The Republic of Congo gives you a chance to experience some of the most beautiful spot the mountain gorilla in Africa, and see some incredible wildlife. A journey to Congo is not just about the wildlife, but the amazing areas which they call home. Congo is one of the 3 countries in Africa blessed with mountain gorillas one can easily be arranged setting off from Kigali crossing over to Congo for gorilla trekking.
Within the democratic Republic of Congo, the mountain gorillas are found in Virunga National Park which also is a UNESCO Heritage site. The park is located in the eastern side of democratic Republic of Congo and borders both Uganda and Rwanda. This park has 200 gorilla individuals mostly situated in the southern part of the park. On my trip to Congo I was told that the park is managed by both the authorities of Congolese national park and institute of Congolais pour la conservation de la Nature (ICCN).
Due to the recent tragedy that killed over ten mountain gorillas, the gorilla population has improved and recovered at the same time. Many thanks go to the ranger efforts who risked their lives to save the remaining mountain gorillas. Congo is the only place in the world to see the rare banobo chimpanzee.
On your gorilla trekking Safaris in Congo, you can be picked from your Hotel in Kigali and be transferred to Gisenyi in Goma which is the capital of North Kivu province. It takes 3 hours to drive from Kigali to Goma near the border of Democratic Republic of Congo. Virunga National Park can also be accessed from Uganda via Bunagana border.
Gorilla trekking experience in the DRC begins early in the morning, and you’re your transferred up to the gorilla trekking staring point at Bukima a ranger’s station in the mountains of the Virunga National Park, outside the city of Goma.
Gorilla trekking in the DRC involves hiking deep into the mountain jungle to observe a gorilla family in the wild. Visitors will be led by guides and national park rangers who keep records of the gorillas for conservation purpose and help protect them from poachers. They can determine the general area where a gorilla family will be and are skilled in tracking them.
The length of the trek is entirely dependent on the gorillas; sometimes the guides can track them down in less than two hours, other times it takes much longer. Mountain gorillas are nomadic, travelling the jungle in families and staying in an area just long enough to clear it of food.
The first sighting of the gorillas, seeing mothers holding their babies, Juvenile gorillas playing, and dominant silverbacks keeping an eye out of their family, this was an exciting experience to see mountain gorillas in their home enjoying ourselves by taking pictures and Videos of them. There are families over 35 gorillas and only an hour in their presence, wearing surgical masks to prevent and disease being passed between species. As you are watching them, our guide will busy explaining the various behaviors.
In additional to seeing the gorillas in Congo, tourists to Virunga National Park take on other activities like Mount Nyiragongo Volcano hike. The volcano is located within the Democratic Republic of Congo inside Virunga National Park. It is also located 20km north of the town of Goma as well as Lake Kivu. Mount Nyiragongo has a crater which is two kilometers wide and also contains a lava lake. The cost for Mount Nyiragongo Hike is $300 USD per person.
Above my experience, there are 4 tips to help you plan your trip to the DRC
- All three countries that offer gorilla trekking, you must purchase a gorilla trekking permit in Advance. In the DRC there are not as many tour companies as in Uganda and Rwanda, so it is better to book your gorilla permit directly through Virunga National Park or you can use a tour company like the one I used, because it was trust worth; Rwanda Gorilla Safaris. This gorilla permit costs $400 USD per person, which is cheaper than in other two countries. The mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park can be visited any time of the year, although some paths are hard to navigate during the wet season from May to October, in this season gorilla trekking permits are reduced to $200 USD per person form march to May.
- Before you travel, it is very important to get a yellow fever injection, as you will not be allowed to enter the DRC without proof of this inoculation. Hepatitis A, typhoid, meningitis, and rabies injection as well as anti- malaria are also recommended.
- You must apply in advance for the required visa to enter the DRC which costs $100 USD per person.
- Always set off to the jungle with the right equipment. The jungle hike can be long and steep, so you need sturdy trekking shoes, wool or moisture- socks, comfortable hiking clothes, rain gear, a first aid kit and light weight backpack that have room for plenty of water and snacks. A waterproof camera is also highly recommended since nothing ruins a good camera like jungle downpour.