A one-week Tour of Congo and Burundi

A one-week tour of Congo and Burundi is a whirlwind adventure, as these two African countries offer unique cultural experiences, natural beauty, and historical significance. On this tour, you will mainly see the Mountain and Eastern Lowland Gorillas in DR Congo and in Burundi, you will visit the Royal Drummers in Gishora. Here’s a suggested itinerary for a one-week tour of Congo and Burundi:

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, Rwanda

• Fly into Kigali, Rwanda (most international flights land here).
• Spend the day exploring Kigali, including the Kigali Genocide Memorial and local markets.
• Overnight stay in Kigali.

Day 2: Travel to Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo

• Drive or fly from Kigali to Goma, a city on the shores of Lake Kivu in Congo.
• Visit Goma’s Volcano Observatory and learn about the region’s volcanic activity.
• Overnight stay in Goma.

Day 3: Virunga National Park

• Head to Virunga National Park, home to critically endangered mountain gorillas.
• Enjoy a guided gorilla trekking experience (permits are required and should be arranged in advance).
• Overnight stay in Goma.

Day 4: Travel to Bukavu, Congo

• Drive from Goma to Bukavu, another city along Lake Kivu.
• Explore Bukavu and enjoy the lakeside views.
• Overnight stay in Bukavu.

Day 5: Cross the Border to Burundi

• Cross the border from Bukavu into Burundi.
• Visit Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi.
• Explore the city’s attractions, including Independence Hero’s Mausoleum and Lake Tanganyika.
• Overnight stay in Bujumbura.

Day 6: Explore Burundi

• Visit the Rusizi National Park to see hippos and birdlife.
• Discover the Gishora Drum Sanctuary, showcasing traditional Burundian drums.
• Overnight stay in Bujumbura.

Day 7: Return to Kigali and Departure

• Drive back to Kigali, Rwanda.
• Depending on your flight schedule, you might have time for last-minute shopping or sightseeing.
• Departure from Kigali.

How much is gorilla trekking in Congo?

Gorilla trekking in DR Congo is done in Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Beiga National Park, like gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, you will need a gorilla permit for you to be allowed to trek the lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park and Mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park. Eco Adventure Safaris provides relevant gorilla permit booking information for Congo to enable you plan your gorilla safari well. You don’t have to hassle booking your gorilla permit if you choose from our Congo gorilla tours. We will check for you availability of gorilla permits for your requested dates, book and purchase them for you once you have made payment and book all services on your behalf. Usually you have to obtain a gorilla permit several months in advance. We always advise at least 5 months in advance or prior to your visit given they are only 2 groups available for trek in Kahuzi Biega National park. While booking a gorilla tour, always pay your gorilla permit fee in advance to enable us acquire it for you.

Lowland Gorilla trekking permit price in Congo Kahuzi Biega National park are as follows;

Non Residents-USD400

East African Residents-USD200

National Citizens of Congo-USD20

A one-week tour of Congo and Burundi. Gorilla trekking is a daily activity done in Virunga National Park in Congo, a gorilla permits costs USD400 per person per trek for the high season months of Mid-December to mid-march then June to October and then USD200 for the low season months of mid-march to mid-May and then mid-October to mid-December every year. As Eco Adventure Safaris we do provide all-inclusive gorilla tour packages for all the visitors with no hidden costs. The most essential and priority cost is the gorilla permit price that you will incur to secure your trek in Virunga National Park. All our tour packages range from budget safaris to Luxury safaris and you can opt to do any as we tailor your trip together according to your interest. We do have Gorilla tour packages that start in Kigali for the DR Congo mountain gorilla safari from Kigali. For a 2day Trip from Kigali costs USD1100 per person in a group of two inclusive of Gorilla permits and as a budget option, transportation, accommodation, Meals, guide services are inclusive as well.

What is the best time to do A one-week tour of Congo and Burundi?

Congo is located in the tropics and with this it experiences tropical climate and weather throughout the year, both Virunga and Kahuzi Beiga National Parks experience the same weather, with this both national Parks are prone to receiving uncertain rains any time of the day or week, good months to visit Congo for gorilla trekking are dry season months which occurs in the months of December, January, February, June, July, August and September during these months it always easy to walk through the trails which are drier compared to the wet months then as well the vegetations is not fully grown and this makes sighting of gorillas easy and more clear. Other months which are slightly wet that is March, April, May, October and November most travelers avoid visiting gorillas during these months because the vegetation is fully grown and trails are much slippery making the trekking much harder.

For tourists interested in visiting Congo for gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park have a special gorilla trekking offer during the wet season that is low season, during this time the gorilla permit costs USD200 per person per trek during the months from Mid-March to May and Mid-October to Mid-December (15^th March to 15^th May and 15^th October to 15^th December every year).

Where to stay in Congo for Gorilla trekking

Accommodations in Virunga National Park.

This ranges from budget, mid-range to luxury. Budget options include Bukima Tented Camp and Kibumba Tented Camp among others fares range from 90-100 dollars a night per person, mid-range options include Tchegera Island Camp and Lulimbi Tented Camp among others fares range from 100-200 dollars a night per person and then Luxury options include Mikeno Lodge fares range from 200-400 dollars a night per person. You let us know the best option that works for you and we will for availability and book you according.

Accommodation in Kahuzi Beiga National Park.

This ranges from budget, mid-range to luxury. Budget options include Hotel Begonias Bukavu, Exodus bukavu, Lake Side Hotel Bukavu among others fares range from 90-100 dollars a night per person, mid-range options include Coco Lodge Bukavu among others fares range from 100-200 dollars a night per person and then Luxury options include L’Orchids Safari Club fares range from 200-400 dollars a night per person. You let us know the best option that works for you and we will for availability and book you according.

How to access Congo for gorilla trekking?

Gorilla trekking in Congo is done in Kahuzi Beiga National Park and Virunga National Park which are both located in the Eastern Part of Congo. You will fly to Kigali International Airport then connect to Gisenyi town; from Gisenyi town you will cross the Rwanda-Congo boarder to Goma town in DR Congo then drive towards the park headquarters of Kahuzi Beiga National Park and Virunga National Park from where you will do start the gorilla trek from, it is approximately a 2 hours drive from Gisenyi town to reach the park headquarters.

Why book A one-week tour of Congo and Burundi Through Eco Adventure Safaris

Eco Adventure Safaris is experienced in organizing amazing gorilla safari experiences to Uganda and Rwanda. We are also highly rated and reviewed on trip Advisor. We combine gorilla trekking safaris with eco-friendly and unforgettable high-end adventure and wildlife safaris that help preserve biodiversity, conserve wildlife and uplift local communities, these include chimpanzee trekking, Big 5 safaris and game viewing, Mountain Hiking, Boat cruises excursions and Cultural encounters to give you a memorable and best African Safari experience including popular and great African safari destinations Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana and Namibia. Feel free to contact us about booking A one-week tour of Congo and Burundi.