GORILLA TREKKING IN CONGO- AN EXPERIENCE IN VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK

Is gorilla trekking done in congo? Yes Congo is one of the three African countries that inhabit mountain gorillas in Virunga ranges a part from Uganda and Rwanda. Gorilla trekking in Congo is conducted in Virunga National Park which occupies about 7800sq km and stretches to the north to Rwenzori. Amidst being a rest place for mountain gorillas you can as well spot other mammals, reptiles and Birds. The park is the oldest wildlife protected area in Africa with a lot of protected wildlife species.

The park has over 250 habituated mountain gorillas and 8 gorilla families namely Kabirizi, Lulengo, Rugendo, Humba, Mapuwa, Nyakamwe gorilla group, Munyaga, and Bageni gorilla families have been habituated for trekking at $450 for a gorilla permit. You are therefore allowed to spend only one hour with them before you return back to Park headquarters on your gorilla trekking in Congo.

Getting to DR Congo for gorilla trekking exploration can be quick when you fly through Kigali and proceed through Gisenyi by road and cross to Goma in DR Congo for a distance between 2-3 hour drive. As well Ethiopian Airways operate single flights weekly to Goma which makes accessibility to the area more affordable. Whereas in Uganda, you can access Virunga national through Bunagana border found in Kisoro town

Other attractive activities that can be tailor made on your package for gorilla trekking in Congo

Visit the Senkwekwe orphanage which is located in Rumangabo next to Mikeno lodge. Each of the four gorillas living at the center was victimized by poachers or animal traffickers, and likely witnessed family members being murdered. Note that you will not be interacting with the Gorilla’s but you can see them from a distance playing and their how their caregivers take care of them.

Mountain Hiking to Nyiragongo Volcanoes is one of the thrilling activity that can be done in the area. The volcano last erupted in 2002, and the effects are still visible in Goma today: black volcanic rocks are scattered across the city

Lowland gorilla trekking experience

The Eastern Lowland Gorillas (Gorilla berengei graueri) live in a small national park called Kahuzi-Biega National Park. The national park is named after the 2 extinct volcanoes, Kahuzi and Biega which dominate the park with summits at around 2600 meter above sea level. During your gorilla trekking in Congo you will be able to approach the gorillas at short range. You will spend one hour with them and you are able to make pictures but without flash. The lowland Gorilla should not be confused with their relatives the Mountain Gorilla’s. The main difference in appearance is the size and type of hair.

What you need to consider for Gorilla trekking Experience in DR Congo

• You won’t be let into the country unless you have a yellow fever vaccine card that proves you’ve had the vaccine.
• You need a reasonable amount of fitness to do the trek, but you don’t need to be super-athletic or anything
• A group of 8 people is only allowed to visit a gorilla family per day since these primates don’t like congestion
• Gorilla trekking starts at 8 am. This implies that you need to plan to travel early to the headquarters for post-briefing on the rules and regulations to follow for a successful encounter with the primates in the jungle.
• Tourists who are found with and symptoms of illness will not be allowed to trek gorillas since the primates can easily contract human diseases.
• The visa required for entering DR Congo costs US$ 100 and it must be applied for in advance.

Like the rest of the East African countries which inhabit gorillas (Uganda and Rwanda), the process of acquiring permits is through booking with a trusted local tour operator in advance to secure your trekking permits and the cost of gorilla trekking permit in DR Congo is at US$400, this makes it cheaper than the cost of permits in Rwanda and Uganda. You can visit the park any all year round, though during some wet seasons like May and October it is a bit had to use some paths while tracking gorillas, you can therefore visit the country in the dry seasons of, January, February, June, July, August and September

Safari Vacations & Travel Services organize gorilla trekking safaris to Virunga National Park, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Bwindi impenetrable National Park in Uganda. Contact us today for more information about your gorilla trekking safari