Nyiragongo summit shelters

“The Nyiragongo summit shelters are found on the rim of Mount Nyiragongo. Hikers spend a night here as they enjoy the night views of Moun Nyiragongo.”

It takes great bravery to hike to the world’s largest lava lake but extra-bravery spending a night at the rim of the volcano. Count yourself one of the world’s most brave and adventurous people if you have spent a night at Nyiragongo summit shelters. It is however a very safe place to visit because eruption of this volcano is predicted.

Climbing to Nyiragongo starts at Kibati patrol post which can be reached from Mikeno lodge in about an hour and from Goma town, you can take 30 minutes. It is possible to climb to the summit and descend to the starting point in a day, but most people choose to spend the night at the shelters on the volcano.

Hiking to the Nyiragongo summit also rewards you with the magnificent views of Lake Kivu, the colossal Shaheru volcano and the green scenery around and at the bottom of the volcano.

The area around Nyiragongo commonly receives rain showers, you are there encouraged to carry rain coats and other heavy gear necessary for the cold temperature at the top.

There are 12 huts at Nyiragongo summit which don’t have running in them, no electricity but have beds on which you’ll rest after the activity. Watching one of the world’s largest lava lakes after the hike and the red glow of the boiling magma at night turns the entire tour luxurious and remarkable.

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Mikeno lodge

Mikeno Lodge is one of the best accommodation centers that will make your safari to Virunga national park perfectly complete. It is greatly located in Rumangabo at a point where you can easily connect to any of the major tourist activities in the park. From the lodge, you can start on activities like gorilla trekking, bird watching, community walks, chimpanzee tracking and visiting Senkwekwe gorilla center. Its location also gives great views of the Nyiragongo and Mikeno volcanoes and the rift valley.  From Goma town to the lodge, it takes about one and a half hours. The place is an incredible place for spotting monkeys when they cross to the closest forest areas around the lodge.

Mikeno Lodge congoThe bungalows at Mikeno are beautifully built with lava stones and Mahogany and thatched roofs and surrounded with the forest which gives the real feeling of the comfortable and noise free wild life featured with a cool weather.

On arrival at the lodge, you are welcomed and attend to by very delightful and friendly staff of the lodge.  Each of the 12 rooms of Mikeno lodge has a stunning setting and is well equipped with the appropriate size of beds for clients, flashing toilets, spacious rooms and one of the tastiest meals you’ll taste is served here. These meals can be served indoors or outdoors and breakfast is included on the rates of the lodge. The dining and bar are open and cozy places perfect having a relaxed meal and drink.

Campfires are organized in the evening for guests who are interested.

Mikeno is a luxurious lodge. The 12 bungalows each has a double or twin bed(s) and accommodates 2 people.

Mikeno lodge room rates

Single person               US$244

Double/two people   US$325

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Bukima tented camp

Bukima tented  Camp is located close to the boundary of Virunga national park, a 2hours drive from Goma town. It was named after the residents “monkeys” and your stay may also be thrilled by the mountain gorillas that roam around the area.

It was constructed for researchers but is now an awesome accommodation center for tourists who want to explore the virgin wildlife of Virunga national park. Facilitation at this camp is mid-range but wonderfully delightful; comfortable begs, good meals, friendly and caring staff and the friendly weather. There are 8isolated tents which are spacious enough for the relaxation. While here, you’ll have the most spectacular views of Mt. Mikeno in the southern direction, Mt. Nyiragongo across the valley which makes the night colorful with the lava glow that turns the sky to red.

Bukima tented camp is absolutely a great lodging area if you want to go for gorilla trekking because it is situated close to one of the starting points for gorilla trekking. From Bukina tented camp, you can also consider hiking to Mount Rwenzori to experience the snow capped Margherita peak on Mt. Stanley.

Rates for accommodation at Bukina tented camp (breakfast inclusive)

Single       US$244

Double     US$325

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Tchegera Island

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Tchegera Island – One of the places you need to include on your tour to DRC is Tchegera Island. It is a good site for relaxation after the adventurous activities of the national parks. Tchegera Island is situated in DRC on a ridge of a collapsed caldera in the waters of Lake Kivu. In the North of Lake Kivu, it is well located for viewing Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira volcanoes in the night when the red glow from the lava lakes turn the sky red. It also gives spectacular views of the surrounding environment. It is also a home to a variety of bird species and therefore bird lovers will still be catered for.

You can organize for a 2 days tour can be organized to Tchegera island or combine it with a safari to Virunga national park.

How to access Tchegera Island

The island can be accessed by hiring a virunga boat, a private boat or a kayak. The main ports to get a boat to the island are Goma port and Kituku port. It takes about 20 minutes from Goma to Tchegera Island. From Tchegera Island back to Goma, the boat sets off at 7:30am.

Accommodation at the island – Tchegera Island tented Camp

There are 10 tents at the camp that accommodate guests to the Island, well contained with bathrooms and flushing toilets and running water. It is powered with solar and a generator. The views of the red sky due to Nyiragongo volcano molten fire is featured by the camp fire made in the evening at the camp. There is a full restaurant with where you’ll enjoy some of the best dishes and a bar with all lots of drinks alogside Wi-Fi connection to keep you connected to your people.

Accommodation rates for Tchegera Island tents

Single           US$168

Double         US$226

Twin             US$226

Accommodation reservations include breakfast, lunch and dinner.

 

Activities at Tchegera tented camp

  • Bird watching
  • Paddle boarding and kayaking
  • Nature walk/Guided bush walk
  • Snorkeling
  • Scenic and Sunset viewing

Wildlife at the island

Wildlife at Tchegera is blue monkey and birds including cormorants, African fish eagle and many others.

 

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Lulimbi Tented camp

Lulimbi tented camp is located in Goma in the Ishasha sector afew metres from River Ishasha whjere visitors can easily see the residents of the river especially hippos and crocodiles. It is surrounded by savannah plains which are attract elephants, impala, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, giant forest hogs, birds and the river gives a wonderful breeze and an awesome stay. Spending the nights and days in the heart of the home to the great apes is an exceptional experience.

Lulimbi tented camp

Lulimbi tented camp

The camp has 10 tents which are well situated with large verandas, toilets and sufficient water both warm and cold available. Relaxing at these spacious verandas also rewards you with beautiful views of the surrounding landscape and the calm water of the river.

Apart from the main tourist activities of the park which include gorilla trekking, chimp trekking, there are other activities you’d do while at this place, for example game drive, guided walks, fishing, boat cruise and monitoring the elephants in the wilderness with rangers.

Besides the awesome meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Lulimbi tented camp has a variety of great offers including; campfire, bush dinners and airport transfers. The site for the bush fire also enables you to watch Mikeno and Nyiragongo volcanoes.

There are 4 rooms with double beds, 4 rooms with twin beds and 2 rooms with triple beds at the camp.

Accomodation rates for Lulimbi tented camp

Double room            US$475

Twin room                US$475

Triple room              US$760

Single person             US$340

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Kibumba tented camp

Kibumba tented camp is located near a trailhead to Nyiragongo volcano. It is a very comfortable place to stay, budget friendly and perfect to easily get to the park’s main tourist activities.

It has 18 tents that accommodate 36 people. These tents are spacious, well set and have all the necessities; private bathrooms, full time water supply among others. In addition, the very kind staff will serve a very tasty meal for breakfast, lunch and dinner, make yummy drinks and there are both soft and alcoholic drinks at the bar. The spacious lounge is a good relaxing area after the activities and meals.

It is easy to access this camp through Goma from Rwanda. It is also a perfect place to stay if you plan to hike to the Nyiragongo since it is located close to the trailhead. The camp is also a good spot for birding because many interesting bird species are spotted there.

Rates for accommodation (meals inclusive)

Double room      US$210

Twin room          US$210

Triple room        US$294

Single room          US$147

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Ihusi Hotel

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Ihusi hotel is located on the shores of Lake Kivu in Boulevard-Kanyamuhanga, about 3km from Goma main center and 6km from Goma airport. It’s a 10 minutes drive from Goma town to the hotel. Goma is the main hub to the Democrstic Republic of Congo from the eastern side and is easily accessed through Gisenyi town in Rwanda. It is the capital of north Kivu province.

Ihusi hotel is a 4 star hotel with the best luxurious accommodation services. It gives an excellent view of Lake Kivu, a great time of relaxation in and outside the rooms, delicious meals and many tourist activities. the hotel has 72 rooms- smoking and non smoking , each well contained with comfortable beds, warm running water, toilets and bathrooms with the best staff to attend to all guests. The rooms are spacious and air conditioned. They are affordable at the different categories required; single, double, twin, and triple rooms.

The restaurant at Ihusi hotel prepares a wide range of meals with both local and foreign dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner which you enjoy at a spot that overlooks Lake Kivu. You may enjoy your meals from the outside serene environment or indoors. The bar has various soft and alcoholic drinks. These are accompanied with other offers like WiFi, fireplaces for warmth especially at night, laundry services. There is a healthy and fitness center for massage, gym and sauna, a conference centre that accommodates 450 people and a gift shop where you can buy souvenirs. There are TV sets in the rooms a mini bar and a swimming pool.

While at Ihusi hotel, you have a variety of activities to engage in; a town tour in Goma to view the remains of the 2002 Nyiragongo eruption, connecting to Virunga national park for any of the exciting activities like gorilla trekking, chimp habituation, visiting Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage center.

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