A trip to Virunga affords the traveler the opportunity to see some of the world’s most spectacular wildlife, in a stunning landscape, seen by relatively few people. With some wonderful accommodations available, providing luxurious bases and organized excursions, the time to visit this gem of a national park is now. Virunga National Park offers stays primarily at Mikeno Lodge, Bukima Tented Camp, Tchegera Island Camp, Lulimbi Tented Camp, Nyiragongo summit shelters and Kibumba Tented Camp
Mikeno Lodge
Mikeno Lodge is a luxurious lodge set into a forested hillside at Virunga National Park Headquarters and the perfect base for visiting mountain gorilla safaris in Congo or climbing a volcano. The Mikeno Lodge is a 90 minute drive from Goma and offers large bungalows and a good restaurant. The lodge and restaurant are located within a forest and offer beautiful views of the rift valley and Nyiragongo and Mikeno volcanoes.
Nature walks and visits to local places of interest can be arranged. There is an abundance of bird life, as well as resident blue monkeys, Colobus monkeys, and baboons. Chimpanzees are also frequent visitors to the area. Whether your stay is the starting point for gorilla, volcano, and chimp adventures, or purely for a relaxing time-out in a peaceful location, Mikeno Lodge provides an exceptional experience among the wildlife and beauty of Virunga National Park.
Accommodation and facilities
Mikeno Lodge offers twelve unique bungalows; each have stunning views into the surrounding forest. Fashioned with lava stone, mahogany and thatch the bungalows are nestled amidst the thick forest greenery and reaching trees. Comprised of a comfortable lounging area and fireplace to ward off the crisp evening air, the spacious bungalows enjoy en-suite bathrooms with stone carved baths and curved stone showers.
The decor merges Congolese ethnicity and classic simplicity with patterned rugs, soft tones and sleek wooden furniture; whilst the private deck allows guests to enjoy the performance of the Blue and Colobus monkeys in the forest. Enjoyed beneath the thatched Boma at the main lodge, dining is delicious and flavour some.
Mikeno lodge costs per day include accommodation prices for breakfast,
lunch, dinner, and 16% Gov’t VAT but the price excludes transportation costs.
Single person USD 316
Double occupancy USD 450
Bukima Tented Camp
Just outside the boundaries of Virunga National Park lays the Bukima Tented Camp, one of the main starting points in Virunga mountain gorilla treks. The camp was originally built for researchers, but is now used primarily by trekkers.
As the name suggests, overnight guests at Bukima sleep in platform tents, but by camping standards they are quite plush. Each tent features an adjoining bathroom with running water and a nicely appointed bed and dresser for clothes. The views from the tent sites or anywhere in camp for that matter – are spectacular. To the south, the view is dominated by Mt. Mikeno, whose summit towers over the gorilla sector. Across the valley is Nyiragongo volcano, whose lava lake colours the night sky with a red glow.
Prices for the camp include breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Alcoholic beverages are available for an additional charge. Of the six tents, four feature double beds and two are outfitted with twin beds.
Bukima Tented Camp cost per day and accommodation prices include breakfast, lunch, dinner, and 16% Gov’t VAT but the excludes transportation costs
Single: $316
Double occupancy: $450
Tchegera Island Camp
Tchegera Island Camp is the perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of Goma or to relax after climbing Nyiragongo volcano. Situated off the northern shore of Lake Kivu, Tchegera camp offers spectacular views of the lake and four volcanoes. On clear nights, Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira volcanoes add to the drama by turning the night sky red with their glowing lava.
There is also an abundance of bird life on the island, including African eagles, cormorants, herons and gulls. Whether one chooses to relax on the beach or explore other parts of the island in a sea kayak or by paddle board, Tchegera is the perfect place for rest and relaxation.
Tchegera Island Tented Camp
Permit, round trip ground/boat transport from Goma: $100 per person
Single with all meals: $160 per night, per person
Double with all meals: $216 per night, per person
Double w/ twin beds with all meals: $216 per night, per person
Accommodation prices include breakfast, lunch, dinner, and 16% Gov’t VAT
Lulimbi Tented Camp
Lulimbi is located in the heart of Virunga and is home to a large percentage of the park’s elephants and hippos. Buffalo, warthogs, giant forest hogs, Topi, Ugandan Kob, crocodiles, and a wide variety of bird life also abound.
Lulimbi lies in the Ishasha Valley, on the eastern edge of the park’s Central Sector. In striking contrast with the volcanoes and gorillas of the south, this beautiful area is dominated by savannah plains, through which the Ishasha River cuts its way.
The Lulimbi Tented Camp is nestled into the shoreline of the Ishasha River, which winds through Virunga’s vast savannah plains. Lulimbi is the first such camp in this area of the park and was created for two main reasons: to showcase Virunga’s spectacular savannah wildlife and to give visitors the chance to actively participate in conservation.
The nature experience in Lulimbi starts at the steps of one’s tent. Hippos wallow away their days in the Ishasha River, which is just meters away. Nearby, elephants can be seen wandering slowly through the bush. This gorgeous nature scene is closely watched by Virunga’s rangers, who welcome the participation of guests on their monitoring patrols. Under the guidance of the rangers, guest will participate in wildlife counts, visual health checks of the various species, and learn about the history of the park and the challenges the future presents.
The camp is made up of eight canvas tents, each with running water, flush toilets and solar showers. Although relatively simple, these are comfortable and well equipped. The tents all face the Ishasha River, with private verandas perfectly positioned to watch a nearby pod of hippos.
The Lulimbi Tented Camp consists of 10 private tents: 4 with two twin beds, 4 with double beds, and 2 set up with three twin beds. Each tent features an en suite bathroom with hot showers and other standard amenities. The dining tent features a full restaurant and bar service. After meals, guest can retire to the well-appointed lounge tent. The lounge tent features a full bar and is the perfect place to relax and take in the natural world just outside the netting.
While at Lulimbi Tented Camp, visitors can take part in the following activities: elephant monitoring with rangers, chimpanzee habituation walks, birding, game drives, Lake Edward boat excursions, tilapia fishing, visits to the Nyakakoma fishing village.
Prices for the camp include breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Alcoholic beverages are available for an additional charge. Of the six tents, four feature double beds and two are outfitted with twin beds.
Lulimbi Tented Camp cost per day
Single occupancy: $340
Double occupancy: $450
Triple occupancy: $760
A $40 permit must also be purchased upon arrival
Accommodation prices include breakfast, lunch, dinner, and 16% Gov’t VAT
Nyiragongo summit shelters
Nyiragongo summit shelters are found on top of Nyiragongo a beautiful stratovolcano that features the world’s largest lava lake. Nyiragongo’s summit rim is largely devoid of vegetation and is frequently dusted with snow. From the rim, visitors can peer down into a churning lava lake and see and hear hot gases exploding up though a mosaic of molten lava. Although predictable and therefore safe for tourists, Nyiragongo is greatly feared during eruptions. Because of the high silica content of its lava, Nyiragongo’s lava flows are extremely fluid. During the 2002 eruption, some of Nyiragongo’s lava flows were clocked at 100 km/hr. and reached all the way to Lake Kivu.
Treks to the summit of Nyiragongo volcano begin at the Kibati patrol post, which is approximately 30 minutes by car from Goma. The patrol post is less than a one-hour drive from the Mikeno Lodge in Rumangabo. Park rangers lead all treks and porters are available for hire. The time required to reach the summit depends on the average fitness of each group, but typically takes 6 – 7 hours.
Proper hydration is the best way to adapt to the change in altitude. People prone to Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) should speak to their physicians about taking preventative measures before making the climb. It is possible for fitter people to climb up and descend in one day, but most groups choose to overnight in basic accommodation available at the top (included in the permit fee). Trekkers are advised to bring raincoats and cold weather gear. Rain showers are a common occurrence on the climb up during the rainy season and temperatures at the summit can dip below 0°C/32°F.
Guests staying at the Mikeno lodge can arrange packed meal service for the trip, while those coming with tour groups must supply their own. There is no food service on Nyiragongo. Porters can be hired at the base of the climb to carry loads for $12/day ($24 for the overnight trip). The maximum weight that porters are authorized to carry is 15kg.
Each of the twelve summit shelters contains two single beds on which visitors can put their sleeping bags. Although these shelters aren’t plush, they offer a welcome escape from the elements. The cost of staying in a summit shelter is included in the permit fee.
Adult international: $300
Adult Congolese: $90
Child international: $125
Child Congolese: $25
All prices include permit, accommodation in the summit huts, and 16% Gov’t VAT.
Kibumba Tented Camp
Experience Virunga’s newest offering Kibumba Tented Camp an excellent choice for those seeking a more affordable way to experience the mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park. The camp is conveniently located near the trail head for Nyiragongo volcano, which makes it the perfect place to stay for those wanting to experience both gorillas and the world’s largest lava lake. Guests can also enjoy nature hikes just outside camp or walk down to the local Kibumba marketplace for a vibrant cultural experience.
Kibumba Tented Camp features all the necessities of a classic tented camp: great food, full bar, well-appointed tents with comfortable beds, and en-suite bathrooms with hot showers.
Kibumba Tented Camp cost per day
Single person: $140
Double occupancy: $200
Triple occupancy: $280
Accommodation prices include breakfast, lunch, dinner, and 16% Gov’t VAT
Accommodation at Kahuzi Biega in Bukavu
Orchids Safari Club
Orchids Safari Club offers the finest gorilla watching in Central Africa from its base on the banks of Lake Kivu near the Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Built on the banks of Lake Kivu, the Orchids Safari Club is a waterside haven that is situated near the Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Part of the Congo Democratic Republic (that was formerly Zaire), this central African hotel has views of water on one side and the animal kingdom on the other, depending which window you are gazing out of.
The luxurious nature around Lake Kivu enables us to welcome you in an exceptional environment. This sleek and elegantly decorated hotel offers a mixture of contemporary and traditional African styles. An hour from Bukavu, along Lake Kivu, you can discover Kahuzi Biega National Park. This park is one of the last nature reserves to home gorillas.
Looking out of the window of Orchids’ Safari Club waterside hotel offers something different, depending on the time of day. Glimpsing the animals at the watering hole of Lake Kivu will make you feel like an intruder in a local pub where the animals gather to rehydrate. Another window offers views of the tranquil lake that shimmers in the moonlight or the hazy view of the gorillas in the mist. This area offers the finest gorilla watching in Central Africa and this amazing opportunity has inspired creativity with the writing of book and movie called “Gorillas in the Mist”.
This hotel caters for people staying in 22 rooms that start from US$90, but the view is free. The hotel is open all year round with a restaurant that has various menus to cater for guests who gather to eat in the dining room.
Coco Lodge
The Coco Lodge is an inn in the heart of Africa, located in the city of Bukavu in the east of Democratic Republic of Congo, a city with exceptional charm; this hostel attracts a national and international clientele. With a private and secure parking, Qualified and friendly staff will be at your disposal.
The Coco Lodge has 8 luxurious rooms with double, beds, decorated, according to the theme of Africa. All are equipped with bathrooms or showers, toilets and televisions. The wireless internet network is available everywhere indoors, on the terrace and in the restaurant. All screens have HD and cable, two lounges with bar and fireplaces in addition to a VIP lounge, private bar for guests.
