9 Days - 'Virunga Gorilla, Nyiragongo & Serengeti Migration Experience'

Day notes

On arrival in Kigali, you will be met by one of our Inspired Journeys representatives, who will transfer you to Heaven Retreat / or Heaven Chalet Boutique

Day notes

After a relaxed breakfast, pick up by an Inspired Journeys driver/guide, drive 3.5 hours through the hillsides of Rwanda, and if time is allowing - pass by the Genocide Memorial

*We do recommend this - as it is a somber experience and one you will appreciate at the start of your journey and not the end. 

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 1.5hrs.

You will arrive at Grande Barriere border crossing at 12:00pm (noon) and check - in with Virunga tourism office by 13:15pm.

*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 - where they will need to be presented at the start of each trek. Once check - in is complete, you will transfer with Virunga shared transport to Kibumba Tented Camp.

You have the afternoon free to relax at camp, taking in the fantastic views of the Virunga Mountain Range. The views of the Virunga mountains from camp are spectacular, particularly on a clear night when you can see the park’s active volcano(es) glowing against the night sky, so have your camera ready.

Day notes

After an early breakfast at Kibumba Tented Camp,  head down the hill to meet your Ranger guides for a briefing before your gorilla trek. Treks usually require 1 - 2.5 hrs of hiking each way, depending on location of the gorilla group being trekked and the difficulty of the terrain.  After spending 1 hour with the gorilla family group, you will make your way 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 notes

After breakfast in Kibumba,  transfer to the Kibati Ranger Post at 8:15am, 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!

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 – 1.5hrs), you may choose to stop in Gisenyi for lunch at Calafia Restaurant or in Ruhengeri at the Bamboo Restaurant, where you can visit the Karaoke Museum (Dian Fossey Museum), and then transfer for 3.5hrs back to Kigali for your overnight at Heaven Retreat / or Heaven Chalet Boutique

On arrival you will receive a complimentary massage before your depart early the next morning for your Migration Safari.

Day notes

Leaving the hotel with a packed breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for a the 6 a.m. flight to Mwanza. *The flight is about 1.5hrs. 

In Mwanza you will go through customs and immigration. You will re-board the flight and fly into Serengeti where you will have a vehicle waiting. After some brief formalities at the ranger post you will begin our savannah portion of the safari with a transfer to Matembezi Classic Camp, with game viewing en route.

*The wildebeest movements are dependent on rainfall which is unpredictable, however based on current weather patterns and predictions the wildebeest migration is heading into the short grass plains within reach of camp. Regardless of the wildebeest presence, wildlife viewing is exceptional. 

*The safari portion of the itinerary is more flexible than the Gorilla trekking portion as the only fixed timings are that you cannot leave camp before 6 a.m. and must be back in camp by 7 p.m.

*We will decide the daily activities depending on current wildlife movements and your preferences. This may vary from morning drives with breakfast in the vehicle returning to camp for lunch, and a second drive in the afternoon, to full day game drives carrying breakfast and lunch.

Day notes

After breakfast, enjoy a morning game drives en-route to the airstrip and connect with your scheduled domestic flight to Arusha. On arrival in Arusha you will transfer to Katambuga House for a day room to make use of shower facilities and relax a little before your transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight.