Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Virunga National Park
Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Virunga National Park offer a truly extraordinary and off-the-beaten-path adventure into the rugged wilderness of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This unique journey encompasses a range of thrilling experiences, from hiking one of the world’s most active volcanoes to venturing through lush forests to encounter endangered monkeys. Along the way, you’ll also have the opportunity to meet the dedicated individuals working tirelessly to protect these incredible creatures.
Preparing for a Gorilla Trek in Congo
Embarking on a gorilla trek in Congo requires careful preparation, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the country and its national parks. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly known as the Belgian Congo and later as Zaire, has a tumultuous history marked by conflicts and civil unrest. However, it is also a vast nation brimming with untapped human and natural resources, including substantial reserves of oil, gold, diamonds, and various minerals.
Furthermore, the Democratic Republic of the Congo boasts abundant tourist attractions, such as extensive virgin tropical rainforests like the Congo Basin, imposing mountains, pristine crater lakes, flowing rivers, and rare bird and animal species, including the elusive Okapi and pygmy chimp (Bonobos). Many of these species are yet to be fully documented. While neighboring countries may lay claim to the majority of surviving mountain gorilla families, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is unique in that it is the only place on Earth where you can encounter both lowland and mountain gorillas. Additionally, the country is home to the critically endangered golden monkeys.
About Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Virunga National Park
Your gorilla trekking adventure kicks off in the eastern city of Goma, where a knowledgeable guide will assist you with immigration formalities before guiding you deeper into the heart of Congo’s dense jungles. Your journey begins with a visit to the Senkwekwe Orphan Mountain Gorilla Centre, a one-of-a-kind institution dedicated to caring for orphaned mountain gorillas, victims of escalating poaching and trafficking crises. This experience provides a poignant insight into the challenges faced by this remarkable species in the wild.
Continuing north, you’ll reach Virunga National Park, a haven for wildlife and an ecological hotspot. Here, you’ll be surrounded by lush forests, expansive savannahs, lava plains, marshes, volcanoes, and the glaciated summits of the Rwenzori Mountains. Mountain gorillas, known for their larger size and thicker, dark coats adapted to high-altitude cold, thrive in this unique environment. Both lowland and mountain gorilla subspecies subsist on diets of tree leaves, shoots, and fruits, and they live in family groups led by a dominant male silverback responsible for the group’s safety and discipline. Mountain gorilla groups tend to be larger, sometimes exceeding 30 members. While males generally remain with the group longer, females often depart to join other silverbacks or groups upon reaching adulthood.
Virunga National Park is home to approximately 700 critically endangered mountain gorillas. Your experienced tracker will greet you before embarking on a trek through dense forest, led by dedicated park rangers. Witness these captivating primates in their natural habitat, observing their daily activities, including sleeping, eating, and interacting with each other. Understanding their fascinating behaviors is a truly transformative and awe-inspiring experience.
In Congo, the odds of encountering gorillas are high, thanks to the expertise of the park rangers who always keep track of their whereabouts. However, various challenges along the trek can affect the time it takes to locate a specific gorilla troop. These challenges may include inclement weather, challenging topography, and the distance between the starting point and the gorilla troop’s location. Once you locate the gorilla group, expect the dominant silverback to carefully assess your presence. After ensuring there are no perceived threats, the silverback typically allows you to observe and enjoy this incredible encounter.
You will have the privilege of spending one hour in the presence of the gorillas, during which time you can observe and photograph the dominant silverback, watch other group members engage in grooming, witness breastfeeding mothers, observe playful juveniles climbing short trees, and even witness male silverbacks constructing nests for afternoon rest or nighttime shelter. This hour will be filled with unforgettable moments and photo opportunities, providing lasting memories of their natural behaviors.
Hiking Mount Nyiragongo
A highlight of your journey is the exhilarating hike up Mount Nyiragongo, guided by a professional guide and cook. As you ascend through ghostly lava fields and dense forests, you’ll be mesmerized by the anticipation of reaching the world’s largest lava lake. This mesmerizing lake churns with seething fire and gas, captivating your senses for hours on end. Your accommodation atop the crater rim is unlike any other on Earth, allowing you to drift off to sleep to the sounds of boiling lava and wake up to breathtaking morning vistas of the Congolese landscape.
Combining Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Virunga with Kahuzi Biega National Park
Upon reaching Kahuzi Biega National Park, you’ll embark on a rainforest expedition through lush montane and bamboo forests in search of the Grauer’s Gorilla. This magnificent Eastern Lowland primate is the largest among the four gorilla subspecies, and while its population has declined in recent decades, encountering such a massive primate is an unforgettable experience.
Combining Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Virunga National Park with Lake Kivu
A visit to Lake Kivu, a vast body of water surrounded by the stunning beauty of the Virunga landscape, is a natural complement to your adventure. Here, you’ll be greeted by rocky volcanoes and lush green slopes adorned with tea, coffee, and banana farms. A boat ride to the remote island of Tchegera reveals a haven for nature enthusiasts, teeming with diverse wildlife, including the island’s Blue Monkeys and an array of captivating bird species. Activities such as strolling, kayaking, paddle boarding, or simply relaxing amid the breathtaking surroundings allow you to fully appreciate the beauty of Lake Kivu. A flight along the 230-kilometer-long Semliki River offers spectacular vistas of Africa’s grand glaciers and perpetually snow-capped mountains.
How to Get to Virunga National Park
To embark on your Virunga National Park adventure, you’ll begin by reserving your gorilla permit, accommodation, and visa. The journey starts by arriving at either Rwanda’s Kigali International Airport or Uganda’s Entebbe Airport. It’s important to note that flights to Kigali often arrive in the late afternoon or evening, potentially necessitating an overnight stay in Kigali before proceeding to the Congo border, as border offices may not be open 24 hours a day. The following day, you’ll commence your journey to the border early in the morning, with a roughly four-hour drive from Kigali to Gisenyi.
Crossing the border into Congo from Rwanda or Uganda is a straightforward process, usually taking less than 10 minutes if you have all the necessary documentation, including a valid visa and a yellow fever vaccination card.
Accommodation in Virunga National Park
Accommodation options in Virunga National Park are diverse and cater to various preferences, ranging from the lush Mahura forest to the slopes of Mount Mikeno. These accommodations are operated on a non-profit basis by the park itself, ensuring that every night spent in Virunga directly contributes to the preservation of this unique ecosystem.
Virunga National Park, situated in the eastern province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is part of the larger Virunga massif, which also includes Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. Founded in 1925, the park is one of Africa’s oldest, harboring approximately 400 of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. The park’s highlights include the mesmerizing Nyiragongo volcano with its bubbling orange Lava Lake and a wealth of biodiversity encompassing wildlife, bird species, natural forests, savannahs, and marshlands.
Despite political instability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in recent years, the country remains renowned for its exceptional mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park and the thrilling Nyiragongo hike. Gorilla trekking safaris and tours in Virunga National Park offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences for travelers worldwide, enhanced by superb amenities within and around the park.
Accommodation Options in Virunga National Park
Mikeno Lodge: Nestled within the Mahura Forest at the park headquarters in Rumangabo, Mikeno Lodge offers stunning views of the Albertine Rift. The surrounding area is teeming with wildlife, including rare bird species, blue and colobus monkeys, olive baboons, and the elusive bushbuck. Guests can enjoy locally sourced coffee or tea on their terrace while listening to the morning chorus of birds and the calls of eastern chimps from their cozy bungalow.
The lodge’s main structure features a bar, restaurant, and an open fireplace, creating a welcoming atmosphere for sharing stories with fellow travelers over local beers. Each of the 12 individual bungalows is equipped with a fireplace and a sitting area, while the bathrooms include a bathtub, a separate stone shower, and a flush toilet. Hydropower from Virunga Energies ensures a reliable supply of electricity via standard EU round two-pin power outlets.
During your stay, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the orphaned mountain gorillas at the Senkwekwe Centre and learn about Virunga’s canine anti-poaching team, the Congo hounds. The Mahura forest offers several trails for birding excursions and primate sightings, including monkey habituation experiences.
Kibumba Tented Camp: Located in the gorilla sector of Virunga, Kibumba Tented Camp sits on the misty slopes of Mount Mikeno and offers panoramic views of the volcanic valley and the Mitumba Mountains. On clear evenings, you can catch sight of Mount Mikeno to the south, as well as the crimson glow of the active volcanoes Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira after nightfall.
Kibumba Tented Camp boasts 18 classic safari-style tents with en-suite bathrooms, running hot water, and flush toilets. Electricity is provided by Virunga Energies’ Matebe hydroelectric project, ensuring a constant power supply through standard EU round two-pin power outlets.
Aside from gorilla trekking, visitors can explore the surrounding forest on nature and birding tours, with opportunities to spot rare bird species and a troop of Golden Monkeys.
Tchegera Tented Camp: Tchegera Island, situated in the stunning blue waters of Lake Kivu, features a unique crescent shape, which is actually the top rim of a dormant volcano. On clear nights, the island offers breathtaking views of Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira, their red lava illuminating the starry sky. Tchegera provides vistas of the two tallest Virunga mountains, Mikeno and Karisimbi, as well as sweeping panoramas of Lake Kivu and its surroundings.
The island accommodates six tents for guests, including two twin rooms and four double rooms, all equipped with en-suite bathrooms, hot running showers, and flush toilets. Solar panels supply electricity, with charging stations available in the tents and the main area, where a full bar and restaurant service is offered.
Thanks to its crescent shape, Tchegera Island provides a natural harbor, ensuring calm waters perfect for activities like paddle boarding, kayaking, and snorkeling, allowing you to explore Lake Kivu’s unique aquatic life, including 24 fish species and two crab species endemic to the lake.
Lulimbi Tented Camp: Comprising ten comfortable canvas tents along the banks of the Ishasha River in the savannah plains of Virunga National Park, Lulimbi Tented Camp offers a serene, off-the-beaten-path setting. The camp is situated in the heart of Virunga National Park, home to numerous elephants and hippos, providing ample opportunities to observe savannah wildlife, all while enjoying the tranquility of the surroundings.
The camp features a communal mess tent, a restaurant, and a bar, as well as eight en-suite sleeping tents. These tents offer various sleeping arrangements, including two twin beds, double beds, and three twin beds, with each tent facing the Ishasha River and boasting individual verandas with views of passing hippos.
Guests at Lulimbi Tented Camp can partake in a range of activities, including elephant monitoring with rangers, chimp habituation walks, birdwatching, wildlife drives, boat excursions on Lake Edward, tilapia fishing, and visits to the Nyakakoma fishing community.
How to Get to Virunga National Park
To reach Virunga National Park, most visitors opt to fly into Kigali International Airport in Rwanda and then embark on a three-hour journey to the border crossing at Gisenyi, Rwanda/Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Travel plans should take into account the arrival times of international flights, as foreign flights may land in the late afternoon or evening. Alternatively, guests can choose to fly into Goma International Airport, with Ethiopian carriers and other local Congolese carriers serving the area. Due to occasional flight delays, it is advisable to arrange accommodation in Goma for the day of your arrival.
How Much Does Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park Cost?
Gorilla trekking is a daily activity in Virunga National Park, and the cost of a Congo gorilla permit varies depending on the season. During the high season, which spans from mid-December to mid-March and from June to October, the gorilla permit costs USD 400 per person per trek. In the low season, which includes mid-March to mid-May and mid-October to mid-December, the permit cost is USD 200 per person per trek. These permits grant you the extraordinary opportunity to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.
