Congo Gorilla Trekking is one of the most powerful primate adventures in Africa. It presents nature enthusiasts a lifetime opportunity to immerse themselves in the African jungles in search for gorillas.

Unlike other gorilla trekking destinations, Congo gorilla tours allow primate seekers to explore both the rare mountain gorillas and the lowland gorillas in their natural environment.

Mountain Gorilla Trekking Congo & Where it is Done;

Mountain gorilla trekking safaris in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are specifically enjoyable in the Virunga National Park.

The Virunga Park is found in Eastern Congo, covering a vast area of about 7800sq.km. It is in this protected area where over 300 mountain gorillas survive from with about 8 gorilla groups available for gorilla tourism.

Gorilla Groups to Trek in the Virunga National Park;

The habituated gorilla families to explore in the Virunga include Humba, Lulengo, Mapuwa, Nyakamwe, Munyaga, Rugendo, Kabirizi, and Bageni.

Trekking with mountain gorillas in the Virunga National Park takes about 2-6 hours, which also includes an hour for up close and personal encounter. Treks to see Virunga gorillas begin from Bukima with briefing about gorilla trekking regulations.

A valid Congo visa and gorilla permits are essential documents that you need to have if you intend to visit gorillas in the D.R. Congo.

Other species to find in the Virunga National Park besides mountain gorillas include the eastern chimpanzees, golden monkeys, Dent’s Mona monkeys, De Brazza’s monkeys, blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, central African red colobus monkeys, olive baboons, mantled guereza, Hamlyn’s monkeys and more.

Other key mammals that exist in the Virunga National Park include Okapis, elephants, blue duikers, aardvark, waterbucks, bongo, warthogs, forest hogs, kobs, and others.

Birds –over 708 bird species exist in Virunga and include several Albertine rift endemic species. Some of the birds can be spotted during your gorilla trek or during a nature walk.

The numerous birds to identify in Virunga National Park include handsome spurfowl, Kivu ground thrush, blue-headed sunbird, mountain masked apalis, Rwenzori turacos, red-faced woodland warblers, dusky crimson wings, strange weaver birds, Shelley’s crimson wing, stripe-breasted tit, Archer’s ground robin, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, tambourine dove,

African hobby, black and white casqued hornbill, Chubb’s cisticolas, brown necked parrots, baglafetch, Narina trogon, rufous thrush, chestnut throated apalis, sharpe’s starling, and more.

Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi-Biega National Park Congo;

Eastern lowland gorilla trekking in the D.R. Congo is conducted in Kahuzi-Biega National Park, one of the country’s biggest protected areas. This protected area lies in Bukavu, eastern D.R. Congo and features two extinct volcanoes –Kahuzi and Biega.

The different families of eastern lowland gorillas to explore in Kahuzi-Biega include Mpungwe, Mugaruka, Chimanuka, Nganwa and Bonnani group. Eastern lowland gorillas live at elevation of 2100 and 2400m.

Kahuzi-Biega Park was gazetted as a park in 1970, and stretches up to 6000sq.km. It is a recognized UNESCO site just like the Virunga National Park. Kahuzi-Biega also features distinct vegetation cover comprising of riparian forest, marshland, bog and swamp vegetation.

It is also an ideal location to find numerous endemic birds and about 349 bird species live here.

Gorilla Trekking Permits.

Valid gorilla permits are essential for all gorilla safaris to the D.R. Congo. A single Congo gorilla permit is issued at US 450 per person and it is possible to obtain one through your reliable tour operator.

Gorilla permits should be secured early at least 2-6 months prior to actual date of visiting either Kahuzi-Biega National Park or Virunga National Park to see gorillas.

Safety Guidelines/Regulations to Follow During Gorilla Trekking;

• Maximum of 8 guests can visit a single habituated gorilla group.
• 15 years is the acceptable age limit for all visitors interested in trekking gorillas in the D.R. Congo.
• Visitors must be free from illnesses/sicknesses that can impact the health of gorillas.
• A maximum of an hour is given for you to enjoy a face-to-face encounter with gorillas.
• Keep a distance of 8-10 meters from gorillas as recommended or advised by the park official.
• Cover your mouse when coughing and nose when sneezing.
• Do not make loud noise while in the jungles trekking gorillas.
• Do not run when a gorillas has charged –follow what your park ranger guide tells you to do.

Best Time to Visit D.R. Congo for Gorilla Trekking;

Gorilla trekking in the Congo National Park is excellent during the dry months of the year that is from July to September.

These are the driest months of the year and the Virunga National Park/Kahuzi-Biega National Park experience relatively low rainfall amount and the forest floor isn’t muddy like it can be during the peak rainy months.

What to Pack?

Here is the list of essentials to consider on your packing for your gorilla trekking adventure in Kahuzi-Biega or Virunga National Park; waterproof hiking boots, snacks, bottled water, rain jacket, a sweater, long-sleeved shirts, a pair of trousers, a pair of socks, a tin of insect repellent, a daypack, and others.

Accommodation (where to stay in Kahuzi-Biega & Virunga)

Places to consider for overnight stay in and around Virunga National Park include Bukima Tented Camp, Kibumba Tented Camp, and Mikeno Lodge.

Visitors interested in the lowland gorilla treks in Kahuzi-Biega National Park can stay in Coco Lodge, L’Orchids Safari Club, Panorama Hotel and Exodus Bukavu Hotel.

Is Congo safe for gorilla trekking?

Congo safe and welcomes every primate enthusiast to enjoy gorilla treks in its finest habitats. All gorilla treks in the D.R. Congo are done with the lead of an experienced park ranger guide.

Overall, it is essential to inquire from your trusted tour operator about the safety of your destination before paying a visit.

How to Get There?

Kahuzi-Biega and Virunga National Parks are found in Eastern D.R. Congo. Getting to Kahuzi-Biega National Park by road involves driving for 40km from Bukavu, approximately an hour’ drive to the park entrance.

From Kigali, you can spend 6-7 hours driving via Rusizi border where you can connect about 1.5 hours’ drive to Kahuzi-Biega Park offices. From Burundi, drive via Ruwa border then to Rusizi.

By Water, take a boat from Goma to Bukavu past Idjwi Island on Lake Kivu. The speed boat can take you 3 hours and using the public boat, you can spend 4-5 hours.

Access to the Virunga from Rwanda involves you driving from Kigali via Gisenyi and from Uganda, cross via Bunagana border. From Goma town in DRC, drive for 32km to Virunga National Park. By water, take a boat 3 hours to Goma navigating past the Idjwi Island.

By Air: fly up to Goma International Airport where you can connect by road up to Kahuzi-Biega National Park and Virunga National Park.