Democratic Republic of Congo – RAW Africa EcoTours https://rawafricaecotours.com Mon, 06 Nov 2023 10:54:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://rawafricaecotours.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/FaviconRAW-150x150.png Democratic Republic of Congo – RAW Africa EcoTours https://rawafricaecotours.com 32 32 Exploring Kahuzi Biega https://rawafricaecotours.com/tour/exploring-kahuzi-biega/ Tue, 22 Jun 2021 05:18:29 +0000 https://rawafricaecotours.com/?post_type=tour&p=947

On arrival, we’ll meet you at Kigali International Airport and transfer you to the Gorilla City Hotel. Relax, settle in and meet your fellow travellers as you prepare for the adventure that awaits. We’ll get together for dinner to discuss what the next week will hold in store for us.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

After an early breakfast we will travel across the mountainous country of Rwanda to the city of Bukavu on the southern shore of Lake Kivu in DRC. After lunch in this lakeside city, we will travel through beautiful local villages to Kahuzi Biega National Park. Set up in the hills, with a magnificent view over Lake Kivu, Kahuzi Biega was the first national park in the world for gorilla treks.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Kahuzi Biega National Park

Established in 1970, the Kahuzi Biega National Park became a World Heritage Site in 1980 to help protect the eastern lowland gorillas that call the park their home. Today’s once-in-a-lifetime trek starts with a short briefing on the park and what to expect before we begin our journey along the narrow jungle paths to meet the gorillas. The length of the hike is dependant upon the location of the gorillas. As they are always on the move in search of food, it can take anything from a 20-minute walk to over an hour. But however long it takes, it will be worth it, not least for the opportunity to spot a variety of other mammals along the way. Keep your eyes out for chimpanzees, elephants and antelope among other wildlife. Once you spot the gorillas you’ll have ample time to watch them feeding and playing with their young ones. It’s a truly mesmerising and unforgettable experience.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Kahuzi Biega National Park

Lwiro Primate Sanctuary was established in 2002 to provide the best possible care to orphaned primates in DRC. The sanctuary is a long-term captive care facility for rescued chimpanzees and other primate species endemic to DRC. We will spend a few hours on a guided tour of the sanctuary, learning about the skill and commitment it takes to care for so many unique species. We will return to Bukavu for lunch and a relaxing afternoon by the lake or maybe some last-minute shopping for local and fascinating Congolese masks.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

This morning we will catch the ferry across lake Kivu to the lively town of Goma on the north shore of Lake Kivu. After a local lunch we will say ‘Hey Goma’ and spend the afternoon taking a look around this fascinating town including a tour of Lowa Chocolate and Coffee, and a few of the city highlights.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

If you have elected to join the Spirit of Congo tour, then you will remain in Goma and travel to Virunga National Park. For those finishing their Congolese journey, cross back to Rwanda with unforgettable memories of DRC. We will return to Kigali in time for any flights after 3pm, alternatively stay an extra night in Kigali and explore the history and culture of Rwanda’s capital.

Meals: Breakfast

  • All meals as stated in itinerary
  • 5 nights accommodation
  • Entry visa DRC
  • All activities
  • All transfers
  • 1 x Gorilla trekking permit
  • Gorilla Trek Porter
  • Tips with the exception of your RAW Africa local leader
  • Entry Visas Rwanda (x 2)
  • Travel insurance
  • International Airfare
  • Drinks
  • Laundry
  • Personal spending
]]> Spirit of Congo https://rawafricaecotours.com/tour/spirit-of-congo/ Thu, 17 Jun 2021 03:51:38 +0000 https://rawafricaecotours.com/?post_type=tour&p=204

On arrival we will meet you at Kigali International Airport, Rwanda and transfer you to your accommodation. Relax, settle in and meet your fellow travellers as you prepare for the adventure that awaits. We’ll get together for dinner to discuss what the next week has in store for us.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

After breakfast we will journey across the mountainous country of Rwanda to the shores of Lake Kivu and cross the border into the DRC and the bustling town of Goma. After a local lunch we will say ‘Hey Goma’ and spend the afternoon taking a look around this fascinating town including a tour of Lowa Chocolate and Coffee, and a few of the city highlights.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House

This morning we will travel beneath the shadow of Nyiragongo Volcano and into Virunga National Park. We will spend the next two nights at Mikeno Lodge, set in the heart of the park. Our rooms are surrounded by lush vegetation with Colobus and Sykes monkeys leaping through the trees. After lunch we will spend time with the famous Congo Hounds, which form the anti-poaching unit of the park. We finish our day with a visit to Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage, the only orphanage for mountain gorillas in the world. After dinner, relax around the open fireplace as we discuss the history of gorilla conservation in DRC.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mikeno Lodge

Today we wake up with a sense of excitement as we prepare to visit the mountain gorillas of Virunga National Park. There are six habituated gorilla families that move freely along the Virunga Massif. Nothing matches the feeling of seeing these incredible creatures in the wild under the shadow of the magnificent Virunga Mountain Range. It’s simply awesome.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mikeno Lodge

There are two choices today – an exhilarating trek to the top of Nyiragongo volcano for an overnight stay on the crater rim. Those trekking the volcano will stay in purpose-built cabins on the crater rim that look down into the fiery depths of the largest lava lake in the world. For those looking for a bit more of a relaxing afternoon, we will return to Goma and spend the afternoon visiting the colourful Virunga market for your chance to purchase some vibrant Congolese cloth.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House

For those staying overnight in Goma, this is a chance to sleep in and enjoy a relaxing morning while we wait for any of the group to descend the volcano and join us in Goma. After spending lunch together we will visit the office of the Gorilla Doctors and learn more about the incredible work of this organisation in DRC.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House

For our final day in DRC, we will visit the beautiful Island of Tschegera, located offshore in Lake Kivu. We cross the lake by speed boat and enjoy the peaceful island where we will stay for a BBQ lunch. There are kayaks available if you would like to explore the island by water or even just take a swim and chill out on the beach with a wine or two.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House

This morning we will cross back into Rwanda and onto Kigali. We will drop you at Kigali International Airport or alternatively why not stay a while and enjoy a half day or full day tour in this lively capital.

Meals: Breakfast

  • All meals as stated in itinerary
  • 7 nights accommodation
  • Entry visa DRC
  • All activities
  • All transfers
  • 1 x Gorilla Trekking permit
  • Gorilla Trek Porter
  • Tips with the exception of your RAW Africa local leader

 

Optional Nyiragongo Volcano experience includes (AU $600 per person)

  • 1 x volcano trekking permit
  • Volcano Trekking Porter
  • All meals prepared by chef
  • Accommodation in purpose built chalet on the rim of the crater
  • 1 x overnight backpack with rain-jacket, sleeping bag, warm jumper
  • Entry Visas Rwanda (x 2)
  • Travel insurance
  • International Airfare
  • Drinks
  • Laundry
  • Personal spending
]]> Democratic Republic of Congo https://rawafricaecotours.com/destination/democratic-republic-of-congo/ Wed, 16 Jun 2021 03:55:34 +0000 https://rawafricaecotours.com/?post_type=destination&p=57

Awaken Your Senses in DRC

DRC = SPIRITED

Swathed by a backdrop of rushing rivers and fiery volcanoes, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is considered to be one of Africa’s most exciting destinations, as exhilarating as it is challenging. And the fact that it’s home to the largest populations of great apes in Africa means it’s a place that will live in your heart long after you’ve arrived home.

Home to two of Africa’s most fascinating National Parks, Virunga and Kahuzi Biega, there’s a whole host of wildlife waiting to greet you, from forest elephants to chimpanzees and everything in between.

If the call of the wild is what gets you excited, then DRC is the country for you.

DRC TOURS

CONSERVATION

At RAW Africa Eco-Tours, we are serious about supporting local communities and their conservation efforts. By joining us on a DRC tour you will be helping conservation by:

  • Conservation

A portion of all tour payments to RAW Africa Eco-Tours is passed on to one of the conservation organisations relevant to the places we visit and the people we meet. In DRC we support Gorilla Doctors, the Congo Hounds of Virunga National Park and Lwiro Primate Sanctuary.

  • Supporting Local Communities

We hire a local guide when we visit the DRC. This creates employment and provides tourism experience for local communities. We stay in accommodation that is locally owned or is owned by the national park, ensuring that the majority of our tourism $$ stays in the area.

  • Acting for Wildlife

On every RAW Africa Eco-Tours journey we ask you to do one small thing that will make a difference to wildlife. In DRC we ask you to recycle your mobile phone to reduce your impact on gorillas. Read more about the links between Mobile phones and gorillas at: www.zoo.org.au/theyre-calling-on-you-phones

“Come with no expectations and have your mind blown.”
Christine Ramsauer Johns
“Ethiopia -You can never have too many coffee ceremonies! Ethiopia was fascinating, the history and traditions were amazing. Loved our trip.”
Sian Smith
“Kenya, such a variety of wildlife experiences and insight into local culture through the eyes of Jaros, our RAW Africa Eco-tours guide. Amazing. Congo, what a wonderful, underrated tourist destination. Beautiful people, wildlife experiences and community projects. Thanks so much RAW Africa Eco-tours, I couldn’t have had a better time.”
Jenny DickensMelbourne Zoo
“RAW Africa Eco-tours delivered the travel experience I had hoped for and more. Brooke’s local knowledge of the area, its wildlife, cultures and hidden secrets brought Africa to life. Not only did we experience the unimaginable, we were exposed to real community conservation projects. Thanks for an amazing 3 weeks RAW Africa Eco-tours. I’ve loved every minute of it.”
Michelle ShepherdBoard member Jane Goodall Institute
“Our Raw Africa Eco-tours safari ticked all the boxes, adventure, wildlife, communities, it was everything I hoped it would be plus more. And it’s not fake or artificial, it’s totally RAW!”
Heather Knight
“The RAW Africa Eco-tours experience is unique because you will go off the beaten track and see a side of Africa that the mainstream companies won’t show you. RAW Africa Eco-tours took us on a trip that met our needs and interests around community conservation as well as spectacular wildlife.”
Alicia KennedyCompassionate Pets
“RAW Africa Eco-tours has its heart in the right spot, I got so much out of our safari but RAW Africa Eco-tours makes it easy to give so much back. You’ll look back on your trip and realise I did that! And it makes you want to do it again.”
Phil HinesPhil Hines Photography
“This place is amazing. Before I came to Africa, I didn’t know what to expect. It has blown my mind.”
Pete NyhuisKenya and Uganda Tour
"What a way to escape normality of life of the western world... you need to put this on your bucket list!  It was so much better than we imagined it could be. The different savannahs and the big 5 animals of National level to conversation levels, each with their own unique landscapes and history and each one was so exciting.  We never imagined we would see giraffes fighting in the wild, or hear lions roaring and protecting their young or cheetahs on the hunt. But what was even more interesting was seeing how the local tribes live and survive in the savannahs among these wild animals! We felt as if we were part of National Geographic! Thanks for the amazing trip of a lifetime."
Julie LancasterKenya and Uganda Tour
"Get ready for Kenya – Because once you see a lion in the wild, you can’t go back. The Maasai Mara will make you its own."
Zoe NikakisKenya Tour

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