Expedition

DRC, Rwanda & Burundi VII

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DRC, Rwanda & Burundi VII

DRC is back! We repacked this Wander Expedition classic with it’s two smaller neighbours to offer the most value in this East African Expedition. One week where we will track gorillas in Congo’s rainforests, explore the deadly Lake Kivu, and the lively streets of Bukavu, a border town that packs a punch. We will kick it off in Kigali, Africa’s most organized and cleanest capital, and enjoy the stunning Rwandan sceneries. Finally, we will end in Burundi, the biggest hidden gem in this part of the World with a series of underrated experiences that you can’t miss!

itinerary

Day 1: Kigali and Rwandan Hills.

  • In the morning we will explore Kigali, including the Gisozi Genocide Memorial and other main highlights of the cleanest city in Africa.
  • In the afternoon, we’ll drive out to Lake Kivu, and the border with DRC, enjoying the lush sceneries and villages along the way.
  • Overnight near the border.

Day 2: Bukavu and Primate Center

  • After breakfast, we’ll cross the border to DRC near to Lake Kivu, often dubbed the deadliest lake in the World.
  • After lunch, we will visit a primate rehabilitation center in Bukavu, and explore this lively town.
  • Overnight in Bukavu.

Day 3: Gorillas

  • Today will be a day you’ll forever remember! We will get to track mountain gorillas in Congo’s rainforest of Kahuzi Biega.
  • Overnight in Bukavu. 

Day 4: Transfer to Bujumbura

  • In the morning, we’ll leave DRC and drive out to Bujumbura in a journey that will take about 3-4h plus the border crossing.
  • The afternoon, we’ll explore Burundi’s biggest city, the cathedral, markets and mingling with locals.
  • Overnight Bujumbura.

Day 5: Karera Waterfalls & Gishora Drummers

  • After breakfast we’ll head East towards Karera waterfalls.
  • Afterwards, we will drive to Gitega, the country’s second biggest town and political capital. We will then explore Gishora, a drum sanctuary on the Royal Hill, where we will witness an impressive musical performance from the World famous Burundian Drummers.
  • Overnight in Gitega.

Day 6: Teza Tea Plantations & Kibira Nature Walk

  • Today, we drive to Teza to see the tea plantations, one of the main exports in Burundi.
  • Later, we will take a nature walk around Kibira National Park.
  • In the afternoon, we’ll enjoy sunset by Lake Tanganyika in our hotel in Bujumbura.

Day 7: Bujumbura & Rusizi National Park

  • After breakfast we will visit Rusizi National Park, where we will explore the river on a boat trip safari to take a closer look at hippos, numerous species of birds and the meeting point between Rusizi River and Lake Tanganyika.
  • In the afternoon, we will drive back to Bujumbura to wander around the city and enjoy our last dinner together.
  • Overnight in Bujumbura.

Day 8: Fly out

  • It’s the saddest moment on any Expedition: we say goodbye until the next time we see each other!
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Included

Gorilla Permit

Kahuzi Biega NP charges around $500 for a gorilla tracking permit.

Hotels

Shared Room in 3/4-star hotels (when available) on a bed and breakfast basis.

Guides

Expert local guide and fixer.

Transport

Private transport with driver.

Visa Support

We will take care of your DRC visas so you can pay and pick it up on arrival.

Entrance Fees

All entrance fees to sites on your itinerary.
April 12th – 19th 2025

Our Selection Process takes only 10 minutes and it helps us create the best travel family!

FAQ

We will take care of the visa for you so you can just pick it up on DRC border. We just need a scanned copy of your passport for this and it will take a few weeks to process. The cost of the visa is around $150 and is not included (you will need to pay with cash on arrival). Rwanda is visa free for most destinations and Burundi is on arrival.
Wander Expedition doesn’t book flights for you and is ultimately not responsible for your flight connection, but we can offer guidance and support when you research the best options for you. We will start from Kigali, and finish in Bujumbura. You will need to land a day earlier in Kigali to make sure we make the most of Day 1 and can start in the early morning.
DRC can be challenging to navigate, but will be accompanied by a local crew at all times, which will help us interact with locals and have the best possible experience. In Rwanda and Burundi, we will have also our expert crew.
This Expedition is perfect for those seeking an adventure in the heart of Africa. The itinerary is one of our favorites, very balanced, with thrills to fill our days but enough comfort to enjoy our nights with our newfound travel family.

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