The Democratic Republic of Congo is the second largest country in Africa. Centrally located along the Equator, DR Congo has much of its area covered by the thick rain tropical forests that are home to three of the four subspecies of the gorillas. The country protects a good population of Eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega and Maiko National Park, the mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park and the western lowland gorillas.
Visiting Congo For Gorilla Treks
The country has badly suffered many years of political unsteadiness, this has highly affected tourism in Congo, particularly in the Eastern section of the country bordering Rwanda and Uganda, where the Virunga National Park and Kahuzi – Biega National Park are located.
Gorilla trekking in Democratic Republic of Congo is done in Virunga National park located in the Virunga massif of Nyiragongo, Mikeno and Nyamuragira mountains. Virunga National park is home to over 250 habituated mountain gorillas.
The gorilla trekking permit in Democratic Republic of Congo costs 400 US dollars per person and is the cheapest compared to Rwanda and Uganda which 1500 and 600 US dollars respectively. Just like Rwanda and Uganda only 8 members who are 15 years and above are allowed to trek mountain gorillas.
Where to Go
Democratic Republic of Congo also offers spot for both mountain and lowland gorillas, lowland gorillas are found in Kahuzi Biega National park. Gorilla tourism in Congo majorly focuses on tracking mountain gorillas located in the Virunga National park as well as the Eastern Lowland Gorillas in the Kahuzi-Biega National park. Here are the best destinations to include in your trip itinerary while planning a gorilla safari in Congo;
The Kahuzi – Biega National Park
The Kahuzi – Biega park is named after two mountains, Mt. Kahuzi (3.308 m.) and Mt. Biega (2.790 m.). With its 6.000 sq km in size, situated in the South Kivu region of Congo. The Eastern Lowland Gorilla, have a close relationship to the mountain gorillas, situated in Kahunzi – Bienga National Park in DRC. Kahunzi – Biega national park was the first park to habituate gorillas in 1972 and gorilla trekking has been done ever since – This park provides a secure option for travelers with a desire to track mountain gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Virunga National Park
Elegantly named after the eight Volcanoes Mountains located within its Southern territory, of which the Niyragongo and Nyamulagira are still active volcanoes. The Virunga National Park was founded in 1960 after Congo Independence with a size of 7.800 sq Km along the Ugandan border for over 300 km. This Park is part of the Virunga Conservation Area, which comprises three contiguous national parks – Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, Parc National des Volcans (PNV) in Rwanda, plus Virunga.
Cost of a gorilla permit in Congo
Price of a gorilla permit to Congo is US$500. This includes the permit, escort and transport in Congo. Travelers to Congo for gorilla trekking have to pay for their visa fees at $50 per person; and another $50 to return to Uganda.
Congo Gorilla tracking process
On the gorilla tracking day, trackers assemble at a Kisoro hotel / Virunga hotel by 6.00Am and are then transported to Congo for the tracking. Visas should have been obtained a day earlier. A Congolese-specially-licensed vehicle takes the tourists, and brings them back to the boarder also after tracking.