In the Congo, gorilla trekking is a fascinating and daring pastime that entails walking far into the tropical forest to find habituated gorillas and spending an hour with them in their natural environment. The most well-known activity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is gorilla trekking, which is carried out in two locations: Kahuzi Biega National Park, which is home to Eastern lowland gorillas, and Virunga National Park, which is famed for its mountain gorillas.
Gorilla trekking is also done in other places, such as the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Eight habituated gorilla groups can be found in Virunga National Park, where daily trekking is possible. In Virunga National Park, mountain gorilla trekking begins with a briefing at the park headquarters. Following that, you will be split up into groups of eight, each of which will be assigned a habituated gorilla family to trek with and an experienced park guide who is familiar with the forest’s gorilla trekking routes.
Depending on where the gorillas are, gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park can take anywhere from 30 to 6 hours. While hiking, you can see other primates, many bird species, and plant species, among other things. After the gorillas are located, you will be permitted to spend an hour with them in their natural environment, where you can observe, take pictures, record films, watch them feed, play, groom young, and learn about their habits and behaviors.
About nine eastern lowland gorillas may be found in Kahuzi Biega National Park, and five of these families are habituated and accessible for trekking. In Kahuzi Biega National Park, gorilla trekking begins early in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters. Following this, you will begin trekking through the forest with a park guide in search of the eastern lowland gorillas.
You will be able to see other wildlife while trekking, and after you locate the gorillas, you will be able to spend an hour with them in their natural habitat. This will allow you to observe their habits and behaviors, watch them go about their daily lives, take pictures, and document the amazing moments.
Any person over the age of 15 who wishes to visit a habituated gorilla family in either Kahuzi Biega National Park or Virunga National Park must get a gorilla trekking permit, which is a legal card or paperwork.
In comparison to other countries such as Rwanda, where a gorilla trekking permit costs USD 1,500 per person for all nationalities, and Uganda, where a single gorilla trekking permit costs USD 800 for foreign non-residents, USD 700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens, Congo has the cheapest gorilla trekking permit, costing USD 450.
via contacting the Virunga reservation office via phone or email, gorilla trekking permits in Congo can be directly reserved through Virunga National Park. Gorilla trekking permits in Congo can also be reserved through a reputable tour company, such as All In Africa Safaris.
When making a reservation with All In Africa Safaris, you will get in touch with us and let us know which dates and gorilla destination you would like to visit. After getting in touch with us, we will verify whether permits are available for your dates. If they are, you will be required to pay a deposit. We will buy the permit on your behalf as soon as we have the funds.
The best time to go gorilla trekking in the Congo is during the dry season, which is June, July, August, September, December, January, and February. This is because the gorilla destinations receive less rainfall during this time, making the access roads and gorilla trekking trails dry and passable, as opposed to the wet season when the trails are muddy and slippery, making gorilla trekking challenging. The parks’ vegetation will be sparser during the dry season, allowing you to get excellent views of the gorillas and other wildlife.
Because most lodges give discounts to tourists and the parks offer discounted gorilla trekking permits at USD 200 during the wet season, which favors low-budget travelers, gorilla trekking in Congo can also be done throughout the months of March through May and November.
Throughout your gorilla trekking safari, you can stay at a variety of lodging options in Kahuzi Biega and Virunga national parks. Coco Lodge Bukavu, L’orchids Safaris Club, Exodus Hotel Bukavu, Hotel Begonias Bukavu, Lake Side Hotel Bukavu, Mikeno Lodge, Bukima Tented Camp, Tchegera Island Tented Camp, Nyiragongo Summit Shelters, and Kibumba Tented Camp are just a few of the lodging options, which range from affordable to luxurious.
Stay seven meters away from the gorillas.
Because gorillas are susceptible to human diseases, it is advised that you avoid visiting them if you are ill or have an infectious ailment.
You are permitted to spend an hour with the gorillas.
To reduce the chance of bacteria spreading, cover your mouth or nose when you cough or sneeze.
Avoid eating, smoking, and drinking anything when you’re among gorillas.
Because gorillas are wild creatures, do not touch them.
Both when trekking and when you are around gorillas, keep your voice down.
Follow the instructions and crunch down gently, avoid making direct eye contact, and do not flee if the gorillas charge. This will increase the risk.
During your safari, gorilla trekking in the Congo is an exciting experience that will leave you with lifelong memories. You can get in touch with All In Africa Safaris for further details about gorilla trekking packages.
At East Africa Gorilla Safaris, under All In Africa Safaris, we specialize in unforgettable gorilla trekking experiences and diverse wildlife safaris.
Our expertly guided tours provide intimate encounters with gorillas and rich African wildlife, ensuring an unparalleled adventure in the heart of East Africa.
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