This is the ultimate guide to Visiting & Trekking Gorillas in Congo 2023/24. Mountain Gorilla trekking in Congo is done in Virunga National Park and Congo Lowland Gorillas are tracked in Kahuzi Biega National Park.
The best place to trek and see Mountain Gorillas during Congo gorilla trekking safaris in the Democratic Republic of Congo is Virunga National Park, one of the great Virunga Ranges.
Congo gorilla safaris also offer encounters with the Eastern Lowland Gorilla trekking in Congo or Grauer’s gorillas which reside in Kahuzi-Biega National Park and Maiko National Park but are only trekked in Kahuzi-Biega.
Virunga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is situated in the Virunga volcanoes and encompasses 3 of them: – the dormant Mount Mikeno volcano, the active Mount Nyamuragira, and Mount Nyiragongo (which is one of the world’s most dangerous active volcanos) last erupted on 22nd May 2021 – Read more about the eruption of Mount Nyiragongo Volcano 2021. Hiking Mount Nyiragongo is one of the most exciting things you can do in Africa.
Covering an area of about 8,090km², this wonderful park also encompasses part of Africa’s highest Mountain range, the 5109m-high Rwenzori Mountains which boasts permanent glaciers and snow on its peaks. It is Africa’s oldest National Park set aside in 1925 and easily the most biodiverse national park on the continent, if not in the whole world.
Over 706 bird species and 216 mammal species have been recorded in the park including Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Forest elephants, Savannah elephants, Cape buffalos, Forest buffaloes, Lions, Leopards, and 21 species of monkeys including the endangered golden monkeys.
There are 10 habituated gorilla families in Virunga National Park you can trek during your gorilla safari in Congo;
Mount Nyiragongo is a striking stratovolcano featuring the largest lava lake in the world. It is also one of the world’s most dangerous active volcanoes last erupting in 2021. This beautiful volcano stands over 3,470 meters above sea level and is the hottest mountaineering destination in Africa. Hiking to its top to stare down into a bubbling lava lake in the massive crater below is indeed an experience of a lifetime. It will not only test your fitness level but will also leave you with strong memories of your African gorilla safaris in Congo. The average climbing time is between 4 and 6 hours, with the descent of the volcano taking around 4 hours.
Virunga National Park also offers opportunities for chimpanzee trekking safaris in Congo near the park headquarters at Rumangabo. Unlike the gorillas, chimp trekking starts much earlier in the morning to have better chances of seeing them as they start the day before they scatter in search of food especially fruits which they enjoy immensely.
Virunga National Park offers visitors a birding tour in Congo a checklist of 708 bird species. Several bird sightings are found in the park’s varied vegetation, mountainous areas, swamps, rainforests, and other landscapes. Rare birds of the park include Rockefeller’s sunbird and Nectarinia Rockefeller found in the bamboo, the Grauer’s swamp warbler, and shoebill storks.
The park’s southern sector host about 20 bird species that are endemic to the Albertine rift including the Rwenzori batis, Archer’s ground robins, Rwenzori turacos, Red-throated athlete, Rwenzori Double-collared sunbirds, Dusky and Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Kivu ground thrush, Collared Apalis, Mountain masked Apalis, Blue-headed sunbirds, Regal sunbirds, and Strange weavers.
Visitors on a Virunga National Park gorilla trek can also undertake a tour to Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage Center. It is the only mountain gorilla orphanage center in the whole world. This center was established in 2010 to help in taking care of orphaned gorillas that were rescued from poachers. It is named after one of the silverbacks that were killed in 2007. The orphanage is located in Rumangabo near the park headquarters and Mikeno lodge.
Senkwekwe orphanage center started with 2 orphan gorillas Ndakasi and Ndeze. Today, the number has increased to about 6 gorillas; Ndeze, Ndakasi, Kaboko, Yalala, Matabishi. They have been habituated and a visit to the orphanage is an extraordinary part of the safari. Access to the Orphanage is free.
Covering an area of 6000km2 Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the eastern DR Congo is the best place for lowland gorilla trekking safaris in Congo. This UNESCO Natural World Heritage site and the only place on Earth where the wild Eastern lowland Gorillas, the biggest gorillas in the world live. These great apes are capable of weighing up to 250kg. They are believed to number around 5,000. About 12 eastern lowland gorilla families live in Kahuzi-Biega National Park and 3 of them have been habituated to gorilla trekking;
While on your lowland gorilla trekking tour in Congo’s Kahuzi Biega National Park, mountain climbing is another activity that will give you an exceptional experience. The park features two extinct volcanoes where travelers enjoy hiking experiences in the jungle. This Congo adventure safari activity offers incredible scenic views of Bukavu town and Lake Kivu among other beautiful views of the tropical rainforests of Kahuzi Biega.
If you are looking for an activity to do after your gorilla trekking in Congo, you can visit Lwiro Rehabilitation Center. Located close to the park headquarters a visit to the sanctuary can be easily combined with a Congo gorilla trek. The sanctuary is home to 92 chimps and 108 monkeys of 13 different species are kept in excellent conditions. These primates have been rescued from poaching. The sanctuary allows travelers while on their gorilla safaris in Congo to encounter a lot of primates as well as participate in the conservation practice of the touched primates.
After your Congo lowland gorilla trekking adventure in Kahuzi-Biega, you also explore the daily life of the local people in Bukavu city through village walks. You can also visit the Royal court of the Kingdom of Kabare the most powerful kingdom south of Kivu. Here the traveler can learn about its traditions and secrets, and can also spend time with the Mwami’s wise men who will present some of the objects of symbolic importance to the court. Visits will finish with an enthusiastic Ntole dance performed by the Bushi villagers.
Bordering the park is the cinchona and tea plantations of Mbayo. Visits can also be taken to this area to learn about the history of cinchona cultivation in DR Congo, including its collapse due to disease and its current slow recovery. Brave (or foolhardy) visitors may accept to chew on some of the cinchona bark.
Gorilla trekking in Congo is a profound wildlife-watching experience and one that tops many travelers’ bucket lists – with good reasons;
So rare are the mountain gorillas that they can only survive in the wild. These great apes are among the most endangered primates in the world with about 1,063 in existence which makes a gorilla safari to Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo to see the rare mountain gorillas in their natural habitat a-once-in-a-lifetime journey.
A big part of what makes the gorilla trek in Congo so special is that these big apes are so closely related to humans (the difference in DNA is only about 1.6%). And aside from the DNA, it is hard not to find gorillas eerily similar to humans by just staring face to face with them. They live in family groups and gorilla mothers take very good care of their babies. Each gorilla family is led by one giant Silverback male.
Gorillas are also extremely intelligent primates and communicate with each other through vocalizations like grunts and barks. They are capable of feeling emotions like we do. Witnessing these great apes expressing typically human gestures and emotions is a truly profound experience and one of the reasons that gorilla trekking is such a life-changing adventure.
Gorillas are the strongest and largest primates on earth, almost 3 times as bulky as an average man. Despite their immense size, strength, and fearsome appearance, mountain gorillas are remarkably peaceful creatures. More impressive even than their great size is their unfathomable attitude to people, which greatly differs from that of any other wild animal you know. This makes a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo to encounter these wonderful creatures in their natural habitat the most intimate wildlife encounters you can have in Africa, if not the world.
Mountain gorilla trekking destinations of Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC have challenging terrains. The trek to see our giant cousins usually involves hours of navigating uphill and downhill through dense forest with thick tangles of vines, roots, and muddy areas. It is relatively difficult, but a face-to-face encounter with the majestic mountain gorillas will gift you with soul-stirring memories that will stay etched in your mind forever.
Anyone visiting a gorilla perk for a gorilla trekking tour is by definition, ensuring the survival of these endangered primates. If you, for example, buy a Congo gorilla trekking permit, you not only buy a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with charismatic apes, you’re providing the economic incentive for the protection of the endangered mountain gorillas. Without gorilla tourism, mountain gorillas might have gone extinct.
Many scouts, who were once poachers of gorillas and other primates, are now their protectors and earn their livelihoods safeguarding what they once killed. It’s a conservation success story and continued gorilla trekking tourism is vital to the species’ continued existence.
Gorilla trekking in Congo is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that requires a decent bit of preparation. If you want to start preparing for a Congo gorilla tour or Congo gorilla trekking, here are our expert tips:-
If you are planning to trek Congo mountain gorillas or Cong lowland gorillas, having preferred travel dates will make a big difference to your Congo gorilla safari itinerary. Like the rest of Africa, the best safari experiences in Congo can depend on naturally occurring factors, like seasonal rainfall.
It is always a good idea to check what is to be expected in terms of weather, and temperatures in the month. Of course, nothing is guaranteed – as we all know nature can be very unpredictable. But, having an idea of when it is dry/rainy season will help manage your expectations and keep you comfortable on your Congo safari tour.
Most travelers consider the drier seasons of June to September and December to February the best time for gorilla trekking in Congo. Gorillas live in the tropical rainforests of Congo close to the equator, which means it could rain any time of the year and ruin your experience.
Preparing for Congo gorilla trekking during the dry months gives you a higher chance of no downpour during your adventure. The roads are dryer, and the hike through uneven terrain will be much less demanding.
Knowing how many days you want to spend on a safari is also very important when preparing for a gorilla trekking Congo tour. This will probably be determined by the amount of vacation leave you have, but it is still something to think about.
Congo gorilla safaris usually start from Uganda or Rwanda and range from 4 days to 8 days. These safaris offer a combination of other activities including volcano hiking, chimpanzee trekking, community visits, etc.
Chatting to an expert local Congo tour operator with knowledge can be hugely beneficial and will make the whole process a lot less daunting.
Researching on your own is certainly a good starting point. When it comes to choosing and booking a Congo gorilla safari, however, it helps to have someone answering questions along the way.
Even if you’ve just read our guide to preparation for a gorilla trekking Congo tour. A Congo safari expert has in-depth knowledge of the country’s current security situation, the best places to stay, plus more. And will be able to recommend options that suit your needs. This can save a lot of time and research on your side.
If you preparing for your Congo gorilla trekking trip, you will need to book a gorilla permit. The gorilla permit is a document/card issued by the Virunga National Park office and allows any traveler above the age of 15 to trek Congo gorillas.
Gorilla trekking permits grant access to one trek and one hour with the gorillas. The length of the trek may vary, depending on where the gorillas are on any given day.
You can book your Congo gorilla permit with Virunga National Park, a bureaucratic process many avoid, or with a licensed local tour operator. Book at least 6 months ahead of travel to ensure availability.
Congo Gorilla Trekking Permit Price:-
A permit for gorilla trekking in Congo at Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park costs USD 400 per person per trek for anyone above 15 years.
Compared to the USD 700 Uganda gorilla permit and US 1,500 Rwanda gorilla permit, DR Congo offers the cheapest gorilla trekking experiences.
On your Congo gorilla safari trip, you will be trekking at high altitudes, through steep, uneven terrain where no vehicles can go, for many hours in a day.
Although anyone that can walk can go for a Congo gorilla trek, it is advisable to have a reasonable level of physical fitness to have a great gorilla trekking experience.
Check into your community gym, do morning and evening runs, and stretch up your muscles at least three months before your Congo gorilla trip date.
This will help you trek hours without muscle pains at the end of the day when you should be enjoying chatty evenings at the lodge.
Since mountain gorillas share about 97% of our DNA, they’re susceptible to human illness. Therefore, you’ll not be allowed into the jungle if you show some signs of infectious disease. Reschedule your Congo gorilla trekking safari if you get the flu, cough, or Coronavirus.
Check with your doctor to ensure you have the vaccine shots such as malaria, Covid-19, Yellow fever, and Hepatitis. Entry into Congo may require your COVID-19 vaccine or test negative 72 hours before entry into the country.
Gorilla trekking in Congo involves hiking in wet conditions through thick vegetation and along steep, at times rather muddy, mountain tracks.
Therefore, you need to prepare for your gorilla trip by packing essential clothes, shoes, and other gear. And as prepare your gorilla trekking safari packing list, don’t forgettable COVID-19 prevention items.
Neutral Color Clothes: As always, dress in the colors of nature so that you blend in with your surroundings. Pack greens, greys, and browns in a lightweight material that wicks moisture. Avoid camouflage – it is unlawful for civilians to wear it in many areas. Do not wear animal prints as the gorillas may be frightened at seeing a ‘leopard’, for example.
Facemask: Because gorillas are susceptible to human diseases such as flu, cold, and COVID-19, gorilla trekking in Congo requires a facemask.
Waterproof hiking boots or shoes: You need hiking shoes/boots with good traction to keep you from slipping as you trek on uneven ground that can get very slippery in case of rain. Mid-cut to high-cut would be ideal especially for the inexperienced to protect your ankles.
A Pair of Gaiters: Invest in a pair of gaiters to keep water, stones, mud, and sand out of your boots. Knee-high ones will keep the bottoms of your trousers dry.
Strong gardening gloves: Some trekkers wear gardening gloves so they can grab onto plants and branches for support without worrying about hurting their hands.
Waterproof Jacket or Poncho: This is very essential if you will be trekking during the rainy season, but it is also not unusual to experience sporadic rains even during the dry season. You are trekking in a rainforest on a highland so expect rain any time and have a rain jacket on you.
Long-Sleeved Shirt or Blouse and Trouser/hiking pants: Some vegetation may be prickly, and covering up your arms and legs will save them from scratches and bugs.
Broad-breamed hat: This will protect you from strong equatorial sunshine.
Camera and extra batteries: You’re going to want to capture some scenes from your trek and time with the gorillas.
Insect repellent: Ensure the repellant you bring contains DEET, as this is the ingredient that offers the best protection from mosquitoes and other insects.
A walking stick: You may want a walking stick to assist you on the trek, especially if trekking on a wet day.
Mini first aid kit including anti-diarrhea medicine, rehydration sachets, aspirin, cold medication, antiseptic cream, band-aids (plasters), motion sickness pills, lip balm, eye drops, and personal medication
Water bottle or hip flask: Be sure to keep hydrated, especially at altitude.
A waterproof daypack: You’ll use this to carry all your essentials like your camera and rain jacket.
Other Essential Things to Carry For Your Gorilla Trek Congo
Note: If you’re offered the option of a porter to carry your pack, please consider employing him. Many porters are reformed poachers and rely on the income from trekking to support their families – and not slip back into lucrative poaching.
Gorilla trekking in Congo at Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega National Park has some strict rules and regulations that are supposed to be followed by the trekkers on their Congo gorilla safari expeditions. Here are the rules to follow before you visit the gorillas, on the way to the gorillas, and when you are with gorillas:-
Gorillas share around 97% of our DNA and are therefore highly susceptible to many of the viruses that we carry, and coronavirus is no exception.
To keep these wonderful primates safe, the Democratic Republic of Congo government has established several COVID-19 safety protocols/Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for gorilla trekking tours:
You probably have a 95% chance of seeing Mountain Gorillas and Lowland Gorillas on a gorilla trekking tour in Congo.
We cannot say 100% because of the rules or laws of nature.
Why are the chances of seeing gorillas so high? Gorilla trekking in Congo is so organized and as such, by the time tourists leave for the trek in the forest, the guides already know where gorilla families are and their movements of the day.
In Virunga National Park or Kahuzi Biega National Park, a group of trekkers or advanced groups wake up very early to go to the forest to trace where all the gorilla families are. Once they find them, they keep following them until the time for communicating to the park headquarters comes.
They will then call the headquarters to inform them of the whereabouts of the different gorilla families and it’s from where tourists with their gorilla guides will start the trek into the forest following instructions from the advanced team.
Another reason why chances of seeing mountain gorillas are high both in Uganda and Rwanda is gorilla families for gorilla trekking are fully habituated. Members of these gorilla families are habituated for a period of not less than two years and as such, they are used to people.
Chances that they will run away even when you have reached them are few.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is a year-round gorilla trekking destination.
But as you plan your Congo gorilla safari tour, note that the best time to go for gorilla trekking in Congo is during the dry seasons of June to September and December to February.
Eastern DRC, and Virunga National Park particularly, have a very wet climate. It can rain at any time. However, from June to September and December to February, there is less rain, and the forest trails tend to be less slippery.
March to April and October to November are the peaks of the short and long rains. You’ll get good deals on lodges over this time and gorilla trekking fees might be reduced too. Make sure you bring lots of waterproof clothing, though, and be prepared to get wet a few times.
Gorilla trekking in Congo at Virunga National Park and Kahuzi-Biega National Park is safe for travelers visiting the country using a reliable Congo tour operator.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has a long history of political turbulence and unrest. Yes, it is still unstable in some parts. But the Congo gorilla trekking destinations of Virunga National Park and Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the east of the country are considered safe.
Security measures have been put in place. The government of Congo has deployed a lot of forces to ensure that all travelers that visit Congo on a safari are safe from the time they enter the country until the end of their safari.
Also, the management of Virunga National park takes the security of visitors on a safari in Congo seriously and will go to great lengths to ensure visitors to the park are protected.
If any signs indicate a security issue, management may decide to temporarily close one or more of its attractions. All bookings for these attractions will be refunded in full or alternative options offered.
Visitors to Virunga are always escorted by armed guards and wardens who are always on the lookout for poachers and other armed groups. A visitor to Virunga National Park needs to adjust and get comfortable seeing more armed personnel and guns than usual.
The park also benefits from the presence of a large contingent of UN peacekeepers in the nearby Goma town – You will be surprised to find a large diplomatic community in the area.
We advise travelers to book their Congo safaris with the right and genuine tour operators who will offer safaris that are inclusive of safe accommodation lodges in Congo, with a driver-guide that will ensure that the travelers are safe until the end of the Congo gorilla trekking tours.
A gorilla safari to Congo can also be packaged with very different Congo safaris and wildlife experiences.
The country is home to unique wild animals in Bonobos/pygmy chimpanzees in Salonga National Park and Okapi (with similar stripes to those of Zebras yet more closely related to giraffes) in Okapi Wildlife Reserve. These animals only live in DR Congo in the wild in the whole world.
Congo is also home to the unique Forest Elephants, African bush elephant, Cape Buffalos, Forest buffalos, Lions, Leopards, Chimpanzees, Hippos, Topis, African Civet, African golden wolf, Banded Mongoose, Blue duiker, Bohor reedbuck, Bushbuck, Greater Kudu, Giant forest hog, Oribi, Spotted and many more which combine to make the wildlife safaris in Congo memorable.
The wildlife safaris in Congo also present an unmatchable exploration of the Congo River – the world’s second-largest river in terms of discharge after the Amazon and the world’s deepest river with an adventure Tiger Fishing experience.
The famous Virunga Volcanoes to the East of Congo are part of these wildlife safari packages and the popular Nyiragongo Volcano climbing is always availed to enable one to explore the world’s largest and most violent lava lake.
Gorillas are endangered the treks are carefully regulated in Congo’s Virunga National Park, and Kahuzi Biega National Park.
Gorilla permits are not easy to secure and traveling to such a remote gorilla trekking destination and ensuring the best chances for a successful gorilla trekking tour needs the kind of direct experience and local knowledge that you get from an African safari expert. You can get in touch with us to plan your gorilla trekking tour to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gorilla permits are not easy to secure and expensive and traveling to such a remote gorilla trekking destination and ensuring the best chances for a successful gorilla trekking tour needs the kind of direct experience and local knowledge that you get from an African safari expert.
You can get in touch with us to plan your gorilla trekking tour to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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