Virunga Gorilla Trekking

Virunga Gorilla Trekking is one of the biggest activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo where travelers explore gorillas in the forests of Virunga. Virunga is one of the famous words when it comes to the mountain gorilla trekking in Africa. Virunga Gorilla trekking can be a general term that brings together all the mountain gorilla trekking done in the different destinations of the Virunga conservation area. However, this time Virunga gorilla trekking in Congo is going to be exhausted. Gorilla trekking in the democratic republic of Congo is mainly known for Virunga national park; Virunga national park is also part of the vast Virunga conservation area which is also shared by Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga national park in Uganda and Volcanoes national park in the republic of Rwanda. All the latter mentioned gorilla trekking destinations within the Virunga conservation area are affiliated to the gorilla conservation program in east Africa.

Virunga national park shelters about 8 groups of habituated mountain gorilla families, which count to about 250 habituated mountain gorillas which are always available for the trekkers all year long. Virunga national park one of the most famous national parks, perhaps, because it is home for the fascinating mountain gorillas. Virunga national park of the democratic republic of Congo is also a world heritage site according to the United Nations educational, scientific and conservational organization (UNESCO) records. Trekking for the famous, but endangered, mountain gorillas in Virunga national park of the democratic republic of Congo, is a chance for you to experience nature at its best. You also stand a big chance to see the mountain gorillas and the lowland gorillas at the same time.

About Virunga national park of the democratic republic of Congo

Virunga national park is found in the northeastern part of the Democratic republic of Congo. The wide selection of unique features of the natural environment in the area made Virunga national park to be declared as a UNESCO world heritage site, however, this was mainly skewed to the presence of the endangered mountain gorillas in the highland areas with in Virunga national park. Virunga national park was made a world heritage site in 1979 as an ecologically important site. However, Virunga national park has gone through a lot of political upheavals and lock-ups, mainly the 1990’s wars in Rwanda, which have been a setback for the tourism in the Virunga national park and the Democratic republic of Congo at large.

A lot of refugees from the neighboring Rwanda posed a challenge to the development of tourism in Virunga national park. The refugees that fled to the democratic republic of Congo from the genocide in Rwanda encroached on the parks land and a lot of poaching was carried out during the time that led to a decline in the abundance of wildlife species in the Virunga national park. It is also believed that due to the political unrest in the democratic republic of Congo and Rwanda, also of the mountain gorillas found refuge in Bwindi impenetrable forest; perhaps it is the reason as to why Bwindi impenetrable national park has the biggest mountain gorilla population in the world.

Despite this, the mountain gorilla trekking in the democratic republic of Congo are preferred by the travellers, because the permits are low, and it is also easy to move from Rwanda’s volcanoes national park and connect to Virunga national park in Congo. Besides, Virunga national park is still a virgin of tourism and there are a lot of things for you to find about Virunga national park when you visit Congo for the gorilla trekking safari.

Virunga gorilla trekking

Virunga national park has about eight groups of habituated mountain gorillas ready for the visits from the different gorilla lovers from around the world. Besides the mountain gorillas, Virunga national park in Congo hosts about half of the wildlife species in sub-Saharan Africa. Virunga national park is a home for about 250 habituated mountain gorillas.

Despite the fact that the Virunga national park and Congo have been feared by the tourists for the previous political unrest that was characterized by a lot of insecurity, the democratic republic of Congo is one of the cheapest mountain gorilla destinations in Africa. The democratic republic of Congo is a safe place for tourism and currently so peaceful.

Mountain gorilla trekking in Congo is the strong stand holding up the tourism industry in the country. Gorilla trekking in Virunga national park is awesome as it gives you a chance to interact with the biggest primates in the world. The democratic republic of Congo is investing all the resources to make sure that the mountain gorilla in Virunga national park are protected from poachers. The time with the mountain gorillas in Virunga national park is such life changing and memorable; it will make you appreciate all the effort that Congo exerts on the protection and conservation of the mountain gorilla in their natural habitats.

Cost of the mountain gorilla permits in Congo

The mountain gorilla trekking safari in Virunga national park in the Democratic republic of Congo can be one of the most affordable but rewarding safaris in Africa. The mountain gorilla trekking permits to Virunga national park are the cheapest among the three gorilla protection destination with in the Virunga conservation area; bwindi impenetrable national park in uganda, volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park of Congo make up the Virunga conservation area.

If at all you are planning to go to the democratic republic of Congo, you have to book your mountain gorilla trekking permit in advance with one of the local Congo tour operators. The gorilla permits the only coast about $400 per person, and this is the cheapest price for you to see the mountain gorillas in Africa; Uganda mountain gorilla permits cost about $700 and the Rwandan mountain gorilla permits cost about $1500, hence Congo being the cheapest option.

Also, the Democratic republic of Congo is the shortest destination for mountain gorilla trekking; measuring the distance from the capital city. You can visit Congo from Rwanda safari via Gisenyi and cross to Goma city. You can visit Virunga national park any time of the year since the park is always open though out the year. Just like the other parks in Africa, the trekking trails in Virunga national park might be really hard to pass during the wet season; during the months of May, April, and November, plus October. Despite the wet terrain and almost hard to trek trails, the dry season is the time you can find discounts for the mountain gorilla trekking permits in Virunga national park. The gorilla trekking permits to Virunga national park are sold at a discount, about $350 per person. The discounts on the mountain gorilla trekking permits in Virunga national park, during the wet season, are given in order to attract tourists during this time.

Take caution before traveling to Congo for mountain gorilla trekking in Virunga national park

Purchase your mountain gorilla trekking permit about 3mounths before the actual trekking day.
Directly book your gorilla trekking permit from Virunga national park via parks website.
Remember to move with your valid yellow fever vaccination certificate.
Make sure that you apply for the Congo visa in advance to avoid inconveniences.
Carry the appropriate clothes for the jungle; mainly the camouflaging colors which blend with the jungle are advisable.
A raincoat is a necessity for gorilla trekking in Virunga national park in Congo.
Don’t forget to carry a first aid with anti-malaria and insect repellants.
Carry your camera but do not use a flash when taking the photos for the mountain gorilla.
Join the conservation for the mountain gorillas by staying away from mountain gorilla trekking if at all you have flu or cough.