Congo Gorilla Trekking
Congo Gorilla Trekking is an amazing safari tour activity that has brought thousands of travelers to the democratic republic of Congo to engage in the activity. The democratic republic of Congo is among the few countries that harbors the endangered mountain gorillas in the whole world making it a unique Africa tour destination. To spice it up, the country also habors the eastern lowland gorillas which differ from the mountain gorillas. In Congo, mountain gorillas can be found in Virunga National Park and the eastern lowland gorillas can be found in Kahuzi Biega National Park. Mountain Gorillas can also be located in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and also Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park
Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park is the biggest activity that travelers can engage in the park and has attracted a number of tourists. Virunga national park has quite a number of mountain gorillas with about 6-7 habituated gorilla families which include Kabirizi, Humba, Rugendo, Mapuwa, Lulengo, Munyaga, Nyakamwe, and Bageni.
For any traveler to engage in Congo Gorilla Trekking they should have bought a Congo gorilla trekking permit the permits are managed by the Virunga National park authorities. Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National park is the cheapest gorilla trekking safari compared to other countries that have the activity such as Uganda and Rwanda. Uganda Gorilla Trekking permits cost $700 dollars and Rwanda being the most expensive sells its permits at $1500. Well, for Congo Gorilla trekking permits, they are sold at a small $400 which makes it more affordable and one of the reasons most of the travelers worldwide love to go for the safari in Congo.
Virunga National Park can be accessed via Kigali International Airport where a trekker can connect via Gisenyi and then head to Goma where you will pick up the gorilla trekking permits from the Virunga Offices. A traveler can also decide to book a flight with Ethiopian airlines which will fly you direct into Goma international airport. Here you will connect to the Virunga offices easily and later transfer to Bukima Tented Camp where you can spend the night in Virunga national park.
Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park starts at the Bukima Ranger post whereby you will wake up early morning and meet your ranger guides who will take you through a short briefing session about the dos and don’ts of the gorilla trekking activity. Congo gorilla trekking takes about 1-3 hours to find the gorillas depending on where the gorillas were last sighted and if lucky you could get to see the gorillas in less than an hour. Once you find the gorillas you are give 1 hour to observe the gorillas’ behaviors, take pictures and also get to know more about the gorillas. After the one hour you return to the starting point to end the gorilla trekking activity and receive your gorilla trekking certificate.
Virunga National Park safaris are nothing without gorilla trekking but a traveler can decide to spice up their Congo Gorilla Trekking safari by choosing packages that include other activities in the park like Chimpanzee trekking, hiking Mount Nyiragongo, visiting Sekwenkwe gorilla orphanage and many more.
Travelers trekking gorillas in Virunga National Park can get accommodation in the park premises at Mikeno Lodge, Lulimbi tented camp, Bukima Tented Camp, and tchegera island camp. These are first class accommodation facilities and in the evenings a traveler can walk around and enjoy the great scenery and also visit some communities.
Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park
Kahuzi Biega National Park is one of the top Congo Tourist Destinations that habors yet another type of gorillas know as the Eastern Lowland Gorillas. The park is made up of Mount Kahuzi and Mount Biega which are two different dormant extinct volcanoes situated in the Democratic republic of Congo. Kahuzi biega National Park is located near Bukavu town close to the Congo boarder with Rwanda alsonear Lake Kivu. The park was established in 1970 and has a wide variety of flora and Fauna and it was established as world heritage site in 1980. Kahuzi Biega is under the management of the Congolais Pour la Conservation de la Nature. (ICCN)
Kahuzi Biega National Park harbors the last of the Eastern Lowland Gorilla Families which consists of about 250 individuals. The park is covered by a tropical rain forest. These Eastern Lowland gorilla can also be found in Maiko national Park in Congo.
The Eastern gorilla trekking permits cost the same as the mountain gorilla trekking permits and cost $400 dollars which is still an affordable price for travelers.
Congo Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park is like any other gorilla trekking activity and a traveler gets to spend 1 hour with the gorilla species when they meet them after trekking for about 1-2hours.
Some of the accommodation facilities that travelers can sleep at when they visit kahuzi biega national park for Congo gorilla trekking include Mont Kahuzi Hotel, Lakeside Hotel Bukavu, Exodus Bukavu, Orchids Safari Club and many others.
Accessing Kahuzi biega for Congo Gorilla Trekking safaris is simple and travelers from Rwanda can get to the park in a short time since its only 30km from the border. The park’s head office is about 3-4 hours drive.
Other activities that travelers can do and add to their gorilla trekking safari include community tours, camping safaris, nature walks, bird watching, and hiking.
Congo Gorilla Trekking Essentials
The gorilla trekking essentials are the different items that a traveler should carry in order to have a successful gorilla safari. Without some of these gorilla trekking essentials, the safari might be hectic and somehow you might not be successful. Below are some of the top essentials you must carry:
Valid VISA & Passport: To access any country a traveler must have a VISA and Passport and Congo is no different. One visiting Congo can be able to get a VISA online or directly from the airport.
Gorilla trekking permit: The Gorilla trekking permit is a card/documentation that shows that a certain traveler has completely paid for the gorilla trekking activity. Congo gorilla trekking permits as earlier stated cost only $400 dollars.
Long Safari Trousers and shirts: The forests at times are thick and the tree brunches and thorns might scratch your legs and arm. Therefore long trousers and shirts are essential to avoid these scratches and bruises.
Rain Jacket and Waterproof Bag: Congo gorilla trekking is done in thick tropical rainforests and rain is inevitable. Any time it could rain and therefore you don’t want to get soaked in the middle of the forests.
Waterproof Hiking shoes: These will help you get grip on the ground and also hike comfortable in the thick forests.
Safari Cap/hut: This can protect your head from tree brunches, thorns and protruding plants from getting in contact with your head. Also during the sunny days you don’t want to be hit directly with the African scotching sunshine.
Drink Water and extra snacks: You will need to get hydrated and also to keep the energy going, so a few snacks will help you through your trekking safari.
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