TRANSFER TO PARC NATIONAL DES VOLCANS
You will be taken on a short drive to Parc National des Volcans. You will spend the day at the Mountain Gorilla View Lodge complete with dinner and overnight lodgings.
DAY 3: GORILLA TREKKING
There will be an early morning wake up. Afterward, you will be taken to the starting point of your trek. There will be a debriefing by the game rangers who will explain all of the rules before your trek begins. From there, you will be guided into the rainforest for your gorilla encounter. Please note that you should be in good physical condition, as the terrain requires a lot of vertical hiking. Please visit our frequently asked questions page for an overview of what to bring, and gorilla trekking rules and regulations. When your trek is over, you will be taken to a scenic spot to enjoy your lunch, which will be provided by the lodge. Finally, you will be taken back to the lodge for your dinner and overnight.
DAY 4: RWANDA TO DRC
You will be driven to Gisenyi through the beautiful volcanic mountains of Rswana toward Lake Kivu on the border. Once we cross the border into the DRC, we will be going on a day hike to the top of Mount Nyiragongo, an active volcano with an elevation of 3470 meters (11384 feet). Please note that you should be in good physical condition to attempt this hike. Your dinner and overnight will be at the top of Nyiragongo.
DAY 5: NYIRAGONGO TO VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK
There will be some time spent on the top of Nyiragongo. Afterward, you will return to base camp. Your dinner and overnight will be either at the Mikeno Lodge or the Bukima Tented Camp.
DAY 6: CONGO GORILLA TREKKING
There will be an early morning wake up. Afterward, you will be taken to the starting point of your trek. There will be a debriefing by the game rangers who will explain all of the rules before your trek begins. From there, you will be guided into the Virunga rainforest for your gorilla encounter. Please note that you should be in good physical condition, as the terrain requires a lot of vertical hiking. Please visit our frequently asked questions page for an overview of what to bring, and gorilla trekking rules and regulations. When your trek is over, you will be taken to a scenic spot to enjoy your lunch, which will be provided by the lodge. Finally, you will be taken back to the lodge for your dinner and overnight.
DAY 7: VIRUNGA TO LAKE MUTANDA
We will be departing to Kisoro in Uganda via the Cyanika boarder en route to Lake Mutanda. Famous for its beautiful islands and prolific bird life, you will have a relaxing day spent at the Mutanda Lake Resort or the Nkuringo Gorilla Camp. This will include your dinner and overnight.
DAY 8: GORILLA TREK OR GUIDED NATURE WALK IN BWINDI
You will have the option of either a third gorilla trek or a guided nature walk in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Your dinner and overnight will be at the Gorilla Safari Lodge.
DAY 9: BWINDI RAINFOREST TO QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
We will be setting off to Queen Elizabeth National Park via the Ishasha sector. There you will take a mid morning game drive to look for Uganda's famous tree climbing lions. We will check in at the Mweya Safari Lodge or the Bush Lodge. After lunch and relaxation, we will proceed to Kasenyi for an evening game drive and a stop at the Mweya peninsula to see elephant herds. Your dinner and overnight will be at the lodge.
DAY 10: CHIMPANZEE TRACKING AND KAZINGA CHANNEL BOAT CRUISE
We will drive to the Kyambura Gorge to track the wild chimpanzees. Kyambura harbours the only family of habituated cimpanzees in Africa. Other wildlife includes red tailed monkeys, vervet, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, and giant forest hogs. Later that day, you will take a relaxing ride along the Kazinga channel, which connects Lake George to Lake Edward. Here you will see herds of buffalo, elephants, waterbuck, and kob along with crocodiles and one of the greatest populations of hippos on the continent. Dinner and overnight will be either at the Bush Lodge or the Mweya Safari Lodge.
DAY 11: QUEEN ELIZABETH GAME DRIVE AND KIBALE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
You will wake up early for a morning game drive in Kasenyi plains. After returning to the lodge, there will be breakfast and time to relax. After lunch, we will depart for the Kibale Forest National Park. Your dinner and overnight will be at the Mountains of the Moon Hotel.
DAY 12: CHIMPANZEE TREKKING IN KIBALE
This will be a day similar to chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth. The difference, however, will be the beautiful scenery of Kibale Forest National Park, home to colobus monkeys, forest hogs, grey cheeked mangabeys, and over 350 different bird species. After lunch, we will drive back to Kampala/Entebbe for your dinner and overnight either at the Laico Lake Victoria Hotel or the Protea Hotel.
DAY 13: FISHING OR CULTURAL TOUR AND DEPARTURE
Your last day will be a fishing experience at Lake Victoria with seasoned fishermen. You also have the option of going on a cultural tour of Kampala instead. Afterward, you will be driven to the airport in Entebbe to fly home.
*Note: If you are already traveling in Africa and decide to visit the Virunga National Park, you must obtain your visa at the border of Congo. Visas obtained at the border cost $300 US dollars per person. Even if you succeed in obtaining a Congo visa in a neighboring country other than your own, immigration officers at the border are likely to refuse honoring it. Letters of invitation are unnecessary when obtaining a visa at the border. The visa to Uganda costs $50 US dollars per person and for Rwanda you will need a multiple visa, which costs $80 US dollars per person. These can all be purchased at the borders.*