Discover DR CONGO
Tchegera island
Tchegera is on the northern shore of Lake Kivu in Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
From the island, the Nyiragongo volcanoes and Nyamulagira volcano can be seen during a tour as well as Mikeno and Karisimbi which are among the Virunga volcanoes. Tchegera is a good spot for a relaxing experience after a tour around the national parks in Congo.
ATTRACTIONS AT tchegera ISLAND
The shape of the Tchegera island is also unique and shaped as a U which was formed due to the collapse of a volcanic caldera. The shape of the island is also sometimes compared to the shape of a horseshoe. The U shape of the island is said to be the crater rim of an volcano which became extinct long ago. The island can be explored by boat, kayak or paddle board and it is an inhabited island in Congo. Short clawed otters can occasionally be spotted by the water shores as they try to catch some fish which they feed on.
The island also has about 24 species of fish as well as crab species which are endemic to the island. The blue monkey is also sometimes spotted during visits to Tchegera. The type of the sands along the shores of the Tchegera island are black sands which are a unique feature. Guests can stay for about 2 days or more on the island to relax and unwind in by the shores of Lake Kivu. Apart from visiting the island, other activities which tourists can engage in include walks by the beach, kayaking, snorkeling, gorilla trekking in Virunga national park as well as climbing Mount Nyiragongo among other activities.
These activities are organized as part of pre-arranged packages which take place during certain days of the week. However the package for Tchegera island is a stand alone package which also requires pre booking and can be added to the Nyiragongo package or the Mikeno mist package. Gorilla trekking in Virunga national park is an exciting activity which involves searching the forests for the gorillas. The national park has about 10 gorilla families and a gorilla permit for Virunga national park costs 450 USD per person. This activity also starts from Bukima ranger post and after searching for the gorillas with the help of the rangers and finding the gorillas, tourists spend 1 hour with them and return to the Bukima tented camp where they spend the night.
Mount Nyiragongo hike is another activity which tourists can do during their tours around the Tchegera island. Mount Nyiragongo has the worlds largest lava lake and these hikes start from the park headquarters and it takes about 5 to 6 hours to hike to the summit of Mount Nyiragongo with 2 stops along the way. After spending the night on the mountain, the hikers descend the next morning and from the Bukima post they can connect to Goma or other destinations.
Vacinity of the Nyiragongo is also home to bird species such as African eagles, white breasted cormorants, pied kingfishers and also gulls and is also a birding spot with about 301 bird species.
best time to visit tchegera ISLAND
Tchegera island experiences warm climate with temperature ranging from 23 degrees Celsius to 26 degrees Celsius during the day.
The dry season on the island is experienced during the months of July and August as well as in September which is also considered a good time to visit Tchegera island. The months of December and February are also in the dry months. The rainy season is experienced around March to May and also around October and November.
HOW TO GET TO tchegera ISLAND
It is located about 20 to 30 minutes boat ride from Goma harbor and going to and from the Tchegera island is done by boat.
Tchegera island can be accessed after getting to Goma and can be accessed by getting a permit for a boat transfer to and back from the island. The boat transfer to Tchegera island is charged per person. And the boats used during the transfer to the island can be private boats.
The time that the boat to Tchegera island sets off from Goma is around 7:30 am. The boats to the island can also be got from Kituku port.
Getting to Tchegera island by flight can be done through the Goma airport using airlines such as Ethiopian airlines and Jambo jet. Flights can also land in Kigali airport followed by a road transfer to the Congo border which takes about 3 to 4 hours
WHERE TO STAY AT tchegera ISLAND
Accommodation on Tchegera island includes Tchegera island tented camp which is managed by the authorities of Virunga national park.
Tchegera island tented camp offers 8 styled tented rooms which is accommodation for tourists visiting the island. These rooms include single rooms and also double or twin rooms on the shores of the island. Prior booking of the camp on Tchegera island is advised during tours around the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The facilities in the Tchegera island tented camp include rooms with flushing toilets, small verandahs and guests at the camp can also enjoy bucket showers during their stay and also views of Lake Kivu.
The rooms at Tchegera island tented camp also have en suite bathrooms and are also powered by generators. Another form of electricity which is used at the camp is solar electricity and each of the rooms has charging points.
The main area of the camp is a place where guests can enjoy their meals. There is also a bar at the main area as well as a lounge. WIFI is also available for guests on Tchegera island. Tchegera island also provides a serene environment for honeymooners in Congo.
The staff at the Tchegera island tented camp are also very welcoming and take care of the guests during their relaxing holiday after touring the neighboring destinations. The forms of payment accepted on the island include cash and credit card.
