Gorilla trekking in Congo
Congo gorilla trekking: Democratic republic of Congo is the only country which hosts both lowland Gorillas and Mountain Gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Congo is done in two national parks that is Kahuzi Biega national park where lowland gorillas are found ad Virunga national park a home of Mountain Gorillas. DR Congo is found in the central Africa bordering Uganda and Rwanda. However much the country hosts both lowland and mountain Gorillas the tourism industry is still very low due to the insecurity setbacks. Currently Congo is the cheapest country where one can do Gorilla trekking with the Gorilla permits costing 450usd
In the two parks Virunga national park is the most visited due to its key attractions of Mountain Gorillas together with the largest active volcano in the world. Virunga national park has 8 Gorilla families that are fully habituated and tracked by tourists. Gorilla trekking in Congo is much unique as the package for the gorilla trekking moves together with hike of Nyirangongo Mountains. The packages are sold by the park Authority which is managed by the Virunga National Park Authorities. All the Congo Gorilla trekking packages are sold together with the visa for the entry of the country. Guests all assemble in one point before the transfer convoy lead the cars to the Virunga national park.
Its this in 2019 that gorilla trekking in Congo has reached its maximum with the peace and security that has prevailed since the reopening of the park for the guests. The 8 gorilla families that are tracked in Virunga include: Kabirizi Gorilla family, Lulengo gorilla family, Muyanga gorilla family, Nyakamwe Gorilla family, Mapuwa Gorilla family, Bageni gorilla family and Humba Gorilla family. The Gorilla trekking in Congo is done under tricked security convoy so as to maximize the security and the safety of the guests.
Gorilla trekking in Congo is far different from all the other two East African countries in that all guests stay in the same lodges with no option of Mid-range, budget or luxury all guests are on the same level. The packages come together with the cost of the accommodation where you like it on not the options are limited.
After exploring more in Virunga and Mountain Gorillas one should not forget the fact that Lowland Gorillas are also available in Congo. Gorilla trekking in Congo also includes tracking of the lowlands which is done in Kahuzi Bienga. The park has over 125 gorillas with 12 gorilla families that can be tracked by guests. The good news is that one can do Gorilla habituation in Kahuzi Bienga . Gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Bienga is mostly refred to as lazy Gorilla trekking since its very easy and cool with no fitness required. Gorillas roam around at all the times in open forest which is on lowland area. The Gorilla Habituation in Congo Kahuzi Bienge is done in two Gorilla families those are Chimanuka Gorilla family and Nganwa gorilla family. Each od this Gorilla family has around 10 family members.
The other Gorilla families in Kahuzi Bienga national park include: Magaruka Gorilla family, Mpungwe gorilla family which is the largest gorilla family at the park, Bonnani Gorilla family, Chimanuka Gorilla family and many more others.
Gorilla trekking in Congo like any other countries start at around 7:30 am with briefing from the park headquarters before quests are divided in to groups of 8 people per group. All the groups are lead by the park ranger as well as escort for safety measures. The tracking takes several hours depending on how long the Gorillas have move in the previous day. After meeting the gorillas, the guests are only allowed to spend one hour with the Gorillas if doing Gorilla trekking before travelling back to the camp. If doing Gorilla habituation in Kahuzi Bienga the guests finish 4 hours with the gorillas.
Virunga national park is is part of the volcanoes that extend from Rwanda through Uganda to DR Congo. Its listed as UNESCO Heritage site located in the eastern part of Democratic republic of Congo. Virunga national park covers an area of 7800 square kilometers. Congo has the list population of Mountain Gorillas among the three Countries those are Uganda, Rwanda and Congo with only around 200 mountain Gorillas out of the total 1004 Mountain Gorillas in the whole world Currently.
Like any other mountain Gorilla Trekking Countries, Congo has the Gorilla trekking rules and regulations. Below are the rules and regulations which are followed during your Gorilla trekking in Congo.
One has to observe 7 meters between the guests and the Gorillas. However much its hard to observe this since some time the gorillas come to you especially the young playful ones.
The guests are allowed a maximum of one hour with the gorillas after meeting them
In case one need to go long call he or she must dig a hole and after defecating you cover the hole well
Guest are supposed to observe the maximum silence while in the forest with the gorillas
No dropping or littering while in the park
No one is allowed to track Gorillas if he or she has the air born disease like Flue. These primates share most of these disease with humans.
Gorilla trekking in Congo is a unique experience with aremix of more activities that can be done. Are you looking for budget Gorilla tracking experience, Democratic Republic of Congo is the best answer. You need to use only reputable tour operators that can help you book the Gorilla permits. The Gorilla trekking in Congo safaris start from Kigali where one can be picked from then cross through the Goma border.
How to get Gorilla trekking permits for Congo
Its easy steps to get the Gorilla permit for trekking Gorillas in Congo, you can contact directly the Virunga national park Authorities of use any reputable tour operators. The gorilla permits cost 450 usd but sold in package that includes the Visa and accommodation.
Gorilla trekking in Congo can be done throughout the year though the country has two rainy seasons with the first rains longer then the second rains. The trekking can be best during the dry season from June to October and from December to February.
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