Gorilla Trekking Best Option in Congo

February 5, 2024

Virunga National Park

Virunga National Park is in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, near the borders with Rwanda and Uganda. It has stunning landscapes, including active volcanoes like Mount Nyiragongo, and it’s one of the oldest national parks in Africa. The park is home to several habituated mountain gorilla families, making it a prime destination for gorilla trekking.

While the park has faced security challenges in the past, it has been improving, and tourism is gradually returning. Be sure to check the current situation and travel advisories before planning your trip.

Kahuzi-Biega National Park

It is found in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, not far from the city of Bukavu. Kahuzi-Biega is known for its diverse wildlife and lush rainforests, in addition to gorilla trekking. The park is home to the Eastern Lowland Gorilla, a different subspecies than the mountain gorillas found in Virunga. This makes it a unique opportunity for visitors interested in different gorilla species.

Kahuzi-Biega is generally more stable and accessible compared to Virunga, hence easily accessible.

When choosing between these options, consider the following factors:

Gorilla species: Virunga offers mountain gorilla trekking, while Kahuzi-Biega offers Eastern Lowland Gorilla trekking. Decide which gorilla species you’re more interested in. For example, if you have other destinations like Rwanda and Uganda on the Itinerary, it’s best to choose lowland gorilla trekking. This is because the mountain gorillas are found in Uganda and Rwanda.
Safety and security: Virunga has experienced security issues in the past, and it is still unstable, so Kahuzi Biega is the Best option for gorilla trekking in Congo for now until Virunga National Park is safe again.
Accessibility: Consider your travel plans, including ease of access to the park, accommodation options, and transportation.

How much is gorilla trekking in Congo?

Gorilla trekking in DR Congo is done in Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park. Like gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, you will need a gorilla permit to be allowed to trek the lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park and the mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park.

Safari Vacations and Travel Services provides relevant gorilla permit booking information for Congo. We enable you to plan your gorilla safari well. You don’t have to hassle with booking your gorilla permit if you choose from our Congo gorilla tours. We will check your availability of gorilla permits for your requested dates. We shall then book and purchase them for you once you have made payment, and book all services on your behalf. Usually, you have to obtain a gorilla permit several months in advance. We always advise at least 3 months in advance or before your visit, given there are only 2 groups available for trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park. While booking a gorilla tour, always pay your gorilla permit fee in advance to enable us to acquire it for you.

Lowland Gorilla trekking permit prices in Congo Kahuzi Biega National Park are as follows;

Non-Residents-USD400

East African Residents-USD200

National Citizens of Congo-USD20

Tourists go for Gorilla trekking daily in Virunga National Park in Congo. A gorilla permit costs USD400 per person per trek for the high season months of Mid-December to mid-march, then June to October, and then USD200 for the low season months of mid-march to mid-May, and then mid-October to mid-December every year.

What is the best time to visit Congo?

Congo is located in the tropics, and with this, it experiences a tropical climate and weather throughout the year. Both Virunga and Kahuzi Biega National Parks experience the same weather. With this, both national Parks are prone to receiving uncertain rains at any time of the day or week.

The good months to visit Congo for gorilla trekking are the dry season months, which occur in December, January, February, June, July, August, and September. During these months, it is always easy to walk through the trails in comparison with the wet months when the vegetation is not fully grown, and this makes the sighting of gorillas easy and clearer. In other months that are slightly wet, that is, March, April, May, October, and November, most travelers avoid visiting gorillas during these months. This is because the vegetation is fully grown and trails are much more slippery, making the trekking much harder.

For tourists interested in visiting Congo for gorilla trekking, Virunga National Park has a special gorilla trekking offer during the wet season. This is the low season, and during this time, the gorilla permit costs USD200 per person per trek. These are the months from mid-March to May and mid-October to mid-December (15^th March to 15^th May and 15^th October to 15^th December every year).

Where to stay in Congo for Gorilla trekking

Accommodations in Virunga National Park.

This ranges from budget to mid-range to luxury. Budget options include Bukima Tented Camp and Kibumba Tented Camp, among others. Fares range from 90 to 100 dollars a night per person. Mid-range options include Tchegera Island Camp and Lulimbi Tented Camp, among others. Fares range from 100-200 dollars a night per person, and then Luxury options include Mikeno Lodge fares, which range from 200-400 dollars a night per person. You let us know the best option that works for you, and we will check availability and book you accordingly.

Accommodation in Kahuzi Beiga National Park.

This ranges from budget to mid-range to luxury. Budget options include Hotel Begonias Bukavu, Exodus Bukavu, and Lake Side Hotel Bukavu, among others. Budget fares range from 90-100 dollars a night per person, mid-range options include Coco Lodge Bukavu, among others, and fares range from 100-200 dollars a night per person. And then, Luxury options include Orchids Safari Club, whose fares range from 200 to 400 dollars a night per person. You let us know the best option that works for you, and we will check availability and book for you accordingly.

How to access Congo for gorilla trekking?

Gorilla trekking in Congo is done in Kahuzi Biega National Park and Virunga National Park, which are both located in the Eastern Part of Congo. You will fly to Kigali International Airport and then connect to Gisenyi town. From Gisenyi town, you will cross the Rwanda-Congo border to Goma town in DR Congo. Then, you drive towards the park headquarters of Kahuzi Beiga National Park and Virunga National Park from where you will start the gorilla trek. It is approximately a 2-hour drive from Gisenyi town to reach the park headquarters.

Why Book Gorilla Trekking in DR Congo Through Safari Vacations and Travel Services

Safari Vacations and Travel Services has experience in organizing amazing gorilla safari experiences in Uganda and Rwanda. TripAdvisor highly reviews and rates us. We combine gorilla trekking safaris with eco-friendly and unforgettable high-end adventure and wildlife safaris. These safaris help preserve biodiversity, conserve wildlife, and uplift local communities. These include chimpanzee trekking, Big 5 safaris, game viewing, Mountain Hiking, and Boat cruise excursions. Additionally, Cultural encounters give you a memorable and best African Safari experience.

Feel free to contact us about the gorilla trekking best option in Congo.