Are you in Rwanda and dreaming of gorilla tours in DR Congo? Choosing a Congo gorilla trekking safari from Kigali is one of the best options. Enjoy an unforgettable adventure with easy access and great experiences of meeting the incredible mountain gorillas.

Often, travelers on Congo gorilla tours choose to fly into Kigali International Airport, drive approximately 2 to 3 hours to the Rubavu/Goma border, and then cross to the DR Congo for their trek.

Tours to the DRC from Kigali are popular since the airport is the closest major hub to the DRC’s gorilla habitats.

It is advisable that before booking your Congo gorilla tours in Virunga National Park or Kahuzi Biega National Park for gorilla tracking, you check the travel advisories due to security concerns.

Key Takeaways on a Congo Gorilla Trekking Safari from Kigali

·         The Democratic Republic of Congo is home to approximately 350 mountain gorillas, representing 33% of the global mountain gorilla population.

·         The DR Congo is the only country that is home to mountain gorillas and the eastern lowland gorillas.

·         Detailed overview of the types of gorilla trekking in Congo, gorilla destinations, costs incurred, accommodations, when to go gorilla tracking, tour operators to use, and other important information.

Brief Overview of Gorilla Trekking Destinations in Congo

There are basically two destinations that you can visit for Congo gorilla tours, and these are:

Virunga National Park 

Virunga park Congo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the eastern province of the DR of Congo.

It is one of the world’s most ecologically diverse protected areas where a variety of wildlife species thrive. This park also supports diverse ecosystems, including tropical rainforests, vast savannas, productive wetlands, and afro-alpine zones.

The tropical forest in Virunga National Park has over 2000 plant species, including unique tree types.

Virunga NP is famous for being home to over 350 mountain gorillas, which is one-third of the world’s mountain gorilla population.

The park is also home to Eastern Lowland Gorillas, which can also be found in Kahuzi Biega National Park.

Apart from gorillas, other animals in the park include chimpanzees, African bush elephants, okapi, lions, bushbucks, bongo antelopes, leopards, monkeys, among others.

It also has over 700 bird species, including the Rwenzori turaco, the grey-crowned crane, among others.

Kahuzi Biega National Park

Kahuzi Biega Park is one of DR Congo’s largest protected areas, covering an area of about 6,000 square kilometers near the city of Bukavu and Lake Kivu.

It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is famous for being home to over 400 eastern lowland gorillas. With this population of lowland gorillas, Kahuzi Biega NP is the best destination for the eastern lowland gorilla tour in Africa.

Apart from the eastern lowland gorillas, the park is home to over 136 mammal species, including forest elephants, leopards, forest buffaloes, and chimpanzees, among others.

There are also over 349 avian species, which make it a very good place for Congo birding tours.

Why Choose Congo Gorilla Tracking from Kigali? 

There are undoubtedly several reasons why choosing gorilla trekking tours in Congo, starting from Kigali, is considered one of the best options.

·         Tours to the DRC from Kigali are popular since the airport is the closest major hub to the DRC’s gorilla habitats.

·         Trekking in the DRC offers massive savings on permits. At around $400 USD, many tourists whose first destination was Rwanda choose to Congo to bypass Rwanda’s expensive $1,500 permit fee. This makes Congo a perfect destination for low-budget travellers.

·         A trip starting from Kigali will also enable your trusted tour operator to easily package the Kigali detailed itinerary. In addition to gorilla trekking, you will have a chance to also explore Kigali, the cleanest city in Africa.

·         Driving from Kigali to Goma gives one amazing views of the Virunga volcanoes, and this wonderful trip will show you why people call Rwanda the Land of a Thousand Hills.

Types of Gorilla Trekking in the Democratic Republic of Congo 

The DRC offers two distinct types of gorilla trekking from which you can choose, and these are:

Mountain Gorilla Trekking 

This experience focuses on hiking through the misty volcanic forests of Virunga NP to see the endangered mountain gorillas in their high-altitude homes.

Mountain gorilla trekking is moderate to strenuous, as trails involve steep climbs and navigating rugged volcanic terrain.

Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking

This trek focuses on eastern lowland gorillas, the largest of all four gorilla subspecies, which are found wild exclusively in the DRC in Kahuzi Biega National Park and in the Mount Tshiaberimu sector of Virunga NP.

Tracking eastern lowland gorillas involves trekking through the lower-altitude tropical rainforests, marshlands, and dense secondary vegetation.

The Congo Gorilla Tracking Experience

The standard gorilla tours from Kigali, Rwanda, usually last 2 or 3 days, offering you a relaxed way to explore the region and spend meaningful time with the gorillas.

Travelers on a gorilla trekking safari in Congo from Kigali must arrive early in the morning for a briefing on rules and regulations concerning the tracking experience.

The maximum group size for gorilla tracking is eight people per family group, and this is a strict universal rule enforced across the DRC, Uganda, and Rwanda.

After the briefing, travelers are led into the forest by park rangers to locate a particular gorilla family.

Tracking gorillas in Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega NP can take between three and eight hours, depending on where the gorillas spent their previous night.

Once the gorillas are found, travelers are given one hour to interact with the gorillas, where they will observe the behaviors of these endangered primates in their natural habitat.

You can maximize your adventure by choosing to combine gorilla trekking with hikes to Nyiragongo Volcano.

Rules and Regulations Concerning Tracking of Gorillas in Congo 

·         Participants must be 15 years or older. Children are barred to prevent the transmission of common childhood illnesses.

·         Trekkers with communicable illnesses (like colds, flu, and coughs) are prohibited from trekking to prevent infecting gorillas, as they share about 98% of the human DNA.

·         Participants must keep a distance of 7 meters away from the gorillas.

·         A maximum of 8 people per group is allowed to track gorillas per day.

·         Eating and drinking are not allowed in the presence of gorillas.

·         Using flash for photography with gorillas is prohibited.

·         Littering in the park is strongly discouraged.

·         Speak in whispers, not to scare gorillas in their natural habitat.

·         Never touch a gorilla, even when curious young ones come near you

·         Avoid eye contact, as staring directly into the eyes of the gorillas is perceived as a threat.

Costs to Incur for a Congo Gorilla Tour from Kigali Rwanda

Congo Gorilla Tracking Permits

·         Foreign non-residents: $400 to $450 USD per person.

·         East African Residents: $200 USD per person.

·         Congolese Citizens: $20 to $25 USD per person.

There are also discounted rates for standard permits that may be available for $200 during low seasons.

Note: Unlike gorilla trekking permits in Uganda (in Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park) and Rwanda (in Volcanoes National Park), gorilla tracking permits in Congo include park entrance fees for that day.

To enter Virunga NP and Kahuzi-Biega NP for non-gorilla activities, the entrance fees are between $40 and $50 per day for international travelers.

It is advisable to book your gorilla trekking permits 3 to 6 months in advance due to limited availability.

Where to Stay When on a Congo Gorilla Safari from Kigali? 

Accommodation options for an overnight stay near Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega NP include budget, mid-range, and luxury facilities.

Budget Accommodations

Budget lodges provide basic amenities and are self-contained with adequate toilets and facilities.

·         Amani Guest House and many others near Virunga National Park.

·         Exodus Bukavu, Mount Kahuzi Hotel in Kahuzi Biega NP

Mid-range Accommodations

Mid-range accommodations charge reasonable rates ranging from $100 to $250 and offer better services and amenities than budget options.

·         Kibumba Tented Camp and Lulimbi Tented Camp—Virunga National Park.

The Kibumba Tented Camp is the closest wilderness camp to the Goma / Grande Barrière border crossing with Rwanda.

·         Hotel Horizon and Lakeside Hotel Bukavu – Kahuzi Biega NP

Luxury Accommodations

Luxury accommodations provide high-quality services and amenities, including large rooms with balconies, laundry services, and swimming pools.

·         Mikeno Lodge and Lac Kivu Lodge – Virunga National Park.

·         Hotel Begonias and Orchids’ Safari Club Hotel Restaurant – Kahuzi Biega NP

Packing List for a Gorilla Trekking Trip in Congo from Kigali 

These are some of the essential items you should pack for a Congo gorilla tracking safari from Kigali.

Long-sleeved shirts and trousers of neutral colors, hiking boots, garden gloves, insect repellent, sunscreen, a hut, bottled drinking water, and documents like a visa and a Yellow Fever certificate, which is mandatory to enter the DR Congo. You can read more about what to pack for a Congo gorilla safari.

How to Get to Virunga NP or Kahuzi Biega National Park for Gorilla Trekking? 

Travelers can fly into Kigali International Airport to reach Virunga National Park or Kahuzi Biega NP for a Congo gorilla tracking tour.

You can still either take an evening flight from Kigali International Airport to Goma International Airport or take a road trip via the border.

From Kigali, most travelers depart early in the morning and cross at the Grande Barrière Border. This journey from Kigali to the DRC border takes approximately 3.5 to 4 hours by road.

Travelers can take regular buses from Kigali to Gisenyi, which is a less expensive option.

After crossing Grande Barrière, you will then drive to Virunga National Park headquarters for mountain gorilla tracking or to Kahuzi Park headquarters for trekking the lowland gorillas.

Travelers should check in with the Virunga tourism office at the Grande Barrière border post after crossing.

A yellow fever vaccination card is required when entering the Congo from Rwanda.

Travelers also need to present their visa at the border crossing to enter the Democratic Republic of Congo. A 14-day Congo tourist visa costs $100-$105.

What Is the Best Time for Congo Gorilla Safaris from Kigali?

The dry seasons (June to September and December to February) are the best time to for tracking gorillas.

During this time, seeing gorillas is easy because the trails are dry and easy to walk through, unlike the wet months when the trails become muddy and the vegetation is fully grown, making it more difficult to spot them.

Some travelers go gorilla trekking during the wet months, and though the vegetation is fully grown, there is a discounted offer on gorilla permits that is $200, and accommodation facilities lower their rates.

Reputable Tour Operators to Use for a Congo Gorilla Tracking Safari from Kigali 

These are the most trusted tour operators known for organizing fascinating Congo gorilla safaris from Kigali.

1.       Prime Safaris and Tours Ltd

2.       Congo Gorilla Safaris and Tours

3.       Wild Gorilla Safaris

4.       Africa Safaris Tours

5.       Gorilla Safaris And Tours

Top Packages Offered by the Above Tour Company 

·         3 Days Congo Lowland Gorilla Tours: The tour focuses on tracking Eastern Lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park.

·         3 Days Mountain Gorilla Trek: It includes tracking mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park.

·         4 Days Congo Gorilla & Nyiragongo Volcano Hike: The tour includes one gorilla trek and a hike up the active Nyiragongo Volcano.

·         5 Days Congo Lowland Gorilla & Nyungwe Chimpanzee Tour: This 5 days Congo gorilla tour is done in Kahuzi Biega NP and is combined with Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe NP because the two parks are near each other.

·         6 Days Congo Gorilla Safari: This includes both mountain and lowland gorilla trekking.

·         10 Days Primate Safari: This is a multi-country trip combining gorilla treks, chimpanzee trekking, golden monkey tracking, and wildlife viewing across Uganda, Rwanda, and the DR Congo.

Congo Gorilla Trekking from Kigali FAQs

1.        How Much Does It Cost to Go Gorilla Trekking in Congo? 

To go tracking gorillas in Congo, permit costs are as follows

·         International visitors: $400 to $450 per person

·         East African residents: $200 per person

·         Congolese citizens: $20 per person

Note: During the low season, gorilla permits for international travelers are discounted to $200.

2.        How Much Does It Cost to Trek with Gorillas in Rwanda? 

To trek with gorillas in Rwanda, gorilla permit costs are as follows

·         Foreign non-residents: $1,500 per person

·         Foreign residents: $500 per person

·         East African residents: $200 per person

3.        What Is the Best Time of Year for a Gorilla Trek in Rwanda?

The best time to trek gorillas in Rwanda is

The dry seasons (June to September and December to February) are the best times to trek gorillas in Rwanda.

During these dry months, the clearer weather keeps the forest trails dry and manageable, making it almost possible for every trekker to complete the trek and locate the gorillas.

On the other hand, you can choose to go for gorilla treks during the wet season since they are shorter treks because gorillas are known for descending to the lower slopes for forage, and there are also discounts on permits and accommodation.

4.        How Far Are the Gorillas from Kigali? 

It is about 115 kilometers (71 miles) from Kigali, Rwanda’s capital city, to Volcanoes National Park, where mountain gorillas live.

5.      Can I combine a Kigali city tour with gorilla tracking in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)? 

You can combine the Kigali city tour with gorilla tracking in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Given the fact that Kigali International Airport is only a 3.5 to 4-hour drive to the Rwanda-RDC border, most tourists use Kigali as their starting point, enjoy a half-day or full-day city tour, and later drive to the border on Day 2 for gorilla tracking in Virunga National Park.

6.      Can I combine mountain gorilla trekking with a volcano hike during a 6 Days Congo Gorilla Safari? 

Extending your holiday to a 6 Days Congo Gorilla Safari allows you to seamlessly combine a Kigali city tour, gorilla trekking in Virunga, and a challenging two-day overnight hike up Mount Nyiragongo to see the world’s largest lava lake.

Ready to meet the incredible Congo gorillas? Contact our safari specialist to help reserve gorilla trekking from Kigali and for an incredible encounter with endangered primates.