The Democratic Republic of Congo is blessed to be the only country in the world. Congo gorilla safaris are therefore the popular safari to Congo activity though there’s a debate on whether Mountain Gorilla trekking or Lowland Gorilla trekking is the best activity.

Mountain Gorilla trekking is undertaken at Virunga National Park where’s lowland gorilla trekking is undertaken at Kahuzi Biega National Park.

Here is a comparison of Congo gorilla trekking tours to Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park which will help you choose which trek is better between Mountain or Lowland Gorilla Trekking;

Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park

The most popular Congo safari activity in Virunga National Park. In the park are six habituated gorilla families available for gorilla trekking safaris in Congo.

Kabirizi is the largest family in the national park with approximately 32 members including 10 babies, 4 sub adults, I black back, 11 adults, five juveniles and 1 silver back named kabirizi.

The other gorilla families in the national park are Rugendo, Munyaga, Humba, Mapuwa and Lulengo families. Congo gorilla trekking safaris is an all year round activity and a total of 8 tourists are allowed to trek a single gorilla family each day.

Mountain Gorilla trekking starts at 8:00am each morning and takes about 6 hours though only a maximum of 1 hour in the presence of the gentle giants. Virunga National Parks rises to an altitude of 2,230ft offering a great hiking challenge to trekkers in the park.

The advantage of trekking gorillas in Virunga National Park is that it is adjacent to the border with Rwanda and Uganda and therefore accessible. The country is politically unstable and could not be very safe to traverse all through to Kahuzi Biega National Park.

Lowland Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park

Lowland Gorillas are found in Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and a favorite place for Congo gorilla trekking tours for tourists who wouldn’t love to hike.

The altitude of Kahuzi Biega National Park rises from 600m above sea level which is lower than Virunga therefore a favorite destination for clients who wouldn’t be able to hike.

To trek a gorilla family in Congo, a traveler needs a Congo gorilla trekking permit. A Congo gorilla safari permit costs USD 400 per person per trek which is far less than both the price for a Uganda or Rwanda gorilla safari permit.

A Uganda safari or Rwanda safari are the easiest way of trekking Mountain Gorillas outside Congo. Many travelers also always tailor their Congo safari to a Uganda gorilla safari or gorilla safari Rwanda tailored as a double tracking safari in more than one destination.