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Welcome to Africa second largest country – DRC Congo. Bordering nine countries, Congo represents over 200 ethnic groups, with nearly 250 dialects spoken throughout the DRC. Politics aside, the DRC is one of the most beautiful countries you will ever experience, with the people, the land, the landscapes, the wildlife, and its raw nature capturing your senses, and igniting your soul, like only the most special of places can!On this version of our Congo adventure, we will be taking you off the beaten path and transporting you to equatorial wilderness. Trekking deep into the jungle of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park in search of gorillas, we’ll be slipping and sliding on a maze of tree vines on the way, all just to catch a glimpse of these peaceful mountain beasts. The length of the trek depends entirely on mother nature and our guides’ ability to track her down…it could take less than two hours or much longer – we simple do not know. This is because mountain gorillas are nomadic and travel in families, residing in an area only just long enough to clear it from food. On average one male mountain gorilla needs to eat about 35kg a day – and like us humans, they tend to have large families – so just imagine how quickly they can clean out an area.
These animals also don’t follow a clear path while migrating, and you’ll come to notice while tracking them that they like to meander. On your first sighting you may see mothers holding their babies, young gorillas playing, or if you’re really lucky, a dominant silverback keeping a watchful eye on his family!
And that’s before an overnight exploration of one of the continent’s most forgotten inland islands – Idjwi – situated on the “killer lake” Lake Kivu; one of the two smallest African Great Lakes formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago.
Chilla with Silverback Gorilla is a trip on the wild side with a relaxed twist as we take you on a journey into raw nature right in the heart of mama Africa!
Let's go!
DAY 1: TOUCHDOWN RANDA, KIGALI – DRC, BUKAVU CITY
Welcome to Africa! Landing in Kigali we head straight to its western Cyangungu-Rusizi border for a cross over into the DRC. After border formalities we’ll head to our hotel in Bakavu City, one of the DRC’s most populated. We’ll not hesitate check the key spots.
DAY 2: LOWLAND GORRILAS TREK – LWIRO
Congo coffee and fufu breakfast before we set out to the Kahuzi-Biega National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site comprising a vast area of primary tropical forest dominated by two spectacular extinct volcanoes, Kahuzi and Biega. The park is also home to one of the last remaining groups of eastern lowland gorillas – consisting of only around 250 individuals. Following a short briefing, we will begin the journey of a lifetime along narrow jungle paths to meet the largest of the four gorilla subspecies.
DAY 3: LWIRO SANCTUARY – TSHIBATI FALLS – BAKAVU CITY
Breakfast the Congo way before heading over to the Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary – the world’s third most important site for the conservation of Eastern Chimps – which is as unique as it is rich, in biodiversity. From coming face-to-face with some of Africa’s most endangered primates, we then lace up our boots and head through open fields leading into the forest that is home to Tshibati falls, which like other waterfalls in Congo holds cultural and traditional significance for the local community.
DAY 4: BUKAVU CITY – IDJWI ISLAND
Today we head out early to Bukavu harbor to catch our speedboat to Idjwi Island in the middle of Lake Kivu. Mostly an unexplored travel destination, Idjwi is one of Africa’s most forgotten islands, although at 340sq km and 70km in length it is the second largest inland island on the continent. And here we kick-back and relax in this photographer’s dream location for the night with visit at Pygmies village.
DAY 5: IDJWI ISLAND – GOMA – KIGALI
After breakfast, we wave goodbye to Idjwi from our speedboat as we head to Goma – located on the northern shore of Lake Kivu. From here we cross to Rwanda and continue to Kigali.
DAY 6: RWANDA, KIGALI - DEPARTURE
Our flying visit to Kigali, dubbed Africa’s cleanest city, will take us to heartbreaking Genocide Museum, the famed Hotel Rwanda, and several art centres that typically offer arts and dances classes.
We then head back to the airport to catch our flight home, leaving mama Africa with a lifetime of memories.
Grade: Easy to moderate.
Room & Meals: Comfortable tented lodges / 4 star hotels, restaurant meals excluded.
Cost: 9460 AED all incl. flights until NOV 16th.
Specifically excluded: visas, insurance, restaurant meals.
Visas:
Rwanda – visa on arrival.
Congo – we will facilitate entry permits for visa on arrival.
Yellow Fever Vaccination certificate required for inter-african borders. crossings.
See yah with Gorilla x
Trekkup Crew
Whatsapp 050 4848238 / [email protected]
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