Do you want to have an off beaten gorilla trekking experience? The Democratic Republic of Congo is your best gorilla destination. Congo is one of the three countries where mountain gorillas live along with Uganda and Rwanda. Gorilla safaris are the top done tourist activity, which bring a highest number of travelers to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Interestingly, Congo gorilla trekking safaris involve meeting two different gorilla species! You will get a chance to visit mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park and eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. In comparison to the neighboring Rwanda and Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo has the least gorilla visits. The Congolese Institute for the conservation of Nature (ICCN) manages gorilla trekking in Congo.
Virunga Park covers Congo’s share of the Virunga Conservation Area bordered by Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. The Park is home to 8 gorilla families habituated for trekking. Each day, Virunga Park has 64 available gorilla permits for those who want to see these endangered species. Gorilla groups in Congo include Mapuwa gorilla family, Nyakamwe gorilla group, Rugendo gorilla family, Kabirizi gorilla family, Munyaga gorilla family, Lulengo gorilla group and Kabirizi gorilla family. Each family is visited by eight people per day. The fewer visits to Virunga National park compared to other gorilla parks have kept in natural and the experience is more experimental. Unfortunately, the constant civil conflicts and rebel groups in the park have often disrupted gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park. Many cases of park rangers being kidnapped and killed in the park have often discouraged some travelers from visiting Congo for gorilla trekking.
The 2 days gorilla trekking in Virunga from Kigali tour is a remarkable short Congo gorilla trekking safari that is …
Gorilla Tours in DR Congo
Lowland gorilla trekking. Done in Kahuzi Biega National park, Eastern lowland gorilla trekking is yet another interesting gorilla safari in Congo. The park spreads over Mount Kahuzi and Biega located in Eastern Congo near Lake Kivu in Bukavu province. A 3 Days Lowland gorilla trekking tour is a perfect package to trek lowland gorillas. Eastern lowland gorillas are scientifically called Gorilla beringei graueri and are the largest gorilla specie in the whole world. A stocky body, brown coat short muzzle and large hands differentiate lowland gorillas from other gorilla species in the wild. The fact that the park is spread over the mountains, trekking to meet Eastern Lowland gorillas is quite challenging and difficult compared to trekking the sister Mountain gorillas in Virunga National park.
The lowland gorillas are still considered critically endangered species due to severe poaching in the park. Kahuzi-Biega National park is the only place to see these critically endangered lowland gorillas. The day of visiting lowland gorillas start with a briefing at Tshivanga Visitor information Centre where travelers are registered and briefed on the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking.
Cost of Congo gorilla trekking safaris. The cost of a Congo gorilla safari is determined by the cost of a gorilla permit. Each permit to trek gorillas in Virunga National park costs $450 for foreign non-residents and $400 for foreign residents. Trekking gorillas in Congo is therefore cheaper compared to Uganda and Rwanda. Congo gorilla trekking safaris are therefore best for budget travelers.
How to Book Congo gorilla permit? You can book directly with the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature or indirectly through any trusted travel operator offering gorilla safaris to Virunga National park and Eastern Lowland gorillas. Gorilla permit booking is recommended at least 6 months in advance. A 30% deposit is required upon booking while the balance is required 45 days to the trekking date. Failure to pay full balance in time will lead go loss of a permit and the first deposit. Gorilla permits are non refundable in all gorilla National parks in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Guide to Gorilla trekking in Congo. If you are planning a gorilla safari to Congo, first decide on where you want to go for gorilla trekking. Do you want to trek mountain gorillas or Eastern lowland gorillas? Having decided on where you want to go, the next step is booking for a permit. This can be done directly or indirectly through a travel company. Prepare physically and mentally by doing physical exercises to ensure physical fitness. When the day comes, get your travel bag and head out for your magical gorilla encounter. On the day of gorilla trekking, traveler’s wakeup very early and transfer to the park headquarters for briefing and registration. The trek to meet the endangered species starts at 8:00am lasting for between 2-8 hours. The allowed time with the gorillas is strictly an hour.
Rules and regulations of gorilla trekking in Congo. At the start of each gorilla trekking day, travelers gather at the respective National park head quarters for registration and briefing. Still there, travelers are put in groups of eight and each allocated a gorilla family to trek. Rules are also called guidelines and they are put to ensure the safety of bot travelers and endangered gorillas. Gorilla trekking rules and regulations in Congo include:
Do not trek gorilla when sick. A traveler with any signs of cough, flue and cold is not allowed to visit the endangered gorillas which are susceptible to human sicknesses.
Wear a mask covering up your nose, and mouth.
Keep a seven-meter distance away from the gorillas. A social distance is recommended to avoid the transmission of human wildlife diseases or vice versa.
Do not look directly into the eyes of mountain gorillas. This scares and irritates them forcing them to behave wild.
Do not litter in the park. Leave nothing but only the foot steps in the parks.
Do not use flashlight cameras when taking pictures and capturing videos. Flash light is irritating to the gorillas.
Do not touch the gorillas.
Keep with in the group. Avoid splitting from your group. Moving alone in the jungle expose you to dangerous wild animals.
Follow the guide of park rangers.
Do not eat or drink in the presence of the gorillas
Do not smoke in the presence of gorillas.
In case a silverback gorilla charges at your, step back calmly and do not run away.
Keep your voices low, shouting loud is discomforting to the endangered gorillas
Spend strictly an hour with the gorillas. Despite the many hours spend in the jungle before meeting the gorillas, you will be given only one hour with the gorillas
Best time for trekking gorillas in Congo. The dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February is the best time to visit gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This period is characterized by less or no rains, which make it easy to trek through the jungle forests. Trekking in the wet season is undeniably challenging. Forest grounds be come so muddy and slippery making it difficult or the unfit travelers. However, wet season in the months of March, April, May, October and November attracts discounted services by hotels and other service providers. Low season is therefore the best time for budget travelers. Mountain gorilla trekking in the Democratic Republic of Congo can be done all year round!
Packing list for gorilla trekking in Congo. Are you wondering what to carry and wear for your gorilla trekking safari in the Democratic Republic of Congo? No worries, we bring you a full list of what to pack for your gorilla safari in Congo. Your travel bag should contain right clothing and other essentials for your safety and comfort in the jungle. Among the things you have to carry for gorilla trekking include:
Closed waterproof hiking boots/shoes for easy movements in the jungle
Gardening gloves to protect your hands from stinging nestles and sharp objects
Long sleeved shirts/blouse
Long pants to protect your legs from scratches by thorny and rough bushes. You pants will be tucked into stockings
Sun glasses for your eyes
A hat for your head and hair
Rain jacket incase t rains (Forest weather is unpredictable, it can rain any time and day despite the season
Insect repellants to protect you from poisonous insect bites
Scarf and sweaters to keep you warm throughout the trek
Long stockings up to the knees
Energy giving snacks to keep you strong through the day
Enough bottled drinking water to keep you hydrated throughout
Forest aid kit for any emergency in the forest
Binoculars to easily zoom up animals from a distance• Extra battery for your phone and camera
What to add on your gorilla trekking in Congo? Besides gorillas, there are other interesting things you can do and see on your Congo Safari to make a complete package. The other top travel experiences in Congo include Hiking Mount Nyiragongo Volcano, relaxing on the shores of Lake Kivu, Visit the Lola Ya Bonobo Sanctuary, Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage, chutes du Zongo, Le Cahelet, Musee National de Kinshasa, Serpents du Congo, Kwilu Bar, Chez Bronzetta, Nyumbani Lounge, Chez Flore.
Where to stay on your Congo gorilla safari? Numerous lodges, hotels and restaurants have been established in and s around gorilla national parks in Congo to serve travelers with first class food and sleeping services. The top accommodation in Congo includes Orchids Safari Club and Restaurant, Mikeno Lodge, Bukima Tented Camp, Lulimbi Tented Camp, Kibumba Tented Camp and Rumangabo Lodges among others. Conclusively, Congo gorilla safaris should never miss on your African safari. Visit Congo, trek two different gorilla species for a lifetime gorilla safari experience.
