Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrive in the busy capital, recover from your flight, and get a first taste of Congolese urban energy.
Morning
Arrival at N'djili Airport (FIH)
Clear immigration and customs. Your pre-arranged driver from your hotel will meet you. The drive to the city center offers your first views of
Kinshasa's street-level energy.
1-2 hours
$50 (pre-paid transfer)
Essential to book your airport transfer through your hotel in advance.
Lunch
International & Congolese
Mid-range
Afternoon
Acclimatization & Hotel Relaxation
Check into your hotel, rest, and adjust to the time zone. Take a casual stroll in the secure grounds of your accommodation or by the nearby riverfront if safe.
Flexible
$0
Evening
Welcome Dinner
Dinner at La Devinière in Gombe for excellent French-inspired cuisine in a lovely garden setting.
Where to Stay Tonight
Gombe (Kinshasa's diplomatic/business district) (Hotel (e.g., Pullman Kinshasa Grand Hotel))
Gombe offers the most reliable infrastructure, security, and concentration of quality hotels for your initial adjustment.
Exchange a small amount of money at the airport for immediate needs, but your hotel will offer a better rate. Use USD in small denominations.
Day 1 Budget: $250
Dive into the city's rich artistic heritage and visit its most important cultural landmarks.
Morning
Académie des Beaux-Arts
Visit this well-known art school to see students at work. Browse the studios and galleries filled with incredible paintings, sculptures, and installations by emerging Congolese artists.
2-3 hours
$10 (donation/guide tip)
Go with a local guide/driver who can help your visit and introductions.
Lunch
Ma Vienne
Congolese & Grill
Budget
Afternoon
The National Museum of the DRC (Institut des Musées Nationaux)
Explore this modern museum showing the country's vast cultural, historical, and anthropological heritage, from prehistoric artifacts to traditional masks and contemporary art.
2 hours
$5
Evening
Ngombe (Lingwala) Market & Live Music
Experience the buzz of a local market (with your guide), followed by dinner and Congolese rumba at a venue like Bikene in Bandal.
Where to Stay Tonight
Gombe (Hotel)
Remaining in Gombe provides a secure base for city exploration.
When buying art, bargaining is expected. Start at about 50% of the asking price and negotiate politely.
Day 2 Budget: $200
Catch a domestic flight to Goma, the gateway to Virunga National Park, and settle in with views of Lake Kivu.
Morning
Flight to Goma (GOM)
Transfer to N'djili Airport for your domestic flight to Goma, North Kivu. Flights can be delayed; pack patience. The aerial views of the rainforest and the Great Rift Valley are impressive.
2-3 hours (flight time)
$250-350 (one-way)
Book flights on
Congo Airways or CAA well in advance. Confirm 24 hours before departure.
Lunch
Lac Kivu Lodge Restaurant
International
Mid-range
Afternoon
Lake Kivu Shore Walk & Goma City Tour
After checking into your lodge, take a guided walk along the volcanic rock shoreline of Lake Kivu. Visit the city center to see the effects of past lava flows and the packed markets.
2 hours
$20 (guide fee)
Your lodge can arrange a trusted local guide.
Evening
Briefing & Relaxation
Attend a briefing from your Virunga tour operator. Enjoy a quiet dinner at your lodge overlooking the lake.
Where to Stay Tonight
Lake Kivu shoreline, Goma (Lodge (e.g., Ihusi Hotel or Lac Kivu Lodge))
These lodges are secure, comfortable, and used to organizing Virunga excursions. They are the operational hub for your upcoming adventures.
Fill out your Virunga National Park permit forms tonight. Have your passport and vaccination card ( Yellow Fever) ready.
Day 3 Budget: $400
Travel by 4x4 into the heart of Virunga to your luxury basecamp for gorilla trekking.
Morning
Road Transfer to Mikeno Lodge
A scenic but bumpy 2-3 hour drive in a Virunga 4x4 from Goma, passing through villages and lush farmland, ascending into the montane forests of the park's headquarters.
3 hours
Included in Virunga package
This transfer is organized by Virunga National Park as part of your stay.
Lunch
Mikeno Lodge
Gourmet International
Upscale
Afternoon
Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage Center
Visit the world's only facility for orphaned mountain gorillas. Meet the caretakers and observe these incredible, gentle creatures up close—a deeply moving experience.
1 hour
$100 (park fee, often included)
Visits are scheduled by the lodge.
Evening
Lodge Relaxation
Enjoy sundowners on the lodge deck, listening to the sounds of the forest. Dinner is a multi-course affair at the lodge.
Where to Stay Tonight
Mikeno Sector, Virunga National Park (Mikeno Lodge (luxury bungalows))
This is the premier accommodation within the park, offering comfort, security, and direct access to gorilla treks.
The evenings at Mikeno can be chilly due to the altitude. Pack a fleece or light jacket.
Day 4 Budget: $500
The pinnacle of the trip: a guided hike to spend an hour with a family of wild mountain gorillas.
Morning
Gorilla Trekking Briefing & Trek
Early breakfast followed by a briefing from park rangers. You'll be assigned a gorilla family and drive to the trailhead. The trek through dense forest can be strenuous (1-4 hours) before you find the gorillas.
4-6 hours total
$400 (permit fee)
Gorilla permits MUST be booked months in advance through the Virunga National Park website.
Lunch
Pack lunch from Mikeno Lodge
Picnic
Included
Afternoon
Return from Trek & Relax
Return to Mikeno Lodge, exhilarated and likely muddy. Spend the afternoon relaxing on your private balcony, visiting the lodge's black-and-white colobus monkeys, or enjoying a massage.
Flexible
$0
Evening
Celebration Dinner
Share stories with fellow trekkers over a special dinner at the lodge.
Where to Stay Tonight
Mikeno Sector, Virunga National Park (Mikeno Lodge)
Returning to the comfort of Mikeno after the physically demanding trek is essential.
Hire a porter ($10-15). It supports the local community and makes the difficult trek much easier.
Day 5 Budget: $450
Transfer to the base of the volcano and begin the challenging hike to the summit shelter.
Morning
Transfer to Kibati Ranger Post
Depart Mikeno Lodge after breakfast for the 1.5-hour drive to the starting point for the Nyiragongo hike at Kibati. Attend a mandatory safety briefing and meet your guide and porters.
2 hours
Included in package
The Nyiragongo trek must be booked as part of a Virunga package, including guides, porters, and summit shelter.
Lunch
Pack lunch from Mikeno Lodge
Picnic
Included
Afternoon
Hike to Nyiragongo Summit
Begin the steep, 4-6 hour ascent (approx. 1500m elevation gain) through lush forest and then volcanic rock to the crater rim at 3470m. The trail is well-maintained but demanding.
4-6 hours
$300 (trek fee)
Book the trek and summit shelter simultaneously with your gorilla permit. Fitness is essential.
Evening
The World's Largest Lava Lake
After arriving at the summit shelters, settle in. As darkness falls, approach the crater rim to witness the impressive, roaring lava lake—an memorable spectacle.
Where to Stay Tonight
Nyiragongo Crater Rim (Basic Summit Shelters)
These simple, shared A-frame huts are the only accommodation at the summit, allowing you to experience the lava lake at night and dawn.
Pack warm layers, a hat, and gloves. Temperatures at the summit can drop to freezing. Headlamps are mandatory.
Day 6 Budget: $350
Enjoy final views of the lava lake at dawn before descending and returning to Goma for a well-earned rest.
Morning
Sunrise at the Crater & Descent
Wake early for a final, mesmerizing view of the lava lake in the dawn light. After breakfast, begin the 2-3 hour descent back to the Kibati Ranger Post.
3-4 hours
$0 (included)
Take your time on the descent to save your knees; walking poles are highly recommended.
Lunch
Ihusi Hotel Restaurant
International
Mid-range
Afternoon
Return to Goma & Relaxation
Transfer back to your lodge in Goma. The rest of the day is free to recover—take a hot shower, relax by Lake Kivu, or get a massage.
Flexible
$0
Evening
Casual Lakefront Dinner
Enjoy grilled fish (tilapia or capitaine) at a simple lakeside restaurant like Chez Maman.
Where to Stay Tonight
Lake Kivu shoreline, Goma (Lodge (e.g., Ihusi Hotel))
A comfortable base to recover from the strenuous volcano trek before your next journey.
If your legs are sore, a cold plunge in Lake Kivu (where safe) can work wonders for recovery.
Day 7 Budget: $200
Fly north to Kisangani, the historical terminus of the navigable
Congo River, and explore its storied past.
Morning
Flight to Kisangani (FKI)
Catch a domestic flight from Goma to Kisangani, the major city of the Tshopo province. You'll leave the volcanic highlands for the vast basin of the
Congo River.
1.5-2 hours (flight)
$200-300
Again, book well in advance and confirm. Consider carrying-on essential items in case of baggage delays.
Lunch
Hotel Orchid Restaurant
Congolese & International
Budget
Afternoon
Wagenia (Wagenia) Fishermen's Falls
Visit the iconic Wagenia fishermen and their incredible, centuries-old system of wooden tripods and baskets used to fish the mighty rapids of the
Congo River. A UNESCO-inscribed cultural site.
2 hours
$15 (guide/entrance)
A local guide is essential for translation and context.
Evening
Take a short boat ride on the river for a spectacular sunset view. Dinner at your hotel.
Where to Stay Tonight
Kisangani City Center (Hotel (e.g., Hotel Orchid or Les Chutes de la Tshopo))
Central location provides the best access to river sites and local guides.
Be respectful when photographing the Wagenia fishermen. Always ask permission first; a small tip is appreciated.
Day 8 Budget: $350
Explore the city's history linked to explorers like Stanley and visit the powerful Boyoma Falls.
Morning
Boyoma Falls (Stanley Falls) Tour
Visit the seven cataracts that make up Boyoma Falls, marking the end of the navigable stretch of the
Congo River from the capital. Feel the power of the river and see local life along its banks.
3 hours
$30 (boat/guide)
Hire a local boatman for a close-up view of the falls; your hotel can arrange this.
Lunch
Local Maquis near the river
Grilled Fish & Pondu (cassava leaves)
Budget
Afternoon
Kisangani Central Market & Cathedral
Spend time in the sensory overload of the central market. Later, visit the striking, modern Kisangani Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Très Saint Rosaire).
2 hours
$0
Go with a guide for navigation and safety in the hectic markets.
Evening
Riverside Reflections
Enjoy a quiet dinner at your hotel, reflecting on the historical significance of this riverine city.
Where to Stay Tonight
Kisangani City Center (Hotel)
Continuity and convenience for your two-night stay.
Try 'liboke', fish or meat steamed in banana leaves, a local specialty often found in the maquis (local eateries).
Day 9 Budget: $200
Fly back to
Kinshasa and enjoy an evening of world-famous Congolese music.
Morning
Transfer to Kisangani Airport for your return flight to the capital. Use the morning to relax or take a final stroll along the riverfront.
2-3 hours (flight)
$250-350
Afternoon
Leisure & Souvenir Shopping
Check into your hotel in
Kinshasa. Spend the afternoon shopping for high-quality souvenirs at curated spots like Maman Koko's boutique or the Marché des Valeurs for active fabrics.
2 hours
Variable
Evening
Congolese Rumba Night
Experience the heart of Congolese culture with live music at a legendary venue like Ngunza in Bandalungwa or a concert at Institut Français.
Where to Stay Tonight
Gombe, Kinshasa (Hotel)
Familiar, secure area for your final nights, with easy access to restaurants and the airport.
For music venues, check schedules in advance. Security can vary by neighborhood; always use a trusted taxi service arranged by your hotel.
Day 10 Budget: $400
Visit a unique primate sanctuary and the city's impressive green lung.
Morning
Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary
Journey to the outskirts of
Kinshasa to visit the world's only sanctuary for orphaned bonobos, humanity's closest primate relatives. Tour the forested enclosures and learn about conservation efforts.
3-4 hours (including travel)
$20 (donation)
Visits are by appointment only; book via their website or through your hotel concierge.
Lunch
Sanctuary picnic or return to Gombe
Picnic or Cafe
Budget
Afternoon
Parc de la Vallée de la Nsele
Explore this vast presidential park and nature reserve on the banks of the
Congo River. Options include boat rides, wildlife viewing (antelope, monkeys), and relaxing in the manicured gardens.
3 hours
$25 (entrance & activities)
Your driver/guide will need to arrange entry. It's a popular weekend spot for locals.
Evening
Farewell Dinner
Splurge on a final dinner at the elegant Restaurant Sultani in Gombe for Lebanese and Congolese fusion cuisine.
Where to Stay Tonight
Gombe, Kinshasa (Hotel)
Remaining in Gombe provides easy access to both day-trip destinations and fine dining.
At Lola ya Bonobo, maintain a quiet demeanor and follow all guide instructions to avoid stressing the sensitive bonobos.
Day 11 Budget: $250
Spend a full day on and along the mighty
Congo River, experiencing its important role in the city's life.
Morning
Beach at Nsiamfumu Island
Take a private boat from the Yacht Club de
Kinshasa to Nsiamfumu Island, a local weekend getaway with sandy beaches on the river. Swim (in designated safe areas), relax, and see
Kinshasa's skyline from the water.
3-4 hours
$80 (boat rental)
Your hotel can arrange a boat and captain through the Yacht Club. Ensure life jackets are provided.
Lunch
Fresh Grilled Fish on the Island
Grilled Fish & Plantains
Budget
Afternoon
Boat Tour to Livingstone Falls
Take a longer boat ride downstream to view the impressive rapids of the Livingstone Falls (Inga Falls are part of this system). This is the powerful, unnavigable cascade that prevented early explorers from reaching the interior.
3 hours
$150 (private boat tour)
This requires a larger, more powerful boat and an experienced captain. Book through a reputable tour operator in
Kinshasa.
Evening
Riverside Sundowners
Enjoy drinks at the floating bar 'Le Chalet' on the river, watching the boats go by as the sun sets.
Where to Stay Tonight
Gombe, Kinshasa (Hotel)
Convenient return from your river adventures.
The river current is extremely strong. Never swim outside of designated, calm beach areas and always follow your captain's instructions.
Day 12 Budget: $300
A free day to explore personal interests, shop for last-minute souvenirs, or revisit favorite spots.
Morning
Optional: Matongé Market look at
For the adventurous, explore Matongé,
Kinshasa's most famous and chaotic market district, with a trusted guide. It's a hub for fabrics, electronics, food, and active street life.
2-3 hours
$20 (guide tip)
Do NOT go without a trusted local guide. Your hotel can provide one.
Lunch
Mam' Afrique in Matongé
Authentic Congolese
Budget
Afternoon
Relaxation or Art Gallery Visit
Either relax by your hotel pool or visit a private art gallery like Galerie d'Art Herve di Rosa to see works by established Congolese masters.
2 hours
$0-20
Evening
Final Night Celebration
Choose your favorite restaurant from the trip for a final celebratory meal, perhaps trying 'moambe' chicken, the national dish, if you haven't already.
Where to Stay Tonight
Gombe, Kinshasa (Hotel)
Final night convenience for packing and airport transfer the next day.
If you buy fabric (liputa), you can have a tailor in Matongé make you a custom shirt or dress in 24 hours. Ask your guide to arrange it.
Day 13 Budget: $150
Final moments in
Kinshasa before your transfer to the airport for your international departure.
Morning
Last-Minute Souvenirs & Packing
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Take a final walk around the hotel neighborhood for any last-minute purchases or photos.
Flexible
$0
Lunch
Hotel or nearby cafe
Light meal
Budget
Afternoon
Airport Transfer & Departure
Check out of your hotel. Transfer to N'djili Airport (FIH) with ample time (3+ hours recommended) for often slow and meticulous check-in and security procedures for international flights.
1-2 hours (transfer + check-in)
$50 (transfer)
Confirm your flight time and arrange your hotel transfer the day before.
Evening
International Flight
Board your flight home, filled with memories of gorillas, volcanoes, and the mighty river.
Where to Stay Tonight
N/A (N/A)
Departure day.
Keep your Yellow Fever vaccination certificate and passport easily accessible at the airport; you will be asked for them multiple times.
Day 14 Budget: $100