The Petit Ngila Highlights

• Day 1: Arrival

  Arrive at the Grande Barrière border crossing by 11:30 am and ensure check-in with the Virunga tourism office by 1:00 pm. The tourism office is conveniently located in the Grande Barrière border post building, opposite passport control. Staff will provide guests with gorilla and volcano trek permits, which must be presented before the start of each trek. Once check-in is complete, guests will be transported to Mikeno Lodge at the Park headquarters in Rumangabo. Upon arrival, a late lunch will be served, and the afternoon can be enjoyed at leisure, including exploring Rumangabo’s nature trails, bird watching, or visiting the Congohounds.

• Day 2: Gorilla Trekking

  After an early breakfast at Mikeno Lodge, guests will set off for the gorilla trek at Bukima Ranger Post. On arrival, trekkers will meet their ranger guides and local pisteurs to receive a briefing before starting the trek. Treks typically require 1-2.5 hours of hiking each way, depending on the location of the gorilla group and the terrain's difficulty. After spending the allotted hour with the gorillas, trekkers 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 Center.

• Day 3: Nyiragongo Volcano Trekking

  After breakfast at Mikeno Lodge, guests will be transported to the Kibati Ranger Post, the departure point for the Nyiragongo volcano trek. On arrival, climbers will receive a briefing and have the opportunity to hire porters. The climb up the volcano takes around four to six hours, and trekkers will overnight on the summit to enjoy breathtaking views of the lava lake.

• Day 4: Volcano Descent and Departure

  Early in the morning, climbers will leave the crater rim and begin the descent back to Kibati. The average descent time is about four hours. Once at the base, guests will be transported back to Goma with a drop-off at the Grande Barrière border crossing, concluding their adventure.

This 4-day adventure combines two nights at the beautiful Mikeno Lodge, a thrilling gorilla trekking experience, and an unforgettable climb up Nyiragongo Volcano. Explore the wonders of Virunga National Park with this comprehensive package designed for nature and adventure lovers.