Encounter with gorillas in Congo.
The Africa Conservation Fund is one of the partners in the management of the park along with the Congolese National Park authorities and the Institute of Congolais for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN). The mountain gorilla population has increased and recovered simultaneously as a result of the recent tragedy that claimed the lives of more than 10 gorillas. We sincerely appreciate the efforts of the rangers who put their lives in danger to conserve the endangered mountain gorillas.
The guides will clear the vegetation so you can see these magnificent primates clearly and get great photos of these endangered species. Another vital principle is to remain motionless and lower your head as a sign of submission and respect if a gorilla starts swooping at you after you look him in the eye. Additionally, avoid beating your chest when around mountain gorillas.
The mountain gorillas can be found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Virunga National Park, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. The democratic Republic of the Congo’s eastern border with Uganda and Rwanda is shared by this park. More than 200 gorillas call the 7800 km2 park home, with the majority of them living in the southern region.
Explore the Congo’s lush rainforests to find the amazing lowland gorilla, one of man’s closest cousins, in its native environment close to Ngaga Camp.
Purpose-built campgrounds at Odzala-Kokoua National Park, located in the center of the vast Central African rainforest, provide a simple and slightly daring way to view lowland gorillas in a safe, calm, unhurried, and relaxing setting. One of the highlights of your trip will be the two (or potentially three) different gorilla tracking opportunities with at least an hour spent each time in touch with a habituated family group going about their daily lives. Of course, you’ll witness a variety of primates, mammals, and rich birdlife.
Other activities include a guided kayaking excursion downstream, where you can enjoy the stunning scenery and abundant birds as you leisurely paddle from Mboko to Lango Camp. Next, you may go on a nature walk in the woods, where you can cross woodland elephant pathways and wade through small rivers.
Rules and the regulations of trekking gorillas in Congo.
The trackers on their Congo gorilla safari trips are expected to adhere to tight norms and regulations regarding gorilla trekking in the Virunga national park. These factors include group size, the number of groups to track each day, and the amount of time allotted for interactions with mountain gorillas. Additionally, this is being done to protect the welfare of these threatened species. This is because due to the near proximity of humans and mountain gorillas, gorillas are susceptible to numerous human diseases.
Maximum of eight people per day are permitted on a gorilla safari, which helps to prevent the transmission of diseases from humans to mountain gorillas.
Only those who are at least 15 years old are permitted to trek.
Visitation Hours: Gorilla trekking occurs between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. during the day.
There is a rigorous one-hour limit on the amount of time you can spend with gorillas.
Do,s and Don’ts.
The primary guideline is to protect the mountain gorillas, thus if the tracker is ill or infected, they shouldn’t be permitted to interact with them.
It is advisable to use good manners when coughing or sneezing; remember to cover your mouth and nose to prevent the spread of bacteria to the mountain gorillas.
Avoid spending more time with the gorillas than is necessary. Usually, one hour is the maximum amount of time that can be spent with the gorillas.
Keeping your distance from the primates: Mountain gorillas range in height from 5 to 7 meters, and as they are wild creatures, they are susceptible to diseases that humans carry.
Behaving well when hiking: The rangers always encourage the hikers to keep noise levels as low as possible and to avoid aiming or using a flash when taking images of the mountain gorillas.
Being prepared: Always bring warm, water-resistant clothing for the chilly mountain weather, as it can occasionally get wet in the forest. Comfortable walking shoes are also a big help.
No drinking or eating while going on a gorilla walk is permitted, nor are visitors allowed to smoke.
It’s advised to keep yourself clean: wash your hands before going on a gorilla hike.
Keep your hands separate at all times to avoid direct contact with the mountain gorillas; never touch them.
Keep the rubbish to yourselves and don’t clutter the forest.
Avoid direct eye contact in case the gorilla charges, and maintain your composure until it moves away.
Toilet etiquette: A ranger will be happy to dig a hole for you and make sure it is completely covered afterward.
Cost of Congo Gorilla permits.
If you want to track mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park, it’s advisable to make your reservations through one of the top local tour companies. Congo gorilla licenses cost $400 per person.
The mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park can be seen at any time of year, however the wet seasons (May/April and November & October) make some trails difficult to travel on. During these months, the cost of a permit to hike to see the gorillas in the Congo is reduced to ($350) per person. Given that it’s a dry season, other months are suitable for gorilla trekking. Uganda is another country with mountain gorillas, and a gorilla permit there costs $700. The cost of a gorilla permit in Rwanda is $ 1500 throughout both the high and low seasons.
Tips to help you plan that trip to Congo for Gorilla tours.
A permit must be obtained in advance in all three nations that allow gorilla tracking. It would be much better if you could directly reserve your gorilla tracking permit through Virunga National Park as these countries have more tour operators than the DRC, which has little in this regard. A permit costs $400 USD, which is less expensive than the fees in the other two nations. Anytime of the year is a good opportunity to see mountain gorillas, though some pathways might be challenging in the wet months of May to October.
You must have a yellow fever vaccination since without documentation of your immunization, you will not be permitted to enter the country. Injections for rabies, typhoid, meningitis, and hepatitis A are also advised, not to mention the anti-malarial.
It was necessary to apply in advance for the visa needed to enter the DRC. It costs $100 USD.
It is necessary to arrange the precise equipment required while in the forest. A basic support kit, comfortable climbing clothing, woolly or moisture-impermeable socks, rainfall gear, and a light backpack with enough space for food and liquids are all necessary for a long trek. A waterproof camera is also strongly advised because nothing destroys a high-quality camera like a hard downpour in a tropical forest.
What to expect on a gorilla trip to Cogo.
Every tourist should set out on their Congo safari with a clear understanding of what they wish to see. This was a fantastic experience that will not be quickly forgotten despite the lengthy and difficult flights, 4×4 trips, and pirogue rides. As the globe continues to grow more stable, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is likely to become more and more accessible to and well-liked by travelers looking for authentically African experiences. So now is the perfect time to go.
Why Visit the Virunga national park.
The Virunga National Park is located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) eastern region, near to Lake Kivu’s southern shoreline and Rwanda’s border. It shares the Virunga Massif with Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, making it the home of the mountain gorillas.
All gorilla tracking excursions take place in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Virunga Massif national parks, both of which are in Uganda’s southwest and are home to half of the surviving mountain gorillas. The Democratic Republic is a brand-new travel destination that hasn’t been investigated by other tourists. Since Virunga has been the greatest target for gorilla tracking since the park’s re-opening in 2015, you must secure a valid gorilla tracking permit in order to conduct Congo gorilla tracking there.
Mountain Gorilla Tracking and the Climatic Conditions of Congo.
DRC experiences two wet seasons. The long seasons last from mid-March until the end of May, whereas the short ones begin in October or November. Tropical rain forests are where this rain originates.
The ideal months to visit the DRC are from June to September through to February, therefore many visitors opt to travel then when the rain is at a minimum and the sun is out in most places. In order to avoid disappointment and take advantage of the early bird catches the worm policy for gorilla and Nyiragongo climbing permits, December is also one of the busiest months of the year in Virunga National Park.
Even though the Congo’s rainy season may have an impact on people’s plans, this does not necessarily indicate that travel is absolutely prohibited. Even in the rainy season, the sun still rises after a shower, allowing safari activities to continue uninterrupted.
In order to entice tourists to make reservations with the lodges, rates are lower overall from March to May and from October to November. This becomes an additional benefit, especially because you can purchase gorilla permits for US$200, which is 50% off. As a result, more travelers are drawn to the Congo.
The high terrain of Congo also contributes to its chilly climate. The best time to go on a gorilla tracking safari, however, is during the two waterless seasons from January to February and June to September. This is because it is more easier as the gorillas graze in the lowlands during these seasons, despite the fact that there are lower prices in the low season.
Due to the presence of the primates in Virunga National Park, tracking gorillas is a remarkable experience that should be had. It’s delightful, pleasant, and intelligent to be with these apes. They are divided into various groups that have different characteristics, such as the silverbacks who serve as the leaders, the mature female gorillas who serve as the caregivers, and the young gorillas that are simply mischievous and always in the trees.
According to where they were left the day before, tracking these endangered gorillas is believed to take between one and two hours. Officially, these apes are protected in the DRC’s Virunga National Park, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, and Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The other population is located in Uganda’s 331km2 south-western Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which shares a border with the DRC.
About 200 gorillas dwell in Virunga National Park, predominantly in the southern part of the park. The National Park is managed by the Congolese National Park Authorities, the Institute Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN), and its affiliate, the Africa Virunga National Park Conservation Fund. The population of gorillas has partially rebounded despite a drop brought on by horrific attacks that killed at least 10 apes about seven years ago. The brave actions of the park guards who risk their lives there have helped the population become more stable.
Keep your eyes peeled during the several trips you will take to and from the park in order to identify a variety of monkeys and bird buddies who have made Virunga National Park their home. Due to the rising unpredicted insurrections and wars in Congo, we also advise against using the self-drive option in order for you to fully enjoy your safari vacation there.
Congo gorilla tracking day, the real experience.
Before beginning the eagerly anticipated hike through the forest, the park guide will walk you through a brief prologue. In addition to some of the facts about the gorilla family you will be witnessing, he will discuss geography and history. The tour leader will also give you advice on how to act when you are in the forest among the gorillas.
As was previously stated, masks must be worn to prevent these gorillas from contracting any human diseases. The location of the gorillas affects how far this walk will take you. Since mountain gorillas are constantly moving in search of food, some days the trip into the jungle may just take 20 to 40 minutes, while other days it may take more than an hour.
Make sure to greet the enormous silverback chap who will welcome you after determining that you are not a threat. Once you’ve been approved, you can have a once-in-a-lifetime experience witnessing the gorillas in spectacular detail. You only get an hour in the jungle with these mountain gorillas, so keep that in mind.
What to look forward to on a gorilla tracking Excursion.
The amount of time required tracking gorillas varies and relies on the group, the gorilla family’s common habitat, the topography, and the weather, to name just a few factors. It is possible for tracking to last as little as an hour or as long as five hours. It is advised that you follow your tour guide’s leadership while you hike the entire distance through the forest.
You will need to pull yourself up the narrow paths as you make your way onto the steep slopes of the volcanoes and into the rainforest by clinging to branches, plant roots, bushes, and many other things. A foot stick is also beneficial. Make sure to drink enough water because you can become dehydrated. Although the journey into the bush can be strenuous, seeing these gorillas is well worth the effort.
Accessibility of Virunga National park in Congo.
Using international Airline.
More frequently than not, visitors to Virunga National Park fly into Kigali International Landing Field and then take a four-hour drive to the border crossing at Goma/Gisenyi. International flights frequently land in the late afternoons or evenings. As the border does not operate around-the-clock for these arrivals, we advise you to stay the night in Kigali. The next morning, you might go for Goma. The bulk of visitors to the park originate in either Rwanda or Uganda.
Depending on the visitor’s interests, the park may be accessed via a variety of routes, but the most popular one is this road approach, which calls for a 4WD fleet to enable you to enjoy the gorilla tracking trip.
Visitors arriving by plane to the Virunga National Park could land at the Goma International Airport. Even though Goma has served as the primary airport for the Eastern Congo for more than ten years, some travelers still prefer to fly into the less congested Kigali airport in the country of a thousand hills. In addition, the Goma Airport provides a number of international flights.
Many flights from Europe to the state pass through Brussels, Paris, Zurich, Amsterdam, and Istanbul. Flights between February and April are typically affordable. The state’s main airline companies serving flights to and from it are:
- Ethiopian Airlines.
- Swiss Airlines
- Air France
- Turkish Airlines
- Brussels Airlines
- Kenyan Airways
By road.
The North Kivu region’s capital, Goma, is located 32 kilometers to the west of Virunga National Park. It is simple to pre-arrange transportation from Goma to the park with the National Park in Virunga. The more convenient method to travel is through one of the Congo tour companies that currently provide gorilla safaris in the country. There are several ways to get to the park, including:
The North Kivu region’s capital, Goma, is located 32 kilometers to the west of Virunga National Park. It is simple to pre-arrange transportation from Goma to the park with the National Park in Virunga. The more convenient method to travel is through one of the Congo tour companies that currently provide gorilla safaris in the country. There are several ways to get to the park, including:
From the Rwandan side, it takes around four hours to get to the town of Gisenyi from Kigali. Following crossing the two borders, it is the town after Goma; the drive to the park’s headquarters takes around 1.5 hours.
A visitor traveling from Uganda may want to spend the entire night in Kisoro, and in the early hours of the morning they may want to pass into the DRC via the Bunagana border before taking a 30-minute drive to Bukima, where a trek with all the gorilla families is conducted.
Another option is from Bukavu in the Congo, which is close to the Virunga National Park. It takes more than 5 hours to drive there, but it’s quite risky, so we do not advise our visitors to use that route. You’ll get a breathtaking view thanks to the magnificent surroundings and the lake.
Water transport.
There are ferries that go from Bukavu to Goma and through Idjwi Island on Lake Kivu for tourists who have already come to Bukavu on a safari and want to extend their trip to include the Virunga National Park. A fast boat journey takes around 3 hours, and a public boat ride takes about 4-5 hours. As soon as you arrive in Goma, you will then travel to the park in a 4WD safari jeep.
Unique Hires boats are available at the lakeshores, but for security reasons it is preferable to use the common transport boats unless it has been negotiated by a trusted tour operator.
A public boat fee can cost between US$300 and US$400, and sluggish boats have a fee of US$50. Swift boats and specific tickets are also available, however to avoid disappointment, we advise booking in advance. Don’t let a lack of transportation knowledge prevent you from visiting Virunga National Park.
Things to Note about Border Crossing to Congo.
The border crossing is simple, and Goma is only a 10-minute walk away from there. However, we advise visitors and travelers to be aware of the following:
- To delight the customs and immigration staff, make sure all of your paperwork is completed and in order.
- Valid immunizations for yellow fever.
- Before embarking on a journey to the Congo that has a visa already applied for, always review the state’s travel advice and helpful tour information.
- These overland routes can be bumpy, so a 4WD vehicle is advised. It is dangerous to use these paths at night.
The Africa Conservation Fund is one of the partners in the management of the park along with the Congolese National Park authorities and the Institute of Congolais for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN). The mountain gorilla population has increased and recovered simultaneously as a result of the recent tragedy that claimed the lives of more than 10 gorillas. We sincerely appreciate the efforts of the rangers who put their lives in danger to conserve the last mountain gorillas.