Countries: Rwanda – DR Congo
Destinations: Kigali, Kahuzi Biega National Park and Tchegera Island
Itinerary at Glance
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
Day 2: Transfer to DRC
Day 3: Low Land Gorilla trek at Kahuzi Bienga NP
Day 4: Transfer to Tchegera Island
Day 5: At leisure at Tchegera Island
Day 6: Depart to Kigali (evening flight)
Overview.
The 6 Days DR Congo Lowland Gorilla trekking and Tchegera Island Adventure Safari, take you to Kahuzi Bienga National Park, which is a major lowland gorilla trekking park. You will trek the lowland gorillas at Kahuzi Biega National Park, later transfer to Tchegera Island, with a ferry connection from Bukavu to Goma. You will have a wonderful 2 night leisure at Tchegera Island and later return to Kigali for your evening flight. This is one of the most beautiful incredible experiences, coming face to face with the gorillas in their natural environment.
Trip Highlights
- Low land Gorilla trekking at Kahuzi Bienga National Park
- Retreat at Tchegera Island
- Kayaking at Tchegera Island
- Ferry crossing experience from Rubavu to Goma
- Kigali city tour
Day 1: Welcome to Rwanda!
Day Itinerary
Upon arrival at Kigali international airport, you will go through customs and immigration, and you will be met by our company guide who will warmly welcome you to the Land of a thousand hills that Rwanda is known for, and later drive to your booked hotel accommodation. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Overnight stay at: Hotel des Mille Collins
Meals: Bed & breakfast
Day 2: Transfer to DR Congo. Travel time +6hours
Day Itinerary
Early morning enjoy your buffer breakfast and checkout of the hotel and drive Rubavu via Karongi and proceed for lunch in Rusizi, in a local restaurant, before we proceed to Rubavu border prost, where we shall undergo immigration process, get DRC visa and you cross over to DR Congo through Rubavo border to your booked lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Kahuzi Biega National Park
Located in the southeastern part of DR Congo, 30 km away from Bukavu, which is a border post between Rwanda and DR Congo, Kahuzi – Biega National Park is the only national park in DR Congo where visitors have the opportunity to track the famous eastern lowland gorillas in their natural habitat. The park was established in 1970, with the main aim to conserve the lowland Eastern gorillas, which are the major attraction of the park. The park has two fully habituated gorillas that are the major source of attraction. The park covers an area of 6000 km 2 and protects a mountain forest in eastern DRC, which is the most densely populated region of the country. The park is named after the two spectacular extinct volcanoes which dominate its high altitude sector, Mont Kahuzi (3,308m) and Mont Biega (2,790m). Kahuzi Biega National Park is a Safe destination that is managed by Wildlife Conservation Society. The eastern lowland gorilla—also known as Grauer’s gorilla—is the largest of the four gorilla subspecies. It is distinguished from other gorillas by its stocky body, large hands and short muzzle. Despite its size, eastern lowland gorillas subsist mainly on fruit and other herbaceous materials, just like other gorilla subspecies.
Overnight stay at: Orchid Safari Club
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 3: Low Land Gorilla trekking at Kahuzi Biega National Park
Day Itinerary
After a delightful breakfast in the morning, you will head for your first briefing at the park headquarters’, where you will as well get the registration, and pick up your assigned ranger guides and drive off to the park trekking starting point. You will later head off with your ranger guide, who will share with you a lot of information about Kahuzi Biega National Park. Upon sighting the gorillas, you will be allowed an ample 1 hour, to watch the gorillas, take video’s and photos of your choices under the guidance of your ranger guide. You will later return to your booked accommodation for refreshment, later have lunch and spend the afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Overnight stay at: Orchid Safari Club
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 4: Connect to Tchegera Island.
Day Itinerary
After an early morning breakfast at your hotel, you will be met by your guide, who will transfer you to Rubavu port, where you will board a ferry to connect to Goma. The boat ride is roughly an hour and half, rewarding you with a great experience of Lake Kivu. You will be welcomed by your guide in Goma, to connect later to Tchegera, where you will reach and have lunch. After lunch, retire at leisure.
Overnight stay at: Tchegera Island Tented Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 5: At leisure
Day Itinerary
Today, you will just relax at leisure at the Island. Tchegera Island Tented Camp, sits on one of the Islands, on the Congo side of Lake Kivu, providing the best leisure based accommodation, with unique adventure activities such as kayaking, boat ride, paddling to mention but a few.
Overnight stay at: Tchegera Island Tented Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 6: Transfer to Kigali. Travel time +5hrs
Day Itinerary
Today after taking your early morning breakfast, you will meet with your driver guide, share a short briefing as usual, and transfer over to Rwanda through Goma border and hit the road to Kigali, catch up with lunch and later visit the Kigali genocide memorial grounds, which honors the memory of the more than one million Rwandans killed in 1994 through education and peace-building. You will be able to watch and listen to some video clips from some of the survivors’ of the incident. If time permits, visit the local markets and craft shops, before heading to the airport to catch up with your onward flight. End of service!
Meal Plan: Breakfast & lunch.
This safari package includes.
- Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
- 1 low land gorilla permit
- Museums visit
- 2 nights retreat at Tchegera Island
- En-route lunches
- Kigali city tour
- Services of English speaking driver/guide
- Bottles of mineral water
- Fun and other excursions as mentioned in the itinerary.
The package excludes expenses of personal nature like:
- Visa Fees & flights
- Optional activities
- Tips & gratuities
- Laundry
- Alcoholic drinks
- International vaccinations
- Health test requirements
- Porter fees while trekking
- Personal travel Insurance
- Personal shopping bills
- Phone call bills
- Extras while at the hotel
- Items of personal nature
Please contact us for a free detailed quote on the option of your choice. We can tailor a request that suits your interests, and budget, as well as we can change or upgrade the lodge options. Write to us with more details about your safari.