The Virunga Classic Package

The Virunga Classic Package includes a five nights trip into Virunga: four nights’ accommodation in Mikeno Lodge, two gorilla treks, a chimp habituation trek and one night stay on Nyiragongo Volcano. This package departs Goma on a Monday.

  • The deck outside a bungalow at Mikeno Lodge
    Mikeno Lodge

    Nestled into the jungle are Mikeno Lodge’s private bungalows. Each feature and en suite bathroom, a fireplace, and a sitting area for guests to relax and take in the sounds of the forest.

  • A mountain gorilla family in the rainforest
    Gorilla trek

    A visit with Virunga’s mountain gorillas is truly a once in a lifetime experience – allowing trekkers to spend time in the presence of these majestic creatures.

  • Andre and the Senkwekwe orphaned mountain gorillas
    Senkwekwe Centre

    The orphans at the Senkwekwe Centre always look forward to a visit from our guests.

  • Plush hippos made at the Widow's workshop
    Widow's Workshop

    Guests can meet the lovely ladies at the Widows Workshop and enjoy the shop

  • Sunrise from the rim of Mt Nyiragongo
    Nyiragongo

    Breathtaking sunrises can be viewed from the top of the volcano before descending.

About the Virunga Classic Package

Day 1:   Arrival at Grande Barriere border crossing by 11:00am and ensure check-in with Virunga tourism office by 11:30am. The tourism office is conveniently located in the Grande Barriere border post building, opposite passport control. Tourism staff will provide guests with gorilla and volcano trek permits at check-in which must be presented before the start of each trek. Guests will be transported to Mikeno Lodge at the Park headquarters in Rumangabo. On arrival to Mikeno Lodge, a late lunch will be served and the afternoon can be enjoyed at leisure, including exploring Rumangabo’s several nature trails, bird watching or paying a visit to Virunga’s Congohounds.

Day 2:   After an early breakfast, guests will set off to Bukima Ranger Post. On arrival, trekkers will meet their Ranger guides and local pisteurs to receive a briefing before starting the gorilla trek. Treks usually require 1-2.5 hours of hiking each way, depending on location of the group being trekked and the difficulty of the terrain. After spending the allotted hour with the gorillas, trekkers will return to Mikeno Lodge where they will be served a late lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure or enjoying what Rumangabo has to offer.

Day 3:   An early rise to go enjoy a forest walk and see the chimps that reside in and around the Mahura Forest. After a leisurely breakfast, visit Senkwekwe Centre to visit the orphan gorillas, have a nice bird walk, an afternoon at leisure, free to explore the Park HQ.

Day 4:  After an early breakfast, head to Bukima Ranger post for your second gorilla trek.  Following your gorilla trek, travel back to Mikeno Lodge for a late lunch.  The rest of the afternoon can be spent visiting the widow’s workshop or cosy up with a nice book by the fire.

Day 5:  After breakfast at Mikeno Lodge, guests will be transported to the Kibati Ranger Post, departure point for the Nyiragongo volcano trek.  On arrival, climbers will receive a briefing and can hire porters.  The climb up the volcano takes around four to six hours and trekkers will overnight on the summit.

Day 6:  At 6:30, climbers will leave the crater rim and start the descent back to Kibati. Average descent time is four hours. Once at the bottom, guests will be transported back to Goma with drop-off at the Grande Barriere border crossing.

Additional Details

Included in this package:

  • 4 nights full board accommodation at Mikeno Lodge
  • 2 gorilla trek permits
  • 1 night stay on Nyiragongo summit
  • 1 volcano trek permit
  • All transport to, from and within the Park once in country

Virunga Classic brochure

 

What our guests say...

    01
    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    Close
  • 01
    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    “Great place to stay if you want to spend few days (or more) in Virunga to go gorilla tracking or Nyiragongo volcano hiking. Rooms located in the middle of forest are a very short walk distance from main building where you can find the bar, restaurant, places to sit and to relax. Staff are very friendly and all services excellent.” (Trip Advisor)

    • 02
    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    Close
  • 02
    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    “The food was excellent and the rooms with the fire burning at night was so relaxing. This is the place to meet people that are going to climb the Volcano. Even the food that they packed for us to the top was excellent and the cook did a great job.” (Trip Advisor)

    • 03
    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    Close
  • 03
    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    “We booked the Mikeno Lodge for its location and also for the access to the chimpanzees trekking and the gorilla orphanage. We could not have made a better decision!  The lodges are simply delightful! The staff was very friendly and attentive, and the food, what can I say… delicious!  The chimpanzees trek was an unique experience. We also visited the gorillas orphanage and it was great fun.” (Trip Advisor)

Frequent Asked Questions

A. Yes, there is WIFI

A. The orphans are in an enclosure and therefore guests are unable to go into the enclosure with them or visit them in their night house.

A. Gorilla treks, chimp treks, Congo Hounds demonstrations, visit the Widow's Workshop, nature trails and bird walks

A. You will probably see them but you will not necessarily get close to them. They are under habituation

A. For security reasons we do not allow guests to walk around

A. 1.5 hours

A. All transport is either organised by the Park or trusted DRC tour operators. If you are taking Park transport, it is included in the price of your package.

A. All transport to and from Grande Barriere and within the Park is included in your package price. If you will be staying in Goma prior to or after your stay in Virunga, you can independently organize additional transport directly with a tour operator.

A. If arriving by car and after clearing passport control at the Grande Barriere border crossing, please check in with the Virunga tourism office conveniently located in the same building. If arriving by plane, a Virunga staff will meet you at the arrivals area upon clearing passport control. In both cases, Virunga staff will guide you to the appropriate transport thereafter.

A. For logistical reasons, it is likely that you will share transport with other guests.

A. Between an hour to two and a half hours and one hour with the gorillas.

A. Two to four rangers.

A. For a group of gorillas with more than 10 family members, we allow 6 clients. For a gorilla group with less than 10 family members, we allow 4 pax.

A. 3470m

A. June, July, August and September.

A. 2 degrees C to below freezing.

A. A sleeping bag, warm jacket, poncho, water and breakfast, lunch and dinner.

A. 15kg and to make it easier for them, it would be better in a backpack.

A. It is difficult and steep at times but done slowly it is ok.

A. 6 rangers.

A. There is a maximum of 16 guests.

A. Virunga National Park is currently welcoming tourists. The safety of our visitors is of the highest priority and our staff consistently assess the situation on the ground to ensure appropriate security protocols are in place. If any signs indicate a security issue, management may decide to temporarily close one or more of its attractions. All bookings for these attractions will be refunded in full or alternative options offered. All visitors must make an assessment on advice from their respective consular services. If you have any further queries, please contact the tourism team by email visit@virunga.org.

A. Protection for at least USD 100,000 emergency medical evacuation plus USD 100,000 medical expenses is mandatory. Visitors are wholly responsible for arranging their own insurance and ensuring that they are in possession of private Travel Insurance with protection for the full duration of the trip in respect of medical expenses, injury, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment, with adequate benefits. Visitors making their own arrangements should ensure that there are no exclusion clauses limiting protection for the type of activities included in their tour.

A. Filtered drinking water is provided for guests staying at all Virunga accommodations with the exception of Nyiragongo.

A. All tourists must provide a certified negative PCR test for COVID 19 taken in the last three days or a COVID vaccination certificate. Please read our full COVID-19 guidelines before booking.