Gorilla trekking is an activity that happens in three countries: Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda. The most popular destinations here are Rwanda and Uganda because, for them, they have a well-established gorilla tracking system, are strategically located, and have a robust tourist sector as compared to the Congo.

Today, we would like to know much more about the gorilla trekking in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and see how best we can track the gorillas and which districts are being tracked in the Congo.

Definitely, the dream of every visitor is to explore the gorillas and go on an African safari where he or she can interface eye to eye with the endangered mountain gorillas, which are found in the wild. Thus, you don’t need to miss this great activity once you come to enjoy Africa, especially the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

There is nothing exciting about the endangered mountain gorilla in the jungle, let alone the animals that are usually seen in captivity. Mountain gorillas share 98% of their DNA with humans, and this is extremely interesting and wonderful.

The gorilla trekking in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is done in the company of the park rangers, the guides, and the tracker, with each having different roles to play once they are in the forest searching for the gorillas. The reason why guides and trackers are necessary during this activity is because these people have the expertise to locate where these gorilla families can enjoy themselves.

Gorilla trekking in Congo is done in two great national parks, which include the Virunga National Park, which hosts the endangered mountain gorillas, and the Eastern Lowland Gorillas, which are found in the Kahunnzi-Biega National Park. For the gorilla trekking, you will need to wake up early in the morning from your hotel, and your Safari guide will drive you to Bukima, a post known as the gorilla trekking starting point for the Virunga National Park.

This is where you will receive the gorilla trekking briefing points, and once you have been briefed, you will start the gorilla trekking activity. As you are trekking, you will get the chance to see the local people, and where possible, you will be able to interact with them, learn much about their way of life, and share different stories with them.

The length of the trek is entirely dependent on the gorilla families, who hardly ever follow a defined path, and you will learn that gorillas wander a lot and move the forest from place to place in families. This means that you can stay for an hour or, where possible, for a few minutes, depending on the location of the mountain gorillas.

They keep wondering as they look for what to eat, and it is because of this that they keep changing locations. It can take the guides less than an hour to trek to the gorillas, but it can also take much longer. When you come across a family of mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, the mother is always watching out for any babies or young gorillas playing on tree branches. The dominant silverback also keeps a constant eye on its family while you listen to the guides’ informative explanations.

If you’re feeling adventurous, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the place to go because it hasn’t been overrun by tourists and offers more than just mountain gorillas. There’s also a chance to hike the active volcanoes on Nyiragongo Mountains

When can one visit Congo for gorilla trekking?

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, gorillas can be trekked at any time; however, currently, the Virunga National Park is still closed because of insecurity, and clients who go to Rwanda now opt to use the Kahunzi Biega and do the Eastern Lowland Gorillas.

However, March through May and October through November are the two rainy seasons in Congo. Although it is difficult for trekkers to access the trails during this time, the gorilla trekking activity still goes on as scheduled. If it rains, it will only last for three hours before stopping, allowing you to enjoy some sunshine.

The months from June to September and February are the most popular for tourists to travel to Congo because they have fewer rainy days. For more information, please reach out to our page for the best safari experience. We can arrange gorilla trekking safaris there and secure gorilla permits for you. Ask us what you want, and our experts will definitely serve you best.

Any visitor must obtain a gorilla permit in advance to be able to see the gorillas in Congo. A Congo gorilla permit costs $400 per person per trek, making it less expensive than all the permits in Uganda and Rwanda. Permits can be reserved at any time of the year.

Entry into Congo requires a $100 visa, which must be requested in advance. Before entering the country, you must have a yellow fever card. As you enter the Congo, this helps to minimize disruption; other vaccinations are recommended but not required. Make certain you have the necessary gear and attire for a gorilla trek. Just email us for more information about this great Congo-African safari.