Goma: DR Congo Tours

Goma: DR Congo Tours, People often say that Goma is one of the most beautiful and exciting places to visit in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, the city is very busy because it is the main route for shipping goods to Congo. In addition, Goma is home to many United Nations agencies and other foreign humanitarian groups.

The city is also surrounded by many beautiful tourist spots that you can see while you’re there. But it only takes a few minutes to drive from Goma to Virunga National Park, which is the most popular safari destination in Congo tours. This park is home to a lot of amazing nature and wildlife-watching possibilities.

Actually, Goma is a pretty cool city in the Republic of Congo. It looks beautiful, and it has some great sights that you can easily see when you visit. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of the biggest countries in Africa, and it has a lot of great cities to visit on safari. One of these cities is Goma, which is only 13 kilometers from Gisenyi, Rwanda, and is on the northern shore of Lake Kivu.

There is a beautiful city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo called North Kivu. Also, Goma is about 20 kilometers south of the active Nyiragongo Volcano and 97 kilometers from Kigali Airport in Rwanda’s capital city. It is a stopover for the yearly Amani Festival, which brings together millions of travelers for this amazing event.

Unfortunately, the 2002 eruption of Mount Nyiragongo wrecked 40% of the city and left many people without homes. This is because the Nyiragongo Volcano is so close to the city. One of the best places to see one of the world’s active volcanoes is Goma. Nyiragongo is part of the East African Rift Valley and is one of eight Virunga volcanoes that stretch across Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda. They are home to rare mountain gorillas.

Climate: Goma is a great town with lots of things to see and do. It has a tropical grassland climate, which means that it gets about 18 degrees Celsius of rain and 1192 mm of snow each year. But the town has a temperature that is good for both the plants and animals that live there and for tourists who come to visit. Additionally, Goma town is a popular tourist spot with many interesting places to see. It is also a fun safari spot with many more safari activities, such as Virunga Community Walks, City Tours, Beach Activities along the Shores of Lake Kivu, Ubuntu Voyages, a Canoe Ride on Lake Kivu, Hiking Tours on Mount Nyiragongo, and many more.

How to Spend Your Time in Goma Town – Congo Tours

This article talks about most of the fun things to see and do in Goma town, which is surrounded by beautiful hills, woods, and mountains that make the trip worth it. But the great Nyiragongo Volcano, which has a very interesting past, is the main thing to see around the city. Goma is also a great place to go on a City Tour because it has large restaurants, museums, and theaters.

You can expect to have a lot to do in your free time if you go to Goma. The area has a history of civil unrest and conflict, as well as pristine wilderness, scenery, wildlife, and more. Here are some of the things to do and see in Goma that have been described;

A National Park in Virunga

When traveling to Goma, one can go to Virunga National Park, which used to be called Albert National Park and has a lot of fun things to do. The oldest and biggest park is here. It was made in 1925 and covers about 7,800 square kilometers. Also, Virunga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes the Mikeno, Nyiragongo, and Rwenzori Ranges, which are all mountains that you can hike in.

Virunga National Park is a famous place for over 200 types of mammals to live, such as forest and savannah elephants, hippos, lions, Bongos, and Okapis. On the other hand, the park borders the Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda, the Rwenzori Mountain National Park in Uganda, and the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

In the past few years, the Virunga government has had to deal with a lot of problems, such as gangs, illegal settlers, and poaching. Note that things are back to normal now, and people are once again going to see the park’s amazing sights, like Gorilla trekking with the endangered mountain gorillas. You should never leave Goma without going to Virunga National Park. There, you can see the park’s offices and do some of the main things that bring millions of people from all over the world to the park, like gorilla trekking or a walk up Nyiragongo Volcano.

Going on a Gorilla Trek

Gorilla trekking is a unique safari sport that can only be done in three places: Uganda, Rwanda, and the Congo. Gorillas can go on walks in Virunga National Park in Congo. The activity starts in the morning with a briefing at the park offices. Then, you’ll be split into eight groups and sent to a gorilla family. The park ranger will lead you into the forest paths to find them.

The activity could last anywhere from 30 to 6 hours, based on how they move. You will have an hour to spend with them as soon as you find them and learn about their behavior, feed, play, as well as take pictures and videos. You can combine going on a Gorilla walk in Virunga National Park with a hike up Mount Nyiragongo, which is one of the best things you can do on safari in Goma.

Mount Nyiragongo hike

Mount Nyiragongo is an active stratovolcano that rises 3,470 meters in Virunga Mountain and is part of the Albertine Rift. It has been one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations for decades. The main thing that draws tourists to Virunga National Park is hiking Mount Nyiragongo. The hike starts at 9 a.m. with a lesson and is a bit difficult but worth it. There is a Kibati Ranger post at the starting point where you can hire a porter for a small fee to help you move your heavy bags.

For mountain rental, don’t forget to bring the right gear, like climbing boots, warm clothes, enough mineral water bottles, energy snacks, and so on. Its main crater is 2 km wide and has a lake of lava in the middle. The last time this famous volcano erupted was in 2002, when lava flowed up into Goma town and destroyed Goma airport. Many people died, property was injured, and half a million people had to be evacuated. Also, the volcano has been quiet since it last erupted, and it’s not likely to explode again any time soon.

Keep this in mind: scientists have set up a base in Goma to keep an eye on the mountain and any explosive activity. Trekking up Nyiragongo Volcano, on the other hand, will make your trip to Goma unforgettable.

You should visit the Senkwekwe Mountain Gorilla Orphanage.

It sounds like this Center is the only place in the world where you can see mountain gorillas living in the wild up close. For some reason, though, the Center was named for a great silverback gorilla named Senkwekwe.

He was killed by rebels in 2007 while they were hiding in the park. Animal smugglers and poachers were able to save these young gorillas after their parents died, and the park authorities take care of them at this center. So you can go to the Center and learn more about how to protect gorillas in Congo while you give money. You too can ask to help out as a worker at the Center and work with the caring staff.

Kahuzi Biega National Park should be seen.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Kahuzi Biega National Park is one of the most popular tourist spots in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is in Bukavu town, which is next to Goma city. It was first set aside as a park in 1970, and it was named after the two dormant mountains that are in it. A lot of small primates, like chimps and Eastern lowland gorillas, live in Kahuzi Biega National Park.

The park is also home to other animals, like bush elephants, buffaloes, giant forest hogs, and different kinds of antelopes. The unique Eastern lowland gorillas are the park’s main draw. These gorillas are thought to be bigger than mountain gorillas, and there are still about 3,800 of them living there. In general, Goma city is a place where tourists can stay to see both hill and mountain gorillas.

Check out Lake Kivu.

People say that this lake is one of the biggest in Africa. It is between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The water from Lake Kivu runs into the River Ruzizi and then to Lake Tanganyika. The lake is one of the main attractions because it has methane gas under its floors. It is also a safe, quiet, and beautiful place for the couple to rest and take in the view of the Virunga Volcanoes. Some of the things that can be done nearby are fishing, swimming, island hopping, and paddling.

Go to one of the restaurants.

As we already said, Goma City is home to a lot of international workers who come to work for both government and non-government groups. One of the military groups from the UN is in the country. The fact that there were so many of them in Goma helped the town grow by opening up more good places to meet the needs of these expats.

Their sand wishes, salads, coffee, and sweets are all very tasty. Aside from that, they make good pizza and meat dishes, and most of their locations have gardens and eating areas with views of Lake Kivu. Their chefs are very good at making great food, and there are many choices for vegetarians. Le Chalet and Au Bon Pain Nyumbani Lounge are two other places to eat.

Pay a visit to the Congo National Museum.

You can go to the National Museum, which is a great place for tourists to learn about the culture and national history of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Don’t miss the chance to look at the amazing collection of photos and papers that show the life of this smart man who created Congo. This place is worth a visit in Goma, Congo.

How to Spend the Night in Goma Town

When you next go to an East African country! Visit Goma Town, which is still being built up but already has a lot of classic and comfy places to stay with all the amenities you could want on your safari in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These include luxury, mid-range, and budget options. Where to stay in Goma town? The Linda Hotel, the Karibu, the Lac Kivu Lodge, the Hotel la Versailles Goma, and the Café De Rome Goma Serena Hotel are some options. Tchegera Island Tented Camp is another spot.

The Lac Kivu Lodge

This is a great, high-end place to stay in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo. There are nice rooms at the lodge with views of the lake, and at sunset, the view is breathtaking. There is also a lovely swimming pool. The 20 rooms at Lac Kivu Lodge are all very comfortable and have their own bathrooms. The rooms were built in a manner that is both traditional and modern in Africa. Each room had its own private bathroom with a toilet that flushes, a hair dryer, a private wooden balcony, a cold shower, and a sitting area. There are four types of rooms: double, single, twin, and triple-family.

The amenities at Lac Kivu Lodge

Pick-up and drop-off at the airport

Doing your laundry

Wi-Fi for free

A big meeting room

Center for health and fitness

Hotel in Cap Kivu

Just 7 kilometers from Gisenyi is the beautiful Cap Kivu Hotel, which is a great place to stay for your holiday adventure. There is a fitness center, a shared lounge, and a large restaurant that serves both local and foreign food. The lodge has all the amenities that its guests could want. There is a nice swimming pool at Cap Kivu Hotel, as well as a clean yard where you can sit and enjoy the beautiful views. It has a nice place to sit with a view of Lake Kivu, and the sunrise and sunset are beautiful here.

The Hotel Goma Serena

As a great place to stay in Goma town, the Goma Serena Hotel has a Pan-African theme and more than 109 different types of rooms. Each room has a beautiful view of Lake Kivu and is decorated with authentic African art and local Congolese artifacts that encourage travelers to learn about and connect with the culture of the area.

Services at the Goma Serena Hotel

No fee to park

Pool for swimming

Working out center with a gym

Things for kids to do

nice people

Cleaning the house

Tent Camp Tchegera

The Tchegera Tented Camp is set on the stunning blue water of Lake Kivu in Virunga National Park. Lake Kivu is famous for its unique shape, which is the top crater rim of a volcano that has been dormant for a long time. It has a lovely view of Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira, with their bright red lava poking through a star. There are six tents at Tchegera for guests to stay in. Two of them are twin rooms, and the other four are double rooms with great amenities.

Things to do at Tchegera Tented Camp

High-speed internet for free

Place to Eat

Special meals for diets

Area for eating outside

Peace of mind and safety

When you go to Goma City, you should be very aware of the latest security changes, especially if you want to go to the countryside. You should know that a lot of the people who live in Goma have been through hard times, like war and the current Ebola crisis, which is now under control. All of these events have led to stricter border controls and an extremely high number of armed security guards to keep civilians and tourists safe. The “UN,” on the other hand, has a big peacekeeping team in the Goma area to protect their staff and help the government get things back to normal.

Advice on Safety

Even though Goma–Congo is a beautiful country, there are still more major security risks for tourists there. To stay as safe as possible, it is best to go with a tour company that follows government rules and regulations. Do everything you can to stay away from protests, because even polite ones can turn violent very quickly. Be very careful whenever you’re going. You can’t be sure that anything quiet will happen. That’s why you should stay off the streets at night.

If they need to go around on their own, they should book with a reputable tour company that gives their customers an armed guard. For your own safety, always bring your passport and DRC visa with you when you cross a provincial line or fly within the country. Check out the country’s CDC Traveler’s Health page. But if something goes wrong, it’s smart to have a backup plan when you go to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

How to get to Goma

But you can get to Goma, the town hub in Congo that has a lot of magical sights, by both road and air. You can fly into Kigali International Airport in Rwanda and then drive to Gisenyi town, which is only a short distance from the border with Rwanda. From there, you can take a bus to Goma. If you’d rather, you can take a direct trip to Goma from the airport with Ethiopian Airlines.

They offer services every day. Before you go to the town of Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Make sure you have things like a valid passport that doesn’t expire less than six months before your trip and a valid yellow fever card that hasn’t expired more than ten years ago.