Day 1 – ARRIVAL -
Meet on arrival at the airport. Transfer to Kigali. Overnight: Intercontinental Hotel (LD) or Hotel Hellenique or equivalent (LD)


Day 2 – KIGALI – GOMA -
After an early breakfast, we follow the road as it traverses the thousand hills, with spectacular views along the way. The countryside is patchwork of green. From the bluish green of the eucalyptus trees planted on the hilltops, the dark green of the cypresses lining the narrow tracks, to the soft green of the rice fields in the valleys. The inhabitants, mainly Hutu of Bantu origin with a Nilotic Tutsi minority, have after years of terrible problems, once again begun to appreciate the benefits of peace. A temperate climate explains the extraordinary diversity of farming: coffee, tobacco, sorghum, potatoes, beans, and bananas. The bends on the road afford us an unbelievable view of the entire Virunga chain.  From the vast undulating tea plantations to the hills around Gisenyi, and lying 1,460metres above sea level Lake Kivu, whose beauty is magnified by the mountains and lush vegetation which surround it.

We cross the border into The Democratic Republic of Congo before stopping for the night at a charming little hotel in Goma. Overnight: Hotel Ihusi (BLD)


Days 3-5 – NYIRAGONGO -
Situated in the east of the country, some 20 km north of Lake Kivu, the Niyiragongo volcano rises to an impressive 3,470 metres overlooking the town of Goma.  The volcano is situated in the eastern stretch of the Rift Valley and belongs to the Virunga chain.

  Since the volcanic eruption in 1977 the area had enjoyed a period of relative calm until volcanic activity started again in 1994.  The volcano then erupted on 17 January 2002, sending a great cloud of smoke and ash into the sky, and three rivers of molten lava forced their way through the western flank of the volcano at a speed of 60 km per hour.

One of these rivers of lava destroyed several neighbouring villages, while the other two passed through Goma cutting a trench 60m wide, before finally reaching Lake Kivu.  Once again on 16th July 2002, fountains of molten lava exploded hundreds of metres into the air, from the lake of molten lava at the bottom of the crater.

  From Goma to the Park Office takes approximately 1 hour.  Once all the park formalities have been completed, we set out on our 1,250m climb towards the summit, accompanied by our guide and porters.

The climb takes between 5 and 6 hours.  After roughly 2 hours, we come upon the lava flows left behind when Shaheru, the volcano we are actually climbing, fractured in January 2002.  Increasingly the forest gives way to sparse, often denuded stretches of land, caused by the devastating effect of the volcanic gases.  These areas are covered only by groundsel, ferns and sedge and everlastings.  Finally we arrive at the summit, and discover for ourselves the volcano’s vast crater.  After exploring the crater rim, we set up camp for the night and enjoy dinner prepared by our porters.  For the rest of the evening, and part of the night, we wonder at the lake of molten lava below us.  Night under canvas.

The next day, we spend the entire day at the summit, walking, studying and observing the volcanic activity with fantastic views over Nyamulagira.  Our backdrop to the west is the imposing forest of the Congo and the other extinct volcanoes, which lie to the East (Bisoke, Mikeno and Karisimbi whose summits can appear snow-covered, shrouded in cloud). A second night on the volcano under canvas.

At dawn we dismantle the camp before setting out on our descent (3-4 hours).  Return to our hotel in Goma, with the afternoon for sightseeing in town or visiting the staff at the Volcano Information Centre.    

Overnight: Hotel Ihusi. (BLD)


Day 6 – LAKE KIVU - KINIGI –
After several relaxing hours spent enjoying the clear waters of Lake Kivu, we set out on a boat to discover the beauty of the little bay and neighbouring islands before returning to Rwanda. The good tarmac road, which winds through the luxuriant vegetation of the banana and coffee plantations, takes us to Kinigi, at the entrance to the Parc National des Volcans.

Overnight: Mountain Gorillas’ Nest or Guesthouse de Kinigi (BLD).


Day 7 – PARC NATIONAL DES VOLCANS - MOUNTAIN GORILLAS (g. g. beringei) -
As the first light of dawn breaks through the curtain of mist clinging to the summits of Karisimbi, Bisoke, Sabinyio, Gahinga and Muhabura, we make our way into the Parc National des Volcans. Tracking the gorillas through the unique vegetation can take several hours of challenging walking in wet and muddy conditions. To see a gorilla, the trek will have been worth the hardship. After a light lunch and a warm shower, travel to Remera.

Overnight: Centre de Charite de Remera (BLD).

Day 8 – RUHENGERI – KIGALI – DEPARTURE -
After a last look at the magnificent volcano range and Lake Ruhondo, drive to Kigali and transfer to the airport (BL).