Where to Go for Budget Gorilla Trekking in Congo?

As you come for Congo budget gorilla trekking safaris and tours, you have the option of either visiting Virunga National Park for mountain gorilla trekking or Kahuzi Biega National Park for eastern lowland gorilla expeditions.

These are the destinations for gorilla safari trips for travelers on Congo tours;

1. Virunga National Park in Eastern Congo

Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of the only sites to go mountain gorilla trekking in Africa. Other parks to track mountain gorillas include Uganda Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Park in Uganda, as well as Rwanda Volcanoes National Park.

Congo’s Virunga Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, holding a third of the mountain gorillas that dwell in the Virunga Conservation Area. Other amazing wildlife species, including forest elephants, eastern chimpanzees, leopards, spotted hyenas, and many bird species, can also be encountered during a gorilla trek.

Gorilla expeditions in Virunga Park start early in the morning with the briefing. Visitors are told the guidelines to follow while on the mountain gorilla hike for example, always to follow the ranger rules and never to feed these giants. Later, visitors are grouped into groups of 8 to visit a gorilla family.

The hike in the rainforest as you look for the allocated mountain gorilla group is rewarding though challenging. When you meet the gorilla group, you’ll forget all the challenges you went through along the gorilla hike.

Visitors on gorilla trekking expeditions are limited to one hour watching mountain gorillas in their misty natural habitat. You’re free to take photos & videos of these mighty and gentle giants.

Other optional safari activities in Virunga National Park for visitors on gorilla budget safaris in Congo apart from Mountain gorilla tracking;

• Hike Mount Nyiragongo Volcano
• Bird watching
• Going for Nature walks
• Chimpanzee trekking
• Visit Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage around
• Do a boat trip on Kivu Lake nearby

2. Kahuzi Beiga National Park

Visitors on Congo budget gorilla tours visit Kahuzi Beiga National Park mainly to enjoy Eastern lowland gorilla safari expeditions. Congo’s Kahuzi Beiga Park is situated on the border nearby Lake Kivu & Rwanda.

This protected area—a stunning, vast, lowland tropical rainforest—is home to over 400 Eastern Lowland gorillas, which are the world’s largest primate species.

The gorilla trekking experience in Virunga Park is similar to the lowland gorilla trekking adventure. If you have time on your Congo budget safari trip, you can enjoy all these gorilla safari experiences to differentiate these two gorilla species!

Some tourists can’t distinguish these two gorilla species, but Eastern lowland gorillas live in lowland tropical rainforests. Mountain gorillas live in the Albertine Rift Valley in mountainous places.

In Kahuzi Biega National Park, visitors can also spot Western lowland gorillas.

Optional activities for visitors on budget gorilla tours in Kahuzi Beiga National Park;

• Hiking Mount Kahuzi and Biega
• Explore Lwiro chimpanzee sanctuary near the park
• Bird watching
• Undertake guided nature walks

Cost for Gorilla Permits in Congo- How Much Does It Cost to Trek With Gorillas in Congo Virunga Park?

As you come for cheap gorilla safaris in Congo, you should know that before you go for a gorilla hike, you must have a gorilla permit—an official document that permits you to track these cool giants.

A Congo gorilla permit costs $400. In Rwanda Volcanoes National Park, a gorilla permit costs $1500 and in Uganda, gorilla permits are at $800. Therefore, DRC gorilla permits are the cheapest, thus ideal for travelers on affordable gorilla safari holidays in Africa.

Visitors who wish to spend long hours with mountain gorillas should opt for the Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda Bwindi Forest. Gorilla permits for a Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda cost $1500.

Gorilla Trekking Rules to Follow on Your Budget Gorilla Trekking Safari in Congo

Every traveler on budget gorilla expeditions in Congo must follow these gorilla trekking rules and regulations. Park authorities set them to protect both visitors & these beautiful giant apes.

Here are the guidelines for a gorilla hike for visitors on budget gorilla safaris in Congo:

• Travelers with contagious diseases cannot track gentle giants
• Virunga National Park only allows trekking for those over 15 years old. Pediatric deadly diseases like measles and mumps are so common among children.
• Only 8 guests per day can meet a gorilla group.
• This rare chance allows for only one hour with these endangered species.
• Visitors should stay 7 meters away from a gorilla group while spotting them. Stay quiet and don’t run if a baby gorilla approaches!
• Follow the park ranger’s instructions during a gorilla expedition.
• Visitors should avoid using flash cameras when photographing these enormous apes. This stresses enormous animals.
• Stay within your group when visiting mountain gorillas; this makes the Silverback feel safe!
• Avoid making noise during the gorilla hike. This way, you’ll encounter more birds and primates like black-and-white colobus, red-tailed, and blue monkeys.
• If charged by a gorilla, such as a Silverback, be cool, avoid direct eye contact, and do not run away. Do as the ranger says!
• Avoid drinking, smoking, or eating around mountain gorillas. Keep at least 200 m from these huge apes.
• It is unlawful for travelers to smoke in the park.
• Avoid littering in the park. Take your belongings out or put them in the trash.

Best Time to Go for Budget Gorilla Trekking Tours in Congo Virunga Park

If you are thinking about the best time to go for budget gorilla safari holidays in Congo Virunga National Park or Kahuzi Beiga National Park, we advise you to travel in the dry months, June-August & December-February.  Mostly covered by tropical rainforests, DRC gets a lot of rain, particularly in the rainy season running from March to May and even September-November.

Gorilla parks receive little rainfall during dry months, and usually gorilla hiking trails are dry-mud-free. The dry season is also ideal for Nyiragongo hiking adventures.

Gorilla safari expeditions in Congo ideal times also cut over Rwanda Volcanoes National Park and even the other destinations in Uganda, including the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Ask for further information; it is possible to arrange Uganda-Congo gorilla safari expeditions or Rwanda-Congo visits.

Note: Year-round, gorilla tour holidays in Congo are open to visitors on Congo trips. Never be limited by time.

Gorilla Trekking Packing List for Budget Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Congo

Tourists coming for Congo cheap gorilla trekking holidays (affordable gorilla holidays) in Congo Virunga Park should have the items below for a successful gorilla tour.

1. A camera for taking photos
2. Safari walking boots
3. A warm sweater is useful in dense jungles.
4. Insect repellents
5. Energy-giving snacks. This can be a packed lunch.
6. Rain jacket
7. Long-sleeved shirts and pants
8. Gaiters
9. A gorilla permit
10. Garden gloves
11. Sandals to use while at your accommodation

The above are vital as well in other areas for gorilla trekking tours, such as Uganda Bwindi Forest National Park & Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda.

Best Accommodation in Congo- (Budget Lodges) to Use During a Budget Gorilla Safari in Congo

Visitors on budget gorilla safaris in Congo have numerous options for lodges to use on their visit. In most cases, travelers on a budget gorilla trekking safari tour in Congo normally use budget facilities. Though they are budget lodges, most of these accommodations have very comfortable facilities!

Travelers on a budget gorilla tour in Congo can also use mid-range hotels or high-end safari lodges; however, they remain on an affordable safari vacation.

Here are the popular affordable lodges used by travelers on budget gorilla tour holidays in Congo:

• Nyiragongo Volcano Summit Shelters
• Bukima Tented Camp
• Kibumba Tented Camp
• Lulimbi Tented Camp
• Tchegera Island Tented Camp

If you book your budget gorilla tour in Congo with us, we are available to guide you on the best affordable lodges to use on your DR Congo safari holiday. Visitors on cheap gorilla safaris in Congo can also opt to use Mikeno Lodge, a lovely luxury facility in Virunga Park ideal for child-friendly tours.

Coming for budget gorilla trekking tours in Congo doesn’t necessarily mean that you are to use budget lodges; there are other factors you can look at to reduce your expenditure.

Cost Reduction Measures for Travelers on Budget Congo Tours – What Is the Cheapest Way to See Gorillas in Congo?

What is the cheapest way to go gorilla trekking in Congo? Coming for an affordable gorilla tour in Congo means cutting all unnecessary expenditures on your vacation.

Below, let’s look at all the possible measures on how you can have gorilla trekking tours in Congo on a tight budget;

1. Travel As a Group

If you visit Congo Mountain gorillas as a group, it’s always possible to share the safari cost, for example, accommodation, transportation, and even the cost of guiding. When you travel alone, it means that all the costs will be on your head.

2. Use Mostly Budget Lodges

Visitors on budget gorilla tour holidays in Congo normally use budget lodges as they are cheaper in comparison with luxury lodges. Regardless of the tour operator you book with, they will choose for you the best affordable lodge to use. This applies even in Uganda and Rwanda.

3. Limit Yourself to Many Activities

Visitors on budget gorilla trekking safari holidays in Congo should limit themselves on the number of activities they do. More activities come with hidden costs and this increases the overall cost of your safari in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

4. Pack Essential Items Only

Don’t spend much on the pack list as you come for an affordable gorilla trekking safari in Congo. Only come with essential Congo safari items. Check our pack list for gorilla trekking in Congo.

Other travel tips for travelers coming for Congo budget gorilla tours;

• Book your gorilla tour in Congo with local tour companies
• Travel in a safari vehicle mostly
• Visit Congo in the low season when there are low discounted rates in most lodges.

Most experienced tour operators in Congo have extensive knowledge of how travelers can undertake affordable gorilla trips in the DRC. Only book your trip with such a tour operator.

FAQs About Congo Budget Gorilla Trekking Safari Tours in East Africa

1. Where Is the Cheapest Place for Gorilla Trekking?

DR Congo is the cheapest place to go for gorilla safari holidays in East Africa. Gorilla permits in Congo cost $400. In other gorilla tracking destinations for example, Uganda, the permit costs $800 and that of Rwanda is $1500.

2. Is Gorilla Trekking Expensive? Why Is Gorilla Trekking So Expensive?

Indeed, in comparison with other wildlife viewing activities, for example, game drives and birding in all gorilla destinations (Uganda, Congo, and Rwanda), the cost of tracking gorillas is higher.

Though gorilla tracking seems to be expensive, it’s worth it as much of the money travelers pay for gorilla permits is channeled back into the conservation of these beautiful apes.

This money is used to pay park rangers, sensitize local communities about gorilla conservation, and even start-up community projects, including schools.

3. How Much Does It Cost to Trek With Gorillas?

In DR Congo, the cost of tracking gorillas is $400. Within Uganda, gorilla permits cost $800 and it’s $1500 in Rwanda Volcanoes National Park.

4. How Much Is the Budget Gorilla Trek in Congo?

Putting aside the $400 for the gorilla tracking permit, on average expect to spend about $300 each day on your budget gorilla tour holiday in DRC on accommodation, meals, and transportation. Only experienced tour operators can explain this to you. Contact us for details!

5. What to Expect on a Budget Gorilla Trekking Safari in Congo?

Going cheap does not mean you will have an awful experience. Most people misinterpret this; hence, not all tour companies can plan a suitable gorilla tour. When booking your gorilla trekking safari in Congo with us, we shall provide you with standard accommodation facilities with all meals included.

Therefore, on your affordable gorilla safari trips in Congo, expect a rewarding holiday experience.

Contact us for the best budget gorilla holidays in Congo, as we are among the top tour operators in the East African region. From our extensive experience in arranging Congo tours, we shall choose for you the best accommodation, transportation means, and tour guides, among other things that make Congo tours and vacations memorable.