Trekking in Virunga National Park among gorillas
Most of the Congo safaris start with gorilla treking in Virunga national park. Although Congo is blessed with two subspecies of gorillas, Eastern lowland gorillas implying that visitors can trek both species while on a safari to Congo by visiting two national parks in Congo, the gorilla subspecies trekking in Virunga national park is endangered mountain gorilla. Mountain gorilla trekking is practiced in three countries worldwide: Uganda leads with the highest population of mountain gorillas living in Bwindi Impenetrable national park; the remaining population is equally distributed in Virunga national park of Congo, Volcanoes national park of Rwanda, and Mgahinga gorilla national park also in Uganda the pearl of Africa.
Once the designated gorilla family is seen, it makes no difference how long you seek for it; only one hour is the most allowed for trekkers to spend with Gorilla in Virunga national park and any other location in Africa. Spending one hour is so kind as trekkers closely view gorillas as they go on with their daily activities of feeding, breast feeding, copulation, look out for the Silverback who is the head of the family and always ensuring the protection of all its members and sometimes witness the black backs fighting among themselves that makes an entire experience very fascinating and exciting. Take as many pictures as you can over one hour as long as the camera’s flash light is off.
Conditions for Gorilla Trekking within Virunga National Park
- First and most importantly, visitors to any park in Congo must have a Congo visa, which runs $100 and may be applied for online then picked upon arrival at Congo borders during clearing.Before visiting Virunga national park for gorilla trekking, one also needs an evidence of a yellow fever vaccination.
- Since a gorilla permit serves as a gate pass to access the habitat of threatened mountain gorillas, it is also rather necessary for Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park. Comparatively to a permit to trek similar gorillas in Uganda which goes for $700 per person and Rwanda costs $1500 per person, a gorilla trekking in Virunga national park costs $400 per person during high season and thinks by 50% during low seasons which is still the cheapest gorilla trekking permit in Africa.
- Particularly during the busy season when the permits often run out, make sure the permits are booked as early as possible at least six months in advance.
- Any person organizing a gorilla trekking safari in Virunga national park must also be physically fit; although certain gorilla families are known to remain near the park headquarters and need only short time to reach them, their movements are always erratic.
- A camera to hold all the memories captured during gorilla trekking. Make sure the camera has extra batteries well charged.
- For longer paths, appropriate gorilla trekking clothing ranges from good hiking boats that are fit, waterproof and easy to travel with. Stocking garden gloves is also essential to protect your entire body from injuries, sun glass for eyes protection from foreign materials and direct sunlight, insect repellant to protect your body from insect stings. Warm clothes to keep you warm at every time in the jungle since it’s in a high altitude and very cold.
- On the day of the trekking, pack adequate snacks together with enough bottled water.
- Usually, the pack management offers a hiking stick on the day of treking.
- Finally, not least of all, abide by all the guidelines provided by park managers during briefings and those established by the rangers; only eight personnel are assigned a particular gorilla family.
- Trekkers minimum age is fifteen years or more.
- Sick people are not meant to walk around gorillas.
- Should you feel like coughing or sneezing, turn off your back and cough in your elbow or handkerchief.
- When visiting a bush toilet, burry your garbage at least 30 cm deep and cover it totally.
- Remain in a group even in wild gorilla territory.
- None of littering the park
- Maintaining a minimum distance of seven meters separating trekkers from gorillas
- Steer clear of smoking, eat or drink anything around a gorilla.
- Not utilizing flash light for picture shooting
- In the park, keeping the voice low
- Keeping cool should the gorillas attack.
- Trekking with gorillas in Virunga national park
Trekking with gorillas in Virunga national park
Where on a gorilla trekking safari in Virunga national park should one stay?
Among the hotels and lodges where visitors on a gorilla trekking safari in Virunga national park Congo may stay are Bukima tented camp and Mikeno lodge, which serve luxury guests; Kibumba tented camp, Lake Kivu hotel, Tchegera tented camp, Lulimbi tented camp among others.
Making there
It is quite feasible to hike gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo since Virunga national park is easily reachable either from Rwanda or from Uganda via several border points by road and also by air charter flights.
