Tchegera Island
Tchegera Island is one of the most amazing places to visit while on a Congo safaris tour. The Island is a very beautiful and relaxing U shaped collapsed volcanic Caldera Island only 15 to 20 minutes on boat away from Goma harbour, which most travellers go to after gorilla trekking in Congo. The Island, located on the northern shores of Lake Kivu that is shared by Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, is one of the best and yet least known Congo destination that offers perfect relaxation and exclusion that travellers have not known to experience in the Congo. Opened in 2019 when Virunga National Park was reopened after a long closure, Tchegera Island has since been a welcome resting and relaxing destination for many.
The Island offers great scenic views. During the day, travellers are rewarded with captivating views of Lake Kivu and the four volcanoes that include Mount Mikeno, Mount Karisimbi, Mount Nyamulagira and Mount Nyiragongo. On a good clear night, travellers are rewarded with amazing views of the red-lit sky which is a result of the lava glow from Mount Nyiragongo and Mount Nyamulagira, which also reflects on the lake’s surface, giving travellers a tranquil and spectacular views.
Birdlife in Tchegera is worth to note and travellers can spot a variety of them with a bird watching activity or while on a nature walk through some trails in Tchegera Island. Some of the birds travellers can see include gulls, African eagles, among others.
Apart from bird watching and nature walking, other activities that travellers can enjoy in Tchegera Island include kayaking, canoeing, swimming in the fresh waters, picnicking in some of the most beautiful areas around Tchegera Island as well as paddle boarding, fishing, scenic and sunset viewing. Walking on the black sand beach can be done by travellers who would wish to. Given that The Island has almost a non-existent population, travellers are assured of much quiet and privacy thus fulfilling their need for tranquillity and serenity.
Blue monkeys that are common in The Island are an attraction that most travellers look forward to seeing whenever in the area. These beautiful blue monkeys are sometimes seen coming as close the tents where travellers can see them up-close.
The Island is usually warm during the evening. During the day, temperatures in The Island range from 23-26 degrees Celsius but do drop up to 10 degrees Celsius in the cold season which fall in the months of June and August. Travellers visiting Tchegera Island are therefore encouraged to carry appropriate clothing.
Getting to Tchegera Island
Getting to The Island requires one to have purchased a permit which secures round boat transfer. The Island can only be accessed by boat, from Goma harbour or Kituku port. Travellers could also hire a boat, or a kayak at the harbour and then be transferred to Tchegera Island. It is only about 20 minutes by boat from Goma to Tchegera Island. From Tchegera, the boat usually sets off early in the morning, at 7:30am to allow travellers enough time to connect for a transfer back to Kigali or continue with their safari.
Accommodation in Tchegera Island
The only available accommodation in Tchegera is the Tchegera Island Tented Camp, which is run by Virunga National Park authorities. This therefore necessitates prior booking to be able to secure your stay there. Tchegera Tented Camp is a luxury camp with great service, comfortable and the cuisine is great too.
If an escape from the bustle and hustle as well as unwinding is what you are after, or even recover after a very adventurous and thrilling gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park, hiking Mount Nyiragongo and whatever else weighed you down. The Island is also a perfect honeymoon destination choice that travellers should consider visiting. The Island can be visited alone or combined with other destinations say Virunga National Park for gorilla trekking and hiking Mount Nyiragongo, or with Kahuzi Biega National Park as well. 2 days in Tchegera Island are usually enough to enjoy and explore the place. For those intending to spend their honeymoon here, spending more days is advised. Irrespective of what you have in mind, just get in touch with us or a reputable tour operator to help you plan an unwinding Congo safari visiting Tchegera Island for great experiences and memories.
