Democratic Republic of Congo is listed among the major homes of the Gorillas in Africa with both Low land and mountain gorillas in its top destinations.

This nation is located in the Central part of Africa bordering South Sudan and Central African Republic in the North, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania in the East, Zambia in the South, and Congo Brazzaville in the West.

How Best to Reach Democratic Republic of Congo?

You can better reach Democratic Republic of Congo when you land in Rwanda at Kigali airport and cross borders because Congo’s air transport system are very poor to the extent of not working at all.

Therefore its better you land in Rwanda and our driver will be waiting for you to drive down to Goma border where you will cross from after clearing with the required offices.

Thereafter you will be transferred by the Virunga safari jeeps up to your required destinations, all these safari logistics will be arranged by Eco tours Congo a trusted agency at offering the best responsible tourism in the region.

Put this in mind that you have to apply for a visa entry to Rwanda and then with your tour operator arrangement will be having your visa entry to Congo. Then a day you return to Goma border exit Congo and enter Rwanda and again buy a visa entry and then continue with your plan to your next destination.

But if you are planning to visit both the gorilla parks of Congo and you do not want to pay a lot visa entries to both countries here is the suggested route to use.

From Virunga return to Goma and then take boat cruise from Goma to Bukavu and make sure you are in the country (Congo) not more than 07 days valid of the visa. The tourist entry visa of Democratic Republic of Congo costs $105 USD per person.

Where to Go Gorilla Treks in DR Congo?

Democratic Republic of Congo is habiting two species of gorillas in its top destinations named mountain gorillas which are found in Virunga National Park and Lowland gorillas which are found in Kahuzi Biega National Park.

Below are the top destinations in Democratic Republic of Congo where you can find these mostly wanted attractions while in Democratic Republic of Congo.

Virunga National Park

This is the most known destination to visit in Democratic Republic of Congo mainly for mountain gorillas, most of the visitors to Congo go with the interest of visiting this national park because of its attractive primates in its diversity, mountain gorillas are herbivorous ground dwelling apes which are black in color and tailless.

This park was formerly named Albert National park and it covers about 7,800Km² that stretches from the Virunga Mountains in the south, to the Rwenzori Mountains in the north, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, bordering Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Rwenzori Mountains National Park & Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda.

This park is ranked to be the first safari national park in Africa and was established in 1925 primarily to protect the shy endangered mountain gorillas.

Virunga National Park is among the best sites in rewarding amazing gorilla trekking safaris where you visit these apes in the jungle very excited to see them feeding, playing with their young ones, laughing plus taking photos of these apes for memories, you are issued a one hour permission to stay with these apes in the jungle after descend back to the park offices in Bukima for gorilla trekking certificate award, while in Virunga National Park you can also visit the Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage Center mostly when you sleep at Mikeno Lodge where all orphaned & uncared gorillas are protected and provided care from.

Kahuzi Biega National Park

This is the second gorilla hosting destination in Democratic Republic of Congo, and it’s a protected area near Bukavu town in Eastern part of Democratic Republic of Congo and it’s also near the western bank of Lake Kivu & Rwanda border, it covers about 6000km² of Area and rated to be one of the biggest national parks in the country.

This park is commonly known for the Lowland gorillas, these Lowland gorillas are huge herbivorous ground dwelling apes which feed on stem, foliage, leaves and some fruits, they are brownish in color with black mouth and nose, tailless, they are very huge when compared to mountain gorillas, they always live-in groups named “Troop” which comprises of both female and male members, these groups are always led by the male dominant Silver backs.

How Do I Save if I do a Gorilla Trekking Safari in Democratic Republic of Congo than Uganda & Rwanda?

This is very clear to visit mountain gorillas in the jungle you must buy a permit which issues you permission for the activity therefore, gorilla trekking permit in Democratic Republic of Congo costs $400 USD per person and that of Uganda and Rwanda costs $700 USD and $1500 USD per person respectively.

When you compare the prices doing gorilla trekking in Congo vice versa Uganda you will save $200 USD if you change to Congo and that for Rwanda you save $1100 USD.

After the gorilla trekking excursion either in Virunga National Park or Kahuzi Biega National Park, a chimpanzee habituation walk in Tongo forest is another activity to engage in as you spend your days in Democratic Republic of Congo.

The post How Safe Is Gorilla Trekking Tours In Congo first appeared on Congo Parks.

The rare endangered mountain gorillas can only be trekked from Congo and Uganda, and even in Rwanda. Gorilla trekking in all the countries is almost similar though there are other things that can make it different.

The following is a comparison between gorilla trekking safaris in Congo & Uganda, and it will be on you the trekker to choose on where to go.

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Uganda is found in the Eastern parts of Africa and it is one of the only three countries that protect the rare endangered mountain gorillas.

Unlike in other gorilla trekking countries where the trekking is done in one park, the trekking of mountain gorillas in Uganda is done in two different national parks which include; Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park, all found in the western parts of the country.

However, Bwindi is the best Park in Uganda for gorilla trekking and it holds the largest number of mountain gorillas in all the parks that protect these primates.

Bwindi comprises of four sectors each with different gorilla families and these are; Buhoma sector, Rushaga sector, Ruhija sector and Nkuringo.

Interestingly, Buhoma is the first sector where gorilla tourism was first done when Mubare gorilla family (Bwindi national park’s oldest family) was habituated in 1992 just a year after the establishment of Bwindi forest into a national park.

The sector as of current it comprises of four habituated gorilla families which are open to trekkers. Besides Mubare, the other three families are; Habinyanja family, Rushegura family, and Katwe family. The sector is located in the northern parts of the park.

Besides gorilla trekking, there are many other activities that tourists to Buhoma will enjoy such as; birding, community visits to Bakiga and Batwa communities, hiking trails which include Munyaga trail, waterfall trail, Rushura trail, River Ivi trail, and Muzabajiro loop trail, to mention but a few.

In the southern part of the park is Rushaga sector which comprises of 8 habituated gorilla families, namely; Nshongi, Bweza, Busingye, Mishaya, Mukyunguzi, and Kahungye plus Bushaho and Bikyinji. Other activities done in Rushaga also include; bird watching, Batwa cultural visits, and forest walks among others.

Rushaga is also a home to Lake Mutanda thus an opportunity for travelers to have boat cruise at the lake. Ruhija sector is situated in the eastern section of the park and it is home to Mukisa gorilla family, Oruzogo gorilla family, Kyaguriro family, and Bitukura gorilla family.

Ruhija also offers the most strenuous and adventurous hiking trail to Rwamunyonyi peak thus being a best sector for hikers.

Nkuringo sector is also found in the southern parts of Bwindi, and it is a home to Nkuringo gorilla family and Christmas gorilla family though at times, Bushaho gorilla family crosses from Rushaga.

Gorilla trekkers can decide to trek the gorillas in any of the Park’s four sectors and enjoy the life changing encounter with the critically endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats.

The Park has a total of 18 habituated gorilla families trekked from its four sectors. The other 19^th gorilla family that Uganda has is found in Mgahinga National Park, which is called Nyakagezi gorilla family and it is the only gorilla family in Mgahinga.

Gorilla lovers who will want to go for gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Mgahinga should consult the best local tour agencies to organize a better gorilla safari.

Such agencies include; Nature Adventure Africa Safari Limited, and Eco Tours Uganda among others. The agencies will provide you with the suitable vehicle of your own choice.

Some of the vehicles offered by the above tour agencies include; Land Cruisers, Rav4, Safari Vans, Costar buses, Super Customs, Extended Land Cruisers, and others.

Your tour agency will do most of your bookings including; hotel reservation, purchasing you the gorilla permit, hiring you your desired safari vehicle, and airport pickup during your arrival, among others.

A gorilla permit in Uganda costs US$ 700, however Uganda also provides an opportunity to the gorilla trekkers to go for the process of gorilla habituation which lasts for 4 hours and thus the habituation permit costs US$ 1500 for those who may wish to go for the activity.

For the sake of gorilla trekking, trekkers are allowed to spend only one hour with the gorillas unlike in gorilla habituation where trekkers will spend 4 hours with the primates.

Gorilla trekking in Congo;

Democratic Republic of Congo is located in the central parts of Africa (Central Africa). Congo gorilla trekking is the cheapest and most affordable of all the three gorilla trekking countries (Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda).

A Congo gorilla permit costs US$ 400 which is a cheaper price to that of Uganda which costs US$ 700 and for Rwanda which is purchased at US$ 1500.

Mountain gorillas in Congo are trekked from Virunga National Park and the Park consists of 8 habituated gorilla families, namely; Kabirizi, Bageni, Mapuwa, Nyakamwe, Lulengo, Munyaga, Bageni, and Humba. Gorillas in Virunga Park are tracked from its sector known as; Bukima Patrol Post.

In all the gorilla trekking national parks, the trekking is done in groups of 8 individuals per trekking group and trekkers are strictly given one hour that they should spend with the gorillas.

Though you will spend only one hour with the gorillas, I assure you that the experience achieved from that one hour is of a lifetime. Viewing the gorillas, trekkers are advised to keep a certain distance of at least 7 meters away from the primates.

This is due to the protection of the gorillas because these primates can catch some human diseases such as; flu and cough if at all the trekkers are infected and come close to them (Mountain gorillas).

However, Congo also comprises of the eastern low-land gorillas which exist in Kahuzi-Biega national park, hence offering an opportunity to the gorilla lovers to experience them too.

Mountain gorillas and eastern low-land gorillas have different impressive behaviors and Congo is the best country to experience the behaviors of both gorillas and at an affordable price. Low-land gorilla permit in Congo also costs US$ 400.

The post Compare Gorilla Trek In Congo & Uganda first appeared on Congo Parks.

Kahuzi Biega National Park is a hidden secret in Africa and it has been less traveled hence offering the adventure kind of experience unique to the travelers. Kahuzi Biega National Park was established in 1970 covering a total land area of approximately 600,000square kilometres situated in the eastern part of Democratic republic of Congo in Bukavu town. About vegetation cover in the national park, it is marshlands, blogs, swamps, tropical rain forests and Riparian’s which all favour diversity of wild and bird life in the national park. All the above makes it prefect destination for relaxation and exploring the adventure destination to be visited.

Congo has been working tiresomely to improve and modernize the tourism industry in the Southern Lake Kivu to ensure that travelers increase the visitation of the region to trek the lowland gorillas in the Jungle of Kahuzi Biega National Park. Lowland Gorilla permit costs USD 400 according to the destination Experts of Kahuzi Biega National Park.

Early Morning after breakfast, drive to Kahuzi Biega National Park to trek the lowland Gorillas, The Drive from Orchid Safari lodge is about 1 hour to the park headquarters for the true experience of the lowland gorillas in Democratic Republic of Congo. During the briefing time clients are entertained by the cultural dance and hot tea offered by the park. Trekking lowland Gorillas is very amazing as lowland Gorillas differ from the mountain gorillas. The lowland Gorillas stay in bigger families as compared to mountain gorillas; you will not regret the safari effort once you meet the amazing Gorillas!

Another Congo gorilla journey focuses on Virunga national park a home mountain gorillas. Gorilla Trekking tours in Congo are becoming popular worldwide! The country is safe and open to all International visitors. On this gorilla safari, you will go gorilla trekking in the Virunga national park of Congo. This gorilla tour will start in Rwanda, where you will transfer to Virunga National park in Democratic republic of Congo via Uganda’s Cyanika border. The park has five families of gorillas with three groups most tracked.

At the Park Headquarters, you will be briefed about gorilla tracking dos and don’ts before setting off into the forest to track gorillas in Parc National des Virunga of Congo for the incredible experience. In the course of searching for the Mountain Gorillas, you will be exposed to excellent birding and primates such as the Golden Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Black and White colobus monkey, and giant forest hogs among others. You will stay with these beautiful primates for one hour for observation and photography. Gorilla tracking through the forest, hills and swamps can be tough, arduous and tiring, sometimes taking up to 8 hours in the forest. But coming face to face with the great primates is well worth the effort.

The post Gorilla Safari Journeys in DR Congo first appeared on Congo Parks.