Travel Guide for Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park: One of the most fulfilling activities you can choose to engage in for an unforgettable Congo safari is gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park. Since the park is home to endangered mountain gorillas that may be followed for a comparatively low cost when compared to gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda, the activity has grown in popularity among various tourists throughout the years.
You will have to go through Mount Mikeno’s forests to reach the primate species in order to see the mountain gorillas. Following your introduction to the gorilla family, you will spend an hour with the primates, looking at their feeding habits, how they get along with each other, how they build their nests for the night, and other fascinating aspects of the primates.
You will also be following COVID-19 standard operating procedures to make sure you have a safe experience while participating in gorilla trekking and other activities in Volcanoes National Park. You may learn what to bring on your trip and the rules and regulations to follow during your safari for a fantastic time in the park with this travel guide for gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park.
PACKING LIST FOR TREKKING GORILLA
Since the COVID-19 outbreak has altered travel plans, a face mask is one of the most important things to bring when gorilla climbing in Virunga National Park. It should be mentioned that without a mask, you will not be able to enter the park during the activity. To prevent getting COVID-19, you should constantly think about bringing a mask when gorilla trekking.
When going gorilla trekking in the Virunga National Park, it is advisable to bring a camera because it will allow you to capture beautiful moments of the primates during your hour-long encounters with them and offer you numerous rewarding views of the park as you hike the Virunga Mountains.
Ideal hiking shoes that will enable you to trek through the thick undergrowth to reach the habituated gorilla families.
You can walk through the dense greenery with comfort if you have the right shoes.
It is also advisable to wear long-sleeved shirts and pants to prevent nettles and tree branches from scratching you. Additionally, you will prevent bug bites, which can irritate you and spread diseases.
Numerous insects that spread disease, including mosquitoes and tsetse flies, can be found in the park.
To prevent getting bitten by any of the disease-transmitting insects in the park, such as black flies, mosquitoes, and tsetse flies, insect repellent should also be brought.
RULES AND GUIDELINES TO ADHERE TO
Avoid making unnecessary noises or moving around when the gorillas are around since these actions may be interpreted as a threat, and as a kind of self-defense, they may attack you. since gorillas are powerful animals, their battles can be vicious and, most of the time, deadly.
Because gorillas are quite sensitive and can quickly get any sickness from humans, it can be concerning for their sustainability if you approach them too close.
Because monkeys are flash-sensitive and may explode in outbursts or attack you to defend themselves from danger, you should turn off the flash mode when taking images of them.
When gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park, you should avoid eating in front of the primates because this could attract them to eat some of your food. Additionally, if tourists have any highly contagious diseases, they could spread them easily, endangering the gorillas’ existence.
Gorilla Trekking in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is home to two gorilla species found nowhere else together: mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park and eastern lowland gorillas (Grauer’s gorillas, Gorilla beringei graueri) in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Virunga National Park – Africa’s oldest national park, established in 1925 – covers 7,900 km² of remarkable ecological diversity, from the volcanic peaks of the Virunga Massif to the glaciers of the Rwenzori Mountains and the tropical lowland forests of the Congo Basin. The park is also home to hippos, elephants, okapis, and the entire cast of Congo rainforest wildlife.
Eastern Lowland Gorillas – A Unique Encounter
The eastern lowland gorilla (Grauer’s gorilla) is the world’s largest subspecies of gorilla, with silverbacks weighing up to 220kg. Found only in the DRC, Grauer’s gorillas are considerably rarer than mountain gorillas – their population has declined by more than 70% since the 1990s due to conflict, habitat loss, and poaching. Kahuzi-Biega National Park in South Kivu offers the only reliable trekking experience with habituated Grauer’s gorilla families.
A gorilla permit in the DRC costs USD 400 per person – significantly cheaper than Rwanda (USD 1,500) or Uganda (USD 800). The experience is raw, off-the-beaten-track, and unforgettable for travellers seeking something genuinely uncommon.
Practical Information for DRC Gorilla Trekking
Getting to Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega
The most common entry point to eastern DRC is via Kigali, Rwanda. Goma – the gateway to Virunga National Park – is just 80km from Kigali. Direct flights from Nairobi and Kampala also serve Goma. Bukavu (gateway to Kahuzi-Biega) is accessible from Goma by road (3-4 hours) or by light aircraft.
Is it safe to trek gorillas in the DRC?
Security in eastern DRC is complex and fluctuates. Virunga National Park and Kahuzi-Biega have experienced periods of closure due to armed group activity. Always check current security conditions with your tour operator and your government’s travel advisory before planning a DRC gorilla trek. Reputable operators with established local security networks are essential.
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