9 Days Congo Expedition

Day 1: Pick up in Kigali

1. Kigali Genocide Memorial
   Pass by
   Our representation will pick up from Kigali International Airport to whisk you off to tour hotel in Kigali.

Day 2: Transfer to the DR Congo

1. Virunga National Park
   5h · Admission ticket included
   In the morning, our representative guides and drivers will bring you to the Democratic Republic of Congo. This will take you roughly 4 hours to reach Goma. You will stop at Maghali restaurant for lunch before heading to the Virunga National Park.

Day 3: Gorilla trekking

1. Virunga National Park
   4h · Admission ticket included
   After an early breakfast at Kibumba Tented Camp, trekkers will head down the hill to meet their Ranger guides and have a briefing before the gorilla trek. Treks usually require 1-2.5hours of hiking each way, depending on location of the gorilla group being trekked and the difficulty of the terrain. After spending the allotted hour with gorilla family group, trekkers will make their back to camp, enjoy a late lunch and have the rest of the day at leisure, including time for nature walks and bird watching.

Day 4: Nyiragongo hike

1. Virunga National Park
   1 day · Admission ticket included
   After breakfast in Kibumba, proceed to Kibati Ranger post at 8:15am, departure point for the Nyiragongo volcano hike. Nyiragongo is a beautiful stratovolcano that features the world’s largest lava lake. During the hike at the volcano’s forested lower slopes you will see a variety of animals, including chimpanzees, monkeys, and bushbuck. Nyiragongo’s summit rim is largely devoid of vegetation and is sometimes dusted with snow. The climb up the volcano will take around four to six hours

Day 5: Departure to Tchegera Island

1. Virunga National Park
   Pass by
   After the challenging Nyiragongo Volcano hike, place to a relax time in Eastern Congo’s iconic island. Tchegera Island is the greatest place to be and escape the hustles of the city more so after hiking Nyiragongo and tracking the gorillas. A picnic will be organized in the island, and for those who wants to do more than put their feet up you can swim in the (croc-free) bay and there are kayaks available for use – the area immediately in front of camp is well protected from the elements and is typically mill-pond calm, while the open lake beyond can get quite sporty. On clear nights, Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira volcanoes add to the drama by turning the night sky red with their glowing lavahh

Day 6: Goma city tour and Departure to Kinshasa

1. Pass by
   In the morning, you will embark in a boat cruise to Goma for a city tour. Goma is known as the Congo’s touristic city, but it can be hard for new visitors to find their way around the many highlights. You will discover the city like a local on a crash city tour that includes the Goma city monument, the Goma beach, Goma downtown, the docks, the city vibes, the people, the market and the shopping for some Congolese hand crafts. After the tour, you proceed to Maghali restaurant for lunch.
   
   In the afternoon, you will take off to Kinshasa. You will be met at N’djili International Airport by Kwafrika Travel representative who will whisk you away to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day unwinding.

Day 7: Bonobo Sanctuary and Congo River Cruise plus Buffet

1. Congo River
   8h · Admission ticket included
   You will leave too early from your hotel for an excursion to Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary. The road after Kinshasa will be a little bumpy, but you will most likely be distracted by the scenery outside. The Bonobos are our closest living relatives, with more than 99% identical DNA, are protected in a special preserve outside Kinshasa. Founded by Claudine Andre in 1994, Lola ya Bonobo is the world’s only sanctuary for orphaned bonobos. Bonobos are thus found only in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
   
   Once you arrive at the Park, which is surrounded by the rainforest and has a lake inside, we can proceed to the trail that goes around it. If we are lucky enough, staff scientists or researchers will give us an introduction to the life of the bonobos in the wild and in the sanctuary. Sometimes they can be busy, feeding little baby bonobos or helping with daily needs of the sanctuary. You will be able to see several families, living on the territory, which highly resembles their natural habitat deep in the north of Congolese jungle. After the visit, the driver will take you back you to Kinshasa for a majestic Congo River Cruise.
   
   This is the world’s deepest river, the second-longest in Africa, after the Nile, and the third largest in the world in terms of volume, after the Amazon and the Ghanges-Brahmaputra. You will cruise the river into the heart of darkness in comfort, and you will not get this kind of ride, this kind of safety, this kind of service on the platform barges or dugout canoes.
   
   We go by modern and comfortable cruiseboat with cushioned seats, full buffet restaurant (included) and extremely powerful engines, not a local motorized wooden pirogue, like most operators offer....and we take you REALLY into the interior and up the river to see the cities, villages, and sites as you enjoy with your friends, and stop for a beach break upriver where you can try some dancing with the locals. This is really a cruise!

Day 8: Kinshasa City Sightseeing

1. Musee National de la Republique Democratique du Congo
   7h · Admission ticket included
   On this day you will discover Kinshasa's vibrant culture and history on a tour of the city that explores local landmarks, a bustling market, and the banks of the churning Congo River. Traveling with a local guide, you'll learn the stories behind each place you see, from the National Museum to Kabila's Mausoleum and the Place of Independence.
   
   You will also be brought in another incredibly unique aspect of Kinshasa, Sapeurs. La Sape is an abbreviated way to refer to the movement of Sapeurs. The translated meaning of the term La Sape is "Society of Ambiance-Makers and Elegant People". Also known as Congolese Dandies, the importance of physical appearance and attire is of the utmost and this is very clear, as you will see. You will experience the city in the safety of a private vehicle that will comfortably accommodate you, with all entrance fees included.
   
   Stop At: Musee National de Kinshasa (National Museum), Kinshasa
   
   Stop At: Academie des Beaux-Arts, Kinshasa
   
   Stop At: Congo River, Kinshasa
   
   Stop At: Symphonie des Arts, Kinshasa
   
   Stop for lunch at Chez TinTin with an overview of the river
   
   In the evening transfer back to your hotel for rest and overnight.

Day 9: Departure from Kinshasa

1. Kinshasa Mosque
   Pass by
   In the morning, you will be transfer to N”djili International Airport for departure.

• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness