Congo Safaris offer one of the most adventurous safari experiences with several activities to indulge in. Congo is blessed to be the only country that is home to both mountain gorillas as well as the lowland gorillas. These differ by nature of their habitat and a slight difference in body size. The mountain gorillas live on the higher part of Virunga Volcanoes that cross through Uganda, Rwanda and Congo that is a joint natural habitat for the gentle giants. The lowland gorillas on the other hand live on the lowland Kahuzi Biega National Park. All of these can be trekked by tourists who visit Congo.
Congo is also blessed with so many other attractisafarions including chimpanzees, primates and an array of bird species. For botanists, the Congo rain forest is one to admire. It is the second largest supplier of oxygen to the planet after the Amazon forest.
Mount Nyiragongo is also one of the top highlights for Congo. The active Volcano has been such a great experience for hikers to the top of the volcano as well as spending a night on the top of the Volcano. This was until the eruption in 2019 that the Nyiragogngo hike was put to hold as studies on this active volcano go on. With its proximity to the Volcanoes National Park, this equally affected the mountain gorilla trekking safaris in Congo.
It is popular that the security situation in Congo is not very stable and very much advisable to ensure that you have latest information before planning to visit. Having a well planned trip with experts would be of great confidence to best plan.
Congo Gorilla Safaris
Gorilla trekking safaris in Congo is cheaper than in any other destination. Congo gorilla safaris permits are at USD 450 each compared to the neighboring Uganda and Rwanda that are more expensive. However, even with the low gorilla trekking permit cost, the Democratic Republic of Congo isn’t such a popular destination for world travelers.
The Virunga National Park is one of the less explored treasures in Africa with great biodiversity. A gorilla safari to Congo is a great opportunity to discover the less explored gorilla habitat of Virunga National Park for a mountain gorilla trek. Luckily, Congo is also the only destination that inhabits both mountain and lowland gorillas, the Lowland gorillas living in the Kahuzi Biega National Park.
Virunga National Park is the only place where you can see mountain gorillas in Congo. The park is in the northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa). Several gorilla families have been habituated in the park for gorilla trekking. These groups have been accustomed to human presence therefore not aggressive and safe to trek.
By names, these groups are Kabirizi, Rugendo, Humba, Mapuwa, Bageni, Lulengo, Munyaga and Nyakamwe gorilla families. When you purchase a Congo gorilla trekking safari permit, you receive a chance to spend a maximum of 1 hour in the presence of the mountain gorillas.
A visit to the Virunga National Park is unique and sometimes referred to as for the “brave” because within Virunga there are also two active volcanoes namely Mount Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira. Mount Nyiragongo is an active stratovolcano with an elevation of 3,470 m above sea level. Its latest eruption was in 2021, something that affected the activities and hike to the top of the volcano. On long gorilla tours in Congo, combining a gorilla trekking experience with a hike to Mount Nyiragongo on about 4 days Congo safari would be such a great experience.
Specifically for tourists who just want to trek gorillas in Congo, Vacanza Adventure Safaris can customize for you short tour packages. These short gorilla trekking itineraries can start from Goma or Rwanda for both mountain gorilla trekking and for the lowland gorillas. These can range from 1 to 3 days itineraries.
We also have expertise in customizing long itinerary Congo gorilla tours. These packages do not only include gorilla trekking but also other adventures in Congo.
The Congo Gorilla trekking Experience
All gorilla treks are led by Virunga Rangers and local pisteurs who are responsible for the daily monitoring of Virunga’s ten habituated gorilla groups. Treks usually require 1-2.5 hours of hiking each way, depending on location of the group being trekked and the difficulty of the terrain.
To safeguard the health of Virunga’s gorillas, visitors will be provided with surgical masks to wear when in the presence of the gorillas. As mountain gorillas are susceptible to human illness, if guests are feeling unwell at the time of the scheduled trek, you are asked to cancel and/or rebook.
The age restriction for visiting mountain gorillas in Congo is 15 years and older.
Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Congo
Just like most counties lying along the equator zone, Congo has two dry and wet seasons. The dry season falls in the months between December to February (short) and between June to September (long). The dry season is more comfortable for gorilla trekking.
However, don’t be completely put off by the rain season, the treks actually go on and in sometimes at a lower cost. You may even be lucky to have a trek without any rain within the known rain season.
The Park also offers a range of accommodations for those looking to relax and unwind amongst stunning views – including the luxurious Mikeno Lodge, the serene simplicity of Tchegera Island, and the newly built Kibumba tented camp, starting point for gorilla trekking.
As Vacanza Adventure Safaris, we shall always ensure you have your gorilla safari to Congo in the safest way possible that’s why you should always contact us before planning to go to the country.
