Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) is now open for tourism effective 15 February 2019, following a few months of closure due to security concerns. Bamboo Ecotours is currently accepting reservations for hiking treks to the Nyiragongo volcano in DR Congo and gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park. See below a list of the proposed tours.
Background of Virunga National Park
Volcano Gorilla trekking
The Virunga National Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is part of the greater Albertine conservation area. The Virunga national park was established in 1925, making Virunga the oldest national park in Africa. The UNESCO heritage site is a habitat to about 300 of the remaining mountain gorilla population.
About half of the remaining wild mountain gorillas are found in the Virunga Park in DR Congo. The rest of the gorilla population is found in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and
Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Mountain gorilla trekking and volcano hiking (especially Mt. Nyiragongo & Mt. Mikeno) are the major tourist activities in Virunga National Park.
Nyiragongo Volcano Hiking Trek
The spectacular Nyiragongo volcano is one of the currently active volcanoes in the eight mountains that form the Virunga ranges. Mount Nyiragongo, which is located close to Goma town in eastern DRC, last erupted in 2012. Bamboo Ecotours is working with tour operators in DR Congo to arrange hiking treks to the active Nyiragongo volcano.
Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park
The most popular gorilla trekking safari destinations in Africa are Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. While gorilla tourism is not as robust in DR Congo as is the case with Uganda and Rwanda, the DR
Congo gorillas in Virunga Park are also open for trekking. However, the insecurity in eastern DRC has occasionally hindered gorilla trekking growth in the Virunga Park.
Top Things to Do in Virunga National Park
3-Day Gorilla Trekking Safari in Virunga National Park
The three day Congo gorilla trek takes you to Virunga Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo to encounter the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The 3-day gorilla trek is planned to start in Kigali, Rwanda, and end in Kigali on day three. If you prefer a different start location, let us know, and we will adjust the pick-up location accordingly.
3-Day Nyiragongo Volcano Hiking Trek
The 3-day Nyiragongo volcano hiking trek takes you to Virunga Park to summit the famous active Nyiragongo volcano. The hiking trek is planned to start in Kigali, Rwanda, and end in Kigali on day three. If you prefer a different start location, let us know, and we will adjust the pick-up location accordingly.
4-Day Congo Gorilla Trekking Safari & Nyiragongo Volcano Hike
The three day Congo gorilla trekking safari & Nyiragongo volcano hike trek takes you to Virunga Park to encounter the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The 4-day trek is planned to start in Kigali, Rwanda, on day one and end in Kigali on day three. If you prefer a different start location, let us know, and we will adjust the pick-up location accordingly.
Accommodation for gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park
The accommodation facilities within Virunga National Park and in Goma town are built to cater for three categories of travelers – Those traveling on budget, midrange traveler and the luxury client. The budget lodges are less costly and offer average bedding and services. They are self-contained good bedding, moderate toilets and bathrooms. The food and beverages are also basic. Most offer room service, television screens, swimming pools and even airport transfers. However, these services are not of very high quality and it is not a guarantee that you will receive them. Even if you find all the services, you might sense a lack of attention to detail. Most budget lodges and hotels charge less than $100 per night
The middle class accommodation facilities take quality to the next level and charge moderate prices ranging from $100 to $250. Their services and facilities are not average. The rooms are always self-contained with a reading desk, telephone services, a bar and restaurant. Both local and continental dishes are served. Finally, there are the luxury accommodations. These offer the highest possible quality and target clients who want to best possible experience while away from their luxury homes. Everything in a luxury room is perfect. The rooms are spacious rooms with a balcony, laundry services, an exquisite bar, a restaurant, a conference room, airport transfer, a large swimming pool, a gym, large gardens, spa and massage. Luxury hotel are always built in great locations with beautiful views of the park.
Having discussed the differences between the various accommodation facilities in Virunga, lets now look at some of the hotels are lodges available: –
Kibumba tented camp: Kibumba is a mid-range lodge found within the Virunga National Park and close to the border with Rwanda. It is built at the foot of the great Nyiragongo Volcano hence offering amazing views of the park. Most tourists who stay here are those who are combing gorilla trekking with hiking the Nyiragongo Volcano. The facility is not that expensive when compared to other mid-range lodges around Virunga national park. In fact, their services are similar to some of the luxury lodges. The 18 tented camps have comfortable beds, exclusive bathrooms, clean toilet, great food and a fully stocked bar. Kibumba tented camp can accommodate 36 guests in a day and is owned by the Virunga Foundation
Mikeno Lodge: This luxury was the first accommodation facility opened for tourists who wished to stay within the Virunga national park. It is located in the forests of Rumagambo hence a perfect base for gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park. The lodge has 12 luxury chalets that are constructed with volcanic rocks and with thatched roofs. The rooms are very spacious with their own washrooms and reading desks. The lodge also has a bar and restaurant offering international dishes. Mikeno lodge is a true luxury lodge and the best within Virunga or the surrounding area. It is also run by the Virunga foundation and offers guests a change to visit the Senkwekwe Gorilla orphanage at no cost after gorilla trekking.
Lac Kivu Lodge: Lac Kivu is a luxury lodge located on the shores of Lake Kivu in Goma. Most of the rooms are built overlooking the beautiful lake hence offering guests beautiful scenery. The lodge has 20 self-contained rooms designed in African style but with modern furniture. All the rooms have free Wi-Fi and a reading desk. The lodge has an amazing garden that attracts birds and small primates. There is also a swimming pool within its premises. Food is excellent and the coffee made is second to none in the area. Lac Kivu Lodge also has an annex with a guesthouse offering standard rooms for mid-range travelers.