Day notes
On arrival in Kigali, you will be met by one of our Inspired Journeys representatives, who will transfer you to Heaven Restaurant & Boutique Hotel.
Private Transfer from Kigali International Airport [KGL] to Heaven Boutique Hotel
Private Transfer
Kigali International Airport [KGL] (Kigali Airport)
Heaven Boutique Hotel (Heaven Boutique)
Check-in to Heaven Boutique Hotel
Expert tips:
Please have the following ready:
- Passport
With 6 months validity from return to home country and 2 pages available for each country you are visiting - including your return
- Yellow Fever Certificate
This must have your full name and a validity date
- $30 for your Single Entry Rwandan Visa
Excluded:
Rwanda single entry visa - US$ 30
Day notes
After a relaxed breakfast, pick up by an Inspired Journeys driver/guide, drive 3.5 hours through the hillsides of Rwanda.
On arrival in Gisenyi (Rwanda Border crossing), an Inspired Journeys representative will be there to assist you into Goma (D.R.C Border crossing). The border crossing usually takes 0.5hrs to 1.5hr.
You will arrive at Grande Barriere border crossing at 10:00am and check - in with Virunga tourism office by 11:00am.
*The tourism office is conveniently located in the Grande Barriere border post building, opposite passport control.
You will receive your gorilla and volcano trek permits at check - in, where you will need to present them at the start of each trek. Once check - in is complete, you will transfer with Virunga shared transport to Mikeno Lodge.
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 the Congohounds Anti-poaching Unit.
Check-out from Heaven Boutique Hotel
Private Transfer from Heaven Boutique Hotel to Border assistance in/out of Goma
Private Transfer
Heaven Boutique Hotel (Heaven Boutique)
Border assistance in/out of Goma (Gisenyi Border)
Shared Transfer from Border assistance in/out of Goma to Mikeno Lodge
Shared Transfer
Border assistance in/out of Goma (Goma Border)
Mikeno Lodge
Check-in to Mikeno Lodge
Expert tips:
Your Passport, Yellow Fever Vaccination Card (with name and validity date), Visa application confirmation and Virunga Reservation Summary will be required for this border crossing.
Here you will receive your tourist visa, gorilla & Nyiragongo permits.
Day notes
After an early breakfast at Mikeno Lodge, you will set off for the gorilla trek at Bukima Ranger Post. On arrival at Bukima, you will meet the 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 1 hour with the gorillas, you will return to Bukima camp and then be transported back to Mikeno Lodge where the remainder of the day can be spent relaxing on the lodge terrace or visiting the gorilla orphans at the Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage.
Expert tips:
Dress accordingly as recommended in the Rwanda/D.R.C Info Pack for the gorilla trek, as you may encounter rain and stinging nettles.
Have your cameras ready, and make sure they are fully charged with an extra memory card on hand, as you will be surprised as to how many pictures you will take.
Please pay attention to Tracker / Ranger instructions on ‘Gorilla Etiquette’ and pay attention to the Ranger at all times.
Please note that if you are not feeling well at the time of your scheduled gorilla trek (i.e. you have a cold, fever, diarrhea, or persistent sore throat) – please cancel as Gorillas are extremely susceptible to human illnesses.
This is the night before your VOLCANO TREK
You will be provided with a Nyiragongo Pack, which includes;
- Thermal sleeping bag
- Rain poncho
- Waterproof cover for backpack
- Fleece liner for the sleeping bag
- Inner long sleeve shirt
- Fleece
- Warm jacket
- 4.5 Ltrs of water
Excluded:
- Porter fees
US$ 10 per porter, carrying maximum 15kgs
Day notes
After breakfast at Mikeno Lodge, transfer to the Kibati Ranger Post, which is the departure point for the Nyiragongo volcano trek. On arrival at Kibati, you will receive a briefing where you will have the opportunity to hire porters.
There will be a cook that accompanies you, who will prepare all your meals and snacks on the trip. It’s about a 4-7 hour hike to the summit, where you will spend the night in the rustic shelters looking at the biggest lava lake on the planet, one of the most spectacular sights in the world. A true once in a lifetime experience!
Check-out from Mikeno Lodge
Shared Transfer from Mikeno Lodge to Nyiragongo Summit Shelters
Shared Transfer
Mikeno Lodge
Nyiragongo Summit Shelters (Kibati Hut)
Check-in to Nyiragongo Summit Shelters
Expert tips:
You may decide to leave some luggage that you do not need on your hike up Nyiragongo at the base offices and pick this up the next day (on your return) Please make sure your bag is locked and clearly labeled. Do carry your money, passport and other valuables with you.
We recommend guests hire a porter, where you will need to pay US$24 directly, before you start climbing. Make sure the dollar notes you have are from 2013 or later and are in good condition. Older notes and notes with tears are not accepted. Also try to have the exact money as it can be difficult for the porters to find correct change.
Walking sticks can be bought for a fee of US$5 each and are recommended to help you, particularly by the end of the hike when you are getting tired.
Excluded:
- Porter fees
US$ 24 per porter, carrying maximum 15kgs
Day notes
Wake up and watch the sunrise; a fantastic experience and photographic opportunity, followed by a simple breakfast on the summit and a last look at the lava lake, start your descend down the mountain around 6:00am.
This will take between 2 -4 hrs depending on your group’s level of fitness.
A Virunga National Park car will meet you at the bottom of the volcano, transfer you back to Goma on a 0.5hr drive, where an Inspired Journeys representative will assist you with your border crossing back into Rwanda.
After the border crossing (0.5hr – 1.5hours), you may choose to stop in Gisenyi for lunch at Calafia Restaurant or in Ruhengeri at the Bamboo Restaurant, where you can visit the Karisoke Museum (Dian Fossey Museum), and then transfer for 3.5hours back to Kigali, and if you feel up for it, you can visit the Genocide Memorial before transferring to Heaven Restaurant & Boutique Hotel for your overnight.
Check-out from Nyiragongo Summit Shelters
Shared Transfer from Nyiragongo Summit Shelters to Border assistance in/out of Goma
Shared Transfer
Nyiragongo Summit Shelters (Kibati Hut )
Border assistance in/out of Goma (Goma Border)
Check-in to Heaven Boutique Hotel
Private Transfer from Border assistance in/out of Goma to Heaven Boutique Hotel
Private Transfer
Border assistance in/out of Goma (Gisenyi Border)
Heaven Boutique Hotel (Heaven Boutique)
Expert tips:
Please have the following ready:
- Passport
With 6 months validity from return to home country and 2 pages available for each country you are visiting - including your return
- Yellow Fever Vaccination Cerificate
This must have your full name and a validity date,
- $30 for the your 2nd Rwanda Single Entry Visa
You need to pay this again on re-entering Rwanda
Excluded:
- Genocide Memorial Audio Fee - US$ 25
- Rwanda single entry visa - US$ 30
Day notes
Depending on your departure flight, take a full day or half day city tour.
Check out of The Heaven Retreat / Chalet and transfer to Kigali International Airport for your flight out of Rwanda.
Check-out from Heaven Boutique Hotel
Private Transfer from Heaven Boutique Hotel to Kigali International Airport [KGL]
Private Transfer
Heaven Boutique Hotel (Heaven Boutique)
Kigali International Airport [KGL] (Kigali Airport)
Expert tips:
International check-in is 3hrs prior to flights, there is a small cafe in the International Departure lounge with WIFI and a duty free shop.
