Virunga National Park
DR Congo gorilla trekking safaris are not complete without visits to Virunga National Park. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Virunga National Park was formerly known by many as Albert National Park named by King Albert I of Belgium. This was in 1925 and this made it the first national park in Congo and the oldest national Park in Africa.
It borders Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Mgahinga Park being surrounded by Lake Kivu, Lake Edward, and Albert.
The Congolese National Park and the Institute of Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN) in partnership with the Africa Conservation Fund are responsible for managing Virunga National Park.
This park provides a haven for the endangered Mountain Gorillas and this makes it a top destination for Congo Gorilla trekking trips or Congo Gorilla safaris.
The Mountain Gorilla tours in the Democratic Republic of Congo are the best way to meet Mountain Gorillas during a Congo holiday within Virunga National Park. After or before Gorilla trekking, you can enjoy the Nyiragongo Volcano hike which offers great sightings of the world’s largest lava lake.
During your Congo safaris in Virunga Park, you can also get views of other wildlife species though the most common are wild animals like the Giant Forest Hog, primates like the Central African Red Colobus, and many colorful bird species.
Virunga National Park offers the best activities and the most iconic is the Gorilla trekking and others are nature walks, birding, and sometimes Chimpanzee trekking is available just like Nyungwe Forest National Park of Rwanda.
Major Attractions in Virunga National Park
On your Congo tour, you can see many attractions within Virunga National Park.
Here are the major attractions to see in Virunga National Park during Congo safaris;
Wildlife species
There are many unique wildlife species to see on a Congo safari. Virunga National Park has an amusing plant life counting 264 tree species with 230 grasses as some are endemics.
In the African wilderness, you can engage in wildlife safaris and see many wildlife species and you can also enjoy them during nature walks. Some of these unique wildlife species are spotted during Congo Gorilla safaris.
Mammal species
Virunga National Park is a natural home to many wild animals and the checklist has about 218 species. Among these are 22 primates, reptiles, amphibians, and over 706 bird species.
On your Congo safaris, you can see these wildlife species during Gorilla trekking, nature walks, hikes, and boat cruises along Lake Kivu. You can get views of the Giant Forest Hog, the African Elephant, Buffalo, Yellow Backed Duiker, antelope species, etc.
On your Mountain Gorilla trek and Chimpanzee trekking, you have opportunities to see other primates like the Central African Red Colobus, Grey-cheeked Mangabey, Dent’s Mona Monkey, Olive baboon, the Golden Monkey, and other wildlife species.
A boat cruise along Lake Kivu and Lake Edward is thrilling just like that in Cape Town, and it offers sightings of Crocodiles and many bird species on the shores of the Semliki River.
Activities in Virunga National Park
Congo safaris are thrilling when it comes to activities you can do within Virunga National Park.
Mountain Gorilla trekking experience
This is the best way of meeting Mountain Gorillas within the Virunga massif when on Gorilla safaris. You will surely enjoy thrilling Gorilla tours in DR Congo and enjoy a remarkable Gorilla trekking safari.
On the DR Congo Gorilla trek in Virunga National Park, you can meet many Mountain Gorillas though the most iconic is the Kabirizi Gorilla family. This Congo Gorilla group is thrilling during the Gorilla trekking safari as it has Kabirizi the dominant Silverback Gorilla.
You need to enjoy Congo Gorilla safaris or Gorilla tours when you come on a Congo vacation as it is not available in many African countries.
Chimpanzee trekking
On your Congo safaris, you can also enjoy Chimpanzee trekking within the Virunga massifs. You will trek a Chimpanzee community in the rainforest and be with it for one full hour.
Nature walks
Nature walks are outstanding in Virunga National Park as it is a rainforest with well-developed walking trails. These nature walks are best during Congo Gorilla safaris or Congo Gorilla tours and you get sightings of many wildlife species.
Nyiragongo hike
Mountain Nyiragongo is an active volcano offering the best hikes during Congo safaris. On your Congo safaris, a Nyiragongo volcano hike will offer you sightings of the world’s largest lava lake on this active volcano.
The Nyiragongo volcano hike or volcano trek cannot be missed on a Congo tour since it is not available in other African countries.
Bird watching
This is a superb Congo safari adventure to enjoy in Virunga National Park and some of the birds to see include;
- African Fish Eagle
- Narrow-tailed starling
- Grey-throated barbet
- Madagascar bee-eater, etc.
Kahuzi Biega National Park
Kahuzi Biega National Park is a good destination for Congo Gorilla safaris or Gorilla tours during the Democratic Republic of Congo tour. It is one of the few places on the African continent where you can find Eastern Lowland Gorillas and it also offers Chimpanzee trekking adventures.
Kahuzi Biega National Park is in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo near the border with Rwanda and also near Lake Kivu. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is among the largest national parks within the Democratic Republic of Congo having many animal species that you can see on a Congo adventure.
Mount Kahuzi and Mount Biega are the two dominant volcanoes that you can find in Kahuzi Biega National Park and there is no active volcano. It has about 350 bird species and several mammal species.
Kahuzi Beiga National Park is home to Eastern Lowland Gorillas and tourists can engage in Lowland Gorilla trekking during Congo safaris to see these Eastern Lowland Gorillas.
However, in all this, you need a Congo Gorilla permit to see the Congo Gorilla species and you are only given one full hour to be in their presence in Kahuzi Beiga National Park just like the Mountain gorilla trekking experience.
Apart from Congo Gorilla safaris in Kahuzi Biega National Park, you can also enjoy wildlife safaris, nature walks, and bird watching on your Congo safaris.
Cost of Congo Gorilla permits
Tourists need Gorilla tracking permits to explore Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park for an enticing Democratic Republic of Congo Gorilla trek. The permits can be obtained with the help of local tour operators.
All Congo Gorilla permits can be obtained from $400 per person and per Gorilla trek if you intend to see Mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park or Eastern Lowland Gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park on your Congo safaris.
Gorilla permits are sold throughout the entire year though you need to target the dry season as the rainy season is challenging when it comes to tracking the gentle giants. However, in the rainy season, the Congo Gorilla permits for a Congo Gorilla trekking safari usually drop to $350 to attract more tourists as it is the low season.
You can also enjoy a Gorilla trek in Uganda or Rwanda but you should know that permits within these countries are a bit more costly. The Gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs $700 and that in Rwanda costs $1500.
You need to always buy your Gorilla tracking permits for Congo safaris in advance as they can be scarce most of the time.
How to See the Mountain Gorillas on a Budget?
There are many ways you can see Mountain Gorillas on a budget but you should that DR Congo is the cheapest spot to see Congo Gorillas since its Gorilla tracking permits are the cheapest amongst those of other countries as it only costs $400.
Among all the factors to consider, the cost of Gorilla tracking permits remains constant. You need to join the group Congo Gorilla Safaris as you can save more since all costs are shared among people on the Congo safari.
You can come for Congo safaris in the wet season as most of the lodges are at a discount and also the Gorilla tracking permits are discounted to $350.
Tourists need to spend the night near the national parks where the Gorilla experience is mostly enjoyed.
Gorilla Trekking Regulations in Virunga National Park
Tourists embarking on Congo Gorilla safari adventures let it an Eastern Lowland Gorilla trekking safari in Kahuzi Biega National Park or a Mountain Gorilla trekking safari in Virunga National Park, some rules and regulations are followed throughout the entire Gorilla trek.
The same rules work for those who want to see Rwanda Gorillas within Volcanoes National Park. On your Congo safaris, these rules are given to you during the briefing by the park rangers at the park headquarters.
Here is a list of Gorilla trekking rules that you to know;
- Only 8 people on a Gorilla trek are allowed to meet a Gorilla family. This is for conservation purposes during the Gorilla safari for both Eastern Lowland Gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park and Mountain Gorillas.
- The age limit for a Congo Gorilla trekking safari is 15 years
- On a Gorilla trek, you are only given one full hour to be with the Eastern Lowland Gorillas or Mountain Gorillas.
- All Gorilla treks are done during the day, from 8 am to 5 pm.
- Human waste should be buried at least 30cm deep
- Avoid touching the apes once you meet them
- When in the presence of endangered Gorillas, you should not eat, smoke, or drink in front of them
- Always keep your voice low during the thrilling Gorilla trekking tour within the Republic of the Congo.
- Mountain Gorillas and the Lowlands are not friendly with flashlights and that’s why you shouldn’t use them when taking pictures
- In case of any illness, then you shouldn’t visit Congo Gorillas as you can easily infect them.
- Always keep a distance of 7 meters away from the Congo Gorillas as it is a precaution in case they lose their temper.
Congo Gorilla Tracking Day, the Real Experience
The Congo Gorilla trekking experience to meet gorillas starts with a Congo Gorilla trek briefing in the morning from the park rangers at the park headquarters. After you embark on a Gorilla trek into the dense thick rainforest.
The briefing at the park headquarters brings out the necessary history of the park and the Gorilla family that you are going to meet and how you can act when you meet Congo Gorillas.
Sometimes the Gorilla trek can be long or short and this mostly depends on the movement of the Eastern Lowland Gorillas within Kahuzi Beiga National Park or Mountain Gorillas.
In some circumstances, you can find the apes quickly like within an hour and sometimes it can be a different story and you take hours.
As any family head, the Silverback receives you and ensures that you are no threat and this is when your one hour kicks off with being with the Mountain Gorillas.
What to Expect On a Gorilla Trip to Congo
Everyone who intends to go on a DR Congo safari should be hoping to what they can discover during this fruitful journey. The road network is not great let it be in 4×4 vehicles though watching Mountain Gorillas in their natural home will change everything.
Keep in mind that Congo safari tours are now becoming more popular since the Republic of the Congo is now becoming more accessible are it is stabilizing.
Why Visit Virunga National Park – Mountain Gorilla Tracking
This is a common question for tourists who want to visit Virunga National Park on Congo safari trips. This park is situated in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo just near Lake Kivu.
Virunga National Park is home to Mountain Gorillas that you can see during a Gorilla trekking safari. It also forms the Virunga Massif and this continues to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Mgahinga National Park.
Mountain Gorilla trekking is only enjoyed within the Virunga massif and in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park worldwide as they are the only places having endangered Mountain Gorillas.
When you explore Virunga National Park, you get the best Congo Gorilla tracking experience. To enjoy the Gorilla trekking experience in Virunga National Park, you need to have a Congo Gorilla trekking permit.
During your encounter, you will get sightings of other animal species.
How to Get to Virunga National Park/ the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Before getting to this country, you need to get a DR Congo visa with the assistance of Virunga National Park which is done online after you have bought a Congo Gorilla permit.
The visa application process takes around 48 hours. Travelers can enter the Republic of the Congo by border crossing via the border between Gisenyi in Rwanda and Goma in DR Congo. This is the most significant border o to use as it is quick and easy.
The quick way of getting to Virunga National Park is to fly to Kigali and then transfer to Gisenyi by vehicle means but you should know that the road network is not that good meaning that you will be driving slowly.
For border crossing, you require a Yellow fever certificate, and your temperature is checked. After, you are stamped out of Rwanda and stamped into the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Things to Note about Border Crossing to Congo
There are several things to consider when it comes to border crossing. Just know that it is a short walk and a quick process of just 10 minutes and below are some of the things to know;
- Make sure that you have full paperwork that you can show to the immigration offices.
- A valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is a must-have.
- You need to use 4×4 vehicles as the road network is poor.
Top Gorilla Trekking Companies in Congo
There are many Congo Gorilla trekking companies that provide thrilling Congo safari packages though you need to choose a reputable tour operator. You can talk to tour operators and tailor the packages with wildlife safaris for a great experience.
Here are the top tour operators to use for Gorilla trekking;
- Congo Gorilla Safaris and Tours
- Wild Gorilla Safaris
- Prime Safaris and Tours Ltd
- Africa Safaris Tours
Congo Gorilla Tours – Gorilla Trekking Safaris 2025-2026
Our Congo safaris offer the best encounters of seeing Lowland Gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park, Mountain Gorillas in Virunga National Park, and climbing the Nyiragongo active volcano. These Congo safari adventures can be combined with wildlife safaris and cultural encounters for remarkable experiences.
Tips for Planning Gorilla Trekking in Congo’s Virunga National Park
There are a few tips you need to know before setting out for Gorilla safaris in Virunga National Park. The Congo Gorilla tours can be challenging but you forget all the hard work once you meet a Gorilla group in Virunga National Park.
Here are some of the tips to know before going on Gorilla tours;
- Tourists embarking on a Congo Gorilla safari need to have some physical fitness. This is because the Congo Gorilla safaris take you in valleys, hills, and dense forests making the Gorilla tour challenging.
- Virunga Park is at a high altitude and it can be cold during Gorilla safaris or Gorilla tours and this is why you need to keep warm when tracking Gorillas.
- Tracking Gorillas within Virunga National Park is good throughout the year though the best time is the dry season when all trails are dry and accessible during the Gorilla safari.
- It is advisable to use a reputable tour operator to organize the Gorilla safari. He will help make bookings and reserve permits concerning the Gorilla safari during Congo safaris.
- Tourists going for a Gorilla tour or Gorilla trekking need to pack the right equipment that they can use when tracking Gorillas during Congo safaris.
- If you have heavy equipment during the Congo Gorilla tracking adventure, then you need to hire a porter.
- A Congo Gorilla tracking permit is a must-have before going on a Congo tour for Gorilla trekking.
- You need to be vaccinated against yellow fever to cross the border to Congo to engage in Congo Gorilla trekking.
- If you are planning for Gorilla trekking during Congo safaris, then you need to apply for the entry visa in advance.
- Don’t spend the overnight stay far away from the Congo Gorilla trek starting point. Make sure that you get accommodation near the Gorilla trekking national parks during your Gorilla tours.
What Is the Best Time of the Year to Visit DR Congo?
The Democratic Republic of Congo is open to tourists all year round though June to September remains the best time to visit since it is a dry season.
Most of the eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo that is Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park have a wet climate and it can rain at any time of the day.
June to September is when there is less rain though the forest trails can become slippery and March to April and October to November receive short and sometimes long rains making accessibility challenging on your Gorilla tours.
The wet season is sometimes rewarding when it comes to Gorilla tours as the Congo Gorilla tracking permit fees are discounted just like the lodge rates making the Gorilla trekking tours cheaper.
All in all, you need to pack your waterproof gear like a poncho or rain jacket with good hiking boots.
How Much Does It Cost to Go Gorilla Trekking in Congo? | How much is Gorilla Trekking in DRC? | How Much Does It Cost to See Gorillas In Congo?
A Congo Gorilla trekking tour has no fixed price as it depends on a few factors like the length of the Gorilla trekking tour, the tour operator you are using, the type of accommodation, and the cost of the Congo Gorilla permit.
The permit goes for $400 per person per Congo Gorilla trek which is both for Mountain Gorillas in Virunga and Eastern Lowland Gorillas within Kahuzi Biega National Park.
This Gorilla trekking permit of the Democratic Republic of Congo is just half price of those in other destinations, especially if you want to trek in Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda, then you need to pay $1500 for a permit and $700 in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Park.
However, considering all the factors, expect to spend around $120 per person per day during a Gorilla trekking safari.
Is Gorilla Trekking In DRC Safe? | Is It Safe to Gorilla Trek in DRC? | Is It Safe to See Gorillas in Congo?
Yes, Gorilla trekking is safe and secure within the Democratic Republic of Congo. Safety begins with the Gorilla trekking rules that are given to you by the park rangers during the briefing at the park headquarters and you need to follow them.
When in the rainforest on a Gorilla trekking experience, you are accompanied by armed ranger guides who protect you at all costs. The Gorillas that you encounter in Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park are fully habituated as they can recognize the presence of humans.
Is Gorilla Trekking Worth the Money?
Yes, Gorilla trekking on a Gorilla tour or Gorilla safari is worth the time and money as you get to meet the rare endangered Mountain Gorillas and Lowland Gorillas in their natural home which is a great experience.
These are endangered species and not available in many countries which is why Mountain Gorilla treks are worth the money.
How Much Does It Cost to Trek Gorillas in Virunga National Park?
To trek Gorillas in Virunga National Park on a Gorilla tour or Congo Gorilla safari, you need to have a Congo Gorilla permit which costs $400.
How Much Does A Gorilla Safari Cost? | How Much Does It Cost to Trek With Gorillas? | How Much Does It Cost To Visit Gorillas?
The Democratic Republic of Congo offers great Mountain Gorilla tours and the Gorilla tracking permit costs $400. For those interested in trekking in Uganda the permit costs $700 and the one for Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda costs $1500.
This makes the permit in Congo half price for these within these other national parks.
Keep in mind that discounted Gorilla tracking permits are rare to get for a Congo Gorilla safari. The Gorilla trekking tour cost depends on many factors like the duration of the trip, accommodation style, and other activities you can combine on the Mountain Gorilla tour or a Congo Gorilla safari.
Can I Extend My East African Safari With A Trip to Congo (DRC)?
Yes, you can extend your East African safari with a trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Most tourists visit Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania in East Africa for wildlife safaris though they combine them with a Mountain Gorilla tour or Gorilla safari in DR Congo within Virunga National Park with a visit to other national parks.
You can fly to Kigali International Airport, do wildlife safaris in Akagera National Park and Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park, and cross the border to the Democratic Republic of Congo for a thrilling Mountain Gorilla trek experience.
East Africa safaris inclusive of DR Congo are remarkable during your holiday.
In conclusion, Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park are the best places to see the endangered Gorillas during Congo Gorilla safaris. These national parks offer opportunities to see these gentle giants face-to-face within their natural habitat.
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