Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the prominent destinations to visit in Africa, purposely for gorilla tours.
It’s located in the Central part of the African Continent bordering Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania in the Eastern part, Central African Republic in the North, Congo Brazzaville in the West, Angola and Zambia in the Southern part.
Democratic Republic of Congo is characterized with Tropical rain forest, montane, Savannah grasslands, Bamboo forests, flat and hilly areas plus large Swampy areas, these forests of Congo are very thick consisting of big tree species, thorns and hooks, shrubs and more.
Democratic Republic of Congo is among the destinations which are characterized with different Gorilla species which include Mountain Gorillas and Eastern Lowland Gorillas.
Other primates and Species in Democratic Republic of Congo include Black & White Colobus Monkeys, Red tailed Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Vervets, Okapi, Chimpanzees, Antelopes, Owls, Hyenas, Kobs, leopards, Lions, Bush babies, Baboons, Chameleon, Reptiles like Black cobras, Python, Gabon Viper, insects like Butter flies, tsetse flies, different bird species plus different physical features which include Mountains, Rivers and Lakes.
Why Visit Gorillas in Congo?
Variety of different Species Available.
Among the three Gorilla hosting destinations in Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo is the only destination which hosts two different species of Gorillas in its thick tropical rain forest in the Virunga Massif; these Species include Mountain Gorillas and the Eastern Lowland Gorillas.
Mountain Gorillas are Black herbivorous ground dwelling apes which feed on young bamboo shoot, stem, foliage, tree leaves and some fruits supplied by visitors like mangoes, sweet bananas, jack fruit, sugar canes and more While Eastern Lowland Gorillas are brownish herbivorous ground dwelling apes which also feed on foliage, young bamboo shoot, stem, tree leaves, flowers and some fruits.
When you compare both species in Size and height, Lowland Gorillas are bigger and taller than Mountain Gorillas.
Well established trails/routes.
When trekking in the Jungle there are resignation trails you should follow in search of these Gorillas and when it comes to that Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park are well rewarded with permanent established routes which are in good state some free of thorns and hooks, free from mud thus influencing proper hauling of trekkers heading to different locations in the Jungle.
Affordable Prices for permits.
To Visit Gorillas in their habitats you must buy a permit “Gorilla trekking permit” which issues you permission for this activity but when you compare prices of permits in the three Gorilla hosting countries, Democratic Republic of Congo appears to be cost efficient with its permit costing $400 USD per person, that of Rwanda and Uganda costs $1500 USD and $700 USD per person respectively.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is diminishing at a high rate because its permit is too expensive when you compare reaching to an extent of tripling prices of permits for Democratic Republic of Congo yet they have less varieties than Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Need for Support of Conservation of Gorillas.
This money paid for the Gorilla trekking permit is not used for consumption purposes but rather used in the conservation of these apes for future generation through funding the conservation organizations like Gorilla doctors, friend a Gorilla and Virunga foundation which is responsible for managing the gazetted habitats for Gorillas.
Variety of Other Species & Primates.
During your trekking Journey in the Jungle its associated with an en-route game viewing which provides you with opportunities of sighting different primates like Black & White Colobus Monkeys, Red tailed Monkeys, Vervets, Blue Monkeys swinging on the tree branches, Bush babies, Baboons, Hyenas, different bird species crossing around, insects like Butter flies on the tree leaves, tsetse flies, bees on flowers plus big tree species.
If visiting Mountain Gorillas and Lowland Gorillas in Democratic Republic of Congo is your interest for the year 2018 you will only find them in Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park respectively.
