EXPERIENCE VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO WITH THE SAFARI COLLECTION’S EXPERT GUIDES

The Safari Collection is offering a unique chance to visit an incredible destination that very few tourists have seen – the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is now possible for adventurous travellers to visit the newly re-opened southern section of the Virunga National Park, which is home to nearly a quarter of the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas.

Virunga is one of the most inspiring destinations in the world – it is Africa’s oldest national park, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and the continent’s most biologically diverse protected area. It is also home to a quarter of the world’s approximately 900 remaining mountain gorillas. Two other Great Ape species can also be found in Virunga, the eastern lowland Grauer’s gorillas and chimpanzees, making it the only park in the world to host three different taxa of Great Apes. Perfect for intrepid travellers and nature enthusiasts, the trip involves trekking through Virunga’s vast and lush forest, accompanied by The Safari Collection’s expert guides and the park's rangers, to spend some unforgettable moments with the world's wildest mountain gorillas. 

Mikey Carr-Hartley, owner of The Safari Collection and expert safari guide, who has personally guided clients round East Africa for over 25 years comments ‘Virunga National Park is one of the most unexplored and beautiful parks in Africa, offering travellers an incredible range of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to interact with its unique wildlife and diverse landscape. It is a destination that we have been monitoring for quite some time due to its tempestuous past but with the opening of Mikeno Lodge and notable improvements in its infrastructure and security, we believe that now is a great time to start visiting the area with one of our expert guides’.

Travellers will arrive in Kigali, Rwanda, before crossing the border to the vibrant town of Goma in the DRC. From there, it is a scenic drive through the region’s dramatic landscape to the newly opened Bukima tented camp, which is located at the forest’s edge and is the starting point for the gorilla trek. Spend an unforgettable night in one of the platform tents, with spectacular views of the Virunga Mountains, while listening to the atmospheric sounds of the park as night slowly falls. From Bukima, travellers will embark on a morning trek through the tropical forest to spend an awe-inspiring hour in the company of a band of gorillas. From only a short distance away, take in the impressive sight of a 400lb silverback as he keeps a watchful eye over his family. Observe young gorillas pumping their chests, mothers tenderly feeding their young and watch baby gorillas gleefully play-fighting, somersaulting and leaping from tree to tree in their natural environment. 

The Safari Collection will then organize for guests to stay overnight in the park at the newly opened Mikeno Lodge. A small oasis in the midst of the forest, a dense canopy of trees overhead provides a refuge for Sykes monkeys, baboons, Vervet monkeys and a variety of birds. The new lodge has a collection of charming thatched cottages located within the grounds of Virunga’s Rumangabo headquarters, offering spacious accommodation and breathtaking views from the hilltop over the sweeping forest plain and Mikeno volcanoes. 

From Mikeno Lodge, the next day’s expedition involves an hour and a half’s drive to Mount Nyiragongo, a 3470m volcano that famously erupted in 2002 engulfing the local town of Goma with two meters of lava. With the help of porters, guests will be able to spend the day trekking directly up to the edge of the active volcano and view one of nature’s greatest phenomenon’s - the world’s largest molten lava lake swirling and bubbling below them. After taking in this magnificent sight, guests will set up camp on the volcano’s edge before making the descent at dawn. 

The 3,000 square mile site of Virunga boasts volcanoes, forests, savannas, lava plains, swamps, erosion valleys and the glaciated peaks of the Rwenzori mountains. Other distinctive animal inhabitants of the park include the Okapi, an endangered species that resembles a zebra but is more closely related to the giraffe. Large colonies of hippopotami, forest and savanna elephants, lions, and numerous rare bird species can also be found in the park.

Rates start from $3,450 per person for a three-night privately guided trip to Virunga National Park, including transfers, permits, accommodation and meals. Kenya Airways flies daily from London Heathrow to Nairobi with onward daily connections to Kigali; return costs from $791.