There are few experiences in the world more memorable than coming face to face with a wild eastern mountain gorilla, and this is one the best places in the world for it. There are six habituated families in Parc National des Virunga, and you will be assigned a group to visit by the rangers based on how many people are tracking and the current location of each group. The ideal time to meet a gorilla family is from 10am to 11am.
The Nyiragongo active volcano is one of Democratic Republic of Congo’s major tourist attractions. Located in the Eastern part of the country and overlooking the Virunga National Park, Nyiragongo volcano is one of the 8 volcanoes within mount Nyiragongo – Lava – Lake the Virunga conservation region. The other volcanoes include Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, Mount Muhabura, Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Mikeno, Mount Gahinga and mount Nyamuragira. The Nyiragongo volcano rises at 3470 meters offering a medium hike to the top of the volcano approximately 5 – 6 hours.
Being one of the world’s largest active volcanoes, the Mount Nyiragongo volcano lava lake is very intriguing and impressive. Mount Nyiragongo hike tours were opened to tourism in 2014 by the Virunga National Park authorities. Visitors usually combine mountain gorilla trekking safaris and hiking the Nyiragongo volcano. Those who are looking for a unique and once in a lifetime mountain hiking adventure will find the answer in hiking Mount Nyiragongo. It is the only place in Africa where visitors are allowed to go and see a lava lake up close.
Tchegera Island Lodge is one of a kind; this excellent tented camp sits on the exposed ridge of a collapsed volcanic caldera in the middle of Lake Kivu. The handful of safari-style Meru tents lie directly on the black sandy shores, with small verandas under canvas. From here you can sit back and admire the view or watch birds and butterflies amongst the trees, which help provide shade and privacy. Inside the tents are simple, spacious and clean, with flushing loos, bucket showers and power from a generator.
Like most safari camps, communal meals are served in the main mess tent – a light and airy canvas room, surrounded by wooden decking, beyond which lies the beach. At night the camp really comes into its own, as hurricane lamps add atmosphere. A campfire on the beach is the perfect place to watch the glow of the Nyiragongo volcano in the distance, under a full moon reflected in the lake.
