Kivu Adventure - Visit Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda

2240 €, 12 Days

Take a tour to two of the least visited African countries - Burundi and Democratic Republic of the Congo. As part of the African great lakes region, Burundi doesn't fall behind in offering amazing natural scenery either. Its vast mountain ranges, dense rainforests and shimmering lakes, in combination with the vibrant culture and warmth of the locals turn a tour to Burundi into a rewarding and enriching experience. On this tour we will explore Lake Kivu from South to North, spending some time with the pigmies on Idjwi Island and tracking the lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park.

View Route Map

Itinerary:

Day 1. Bujumbura.
Arrival in Bujumbura and transfer to our hotel for overnight. -/-/-

Day 2. Sightseeing Bujumbura
After breakfast we will start our city tour - we will visit “Place de l’Independence” and the mausoleum of Prince Louis Rwagasore - a hero in the independence of Burundi. The mausoleum is located in the “Belvedere” region, which is a dominating point of Bujumbura and offers a unique view over Lake Tanganyika. We will conitnue our tour with a visit to “La Pierre de Stanley et Livingstone”, the commemorating stone of the place where the famous explorers Stanley and Livingstone rested during their attempt to find the source of Nile. Afterward, we proceed with a boat trip to Rusizi National park where countless hippos and birds can be seen. Overnight in a hotel in Bujumbura. B/-/-

Day 3. Karera Waterfalls - Gitega
Early in the morning today we are heading to the Source of Nile. We continue then to Karera waterfalls, passing through magnificent tea plantations. After Karera waterfalls, we will drive to Gitega to visit the National Museum and Gishora drum sanctuary where we will experience the performance of the famous Gishora drummers. B/-/-

Day 4. Gitega - Bujumbura
After breakfast at the hotel, our visit begins at the National Museum of Gitega, then Boma the former residence of German governor before WW1; Drive back to Bujumbura for overnight. B/-/-

Day 5. Bujumbura – Kamembe (Rwanda)
Today we will head to the DR Congo border and after passing the border formalities we continue to Lake Kivu on the Rwanda side. The road from Bujumbura to Bukavu crosses a small piece of Rwanda and the visa formalities take some time. The Rwanda-Congo checkpoint closes at 3 pm. so we stay at a good hotel overlooking Kivu lake on the Rwandan shore. B/-/-

Day 6. Kamembe - Kahuzi Biega National Park (Gorilla trek) - Bukavu
After an early morning breakfast, we cross the border with DRCongo and after two hours drive we reach Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Established in 1970 by the Belgian photographer and conservationist Adrien Deschryver, the park is named after two dormant volcanoes, Mount Kahuzi and Mount Biega, which are within its limits. The park is one of the last refuges of the rare species of Eastern lowland gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri), an Bukavu is an important transport hub and gateway to eastern DR Congo, lying at the extreme south-western edge of Lake Kivu. The town was part of the ancient territory of Bushi Kingdom, an ethnic group of South-Kivu. After the gorilla tracking we continue to Lwiro and visit the Scientific Research Center. Back to Bukavu for overnight. B/-/-

Day 7. Bukavu - Idjwi Island
We drive to the harbor of Bukavu and then take the speedboat to Idjwi Island, which is it is the second-largest lake island in Africa and the tenth largest in the world
Our hotel is located on the western side of the island half way between Goma and Bukavu, just 5 minute walk from the boat jetty. Free afternoon to relax along the lake shore. Later in the afternoon we pay a visit to a pygmy village, just a walking distance from our hotel. B/L/D

Day 8. Idjwi - Shushu Island (chimp tracking) - Idjwi
An optional boat trip to the neighboiring island of Shushu, a home to another pygmy community and a chimp family. B/L/D

Day 9. Idjwi - Goma
The boat trip in Kivu Lake continues to the North reaching Goma at about noon time. Goma lies only 15 km south of the active Nyiragongo Volcano. The recent history of Goma has been dominated by the volcano and the Rwandan genocide of 1994, which in turn fuelled the First and Second Congo Wars. City tour in the afternoon. Hotel overnight. B/-/-

Day 10. Tchegera Island
Another boat trip take us to Tchegera Island, part of Virunga National Park. Thanks to its crescent shape, Tchegera Island is a natural harbour so the waters that it encircles are calm and lend themselves perfectly to paddle boarding, kayaking or even snorkeling to try and spot; amongst other things; some of the 24 species of fish and 2 species of crab that are endemic to Lake Kivu. Back to Goma for overnight. B/L/-

Day 11. Goma - Kigali (Rwanda)
Today we will cross the border with Rwanda at Gisenyi. The trip will take about 4 hours. Hotel in Kigali. B/-/-

Day 12. Departure

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Price Includes:
Gorilla permit
visa authorisation for Burundi
Rwanda visa support if needed
Letter of Invitation for DRC ($100 visa fee not included),9 nights incl. breakfast at midrange hotels in rooms with en-suite facilities
all transport
English speaking tour guide
Penguin tour leader at min. 10 people
airport pickup in Bujumbura on day 1

Not Included:
International flights
Visa fees (prices depend on nationality)
Tips
Meals (about 10-20 USD per day)
Entrance fees
Transfer to airport at end of tour

Additional Services:
Supplement pp. at 3 participants - 220 EUR
Boat trip to Shushu Island - 50USD pp at min. 4 p.

Gallery