Where to Go for Gorilla Trekking in Congo 2022/23? – Gorilla Trekking Parks in Congo

If you are looking for Great Apes then look not further than the Democratic Republic of Congo! This country offers refuge to not only the rare mountain gorillas in the Virunga National Park but also endangered Eastern Lowland gorillas at Kahuzi Biega National Park and Maiko National Park. It features as one of the very few destinations in Africa where tourists can engage in both Great ape and hiking adventures.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is a home to the most powerful volcano (Nyiragongo Mountain) in the world which offers tourists with breathtaking views of its most smoky Lava Lake in the Virunga National Park while in their hiking adventures. You can combine their gorilla safaris in the two protected areas or with the Upemba National Park. There are also several other primates including the chimpanzees, golden monkeys that can be sighted only within Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park.

The Virunga National Park is incomparably one of the most incredible UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa. It offers refuge to over 200 of the critically endangered mountain gorillas that feature among the few rarest wild species in the world. This Congo national park is situated in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and it is undoubtedly a home to a large number of Great Apes including the striking golden monkeys, chimpanzees and the rare mountain gorillas.

Established in 1925 by King Albert 1 of Belgium, Virunga features as Africa’s oldest conservation areas. Created mainly to conserve the critically endangered primates in the jungles of the Virunga Volcanoes managed by the Belgian Congo, the Virunga National Park later was expanded on the North to include the Rwindi plains, the Rwenzori Mountains and Lake Edward in the North.

In the first 35 years, the park boundary took shape, poaching reduced and sustainable tourism flourished as a result of the work of a big body of hand picked Congolese rangers and the dedicated wardens. Land remuneration and the use of park resources like fishing and hunting by the local residents remained was a challenge and attempts were made to overcome such issues.

After DR Congo became independent in 1960, the new state drastically deteriorated as well as the national park. It was only in 1969 that president Mobutu started to take a personal interest in conservation that park was revived. In the process, the Virunga National Park was renamed and the first Congolese Wildlife Authority was formed.

Virunga National Park has gained greatest potential for DRC tourism and it features among the ideal gorilla trekking spots in DRC for the rare mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking is done in habituated gorilla families and in Virunga National Park, tourists visit Lulengo, Mapuwa, Humba, Rugendo, Munyaga, Bageni, Kabirizi and Nyakamwe group.

Kahuzi Biega National Park is a conservation area around Bukavu town in Eastern Congo. It is located close to the Western bank of Lake Kivu and the Rwandan border. Created in 1970 by the Belgian photographer and conservationist Andrien Deschryver, Kahuzi Biega National Park derived its name from Mount Kahuzi and Biega that feature as the dominant magnificent volcanoes that are found within its limits.

This park covers an area of 6000 square kilometers and features as one of the largest protected areas in the DR Congo. It is set in hilly and lowland terrain and offers home to unique Eastern Lowland-scientifically know as Gorilla beringei graueri, another endangered species that is listed in the IUCN. Kahuzi Biega National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1980 for its rare biodiversity of tropical rain-forest habitat and its Eastern Lowland gorillas.

Its floral and faunal species are exceptionally diverse making it one of the valuable protected areas in the Albertine Rift Valley as well as one of the ecologically endowed areas in Africa and in the world. In Kahuzi Biega National Park, you can track these fascinating apes in Mankoto and Mpungwe family.

The cost of gorilla trekking permits in DRC

Gorilla trekking permits are a must for you to be allowed to track one habituated group in DR Congo, Rwanda or Uganda. For life time experience in DR Congo, trekking permits are purchased at $400 per person, whether you wish to track the rare mountain gorillas or the Eastern Lowland gorillas in Congo.

Where to Go for Gorilla Trekking in Congo

Lowland Gorilla in Congo

You can book your permits at the Conservation Reservation Offices as described below. In the Virunga National Park, you can email info@visitvirunga.org. The prices of gorilla trekking permits include $400 for foreign non residents and $200 for East African citizens. If you are interested in chimpanzee tracking, the permits are sold at $100. In Kahuzi Biega National Park, you can email; contact@kahuzibeiganationalpark.org to secure the online permit booking, visa application and many travel deals.

Rules and regulations that govern gorilla trekking Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park

Some of the rules and regulations to be followed while on gorilla safari in Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park include;

  • To reduce the possibility of human infectious disease spread, all tourists are required to keep a distance of 7 to 8 meter from apes. If you are not feeling well or you have cold, flu or any contagious illness, you are not allowed to visit the group of gorillas in the wild.
  • Visitors are allowed only one hour to be with these endangered species
  • Eating or smoking is not allowed in the gorilla habitat
  • Always keep your voices low while in the forest
  • If the gorilla charges against you, you are advised to stand still and lower down your head to show submission
  • You must put on your masks before setting to the forest to track these apes
  • Only persons above 15 years are allowed to go for gorilla trekking
  • A total of 8 tourists per group

In conclusion, gorilla trekking has become one of the most sought after adventures in the world. Trekking to see these critically endangered apes is lifetime experience. For ultimate adventures, visit Democratic Republic of Congo for both the rare mountain gorillas and the Eastern Lowland gorillas.

Besides, Uganda and Rwanda are among the Africa’s most incredible destinations for you to encounter the Great apes in the wild. Enjoy Congo safaris with Africa’s Great primates while in their natural habitat.